SWNOVELXO Chapter 8
Chapter 8
A subtle change began to emerge in this enormous and immense cave, the age of which was impossible to determine.
In the grand scheme of the cave, it was an insignificant change occurring in one of its countless branches.
However, the change was undoubtedly growing in size.
For now, amidst the silence, those in the lowest layer were starting to set their sights higher.
“Are reptiles still the dominant ones?”
[Armed with rough and tough hide, and with their whip-like tails tipped with sturdy armor.]
The screen displayed a giant lizard.
The lizard, about the size of a large dog, swung its whip-like tail and sliced one of our deployed soldiers in half as it stood atop a pile of bat carcasses.
Once again, it was a stark reminder of how overwhelmingly powerful the creatures of this cave were, even if they were extraterrestrial life forms.
“There’s no way we’re managing with insect-sized troops anymore.”
[That’s correct. It means our species must evolve one step further as a whole.]
We increased our size as well.
Insects were no longer our base form.
We became higher, more evolved entities.
No matter how sharp and flexible the whip-like tail of a lizard might be, it could not single-handedly defeat the numerous soldiers who had transferred the robust leg muscles of a giant toad to their arms.
The soldiers borrowed mandibular joints modeled after ants, opening their mouths wide to the sides and sinking their solid teeth into the enemy.
“In the end, it’s the same. Honestly, to fight us head-on, the opposing side would need to be at least army-level as well.”
Despite the tension, the result was one-sided.
As long as there was no physical disparity, even a large number of enemies could not defeat us.
It was no different from larger creatures like mantises or rats being decimated by a swarm of ants.
To stop a swarm, an equivalent ‘swarm’ had to be present.
[The 8th Floor was already in disarray before we even entered, just as we planned. The native creatures of this stratum ultimately couldn’t put up proper resistance and became nothing more than food for our swarm.]
Thus, we passed through the 8th Floor, ravaged by bats, and advanced into the 9th Floor.
[Look at them. The giant armored spiders that once blocked our reconnaissance. But now, they are nothing more than prey for us.]
Surprisingly, the conquest of the 9th Floor was easier than anticipated.
The once insurmountable wall that was the giant spider now seemed like nothing more than a trivial creature.
[Indeed, the swarm knows how strong we’ve become. These new soldiers, based on toads and modified for long-range attacks from our past experiences.]
The newly crafted soldiers with sturdy bodies crawled into position.
Like self-propelled artillery planting spades for bombardment, they firmly anchored themselves in place.
At the same time, their skin tore open to reveal sharp bony thorns at the ends.
[They can generate these thorns using specific nutrients absorbed internally. Additionally, a unique muscle mechanism allows them to eject the thorns externally at high pressure. Now, the thorns have been launched. Poisonous thorns laced with lethal venom.]
The thorns, cutting through the air, struck the unsuspecting spiders.
Even with their tough armor, the poisonous thorns shattered their carapaces.
[It will still take some time to stabilize the 9th Floor. However, separate from that, the swarm has decided to send out scouts to update the map.]
“Of course.”
Although crude at first, the importance of reconnaissance was already known to us.
The swarm quickly deployed scouts.
[And congratulations. You’ve broken through the 10th Stratum and cleared the tutorial.]
“…I forgot about that.”
[After the tutorial comes Chapter 1. And the tutorial reward is yours to choose.]
The so-called tutorial, which had essentially been nothing but live combat, suddenly made this announcement, and then a different set of contents appeared on the screen.
The screen split into three, revealing three rewards.
[Reward 1: Assassination Authority – One Use]
[Reward 2: 1000 Gold]
[Reward 3: Species Preservation Right – One Use]
“I have no idea what any of these are supposed to be.”
Staring blankly at the words, I rubbed my eyes.
Expecting something like food or specimens as rewards, the actual options were entirely unexpected.
[Of course you wouldn’t. Tutorial rewards are the same for all players. So, there won’t be rewards tailored specifically to our species.]
“What’s Assassination Authority? What about the gold? The shop feature hasn’t even been unlocked yet.”
[The Assassination Authority is exactly what it sounds like. When you encounter a powerful enemy someday, you can designate that enemy and eliminate them without question.]
“…Ridiculous.”
Just hearing about it was enough to recognize its overpowered nature.
