A Legion Grows From My Smartphone

Chapter 13

The swarm undoubtedly possesses immense potential.

With that potential, it has risen from the lowest layer of cells to become a faction that dares to challenge the grand stratum.

However, this vast cave ecosystem is home to a wide variety of living creatures.

[The reconnaissance results are in. Countless traces were found, but unfortunately, no signs of the group were detected on the next stratum.]

“…What decision has the swarm made?”

[In truth, the swarm is accustomed to such matters—acquiring and analyzing unknown information. But this time, it is being slightly more cautious.]

In reality, the swarm strengthened its reconnaissance without taking any significant actions.

After all, we knew better than anyone how strong the group’s power could be.

To begin with, we hadn’t even absorbed the entirety of the grand stratum.

“The problem isn’t that it’s a simple group, is it? What should we do in situations like this?”

[Are you referring to when the Player’s units clash? Naturally, there is only one answer.]

Even though it was just simple text, it sent chills down my spine.

I had already guessed the answer to some extent.

“To fight?”

[Competition, victory, elimination—what’s the problem with any of that? That is the way of ecosystems by nature.]

We spoke almost simultaneously.

Of course, even knowing this didn’t make me feel any better.

“If we win, the opposing Player will…”

[If we lose, you will die as well.]

I tightly shut my eyes.

Yes, from the moment I got entangled with this strange app.

Everything had been twisted since that moment.

I had enjoyed it as if I were raising ants, but I could no longer take it lightly.

“…Then we have to win. What should we do?”

[As always, you watch over your children. When it seems like they’re stuck, that’s when you show them the way.]

In the end, my role hadn’t changed.

What I had to do was the same as before—just watch over them.

And… if I could, give them any help possible.

“First, we need to figure out what kind of creatures they are, don’t we?”

[That’s right. Currently, the swarm is storing up energy to unleash while continuing reconnaissance. What we call the 11th stratum is not significant enough to be categorized as part of the grand stratum but is instead a small tributary. All that’s found here are their traces, and those traces lead to the upper stratum.]

The swarm efficiently utilized the various sizes of scouts it had created thus far.

From small bees to birds, and even lizards with bat wings.

The result of thoroughly searching the 11th stratum was just traces.

In conclusion, it became clear.

They had come down from the upper stratum on an ‘expedition.’

“If the enemy has seen us… wouldn’t they also be uncertain?”

I had forgotten the obvious.

Our swarm’s species trait and greatest strength.

[That’s right. It’s not just us who lack data. In fact, the opposing side is at a disadvantage in the information war. Look. A scout of the swarm has discovered something.]

At that moment, the screen switched as it displayed a discovery.

I carefully examined the screen, suppressing the pounding of my chest.

The appearance of the 12th floor, observed by a scout in the form of a bee, came into view.

“…Rats?”

A group of creatures appeared.

But those creatures, unlike the countless beasts residing in this cave, did not fit my understanding at all.

Fluffy fur.

Jet-black eyes and twitching noses.

Long tails and bodies neither too small nor too large by the cave’s standards.

At least in appearance, they looked like perfect rats.

“Wait, but what kind of rats…”

However, their actions and detailed movements were completely contrary to what I understood about rats.

First of all, as if they were a reconnaissance team, they gathered and vigilantly observed their surroundings while standing upright in a hunched posture, freely using both hands.

Moreover, those hands held various tools.

Spears with sharp awls at their tips, miniature crossbows loaded with needles, shields and helmets made of metal scraps, and so on.

[The swarm has no knowledge of metal. However, it can only assume that if they hunt earth dragons, they must be quite strong. Above all, they are far more collective and intelligent than any creatures encountered so far.]

“We still don’t know where their base is or how many of them there are.”

[They have discovered one of our scouts—a small lizard with bat wings. Taking advantage of the provocation, the swarm deliberately sacrifices its scout to measure their combat strength.]

At that moment, a clash occurred.

Among the rats, a few aimed their miniature crossbows at the approaching flying lizard.

The intricate, miniature crossbows were fired.

Accompanied by their squeaking noises, the luminous stone’s light reflected off the needles as they pierced through the lizard’s wings and body.

