Chereads / Apex World: Reincarnation of the Exalted Legion / Chapter 24 - Unlocking the Features

Chapter 24 - Unlocking the Features

When Zephyr left the Legion Union, he accidentally met Da-Mi.

Da-Mi greeted warmly, "It seems we will meet often despite how vast the Fortress of the Divine Light is."

"If you're Legion, going back and forth to this building is commonplace. The chance of running into the same person is also high. So, there's nothing strange about that." Zephyr replied with a shrug.

"Oh, but this could be more than a chance," Da-Mi countered, her smile turning sly. "Ever considered joining a team? We could tackle those solo quests twice as fast, adjusting tactics to fit the regulations, of course. And if you're worried about our skills, why not give us a try? I promise you won't regret the efficiency and accuracy we bring."

Zephyr locked eyes with Da-Mi, his gaze sharp. He understood her unspoken offer. Teaming could mean faster completion of solo quests, even if the team did most of the work. Like hunting, where they'd clear the field, leaving him to scan the kills for completion, a technically completed quest without the personal risk.

But that was just a surefire way to play the game.

Apex World was not a game. It was a new reality for humanity.

Here, the Legions fought for survival against nature's brutality, and the monsters spawned. Treating it like a game stunted their growth.

Actual combat and virtual battles were worlds apart. Zephyr would bet those who thought Apex Online experience prepared them for Exosuits were in for a rude awakening. The armor was heavy, demanding skill and practice to move in. The more they fight, the better they adapt to their AP-X enhanced bodies, making the Exo-suit a natural extension, not a burden.

Apart from that, Zephyr has reasons not to join the group anymore like before.

It was for the balance of power.

Memories of a past life burned into his mind, where organizations like the Frontliners held immense power due to their control of information and manpower. The ordinary people's dependence on them bordered on fanaticism, which ultimately gave rise to internal divisions that destroyed their unity as they got swallowed up by fear and greed. He wouldn't risk history repeating itself.

In the end, that reason paralyzed the Frontliners from terrible threats such as Sentinels, Titans, Leviathans, Behemoths, and Chimeras. Their power, divided among factions, faltered when humanity needed them most. One of the events that nearly drove humanity to extinction could be traced back to a decision delay caused by infighting among the organization's higher-ups.

That incident was a major blow. 

However, one Legion emerged to end the period of civil war within the organization for the future survival of humanity.

The Legion's name was Illidan Stormwind. No one knew whether it was his real name or in-game nickname, but all the Legions knew how strong and ruthless Illidan was when he took the leadership of the organization by force to restore the symbol of hope that had become rusty.

It seemed excessive. But Zephyr knew it was necessary at that time because the Frontliners had become too corrupt and cowardly, relying on the shield of their worshipers and patrons, lost in the goal of defending and protecting humanity.

On the other hand, Going solo benefits more than just Zephyr. It allowed him to directly aid and train individual Legions, fostering their growth and strengthening humanity's defenses against the beasts. Meanwhile, an organization adds layers of complexity. Rules, necessary for order, could become a burden for independent spirits. Navigating that bureaucracy might clash with the desire to act fast and free.

Zephyr could become a silent guardian, a potter shaping the battlefield. Like a skilled craftsperson keeping a fragile vase from shattering, he'll support the Frontliners from every angle, ensuring they hold the line against the encroaching darkness from within.

He offered a lopsided grin. One that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nah, don't sweat it. It's nothing personal. Working alone, that's just...me." He shrugged, a flicker of something deeper crossing his features. "Always have, always will, I guess."

Da-Mi sighed, the air whooshing out of her in a defeated puff. "Stubborn as a mule, aren't you?" she teased, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Fine, fine. But don't come crying to me when you need a hand, mister Lone Wolf."

"Perhaps the day will come when even you require assistance instead," Zephyr mused, his voice echoing as he started to walk away. He paused, casting a shadow over his shoulder. "The Ex-communicator holds quite useful functions beyond your current comprehension. If you truly seek to unlock the mastery of the Apexian tongue, activate the Apex Forum. But tread carefully, young one. Knowledge comes at a price."

Da-Mi frowned, her brow furrowing deeper with each enigmatic syllable. "Apex Forum? But..., that's impossible because this is not a game, and there's no menu screen! How can it be activated?" A spark of curiosity ignited within her, battling against the lingering distrust towards Zephyr.

In Apex Online, the forum only could be accessed from the game options menu. So, no one knew that the forum feature was in Ex-communicator with the requirement to pay to activate.

When the number of Legions reached 1000 in the Apex World, the global communication channel feature became available. Everyone was joyful because they could communicate long distances. But as time went by, they realized that it was demanding to rely on messages to share long discussions. That was because messages have a word limit that could be sent at one time, whereas forums have no limit at all.

This was not revealed or discovered until eight months after the Apex World was created. With the opening of the feature, sharing tutorials, tips, and tricks has become a convenience.

Fingers flying across the Ex-communicator screen, Da-Mi sent a frantic message to Jae-Jung, Yamato, Zexian, and Meng Fen, summoning them urgently to the Legion Union. Her heart hammered in her chest, echoing the racing thoughts sparked by Zephyr's cryptic words. A theory had taken root in her mind, promising revelations.

"What's wrong?!" Jae-Jung burst in, chest heaving. Though the Legion Union wasn't far from Hall Square, Da-Mi's message had him sprinting, worry etched on his face.

Yamato, Zexian, and Meng Fen followed close behind, their expressions mirroring his concern. Da-Mi's terse message had painted a picture of urgency, drawing them together with silent questions hanging heavy in the air.

Da-Mi's gaze, fixed and heavy, remained silent. A curt nod, the only instruction needed, sent Jae-Jung hurrying into the Legion Union, his confusion mirrored on the faces of Yamato, Zexian, and Meng Fen as they followed. Inside, the sight of Da-Mi standing before Sebastian, the NPC desk manager, deepened their frowns. An unspoken tension crackled in the air, demanding answers that Da-Mi, for now, seemed unwilling to offer.

"Welcome, Miss Kim," Sebastian beamed, his polished smile a stark contrast to Da-Mi's hardened expression. "How may I assist you today?"

Ignoring the greeting, Da-Mi demanded haltingly, in crude and messy Apexian language, "Open forum access. Ex-communicator."

Her challenge resonated in the silence, met only by a flicker of surprise in Sebastian's eyes. Undeterred, he replied smoothly, "Ah, the Apex Forum. That would be 100 Shards, please." He gestured to a hovering menu, prices glinting accurately.

Da-Mi's eyes were fixed on the menu screen, even though she couldn't read the Apexian letters. Likewise, her four colleagues behind her were just silent, not fully understanding what was happening and being discussed.

With doubts, she insisted on choosing the option and paid the amount of 100 Shards. That was a considerable amount for her and her friends, who only had a wealth of around 1000 to 1500 Shards at most.

A sharp chime cut through the tense silence and Da-Mi touched her Ex-communicator. The menu she'd requested, now magically accessible, bloomed across the screen. Relief and surprise washed over her, leaving her momentarily speechless. The others exchanged curious glances, mirroring her actions to unlock their own access.

Da-Mi dove into the newly available forum, finding only a single section dedicated to the Fortress of the Divine Light. A lone post titled "Apexian Language" beckoned. With a click, she devoured the contents, realizing with a jolt that mastering the language could happen much faster than they'd dared to hope. A thrill of anticipation danced through her, a spark of hope igniting in the face of uncertainty.