Chapter 50: Legion vs Legion (4)
“It seems the construction of the bases has been completed at all outposts.”
Robert’s normally carefree voice became serious.
It couldn’t be helped. The chaotic preparation period was over, and as the real operation began, we too had to carry out our duties.
“Operation will start soon, and the troops will move. As you know, our mission is to escort the researchers affiliated with Evolution.”
Evolution was not just a unit organization but also a company that was part of society.
Although we don’t know their exact purpose, they dispatched researchers alongside their main unit, the Step Up Hunters.
We were tasked with their protection.
“It may seem easy, as we’ll only be rummaging through the remains after the battle, but this isn’t Earth. So, everyone, stay sharp.”
“This really does feel like a demonic realm.”
Our gazes turned outside.
Even though the sun had risen, the harshness that permeated the vast wasteland, filled only with stones and dust, was not easily dispelled.
“Could they all be like this? I heard they dig into the ground to live.”
At that moment, unmanned reconnaissance vehicles roared and took off en masse across the sky.
Just like a legion. Reconnaissance was the foundation of every action.
Especially since this was a world we had set foot in for the first time; a legion without retreat would first halt their advance to scout.
“Once the reconnaissance is complete, one of the pre-established operational plans will be enacted.”
“Honestly, if this were Earth, it would be great to just launch nuclear missiles indiscriminately.”
“One of the justifications is to rescue the kidnapped individuals; so would they?”
Shortly after the reconnaissance drones took to the skies, the main force began to move.
So far, there was nothing for us to do.
I stared blankly at the vehicles that were departing.
Key figures in the Hunter forces, including Chae Yeon and Chris, were also mixed in with them.
“Do you think we’ll actually lose? The issue so far has been that we couldn’t advance first; the ones jumping out of the gate would have launched ambushes on civilians, but now we’re sending out our military.”
One of the members, a man named Cox, smiled as he spoke.
His words weren’t without basis.
In fact, many analyses concluded that when armies faced each other, the firepower of Earth’s military overwhelmingly outmatched the enemies.
“I honestly don’t know. It might have been true with the old foolish monsters, but the recent ones are… different.”
Robert had a good instinct.
I didn’t think it would be a landslide victory either.
Numerous kinds of monsters, presumed to be units, had already crossed over.
Having witnessed how strong and how much units could grow, I couldn’t make a hasty conclusion.
[Indeed. The potential for growth. That is the greatest advantage of both units and players. Minor changes and triggers can serve as catalysts for explosive growth.]
In a situation where it was difficult to show my phone, letters that others couldn’t see appeared in front of my eyes.
The screen turned.
The legion was still waging war against the mutated Devouring Fungus.
It was a task of cleansing those who had destroyed an entire world.
The endless war of attrition was the same as with the existing Devouring Fungus, but the mutated ones had one potential.
“Kiii…”
A sleek, slender body.
“Kyahak!”
With large, clawed hands and a whip-like tail swinging vigorously.
The only differences were that it was drooling toxic saliva and its carapace was grayish-white.
I was startled by its encounter with Chae Yeon, but fortunately, the legion was currently too busy to care about anything else.
[It’s a mad monster that copied the legionaries’ versatility, yet is clearly different.]
With the claws it swung, it sliced through a legionnaire, biting down on it indiscriminately.
“This is insane…”
It wasn’t only versatile legionnaires.
The mutated Devouring Fungus, which had previously appeared as a horrific mass of tumors, was gradually changing as the battle continued.
And the standard for that change was none other than the legionnaires it was facing.
From assault types based on various four-legged beasts to flying types darting through the air, and bombardment types spewing poisonous spines and acid shots.
Those things were insane monsters. Repeatedly fighting against the legion, they absorbed and replicated everything the legion had.
On the other hand, the legion had nothing to steal from them.
They were originally nothing compared to the legion.
[Now, the only areas where the legion excels are the higher entities that use power sources to employ Formancy.]
A burst of crimson energy waves incinerated dozens of the mutated Devouring Fungus beasts charging in.
The energy was emitted through a sword wielded by Kang Do-yeon.
As they fired upon her, two versatile legionnaires standing guard beside her activated their shields to block the attack.
…However, the ore attached to her brother’s arm suddenly lost its light and fell off.
The legion could use the power source it produced to utilize Formancy with slight delays and no calculations, but that method had the drawback of needing to be continuously charged.
[The overwhelming disparity in exchange rates is gradually narrowing. The legion undertook a war of attrition despite not knowing the enemy’s overall scale because they believed in this overwhelming exchange rate.]
