A Legion Grows From My Smartphone

“Work on establishing encampments at all bases has been completed.”

Robert’s usually laid-back voice turned serious.

It was inevitable. Once the chaotic preparation period ended and the full-scale operation began, we would also have to carry out our missions.

“Soon, the operation will commence, and the troops will mobilize. As you know, our mission is to escort the researchers from Evolution.”

Evolution was not only a group of units but also a company that was part of this society.

While their purpose remained unclear, they had dispatched researchers here in addition to their core Step-Up Hunters.

We were tasked with their protection.

“It may seem like an easy job of scavenging through corpses after battles, but remember, this is not Earth. So, stay sharp.”

“It’s definitely a place worthy of being called the Demon Realm.”

Our gazes turned outward.

Even though the sun was up, the barren desolation of this vast wasteland, filled only with rocks and dust, did not easily fade away.

“Surely it can’t all be like this. They say these creatures live by eating dirt.”

At that moment, unmanned recon drones roared as they launched and sliced through the sky in unison.

They moved like an army. Reconnaissance was the foundation of all actions, after all.

Especially in a world where one set foot for the first time, even an unyielding army would halt their advance to scout first.

“Once the reconnaissance is complete, one of the pre-established operational plans will be implemented.”

“Honestly, it’s not Earth. It’d be nice if we could just fire off a nuclear bomb or something.”

“One of the pretexts is rescuing the kidnapped people, so that’s not going to happen.”

Not long after the recon drones took to the skies, the main force began to move.

We still had no role to play at this point.

I blankly watched the departing vehicles.

Cha Jiyeon, Chris, and other key hunter forces were among those departing.

“Do you think we’ll really lose? Thus far, the problem was that we couldn’t strike first. The ones coming out of the Gate are just creatures that used to ambush civilians, but now we’ve got an army on our side.”

A member of the unit, a man named Cox, spoke with a smile.

His words were not without basis.

In fact, analyses by many showed that when armies clashed, Earth’s military firepower overwhelmingly surpassed the enemies.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. If they were the dumb monsters from before, you’d be right. But the recent ones… they’re different.”

Robert’s intuition was quite sharp.

I also didn’t think it would be an easy victory.

There were already more than a dozen species of monsters presumed to be units.

Having seen how far units could grow and strengthen, I couldn’t make an easy judgment.

[That’s right. The potential for growth. That is the greatest advantage possessed by units and Players. A small change or trigger can become a catalyst for explosive growth.]

In this situation where pulling out my mobile phone was difficult, letters that only I could see appeared one after another before my eyes.

The screen shifted.

The Legion was still engaged in a war against the Mutant Destruction Fungus.

It was a task of clearing out entities that had once annihilated a world.

Though an endless war of attrition, just like with the original Destruction Fungus, the mutants had one distinguishing trait.

“Kiieee…”

A sleek, slender body.

“Kyaaaah!”

Four large hooked claws on its arms and a whip-like tail that lashed about.

The differences were that it emitted a shriek while drooling saliva laced with deadly toxins and that its carapace was an ashen gray color.

Although I flinched at the sight of it during Cha Jiyeon’s encounter, the Legion was too preoccupied to pay attention to such matters.

[It is a perfect copy of the Legion’s versatile type, but clearly a distinct and insane monster.]

With its hooked claws, the creature slashed through a versatile Legion soldier it had been fighting and tore into it mercilessly.

“This is insane…”

It wasn’t just the versatile-types with limbs.

The previously grotesque tumor-like appearance of the Mutant Destruction Fungus was gradually changing as the battle continued.

And the standard for those changes was none other than the Legion soldiers they were fighting.

From assault types based on various quadrupeds to flying species that soared through the air and artillery types that fired poisonous thorns or acidic projectiles.

They were insane monsters. Through repeated battles with the Legion, they absorbed and replicated everything the Legion had.

In contrast, the Legion had nothing to steal from them.

After all, these creatures had been nothing at the start compared to the Legion.

[Now the only edge the Legion has over them lies in the higher entities that use core engines to manipulate formative power.]

A wave of dark crimson energy incinerated and blasted away a dozen Mutant Destruction Fungus infected entities charging in.

The one who unleashed the energy through a sword was Kang Do-Yeon, wearing a mask.

When the creatures launched bombardments at her, two versatile Legion soldiers standing by her side activated their shield barriers to intercept the attacks.

…However, the ore attached to her arm soon lost its light and dropped with a clink.

While the Legion could use formative power without delay or calculation through their self-produced core engines, this method required constant recharging, which was a disadvantage.

[The previously overwhelming exchange ratio is gradually narrowing. The Legion initiated this war of attrition despite not knowing the overall scale of the enemy because they trusted in this overwhelming exchange ratio.]

“Then they’ll lose.”

