The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 129: Ch : Genuine Interest- Part 1

"What the hell? I was not even gone for a few minutes and this happened. Shit! I need to check what happened."

Ethan clicked his tongue in irritation before crouching beside the two unconscious humans. He reached out, placing a hand on Rose’s wrist, then Lyra’s.

Their pulses were steady, their breathing normal.

But then—

His system flared to life.

A notification appeared in his vision.

[Warning: No soul detected in the host body.

Status: Equivalent to death.]

Ethan’s entire body stilled.

His grip on Rose’s wrist tightened slightly.

No soul?

That meant...

They weren’t alive. Not really.

It was the same as being dead. Their bodies were just empty husks now.

"Who could have done this? Is this another system ability? Or, is it someone’s innate talent? Humans are not capable of this....then, ugh! What a mess."

Ethan exhaled slowly through his nose, his jaw tightening.

After everything, this was how it ended?

A part of him was almost... disappointed.

Not because he particularly cared about Rose or Lyra. But because he had expected more from them.

Something more.

Anything that tampered with one’s soul was a solid reminder for Ethan that he had tampered with someone’s soul as well.

He stood up and rolled his shoulders before summoning a small flame to the palm of his hand.

There was no use leaving these bodies intact. He didn’t know who had done this or why, but he wasn’t about to let them use Rose and Lyra’s remains for whatever purpose they had in mind.

The fire caught quickly, the flames licking up their bodies with unnatural speed. Ethan watched the blaze, his golden eyes reflecting the flickering light.

He waited until there was nothing left but ash.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

—

By the time Ethan arrived back at the house, the weight of the night was starting to settle into his bones.

He stepped into the kitchen, running a hand through his hair before reaching into the fridge and pulling out a bottle of beer.

He needed a drink.

Twisting off the cap, he took a swig—

And immediately choked.

His eyes widened, and he pulled the bottle away from his lips, staring at it in horror.

It wasn’t beer.

It tasted like juice.

"What the—?! What the hell is this?!"

Ethan coughed, glaring at the bottle as if it had personally betrayed him.

A soft laugh made him pause.

He turned his head to see Selene walking into the kitchen, her expression amused as she sat down beside him.

"Did you really think I’d let you drink after a night like this?"

She asked, tilting her head slightly.

Ethan blinked, then looked back at the bottle, realization sinking in.

"You swapped it?"

He sounded almost offended.

Selene shrugged.

"Drinking isn’t a good outlet."

Ethan scoffed, setting the bottle down a little harder than necessary.

"Could’ve just said that instead of tricking me."

Selene smiled, but it was softer this time. She rested her chin on her hand and watched him quietly for a moment before speaking again.

"You don’t have to deal with things alone, you know."

Ethan’s fingers curled slightly against the countertop.

Selene continued, her voice gentle.

"Even if you don’t remember me or our friendship... I’m still here."

Ethan swallowed.

Something in his chest twisted.

For a split second, he felt like he could breathe—like maybe, just maybe, he could let go of the weight pressing down on him.

Before he knew it, he wanted to speak.

To tell her.

To pour everything out.

But then—

He caught himself.

His throat tightened, and he forced himself to exhale slowly.

"I’m fine. Nothing to talk about."

He said, leaning back slightly. His usual smirk returned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Selene didn’t look convinced.

But she didn’t push.

Instead, she simply gave him a knowing look before reaching for the bottle and taking a sip herself.

Ethan watched her, something unreadable flickering in his gaze.

Then, finally, he let out a low chuckle.

"...You’re lucky I don’t hold grudges." against you

He muttered, shaking his head as he leaned back against the counter.

Selene just smiled.

"Sure. Keep telling yourself that."

The night stretched on, quiet and still.

And for now...

That was enough.

Two days had passed since the incident with Rose, and life had returned to its usual rhythm—at least on the surface.

Orion sat lazily on the couch, flipping through channels on the television, his expression bored. Then, something caught his attention. He frowned and turned up the volume.

"Huh."

Zara, who was sitting nearby, looked up from her cup of tea.

"What is it?"

Orion leaned forward, his eyes narrowing at the screen.

"It’s weird... there’s nothing about Justice on the news. It’s like they never existed."

Zara set her cup down with a small clink.

"That’s not weird. That’s intentional."

She said.

Orion glanced at her.

"Intentional?"

She nodded.

"The government doesn’t want to acknowledge that an organization like Justice ever existed. If they did, it would only make people more curious about them. Some might even support their ideals. It’s easier to make people forget than to try and control public opinion."

Orion hummed in thought.

"I guess that makes sense... but it’s still kind of scary, don’t you think? How a group that powerful can just disappear overnight, and no one even notices?"

A silence settled over the room.

Zara didn’t respond, and Orion didn’t press further.

It was unsettling—how easily people could be erased.

Realizing the mood had gotten too heavy, Zara quickly turned toward Selene, who had been sitting quietly with a book in her lap.

"So, what’s our next move?"

Zara said, forcing some enthusiasm into her voice,

Selene blinked, then closed her book.

"The government reached out. They’re asking for our help in a large-scale raid. Other teams will be participating as well."

She said.

Zara raised a brow.

"Other teams? Does that mean Eclipse will be there?"

She leaned forward, suddenly looking way too interested.