The scheduled match time arrived. All players who had confirmed their invitations to the Alacaster Battle Cup saw it at once: a semi-transparent panel appearing in their vision without warning.
It didn't matter where they were—top-tier immersion pods or ordinary gaming terminals—the somber-styled interface appeared for everyone simultaneously.
The panel's background showed the deep cosmic sea of stars. At its center was a planet shrouded in dark red psychic clouds and industrial haze—an overhead view of Alacaster. A line of text appeared, gleaming with cold metallic luster:
[The finals have begun.]
[The fate of Alacaster awaits to be written.]
[Proceed to battlefield immediately?]
Below were the prominent options [Teleport Now] and [Cancel].
"I Am Not God" held his breath the instant the panel appeared. That accidental invitation from days ago had haunted him—the anxiety, the speculation, the secret thrill of being chosen.
All of it turned into real, heart-pounding excitement in this moment. Without hesitation, he focused his intent and pressed [Teleport Now].
Brilliant light swallowed his vision. The familiar sensation of weightlessness followed. Rather than entering the battlefield directly, he experienced an extremely stunning cutscene first.
The perspective zoomed rapidly from outside a distant galaxy. It pierced through turbulent warp storms and Imperial fleet wreckage, finally freezing in orbit around planet Alacaster.
The camera swept slowly across the planet's surface. Endless desolate plains were pockmarked with mines and factory ruins. Pollution swamps steamed with toxic vapors like scars on the earth.
Towering energy pylons reached into the clouds but stood silent and dead. Overlaying it all was that unsettling dark red psychic miasma, writhing as if alive.
The low background sound effects created an overwhelming atmosphere. A mix of metal grinding and Chaos whispers rendered the oppression and grandeur of this pre-apocalyptic battlefield.
The animation faded to black.
A moment later, "I Am Not God" found himself standing in a virtual preparation hall. The space had a cold, hard style full of Imperial military aesthetics. Around him, 31 other figures gradually solidified. All were players selected for the Imperial side.
Their characters varied, their equipment different, but each had a small Imperial Aquila floating beside their ID. The symbol marked them as the same faction.
Simultaneously, a clear three-choice voting interface appeared before all Imperial players:
[Please select this match's primary Imperial faction:]
· Adeptus Astartes
· Icon: Ultramarine blue armor profile
· Summary: Small number of elite superhuman warriors. Extremely powerful individually, tactically flexible, excel at decapitation strikes and breakthroughs. Extremely low margin for error, requires exceptional personal skill and team coordination.
· Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii
· Icon: Mechanicus gear and skull sigil
· Summary: Massive mechanical units and heavy firepower. Invincible in frontal advances, formidable in position assaults. Tactics relatively simple, poor mobility, fears complex environments and efficient anti-armor.
· Imperial Guard
· Icon: Countless Imperial Guard soldier silhouettes with flying Imperial banners
· Summary: Largest mixed force. Diverse tactics, strong adaptability, excels at wars of attrition and position defense. Individually fragile, relies on command and terrain, late-game potential depends on support and overall strategy.
"Voting time: 60 seconds."
Almost the instant voting began, a brash, highly recognizable female voice rang out on the public voice channel. It was I Will Carry You.
"Wow! Guys! Three options! Which should we choose? Astartes look so cool! Mechanicus tank sea sounds fun too! Imperial Guard has the most people!" Her voice was full of eagerness, clearly thrilled to be selected.
The channel fell briefly silent. Other players seemed to quickly weigh their options. Then a steady male voice with slight electronic distortion spoke up. The ID clearly showed user 114514.
"Calm down." User 114514's voice was convincing. "Based on my speculation about Old Devil Medici's design habits, he'll definitely balance all three factions fully. That's how he works."
He continued his analysis. "Astartes are strong individually, but the numbers are too few. The skill ceiling is high, and the margin for error is the lowest. Not everyone here is necessarily at Scorchwind's level."
He paused briefly. "Mechanicus has fierce firepower, great at frontal assaults. But they're too dependent on vehicles and fixed positions. Tactics are easily countered, and with such a large map, mobility is an issue."
"Therefore," he reached his conclusion.
"I suggest we choose Imperial Guard. Since Medici put the mortal armies as an option, he absolutely won't let them become harvest fodder for Chaos. I'd bet the Imperial Guard faction definitely has special bonuses based on the map."
His reasoning grew more specific. "Things like preset defensive fortifications, faster reinforcement replenishment, powerful artillery support networks, or global advantages from 'Imperial logistics.'
We need to use numbers and terrain to fight an intelligent war of attrition. Not gamble on individual skill or waves of steel."
User 114514's analysis was logical and easy to follow. It immediately gained agreement from many players in the channel.
The players who made it onto this Imperial 32-player roster weren't fools. Some might be like "I Will Carry You," selected by popularity. But most got in through hard skill or unique understanding.
"Makes sense."
"Agreed, Imperial Guard is safer."
"Mortals against daemons—sounds epic."
"Medici must have buffed Imperial Guard, otherwise it wouldn't be playable."
"Let's bet on Imperial Guard and see what tricks he's got."
His words had landed. The channel came alive with responses.
The voting countdown rapidly ticked down. On screen, the votes for Imperial Guard began steadily and quickly climbing. They soon surpassed Astartes and Mechanicus with a clear lead.
"I Am Not God" listened to the channel discussion, watching the rapidly changing vote count. He found user 114514's analysis quite convincing.
Though he himself was a newcomer, he also felt the logic made sense. On this new map of unknown scale against unknown opponents, choosing the most numerous faction with the most flexible tactics seemed wisest.
Imperial Guard appeared to be the safest choice and best for leveraging team coordination advantages.
He didn't hesitate. He cast his vote for Imperial Guard as well.
The countdown reached zero.
[Voting Result: Imperial Guard 28 votes; Adeptus Astartes 3 votes; Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii 1 vote.]
[This match's primary Imperial faction has been determined: Imperial Guard.]
The decision was made. The preparation hall began to transform.
[Loading Alacaster planet surface battlefield...]
[May the God-Emperor protect you, warriors of the Imperium.]
The dark green primary color representing Imperial Guard enveloped the entire preparation hall. All players' character equipment appearances began subtle changes, aligning more closely with Imperial Guard standard-issue style.
A tactical map unfolded before their eyes. It marked several massive defensive zones, supply nodes, and possible enemy approach vectors.
"I Am Not God" took a deep breath. He gripped the slightly crude but reliable lasgun in his hands. He could feel the virtual ground beneath his feet becoming solid.
In the distance, the low rumble of surging Chaos tides seemed already audible.