The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 136: Ch : The Genesis Crystals- Part 1

The next day, the entire raid force gathered at the entrance of the dungeon.

Teams were assigned to different sections of the battlefield, each with a distinct role to play.

Despite the various tasks given, the primary goal remained the same—take down the dungeon boss and ensure that the C+ ranked gate was closed.

Selene stood with her team, hands in her pockets, listening to the other leaders bark out orders. After a while, she turned to Ethan, Orion, and Zara and spoke in a low voice.

"Our job isn’t to clear the dungeon. We’re here to farm Genesis Crystals—they’re one of the most valuable materials we can get from this place, and they can be used to forge enhanced weapons."

She reminded them.

This was a rare opportunity that had fallen into her hand and Selene was not going to let it do so easily.

Zara furrowed her brows.

"That’s great and all, but... where are we supposed to store them? If they’re as rare as you say, there’s no way we’ll be able to carry enough back with us."

Selene smirked.

"I came prepared."

Reaching into her inventory, she pulled out a small leather pouch and held it up for them to see.

Ethan raised a brow.

"A bag?"

Selene nodded.

"Not just any bag. These are specialized inventory pouches—each one can hold an absurd amount of Genesis Crystals without adding extra weight. I have about a hundred of these."

Zara’s jaw nearly dropped.

"A hundred? Where the hell did you even get those? No wait! Are those the storage bags I made for you? Did you somehow find a way to enhance them?"

Selene simply shrugged.

"You enchanted them on your own. Did you not read the description of the works you finished?"

Zara stared at her for a long moment before sighing.

"You’re terrifying sometimes, you know that? I think I will never question you when you ask me to do something. And wasn’t I drunk when you asked me about it. Did I get taken advantage of by you?"

Selene chuckled.

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

Despite her teasing tone, she could feel the weight of several gazes on her.

She subtly scanned the crowd and quickly found the first set of eyes—Noah and Nora Vale.

The twins stood at a distance, clearly torn. They wanted to approach her—Selene could see it in their expressions—but something held them back.

Instead of looking away, she met their gazes with a patient, steady expression.

For a few seconds, they hesitated. Then, as if realizing they weren’t ready, they turned away.

Selene didn’t chase after them.

The next group of eyes belonged to Madam Verta and her party.

Unlike the twins, their gazes weren’t filled with longing or hesitation.

They were filled with fear.

Suspicion.

Madam Verta’s eyes, sharp and calculating, were locked onto her like she was some kind of walking disaster.

But the second Selene turned her attention toward them, their expressions stiffened, and they quickly looked away.

Selene smirked.

’Cowards.’

Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to her team.

"Let’s move."

It was time to get to work.

______

As soon as they stepped into the dungeon, a heavy, suffocating aura pressed down on them.

The air inside was damp, and faintly glowing veins of blue and purple energy pulsed along the cavern walls, illuminating the rocky interior.

Zara adjusted her grip on her daggers before turning to Selene.

"Alright, boss. Where exactly are we supposed to find these Genesis Crystals?"

Selene smirked.

"Don’t worry. They’ll find us first."

Zara blinked.

"What?"

Before Selene could elaborate, a loud thud reverberated through the cave, followed by a low, guttural growl.

Orion barely had time to react before something slammed into his barrier, sending sparks of golden energy rippling outward.

He let out a breath, stabilizing the shield just in time.

"Okay, not gonna lie, we’re really lucky I got this up in time."

The group turned their eyes toward the creature that had attacked them.

It was a grotesque hybrid—a monstrous fusion of a goat and a turtle. Its bulky, muscular body was covered in thick, obsidian-colored scales, and jagged spikes protruded from its shell-like back.

Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto them with predatory intent as it continued to bash against Orion’s barrier.

Zara wrinkled her nose.

"That thing is disgusting."

Selene, however, was completely unfazed. Instead, she pointed toward the sharp, crystalline spikes embedded along the monster’s back.

"There! That’s what we’re here for."

She said.

Zara’s eyes widened.

"Wait—those are the Genesis Crystals?"

Selene nodded.

"Yep. They grow on the backs of certain dungeon monsters in this place. We don’t find them—they come to us."

Zara groaned.

"Great. So instead of picking up pretty little gems, we have to rip them out of live, aggressive monsters?"

Ethan, who had been quiet up until now, cracked his knuckles.

"I don’t see the problem."

And without another word, he dashed forward.

With one swift motion, he summoned a blade of dark energy and slashed across the monster’s legs, forcing it to stumble.

Then, moving with the efficiency of someone who had done this a thousand times before, he leaped onto its back and started breaking off the Genesis Crystals with precise, controlled movements.

Selene smirked and moved to join him, her sword flashing as she cut down another approaching beast.

"You don’t have to kill them. Just break the crystals on their shells."

Selene instructed and Ethan did just that.

Meanwhile, Zara crossed her arms and scowled.

"You both are way too into this. This is animal abuse!"

Orion snorted.

"If you’re too scared or lazy to help, you can stay back and let the adults handle it."

Zara’s competitive instincts kicked in immediately.

"Excuse me? Lazy? Scared? Oh, it’s on, you little brat."

She summoned a series of glowing daggers, her eyes gleaming with challenge.

With renewed energy, she rushed into the fight, cutting down anything in her way.

Orion and Selene exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them.

Selene’s gaze softened.

’Thanks for that.’

Orion smirked.

’Anytime.’

And just like that, the team got to work.