"Ah...”

The moment it emerged from the grounds my body froze. It was a monster-a colossal beast.

"Ugh! ”

A scream from someone jolted me back to reality. I quickly scrambled to my feet and retreated. In a flash, the monster-’s mighty hand slammed into the spot where I had just been standing.

[It has chosen its prey.]

"I know!”

I didn't have time to focus on the flickering text. I swiftly evaded the raging monster and activated my only learned skill: body enhancement through Heavenly Soul Art. It was the sole ability I had barely managed to grasp in a short time, but it didn-’t seem sufficient to vanquish the beast.

"Is it a unit? lust tell me that!”

[Try it out.]

If it wasn't a unit, I could devise a strategy to handle it without resorting to the One-time Assassination Right. I glanced at the pandemonium around me, triggered by the monster's abrupt appearance, and whipped out my phone. I had conserved the battery for moments like this.

fPlease.

It wasn-’t a tool I could use repeatedly. If it failed, it would be a nightmare. Thankfully, my fears proved unfounded. The monster, which had been emitting a bone-chilling roar that vibrated the ground, disappeared with a click. It wasn-’t a unit.

[It's the largest and strongest of the living samples we've sent. Watch the legion hunt it down.]

"Fine, I trust you. But I don't have the time to watch right now.”

I lowered my gaze and put away the screen. Despite the monster that had been attacking me vanishing into thin air, the surrounding area was still chaotic.

[Then hide and ensure your safety.]

"I can't do that either.”

[Your life is not just your own.]

"You-*re right.”

I let out a bitter laugh and moved my trembling legs. I wasn-’t trying to hide.

"I hope the connected legion understands the meaning and purpose of my actions.”

I ran towards the people under attack. It was a reckless move, but then again, following them here in the first place was reckless too. This wasn-’t just about me.

"You are...!?”

"Let's go.”

The mercenaries-* bullets couldn't harm the monsters, but their tear gas made them falter. I seized the opportunity to rescue people. Since I couldn't inflict any damage on the monsters anyway, I might as well save someone.

[Your actions are pointless and dangerous. I recommend you flee immediately...]

"What are you going to do about it? I'm going to act according to my will!”

I raised my voice, looking at the rising text. The foreign researcher, who didn't understand my Korean words, flinched in surprise.

"I recognize that the legion has its own values. However, the game isn't over. There's still a chance. The legion's actions and the gates that open by our will bring disturbing thoughts to my mind.”

fThe legion is highly influenced by me.'

Hence, I decided to demonstrate one crucial thing through my actions: not to view humans and this world as mere prey, but to acknowledge them as living beings sharing my existence.

I even believed it was preferable for the legion to maintain its fixation on me."Actually, it's better this way. A monstrous colony that mechanically dissects everything in this world and the universe, destroying and slaughtering for its own nature, is far worse than a jealous child. Some might argue that if the legion develops emotions and self-awareness, they will become more vicious and destructive. But I disagree. There has to be another way.”

[If you truly believe so, act accordingly. You'll eventually discover what's right.]

Their response made me frown. I thought I had caught them off guard, but they replied without hesitation, as if they had been anticipating it.

"Ah, excuse me...!”

"Stay put!”

I rushed to the mercenaries who had been left behind after the remaining researchers were evacuated. Blood was everywhere, and one side of his upper body was severely torn. Panic took over, and I was at a loss for what to do.

"It's too late for me.”

"But...”

"You're a rookie, aren't you? Is this your first time witnessing death?”

Even on the brink of death, he managed a weak smile. Then, with trembling hands, he grabbed my arm.

"Tell Robert to keep his promise to look after my family. He'll survive anyway. And... remember, this kind of thing is common.”

"I understand. I will remember.”

"Then... that brings some comfort...”

His arm, which had been holding mine, suddenly lost strength and dropped.

I clearly saw the life fading from his eyes.

"Go, help the others.”

"...Yes.”

And that was his last moment.

Surprisingly, the shock wasn't too great. Or maybe it was, and I just didn't realize it.

Regardless, I found myself getting up and running again.