[That’s correct. The current Legion has no fallback. If they lose, their forces are immediately weakened. They must fight and win.]

My chest tightened.

The Legion, which had never seemed likely to lose against any enemy, was faltering.

And it was due to entities that could be considered their kindred.

‘What should I do?’

A thought crossed my mind.

To break through this situation, I needed to do something.

“Variable.”

I muttered as if entranced.

The Legion had already honed their optimal and strongest soldiers using the data they had accumulated so far.

To take another step forward, they needed a new specimen.

I wasn’t here by chance.

I needed to assist the Legion.

*

“Sniff…”

A nose, resembling that of a dog, sniffed the air.

An aircraft emitting a loud roar was streaking across the high sky.

In the past, if they had been nothing more than dumb beasts, they might not have known what it was.

But now, they understood that it wasn’t a bird but a mechanical device operated by someone.

[The agreement has already been made. First, eliminate the most troublesome entities. Proceed as planned.]

A voice resonated in their minds.

The one leading the group bared its teeth and growled.

With gleaming eyes and a head resembling that of a hyena, they hunched over and moved on two legs. These beings were once referred to by Earthlings as Gnolls, a lower demonic creature.

“Our name, Ashukrud.”

Yet, from a mouth filled with sharp teeth, clear words spilled out, defying the stereotype of their supposed stupidity.

The growling figure activated a device strapped to its wrist.

Simultaneously, a faint distortion field began to spread around them.

This device was a bestowed item from their god.

Covered by the shimmering distortion field, their forms began to blend with their surroundings and vanish.

“Move.”

In that state, they silently began to move.

Their task was to ambush the enemies already approaching this place.

The crescent blade in their hands gleamed faintly.

“All clear. No unusual movements detected.”

“Good.”

As the main force continued its march, the control room overseeing the drones was bustling.

From this place, they could observe the enemy camp through the eyes of the drones as clearly as if looking at their palms.

“The scale is quite large, but it’s at the level of a shabby Gnoll tribe.”

“Honestly, I feel like launching a couple of missiles at them. But you can’t use a blade for slaughtering cows to butcher a dog—or rather, a bastard dog.”

The Commander chuckled.

It was a situation where complacency was inevitable.

The war against the Demonic Creatures was a well-discussed fact.

The idea that a modern military, heavily equipped with advanced firearms, could lose a full-scale battle against Demonic Creatures armed with inadequate weapons and equipment was absurd.

“…Huh?”

At least, it had been until now.

Something flickered on the screen.

And at that moment, the screen went dark as a dazzling Light Beam was fired.

“Br-Brigadier General…?”

A Junior Officer turned to him with wide eyes.

However, he too failed to grasp the situation that had unfolded in an instant.

“The Recon Unit has been shot down.”

The one who identified the reality of the situation was an officer from another nation who had been standing nearby.

“We have a major problem!”

“The main force has been ambushed!”

“Northeast Direction, 120 kilometers! A massive group has suddenly appeared and is advancing rapidly toward this location!”

On top of that, urgent reports began pouring in immediately after the Recon Unit was shot down.

“This is—”

“You know, Chris. They must have had a plan too.”

The incident had unfolded before they even reached half the points designated for initial occupation.

Cha Jiyeon carefully tucked the Bottle she was holding into her arms.

It was a Bestowed Item from the Player, intended to be used in overcoming a crisis that would inevitably come.

[They are Units. Fight them.]

The Player’s command was issued.

She immediately exited the vehicle.

“…”

At that moment, something flew straight toward her forehead.

She caught it barehanded.

Her hand throbbed in pain.

What had been fired was a Heavy Arrow made entirely of solid Steel.

“Fire! Open fire!”

“How could the recon—ack!”

The sound of gunfire erupted wildly from all directions.

Snipers occasionally hit their marks, piercing Bulletproof Helmets and Bulletproof Vests, which led to an increasing number of Soldiers falling.

The Armored Unit, which had been moving alongside them, fired Explosive Projectiles from their Cannon Barrels toward the enemies, who had been moving silently under stealth.

“Look at that, Chris.”

“…They’re Elites.”

She spotted something and pointed it out with her hand.

A Gnoll wielding a massive Shield was deflecting all the Machine Gun Bullets with blazing Energy.

The Gnoll exploded with Leg Strength, leaping off the ground, killing the Machine Gun operator, and smashing the Tank with the edge of its Shield.

“Let’s go.”

Despite the unexpected ambush throwing the surroundings into chaos, she remained calm, her eyes gleaming.

This was a battle scenario she had considered inevitable.

She was well aware of the Variables and diversification created by the interaction between Players and Units.

She had repeatedly cautioned the Allied Forces’ high command to be wary of this in line with the Player’s instructions, but unless she explicitly mentioned the “Game,” her warnings that mere Demonic Creatures could grow stronger were dismissed as absurd and unworthy of serious consideration.