The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 180: Ch : Next step to safety- Part 2

Ethan crossed his arms, leaning against the worn-out couch in the dimly lit meeting room.

His sharp gaze was fixed on Selene as she mapped out their next move.

The air smelled faintly of dust and old wood, but none of them cared—their focus was solely on the B-class dungeon that was about to appear.

"So, do you know where it’s going to spawn?"

Ethan asked, voice edged with curiosity and concern.

Selene tapped a finger on the old wooden table between them.

"I have a faint idea. But it’s not going to be easy to access. Dungeon hunting will only continue to become more and more difficult from here on."

She admitted, tilting her head.

Orion, who had been quietly listening, frowned.

"Because it’s a B-class dungeon?"

"Exactly. It’s too valuable. High-ranking awakeners, independent hunters, and even small guilds will be flocking to it the moment it materializes. Just getting through the front lines will be a nightmare."

Selene nodded.

Ethan exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple.

"Then we don’t need to make it complicated. I’ll clear it myself. As long as I am here, we won’t need any other help."

Selene shot him an amused look.

"You? Alone?"

Ethan gave her a level stare.

"I’ve done it before."

Selene sighed, already expecting that response.

"Ethan, I know you’re strong, but even you can’t handle everything alone. Besides, it’s the first B-class dungeon. How could you have cleared it before?"

Selene did not know if Ethan said what he did because he was that confident or if it was a slip of his tongue. But whatever it was, he seemed pretty confident that he could be able to come out on top.

"Watch me."

Ethan insisted with full confidence.

Orion chuckled.

"She has a point, Ethan. B-class dungeons aren’t just about strength. They require strategy. Coordination."

Ethan scoffed.

"Tsk! What do you suggest then? That we take a team. We’ll need to form one for that. Not outsiders. Our own people. Where will we even get the fodder?"

Selene rested her chin on her hand, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"That’s exactly why I’m thinking of forming a guild."

A brief silence followed.

Orion blinked.

"A... guild?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"Selene, I know you’re good at planning, but forming a guild? Do you seriously think any awakener would agree to be bound by a contract when they can just freelance and do whatever they want?"

Selene leaned forward, her golden eyes gleaming with determination.

"You’re thinking about the present. I’m thinking about the future."

Ethan frowned.

"Explain."

Selene straightened.

"I know for a fact that guilds will soon become the backbone of society. Right now, people are running around in scattered groups, but eventually, as the world rebuilds itself, guilds will become an essential way to manage resources and provide stability. A lone awakener can only get so far. But a guild? With proper backing and structure, it can rival even the largest organizations."

Orion crossed his arms, considering her words.

"She’s not wrong. We’ve already started seeing smaller guilds popping up. If we don’t step in early, we’ll fall behind."

Ethan’s gaze flickered between them before he let out a deep sigh.

"You’re serious about this?"

Selene nodded.

"Dead serious."

Ethan exhaled.

"Fine. Say we do this. Who do you plan on recruiting first?"

Selene’s smirk widened.

"Solomon Kane."

Orion’s brows shot up.

"Wait. The rank #9 awakener?"

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

"Why him? Aren’t I much better? He’s lower in ranks than I am!"

Selene leaned back in her chair, arms crossed.

"Because he’s desperate right now. And desperate people are willing to listen."

Ethan studied her for a moment, then sighed. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

"You already know something, don’t you?"

Selene simply smiled.

Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Fine. What’s our next move?"

Selene’s expression turned serious.

"First, we reach out to Solomon. If we can get him on our side, it’ll make forming the guild that much easier."

______

Solomon Kane sat hunched over on a broken concrete slab, staring at the dwindling supplies scattered before him.

A half-empty canteen, a few stale ration bars, and a single crumpled energy crystal—all that remained of what once had been a steady supply.

His fingers trembled slightly as he traced the rim of the canteen, his storm-gray eyes dark with exhaustion and frustration.

His family—his people—were starving.

The thought clawed at his chest, a bitter reminder of how far he had fallen.

Life had always been bitter for him, but he had been able to get by before the world fell. But now? He was a man barely holding onto his morals while his people suffered.

A voice in the back of his mind whispered, urging him to take what he needed now that he had power in his grasp.

Stealing would be easy. He was strong—stronger than most scavengers scraping by in this broken world. He could take from those who had more, who had been luckier.

But then what? Would he be any better than the monsters lurking in the ruins?

Solomon clenched his jaw, shoving the thought away.

Just as he was about to sink deeper into his turmoil, the sound of soft footsteps reached his ears.

He tensed, instincts sharpening. Someone was approaching.

He turned his head just in time to see a tall, elegant figure stepping into view. Madam Varta.

She was draped in a deep purple cloak, her presence exuding a quiet, controlled power. The dim light from the cracked streetlamps cast eerie shadows across her sharp features.

Solomon’s eyes narrowed.

"What do you want?"

Madam Varta offered him a slow, knowing smile.

"A job, Solomon Kane."

He frowned, skepticism clear in his expression.

"Not interested."

Her smile widened, unfazed.

"Are you sure? If you accept, I can promise that your people will never go hungry again. You will never have to scavenge or beg for resources."

Solomon inhaled sharply, her words hitting a nerve.

It was too tempting. Too easy.

Still, he had learned long ago that nothing in this world came without a price.

He exhaled through his nose.

"I’ll hear you out."

Madam Varta’s smile deepened.

"Good."