[The legion has already become a formidable existence. Do you really think you can guide such a being? Being a player doesn't make you superior to a unit.]

"I don't have a giant brain, so I don't know. I just do it.”

On the contrary, my belief that I should step forward became even stronger.

After that, I continued to drag the injured to the rear, holding a gun and drawing the enemy's attention to buy time.

"Alright! Let's retreat! Retreat!”

Covered in someone else's blood, Robert bellowed for a retreat after I informed him that the others had been evacuated. He discarded his grenade launcher with a curse.

"Ah, damn it.”

"Ugh...”

Suddenly, another one of them obstructed our path. We instinctively recoiled, knowing we were in no condition to confront it.

"Kieeek!”

That's when she emerged. A soldier who darted from behind the beast, landing a precise blow to its head with the sword in her hand.

"Everyone, clear the path!”As we scrambled to evade the thrashing monster, our eyes locked for a fleeting moment.

*

"Get ready again. Incendiary grenades are more effective than the useless ones, so we should gather more of those.”

Robert patted my shoulder before stepping outside.

Reflecting on my recent actions, I realized my reputation had improved significantly. My frantic scrambling in the face of an unexpected situation had left a positive impression. Even Robert had stopped calling me a newbie and criticizing my incompetence.

[Don't try to carry a burden you can't handle.]

"Why are you talking so much now? Are you nervous?”

I asked, taking a moment to check on the legion. I wasn't sure if my intentions had been conveyed, but my heart was racing for some reason.

"Disappear, you useless, obsolete trash.”

Silence.

On the screen, the legion was engaged in their final battle against the mutated destructive bacteria. Their overwhelming presence was palpable, and I could sense their excitement and agitation.

"Well, it's possible.”

I murmured, blinking away a momentary dizziness. It was clear that the mutated destructive bacteria were enemies that needed to be eliminated.

"We must devour everything and rise even higher.”

The victorious legion's mutterings as they looked up gave me pause. It wasn't a simple desire for supremacy. I could feel the intense emotions they were experiencing. My heart pounded, my blood boiled. This was madness.

The situation seemed to be evolving in a direction entirely contrary to my intentions. I couldn't let that happen. I had already made my decision. The legion had to remain fixated on me. They had to focus solely on me. They couldn't break free from my control.

"Are there any injuries? No injuries?! Why did you intervene instead of fleeing quietly?!”

"Phew, I'm fine.”

I managed to regain my composure and watched as the legion quickly concealed their form. I chose the right moment to speak. As soon as Kang Do Yeon heard my words, she became concerned and shouted in frustration.

"Calm down, I'm fine. You've endured worse than I have.”

"I'm fine. I don't even feel human anymore. Lately, it feels good while I'm eating with tentacles...”

"No. You're still human.”

My face hardened at the self-deprecating laughter, and I spoke with conviction.

"But...”

"It doesn't matter what your body is like. That's not the crux of the matter. What's important is your own thoughts, regardless of how you were born or how you've changed.”

I addressed both my sister and the legion. My intent was the same as when I told them I had been saved by people. Even if it was just sugar-coated words, I couldn't help it. I wanted them to somehow grasp my intentions.

Did they truly understand? I desperately wanted to have a direct conversation, but I couldn't if they were unwilling.

"By the way, your emotions seemed to waver again in the middle.”

Suddenly, my sister, who had been observing closely, changed the topic. It was now evident. The legion had prompted her to say that.

"Did you feel affection? It's nothing. As I've mentioned before, I've received assistance from several people during crises. It's just the emotions I felt towards them.”

I brushed it off as if it was nothing significant. I stressed the importance of people's help as much as possible. That I needed people and they had to be present because I was merely human. Even if the legion felt envious, I hoped they wouldn't disregard them for my sake when they eventually arrived on Earth.

"They are irreplaceable to me.”

I suppressed a laugh at my sanctimonious statement. Kang Do Yeon, who had been standing still, made a strange face as if she was staring at a lunatic. I could feel my face heating up.

"You're saying some interesting things.”

I was taken aback by the voice I heard and quickly closed the app in front of me.