"I can teach you swordsmanship. My master was a swordsman. I haven't fully mastered it yet, but it will certainly be beneficial.”

"But Mr. Ji Chang Hyun, you don't wield a sword...”

"You'll understand soon.”

He handed me a sword. It wasn't a crude blade like those used by the Nols, but a high-quality longsword without a sharp edge.

Not bad. The legion naturally channels Formative Force through swords or similar weapons.

Until now, I've been relying on a gun, but the limitations of a personal firearm are evident.

So, I need to advance beyond the level of physical enhancement.

"Mr. Kang Shin Woo, have you ever read martial arts novels?”

At that moment, Ji Chang Hyun, his sword wrapped in flames, asked with a smirk.

"Mar, martial arts novels?”

"My master concurred. The inner strength in those novels bears some resemblance to actual martial arts. Of course, they are distinctly different. Shall we start with breathing techniques? You certainly have potential.”

The instruction was straightforward: stabilize your inner strength through breathing, and then channel that strength.

I simply followed his directions. Meanwhile, I glanced at the cell phone I had set aside.

That cell phone, recording this scene, was permitted by Ji Chang Hyun for review.

But that wasn't my actual cell phone.

It was a decoy phone that I had gifted to the legion. The battery had been drained, and it had been returned to me as a tribute.

"Do you feel something?”

"...I can definitely feel a different flow. But I'm not sure if this discomfort is because I'm learning a new power.”

"You'll soon understand the difference.”

I quickly noticed the changes within me. It was just hard to distinguish whether this change was really due to the inner strength training method, or the influence of the Heavenly Soul Art, which I had only learned the basics of.

"Your body becomes lighter and tougher. If you train in a combat method that suits your body, it becomes a martial art.”

"You're planning to publicly disclose this power and accept anyone who wants to learn it, without any compensation?”

"Indeed. We're living in a time of great chaos. Many people crave the power to protect themselves and their loved ones. All we ask from our members is one thing: to protect people. Whether it's themselves, their family, or their neighbors.”

"That's the only reason? There will undoubtedly be those who find it odd. I recall the hunters' rights conflict a few years back was quite intense...”

Despite the diversity of people in this world, I had to question because I found it difficult to comprehend.

He chuckled, seemingly understanding my confusion.

"It would have been impossible in a time of normalcy. But now, even the world's leaders understand. If they wish to preserve their lives, let alone their livelihoods, they must cast aside their petty ideologies and simply exist. If they can't contribute, they should at least not obstruct.”

"...I see.”

I knew of his reputation as a humble and considerate hero-like hunter, but seeing the sincerity in his sparkling eyes firsthand made me somewhat reluctant to get too involved.However, I couldn't shake off a strong premonition.

They were destined to be a force that would shake the game board of this game that was currently in motion.

[So, are you going to pass the information contained in that cell phone to the legion?]

"...I'm considering it.”

The training for that day concluded.

Our mission was in a suspended state, hanging in the balance. Consequently, I found myself with free time, sitting in my room, deep in thought.

[If they absorb that knowledge, the legion can definitely become stronger.]

"I don't see the point in just giving it away.”

Of course, I had to give it. But when the legion mercilessly decimated the Moonlight Elves, displaying an overwhelming massacre, I felt fear before catharsis as I watched the footage. I knew because I had faced something similar myself. The legion was powerful. A legionnaire with a power engine? I was certain I couldn't defeat it. I'd be torn to shreds in an instant. Dozens of them were deployed in the recent battle. And that wasn't even their full strength.

"Give me the details. Data... Yes. Show me the numbers. Just how powerful is the legion right now? I believe you can do it.”

[...Calculating data...]

As expected, silence fell for a moment, indicating the calculations were underway. I waited anxiously during this time. The legion always meticulously calculated the minimum number of troops needed to defeat an opponent, taking into account nourishment and efficiency. This was only possible because they had an abundance of resources. Even in the battle against the destructive bacteria, the legion conserved nourishment until the very end.

