Chapter 8: The Things at the Bottom Floor (1)
In this vast and immense cave, which may have existed for an unknown duration, very subtle changes began to occur.
In the grand scheme of the cave, it was a change so minor that it couldn’t even be referred to as mere dust stirred up in the wind.
But this change was surely starting to grow in size.
For now, amidst the silence, the Things at the Bottom Floor were gradually looking upward.
“Are reptiles still the dominant species?”
[It was armed with rough and tough skin and had a whip-like tail tipped with solid armor.]
What appeared on the screen was a gigantic lizard.
This lizard, the size of a large dog, swung its whip-like tail, slicing our dispatched soldiers in half atop the piled corpses of bats.
I felt it again; the creatures of this cave, though alien, were far too strong.
“Now, insect size is just not going to cut it.”
[Indeed. This means our race needs to evolve as a whole.]
We too had grown in size.
No longer were we based on insects.
A higher and more evolved form.
No matter how sharp and agile the lizard’s whip-like tail was, it could not defeat the majority of our soldiers, who had transitioned muscle from the powerful legs of the giant toad to their own.
The soldiers borrowed the jaw mechanics inspired by ants, opening their mouths wide and sinking sturdy teeth into their prey.
“In the end, it’s all the same. Honestly, if we want to stand against them, the other side has to reach a legion level too.”
The outcome was one-sided compared to the tension.
As long as there was no physical difference, the opponent could not defeat us, no matter how many they were.
It was just like how larger creatures like mantises or rats were obliterated by swarms of ants.
To stop a group, a comparable ‘group’ had to come.
[The eighth level became chaotic even before we entered, just as we anticipated. The native creatures of this level ultimately could not resist and were destined to become prey for our legion.]
And so we crossed the eighth level, devastated by the bats, and entered the ninth level.
[Look at those. The giant armored spiders that blocked our scouts. But now, those creatures are merely our prey.]
Moreover, the conquest of the ninth level was surprisingly trivial.
Those once insurmountable giant spiders now appeared as insignificant creatures.
[In reality, the legion knew how strong we were. These beings were produced based on the giant toad. They were modified based on previous experiences to enable ranged attacks.]
The robust new soldiers crawled in and took their positions.
They anchored themselves firmly, like a self-propelled artillery setting up for bombardment.
At the same time, their skin ripped, and spiny bones protruded from their ends.
[They can produce spines from specific nutrients absorbed internally. Their unique muscular organs allow them to expel those spines under high pressure. Now, the spines have been fired. They are venomous spines.]
The spines flew through the air, cutting through the wind and embedding themselves into the bodies of the unsuspecting spiders.
Even if they had tough exoskeletons, the venomous spines shattered their armor.
[It will take some time to stabilize the ninth level. However, regardless of that, the legion decided to attempt reconnaissance to update the map.]
“Of course.”
Though inexperienced at first, we already understood the importance of reconnaissance.
The legion quickly prepared the scouts.
[And congratulations. You have broken through the tenth level and cleared the tutorial.]
“…I forgot.”
[After the tutorial comes Chapter 1. And as for the tutorial reward, you can choose it.]
Despite calling it a tutorial, it was all practical, and suddenly the notification displayed new content on the screen.
Three rewards split across the screen.
[Reward 1: Execution Authority for 1 target.]
[Reward 2: 1000 gold.]
[Reward 3: 1 racial preservation authority.]
“Um, I have no idea what these are?”
Rubbing my eyes as I stared blankly at the text, I expected food or samples for rewards, yet the contents were entirely different.
[Of course, that’s to be expected. Tutorial rewards are the same for all players. Thus, rewards tailored specifically for our race will not appear.]
“What’s Execution Authority? What about gold? There’s no shop feature unlocked yet.”
[Execution Authority is exactly what it sounds like. When you encounter a formidable enemy someday, you can designate them and execute them without any contest.]
“…That’s insane.”
Just hearing that made it clear it was incredibly broken.
If that were the case, saving it was definitely the right choice.
The issue was whether choosing Execution Authority was wise at this moment.
“Is the gold for the purposes I know?”
