The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 143: Ch : Monster among humans - Part 2

A thick silence settled over the tense crowd. It was the kind of silence that came before an explosion, where even the air felt charged with anticipation.

The adventurers, still shaken by Madam Verta’s declaration, had their gazes fixed on Selene. Some with suspicion, others with outright hostility.

’Well, this does not feel good. It feels like something is going to happen any second. Should I try and talk now-’

Selene tried to calm herself heart down. It felt like her heart was beating a mile per minute. However, this calmness was soon to be broken.

Then, from somewhere in the crowd, a sharp whistle pierced the air—

Followed by a rock hurtling toward Selene’s head.

She saw the rock head her way and she felt like she knew what would happen next.

Her body tensed, instincts screaming at her to move—

But before she could, a blur of motion cut through the space between her and the attacker.

Ethan had moved to protect her.

His fingers snapped around the stone mid-flight, catching it with a force that sent small cracks webbing across its surface. The raw energy in his grip was terrifying—one wrong squeeze, and the rock would turn to dust.

A single moment stretched into eternity as the gathered adventurers stared, wide-eyed. No one could believe what had happened.

Then, without hesitation, Ethan flung it back.

The stone shot through the air like a bullet, striking the offender square in the chest. The impact sent them stumbling backward, gasping as they crumpled to the ground. A murmur ran through the crowd, some drawing back in fear.

’Ah, looks like that man is alive. This must have been a shocking experience for him. He should consider himself lucky to not have died from this.’

Selene could only blink at Ethan as he stood in front of her like a guardian. His back looked reliable and strong, making Selene almost want to rely on him.

Ethan’s golden eyes burned as he swept his gaze across the gathered adventurers.

"You want to try that again? Because I promise you—none of you will leave here unharmed."

His voice was cold, sharp as a blade.

The air turned suffocating. His presence, already commanding, became something monstrous—predatory.

People hesitated to go against him. Ethan was not someone they wanted to make an enemy out of.

Even Madam Verta took a half-step back. But she wasn’t one to be intimidated for long.

"Why are you doing this, Ethan? This is not your destiny!"

She demanded, her voice edged with frustration.

Ethan’s expression twisted in disgust. He scoffed, shaking his head.

"Destiny?"

His lip curled as if the word itself was offensive.

"You are sprouting the same bullshit again, old hag! Listen to me once and for the final time. I make my own choices—and I choose to stand by Selene. Take your destiny bullshit somewhere else because I don’t need it."

His gaze locked onto hers, unyielding. Ethan was not going to back down, no matter what was said here.

Madam Verta’s fingers curled into fists.

"You’re making a mistake. The system will not like your defiance. You might not even get a second chance."

"Eh, is that so? But at least it’s my mistake to make."

Ethan said, voice unwavering.

The tension in the air became unbearable. The crowd stood at a dangerous tipping point—one wrong move, one word, and a full-blown fight would erupt.

Then—

A gentle touch on Ethan’s shoulder.

Selene.

She didn’t say anything at first, simply looking up at him. Her expression was calm, but there was something in her eyes that asked for trust.

Ethan exhaled sharply through his nose, but after a long pause, he gave a small nod.

"We’re leaving."

Selene said quietly but firmly.

Ethan scowled, clearly annoyed, but he followed her without another word.

Madam Verta’s eyes narrowed as she watched them go.

"Ethan, you are always welcome to change sides.""

She called out one last time

Ethan didn’t stop walking.

Didn’t even look back.

Instead—

He raised a middle finger over his shoulder, his message clear:

"Piss off."

Madam Verta watched them go, her expression unreadable. But behind those sharp eyes, something flickered.

Something dangerous.

______

As soon as Selene and her group disappeared from view, the adventurers who had been so tense just moments ago shifted their attention.

The hostility toward Selene vanished, replaced by something far slimier—greed.

"Madam Verta, please—join our team!"

"We’ll offer you double the standard cut!"

"With your abilities, we can clear higher-ranked dungeons!"

The voices clamored over each other, hands reaching out as if trying to snatch her up before someone else did.

Madam Verta sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

Fools.

They thought they could buy her?

"I cannot join your teams. The System has given me a mission."

She said, voice smooth yet final.

A brief silence followed before nods of understanding rippled through the group.

Or so it seemed.

Because the moment she turned away—

"She thinks she’s better than us."

"Stuck-up bitch."

"She acts like she’s some kind of divine messenger."

Madam Verta’s fingers twitched.

She wanted to turn around, to put them in their place, but she knew better than to waste her energy on filth.

Instead, she turned toward the government official who had been watching everything from the sidelines.

"I will offer my services in exchange for protection and the right to choose my own team."

The official hesitated.

Didn’t agree.

Didn’t refuse.

He simply... dodged the question.

Madam Verta’s brows furrowed.

Why?

Why wouldn’t the government jump at this opportunity?

Something wasn’t right.

But there were more pressing matters.

She had wasted enough time here.

Turning on her heel, she walked away, her mind made up.

’I will make my Chosen One see the light.’

The corridors of the outpost were dimly lit, the shadows stretching long against the walls. Each step Madam Verta took echoed softly, her heels clicking against the stone floor.

She needed a new approach. A new way to regain control.

She was so lost in thought that she almost didn’t notice the presence waiting for her.

A figure emerged from the darkness, cloaked and unmoving.

Madam Verta stiffened, fingers twitching toward the small dagger hidden in her sleeve.

The stranger’s voice cut through the still air, smooth and measured.

"Madam Verta... would you like to realize your destiny?"

A chill ran down her spine.

There was something about his voice—something almost hypnotic.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Who are you?"

The figure stepped forward, the dim light revealing nothing but shadows beneath the hood.

"I am here by the will of the System."

Madam Verta’s breath caught.

A lie?

Or the truth?

Her fingers twitched, and without hesitation, she activated her abilities—

And gasped.

For the first time in a long time, her visions did not show death.

Instead, she saw only light.

Blinding. Consuming.

No failure. No loss. No futility.

Just clarity.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

Was this it?

Was this the true path?

The figure held out a gloved hand.

"Well? Will you accept your fate?" fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

His voice curled like smoke.

Madam Verta hesitated—

Then, with slow, deliberate movements, she placed her hand in his.