"Is there another method?"

"Like the goblins we encountered previously, they were casting fireballs..."

"True, there must be various methods. The same applies to the hunters-’ status window."

Cha Ji Yeon, who had been monitoring my training, concurred with my statement. Formative Force, and the myriad ways to harness it. I resolved to gather data to identify the most efficient and effective method for the legion.

"For instance, the Heavenly Soul Art cannot be learned if one’s soul cannot sustain a certain level of power. Can ordinary goblins master this art? They must have their own techniques."

"I see."

A strategy that the legion had discovered independently came to mind. The legion had claimed that the Heavenly Soul Art was inefficient for them. Their soul was potent, but as it was singular, splitting it into multiple parts would diminish its efficiency. Instead, they discovered a method to utilize a unique mineral known as a divine stone, which Cha Ji Yeon also referred to as a mana stone.

"My player stressed that when manifesting Formative Force, not only the power output but also efficiency and speed are crucial. They added that the Heavenly Soul Art satisfies all these requirements."

"Yes."

I clicked my tongue internally. I had heard this before. The legion had also taken various factors into account and discovered a method by integrating them. The idea of using divine stones, minerals infused with energy, by incorporating them into their body was a concept the legion had developed independently. It might be a technique only the legion could employ. Embedding stones into one-’s body is not a simple task.

"Test what you’ve learned once."

"Understood."

I had to put aside all other thoughts. I concentrated, exerting every ounce of my energy to manifest what I had learned from her. To my relief, my apprehensions proved unfounded.

I could sense something stirring within me. I focused on it, trying to manipulate it as I had been instructed.

"Open your eyes, Shin Woo. You’ve succeeded...!"

Cha Ji Yeon’s voice echoed in my ears. I slowly opened my eyes. A faintly glowing aura swirled around my body. I had successfully grasped the basics.

"My player is taking an interest in you."

"Interest? In what?"

She pointed at me, remaining silent. I flinched momentarily, but managed a smile, declining her offer to scout me.

"They said they’ll reveal the identities of those who harmed your sister."

"What?"

Her next words shattered my expectations. Cha Ji Yeon lowered her head in apology, as if regretting having to bring up my sister’s story due to her player’s insistence.

"So, you’re just going to tell me?"

"My player seems to want you to harbor resentment towards them."

This was an unexpected gain. Cha Ji Yeon appeared remorseful for reopening my wounds, but I was unbothered. I was more interested in hearing the story.

"Please, tell me."

I placed a hand on her shoulder, reassuring her that I was fine."It might be obvious, but we’re not the only humans in this universe."

"...I guess so? There are all sorts of aliens."

In a technical sense, orcs and goblins were also alien races. Given the circumstances, it wasn’t far-fetched to believe that other humans existed in different worlds.

"Wait, are those suits and guns all they have?"

"My player mentioned that there’s a formidable entity known as the Human Alliance somewhere in the universe."

Cha Ji Yeon nodded in confirmation.

Earthlings had long fantasized about highly advanced human species, portraying them in various media such as movies, comics, and novels. These beings did indeed exist, and one of them was a player who had recruited a few Earthlings as units. As a fellow player, I found this explanation quite plausible.

"The player mentioned they’ve been in conflict for a long time, reaching out with greedy hands to their surroundings, and acting with malice..."

"That does paint a rather villainous picture. But remember, a player is just an individual."

"It does seem that way."

Cha Ji Yeon, who had been repeating the player’s words, gave a wry smile and nodded. It didn’t seem like she believed they were oblivious, and her player seemed to genuinely dislike them. However, a player is an individual. Regardless of the group to which the player belongs, they cannot be equated with the player. Unless they share a single mind or belief. But as long as they were referred to as human species, the likelihood was low.

"Of course, I can’t stand those who are after my sister. I’d love nothing more than to take them out, but I’m not about to start a war with the whole group that the player belongs to."

