A Legion Grows From My Smartphone

Chapter 14

[The end of this game, even I don’t know. One thing is for sure, the world is vast.]

“What is that… That doesn’t help at all.”

[As I said before, keep all possibilities open. That’s all the hint I can give you.]

“Ha.”

A hollow laugh escaped.

In any case, as that guy said, considering all possibilities meant really anything could happen.

Whether it was raising otherworldly creatures like me, or… the reverse could also be true.

“What if there’s a Player in the world with the Swarm? Should I kill them?”

[…That’s your choice. However, if the worlds are different, it might not matter much in the beginning.]

“So, there’s no need to mess with them unnecessarily?”

I felt like I was finally starting to grasp the rules.

In the end, one world is one server.

There’s no particular reason to mess with someone in a different server.

Ultimately, my true competitors are those who are involved in this world with the Swarm, whether they’re on Earth or in some other world.

Like the Players controlling those rats.

[They seem flustered.]

I stayed tense as I stared at the screen.

The war had just begun.

Of course, it was just a small battle signaling the start, but I had to win this one to move forward.

[Though flustered, they quickly changed their attitude and began resisting fiercely. Their resistance is stronger than expected.]

They shot crossbows and thrust spears like mad.

I rubbed my eyes.

They even brought out crudely made catapults.

I thought I could sweep them away in a single blow, but it was starting to drag on longer than expected.

[The Swarm has identified the anomaly. It is a system and communication method entirely different from anything seen before.]

“Yeah… I think I get it now. Those rats aren’t relying solely on what’s imprinted in their genes.”

I realized the reason.

The reason those rats had greater combat power than what the Swarm had analyzed.

They were currently harnessing the power of tools and communication, surpassing the limitations of their genes, just like humans.

[But even so, physical limitations are inescapable.]

The fortress began to collapse.

The Swarm, overwhelming with sheer numbers, finally pierced through their resistance and started massacring them.

They were bitten to death, slashed to death, crushed to death, and shot to death.

[But the Swarm couldn’t catch all of those who fled.]

“If this keeps up, our existence might be revealed.”

What exactly was the unique trait of these rats’ species?

It didn’t seem like they had a collective consciousness like ours.

It was clear that the surviving remnants would return to their base and reveal information about us.

If that were the case, there was a significant chance that the Opposing Player would suspect us.

“But nothing is certain. For starters, can those rats even communicate with a Player? I can’t.”

[That’s unknown.]

From my perspective, at their level, they were less advanced than Stone Age Savages.

Clearly, free and open communication would be difficult for them.

However, it was a fact that these rats were receiving teachings and weapons from some unknown entity.

[They were devoured and absorbed, yet the Swarm encountered another great question. Was this enough? Although the information gained from devouring them was obtained, the results remained stagnant. The Swarm focused on its inability to ‘learn’ the organized movements exhibited by them, even though their coordination was sloppy compared to the Swarm’s.]

“That’s inevitable. Learning experience and knowledge isn’t something you can achieve through mere devouring.”

[The Swarm finally sensed the necessity of a brain. A brain, and something beyond a brain. Emotion, experience, and a voracious appetite for knowledge.]

The Swarm’s response was always the same.

It simply devoured everything.

If there was something it lacked, something it didn’t have, it would eat it without hesitation.

Now, even if it were intangible knowledge or experience.

“So, what are you going to do about that?”

[Of course, the Swarm is finding its own answer. Information on highly intelligent birds like magpies or crows might be useful. Won’t you provide any help?]

I froze as I stared at the text flickering on my mobile phone.

How could I possibly help?

Honestly, it was something I had thought about in the past. Now that the Swarm had grown this much, it might actually be possible.

To devour humans…

“Sorry, but no. What am I supposed to do, go to the zoo and film some monkeys? I can’t let innocent people be torn apart and eaten alive.”

[To be honest, I think it’s premature as well. This is an issue that requires more attention. It’s quite literally the Swarm’s Consciousness beginning to emerge.]

“What does that mean?”

[Praise and worship the god. But there are undoubtedly those who resent and seek to overthrow the god.]

I knitted my brows, not understanding immediately.

But soon, I bit my lip, deep in thought.

“Are you saying they might turn against me?!”

[It’s only a possibility. That’s why you have to guide them well. The Higher Consciousness of the Swarm, which is just now beginning to form, is less than that of a child.]

In the end, just the mention of the possibility was enough.

Of course, it wasn’t something I hadn’t anticipated.