[Calculation complete]

"And the answer?”

[Let me show you. The power your unit currently possesses, if the entire legion concentrated all its capabilities and focused on producing only one type of soldier, the amount of force it could generate at once.]

[...52,400 high-ranking legionnaires available for mobilization...]

[...244,400 large legionnaires available for mobilization...]

[...1,559,000 medium legionnaires available for mobilization...]

[...49,000,000 small legionnaires available for mobilization...]

The strings of text appeared. My eyes trembled as I read them.

[Indeed, these figures are quite extreme. Even if the legion were to continuously produce soldiers without rest, they wouldn't be able to afford the maintenance costs. Furthermore, this number doesn't include special forces like the sacred tree or infectious bacteria.]

"True strength, after all, is derived from a combination of forces.”

I murmured, my voice trembling.

Even if tens of millions of small legionnaires, the size of goblins, were to charge in... No. Tens of millions?! This was an unfathomable number.

But that wasn't all. The legion grows. It evolves.

If they discover a more efficient method and absorb more nourishment, doubling that number wouldn't be a problem.

[Are you ready to send the cell phone?]

"Just a moment.”

I pondered for a while, my face hidden in thought, before making a decision.I, who had just begun this journey, was not in a position to be choosy.

[What are you doing now?]

"What's the big deal? It's about time I showed my face.”

Nonchalantly, I set up my cell phone and hit the video recording button.

Ever since I discovered the potential of the sacrifice and offering system for interaction, I had been contemplating its use. The fact that I only realized this now was a testament to my intelligence.

"Hey, it's been a while. Nothing much, but...”

I began speaking casually. My words held no significant weight. On the surface, it appeared as if I was merely conversing with my younger sibling.

"Actually, I watched the video about the recent war.”

However, I subtly mentioned the legion throughout. After all, the crucial message was intended for them. I complimented them, stating they fought well and looked impressive. It might have sounded like flattery, but I couldn't bring myself to utter something absurd like ‘Stop the massacre!'

"I hope you're safe. Until the end.”

Ultimately, my video message was filled with cliches and ended abruptly. The objective of recording this video was simple: to establish a more advanced form of communication with the legion. I retrieved the air device and took a picture of it. The air device vanished as if it had evaporated.

*

"Cha Ji Yeon, the Step Up Hunter from the Korean branch of Evolution.”

"...Ji Chang Hyun of Hwaryong. I didn't realize you were a unit.”

"Well, it's the same for both of us.”

At the entrance of the barracks, Cha Ji Yeon, who was about to enter, glared at Ji Chang Hyun, who had seized her wrist. The mana stone in her hand was glowing. Their heightened alertness from their encounter rendered them oblivious to anyone talking alone in the empty barracks.

"Let go.”

She shook off his hand roughly. The tension between them was palpable. They were both units from the same world, destined to kill each other.

"I'll ask you one thing. Kang Shin Woo already knows your identity. He's aware of this wicked and irrational game system. So, give up on using him.”

"...That's amusing. He was involved from the start.”

His eyebrows twitched slightly at her cold retort. Seeing this, the corners of Cha Ji Yeon's mouth lifted faintly. She realized she had the upper hand.

"So, what's the relationship?”

"It's deeper than yours.”

"If there was a personal relationship between you as individuals, I apologize.”

Ji Chang Hyun, momentarily lowering his intensity, bowed politely. However, when he raised his head again, a red flame flickered in his eyes.

"But if your player uses his unit for nonsense, I can't allow it for the sake of the future.”

"The future? But the player...!”

"My master, my player, wants to talk to your player.”

He interrupted her.

"You're aware, aren't you? The wicked monsters and the players controlling them have formed an alliance. Their target is your Evolution and the Allied Forces. As a member of the Guardians Union, I can't stand by and watch the Allied Forces suffer.”

He turned around and began walking ahead. Cha Ji Yeon snorted in disbelief, but she had no choice but to follow him.

[The player is interested. Follow him.]

After all, she didn't have a choice.