[If you ask ahead, I’ve already told you. The shop feature will open after Chapter 3. You will be able to purchase several items there.]
“Is the racial preservation authority… like some kind of escape capsule?”
Hearing the explanation helped me understand it somewhat.
Now it was time for decision-making.
In fact, I didn’t ponder for too long.
There was no need for the gold, whose value I had no idea about and couldn’t utilize yet.
The racial preservation authority could serve as a trump card for us, who could grow at a cellular level.
However, rather than worrying about an impending defeat that hadn’t even occurred yet, I believed it was right to struggle for victory.
“I’ll take the Execution Authority.”
[The reward has been granted to your inventory.]
“Ouch!”
In that instant, startled by the sharp feeling, I inspected my right hand.
On my palm, which had never borne a tattoo before, a black mark was engraved.
[It would be wise to consume the item wisely. Our legion, as well as you, cannot survive without each other. That item should be used at crucial moments whenever and wherever needed.]
“…Will there even be a situation to use this in reality?”
I mumbled while rubbing my palm, regretfully wishing I had chosen the gold to sell for money instead.
[While stabilizing the eighth and ninth levels, the legion removed the spider webs and sent scouts up to the tenth level. This signifies the onset of the actual beginning after the tutorial.]
The background music shifted to a more eerie tone.
Perhaps because of that, I felt slightly anxious.
“Spacious, isn’t it?”
[The map is being updated. However, this place surprised even the legion. This one location is merely one of the many branches of the cave. The tenth level that the legion has swallowed is, in fact, just a small branch among the countless others.]
I clicked on the history tab.
Among the records of the past, the phrase ‘a world beyond the world just created’ caught my eye.
[It was the moment the definition of the world known by the legion expanded. They realized that the territory they had occupied was just a speck of dust in this vast world, shocking them.]
“Have I shrunk?”
[Do you still not know the legion?]
I added a remark but received a sharp response.
The legion’s scouts began to explore this vast cavity.
This place was a kind of corridor, but soon they discovered a ‘room’ next to it.
[The flowing water was still developing vegetation as before, but on a different scale.]
What first caught my eye in that softly illuminated scene was a giant two-headed lizard, glistening with eyes, amidst a cluster of massive and diverse fungi.
That lizard was feasting on a creature resembling a frog.
The issue was its size.
That lizard was about the size of a small car, and the frog being devoured was larger than a large dog.
One of the two heads of the lizard, adorned with blue scales, suddenly turned towards the scout soaring in the sky.
And at that moment.
“Yikes!”
A burst of blue flames filled the screen, causing it to black out completely.
[Do you see? The flora of this maze are not to be trifled with.]
“No, no matter how you look at it, breathing fire isn’t rational?!”
It’s not like it’s a dragon, and yet this lizard was belching flames.
Of course, objectively considering it, the flame was likely nothing more than a spray level.
But that’s not what mattered right now.
[Are you afraid?]
“It’s not so much fear as… at this rate, no matter what I offer now, it seems like it won’t make a difference…”
[That’s not a problem at all.]
The calmness of the being made me feel increasingly intimidated by that lizard.
[Finding answers, thinking, modifying, and acting are all tasks of the legion. Think about it. If a deity exists, do you think it would interfere with every little detail like an overly enthusiastic helicopter parent? Your job is merely to create clues and variables.]
“Is that really all it takes?”
[Don’t underestimate them. The legion is rejoicing. They are excited once again. Those creatures are food and nutrients. By devouring them, they can grow stronger.]
I realized once again.
The legion does not stop and knows no fear.
To them, the concept of death doesn’t exist.
When they die, they simply return as nutrients to the swarm, reborn to fight again.
“My worldview regarding life, death, and the soul is being shaken.”
[Someday, you will become their worldview.]
Just a mumbled utterance led to significant text appearing.
Someday. Someday, when they come to understand my existence and concepts.
[Energies still remain plentiful in the eighth and ninth levels. With this stored energy, the legion prepared for war once more. The target is the fungal forest where the two-headed lizard was just discovered.]
The legion prepared for war again.
