The antics at the anime convention didn't cause any major stir. While some online joked that everything was real, and a few even seriously analyzed the reflective patterns on the armor plates, the vast majority of onlookers simply treated it as a meme.
After all, it's not uncommon for realistic props to appear at anime conventions, especially among cosplayers who are passionate about detail and often spend a lot of time and effort creating astonishing equipment.
Although Luka and the others' equipment was excessively realistic, in an event full of creativity and imagination like an anime convention, everyone just thought they were exceptionally dedicated.
While a few posts like "40k Equipment Appears at Anime Convention" briefly popped up on some platforms, under the precise traffic control of unseen forces, this content vanished in an instant.
Luka wasn't surprised by this; after all, they had anticipated some unnecessary attention.
Fortunately, information flows extremely fast online, and any hot topic is quickly replaced by new content.
Those posts were soon buried among countless other topics, as if they had never existed.
Luka and the others returned to their daily lives. They weren't in a hurry to cross over again, choosing instead to rest for a few more days.
After all, crossing into the 40k era was truly physically and mentally exhausting. While the convention antics had lightened their mood, everyone still needed some time to adjust.
During this period, they also gathered a few more times at Gutierrez's shop. The gatherings were mostly about teasing Luka and his group's convention antics and wondering where their realistic props came from.
Luka simply gave evasive answers. If anyone pressed him, he would say he knew a master prop maker for movies, and their items were all movie props made by that person, which was why they were both highly accurate and realistic.
Although this explanation sounded a bit far-fetched, no one delved deeper.
After all, while they were all fellow fans, they weren't curious enough to pry into others' lives.
Liu Yi, whom they met at the anime convention that day, also joined the fan group during this time, becoming a new member.
His first message upon joining the group was a photo—a thermos with a paratrooper emblem leaning next to a military district's retirement commemorative badge.
Everyone naturally welcomed the new member, and some enthusiastic group members even started helping Liu Yi get started.
After trying out a few Kill Teams, Liu Yi showed great interest in the Astra Militarum, especially the Astra Militarum's airborne units.
He even, under the guidance of group members, found GW's promotional video on a small video site and paused it frame by frame to study the depiction of orbital insertion.
The so-called Astra Militarum airborne units refer to the drop regiments within the Astra Militarum.
The Astra Militarum doesn't parachute or conduct air landings; they typically perform orbital insertions directly from outside the atmosphere, hence the name 'drop regiments.'
This method of combat is quite daring. Storm Troopers, wearing grav-chutes, would crash towards the ground like meteorites, then use the grav-chutes to counteract the impact of the fall, landing directly into enemy formations.
Only elite special forces would dare to do this—after all, performing an airborne insertion from low orbit with just one's body is not something that can be achieved with mere courage.
Not to mention having to complete combat missions within enemy lines; normally, the Imperial forces that carry out this mission are Space Marines.
Because of this, only a handful of planets within the Astra Militarum produce Astra Militarum units capable of performing drop operations, such as the Elysian Drop Troops and the Harakoni Warhawks, both famous Imperial drop regiments.
Their grav-chutes are sufficient to ensure they can perform drop operations from low orbit, and they can also execute airborne assault strikes by boarding Valkyries to reach the combat zone.
In the Kill Team trailer released by GW in 2024, the Storm Troopers' Scions Kill Team dispatched by the Imperium is an elite drop operation Kill Team.
This powerful combat style had some connection to the training Liu Yi received during his previous military service, so he was naturally very interested in it.
One afternoon, he even posted a hand-drawn orbital insertion route map in the group, marking different trajectories for assault, strong assault, and infiltration with three colors.
"I used to be a paratrooper, so I'm very interested in this," Liu Yi explained, and he hoped to assemble a purely airborne force army list.
The group members praised his enthusiasm and offered him advice, with some even suggesting that they could simulate an orbital insertion tabletop battle together at the next gathering.
However, regarding Liu Yi's idea, Luka simply told him that there were very few Astra Militarum airborne troop miniatures, and currently only one Kill Team was available.
Furthermore, a purely airborne army list did not conform to the game rules, so Liu Yi's idea could only remain on paper for the time being.
—
After about a week of rest, Luka and the others reunited. Compared to a week ago, everyone's condition had improved, and at least the expressions on their faces were much more relaxed.
They gathered again at Luka's home, feeling very unrestrained and relaxed.
A relaxed atmosphere filled the room, with snacks and drinks covering the table. Everyone sat casually on the sofa, chatting about their recent lives and games.
"Not having to think about the Warp, not having to ponder how to kill a Bloodletter that spawns from the toilet—this is the life a human should live!" Twilight exclaimed, but then he immediately changed his tone and said, "But I haven't seen my Gabbro for a week, and I can't wait!"
Clearly, just thinking about a massive starship over a thousand meters long waiting for him made Twilight, who had always dreamed of being a space captain, uncontrollably excited.
Luka could understand this. After all, in the 3k era, this was an absolutely illusory dream; even becoming an astronaut and serving as the 'captain' of a spacecraft was an extremely difficult feat.
"I think you're just eager to go squeeze some succubi, aren't you?" Luka teased, grabbing a can of soda from the table and pulling the tab.
This was a pleasure absolutely unobtainable in the 40k era. Although there were rumors of a Coca-Cola STC, even Huang Lao Han couldn't get Coca-Cola in the 40k era.
"You're never going to let that go, are you?" Teased by Luka, Twilight feigned anger, but it was just for show.
The few of them bantered a bit more, then each prepared themselves to once again journey to the world of 40k.
The room gradually quieted down, and everyone's expressions became serious.
Although they had experienced several traversals, returning to the 40k era still made them somewhat nervous.
Luka took a deep breath, glanced at the others, and then chose to cross over again.
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