The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 132: Ch : An Abomination- Part 1

Selene lay on the thin camping cot inside their shared tent, staring up at the fabric ceiling.

The air inside was heavy with the combined breathing of four people, and even though she had spent countless nights in cramped conditions in her past life, she found herself unable to settle.

She shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable position, but every little movement made her more aware of the space around her.

The quiet murmurs of the other tents outside, the occasional shuffle of movement, and—most noticeably—Ethan’s arm, which brushed against her own.

It wasn’t intentional, just the inevitable result of them lying so close together, but the warmth of his skin against hers made her restless in a way she couldn’t quite describe.

With a frustrated sigh, she sat up.

’This is too close. I don’t think I can feel comfortable like this. Maybe I should take a small walk outside to freshen up my mind.’

Selene quickly took a look around the tent before she made up her mind to head out.

Orion, on the far end, was snoring softly, and Zara, curled up in her sleeping bag, was completely still.

Selene glanced at Ethan, who was lying with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Not wanting to wake anyone, she carefully slipped out of the tent.

The night air was cool against her skin, a sharp contrast to the stuffy warmth inside the tent. She took a deep breath and started walking, letting the silence of the camp settle around her.

But she wasn’t alone.

Ethan, who had been fully awake the entire time, felt the absence of Selene the moment she left the tent.

He hadn’t been sleeping—his instincts had been on high alert all night, and Selene’s departure only heightened his unease.

’So, Selene did end up waking up and walking out, huh! Looks like it is up to me to bring her back and make sure nothing happens to her.’

Ethan had not meant to be so attentive toward Selene, but now that he had, he felt like he could not stop thinking about and worrying about her.

He didn’t like the idea of her walking around alone in an unfamiliar place, especially on the eve of a dungeon raid.

Without a sound, he sat up and followed after her.

The camp was quiet, with only a few people still awake, either standing guard or discussing strategy in hushed voices.

Ethan kept his distance, making sure not to let Selene notice his presence.

But before he could catch up to her, a sharp, stabbing pain exploded in his skull.

His vision blurred, and his breath caught as he clutched his head, a surge of emotions crashing into him.

A feeling of longing—deep, aching, and overwhelming—rose within him, and he cursed under his breath.

It wasn’t his.

It was him.

The real ’Ethan Park’—the original owner of this body—was stirring again.

Ethan gritted his teeth, forcing the sensation down, suppressing it before it could consume him. He had fought against this before, and he wasn’t about to lose control now.

After a few painful seconds, the feeling subsided, and Ethan exhaled shakily.

But when he looked up, Selene was gone.

His heartbeat spiked, but this time, it wasn’t because of the remnants of another person’s emotions. This time, it was his own.

Anger.

Disappointment.

Annoyance at himself for losing sight of her.

With a curse, he turned back toward the tents, deciding to check the surrounding area when he suddenly stopped.

Standing in his path was a woman—a strikingly beautiful, silver-haired woman with a mature, elegant aura.

Her violet eyes locked onto him with an almost predatory intensity, and before Ethan could say anything, she reached out, her slender fingers brushing against his cheek.

"You...You’re my Chosen One"

Her voice was smooth, almost melodic.

Ethan’s entire body went rigid.

What the hell was this woman talking about?

"I’ve been waiting for you! The system has guided me here to aid your journey. You, Ethan Park, are the only one worthy of my assistance."

She continued, her gaze softening as if she had found something precious.

Ethan stared at her for a long second before swiftly slapping her hand away.

"The hell?"

He muttered, taking a step back. His face twisted into an expression of complete disbelief and mild horror.

"Lady, I don’t know who you are, but I highly suggest you step back."

The silver-haired woman blinked in shock.

"I—"

Ethan didn’t let her finish.

"You’re creeping me out. Seriously. ’Chosen One’? Waiting for me? Are you some kind of cult leader? Because I really don’t have time for that."

He deadpanned.

The woman’s eye twitched.

"I am not—"

"And another thing. You look old enough to be my mother. What are you, like, fifty?"

Ethan continued, completely ignoring her attempts to explain.

A dangerous silence filled the air.

"...I’m thirty-five."

The woman said through gritted teeth.

Ethan snorted.

"Same difference."

She exhaled deeply, visibly reigning in her irritation.

"I see that your attitude is just as the system described,"

She muttered before straightening.

"I am Madam Verta, and I have received direct guidance from the system to support you in your journey. You are destined for greatness, Ethan Park, and—"

"Yeah, yeah, sounds fake, but okay. Look, if this is some weird recruitment attempt, you’re wasting your time."

Ethan waved a hand dismissively.

Madam Verta pursed her lips, clearly fighting the urge to strangle him.

"Listen to me—"

Before she could finish, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Ethan?"

Madam Verta flinched.

Ethan turned his head to see Selene standing a few feet away, arms crossed as she looked between him and the silver-haired woman with mild curiosity.

"What are you doing up?"

Selene asked.

Before Ethan could answer, Madam Verta took an abrupt step back, her face going pale. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Her violet eyes widened in horror as she stared at Selene as if she were looking at something wrong.

Then, she flinched again and let out a breathless whisper, her voice filled with a mixture of shock and... fear?

"You... You’re an abomination."