[Regardless, the legion has once again claimed victory. Time has been bought, and there are no more obstacles to our expansion.]

"...At least we can breathe for now."

The screen showed humans in retreat and the legionnaires observing them. It appeared to be a crisis, but as usual, Eve had a plan.

"Seems like we've got everything under control."

I let out a bitter chuckle.

The moment I first laid eyes on the super-sized legionnaire, as big as a house, I knew. Eve didn't need my help anymore. The legion I knew wasn't the small colony I used to nourish with various small animals and bread-like sustenance. Now, it was a formidable force capable of consuming the world single-handedly.

[Well, they will still need your help in the future.]

"I suppose so. lust thinking about it makes my head hurt more."

Of course, it wouldn't make sense for me to do nothing and just watch. My influence over Eve is still stronger for now. But I don't know how long this influence will last on Eve, who is absorbing enormous amounts of information every day since coming to the surface, and there's no guarantee it won't be distorted.

So, I had to continue to ‘'help'. Help that could maintain my influence, like giving a name.

"Is the video recording over?"

"Ah, it's over now."

I

Cox, a mercenary sitting next to me, casually opened his mouth. I nodded naturally. He, who didn't understand Korean at all, thought I was talking for the video recording.

"Strangely, they're passive. Even though they had the upper hand a few days ago."

"They're probably waiting. Like us."

In response to Cox's question, I mumbled blankly while looking out the window.

Our current enemies, the Nols and Kobolds, were also units.

So, it wasn't strange for them to buy time. The more time they had, the more irregular and stronger they could become.

Right now, our alliance was also spending time reorganizing and growing with the help of the Guardians Union.

In the midst of thinking that whoever grows more will win, it was time to prove it. We were now rushing towards the enemy lines.

"They're waiting, huh? They might regret it."

Cox chuckled at my words. At the same time, something making a loud noise crossed the high sky above.

The new weapon mobilized by the alliance was a missile. And it was filled with cluster bombs, which were banned under international law.

Moreover, the missile, which could even be equipped with a nuclear warhead if necessary, was flying across the sky to strike the enemy lines. I heard that the nuclear warhead had already arrived at the base.

"It's an attack!"

But almost at the same time, it seemed like they had also started to counterattack.

As the vehicle came to a sudden stop, shouts came from the radio and outside.

The sound of gunfire and the sound of tanks firing could be heard.

"Let's get out. Fortunately, it seems to be in the front."

We also started our job. Our job was, of course, to escort the researchers of the Evolution Corporation.

As I got out of the car with the sword that had now become my weapon, I casually checked the front where Cha Ji Yeon would be.

"Ah, this shitty... damn luck..."

"Here they come! Get into position!"

We had thought we were safe, given our distance from the combat zone. However, the enemy's attack was well-executed and far-reaching.

Suddenly, a ripple in space materialized right in front of us, and a small gate appeared.

"Fire!"A shadowy figure emerged from the gate. Our troops, alert and prepared, unleashed a volley of firepower. It was a force so powerful, it could reduce an elephant to shreds in an instant. But the first to come out were the Nols, brandishing large shields that burned with a faint blue flame.

"These bastards..."

"They're pouring out!"

As soon as the concentrated fire was blocked, the shield-bearing Nols began to spew out.

I saw a Kobold swinging a staff in my eyes. For a moment, it overlapped with the image of the wizards that Eve had faced.

"Keep firing!"

"Uh..?!"

I left Cox and jumped forward. Not just me.

The trainees of the Guardians Union, who were supplementing the insufficient hunter forces, stepped forward and faced the Nols who were ignoring the bullets and coming in.

"Tch."

I dodged the swinging shield and slashed it with my sword. My movements have improved a lot compared to before.

"I don't know if I'm weird. Or if it's real."

While swinging my sword, I couldn't shake off the feeling of strangeness.

"These guys, no matter how I look at it, seem to be using the magic I know!"

[I'm currently inquiring with Eve.]

I split the head of another Nol who was rushing at me with a sword.

Their positioning bothered me a lot. The way they moved in a certain formation was familiar.

And even though they were classified as common soldiers, they seemed to be as strong as us.

‘'Stars Society.'

I knew this formation. One of the magics that Eve had faced and was now learning to use in reverse.

It was definitely a group tactical magic that was manifested by creating a certain formation.

