Chapter 42: Struggle for Survival (2)

Chapter 42: Struggle for Survival (2)

'What in the world../

The screams and shouts echoed relentlessly. 'When will this end../

The searing heat of the battlefield raged on.

In this battle, where both sides sought to end each others lives, the screams and shouts came from only one side. Just what are you?!

Drenched in sweat, Felix could no longer contain his cry.

There wasnt even a hint of the screams one would expect.

Whether their throats were slit or their bodies stabbed, it was all the same.

Silently, the legion continued their relentless attacks without hesitation or sound. Their mechanical actions struck fear into Felix and his kinsmen, who gradually fell back. 'We absolutely will not lose. There is no retreat. If we are pushed back here, it is our defeat. But soon, he steeled his mind.

They had not endured and found hope only to die being pushed back here. Narian...!

An arrow grazed his face, piercing one of the enemys bodies.

Seeing her with the bow aimed, her body glowing with markings, he grit his teeth. We will never back down!

His shout spurred the other kinsmen, who desperately shook off their wavering minds. Their will and determination to overcome fear and anxiety bound them together. Their player aided them too, continuously using low-grade items. Even the inexperienced among them grabbed these items, shooting arrows and resisting.

fThis is our struggle with everything on the line.-*

After slitting an enemys throat with his dagger, Felix suddenly smiled. Despite the desperate situation, he was certain they had never been stronger. The sacred tree responded to him, its power resonating with them and amplifying dramatically.

The legion pulled their troops back. The expressions behind their masks were far from good, especially when the enemy cheered at their supposed victory. [They had put up a fierce resistance, inflicting significant damage. However, had we persisted with the assault, victory would have inevitably been ours.] Efficiency.

The legion-s judgment was straightforward. Beyond the irritation and anger, the continued expenditure of troops at such a rate would render any victory meaningless due to the extreme losses.

[So, the solution is...] Endless despair and agony. Naturally, the legion already had a plan. The sole objective was the enemys annihilation. This retreat was merely a tactic towards that end.

Through a war of attrition, hope persists. Yet, when true despair finally descends at the end, their will shall crumble.

The legion had experienced this before. They had clashed with the cave rats, units under the control of another player. At that time, a crucial condition for victory was the selfdestruction of the rats, driven to despair and terror upon sensing their impending defeat.

The legion-s mouth twitched slightly.

The emotion of 'despair- that the legion had newly defined through self-exploration and contemplation came when ones all-out attacks were overwhelmingly crushed, leaving powerlessness and futility.

Time was gradually approaching. The legion lured their enemies towards the trap they had set in advance. *

What...what is this? You should know. As they prepared the final blow against the Moonlight Elves, the legion forcibly immobilized Kang Do Yeon. Damn...

Her face drained of color. She already understood the legions intent. [...He is sleeping now] Then its enough.

The legion had meticulously tracked Shin Woos actions beforehand. Their current objective was to target his younger sister. They had no intention of killing her, but when he awoke and examined the scene, he would be clueless.

I am... Youll discover it yourself. At the legions words, she fell silent.

Compassion, sympathy, sorrow. All these emotions are detrimental to the legion. You know this. Youve harbored such feelings for your prey. Thats...thats not true.

No, its true. We are one. You are part of me, all of it... I can see.

The legion quickly multiplied and divided the cells in its hand, instantaneously creating something on its palm. It was the black mask she had been wearing.

I dont want...

Ill let you maintain your ego. In return, youll become the true sword of the legion.

The legion was bolder and more aggressive than expected. After completing the calculations, it unhesitatingly placed the mask on Kang Do Yeons face without mercy. Despite knowing their intentions, she was powerless to resist.

Ugh...

Her skin began to merge with the mask, becoming one. The mask was not merely a facial cover. Under the legions control, Kang Do Yeons cells began to move, performing specific actions.

[Although it could have been manipulated forcibly without this process, the reason for putting a mask on her was that.] Then its meaningless.

The legion earnestly sought to incorporate her into its ranks. As it evolved and reflected, it required a variable that could ignite a spark of inspiration. This variable was another ego within the legion. However, it had to devise a method to preserve that ego while fully integrating it into the legions ideology and securing its loyalty.

Go, kill them, legionnaire. The act of slaughter and predation will bring you pleasure. Thats our nature.

Kang Do Yeon, writhing and clutching her masked face, gradually rose. The mask had fully merged with her body. Yet, the moment she entered into combat, the mask could surface at any time, imprinting its true duty onto her.

[The elves are slowly beginning to scout outside. They must mistakenly believe weve abandoned them. How foolish.] Why are you siding with me, not him? [...What do you mean?]

You, who can see everything on both sides, could easily choose between the player and the unit if you wanted to. As the newly transformed Kang Do Yeon and the legionnaires charged in, the legion posed a crucial question. [Thats none of your business.] ...Is that so?

A line was drawn. But the legion had already sensed it. There was no voice after that, but the legion didnt care. Either way, it wasnt harmful to them. [Theyve noticed our intentions.] 'Crush all their hope.

As Kang Do Yeon and the legionnaires encountered the enemies, the legion moved to show them the despair they had planned, against their attempts to break through with all their might and morale.