Fortress of Divine Light

Zephyr slowly regained consciousness, realizing he was still alive. His back felt sore, lying on the hard stone floor, and the cool night air felt like a splash of ice water. He managed to pry open his eyelids, blurry at first, then focusing on the vast star-studded canvas above. Even in the darkness, the Milky Way glowed like a chalky smear on a slate.

Suddenly, a strangled sob was heard nearby. "Mr. Quinn? You're finally awake!" Young-Jae's voice, raw and ragged from grief, cut through the quiet night.

Zephyr ignored the familiar voice for a moment. A translucent blue screen, chillingly familiar, shimmered into existence before his eyes, bearing a new notification that burned into his vision.

Ding!

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[Congratulations! The host has cut down 20 rampaging animals...]

[Earns 1 Credit!]

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[ Status Window ]

Name: Zephyr Quinn

Vitality: 15/85

Status: Debuffed

Legacy: Human/Unrefined

Credits: 1

Sync: (Inactive) (Expand)

[ Abilities ]

Flaming Will (Passive)

[ System In-store: (N/A) ]

[ Inventory: (0/6) ]

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Zephyr sighed, a cynical huff escaping his lips. Was surviving a lion attack something to celebrate? And only 1 Credit for 20 animal things? Was that a lot or a minuscule? Seemed like a bizarre, confusing exchange rate. This whole new stuff was throwing a lot at him at once. One thing was clear, though. The weird blue screen that kept popping up had somehow given him the power to blast that last lion into oblivion.

For now, he'd call it a blessing. If he had physical strength at that level, he had a chance to wear stronger Exoskeleton armor. More powerful than the Exo-suit he had in his previous life.

"M-Mr. Quinn?" Young-Jae's voice trembled as he saw Zephyr open his eyes but remained motionless. "A-Are you alright?"

Zephyr blinked, his body protesting as he struggled to sit up. He winced, feeling the aches and pains of his recent encounter.

Young-Jae, already wracked with shame for leaving Zephyr behind, stammered, "I-I'm so sorry, Mr. Quinn. I didn't mean to run away. I just wanted to find help!"

He explained how he'd fled after the lion attack, seeking assistance from other players. "Most of them ignored me," he confessed, shamefaced. "But, there were two other players like me, who agreed to help."

Reaching the scene, they found the lion dead, Zephyr bloodied and unconscious, and Jae-Ya passed out. "I treated you first," Young-Jae hurried on, "then brought you and Jae-Ya together."

He quickly spoke, head bowed, remorse gnawing at him. He knew his actions were cowardly, even if his intentions were good. But a heavier burden weighed on him: the deaths of Jae-Ya's siblings, a tragedy he felt powerless to prevent.

At the same time, two figures entered Zephyr's vision. "Hello, I am Kwak Ja-Sung, and this is Kwon Jin-Uk," Ja-Sung introduced with a saccharine smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Jin-Uk chimed in, "This kid said you were a player. So, you understand where we are and what situation we are in, right? Good. Remember, we were the ones who saved you and that girl. Don't forget that. You owe us big, you know that!?"

Before Ja-Sung could smooth things over, Zephyr stood, wincing as his injured left shoulder protested. "Thanks for the help. I'll return the favor later. But could you give us some privacy?" He eyed them with unwavering seriousness, clearly not fallen for their games. He had no interest in getting close to players he didn't even remember from his previous life.

Although Zephyr was grateful for their help, he felt irritated by the two men's tone. This reminded him of people who tried to rope others into service, like leeches clinging to their hosts. The payments were made sequentially, either by rescuing them on another occasion or offering wealth in the current currency, but it didn't come at the expense of freedom or comfort.

Ja-sung and Jin-Uk's mischievous smiles and grins quickly evaporated when they got a full view of Zephyr's bloody thug appearance. Despite bringing him here, their courage dwindled before his height – he towered over them at 6" against 5'6". Clicking their tongues, the two vanished with wry smiles, their dreams of having minions fading. But not forgotten. Debt collection would just have to wait as the situation at the Fortress of the Divine Light turned out to be bleaker than expected.

Zephyr watched the two leave, then turned to Young-Jae, hunched on the cold floor. "How long are you gonna stay down there?" He asked, stern but not harsh. He knew the weight of the survivor's regret.

"It wasn't your fault," he said firmly. "Even if you choose not to come back before, neither I nor the late Jae-Sik will blame you. Remember, it's survival. Guilt won't keep you alive, only strength. Get yourself together, or this will happen again."

Zephyr wouldn't judge Young-Jae for fleeing. He understood the harsh reality that sometimes forced someone to make difficult choices, even though it was disgraceful. He wouldn't pressure him. Facing responsibility was a personal battle, and empty words wouldn't help if Young-Jae wasn't ready to confront his own demons.

Regardless, Zephyr's gaze turned to the sky, seeking confirmation despite the telltale signs he already grasped from his environment.

A holographic screen projected against a backdrop of a foreign landscape, displaying crisp text in shades of blue and white. It was indicating that the era of survival and brutality had arrived.

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[Apex World]

Terraform has ended.

The fun has not yet been unveiled.

Inhabitants: 4.9 billion people

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Zephyr crouched in front of Young-Jae, his voice clipped and urgent. "How long have I been out?" He's battered, patched up by Young-Jae's emergency care but far from functional. Delaying proper healing could cause lasting damage, jeopardizing his dream of becoming one of the best Legions.

Young-Jae wiped his tears with his face still downcast. "Two days, Mr. Quinn." He answered softly.

Zephyr rose, his movements stiff and painful. He needed a starter serum, a vaccine, and two more sets for Young-Jae and Jae-Ya. He rounded the back of the crowd, a wave of memories washing over him. 'The Hall Square of the Fortress of the Divine Light. It's been a long time.' He thought, a flicker of nostalgia battling his grim reality.

The Fortress of the Divine Light only lasted until the 3rd Year of Apex in his previous life, which meant it had been more than ten years since he had seen this place again. Even though, in the current timeline, it has only been more than a day for him.

Zephyr halted, eyes sweeping across the ample panorama. The sprawling expanse before him defied words. Colossal stone walls, reminiscent of a bygone era, encircled the entirety of the Fortress of Divine Light, a behemoth capable of sheltering a staggering 35 million souls. Should desperation push its limits, it could even double that number, though at the cost of suffocating density.

Modernity danced within these ancient ramparts. Gleaming structures, echoing the fortress's medieval majesty, housed advanced technology. Luminescent lights banished the night, casting the grounds on an artificial yet vibrant day. Hovering vehicles buzzed like metallic bees, weaving through the bustling throngs below.

The Fortress of the Divine Light wasn't just a sanctuary. It was a paradox, a marvel that captivated even the most seasoned gamer. Cutting-edge tech pulsed within the veins of a bygone era, forging a tapestry of wonder and intrigue.

Zephyr squeezed his eyes shut, a sigh escaping his lips. Recalling the past was a bitter pill to swallow, especially with his battered body. But it was also his advantage. He wouldn't waste the memories and knowledge, however harsh they may be.

His gaze swept over the bewildered crowd. He hadn't expected even those who arrived earlier to be this lost. It was clear: these people and the players were floundering, unable to communicate with the NPCs in the Divine Light Fortress.

He watched them fiddle with their smartphones like cherished trinkets, oblivious to their uselessness. At least the players should know: the electronics of the old world were nothing but paperweights in Apex.

Their desperation was palpable. They clung to scraps of information, hoping to find some semblance of understanding in the data of the Apex Online game. It was a futile grasp at straws but one he understood all too well.