Chapter 153: System Reinforcement (3)
‘Nirim’s words were true. But that’s not what’s important right now.’
A truly existing, another world, where humans live.
Despite being persuaded with the fact that her own brother is a Player and a Unit, she couldn’t believe it and had doubted it until now. Yet, the scenery unfolding before her was undeniably real.
The panicked expressions of humans, strangely-shaped structures burning and collapsing, and the monsters with glowing red eyes.
As the higher being rejected the power she had summoned and retrieved her spear, she thrust it once more, leaping back and tumbling to evade the spear.
“What a strange monster…! It’s quite strong too!”
Though it was a monster she had never seen before, as long as she used the spear, she could handle it with familiarity. Thick roots brimming with magical power burst through the paved road and surged toward the enemy.
However, the roots could not pierce the monster’s crimson barrier; they collided and were deflected away.
‘A magical defense barrier?’
But she had a way to break through even that. Her power, which neutralizes any form of Formancy, moved and passed through the crimson barrier as if ignoring it, coiling around the monster’s body and crushing it.
“Unbelievable…”
And all of this was being observed by people. Not only the rescued squad leader but also the soldiers who had taken refuge in vehicles.
“Did you see that? In any case, we weren’t out of options. This is significant. It’s finally time for us to hit back against those unnamed cosmic monsters.”
Above all, the crew of the transport helicopter, who had unceremoniously transported her here without knowing anything, naturally lifted the corners of their mouths.
“It seems the resources provided by the Rebel Alliance have suddenly increased. The Allied Forces are struggling in firepower.”
“Is that so?”
“All current operations have been canceled. So just rest. I’ll inform you of any changes.”
The head of the Guardians’ Alliance, Mei Wilson, who originally was to cross back through the gate with us, delivered a brief announcement before leaving again.
I stared blankly at her retreating figure. As expected, everything seemed to be unfolding as I had anticipated.
‘How dare you…’
‘Don’t get too angry. You know? It was you who pushed them to struggle so much.’
I returned to the room, calming the fuming Eve through the Collective Consciousness.
Even so, Eve’s mood did not lighten easily. Her plans, which had been proceeding smoothly, were beginning to face significant obstacles.
The aftermath was reaching here, just as Mei had mentioned a moment ago.
“Because you’ve become a public enemy in an overwhelming and terrifying manner, beings from other worlds, who would otherwise find it hard to unite, have joined forces. Just like the Convergence Army formed to oppose us.”
“Senzel, Lattice, Valen… All the planets of the invaders are facing interference from strange beings whose identities are unknown.”
“Whether they are Units or Players, if there’s a rationale and benefit, it’s easy for them to move their own forces.”
I smirked at Eve’s grumbling words. Seeing that the Rebel Alliance was increasing military supplies and weapons in the demonic realm, the answer was clear.
Soon, it would be obvious that demon kind would also show up at the places Eve attacked.
“It was a mistake to try to invade and infiltrate multiple places at once. If they establish their response system to match ours, we might not win easily. What about planets trying to secure new Nests?”
“…We can’t ignore the efficiency issue. Why would I covet a planet inhabited by humans more than others? It’s because it can yield their power most efficiently.”
Eve muttered with a somewhat sullen face.
As she said, the expansion of the Nest does depend on the environment. If it’s too hot or cold, inefficiency arises in the process of sourcing energy.
The best environment for the Legion to thrive was precisely tailored to land where humanity can live.
“But it’s just a temporary delay. I am not losing.”
After the sudden interference caused some gloom, Eve ignited her anger once more.
I didn’t think she would lose either. From what I could see, the opponent had merely found one way to match the Legion.
Once they adapted to the opponent’s new system, Eve would once again charge fiercely.
“Launch the newly organized fleet. We will completely conquer this place, Valen, first.”
Eve set in motion another large army, prepared in our true nature of REDRIUM and Eden.
Hundreds of large fleets made based on small warp-capable ship bodies imitating human vessels.
“…I’ll act as commanded.”
The one commanding that fleet was Liam, who was previously the commander of the human fleet and had now become a Submind of the Legion.