Which meant it was best to save it no matter what.
The question was whether picking the Assassination Authority now was the right choice.
“Is the gold for the purpose I think it is?”
[If you want to know in advance, I’ll tell you. After Chapter 3, the shop feature will unlock. You’ll be able to purchase a few items there.]
“Is the Species Preservation Right… a kind of escape capsule?”
With the explanation, I could roughly understand.
It was now time to make a choice.
Honestly, I didn’t deliberate for too long.
Gold, the value of which I couldn’t yet determine and couldn’t use, was unnecessary.
The Species Preservation Right could serve as a trump card given our cell-level growth capabilities.
But rather than worrying about a defeat that hadn’t even happened yet, it seemed more logical to struggle for victory.
“I’ll go with the Assassination Authority.”
[The reward has been added to your inventory.]
“Ouch!”
At that moment, I flinched from a sudden sharp sensation and hastily examined my right hand.
A black mark had appeared on the back of my hand—a tattoo I never thought I’d have in my life.
[Use the item wisely. Both for the swarm and for yourself. Neither can survive without the other. Use the item at the moment you need it most.]
“…As if I’d ever need to use this in reality.”
I muttered while rubbing the back of my hand.
Regret briefly crossed my mind, wondering if I should’ve chosen the gold to sell for cash instead.
[While stabilizing the 8th and 9th Floors, the swarm removed the spider webs and sent scouts to the 10th Stratum. This marks the official beginning after the tutorial.]
The humming BGM shifted into a darker, more ominous tone.
Perhaps because of that, I felt slightly tense.
“It’s vast.”
[The map is updating. But even the swarm was surprised. This is just one of the countless branches of the cave. The 10 strata the swarm has consumed are merely a tiny part of this vast network.]
I tapped the history tab.
Among the records of the past, the words “a world beyond the newly created world” caught my eye.
[It was a moment when the definition of the world known to the swarm expanded. Realizing that the territory they had conquered was but a speck in this vast world came as a shock.]
“Are they intimidated?”
[Do you still not understand the swarm?]
I made an offhand remark, only to be scolded.
The swarm’s scouts explored the vast cavern.
It was like a corridor, open and expansive, but soon they discovered a ‘room’ adjacent to it.
[While vegetation developed around flowing water as before, the scale was different.]
In the dim light of luminous stones, the first thing that caught my eye was the glowing eyes of a massive two-headed lizard amidst a colossal mushroom colony.
The lizard was devouring a frog-like creature.
The problem was its size.
The lizard was about as large as a compact car, and the frog being eaten was at least the size of a large dog.
One of the two heads of the blue-scaled lizard suddenly turned toward the flying scout.
And at that moment.
“Eek!”
Azure flames engulfed the screen, which then turned completely black.
[Do you see it now? The flora and fauna of this labyrinth are not to be underestimated.]
“No, but how does it even make sense for it to breathe fire?!”
It wasn’t a dragon; it was just a lizard.
Of course, objectively speaking, the flames just now were probably no more than spray-can level.
But that wasn’t the point right now.
[Are you afraid?]
“Rather than afraid… it’s more like, no matter what I add now, it doesn’t seem like it would help at all.”
[That’s not an issue at all.]
The calm response made me feel like I was the one shrinking back in front of that lizard.
[Finding answers, thinking, modifying, and acting—all of that is the work of the swarm. Think about it. If a god truly existed, do you think it would meddle and intervene in every little thing like an overprotective parent? All you need to do is provide clues and variables.]
“Is that really all it takes?”
[Do not underestimate them. Right now, the swarm is rejoicing. They are excited once again. They see those as prey, as nourishment. Consuming them will make us stronger.]
I realized it once more.
The swarm neither stops nor feels fear.
The concept of death does not exist for them.
If they die, they simply return to the colony as nutrients and are reborn to fight again.
“My values about life, death, and the soul are shaking.”
[One day, to them, you will become those very values.]
I had merely mumbled a single phrase, yet the words that surfaced were profound.
One day. Was it referring to the time when they would come to understand my existence and concept?
[The 8th and 9th Strata still hold sufficient energy. Using this stored energy, the swarm has prepared for war once more. The target is the Fungi Forest, where the newly discovered Two-Headed Lizard resides.]
The swarm prepared for war once again.