A Legion Grows From My Smartphone

“Another method?”

“For example, the Goblin we encountered last time was shooting fireballs…”

“Certainly, there are various methods. It’s the same for the Hunters’ status windows.”

Cha Jiyeon, who was overseeing the training, nodded as if affirming my words.

Formative power, and the numerous methods for it.

I decided to gather data to find the most efficient and optimal method that the Legion desired.

“For instance, the Heavenly Soul Technique cannot be learned unless one’s soul has a certain level of capacity. Do you think ordinary Goblins can learn this technique? They must have their own methods.”

“I think I understand.”

In that moment, a method that the Legion had discovered on its own flashed through my mind.

It was clear that the Heavenly Soul Technique was deemed inefficient for the Legion.

The Legion’s soul was powerful but singular, so splitting it into multiple parts caused inefficiency.

Instead, the method they discovered was to use Divine Stones, a special mineral that Cha Jiyeon also referred to as Mana Stones.

“My Player emphasized that, when manifesting formative power, factors like efficiency and swiftness were just as important as power, or output. The Heavenly Soul Technique fulfills all those conditions, they said.”

“Yes.”

I inwardly clicked my tongue.

I had actually heard about this beforehand.

The Legion had also taken various factors into account when searching for a method.

The concept of embedding energy-infused minerals, or Divine Stones, into one’s body was something the Legion had developed on its own after such considerations.

Perhaps it was a method that only the Legion could use.

After all, embedding stones into one’s own body was no easy feat.

“Try using what you’ve learned.”

“Understood.”

I had to put other thoughts aside now.

I focused my mind and tried to manifest what I had learned from her.

The sight of the Soul of the Legion glimpsed by her Player made me doubt if I could do it, but fortunately, those doubts were unfounded.

I felt something within me.

I concentrated on it and attempted to move as I had been taught.

“Open your eyes, Shin Woo. You succeeded…!”

I heard Cha Jiyeon’s voice.

I slowly opened my eyes.

Before I knew it, faintly glowing energy was rippling around my body.

I had successfully grasped the basics.

“My Player is coveting it.”

“Coveting it? Coveting what?”

She silently pointed at me with her hand.

I flinched for a moment, but I forced a smile and declined the Scout Proposal.

“They said they would reveal the identity of the ones who harmed your younger sibling.”

“What did you just say…?”

However, her next words shattered my expectations.

Cha Jiyeon, looking apologetic for bringing up my younger sibling due to her Player’s insistence, bowed her head deeply.

“Are they really just going to tell me?”

“It seems like the Player wants you to harbor anger toward them.”

This was an unexpected gain.

Cha Jiyeon seemed sorry, as if she felt she was digging into my wounds, but I was fine.

Rather than that, I wanted to hear the story.

“Please go ahead. Tell me.”

To reassure her, I grabbed her shoulder.

“It may seem obvious, but apparently, we humans are not the only human species in this universe.”

“…That makes sense, considering all the aliens that appear.”

When you think about it, Orcs and Goblins are also alien species.

In this context, it wasn’t hard to believe that another branch of humanity existed in another world.

“Wait a moment, are you saying all those suits and guns are from them?”

“My Player calls them the Human Federation, a powerful force somewhere in the universe.”

Cha Jiyeon nodded.

A highly advanced human species that Earthlings had imagined and depicted in various media, such as movies, comics, and novels.

Such beings truly existed, and one of them had taken some Earthlings, including me, as Units.

Considering that even someone like me was a Player, it made perfect sense, and I nodded absentmindedly.

“The Player said they have been wicked over the ages, constantly fighting among themselves and extending their greedy reach outward.”

“That part is quite wicked. After all, a Player is just an individual.”

“That seems to be the case.”

Cha Jiyeon, reciting the Player’s words, gave a bitter smile and nodded.

It didn’t seem like she thought I wouldn’t understand; rather, it appeared her Player genuinely disliked them.

A Player is but an individual. No matter what kind of faction the Player belongs to, they cannot be equated with that faction.

…Unless they share one spirit or conviction.

But given that they were described as a human species, that possibility seemed slim.

“I certainly despise and want to destroy those who tried to hunt my younger sibling, but I don’t want to extend that hatred to the group the Player belongs to.”

It’s simply too dangerous.

After all, my primary goal is still to survive.

Cha Jiyeon agreed, saying it was a wise attitude.

“However, they are saying you still need to consider it.”

