Chapter 38: The Secret of the World (4)
[I have successfully analyzed their genes. I have discerned all processes of their infection attacks, so at least their attacks can no longer affect us.]
Throughout the war, the Legion simultaneously analyzed these small bacteria.
To say the analysis is complete means they have learned everything.
With knowledge of all their tactics, the attacks could no longer reach them.
[Proliferative Infection Devouring Fungus: 6N1523]
[As a result of this battle, the Legion has acquired a new strategic and tactical approach at the cellular level. A toxin capable of attacking and infecting other cells.]
“Are you thinking about biological warfare? Like… zombies.”
“Interesting. But inefficient. Of course, it can be used anytime as a hidden card.”
Kang Do-yeon asked cautiously, but the Legion, having already made calculations, did not regard the infectious ability as particularly favorable.
There was no doubt that the tactic of infecting and consuming the opponent’s cells to increase their numbers had tremendous power.
[However, as the manipulation at the cellular level increases, so does the burden on the collective consciousness. The analysis results show that they certainly form a collective, but there is no sense of external connection. Hence, that method works.]
“So they are an independent small group.”
Kang Do-yeon placed her hand over her heart.
The Legion’s collective consciousness is special.
Without special means, even from a distance, they can maintain connections.
The detailed principles are unknown even to the Legion, but there are grounds for speculation.
The thread of the soul that connects players and units, transcending the walls of the world.
The Legion’s collective consciousness was similar.
That is why they were affected by the spiritual attack of the protective spirit.
“Then with execution authority… if we are many but one, won’t we all die at once if it is applied to us?!”
“If the connection of the target is severed through execution authority, ultimately, it will not harm the Legion.”
Being many, yet one, is ultimately based on their mutual connection.
If that connection is severed, they become strangers.
And the Legion’s collective consciousness also has a spiritual aspect.
The Legion believed that when execution authority is used, the target’s breath stops, and that connection disappears first, thus not causing problems for other entities.
Kang Do-yeon, recalling the existence of execution authority as a systematic reward for killing enemies, shuddered but let out a sigh of relief.
“I have modified the bodies of the legionnaires to be immune to their attacks.”
“Then…”
“Lead the legionnaires and continue to seize the upper levels.”
The Legion gave Kang Do-yeon another order.
This had been a matter that had been taken for granted until now.
There was no reason to hesitate now that they had learned about the enemy and made preparations.
“Got it.”
Kang Do-yeon actually had no choice.
Having finished her nutritional replenishment, she had to head back up immediately.
“But why aren’t you telling Shin Woo?”
Just before leaving, she left one question for the Legion.
When Shin Woo was watching, she had received orders not to let it show, so she could not even mention that the Legion had learned language.
“I am incomplete.”
The Legion nodded as if it were obvious.
“I can’t show him this side of myself.”
“…What do you think about my brother? He is just an ordinary… ugh.”
“Shut up.”
Kang Do-yeon’s mouth automatically closed.
In an instant, the atmosphere turned ominous.
The entire Legion shook.
“It’s not for me. You don’t know. If you do, that cute brain of yours will burn up.”
“Ugh…”
From the eyeholes of the approaching mask, a red light glimmered.
Kang Do-yeon broke into a cold sweat inwardly.
The still tender ego of the Legion had grown based on the human knowledge she provided, but contrary to expectations, she had no room to intervene in that growth.
‘It will be fine… right?’
In the end, she couldn’t say anything and turned away.
Because of that, she knew nothing about what values and beliefs the Legion was based on in their thoughts and actions.
After establishing its ego, the surprisingly aggressive Legion completely controlled her.
“Ah.”
“This is.”
But at that moment.
Everyone could feel it.
The powerful emotion pulsating through the string.
It was sensed by the being on the other side of the connection.
[He has made his decision and has finally moved. Do you ask if there is a way to observe? There is not. If you want to know, think of a way yourself.]
But there was no way to know beyond this.
Only the voice they had always heard echoed in the Legion’s mind.
*
Moonlight Wrath.
Under the moonlight, one can gain the powerful strength of the wolf.
Indeed, it was a night with a full moon shining brightly.
“Welcome, brother.”
“Yeah. There are no results today either. Besides, that Chae Yeon woman is definitely a unit. Isn’t there something we should do about her first?”
“But, but isn’t she a hunter with an estimated rank of S?”
In a building on the outskirts of the city used as a hideout, two men were talking.