“If this continues, we’re done for.”
[Correct. The current legion is fundamentally a being without a fallback. If they lose, their strength will diminish instantly. They must fight and win.]
A chill ran through my chest.
The legion, which until now seemed invincible against any foe, was wavering.
And it was by the hands of beings they could call kindred.
‘What should I do?’
One thought flickered through my mind.
I needed to do something to break this situation.
“Variable.”
I muttered almost trance-like.
The legion had already honed the best legionnaires using the data accumulated thus far.
To take a step further here, new samples were necessary.
I wasn’t just acting recklessly here.
I had to help the legion.
*
“Sniff…”
A nose that resembled a dog sniffed the air.
A roaring aircraft cut across the high sky.
If it were in the past and they had been mindless beasts, they wouldn’t have known.
But now, I understood that it wasn’t a bird but a mechanical device operated by someone.
[The agreement has already been made. First, we clean up the most troublesome beings. Now, we move according to plan.]
Voices resonated in their minds.
The one at the forefront bared its teeth and growled.
With shining eyes and a head that resembled a hyena overall.
Bending forward and walking on two legs, they were once regarded as low-level monsters known as “playthings” by humans.
“Our name is Ashcrude.”
However, contrary to the strong prejudice of being very foolish, clear language flowed from their mouths with sharp teeth.
The one that growled activated the device on its wrist.
Simultaneously, a hazy field of reverse energy began to spread out around them.
This device was a gift from their god.
Covered by the hazy reverse field, their forms started to gradually blend into the surroundings and disappear.
“Move.”
In that state, they began to move silently.
Since the enemies were already rushing this way, it was their job to wait and ambush them.
The crescent blade gripped in hand gleamed.
“Nothing unusual. No significant movements.”
“Good.”
At the time when the main force was highly mobile, in the control room managing the UAVs.
The people here could see the enemy lines as if they were looking at the palm of their hands.
“The scale is quite large, but it’s on the level of a shabby group of playthings.”
“I’d love to launch a few missiles, but I can’t use a butcher’s knife to catch a chicken or a rabid dog.”
The commander chuckled.
Honestly, it was a situation where one couldn’t help but let their guard down.
The war against the monsters had already been discussed many times.
It was nonsense that a modern army, heavily armed with contemporary weapons, would lose in an all-out war against monsters lacking proper weaponry and equipment.
“…What?”
So far, at least.
Something glimmered in the screen for an instant.
And at that moment, the screen went black with a burst of flashy light.
“Colonel, sir…?”
A junior officer looked back at him with wide eyes.
But he was equally clueless about the situation that unfolded in an instant.
“The reconnaissance aircraft has been shot down.”
The only one who brought reality to light was a foreign officer who was present with them.
“This is serious!”
“The main force is under attack!”
“120 kilometers northeast! A gigantic group suddenly appeared and is marching rapidly towards us!”
Moreover, immediately after the reconnaissance aircraft was shot down, urgent reports began to pour in one after another.
“This is!”
“You know it, Chris. They must have had a plan too.”
Things broke out before they could even cover half of the points to be taken.
Chae Yeon tucked the bottle she was holding into her arms.
It was a gift from the player, meant to be used to overcome the crisis that would one day come.
[They are units. Fight for now.]
The player’s command came down.
Without hesitation, she got out of the vehicle.
“…”
At that moment, something flew towards the middle of her brow.
She caught it bare-handed.
Her hand throbbed.
What had been shot was a heavy arrow made of solid steel.
“Fire! Shoot them down!”
“What on earth is… Cough…”
Gunfire erupted around as if insanity had taken over.
Soldiers began to die as bullets from snipers pierced through their helmets and vests.
The armored unit moving alongside them opened fire, mouthing explosives towards the hidden enemies that had been lurking.
“Look at that, Chris.”
“…Those guys are elites.”
She pointed out something she had discovered with her hand.
A large entity brandishing a shield was deflecting every single bullet of energy with a fierce flame.
It propelled itself forward, crushing the machine gunner and then slamming the end of its shield onto a tank.
“Let’s go.”
Even though the surroundings had devolved into chaos due to the unexpected ambush, she remained calm, her eyes shining.
After all, it was a combat scenario she thought was only natural.
Because she understood the variables and diversification created by the interactions between players and units.
She consistently advised the allied command to be careful about this according to the player’s orders, but unless she mentioned “the game,” they didn’t pay much attention to her absurd claim that even low-level monsters could become strong.
