A Legion Grows From My Smartphone

Chapter 38

[The analysis of their genes has been successfully completed. Now that we have identified all the processes of their infection-based attacks, their assaults will no longer work against us.]

Throughout the war, the Swarm simultaneously analyzed these tiny bacteria.

The completion of the analysis meant one thing: everything about them had been uncovered.

Now that all their moves were known, their attacks were rendered ineffective.

[Proliferation Infection Extermination Spore: 6N1523]

[As a result of this battle, the Swarm has acquired a new cell-level strategic tactic: a toxin capable of attacking and infecting other cells.]

“Are you thinking of bacterial warfare? Like… zombies?”

“Interesting. But inefficient. Of course, it can always be used as a trump card.”

Kang Do-Yeon cautiously asked the question, but the Swarm, having already calculated everything, deemed the infection ability not particularly advantageous.

The tactic of infecting and devouring enemy cells to multiply their numbers was undoubtedly powerful.

[However, as cell-level manipulation increases, the burden on the Collective Consciousness grows. The analysis revealed that they do indeed form colonies, but there is no detectable connection with the outside. This is why such a method works for them.]

“So, they’re essentially independent, small-scale colonies.”

Kang Do-Yeon placed a hand on her chest.

The Collective Consciousness of the Swarm was unique.

Without any special means, it could maintain its connection even over vast distances.

The Swarm itself did not fully understand the detailed principle behind it, but there was a clue for speculation.

The Soul String that transcends the walls of the world, linking the Player and the units.

The Collective Consciousness of the Swarm was similar to that.

This was why it had been impacted by the spiritual attacks of the Guardian Spirit.

“Then the Assassination Authority. Since we are many yet one, wouldn’t we all die simultaneously if targeted by it?”

“If the Assassination Authority severs the connection of a specific entity, it would ultimately have no impact on the Swarm.”

The concept of being many yet one ultimately relied on their connections.

If the connection was severed, they were essentially strangers.

Moreover, the Collective Consciousness of the Swarm possessed a spiritual aspect.

The Swarm judged that when the Assassination Authority was used, the target’s breath would cease, and its connection would disappear first, ensuring no issues for the other entities.

Recalling the existence of the Assassination Authority, a systemic reward that kills the enemy without question, Kang Do-Yeon flinched but then sighed in relief.

“The bodies of the Swarm Soldiers have been modified to be immune to their attacks.”

“Then…”

“Lead the Swarm Soldiers and continue to conquer the upper strata.”

The Swarm issued another command to Kang Do-Yeon.

It was something she had naturally done up until now.

Having learned about the enemy and prepared for them, there was no reason to hesitate.

“Got it.”

Kang Do-Yeon, in truth, had no choice in the matter.

After replenishing her nutrients, she immediately had to head upward again.

“By the way, why don’t you tell my brother about this?”

Just before leaving, she posed one last question to the Swarm.

When Shin Woo was watching, she was ordered not to show any signs, so she hadn’t even been able to reveal that the Swarm had acquired language.

“I am incomplete.”

The Swarm nodded as if it were the most natural thing.

“I cannot show him this side of me.”

“…What exactly do you think of my brother? He’s just an ordinary… Ugh.”

“Shut. Up.”

Kang Do-Yeon’s mouth closed involuntarily.

The atmosphere around her turned hostile in an instant.

The entire Swarm shook violently.

“To me, he is not. You don’t know. If you find out, that adorable brain of yours will burn to ashes.”

“Ugh…”

The red light glimmering from the eyeholes of the approaching mask left Kang Do-Yeon sweating inwardly.

Although the Swarm’s young ego was growing based on the human knowledge she had provided, its growth was unfolding in ways she had never anticipated or could intervene in.

‘It’ll be fine… right?’

In the end, she said nothing and turned away.

Because of this, she had no idea what values and beliefs the Swarm used as the basis for its thoughts and actions.

Since establishing its ego, the Swarm had surprisingly started acting aggressively, completely dominating her.

“Ah.”

“This is.”

At that moment, however, everyone felt it.

The powerful surge of emotion transmitted through the Soul String.

It was what the being on the other side of this connection was feeling.

[He has made a decision and is finally moving. Are you asking if there’s a way to watch? There isn’t. If you want to know, figure it out yourself.]

But beyond that, there was no way to know.

All that resonated in the Swarm’s mind was the voice that had always been heard.

*

Moonlight Fury.

Under the moonlight, one could attain the formidable Power of the Wolf.

And now, the Full Moon shone brightly in the night sky.

“You’ve arrived, brother.”

“Yeah. There’s still not much progress. Honestly, isn’t it about time we dealt with that woman, Cha Jiyeon? She is confirmed to be a Unit, right?”