From the beginning, I never thought the Swarm and I shared the same values and mindset.

[As I keep saying, you’re not just an observer.]

“…Alright.”

My heart felt heavy, but there was no avoiding it.

For now, I decided to watch over them.

To see how they would grow and in what direction.

More than that, we didn’t seem to be losing to those rats just yet.

Despite the Swarm’s inner turmoil, it didn’t stop the war.

Clearly, it intended to end this before the opponent could realize something was wrong and respond properly.

The Opposing Player, who had been advancing triumphantly to the point of establishing outposts and sending expeditions to lower hierarchies, would now face this crisis. How they overcame it might provide clues to identify the Player’s identity or location.

“…Conversely, couldn’t I kill the Player and eliminate the Swarm’s enemies?”

[That’s correct.]

It was a terrifying game.

Incredibly so.

“Didn’t you say you’d go out after the exam?”

“This time, I’m just going to rest at home.”

I answered awkwardly with a smile.

My mother didn’t ask further.

Of course, as she suggested, I had planned to enjoy this summer properly before it was too late, but given my current situation…

…Even the girls said they’d come along.

“Look at that. That girl kept appearing on TV, and now she’s achieved an A-Rank.”

At that moment, my mother pointed to the TV.

My head turned automatically to the screen.

There, a familiar face appeared.

“C-Rank Cha Ji-Yeon. No, now A-Rank Cha Ji-Yeon.”

The woman walking out of the Management Bureau under the flash of cameras was someone I had seen before.

One of the rapidly rising Hunters recently gaining attention worldwide.

Among them, she stood out as a unique existence, becoming one of the few A-Rank Hunters in Korea at this very moment.

“…”

A thought crossed my mind.

What if she was a Unit blessed by the Player?

I heard that for both Players and Units, there were no fixed rules or hierarchical relationships.

Two Bodies, One Mind, holding each other’s lifeline in a thorough and inescapable bond.

A sigh escaped suddenly.

No matter how much I thought about it, I was a powerless piece of trash.

“You’re worried too, aren’t you? About this troublesome girl…”

But perhaps misunderstanding my sigh, my mother furrowed her brows and picked up her mobile phone.

It was only then that I noticed the empty seat next to me.

—

“A game?”

“Yeah. A really fun and… inescapable game.”

It was late in the evening, the time when families were having dinner.

Kang Do-Yeon, who had been wandering aimlessly near the park close to her home, paused when she bumped into her friend, Oh Yoon-Ah.

The aura surrounding Oh Yoon-Ah, who had always been just a normal friend, was anything but ordinary.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. That game or whatever it is…”

“The Great Chief said I should find a guardian to engrave this mark. They can become the warrior who will protect my life.”

Ignoring her words, Oh Yoon-Ah raised her hand.

In her hand, something glimmered.

When Kang Do-Yeon saw it, she was horrified.

“You’ve awakened as a Hunter?!”

“No, it’s not like that. It’s magic that my people gave me for my sake!”

Oh Yoon-Ah suddenly grabbed Kang Do-Yeon’s hesitant wrist.

Startled, Kang Do-Yeon tried to reflexively pull her hand away, but she failed.

The height difference was 155 cm to 170 cm.

Yet, despite being smaller and often teased for her petite stature, Oh Yoon-Ah did not let go.

“A-Ah! It hurts!!”

“Just bear with it for a little! You can become stronger too!”

Even as she screamed in pain from the searing sensation, struggling frantically, Oh Yoon-Ah didn’t let go.

Finally, when her hand was released.

Kang Do-Yeon froze in shock, staring at the distinct brand imprinted on her lower wrist.

“Look at this.”

“What have you done?!”

At that moment, something the size of a fist flew toward her face.

Furious, she instinctively raised her hand to deflect it.

“…No way.”

And then she was stunned.

The large stone she had struck shattered into pieces.

“Now, you’re my knight, Do-Yeon. Stand against my enemies and die for me. Having the most popular girl in school protect me—it’s reassuring.”

Oh Yoon-Ah smirked as she spoke.

Meanwhile, Kang Do-Yeon, unable to comprehend the situation, clutched her wrist with a pale, terrified expression.

“Now, I’ll reveal the secret to you.”

As if doing her a favor, Oh Yoon-Ah grinned and picked up her mobile phone.

‘For sure…’

At that moment, the back of her hand caught her attention.

The mark that had been there earlier had vanished without a trace, leaving her skin clean and unblemished.