“Tell them I turned off the screen.”

[He turned off the screen. And his tribute has arrived...]

Before the sentence was even finished, a dormant flying creature swooped down, snatched the phone, and darted across the nest. As soon as it was mentioned that I had turned off the screen, a figure emerged at the top of the nest. A girl with long, flowing black hair that cascaded almost to her hips appeared, her face hidden behind a mask. The flying creature dropped the phone into her hand.

“Whereas Kang Do Yeon? Where is she?”

[She is currently resting on one side of the nest, relieving mental fatigue by consuming nourishment. The legion has never shown your tribute to Kang Do Yeon first.]

“Are they viewing my sister as a competitor? She's my sister.”

[Well, the legion doesn't concern itself with such things. What matters now is your mindset. And the hierarchy. Because your rank is higher than Kang Do Yeon's.]

“Sigh...”

I was troubled in many ways. Sending my sister to the legion was a desperate choice to save her life. But it was also wrong to thrust her, a mere high school freshman, among these alien monsters. In such a situation, it was clear that the legion, which only pursues efficiency, would not consider ‘'human-’ convenience, making it difficult to guide them.

[I have informed them of the location of the video storage, and the legion is now attempting to review the video you sent.]

At that moment, the legion, previously engrossed in tapping the screen, began to review the video I had sent.

“...?”

[...They appear quite flustered.]

The first video the legion played was my message, intended for my sister. However, after only a few seconds of watching, the legion caused the entire nest to quake. It concealed itself with astonishing speed, plunging headfirst into the flesh wall. It wedged itself into a crevice and disappeared in an instant, leaving only a foot visible. Soon, even that foot vanished entirely. From the pitifully discarded phone, only my voice echoed.

“I can feel their emotions intensifying. Why on earth?”

[It seems that seeing your face was unexpected. The legion has been curious about your face, but deliberately avoided it.]

“My face?”

[It's the same principle as hiding their own face.]Soon, Kang Do Yeon arrived on the scene. Her scrunched face suggested she had been rudely awakened by the legion's command.

“This is just a video sent by my brother. There's no need to be shy.”

She picked up the phone and yelled into the void. After a moment, the writhing wall split open again, and the legion reappeared.

“I'm not shy. I'm sure...”

“I can feel your emotions too. You're definitely shy.”

“No, I'm not.”

“...There's no use blocking the emotions flowing to me. It's obvious.”

“I said no.”

An unexpected exchange ensued between them. From this, I was able to discern the emotions the legion was currently experiencing. [Are you relieved?]

“I'm not sure. At least it seems like they'll listen to me.”

I sighed and leaned back in my chair. The most terrifying prospect would be if the legion, having grown a bit, completely disregarded me and acted independently. For now, it seemed like I still held significant sway, but if this influence gradually diminished, I would lose control over the legion. In the worst-case scenario, the legion that had come this far could bury me alive in the nest, only supplying nourishment to keep me alive.

“Let's watch it properly. This is just a video sent by my brother. What if the battery runs out?”

Kang Do Yeon, who had maturely stopped the bickering, played the video again. Watching her eyes moisten as she watched the video, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

“This, this is just a message from my brother. Listen carefully.”

Seeing her understand my intentions and convey them to the legion made me feel even more so.

“Could the legion possibly release my sister in the future? Would they let her go if I requested it?” [That depends on you.]

I posed the question, though I knew it wouldn't be of much help. The response was as vague as I had anticipated. [The legion is currently reviewing the information of the soldiers used in the last battle.] The legion seemed to derive pleasure from my few words in real-time. Despite its command over countless forces and its role in the extinction of numerous species within this labyrinth, it retained a certain childlike simplicity. This reaffirmed that my influence over it remained potent. I needed to solidify this influence before it waned any further.

This was a battle in its own right. It was a contest between my influence over the legion's ego and the impact of its inherent nature and other environmental factors. “There's more to appreciate. There's another video. Could it be another gift from my brother?” In this battle for influence, my sister's assistance was invaluable. Despite being a new recruit under the legion's command, which viewed battle and growth as true blessings, she was effectively playing the role of a mentor in this context.

Soon after, Kang Do Yeon had positioned the legion beside her and initiated the second video. It was a recording of me receiving Ji Chang Hyun's power.“This breathing technique doesn't have a specific name. It's just breathing. Once mastered, we can channel the power within our bodies simply through breathing.” Ji Chang Hyun explained that this technique would form the foundation for the power we would harness in the future.

I practiced diligently, soaked in sweat. It was challenging to constantly monitor and control one's own breathing while engaged in other activities.

“Creating a cycle of unconsciousness through the repetitive act of breathing, and resonating energy with the power of that cycle. This cycle is similar to the Heavenly Soul Art, and the resonance is akin to the sacred tree.”

However, for the legion, who were capable of multitasking and manipulating their bodies down to the cellular level, this would be incredibly easy. The legion manipulated their body as soon as they saw the video, claiming it was simple. “Oh. I can do it too.”

The same was true for Kang Do Yeon, who was part of the legion. I sighed in disbelief. If it's so blatantly overpowered, the will to compare disappears.

[The newly acquired technique has been merged with the Heavenly Soul Art and the Moonlight Elf technique you were already mastering. A new operational concept that layered resonance upon resonance emerged. Its power was further amplified by this.]

The legion extended their arm. A surge of crimson power enveloped it instantly, condensing into the form of a colossal drill at their palm. The legion then propelled it forward. A section of the nest detonated with a thunderous explosion.

The nest was also part of the legion. The moment the shockwave hit, it generated a barrier using Formative Force. However, the energy that was unleashed shattered the barrier, obliterating a portion of the nest and even the bedrock behind it.

“Amplification, over 80% on average.”

The legion glanced at their hand and chuckled, seemingly content. I was momentarily taken aback by the spectacle. What on earth were they doing? They had deciphered the otherworldly technique I had taught them in an instant, learned it, merged it with their existing power, and created a new, even more potent system of power.

“This power, let's refine it further and teach it to Oppa. It will certainly be beneficial.”

Kang Do Yeon, having shared this knowledge, also acquired the power. My sister then proposed another revolutionary idea to the legion.

“Oppa will be pleased.”

“Pleased...?”

At that, the legion inquired about the proposal with a single word.

“If I accept that, naturally, I must prepare a reciprocal gift.” [What will you give?] “...That's the issue.”

Now fully sunk into the chair, I was merely staring blankly at the screen. On the surface, it appeared as two girls of the same age brainstorming and playing together. The only difference was their bodies, composed of carapace and tough skin. At that moment, those girls were recording a video to send to me. However, I couldn't just sit idly by and watch. My mind was filled with fresh concerns.

The legion was powerful. Excessively so. It might have been presumptuous, but I had faith in the legion, in that child. That's why I couldn't help but contemplate a countermeasure. Until now, I had never interfered with that child. I merely observed and empathized with it emotionally. If I were to issue any command or request, would the legion obey me, even if it contradicted their nature? This was my most pressing concern at the moment.

[But don't let your guard down too much.]

“What do you mean?”

[It's a fundamental discussion. Among the units participating in this game, the players...and the forces associated with them, there are many who should not be underestimated. Therefore, the legion must naturally become stronger.]

At that moment, as if on cue, ascending letters flickered before my eyes.