First off, it’s just too risky. My main goal here is to stay alive. Cha Ji Yeon nodded, seeming to get where I was coming from.

"But," she added, "there’s something we should think about."

"Yeah? What’s that?"

"If the player purposely spills what they know to get their group involved."

Her face got serious. If she was right, things were about to get a whole lot messier. People who had no business being in this game could start messing things up as a group, causing all kinds of chaos. It was like how different countries on Earth were teaming up to fight monsters beyond the gate, getting ready for battle. The one calling the shots was Evolution, the group that player Cha Ji Yeon was a part of.

"Evolution is..."

"It operates on mutual benefits."

Cha Ji Yeon readily agreed. That’s why there was no issue with sharing information with the Step Up Hunters, herself included. Each one was a formidable hunter, yet they willingly allied with various government and association forces.

"Have you finished training for today?"

"Yes, I’ve made some progress."

While Cha Ji Yeon stepped out for a moment, I slipped into the room and discreetly activated my phone. In truth, it had been on for some time. I had secretly switched it on, observing my legion and sister for a while before initiating conversation. Upon hearing of my arrival, the legion hastily flung itself towards the meat wall.

"Do you need anything?"

"Need, anything?"

"Like a book, for instance."

I stated it plainly. I had overheard the legion’s thirst for knowledge during a conversation between them and my sister. Naturally, my sister claimed she would read it, but I didn’t buy it. She had never shown interest in anything beyond comic books."Right... Can you send some? Anything."

"It’s not difficult."

"But there’s one thing you have to send."

However, it seemed that there was something I didn’t know. Kang Do Yeon’s face looked awkward and strange.

"What do you want me to send...?"

"The...Bible."

My sister muttered, looking at the ground. We had never been to a church or had any religion before. I let out a hollow laugh.

[It’s natural for the legion to be curious about creation and gods.]

"Really...? Religion doesn’t seem to fit well with a rational species."

[They might just be referring to it.]

It didn’t seem like the legion would fall into religion, but it was still a concern. For now, I agreed. "There’s one more thing."

But it seemed that the legion’s desire, which was being inacted through Kang Do Yeon, was not over yet. My sister twisted her eyes as if she couldn’t say it, then finally closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

"What’s your ideal type, oppa?"

And the words that came out of her mouth gave me goosebumps. Why do I have to hear that from her?!

"Why are you suddenly asking about my ideal type?"

"It’s not a big deal. I can ask. And I like to know it."

I heard her teeth grinding. I also rubbed the goosebumps on my arm. Of course, I knew who asked that question and why. For now, I pondered the answer. There weren’t many forms the legion could take at the moment. Excluding my human sister, Kang Do Yeon, maybe the Moonlight Elves? But their pale skin and alien-like appearance weren’t very appealing.

"Of course, I like pretty ones."

"So, what’s the standard for that prettiness... No, just tell me one celebrity you think is the prettiest."

"I don’t want to."

I wasn’t about to let her off the hook so easily. I chuckled at my sister’s surprised face.

"Just think about it. If someone’s appearance is copied, it loses its uniqueness. There’s no point in chasing unattainable perfection. Imperfection can be appealing too."

I then addressed the legion who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, rather than Kang Do Yeon. I wondered if they grasped my message.

"Did you relay my words exactly as I said them? Don’t omit or twist them, it stunts the legion’s growth."

[Yes. As previously stated, I won’t interfere now. I’m curious as to how the legion interpreted your words.]

"...They didn’t misconstrue them, did they?"

My message to the legion was simple: don’t obsess over perfection. It was a caution against overdoing things.

"Do I need to go to the bookstore, or would it be quicker to just send an e-book?"

I swiftly acquired a device from a local second-hand trading site and started uploading various books onto it. I was uncertain how human knowledge would benefit the legion, but...

"Would they become more civilized if they studied humanities?"

I sent the device as a tribute, tossing out a casual comment.