A Legion Grows From My Smartphone

Chapter 17: Shackles of Destiny (3)

The thunderous roars and flashes of light from the luminescent stones paled in comparison to the blinding brilliance and overwhelming physical force. Despite the Newtria-sized rats firing in unison, their hit rate was abysmal due to the recoil. However, given the size of our soldiers, it was difficult for them to miss.

[Even the toughest and most robust armor proved insufficient. The turquoise shell of the shield-bearing legionnaire leading the frontal assault shattered instantly, his head blown apart.]

"...I guess guns are pretty powerful after all.

I bit my lip. The cave creatures, whose abilities far surpassed those of Earthas organisms, seemed helpless against modern Earthas gunpowder and bullets. If they couldn^t withstand it, then I stood no chance. No Earth animal could withstand guns. I didn't know who this player was, but they seemed to be from a country without gun restrictions.

[But aren't you worried about the Legion?]

I'm not worried, lust curious about their reaction.

I nodded. The sudden appearance of guns, a cutting-edge weapon of the current era, had surprised me. But I was familiar with guns too.

Nine shots at best?

I was uncertain about the magazine's capacity, but it couldn't hold more than ten shots. We just needed to hold on a bit longer without succumbing to panic. The issue was that the Legion was oblivious to this. I pondered over their potential course of action. Would they retreat after witnessing the power of this unfamiliar weapon? Or would they persist in their assault?

[The Legion opted to press on. Even at the cost of losing all the soldiers currently deployed, they were determined to see it through to the end.]

Thus, the Legion advanced with increased aggression.

Gunshots reverberated continuously as the large creatures fell one after another. The formation wavered, and the siege began to falter. Their numbers were substantial, and the fortress was notably robust.

...You can communicate with them, right? If you can understand the Legion's thoughts, you can relay mine as well!

[I am merely a guide and observer. Even if I were to relay your words verbatim, they wouldn't comprehend. Assist them in understanding? I cannot interfere to such an extent.]

Useless...

I sighed in frustration, but for now, all I could do was observe. The Legion did not cease their attack despite the stiff resistance. On the contrary, they doubled their troop count.

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Is this right?

[I wonder why.]

Twice, no, thrice...four times?

The number of soldiers pouring out from the nest continued to swell instead of dwindling.

What, what is this? Why are they going all out like this?

[Something is provoking them. When we engage in repeated battles and confront their fiery, intense opposition, we experience something unprecedented. We cannot pinpoint the cause.

If anything, the highly sophisticated neural network that we have progressively nurtured, the Legion's brain, might be one reason.]

Shock washed over me as I processed those words. Suddenly, the soldiers took on a different light. Countless individuals, countless strains... Yet, in essence, they were one entity.

It was clear to me now. A strange lust was gradually infusing the teeth, claws, tails, and venomous stingers of the Legion soldiers, who had been cold and mechanical until now.

[Do not disregard emotion. Though it may sometimes drive you to harm yourself, ultimately, it is primal, intense desire that pushes you past limits.]

A chill ran down my spine at those words. The war had just begun. Victory and defeat would be determined by which side collapsed first. If the Legion lost this battle, they wouldn't have enough energy to produce such a massive force again. However, their explosive production capacity allowed them to swiftly cycle through depleted forces.

On the other hand, the rats had a lower turnover than us but were waging a defensive war using various tools and facilities. Moreover, their stockpiled resources matched ours.

[Look closely at each of their expressions. It's strange. Very strange. The confidence that had filled them is gradually fading. They must have been arrogant. Surely they thought they would win. After fending off our skirmishes so many times, it's only natural they would feel that way.]

Cracks in the rats' unity became visible. Bodies were clearly piling up, so why was this happening?

@%*!!

Some of them shrieked and chittered at the unloaded guns, no longer shooting bullets. Of course, guns with endless ammo only exist in virtual games.

[We are different. We are Legion. We do not falter when faced with deafening noises we have never heard before, or if our mightiest soldiers are taken out in one blow. We simply

kill, fight, and devour. Our soldiers move as one without the slightest hesitation.]

They had clearly worked together, each fighting well in their own way, but differences certainly existed. We are a race capable of choice. While we may feel fighting spirit and

anger, fear and terror do not shatter our ranks or undo our purpose when the goal lies before our eyes.

The rats were different.

[Once doubt takes root, fear quickly feeds on and amplifies that doubt. It's only natural for those with emotion. The Legion is the same, but the Legion has what they lack.]

We would tenaciously pound any opening. A soldier that hitched a ride on a large creature used its tail, sharp protrusions slashing like blades, to slice a rat clutching a spear cleanly in two.

[We have endless trust in ourselves, in each other, though we are many yet one. But what about them? The desire to survive...that is only natural for any living being.]

...I concur with that.

The rats' formation collapsed. The cause was the retreat of the dejected ones. Ironically, increased intelligence and diverse emotions brought gains, but they also brought losses. Fear spreading through the crowd amplified its power exponentially.

[The Legion began tearing open and exploiting their wounds. They are confident of victory.]

Finally, the Legion's ground forces breached the rats' fortress as well. This large-scale siege, which would have been difficult to attempt a second time if it failed, had succeeded. It was unclear whether the Legion, having just gained an understanding of emotion, really took advantage of the rats' fear. But they had won regardless.

[It's time for slaughter.]

Once the formation falls apart and descends into chaos, our physical differences ensure our victory. Endless shrieks echoed through the expansive multi-level cave system. The brutal ecosystem where the defeated are annihilated without exception. Amidst this, the Legion grows.

Is there a reward by any chance? This was the first PVP victory after all.

[If we exterminate' them, eliminating them completely, there would be a reward.]

What?

I had asked casually, but my face stiffened at the reply. Then I surreptitiously checked the back of my hand. I still had an unused Assassination Right. What did the opponent player have? It would be fine if they had the same Assassination Right as me.

Is a reward possible?

[...The opponent used a Race Preservation Right. Therefore, extermination is impossible. No reward will be given.]

Damn.

The worst-case scenario I had anticipated had come true. They ran away like cowards.

I'm drained.

I put down my phone. It was already dark outside. My throat was dry, and my eyes were tired. I couldn't help it after watching the war that had been going on for hours.

In the dark room, I quietly listened. Kang Do Yeon had just come home. The friends I had asked all testified that nothing had happened today. Although it seemed true based on the cross-examination, I still couldn't let my guard down.

[...I'll give you a hint.]

What? You?

[Be prepared.]

lust then, a message popped up with a vibration. I froze for a moment at its unexpected content.

[Once the game officially enters the mainstream, it will probably... be difficult to lead a normal life. There's no guarantee that what happened today won't happen on Earth.]

The following words were shocking.

What the hell does that mean?

[lust as I said. It's a fact that can be easily inferred. Players and units.]

...Tell me now. Who the hell are you? How do you know this?

[I told you. I'm just an observer.]

My hand was shaking. At the same time, in my mind, the massive war I had just witnessed was unfolding. Could I really rule out the possibility of that war happening on Earth?

[It's a cruel game. So please survive. Protect what you want, protect your people.]

I don't have any power.

[I know.]

But you said you could help me.

I picked up my phone. A strong player and a strong unit can make each other stronger. But I wasn't like that. The only thing I could trust in this situation were these kids I had been watching.

Is the part-time job... tough?

I felt like I needed to be more cautious. After dealing with my sister's issue.