Paradoxes of Time

The notification's chime echoed like a death knell in Zephyr's ears. The incongruously cheerful melody only amplified the underlying threat, a stark contrast to the inferno of rage that had moments ago consumed him.

His imposing form, poised to explode with fury, seemed to shrink in on itself. The icy tendrils of fear snaked up his spine, chilling him to the core. The oppressive aura, thick with murderous intent, dissolved like smoke on the wind.

The sudden shift left the onlookers bewildered. Moments ago, they had cowered under the weight of Zephyr's wrath, his gaze a physical blow. Now, they were left grappling with a maelstrom of confusion, their expressions mirroring the turmoil within.

Zephyr's jaw clenched tight. With a surge of adrenaline, he propelled himself towards Hall Square, his powerful legs eating up the ground. The urgency in his movements mirrored the sudden flurry of activity within the Fortress of the Divine Light. He didn't even have a look at Eugene or Uncle Chow.

Atop the towering, fifty-meter wall, figures materialized with practiced efficiency. Legions, clad in gleaming red-gold Exosuit armor, lined the ramparts, their forms pulsing with a faint white light. Fifty-strong, they formed a vigilant ring around the sanctuary, their unwavering gazes fixed on the horizon. Four more stood guard at the Main Gate, their imposing presence a stark deterrent.

At the same time, six more Legion NPCs were available. But, their sole duty was to defend the Legion Union. Not to confront the beasts or protect the city.

The heart of the Fortress of the Divine Light lies within the confines of the Legion Union. The blessed space served as a wellspring of restorative energy, constantly pulsating with a power that safeguards the very essence of the city.

As long as the Legion Union remained intact, even the most devastating blows could be swiftly unbound. The shattered cobblestones and crumbled houses, casualties of Young-Jae's rampage, were testaments to that remarkable resilience. Their shattered forms mend themselves within moments, seamlessly returning to their pristine state.

That regenerative power extended beyond the physical realm. Even the valiant Legions, protectors of the city, were not restrained by the shackles of mortality. Should they fall in the line of duty, their forms dematerialize, only to reappear within the sanctuary, ready to resume their sacred vigil.

Zephyr, burdened by the weight of his past life, was the lone inhabitant of the Apex World, privy to the knowledge of his regression. The concept was utterly foreign to the other players, mere pawns in a game oblivious to the truth.

Despite the allotted thirty minutes, a gnawing unease gnawed at Zephyr. The looming trial event, a "Main Prequest" with three chains of sixty "Sentinels" each, sent shivers down his spine. He understood the basic structure: three waves, three mini-quests, each brimming with sixty hostile entities.

Yet, an unsettling anomaly nibbled at him. In his previous life, such pre-quest events were unheard of, especially within the nascent fifteen-day timeframe of the newly created Apex World. A chilling question echoed in his mind: 'Could this be connected to the Sentinel I encountered on the fifth day? Is history irrevocably changing?'

Despite the gnawing suspicion, Zephyr hesitated to draw a direct link between his regression and the unfolding temporal anomaly. The sheer complexity of the situation defied logic. No action he could have taken, no matter how insignificant, seemed capable of triggering such a drastic shift in the established timeline.

Yet, the unsettling encounter with the Sentinel on the fifth day lingered in his mind, a persistent thorn pricking his conscience. The possibility of a cause-and-effect chain, however improbable, chewed at him relentlessly. A frustrated curse escaped his lips: "F*ck these temporal paradoxes and their maddening uncertainties!"

Da-Mi and her group, initially bewildered, watched as Zephyr sprinted towards Hall Square. The sight of Legions lining the city's high walls, their Exosuit armor gleaming in the afternoon sun, sent a jolt of recognition through them. Despite their limited understanding of Apexian, they grasped the core message – a major pre-quest was unfolding.

"Hall Square, now!" Da-Mi barked in English, mirroring Zephyr's urgency and launching into a determined run. Yamato, Jae-Jung, Zexian, and Meng Fen followed her, along with the others who had become Legion. Others who had not yet become Legions also surged forward in a wave of movement.

Meanwhile, the once-tumultuous area fell silent in their wake. Ja-Sung and Jin-Uk stood slack-jawed, their subordinates' sudden about-face leaving them bewildered. The slum dwellers also watched in confusion, a ripple of unease spreading through the crowd.

Little did any of them know that the first tremors of the coming calamity had begun to shake the very foundations of the Fortress of the Divine Light.

Jae-Jung, his lungs burning, finally caught up to Da-Mi. "Is this the first Main Quest?" he panted, the urgency evident in his voice.