“Excuse me?”

“If the Player intentionally leaks information they know to mobilize their faction, then…”

Her face hardened.

If that were true, the situation would become even more complicated.

It meant that groups unrelated to This Game could step onto the Game Board and wreak havoc as a collective.

Just like the Allied Forces on Earth, preparing for expeditions against the demonic creatures beyond the Gate.

And the very group spearheading that effort was Evolution, the Unit Group that Cha Jiyeon belonged to.

“Evolution is…”

“They’re moving because there’s mutual benefit, I suppose.”

Cha Jiyeon admitted it without hesitation.

The reason why Step-Up Hunters like her could share information without significant issues.

Not only were they formidable Hunters individually, but they also actively incorporated factions such as governments and associations as allies.

“Is today’s training over?”

“Yes. There were some results.”

While Cha Jiyeon briefly stepped away.

I entered my room and quietly turned on my mobile phone.

No, to be honest, it had already been on for a while.

I had secretly turned it on to check on the Legion and my younger sibling before initiating a conversation.

As soon as the Legion heard I was coming, they threw themselves against the Flesh Wall in a hurry.

“Do you need anything?”

“Ne-need anything?”

“You know, like books or something.”

I spoke outright.

Having eavesdropped on the conversations between the Legion and my younger sibling, I knew the Legion thirsted for knowledge.

Although my younger sibling pretended the books were for them, I obviously didn’t believe it.

They had never read anything other than comic books.

“That’s right… Could you send some? Anything would be fine.”

“That’s not difficult.”

“Th-there’s actually one thing you absolutely have to send.”

It seemed there was something I hadn’t realized.

Kang Do-Yeon’s face looked strangely awkward and peculiar.

“What do you want me to send…?”

“The Bi…ble.”

My younger sibling muttered while looking at the ground.

We had never once been to a church, nor did we have any particular religion we believed in.

I let out a hollow laugh.

[From the Legion’s perspective, it’s natural to have curiosity about creation and God.]

“Really…? Religion doesn’t quite suit a rational species.”

[It could simply be for reference.]

I didn’t think the Legion would become engrossed in religion, but it still bothered me.

For now, I answered that I understood.

“There’s one more thing.”

However, it seemed the Legion’s desires, conveyed through Kang Do-Yeon, didn’t end there.

My younger sibling twisted their face in an almost grotesque manner, as if they were about to say something unspeakable, then finally shut their eyes tightly and opened their mouth.

“What’s your ideal type, Older Brother?”

The words that came out of their mouth sent a chill down my spine.

Why did I have to hear that from this fellow?!

“Why are you suddenly asking about my ideal type?”

“What, is it such a big deal? I can ask, can’t I? Besides, I like… uh, never mind.”

I could hear the sound of teeth grinding.

I rubbed my arm, feeling the goosebumps that had risen.

Of course, I knew who had instructed this question and with what intention.

For now, I deliberated on how to answer.

In any case, the shapes the Legion could currently take were quite limited.

Excluding my human younger sibling, Kang Do-Yeon, there were the Moonlight Fairies.

But their overly pale skin and exotic appearance didn’t appeal to me much.

“Of course, I prefer someone pretty.”

“So, what are the standards of that prettiness… no, just name the celebrity you think is the prettiest.”

“No.”

Trying to take the easy way out, are we?

I smirked as I saw my younger sibling’s shocked expression.

“Try thinking about it yourself. If you were to mimic someone’s appearance exactly, it wouldn’t feel special. There’s no reason to pursue unattainable perfection. Sometimes, imperfection can be more appealing.”

At that point, I spoke directly to the Legion, who was listening to this entire conversation, rather than Kang Do-Yeon.

I wondered if they truly understood what I was saying.

“You relayed my words exactly, right? Without omitting or manipulating anything under the excuse that it would hinder the growth of the Legion?”

[Correct. As I said before, I will no longer interfere. I wonder how the current Legion will interpret your words.]

“…I don’t think there’s much room for misunderstanding, though?”

What I wanted to convey to the Legion was not to obsess over perfection.

It was akin to saying not to overdo things.

“I should stop by a bookstore—no, sending an e-book would be faster.”

Using a secondhand trading site, I quickly procured a spare device nearby.

Then, I started loading it with various books.

I had no idea how the knowledge humanity had accumulated would benefit the Legion.

“Will learning humanities make them calmer?”

Muttering nonsense, I sent the spare device as a bestowed item.