The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 179: Ch : Next step to safety- Part 1

"Let’s get this over with. Selene asked me to do something for the first time, so I want to do a good job with it."

Nora wasted no time returning to her family’s estate, her mind buzzing with unanswered questions.

The moment she arrived at the Vale family mansion, she marched straight past the grand hallways, ignoring the inquisitive stares from the staff.

She had one destination in mind—the underground research lab.

The halls leading to the lab were cold and sterile, lined with metal-reinforced doors and reinforced glass panels that revealed glimpses of the cutting-edge experiments being conducted inside.

The scent of antiseptic clung to the air, and the distant hum of high-tech machinery vibrated beneath her feet.

As she pushed open the heavy steel doors, a cluster of researchers in white coats turned toward her with varying degrees of disinterest.

Some barely spared her a glance, while others grimaced, already anticipating the headache that came with her visits.

"I have something for you." freewēbnoveℓ.com

Nora announced, reaching into her coat. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled out the Genesis Crystal and held it up.

The crystal pulsed with an eerie luminescence, its depths swirling with an otherworldly radiance.

One of the lead scientists, a tall, balding man named Dr. Aldric, squinted at the gemstone before scoffing.

"We’re too busy for whatever curiosity you’ve brought us, Miss Vale."

Nora’s gaze darkened, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"You’ll make time."

She stated, voice calm but sharp as a blade.

The other researchers stiffened, sensing the undeniable authority in her tone. Aldric swallowed hard, his previous bravado flickering under her intense stare.

"Fine. But if this is a waste of time—"

He relented, begrudgingly gesturing for an assistant to take the crystal.

"It won’t be. Focus on this first. Everything else can wait."

Nora interrupted, arms crossed.

With no other choice, the scientists did as they were told, sending a few assistants to prepare the analysis equipment.

The moment they placed the Genesis Crystal inside a containment chamber, the room’s lighting flickered, and the machines around them hummed to life with unusual intensity.

Then—

A surge of energy erupted from the crystal.

The entire lab shuddered, monitors flashing erratic data as the instruments struggled to keep up. Gasps and frantic typing filled the air as researchers scrambled to adjust their readings.

A stunned silence settled over the room as the results began to process.

Dr. Aldric’s eyes widened.

"This... this is incredible."

Another scientist, a woman with thick glasses, quickly adjusted her headset.

"The energy output alone rivals that of high-tier dungeon cores, but it’s far more stable."

One of the younger assistants nearly dropped his clipboard, his hands trembling.

"If we refine this properly... it could serve as a nearly endless power source."

The realization dawned on them all at once—the Genesis Crystals weren’t just valuable. They were revolutionary.

Dr. Aldric whipped around to face Nora, his earlier reluctance completely gone.

"Where did you get this?"

he demanded, eyes gleaming with a hunger for more knowledge.

Nora smirked but took a small step back when he lunged forward, gripping her by the arms in his enthusiasm.

"Get more! We need a larger sample size. We need funding. We need resources—"

He insisted.

Nora shook him off, smoothing her coat with mild disgust.

"I’ll get you more, but you’ll need to convince my father first."

She said coolly.

Dr. Aldric visibly hesitated, his excitement dimming for a moment.

"Lord Vale..."

Convincing the head of the Vale family to divert resources to a new project wouldn’t be easy.

The man was ruthless with his investments, but if they could prove the value of these crystals, then securing funds was possible.

Aldric exhaled sharply and nodded.

"Fine. I’ll speak with him."

Just as he was about to continue, his communication device buzzed. He frowned and answered it, his expression shifting from excitement to irritation, then to worry.

Nora observed him closely.

She didn’t trust the head scientist completely—his ambition often overrode his morals. And judging by the way his fingers tightened around his tablet, something was off.

After a brief exchange, Aldric turned back to her, clearly agitated.

"I need to go."

Nora raised a brow.

"Family business?"

He hesitated.

"Something like that."

Liar.

But she didn’t press further. Instead, she simply watched as he strode out of the lab, his coat billowing behind him.

As soon as he was gone, she pulled out her device and sent a message to Selene.

[It’s done. You owe me one.]

______

Far from the Vale estate, Selene sat in her temporary quarters, her shoulders finally relaxing as she read the message.

[It’s done.]

She let out a slow exhale before turning toward Rize.

"Your debt is as good as paid. I’ll come back once it’s officially cleared."

She informed her.

Rize didn’t respond immediately, but Selene noticed the way her posture loosened, the subtle shift in her breathing.

It was clear as day—the tension that had weighed on her for so long was finally lifting.

"Thank you."

Rize muttered at last, barely audible.

Selene simply nodded.

With that, another problem was finally resolved.

Later that night, Selene met with Ethan and the others, discussing their next steps.

"The facility should be operational within the next few days. As long as nothing else goes wrong."

She stated, stretching her arms behind her head.

Ethan, sitting across from her with his arms folded, scoffed.

"With our luck? Something always goes wrong."

Selene smirked.

"True. Which is why we need additional security measures."

At that, Orion leaned forward.

"You’re thinking of an energy-based barrier?"

Selene nodded.

"Exactly. But to do that, we need a power source. And I have an idea on where we can get one."

A brief silence.

Then, Zara—who had been listening quietly—raised a brow.

"And where’s that?"

Selene’s smirk deepened.

"A high-tier dungeon."

Orion sighed.

"Of course it is."

Ethan just shook his head.

"You never make things easy, do you?"

Selene grinned, already excited for what was coming next.

"Where’s the fun in that?"