Chapter 83: Chaos and Hero (1)
[In any case, the Legion has achieved victory once more. Time has been bought, and there are no more obstacles to the expansion up to the target.]
“…For now, we’ve managed to catch our breath.”
On the screen, the retreating humans and the Legionnaires watching them were visible.
It seemed like a crisis, but Eve, as always, had a contingency plan.
“I really think it’s completely grown now.”
I bitterly smiled.
I felt that way when I first saw the enormous giant species.
Eve was now sufficient on her own without my help. The current Eve was not the small colony I had cared for by feeding her various small creatures and bread.
She was a powerhouse capable of devouring the world with her own strength.
[Well, she will still need help in the future.]
“That’s true. Just thinking about that will give me a headache.”
Of course, it wouldn’t make sense for me to do nothing and just watch.
For now, my influence over Eve was still stronger.
However, having received an incredible amount of information every day since emerging to the surface, I couldn’t tell how long that influence would last, nor could I guarantee it wouldn’t waver.
So I had to continue providing ‘help.’ Help that could sustain my influence like the name I gave her.
“Has the video recording finished?”
“Ah, it’s done now.”
Cox, a mercenary sitting next to me, casually spoke up. I nodded naturally.
Totally unfamiliar with the Korean language, he thought I had been talking all this time for the video recording.
“Strangely, they seem passive too. They had the upper hand a few days ago, after all.”
“They’re probably waiting. Just like us.”
In response to Cox’s question, I stared vacantly out the window.
Currently, our enemies were Nol and the Kobolds. They were also units.
So it wasn’t strange for them to stall for time. The longer they dragged it out, the more unpredictable and stronger they could become.
Our coalition forces were also taking their time to regroup and grow with the help of the Guardian Alliance.
Believing that mutual growth would lead to victory over the opponent, it was time to prove that. We were now racing toward enemy territory.
“Waiting, huh? That may lead to regret.”
Cox chuckled at my words. At the same time, something producing a loud noise crossed high in the sky.
The new weapon mobilized by the coalition forces was missiles. They were filled with cluster munitions banned under international law.
Moreover, those missiles could be equipped with nuclear warheads if necessary, and they were flying through the air to strike enemy lines. I heard that nuclear warheads had already arrived at the base.
“Ambush!”
However, almost simultaneously, it seemed they also began to retaliate.
As the vehicle came to a sudden stop, shouts could be heard from the radio and outside.
Gunfire and the sound of tanks firing echoed.
“Get out. Luckily, it seems to be in front.”
We began our duties. Our job was, of course, to escort the researchers from Evolution.
Having equipped my sword, which had become my weapon, I casually checked the front where Chae Yeon was supposed to be.
“Oh crap… this is just unlucky…”
“They’re coming! Get ready!”
While we had initially taken our positions in combat readiness, we thought we would be safe since we were far from the ambush point.
However, it seemed the enemies’ assault was all-encompassing.
Suddenly, right in front of us, there was distortion in space, and a small gate appeared.
“Fire!”
The moment a blurry figure was seen inside the gate, the waiting soldiers opened fire.
Their firepower could turn an elephant into rags in an instant. But the first to appear were the Nols holding large shields, and the shields they carried burned with a faint blue light.
“These bastards…”
“They’re pouring out!”
As concentrated fire was interrupted, the shield-bearing enemies started flooding out.
I spotted a Kobold wielding a staff. In that moment, the sight overlapped with the Mages Eve had been dealing with.
“Keep shooting!”
“Huh?!”
I darted forward, leaving Cox behind. I wasn’t the only one.
The trainees from the Guardian Alliance, who could supplement our insufficient hunter power, stepped forward and fought against the incoming enemies, ignoring the bullets.
“Ugh.”
I dodged a swung shield, piercing through and cutting down my opponent. My movements were definitely improved compared to before.
“I don’t know if it’s me that’s strange or if it’s real, but…”
Clenching my teeth, I swung my sword while feeling unease.
“These guys seem to be using magic I know, no matter how I look at it!”
[I’m currently inquiring with Eve.]
I split another Nol’s head as I charged in.
Their positions were incredibly concerning. The pattern in which they moved with an organized formation was familiar.
Moreover, even though they were categorized as regular foot soldiers, they seemed to match our strength.
‘Star Society.’
I recognized this formation. It was one of the magic spells Eve had faced and now learned to use in reverse.