Da-Mi, her brow furrowed in concentration, remained silent for a moment. "No," she finally replied, her voice tight. "I saw 'pre-quest' on the notification."

Jae-Jung's brows shot up. "But... pre-quests for the main story don't exist in Apex Online," he countered, confusion lacing his tone.

Da-Mi met his gaze, her own filled with a flicker of unease. "I know," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't know what's happening."

Jae-Jung's question echoed the unspoken anxieties of many. But Da-Mi and Yamato's focus remained laser-sharp: how to combat the looming threat. The absurdity of the Fortress of the Divine Light potentially crumbling within a fortnight was a sobering thought before the main quest even began.

The confusion exposed a critical truth: for these players, combat prowess was inextricably linked to the power of their Exoskeletons. Stripped of that technological crutch, the "Legion" title became a mere badge of honor, devoid of practical application in the face of real-world challenges.

The stark contrast between Zephyr's decisive actions and the players' floundering was undeniable. However, acknowledging the unfairness of comparing a seasoned regressor to those newcomers wouldn't diminish the harsh reality: they were woefully unprepared for the trials that awaited them.

At the same time, Zephyr strode purposefully towards the most opulent shop in Hall Square, an NPC-run establishment catering to the needs of well-equipped warriors. Bypassing the pleasantries, he demanded the menu screen with a curt nod.

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[ Ironclad Bastion ]

1. Polaris. Cost: 1900 Shards. (DPS | Sleek, agile, excels in close combat.)

2. Aegis. Cost: 4000 Shards. (Tanker | Ultra-durable, maximum protection.)

3. Strato. Cost: 2100 Shards. (DPS | Lightweight, high speed, and agility.)

4. Armageddon. Cost: 3700 Shards (Tanker | Powerful, extra-thick plating, enhanced durability.)

5. Paladin. Cost: 5100 Shards (Semi-DPS | Advanced sensory capabilities, versatile combat.)

6. Hyperion. Cost: 4500 Shards (Semi-DPS | Heavy armor, enhanced defense, long-range weapons.)

7. Tempest. Cost: 2300 Shards (Support | Covert operations, stealth missions.)

8. Centurion. Cost: 3400 Shards. (Tanker | Withstands extreme environments and hazardous terrain.)

9. Apollo. Cost: 2500 Shards. (Support | Advanced navigation, communication technology.)

10. Atlas. Cost: 4700 Shards. (Vanguard | Multi-purpose, adaptable for various applications.)

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His gaze scanned the options with practiced efficiency before settling on a single choice: the Polaris Exosuit. It wasn't the most expensive, but its reputation for raw damage output in close-quarters combat was unmatched. This translated to superior self-defense capabilities, a crucial factor in the upcoming conflict.

The Polaris offered versatility as well, allowing for the integration of various medium and long-range weaponry. However, it came with trade-offs. Durability was a concern compared to other Exosuits, and wielding energy-guzzling heavy weapons was inadvisable. Most importantly, its reliance on explosive power came at the cost of rapid Aether Energy depletion, a limitation Zephyr didn't mind taking on as long as he could slay those beasts at a quicker time.

"Excellent choice, Mr. Quinn," Abdul, a brown-skinned NPC with fiery orange hair, confirmed Zephyr's selection with a nod. After the transaction was complete, Zephyr barked his next order without missing a beat: "Get it prepped at the Launch Pit immediately!"

Abdul's "Absolutely, sir," echoed in the shop as Zephyr's resolute form disappeared into the bustling marketplace.

Zephyr's next stop was Kallin's Weapons Emporium, manned by a portly, bearded NPC with a booming voice. His gaze fixed on the menu screen.

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[ Firearms Dealer 2 ]

1. Emberheart. Cost: 1700 Shards. (Fires concentrated bursts of Aether energy in a short range, effective for single-target elimination.)

2. Starshroud. Cost: 3000 Shards. (Fires continuous beams or rapid pulses of Aether energy, effective for medium-range combat and suppressing enemies.)

- Emberheart Ammunition. Cost: 500 Shards/Magazine.

- Starshroud Ammunition. Cost: 1500 Shards/Magazine.

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The limited selection held no surprises. New items were progressively unlocked, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of the game. Undeterred, Zephyr purchased both weapons, his familiarity with their operation and ammunition a decisive factor. The Emberheart, a pistol known for its fiery blasts, boasted a magazine capacity of seven energy rounds. The Starshroud, a versatile rifle, offered a more substantial clip of twenty-eight.