The Peak of Savagery

Zephyr already prepared the Apexian language tutorial before he left the Legion Union. It wasn't just about convenience but about empowering the right people. He envisioned the tutorial as a catalyst, spreading knowledge to those who actively sought survival.

He wasn't naive. Handing it out wasn't enough. Some would remain passive, content to be spoon-fed. But Zephyr sought combatants, not freeloaders. He craved the glint of determination in their eyes, the spark that ignited the will to survive. Those were the souls worth protecting, the ones who'd stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, their shared language a testament to their resilience.

Back home, Zephyr handed Jae-Ya the purchased serum. She and Young-Jae set to become Legions. She also knew how much favor Zephyr did for her after the conversations about Apex World and the Apex Online game with Young-Jae.

Determined to repay Zephyr and gain independence, Jae-Ya and Young-Jae tackled the Apexian language with passion, aiming to handle their food and daily needs without burdening others.

Zephyr's brow furrowed, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Becoming Legion is possible as early as tomorrow," he said, his voice tight. "But without fluency in Apexian, it would be a perilous path. To ease your transition, I'll begin speaking the language. Exclusively, starting tomorrow. Consider it a baptism by fire, necessary for your accelerated growth."

Somehow, Young-Jae was confused as to why Zephyr wanted to rush. He asked. "Mr. Quinn, isn't the first wave coming in four months? Besides, the beasts won't be around until about three weeks from now."

"I...," Zephyr dragged out his words. He wanted to tell about his encounter with the Sentinel. But at the same time, he felt that it would increase the burden and worry on Young-Jae or Jae-Ya. "Suit yourself," He shrugged, his casual tone dismissing the urgency.

"No, we will do as you suggested." Jae-Ya joined in, which made Young-Jae unable to do anything and just do what he was told.

The next morning, Zephyr interacted with Young-Jae and Jae-Ya in the Apexian language. Even if Young-Jae had previously refused to do that, he would still do it.

Both had difficulty catching up. But at least, they didn't protest and tried to understand what Zephyr was saying.

Zephyr felt that people would realize how critical the Apexian language was if he made it a habit for the people in the Fortress of the Divine Light to hear it, even if some didn't understand it.

Meanwhile, the day went on as usual. Zephyr to the Legion Union while the two teenagers studied the Apexian language diligently.

In Hall Square, he took the time to buy ammunition for his gun. He took the time to look for Eugene. But he didn't meet the girl. 'Well, maybe they're at home. Sigh! I should have asked which house they were in before.' He thought. He then went on to carry out the same quests consecutively without getting bored.

The day passed quickly without any problems. The next few days were the same as usual.

With each trouble-free day, Zephyr's coffers overflowed. His Ex-communicator, once a humble device, now hummed with the weight of 13,140 Shards, a sum that dwarfed the wildest dreams of even the most prosperous Legions in the early days of Apex World.

Young-Jae and Jae-Ya have officially become Legions on the 15th day of the First Year of Apex. 

Jae-Ya stayed at the Legion Union. She wanted to learn and read about the available quests. Because there were so many different types, she desired to analyze which ones she could complete now and which ones she could work on in the future.

Meanwhile, Young-Jae left the Legion Union. He wanted to take a look at the Fortress of the Divine Light.

"Wow! It's very different from the one in the game! It looks majestic and real." He said while striding through the districts close to Hall Square. The place was similar to an alley because it was close to the wall of the Fortress of the Divine Light and was behind Hall Square on the right.

Suddenly, Young-Jae stumbled on the stone floor. It sent a jolt through him. He spun around, eyes widening as Jin-Uk and Ja-Sung materialized before him.

"Remember your savior, brat?" Jin-Uk's smirk held a chilling edge. "Finding you proved tricky and almost made me give up. But then, like magic, here you are, delivered right into our hands."

Ja-Sung's voice, deceptively soft, slithered into the silence. "Don't forget the kindness of your saviors, kid. After all, debts always have a way of coming due, wouldn't you agree?"

Out of nowhere, Jin-Uk's right leg blurred, a cruel arc aimed at Young-Jae's crumpled form.

The sound of the blow was so loud that it woke up people living in slum housing made of cloth, cardboard, and trees. Sunlight also doesn't reach this place, so the slum looks even more rotten and dirty.

All of those people did not have the slightest feeling of pity but instead, fear was embedded in their minds.

Each blow resonates through the onlookers. Not in their bodies, but in their souls. They flinched with every thud, their breaths caught in their throats as if mimicking Young-Jae's pain.

"Bring chairs and tables," Ja-Sung commanded, his voice echoing through the ramshackle slum dwellings. Obedient hands scurried, assembling a makeshift feast. Soon, figures emerge from a nearby house, their clothes a stark contrast to the ragged attire of their surroundings. They carried steaming platters of food, the aroma of a breakfast fit for kings wafting through the dusty air.

Ja-Sung, perched on a rickety chair, relished the spectacle, his eyes flitting between the bounty and Jin-Uk's relentless movements. Then, he turned to a woman with a captivating grace, her slender frame a beacon amidst the weathered faces. "Share the rest with them," he instructed, his English smooth and polished, a stark counterpoint to the rough dialect around him.

The woman's arm became a blur, flying food across the dusty ground. A desperate scramble erupted, hands reaching out with a mix of hope and fear. Hunger painted faces raw, transforming the usual bustle of the slum into a chaotic dance of uncivilized animals.

Uncle Chow, his weathered face etched with worry, watched the frenzy from the sidelines. His frail frame, once strong, now struggles to keep pace. Eugene, her eyes wide with desperation, darted among the throng, her small hands searching for anything edible.

On the other hand, most of those who didn't get leftover food were the elderly and children, while the young, even though they were skinny, still had the energy to be greedy.

Ja-Sung was amused to see that. He liked having minions that he could command in various ways. Since the beginning of the Apex World disaster, he had been waiting for a time when the shelter was still sparsely populated. Since there were also few players, that meant he could show off his dominance to ordinary people who didn't know any better. That way, he would have enough people to be cannon fodder when he became a Legion later.

Young-Jae's breaths came in ragged gasps, his vision blurry through a haze of pain. Every aching muscle screamed, a testament to the relentless onslaught he'd endured. Yet, he remained standing, a defiance fueled by something more than mere flesh and bone.

"Enough, Jin-Uk," Ja-Sung's voice cut through the air, sharp and cold as steel. "Let's not waste our time with theatrics."

Young-Jae lifted his head, his vision clearing enough to meet Ja-Sung's icy stare. Fear gnawed at his edges, but a spark of defiance flickered behind his wary eyes. "What... what do you want from me?"

Ja-Sung leaned forward, his voice a low growl. "You know the Ex-communicator comes with a price tag, kid. What are you willing to offer?"

Young-Jae met his gaze, defiance flickering in his eyes. "I don't have anything to offer you."

Ja-Sung chuckled before saying, "Ask the guy you were with before. He's Legion, too, right? He has a lot of Shards. So, don't act stupid!"

Seeing Young-Jae shaking without answering, he tells Jin-Uk to take one girl.

Jin-Uk left for a moment and returned with the little girl in his arms. He then pushed the girl onto the stone floor, who was none other than Eugene. He then kicked the girl, causing Young-Jae to flinch.

Young-Jae stammered, "W-What are you doing?! Stop it!!"

Jin-Uk smiled devilishly. "If you insist on not giving us the money, I will beat this girl mercilessly."