It was somewhat expected.

Flying scouts, after all, were designed for mobility, not durability.

“..Tsk.”

But seeing the rats cheer over the fallen scout’s corpse made my blood boil for no reason.

[Ah, the swarm is delighted.]

“What?”

It seemed I still lacked understanding of the swarm.

[Tools. It covets the tools. Those shiny, sturdy, and pointed objects. The small furry creatures used ingenious devices to take down a much larger opponent. The swarm is certain that this is a new clue to evolving to the next stage. This moment will be recorded in our history—the moment the swarm first encountered the concept of tools.]

“…Right. It’s the first time the concept of tools has emerged.”

[The swarm has realized that those tools are the secret to the rats’ strength. It has set its goal. It must devour them to obtain that power. But those rats used those crude tools to hunt earth dragons. Surely, that’s not all they have.]

“Then what’s the plan?”

[There is only one answer. First, capture and consume some of them to learn everything about them.]

A gloomy cry echoed from below.

Condolences to those rats.

Unless they possessed a colony consciousness like us.

Those scouts would be hunted here.

[The swarm does not know the species traits of those creatures. Nor does it care. Even if this moment is discovered, what difference does it make? They would merely be prey to a large, strange lizard from the lower strata.]

Swarm soldiers with dark blue carapaces, prepared to face earth dragons, crawled up to meet them.

Even with their rodent faces, their expressions were visible. Completely stiffened.

[They are clever. Realizing that five of them couldn’t possibly win, they attempt to flee. But the swarm is serious.]

Behind the small car-sized lizard creeping forward, dozens of large flying species with bat wings soared into the air simultaneously.

“@%#&!”

The startled rats retaliated, firing their crossbows.

But these were creatures designed not for reconnaissance but for aerial combat.

With wings comparable to those of a bird of prey, talons, poison stinger tails, and carapace armor, they swiftly overwhelmed and tore into the rats.

[…A lone, large beast might have been an easy hunt. But could they dare to hunt us? To face us, they would need to wage war.]

The corpses of the slaughtered rats were all collected and delivered to the nest in the lower strata, where they were consumed.

The needles, crossbows, spears, and other tools that couldn’t be digested were also retrieved.

[The swarm is curious. What exactly are these tools? How are they used?]

The swarm’s voracious appetite had now surpassed mere devouring.

[The swarm has begun preparations for war.]

Reconnaissance continued, and additional rats were discovered on the 13th stratum.

A fortress built from stones and mushrooms came into view.

Crude, but undeniably a fortress.

At least a hundred rats were present there.

“Could it be that the swarm plans to imitate them immediately?”

I flinched and muttered to myself.

If the swarm wanted tools, I had to provide them.

Just like the Opposing Player.

[Considering both efficiency and potential, I reached the optimal conclusion. It was still premature. Clearly, the swarm was envisioning a future where it could evolve in a better and more efficient way.]

However, unexpectedly, the swarm did not obsess over tools.

When it came to its purpose, it was endlessly rational and cold.

After all, it was a lifeform that humans could not understand with emotions.

[Their response is dry and lukewarm. It is certain they don’t know. Even the Opposing Player, for that matter.]

The energy that had been accumulated so far began to be used explosively.

Giant Eggs started pouring out by the hundreds, by the thousands.

[Just like us, it is time to show those arrogant furballs who have thrived by hunting beasts what true war is. Surely, this is a war between factions of the same kind.]

[But who will be better at war? The swarm was convinced it was us. There was no other swarm as skilled in war as we were.]

It was a powder keg ready to explode.

The swarm, steadily replenishing its Soldiers, would use overwhelming numbers, the Razor-Sharp Command Unique to the Collective Consciousness, and its techniques to crush them in an instant.

Even to me, it seemed that if those rats didn’t have some hidden trick, we could win.

“If we win the war against the Player, what kind of reward will there be? No, just be honest now. That Player of the Rats… are they on Earth?”

I mumbled blankly as I looked at the screen.

One of the lingering questions I had until now.

How vast was the scale of this Game Board?