Chapter 118 – Everyone Has a Backside (6)
“Kang Do-yeon is reviewing the results.”
“Yeah. Let me see it too.”
Through the Collective Consciousness, Eve, and through the screen for me, we were able to observe the situation on-site.
To outsiders, it might seem like we were leisurely drinking coffee at a café, but in reality, both of us had our minds focused elsewhere entirely.
“…It’s a bit disappointing. From the testimonies I’ve heard, Dark had some incredible abilities.”
Continuously watching the harrowing scenes of people being tortured with screams was tough, so I averted my gaze. At the same time, the regret of not obtaining the blood magic resurfaced.
According to the testimonies, Dark, their leader, had the ability to extract all information from his victims without the need for torture.
Unfortunately, Dark was utterly pulverized in the battle to the point that not even a fragment of his body could be found, and Eve failed to acquire that ability.
“Their group, called the ‘Repactor’ in their language, is confirmed to be part of the Rebel Alliance. They were stationed on the planet Liam with the 7th Fleet.”
However, Eve seemed disinterested in past matters. Efficiency was key, and the ability wasn’t necessarily crucial. In fact, no one had ever withstood the Legion’s method of directly manipulating the nervous system during torture.
“…”
[Is there something else bothering you?]
As my expression stiffened slightly, words appeared. I glanced at Eve, who was seated beside me, and nodded.
“Is it that guy again?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t like it.”
Eve, who couldn’t see what I was seeing, immediately picked up on my reaction to the words and openly revealed her discomfort.
Though she thinks she knows everything about me, something has interfered, so her knowledge isn’t complete.
Even Eve’s power can’t surpass the authority of the system.
[If you want to hide it, you can. Eve can’t read your thoughts, but I can.]
And the Observer acted as if they were fully aware of our situation.
[Are you worried about Kang Do-yeon? It seems like she’s gradually merging with the Legion, losing her former self through growth and evolution.]
It wasn’t false; they pierced right through my mind with precision. Even though Eve knows everything about me, isn’t it unfair for someone to peer into another person’s mind like this?
[Clearly, Kang Do-yeon is rapidly changing. She’s no longer the high school girl you once knew, suffering from trauma, seemingly fragile on the inside but strong on the outside. Her inner wounds, too, are gradually wearing away. That scar from the past is no longer a wound to her.]
The screen changed. The perspective shifted from the victim being tortured to my younger sister, Kang Do-yeon, directing the Legionnaires in torturing people.
It was different from the past, when Eve had to force her to control her emotions by wearing a mask while extracting information through torture.
Though it didn’t look comfortable, my sister was now watching the scene with her eyes wide open.
It’s good that she’s growing, but I can’t help but feel worried about how she’s changing.
[But is the real problem really that?]
The words appeared, striking right at the reality I was trying to ignore.
I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected message. Simultaneously, the semi-transparent screen revealed Eve, who had bitten her lips, staring at me intensely.
‘Look at me. We’ve become one; you should only look at me now. Forever.’
Through the Collective Consciousness, the unshaken red gaze of Eve flowed towards me, filled with obsession, dependency, and possession.
Even now, after becoming one with each other, it hasn’t diminished. If anything, it seems even stronger.
[Which side is being influenced? Can you withstand it?]
If I were to gradually wear down like my sister and become fully immersed in the Legion…
Everything I meticulously planned would fall apart.
Eve would do nothing but taint me, and I would be completely merged with the Legion in spirit, standing at the forefront of their destruction and greed, starting with those around me.
[Are you curious about my position?]
The one confusing thing in this situation is what the Observer’s intentions truly are.
Though they clearly spoke of making Eve the strongest and most terrifying Unit, they now seem to be indirectly warning me.
[That’s right too. Raising Eve to be the strongest. Simultaneously finding happiness for all of you is what I truly desire.]
“Why? Who are you to do this?”
I spoke out loud. Eve flinched and focused her attention on me.
No matter how I think about it, I can’t understand why you care about me?
Since merging with Eve, I’ve already paid a significant price. But at the same time, a heavy burden has been lifted. There’s no way for you to cause further interference.
Am I really that important? I… I’m nothing now.
[You’re the center, the Player. Don’t underestimate your worth. Others might see Eve, the Legion, as the core and the center of this game, but to me, you’ve been the most important from the start. Perhaps even the world sees it that way.]