It was undoubtedly a collective tactical magic created with a specific formation.
“These bastards clearly don’t have any equipment…”
“They’re pushing us back!”
The Nols assisted by magic were pushing us without the equipment given by their player. Our unprepared allies were panicking, leading to significant casualties.
I steadied my mind. There was nothing strange about it. If the Kobolds casting magic on the Nols had a player who was one of the Mages Eve was currently facing, then they were my enemies.
“Target those Kobolds!”
Our allies naturally understood that the Kobolds were up to something. A combat rocket fired by someone shattered the barrier that deflected bullets and blew up one Kobold.
But that was no use. We had to find and pinpoint the real one among those Kobolds. The true core of the formation.
[Complex circuit connections. With that power, a large number of individuals can be enhanced at once. However, within this circuit, there is one central focal point. If that point disappears, all circuits are severed.]
Eve also understood my situation now and relayed the message.
“Tell Eve. This time, I need your help.”
[The creature was delighted to comply. Make sure to check later how delighted it is.]
Eve didn’t hesitate to offer me her assistance.
By simply conveying this situation in simple words, Eve instantly reverse-engineered the enemy’s formation and provided me the solution.
‘That one.’
The one who matched the conditions Eve had told me caught my eye. The key to the formation.
A creature standing one step behind cleverly shielded itself by absorbing the barriers of the other Kobolds. To break that, I’d need at least a large-caliber shell.
“That’s the one! If I kill that one, the power surrounding them will weaken. We’ll lose everything trying to snipe innocent other enemies!”
“How do you know that, Kang Shin Woo?!”
I grabbed the special forces soldier fighting alongside me. This soldier, wearing a captain’s insignia on his combat uniform, was originally an artillery battalion commander but had been recognized for his talent and trained in the Guardian Alliance, being reorganized into special forces.
He was also someone I had known for a while. He had been my sparring partner.
“…If we can’t work together, I will go alone.”
His bewildered reaction hardened my expression. I didn’t have time to explain everything one by one.
“I’m going. If there’s a way.”
Fortunately, it seemed he understood my sincerity as he instinctively followed my words. I glanced at the soldiers gathering around us and hesitated for a moment.
“I will lead. Please help me clear the path.”
I clearly conveyed my intention.
I wondered if it was okay to give these guys orders, but this wasn’t the time to quibble about that.
“Of course.”
“Captain, can we trust this person…?”
“We have no time. And Kang Shin Woo’s abilities are sufficient.”
Naturally, there was some resistance, but some among them had prior interactions with me, having sparred and lost to me.
“Then let’s go.”
Not a second could be wasted. If we were pushed back now and the line was broken, we would be swept away, and even if we survived, taking care of all these enemies would be impossible.
So I had to kill the Kobold that was the focal point of the formation before that.
“Relay everything to Eve. Right now, I’m getting your help to do something!”
[Does it have that intention?]
“To let them know that our connection is mutual.”
I tightened my grip on the sword and charged forward.
The swarm of Nols strengthened by the formation immediately blocked our path.
My heart raced as the power accumulated within me resonated. The training method Ji Chang-hyun had taught me, the resonance technique, altered by the Legion specifically for me.
With this, I could build my strength faster and stronger than others. Just before colliding with the enemies, I swung my sword without hesitation.
“Creek…”
“Kyack.”
With my powered sword, several Nols were sliced apart in an instant.
Some were struggling with poor swordsmanship, but it was no problem. My companions running beside me handled those.
“But! We can’t break the barrier with just our strength!”
“We have a way.”
At the urgent shout, I pulled out a crimson mineral from my gear.
Am I supposed to just throw it like I’ve been doing? That’s not going to break through that overlapping barrier.
Once again, I received assistance from Eve.
The method the Legion’s higher species used to tap into Formancy was to instantly draw power from the engine without delay or calculation.
I mimicked that method. In addition to the strength I already possessed, I absorbed the power stored in the mineral into my body.
“Kang Shin Woo’s sword is…”
My sword ignited with a crimson flame. The greatest advantage of the resonance technique I had learned was not to reject different, foreign powers, but to resonate and amplify them.
It was truly a power that matched the identity of the Legion, which devoured everything and made it their own.
“DIE, YOU BASTARDS!”
I unleashed the full force of my sword.
The crimson slash, unleashed like my sibling Kang Do-yeon, carved through the ground and split the enemy’s body, barrier and all.
