The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 169: Ch : Exploding Tension- Part 3

’Wow! I never expected someone to be this daring. Looks like this person does not fear anything since they decided to come here and try to scam me.’

Selene followed the mysterious figure deeper and deeper into the base, her sharp eyes watching their every movement.

The air felt thick with tension, her instincts telling her that something wasn’t right.

She kept her steps light and calculated, her breathing controlled as she trailed behind the person, making sure to stay in the shadows.

The figure moved with purpose, weaving through corridors until they finally reached a restricted area, one that required both a password and a security code to enter.

Selene narrowed her eyes, pressing herself against the wall as she watched them carefully.

’How are they planning to get in? I feel curious...so I will hold myself back for sometime.’- fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

She expected them to hesitate, to struggle—but to her surprise, the person effortlessly bypassed security.

They pressed their hand against the scanner, and to Selene’s shock, the system granted them access.

’Who are they? That tech they used looks familiar as well. I am sure I’ve seen it before.’’

Her mind raced with questions.

The only people with that level of clearance were those in high positions, individuals who were directly involved in the management of the base.

But since this was a human-made tech and not something the system guaranteed or fool-proofed, Selene knew she could not rely on the locks forever. However, a normal human or thief should not be able to get their hands on such high-class tech either.

That meant this wasn’t just an ordinary spy or thief—whoever this was, they had inside access.

Selene’s eyes darkened. She couldn’t let them go any further.

Without hesitation, she contacted Orion through the comms.

"Close off the section that was just entered. I need to check something."

She instructed.

Orion, who had been relaxing in the control room, sounded confused at the sudden request.

"Huh? Why? Did something happen? Do I need to start the security protocol?"

Orion did not sound too worried when he asked these questions, but his voice was sharp. He was keeping an eye out for things and wanted to do his part well.

Selene knew that if she told him there was an intruder, he would immediately ask too many questions and possibly raise an alarm, which she didn’t want.

If the intruder was smart enough to bypass security, they were probably skilled enough to escape unnoticed if they sensed danger.

"I’m trying something new. I just need to carry out a protocol test. No need to worry unnecessarily. I will tell you when there is an actual danger."

She said vaguely.

Orion sighed but didn’t push further.

"Alright, alright. Closing it off now."

He was a good kid that did as asked without asking much questions.

The moment the lockdown was activated, Selene struck.

She lunged forward, aiming a precise, powerful hit at the back of the intruder’s neck to incapacitate them.

Her hand, however, collided with something solid—a shield of energy flickered around the figure just before impact.

Selene’s eyes widened.

’They have a barrier?!’

The force of the collision sent a loud vibration through the air, alerting the intruder that they were being pursued.

The figure immediately panicked, spinning around before attempting to flee. Their movement was fast—too fast for a normal person.

They weren’t just an insider; they were skilled.

Selene gritted her teeth and gave chase, her adrenaline pumping.

The figure sprinted through the corridors, their footsteps silent, their body moving with expert agility.

Selene felt a strange familiarity in the way they moved—the way they shifted their weight, the way they evaded obstacles.

’Why does this feel... familiar? I am sure I know this person.’

Determined to find out who they were, Selene pushed herself to catch up, reaching out to grab their mask and unmask them.

But just as her fingers grazed the edge of their hood—

They twisted their body at an impossible angle and slipped through her grasp.

Selene cursed under her breath, watching as the figure made an impossible escape.

What made it worse—

They somehow got past Orion’s barrier without breaking it.

Selene stopped in her tracks, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.

’That’s not possible. That skill...I am sure I know that skill very well.’

Even awakeners shouldn’t have been able to bypass Orion’s barriers without forcefully breaking them—but this person had slipped through like it was nothing.

"So it’s like that, huh! Looks like Rize Spencer decided to make her debut in front of me once more."

Selene immediately reached for her communicator, dialing in Ethan and Zara.

"We have an intruder. Inside access. Bypassed security like it was nothing."

She said quickly.

Zara, who had been on the other end, perked up instantly.

"An intruder? So, we’re hunting someone?"

She asked, her voice filled with excitement rather than concern.

Ethan, who had been nearby, also sounded intrigued.

"Well, that’s interesting. It’s been a while since we had to chase someone down."

Selene rolled her eyes at their lack of urgency.

"Can you two focus? This person isn’t just some random spy. They knew how to get in and out without triggering alarms."

That immediately sobered them up.

"Alright. We’ll spread out. I’ll take the east section. Zara, you take the south. Selene, stay where you last saw them and see if you can use your skill."

Ethan said, voice turning serious.

Selene was already ahead of him, activating her Insight ability in an attempt to track the intruder’s lingering traces. But—

Nothing.

Her heart sank.

"They’re already gone."

She muttered.

Silence followed.

Then Ethan exhaled slowly.

"Then that just means they’re someone dangerous enough to cover their tracks."

Selene clenched her fists.

"Which means they’ll be back."

Zara’s voice carried a hint of excitement.

"Good. I love a good game of cat and mouse."

Ethan chuckled darkly.

"Let’s just make sure we’re not the ones being played."

Selene sighed. This wasn’t over yet.