The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 145: Ch : I’m over it - Part 2

Selene’s eyelids fluttered open, her mind still wrapped in the haze of sleep. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar for a moment, but as her vision cleared, she recognized the smooth wooden panels of her own room.

She frowned.

How did I get here?

The last thing she remembered was leaning against the storage door, telling herself she just needed a few minutes to rest. But clearly, she had fallen asleep. And now, she was in bed.

Someone must have found her and moved her here.

Her heart warmed at the thought.

They care.

Pushing aside the blanket, Selene swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stretched, rolling her shoulders as she shook off the last remnants of fatigue. She felt better. Lighter, even.

It’s a new day. No use dwelling on what happened.

She stood up and decided to find the others to thank them—because even if they didn’t say anything, she knew one of them had carried her back.

’I have a feeling it’s Ethan. But I don’t want to ask either. Ugh, it feels so embarrassing.’

Selene smothered her face in a pillow before pulling away and heading down for breakfast. The less she thought about what happened, the better it was for her mental health.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread greeted her as she stepped into the common area.

The sound of faint chatter came from the kitchen, where Ethan was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, while Orion sat at the table, scrolling through his device.

Ethan noticed her first. His gaze flicked toward her, sharp at first, before softening.

"You’re up."

Selene nodded, offering him a small smile.

"Yeah. And, uh... thanks for last night."

Ethan waved her off.

"Don’t mention it."

Orion glanced up from his screen.

"Feeling better?"

"A lot better. I must’ve been more tired than I thought."

She admitted.

Ethan frowned slightly but didn’t push. Instead, he crossed the room and casually ruffled her hair, much to her irritation.

"You should stop pushing yourself so hard. And don’t bother with what people are saying about you online or on TV. It’s not worth your time."

He said.

Selene sighed.

"Ethan—"

"I’m serious. Just ignore it"

He cut in.

She hesitated, then nodded.

"Alright, I promise."

Ethan looked satisfied.

"Good."

But the moment she turned on the television, it became clear that whatever he was expecting, it wasn’t this.

The screen flickered to life, showing chaotic footage of people rushing toward banks and relief centers, their faces twisted in desperation and panic.

Lines stretched down the streets, security officers struggling to maintain order as individuals screamed, shoved, and fought for position.

Selene’s brows furrowed.

"This... isn’t about the dungeon."

She muttered.

Zara, emerging from the hallway while tying up her hair, glanced at the TV and let out a low whistle.

"Wow! The media actually found something else to talk about?"

She said.

Ethan, watching from the side, folded his arms.

"That means whatever this is... it’s big."

Orion scrolled through the news on his device, his eyes scanning the latest headlines.

"There’s barely anything about the raid. Just a few rumors in the corner of some sites."

He noted.

Selene leaned forward, watching as the footage shifted to a news anchor.

"Mass panic has erupted across multiple districts as reports indicate a sudden increase in citizens rushing to withdraw their funds and collect emergency supplies. Officials have yet to confirm the cause of the panic, but sources suggest concerns over economic instability following the recent surge of awakened individuals."

Selene frowned.

"Economic instability?"

Orion clicked his tongue.

"If people are pulling their money out like this, it’s going to cause a serious mess."

Selene wasn’t surprised. She had seen this before.

She searched her memories, reaching for the puzzle pieces of what was happening around this time in her past life.

Then it hit her.

The rise of ’special drugs’.

Her eyes darkened.

She had almost forgotten about them since she had never been exposed to them personally. But now that she thought about it...

It all made sense.

At this point in time, underground groups began selling dangerous substances that claimed to force awakenings in ordinary people. The sudden spike in awakened individuals had destabilized the market, leading to economic panic.

Selene exhaled, gripping the edge of the couch.

This was only the beginning.

"Should we be worried about this?"

Orion asked, watching her expression.

Selene shook her head.

"No. This isn’t our concern right now. Let’s just focus on what’s next for us."

The others exchanged looks but didn’t argue.

For now, that was enough.

______

Elsewhere, in the shadows of a dimly lit alley, a lone man sat hunched against the cold brick wall, his fingers trembling as he stared at his empty hands.

A failure. A nobody.

His entire life, he had wanted—needed—to awaken. But no matter how hard he trained, no matter how much he begged the universe, his status remained unchanged.

Unawakened. Powerless. Worthless.

His jaw clenched, frustration burning in his veins.

"Damn it! Damn it all."

He whispered hoarsely.

His desperation was suffocating, thick like the fog rolling through the alleyway.

Then—

A soft voice cut through the silence.

"My, my! You look like a man at the end of his rope."

The voice purred.

The man’s head snapped up, startled.

Standing before him was a woman with icy silver hair and piercing violet eyes, her expression unreadable.

She wore a sleek black coat, her figure poised with an air of calculated grace.

He swallowed hard.

"Who—who are you?"

She smiled, but there was something dangerous about the way her lips curled.

"My name is Isabelle Thorne."

She said, making the man’s breath hitched.

That name.

Even he, a nobody, had heard of her before. A shadowy figure whispered about in underground circles, associated with those who dared to change the game.

Fear and hope warred inside him.

"What... do you want?" freeweɓnovel.cøm

He asked hesitantly.

Isabelle tilted her head, her gaze sharp.

"The question, my dear friend, is not what I want."

She took a step closer, her presence commanding.

"The question is...do you want to change your fate?"

She purred,

The man froze.

His heartbeat thundered in his chest.

Fate?

His fate?

He felt something dark and tempting coil around his thoughts.

"I... I’ll do anything! Anything to make it possible."

He whispered.

Isabelle’s smile widened.

"Excellent."

She murmured.

And just like that, the first step of a new dream had been born for the man. And the one who pushed him into his light was one of the top 10 awakeners.