“…I can hear what you’re saying now too. That guy is talking to me as well. But what he says isn’t wrong. You’re the most important.”
As the words appeared, Eve responded, claiming she could hear them as well. Though it seemed we both agreed on the importance, the meaning of the word seemed to differ.
Even after hearing all these things, the confusion doesn’t easily fade.
“Hmm, let’s go. It’s time for the flight.”
I gathered my belongings and stood up. Eve, holding my hand, followed closely behind.
We arrived at the departure lounge after passing through the bustling crowd.
Our purpose was to cross to a foreign country and proceed through the gate to the assigned mission location once there.
“We’ve gathered all the information we need.”
‘Then what do you plan to do?’
“In my opinion, there seem to be two options.”
On the airplane, through the screen and the Collective Consciousness, I could observe the communication between Kang Do-yeon and Eve.
Eve asked for Kang Do-yeon’s opinion first. This is something we’ve been seeing more frequently lately, and I’ve begun to notice it.
Even though limited to her Subminds, it seemed like Eve’s sociability had improved slightly.
“The first option is to expose our identities if necessary and swiftly accomplish our goal. The reason is that they don’t even know where we are right now. The second option is to continue moving slowly and hide our identities thoroughly.”
Kang Do-yeon immediately briefed her thoughts as if she’d been waiting for this moment. A growing concern of mine is that the more her interactions with Eve increase, the more she seems to be influenced by Eve.
“That guy plans to completely claim that land as his own. I can’t let that happen. If we give them more time, it could become a nuisance in the future.”
“Sounds like you’re suggesting we restrain them appropriately.”
After finishing her calculations, Eve went with the first option.
Though we know well that hiding our identity while acting can yield great rewards, sometimes revealing ourselves and moving can be more effective.
“I’m going now.”
Her physical form, visible on the screen, warped drastically, and she transformed into the masked leader of the Legion.
Unhesitatingly spreading her wings, she took to the skies.
[One thing is certain: Kang Do-yeon is currently experiencing confusion in her own mind. Thus, everything depends on you. You must influence Eve. Balance must be maintained.]
For the first time in a while, a helpful explanation appeared, guiding me on what I should do.
Of course, knowing it still poses problems. Influence Eve? How am I supposed to, without any strong beliefs or faith, achieve that?
“…What’s going on?”
“That… the person up front said it’s a gift for the hunters. If you accept, they can upgrade your seat.”
I had momentarily gone into a daze, but thanks to Eve’s hostile demeanor towards the flight attendant, I snapped back to reality.
“Gift? It doesn’t make sense. How can someone offer kindness to strangers they don’t know? It’s suspicious.”
“It’s because what we do now… is to protect them.”
I placated the sullen Eve and moved to another seat.
Hunters, especially those belonging to the Guardian Alliance, have always had a positive reputation and continue to improve.
“Protection? Am I the one protecting these guys?”
“…That’s what others think.”
Frankly, even I find it hard to believe. Eve, who embodies the Legion, is currently crossing the skies of this world with the intention of killing people.
Yet, at the same time, she’s on this plane to protect people here.
Perhaps… if this duality and contradiction is the answer.
*
“…I see it.”
Unaware of the situation elsewhere, Kang Do-yeon rapidly descended in altitude.
The six Upper-class beings capable of flight accompanied her.
They headed towards the city, where frightened people were already scattering due to last night’s incident.
“The objective is to capture high-ranking officers of the Rebel Alliance and avoid them knowing about it.”
She reviewed the plan once more. They had identified both the target for abduction and their location through previously extracted information.
“Colonel Robinson, commander of the Native Forces Brigade.”
She pictured the target, a man with brown skin, and increased her speed further. As she was about to break the sound barrier, a blue beam shot towards them from the city.
“…It’s one of their Formancy-based weapons, the Ray-casting weaponry.”
Herself and the Upper-class beings in formation resonated their powers.
A specially enhanced Legion-exclusive tactic developed by Reina from the Star Society’s magic, increasing its capability by several times.
Even as the beams continued to fly towards them, the synchronized shields held firm.
“That’s the wing of despair… hurry and inform the fleet! These are mad monsters that even the small beam cannons can’t harm!!”
Robinson, the highest-ranking officer present, watching the scene through a magnified screen at the local base, urgently called for support from the fleet in space.