With Amy, who was everything to him, serving as his escort and aide, he focused purely on piloting the fleet, shedding off all human traits.
Deep inside the flagship of the Legion, he was akin to a spider caught in a web, with only his head floating in the air, piloting a vast brain assisted by numerous tentacles and nerve bundles, commanding a fleet entirely different from humans.
If that enormous fleet succeeded in warping, the Valen forces, who are barely holding on now, would be swept away.
“Are you not going to stop them? Now you understand, right? If the loyal Submind commands that fleet to warp, the humans of planet Valen will be finished. They will meet their demise.”
Eve looked at me with a faint smile, as if to say, what can you do in this situation, effortlessly exuding a sense of superiority.
“What do you mean? If we achieve a great victory, that’s a good thing.”
I retorted with a smile, as if to say, what’s the problem? My reaction seemed to be a bit different from what Eve had expected, as she pursed her lips, puffing her cheeks, but I wasn’t lying.
As Eve said, it would be better for the humans of planet Valen to perish.
So that our Legion could become their true source of fear, and solidify their resolve even further.
“And in fact, I have nothing right now.”
“Oh? Of course, I won’t give you anything, just as you confidently stated at first.”
“No, you have to give me a few things that were promised.”
I reminded Eve of our promise, causing her to click her tongue discontentedly, but in any case, a promise is a promise.
I thus succeeded in securing the minimum resources from Eve.
“It’s been ages since we last saw each other… sniff*.”
“Hey! You crazy bastard!”
I tried to greet her amiably, but I was met with a punch that hit with the force of a shockwave. Thanks to that, my body flew through the air and slammed into the ground.
“Are you insane? Why? Why did you become a monster!?”
“Not a monster, a Legion. One that is connected to me. Now we are entirely one. So don’t insult Eve, who is also me.”
Rising up, I wiped the laughter from my face and approached her again.
Kang Do-yeon, unable to hold back her tears anymore, drew her fist back again, but the claw covered in black armor merely touched the chest of the same monster, trembling and shivering.
“I had no choice. If it wasn’t this way, I wouldn’t be able to be on equal footing with Eve. If I couldn’t maintain that equality, I’d be thoroughly crushed by Eve, who would surpass even that self.”
“…You don’t get it. Struggling, slaughter, and bloodshed. I became strong as I wanted, but despite all that power, I can neither possess anything nor protect it. I was a fool. Just getting stronger wasn’t the important part.”
A sobbing sister wiped her tears vigorously with her hands. Naturally, I couldn’t feel at ease.
It was all my fault that she got involved in this mess and became a monster. If I had told her from the start not to waver in her choice and instead not to let Eve do anything…
“…Eve will continue to expand as planned, and from now on, I will execute my own plans. Now you belong under me. You’ll return home as you are.”
“Are you insane?”
After I thought of a proper way to tell her, she, having stopped crying, glared at me while gritting her teeth.
“Forget that I just cried. I’m also a part of the Legion and pride myself as the strongest Legion commander. Now that you’ve become my Hive Mind, there’s no reason for me to run away. I will protect you.”
Kang Do-yeon’s red eyes sparkled. In fact, now that I had become the complete higher entity, I could easily bend this stubbornness with just a word. But I couldn’t bring myself to do that.
Ultimately, the words from my sister about being part of the Legion echoed in my ears.
“…Alright. Then from now on, act according to my orders.”
After all, now that I had become the Hive Mind, I couldn’t let personal feelings sway me to neglect efficiency.
As she herself said, she could emit the strongest output as a single entity. If I could use her, I must certainly make use of her.
“But what exactly are you trying to do? Even though you’re the Hive Mind, you can’t even handle a few Legionnaires.”
“My goal is to evolve and grow in a completely different direction from Eve, the other Hive Mind of the Legion. And that goal includes other races as well. The strategies and tactics will disregard the super-organism Eve. For now, I need forces, so I have something you need to do for that.”
I opened a gate. However, it was not the hotel room where my human body lay. Kang Do-yeon’s eyes trembled as she looked at the place so familiar to our siblings.