Both of them, like other colleagues, were ordinary members of society with separate main jobs.
However, their fate had changed significantly not long ago.
First, they gained power.
In this chaotic time, having some sort of power was a sufficient merit.
“So we need to continue increasing our numbers for now.”
“Those strange suit-wearing guys are units too, right? It seems like the checks are starting to begin.”
They also gained knowledge.
While ordinary people were afraid and trembling with talk of apocalypse and end times, they were well aware of what was happening in this world.
Because they were the very parties involved.
That is why they were moving secretly and focusing all their attention on the changes in the world.
“…Hmph.”
As he absentmindedly sat in his chair, pulling out instant noodles, he suddenly sniffed the air.
His companion beside him did the same.
“Brother? Is that…?”
“Dog smell. Duck!”
At that moment, his eyes widened, and he threw himself to the ground.
His companion did the same.
The glass window shattered, and something enormous with silver fur burst through, scattering broken glass.
“A wolf!”
He exclaimed in shock as he scrambled to his feet.
The gigantic wolf stood on its hind legs, baring its teeth, and growled.
In that state, a sudden battle erupted.
They had the strength to resist.
And that strength grew stronger at night.
“This bastard…!”
He charged at the wolf, revealing the scales and sharp fangs that had begun to sprout on his body.
However, the wolf was hiding something.
Something black and shimmering like obsidian.
“Uh?”
As it swung, it slashed across his body, spraying blood.
The wolf immediately followed up, sending him crashing into the wall.
“Ha…”
The boiling blood began to settle.
They appeared to be ordinary people, but within them was something no ordinary person possessed.
I looked at the sword in my hand.
It was the first sacrifice that the Legion had given me.
Blood was flowing from it.
This was unexpectedly a gamble.
Charging forward, relying solely on a surprise attack, ignorant of both my and my opponent’s strengths.
Moreover, if the player had seen me and used execution authority.
However, it wasn’t without some basis.
The opponent’s movements were too leisurely; the probability of the player keeping watch was low.
Yet, it was still a gamble.
[It wasn’t rational. It was a choice I wouldn’t have made if it were the Legion.]
“What does it matter? The important thing is that I succeeded.”
I quickly hid my body before the transformation wore off.
I hurried to where I had left my clothes, dressed quickly, and picked up my phone.
It was a pity that I couldn’t capture their corpses.
However, exposing my identity even in a small chance would not be a wise decision.
After all, they were monsters as well.
Before their corpses were leaked to the outside, they would cover it up themselves.
“Have they always been monsters, or did they become monsters after becoming units? If it’s the former, that’s a bit horrifying.”
[There are many secrets in the world. Do not take your common sense for granted.]
“…This is maddening.”
I thought we belonged to the same category of Earthlings, but that might not be the case.
Were they originally monsters even without apps?
Or did they share something in common with people like me, which bound them into one group?
The entity was, as always, vague in its answers.
[Look at the screen. The analyzed Legion is advancing relentlessly.]
“There are many… indeed, we awakened those that were sleeping.”
On my way home after the confrontation.
I, who had abandoned my job due to the shock of my brother’s effectively being labeled deceased and was resting at home with my mother, had made an excuse to meet a friend, and of course, was looking at my phone at this moment too.
While I was fighting, the Legion was also battling.
The targets were the infectious bodies of the Devouring Fungus, which were gathering and letting out grotesque howls.
However, the legionnaires had already gained immunity to them.
Centered around Kang Do-yeon, who was visible at the forefront, the legionnaires brutalized the infected entities indiscriminately.
[Once the Devouring Fungus infectious entities lose their infection ability, their combat power drastically decreases. Moreover, they are not corpses enchanted with curses, but living beings. In other words, they can be consumed and digested as energy.]
Hearing the howls that seemed to communicate amongst each other, creatures began pouring down from the upper levels, but our numbers were also formidable.
[Though they were once rulers who led a single race to ruin, nothing is eternal.]
“It doesn’t seem like just a single race.”
I smiled bitterly as I watched the screen.
The passage trembled, and the narrow entrance from which the infectious entities were pouring out shattered, and something enormous charged forth.
Its overall appearance resembled that of a cow.
It was just a bit grotesque as it was swollen and grotesque in several areas due to the infection by the Devouring Fungus.
“It’s big.”
The size was astounding.
Comparing it to Kang Do-yeon, who was 170 cm tall, the scale was evident.
It looked to be at least the size of a dump truck.
