The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 115: Ch : The Nullifying Crystal- Part 2

’Finally, it is time for me to use this crystal and see the result. I will finally know if this is someone using their ability on me or if this is the system trying to make me see something else.’

The nullifying crystal would render all of Selene’s abilities useless and also make her more sensitive.

She would feel any energy that was trying to react to her, but it would not affect her. This was the reason these nullifying crystals had gone for quite a large sum of money in her past life.

As Selene lay in bed, the room bathed in the dim glow of the moon filtering through the curtains, she reached into her inventory and pulled out the nullifying crystal.

The small, grape-sized stone shimmered faintly in her palm, its translucent surface refracting light in muted rainbows.

She rolled it between her fingers, her sharp gaze fixed on it.

’This is such a small thing. To think that it contains so much power.’

She had already tested its basic use, but her instincts told her there might be more to uncover.

The crystal had the power to nullify abilities, but Selene needed to experience it fully to understand its potential.

Her mind made up, she raised the crystal to her lips, the cool surface brushing against her skin.

"Well, here goes nothing."

She hesitated only for a moment before placing it in her mouth, feeling its smooth, rounded edges against her tongue. It tasted faintly of minerals, a hint of earthiness.

Just as she prepared to swallow it, the door creaked open.

Her body tensed, and she nearly choked as she instinctively clamped down on the crystal. Ethan stepped inside, his movements uncharacteristically quiet.

He moved with a casual grace, closing the door behind him and approaching her bed.

He sat down at the edge, his weight causing the mattress to dip slightly. His eyes, sharp and unsettlingly perceptive, remained fixed on her.

"What do you want?"

Selene managed to ask, her voice muffled by the stone in her mouth.

Ethan’s lips curled into a soft, almost placating smile.

"Nothing much. I was just worried about you."

"There’s no need. I’m fine."

She said, her tone firmer now.

"I know you say that. But I still want to make sure."

He replied.

His insistence left her with little choice but to nod.

Selene shifted under his watchful gaze, her nerves prickling. She did not like being observed this closely, not when she had secrets of her own.

But Ethan remained where he was, his posture relaxed yet his presence heavy.

Selene swallowed, and along with the motion, the crystal slid down her throat. The coolness spread through her chest, and she closed her eyes as the nullifying effect took hold.

A system notification flashed behind her eyelids:

[System Alert: All abilities have been nullified. You are currently defenseless.]

Selene breathed slowly, focusing inward.

She had not anticipated the complete silence in her mind—the sudden absence of Insight and her other abilities left her feeling hollow and exposed.

It was in that vulnerable state that she felt it—something foreign, a presence brushing against the edges of her consciousness.

It was subtle, like fingers sifting through the pages of her thoughts, seeking something hidden.

Her instincts roared to life.

Even without her abilities, Selene’s willpower was formidable. She pushed back, mentally clawing at the sensation, following the faint trail it left behind.

A smirk curled on her lips. Someone was trying to sneak into her mind, and now she had their scent.

She forced herself awake, her eyes snapping open to find Ethan still sitting there, his expression unreadable.

"I caught a rat. Someone’s been snooping around in my head."

She said, her voice low and dangerous.

Ethan’s reaction was subtle, a tightening around his eyes and the faintest curve of his mouth into a bitter smile.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. And I think it’s time we paid them a visit. After all, they’ve been so gracious to ’deliver’ themselves to us."

Selene sat up, her movements slow and deliberate.

Ethan chuckled, the sound both amused and sharp.

"I couldn’t agree more."

Selene swung her legs over the side of the bed, the remnants of the nullifier’s effect still numbing her senses.

She reached for the glass of water on her bedside table, taking a sip to wash away the lingering taste of the crystal.

Ethan stood, offering his hand. She hesitated only a moment before accepting it. His grip was firm, his skin warm against hers.

He pulled her to her feet, and for a moment, they stood close—too close.

Her pulse quickened, not from fear but from the strange sense of being seen. Truly seen.

"Do you want to take care of this problem right now? Should I go and get my gear?"

Ethan asked in a calm voice. He looked at Selene with an expression that asked her what she needed from him.

But Selene did not give him an answer that satisfied him.

"Not right now. There is no need for us to be this hasty and waste such a good opportunity. Let’s take it slow so that we can squeeze more opportunities out of it..."

Selene pointed out to Ethan. freewebnøvel.com

As soon as she did, she realized that Ethan was not going to go along with what she asked of him.

His pissed expression already made him look more dangerous than before.

"Ethan, stay calm once...for me. I promise I do have a plan this time and I am not running into danger just because I want to."

Selene promised Ethan he would finally come around.

He still did not look happy, but it also did not seem like he was going to run out and tear anyone a new one.

"Fine! I will give you one chance to make things right. But you better hurry. I don’t have much patience these days and who knows what I might do."

Ethan finally seemed willing to listen to her and Selene could not help but feel satisfied.