A Legion Grows From My Smartphone

Chapter 18: The Game Board (1)

The gameboard, intertwined with countless worlds and people, began to move in earnest. However, the vast majority of creatures in this world were oblivious to the game. Unless they knew of its existence, they would merely fall victim to the impending chaos and turmoil.

What are you talking about, Ji Yeon! You-re suddenly quitting?

Didn't you hear me? I can no longer simply follow the company's orders.'' Why on earth...''

Kang Seung-yong, the CEO of Gaebok Corporation, was left speechless by the unexpected news. Cha Ji Yeon, a C-rank, no, now an A-rank ace hunter who had been with the company for years, had submitted her resignation.

What...what's the real reason? You're not serious, are you? I've known you since high school.'' ...Please don't ask.

Cha Ji Yeon bit her lip and shook her head, startled by his words. They were true. She didn't want to quit, but she had no choice. The world operated on the principle of equivalent exchange, give and take. It was an obvious fact. She had to work in proportion to what she had received. That was the harsh reality.

Where are you planning to transfer to? Don't tell me...the newly established American Evolution? Yes.

What connection do they have with you, or rather, 'you guys'?

Kang Seung-yong easily guessed her destination. It would have been stranger if he hadn't. The so-called step-up hunters, who had recently gathered under one company centered around a certain focal point, had become a hot topic due to their rapid growth. Her actions were predictable, being one of them.

That's my duty.

Then what exactly is that du...

Their conversation was abruptly cut off by an employee who rushed in, panting heavily. Regardless of the man's glare, the employee switched on the TV in the president's office. What's happening? The...the news...big trouble...

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The news that the stuttering employee turned on was a live breaking report. Cha Ji Yeon frowned, as if she had anticipated this. Orcs?

This is because of my move to Evolution. It doesn't seem like just a horde of orcs. In an era where magical beasts were more common than wild animals, a breaking news report wouldn't be broadcast for no reason. The news was currently showing a city in the United States, where creatures known as orcs were swarming. Orcs were C-rank - neither too weak nor too strong.

Those guys, they're really orcs...?

However, Kang Seung-yong's eyes grew wide. The hundreds of orcs shown on the screen now were definitely not ordinary orcs. The guys who used to wear shabby loincloths and wield clubs were now armed with high-quality steel armor and weapons. Their strength and organization had also clearly improved. The shock peaked with the appearance of an orc shaman who blocked the Hellfire missiles shot by the US military helicopter with a bluish protective barrier.

They're definitely not ordinary orcs.

What the hell is this...

Kang Seung-yong was dumbfounded, his shock defying common sense. Cha Ji Yeon bit her lip, her mind racing. 'Can we win?'

The orcs were not just competitors, but enemies of her group. They were formidable.

Look. They're capturing people now. The same ones who used to kill and eat people.

You're right. They must have plans for them.

American hunters had arrived, fighting the creatures alongside the military. The camera panned to the orcs, indiscriminately capturing men, women, and children, and throwing them back through the gate they had emerged from.

You know something about those creatures, don't you?

I do, but I can't tell you. However, you'll find out soon, President Kang. This is just the beginning. Prepare yourself. A long and terrible war is on the horizon.

She sighed heavily. The era of relentless competition and killing had dawned. As always, it would be the powerless and ignorant who would perish in droves. Leaving a stunned Kang Seung-yong behind, she exited the office.

[As ordered, find allies first]

The 'players' on Earth.

[With humans, it's impossible to discern which ones are units of other players. The most trustworthy are players from another world. But you need to know which world their units inhabit.]

She had already received her mission. Some of her colleagues were recruiting Earth's hunters to form alliances and expand their forces, while she and a few others had been given different orders.

[Those given the mission to explore, receive grace]

A light flashed before her eyes, and a small stone fell. A mystical stone engraved with spells, a mana stone. An object she had used several times before. * This is insane.

After catching the news, my seriousness deepened. It wasn't merely the fact that the orcs had grown stronger, as the news anchors incessantly reported. These orcs were unmistakably units interacting with a player. The ominous warning from that mysterious narration was materializing into reality.

...I should definitely tell her.

I scratched my puzzled head, contemplating Kang Do Yeon. Given the escalating situation, shouldn't I inform my family? My hesitation stemmed from a simple reason. It appeared that a solution had been discovered. Despite the kid's grave demeanor that day, she had since led a normal, carefree life. However, the substantial amount of money she brought home every week was too alarming.

What if that kid is genuinely linked to a player or unit?

[Think carefully. Whether a unit or player, you must exercise extreme caution with players. Players are compelled to target the lives of their fellow players.]

A player's enemy was another player, a unit's enemy was another unit. My mind sharpened. Ultimately, despite my reservations, I made a decision. I should just tell her the truth. Relevant incidents were emerging worldwide, substantiating my claims.

Hey. We need to talk. ...Come in.

The response came immediately after I knocked. I opened the door to find the kid lying face down on the bed.

You might find this hard to believe, but you know the orcs wreaking havoc in the US that are all over the news?

Those guys, they're far from ordinary. In fact, they are...

A pillow flew into my face mid-sentence. Stunned, I could only roll my eyes. Kang Do Yeon had somehow risen and was now covering my mouth. The kid's eyes were trembling violently. She then stared intently at the back of my hand while gripping it. I couldn't resist that slender arm. This was beyond human strength.

Don't...say it. Mmmph? Never bring up anything about players, games, units, no matter what. She shook her head, her voice trembling. For now, I slowly nodded. I had no choice but to comply, despite exerting all my strength. Fortunately, the panic quickly subsided. What on earth happened?

Contrarily, I grew increasingly calm.

Yoon Ah turned me into her puppet. ...The landlord's daughter?

Kang Do Yeon showed me his wrist. A distinct scar with teeth marks was etched into his fair skin. I remembered her. She was a cute, kind, and cheerful friend. I couldn't believe she would do something like this.

She said she received that power from her units, the Cheonsan clan. They're nomads proficient in earth and wind spells, she claimed. ...So, what did she make you do?

Nothing. She just acted like an ordinary friend since then. Instead, Yoon Ah gave me 50,000 won every week as a salary. Why...does she give it to you? That's...if I die...

The kid began trembling again as she spoke. Although my head was burning hot, my mind was icy cold. I needed to think logically, efficiently, like the legion.

Was the other order to report any information about players or apps?

Yes, to immediately report it if I ever hear anyone mention anything about players, apps, and such. Luckily the answer isn't hopeless, is it?

After hearing the entire response and piecing together the information, I unconsciously let out a snort. It seemed like a long road lay ahead based on the story. I could just kill her, right?

I glanced at the assassination right engraved on the back of my hand. I had perfect justification, necessity, means, and methods. I had absolutely no reason not to kill the girl who had made my sister a minion. That was the implication.

No.

Just then, Kang Do Yeon refuted my words. I was slightly taken aback. However, my pale-faced, panting sister's expression was different from before. We can use this. ...What do you mean? From what I gathered, the relationship seems quite complex.

The kid, who was gradually regaining her composure, began rambling incoherently. I focused on the story as if I was spellbound.