Chapter 24: Movement (2)

Chapter 24: Movement (2)

The identity of the 20th floors stem master remained shrouded in mystery, their name and identity unknown. Yet, the legion had already declared victory and initiated an attack. Persistent scouting and observation had been conducted.

[If the legion thought they would lose, they wouldnt have started the fight.]

They began to make their move.

Confronting the bewildered enemy, they seized the venomous toads they had been harboring and hurled them.

Ughhhhhhh-

The toads exploded, spraying venom on the enemys body. The enemys low, resonating cry echoed throughout the stem. Despite being doused in venom, it seemed to have suffered little damage, proving the fight wouldnt be easy.

[The enemys skin is tougher than expected. What about the poison stingers and teeth?]

The beast-like legion soldiers relentlessly charged at the squirming enemy. They were naturally outmatched, but they compensated with sheer numbers. Dozens of lizards clung to one of the enemys arms, gnawing and stretching it. The airborne species swooped down from the sky, mercilessly jabbing the enemys eyes with their venomous stingers.

[The enemy lacks eyes, ears, or a nose. It has virtually no weaknesses. But we still have one more strategy.]

"...Finally.

As the enemys movements grew restricted, those lying in wait sprang into action, launching themselves off the ground.

"I dont know how powerful the sword in their hand is.

"Arghhh!

A scream erupted from the enemy.

A soldier leaped from the ground, plunging his sword into the enemys gaping mouth, which had been ready to attack the annoying airborne creatures.

[A giant falls from a small wound.]

"Was the mouth its weakness?

The legion swarmed over the enemys body, which had stumbled and fallen. They discovered the mouth was its vulnerability. The large species, possessing tremendous strength, began to pry open the enemys mouth.

"Ugh...

I squinted at the gruesome sight.

The soldiers started to crawl into the enemys forcibly opened mouth. Unless chewed, the teeth couldnt damage their carapace. The soldier who had crawled deep into the throat began to slash the inside with his sword.

[Great Stem Guardian: 4c0080]

"Guardian...

After that, history concluded, and we returned to reality. The monster we had defeated and absorbed was named the Great Stem Guardian.

[Look. Theyre not all the same.]

"...How vast is it?

Meanwhile, the legion was preparing for another battle. Enemies continued to pour out from the other branches connected to this stem. However, for the legion that had already tasted victory and gathered data, these enemies were nothing more than a source of rich nutrients.

[The legions developed intelligence and analytical power have identified a peculiar trait in the guardians.]

"A peculiar trait?

"...Now that you mention it, thats true.

When I dispatched the white ants, the breeding tank remained. When I sent the goblins, their weapons stayed behind. In the first place, sending a sample was a skill specialized for us.

[Think about the rats youve dealt with. The things they had. Theyre all tributes. Thats the basic function that all players have.]

"Wait, so everyone else has moved on to Chapter 2 and Im just now moving on?!

I thought about it for a moment, and then freaked out. I cant remember the last time I encountered rats.

[Youre slow. But it had to be that way, and the reason was a kind of penalty]

However, he was calm. I sighed at the words that it had to be that way.

[The tribute has a time limit. Move on to the second one. The second is an offering. Its a reward that the units offer to the player.]

"Like the mark that Oh Yoon Ahs units gave to her? But you said we have to go to Chapter 3 to communicate like that?!

[No. Tributes and offerings are limited to objects. Techniques and teachings are their abilities, regardless of the system. If theyre really outstanding, theyll be strong enough to even transfer objects with just the faint string of the initial stage.]

Suddenly, I recalled the exploration stone that Cha Ji Yeon possessed. It didnt appear as though she had crafted it herself. That was damn unfair.

I exited the room and started rummaging through the kitchen. By sheer luck, I discovered a thick, unused Chinese knife. My mother had been too frightened to use it, so I figured I could put it to use this time.

[The legion is reacting to your tribute.]

"Do they recognize this?

The shiny Chinese knife landed squarely in the middle of the nest. The legion reacted immediately.

[The tendrils that extended slowly identified the shape and composition of the Chinese knife, a metal already familiar to their memory. They understood what it was. They were merely analyzing its purpose.]

"Oh...?

Analyzing its purpose. That phrase was gratifying. It implied they werent just accepting it mindlessly.

"Whats this? Arent they supposed to give me something in return?

[The legion has yet to grasp the concept of equivalent exchange, the idea of giving something to receive something in return. Hence, this is their judgment.]

Despite this, the legion had stopped making offerings to me. Couldnt they at least show some gratitude? The only event of note was a goblin-like legion soldier clumsily

approaching and taking hold of the Chinese knife.

[We will become stronger. He wishes for us to become stronger. Therefore, we will become stronger. This is their conclusion.]

The legion had been following a single path until now. Therefore, they knew nothing else.

I didnt have anything specific to say. After all, it was the path I wanted them to follow.

"Just wait a little longer...

[While completely dominating the lower levels they initially thought were branches but were actually roots, the legion now shifted their focus upward. It was the second stem. The scouts didnt encounter any threatening enemies.]

The legion was not just growing, it was expanding at an unprecedented rate. Their influence had already reached the next stem. Half-hearted beasts and powers were no longer a match for us.

Ever since we crossed paths with the rats, who were units controlled by another player, we hadnt caught sight of any notable rivals.