“But, but she’s an S-Rank Hunter, isn’t she?”

In a building on the outskirts of the city, used as a hideout, two men were conversing.

Like their other comrades, the two were ordinary members of society with regular jobs.

However, their fates had drastically changed not too long ago.

They had gained power.

In times of chaos like these, having even a semblance of power was a significant advantage.

“That’s why we need to keep increasing our numbers for now.”

“Those Suit-Wearing Guys are probably Units too, right? Looks like the real fight is starting.”

They had also gained knowledge.

While other civilians trembled in fear, muttering about the apocalypse and the end times, they were well aware of what was happening in the world.

After all, they were directly involved.

This was why they were moving covertly, focusing all their attention on the changes in the world.

“…Sniff.”

As he absentmindedly sat in a chair and pulled out a cup of instant noodles, he sniffed the air.

His comrade next to him did the same.

“Brother? This smell…”

“A dog’s scent. Get down!”

In an instant, his eyes snapped open as he threw himself to the ground.

His comrade followed suit.

The glass window shattered with a crash, and a massive figure with silvery fur burst through.

“A wolf!”

He scrambled to his feet in panic.

The enormous wolf, hunched and standing on two legs, bared its teeth and growled.

A sudden battle erupted right then and there.

They had the power to resist.

And their power grew stronger at night.

“You bastard…!”

With a kick to the ground, scales began emerging from his body, and he revealed his Protruding Fangs as he charged at the wolf.

However, the wolf was hiding something.

Obsidian-like, something black and gleaming.

“What?”

It swung, slashing his body deeply and spraying blood.

The Wolf, without hesitation, struck him again, sending him flying into the wall.

“Ha…”

The blood that had been boiling hot began to cool down.

They seemed like ordinary people, but their true nature was far from ordinary.

I looked at the sword in my hand.

It was the first sacrifice given to me by The Swarm.

Blood was dripping from it.

This was unexpectedly a gamble.

I charged in, relying solely on an ambush, without knowing the enemy’s skill or my own.

Moreover, if the Player had used the Assassination Authority against me…

But it wasn’t without any basis.

The opponent’s movements were too relaxed, so the probability of the Player watching seemed low.

Still, a gamble was a gamble.

[It wasn’t rational. If it had been The Swarm, it wouldn’t have made this choice.]

“What does that matter? What’s important is that I succeeded.”

Before the transformation wore off, I quickly hid my body.

I headed to the place where I had left my clothes, swiftly got dressed, and grabbed my mobile phone.

It was a shame I couldn’t photograph their corpses.

But exposing myself, even by a slim chance, didn’t seem like a wise decision.

After all, they were monsters too.

Before their bodies could be leaked to the outside, they would take care of it themselves.

“Were they monsters from the beginning, or did they become monsters after becoming Units? The former would be quite horrifying.”

[The world is full of secrets. Don’t assume your common sense is universal.]

“…This is driving me insane.”

I had thought they belonged to the same category of Earthlings, but that might not be the case.

Were they monsters even without the app?

Or were they people like me, grouped together due to shared traits?

As always, that guy didn’t give a clear answer.

[Look at the screen. The Swarm that finished the analysis is advancing with irresistible momentum.]

“There are so many… Did we wake those dormant things?”

On the way home after completing the mission.

I had told my mother, who was resting at home after being shocked by the presumed death of my younger sibling, that I was meeting a friend. Naturally, even in this moment, I was staring at my mobile phone.

Just as I had fought, The Swarm was also engaged in battle.

Their opponents were the infected entities of the Destruction Fungus, gathering while emitting eerie shrieks.

However, the Swarm Soldiers had already gained immunity to them.

Led by Kang Do-Yeon at the forefront, the Swarm Soldiers mercilessly slaughtered the infected entities.

[The infected entities of the Destruction Fungus lose their combat effectiveness the moment they lose their infection capability. Moreover, they are not cursed corpses but living creatures. In other words, food. They can be digested and converted into energy.]

Perhaps they were communicating amongst themselves, as the shrieking infected entities triggered more to pour down from the upper stratum. But their numbers were not insignificant either.

[Once rulers who drove a species to destruction, but nothing lasts forever.]

“One species… It doesn’t seem like it’s just one.”

I chuckled bitterly as I watched the screen.

The passage trembled as the narrow entrance, from which the infected entities were pouring out, shattered. Something massive dragged its huge body and burst out.

Its overall appearance resembled a cow.

But having been infected by the Destruction Fungus, its swollen and ragged form was grotesque.

“That’s big.”

Its size was enormous.

When compared to Kang Do-Yeon, who stood at 170 cm, the difference was striking.

It seemed to be at least the size of a dump truck.