"These, these guys are definitely without any equipment..."

"We're being pushed back!"

The Nols, bolstered by magic, were driving us back despite lacking any equipment provided by their players. Our allies, uninformed, were thrown into chaos and casualties were mounting.

I steadied myself. There was nothing unexpected. If the player bestowing magic on these Kobolds was one of the wizards that Eve was currently confronting, then they were my enemy.

"Take out those Kobolds!"

Our allies had an instinctive sense that the Kobolds were plotting something. A tank rocket, fired by an unidentified ally, shattered the barrier that had been repelling our rifle bullets and annihilated a Kobold.

"But that's not enough. We need to identify the the one that's the core of their formation."

[Complex circuit connection. With its power, it can amplify multiple people at once. But in this circuit, there's a single focal point. If that focal point disappears, all circuits are cut off.]

Eve understood the predicament I was in and received the message accordingly.

"Tell Eve. This time, I need your help."

[She happily agreed. You should see how happy she was later on the screen.]

Without hesitation, Eve assisted me. After a brief explanation of the situation, Eve quickly deciphered the enemy's formation and provided me with the answer.

“'That's the one.'

The one that met the conditions Eve described caught my eye. The focal point of the formation. The crafty creature was hiding behind the others, even using their barriers for protection. To break that, I needed at least a large-caliber shell.

"That's the one. If you kill him, their power will be released. If we keep sniping the other bastards, we'll be wiped out!"

"How do you know that, Mr. Kang Shin Woo?!"I seized the special forces soldier who was fighting alongside me. This soldier, sporting a lieutenant's badge on his combat uniform, was originally an artillery commander. However, he was recognized for his talent, received training from the Guardians Union, and was restructured into a special forces unit.

He was also someone I knew. He had been my sparring partner.

"...If we can't do it together, I'll go alone."

I hardened my expression at his flustered response. There was no time to explain everything now.

"I'll go. If there's a way."

Fortunately, he seemed to understand my sincerity and followed my words as if enchanted. I flinched for a moment at the sight of the soldiers who had gathered in an instant.

"I'll lead the way. Please help me clear the path."

I clearly conveyed my intentions.

I wondered if I could give them orders, but now was not the time to worry about that.

"Of course."

"Lieutenant, can we trust this guy..."

"We have no other choice right now. And Mr. Kang Shin Woo is more than capable."

Of course, there was some resistance, but some of them, including the lieutenant, knew me and had sparred with me. They had been defeated by me.

"Then let's go."

We couldn't waste a second. If we were pushed back and the fire net broke, we would be swept away, and without the firepower of the infantry, it would be impossible to deal with all these bastards.

So we had to kill the Kobold that was the focal point of the formation.

"Tell Eve everything. Let her know what I'm doing with her help!"

[Is there a purpose to that?]

"I'm just reminding her that our connection is mutual."

I gripped my sword and charged.

The bubbling Nols, enhanced by the formation, blocked our path in an instant.

My heart pounded, and the power built up inside me resonated with it. The resonance method, a mind technique that Ji Chang Hyun taught me, was improved by the legion for my exclusive use.

With it, I could gather power that was both faster and stronger than others. Just before the collision with the enemies, I swung my sword without hesitation.

"Squeak..."

"Squeal."

Several Nols were instantly cut down by my powerful sword. The stragglers were taken care of by my comrades running beside me.

"But! We can't break their barrier with our power!"

"There's a way."

At the desperate outcry, I pulled out a red glowing stone from my pocket.

Do I just throw it like I've been doing? That won't be enough to break their overlapping barriers.

Again, I relied on Eve's help.

The way the legion's high-ranking units used formative force was to draw power from the power engine in an instant, without delay or calculation.

I imitated that method. In addition to the power I already had, I absorbed the power stored in the stone I was holding into my body.

"Mr. Shin Woo, your sword..."

My sword ignited in a fiery red hue. The most significant benefit of the resonance technique I had mastered was its ability to not repel differing powers, but to resonate and amplify them instead.

This power perfectly mirrored the identity of the legion, a force that consumed everything and claimed it as its own.

"Get lost, you bastards!"

I put all my strength into my sword and let it out.

The crimson slash, reminiscent of the ones unleashed by the legionnaires and my sister Kang Do Yeon, tore through the earth and sliced through the enemy's body, shattering

its barrier in the process.