The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 193: Ch : Rotten Roots- Part 3

The government representative wiped his brow, his exhaustion evident as he scanned the room. The meeting was quickly spiraling out of control, with voices overlapping in frustration.

"As you all know, this B-class dungeon is unlike anything we’ve faced before. Given its unpredictability, we have put in place strict entry limits—"

He tried to keep his tone steady, but the tension in the room was thick enough to cut.

"And that’s the problem."

A deep voice cut in.

A low murmur spread like wildfire. freewёbnoνel.com

"We need more of our people inside."

"This is an opportunity we can’t afford to waste!"

"We should be the ones deciding our own risks!"

The frustration was mounting.

None of these people were willing to see the bigger picture. They were all concerned about their own profit and what they would lose if the amount of people entering this dungeon were to be limited.

’T-This is not good. We all need to get along....why did we need to do that again? It’s easier to make them all submit, right?’

Selene watched through half-lidded eyes, barely able to focus. Her mind felt like it was splitting apart, but she forced herself to remain still, pretending she was fine.

Even her thoughts felt like they did not want to cooperate with her today. She felt like she was all over the place.

The government official hesitated. He looked around, clearly searching for support. His gaze landed on Selene—

But Selene was not okay.

Her pulse roared in her ears. The words spoken around her faded in and out, her surroundings bending like a warped dream.

Her hands gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white.

She wasn’t just sick.

Something inside her was changing.

’I...do I need to say something? I feel like I should say something...but I don’t want to say anything. This calmness feels so much better.’

The official opened his mouth, likely about to ask for her opinion—

But before he could, a firm hand slammed onto the table.

The room froze.

All eyes turned toward the one who had silenced the chaos in a single move.

Ethan Park.

He leaned forward, his golden eyes glinting with authority.

"I set the limit. If you have any questions regarding this, then you can fight me and convince me to change those limits."

He said simply. And because it was Ethan who said this, no one dared to even move and inch.

A few people shifted uncomfortably in their seats wondering if it was worth it to try and ger involved anymore than they had.

But challenging Ethan was dangerous, they ultimately decided that it was not worth it and backed off.

Ethan looked like he could rip them all apart with his bare hands. He was not the most bulky, but there was something about the look in his eyes and his aura that made him look more dangerous than he actually was.

The official let out a quiet breath, relieved.

Finally, someone had restored order.

The argument died in an instant.

And just like that, the meeting was back under control.

But while Ethan handled the room—

Selene was losing herself.

Her head throbbed, a deep, pulsing pain that made her feel like her skull was cracking open.

She felt disconnected from reality.

She forced herself to blink, but her vision twisted.

A cold notification flickered in her mind.

[WARNING: Awakening process accelerated. Prepare for stabilization.]

Selene’s stomach dropped.

Her awakening?

Now?

Why?

Was it because of that powder?

Or had her body finally reached its breaking point?

She clenched her fists.

She had no answers.

But one thing was certain—

It hurt like hell.

Her vision shifted again.

And suddenly, she wasn’t looking at a normal meeting room anymore.

Every person around her—

Was glowing.

A red aura flickered around each body, pulsating like a heartbeat.

Some burned bright and strong.

Others were dim, flickering, fragile.

Selene’s breath hitched.

This...

This wasn’t normal.

Had she just unlocked a new ability?

Or was she hallucinating?

A chair scraped against the floor, and Selene snapped out of her trance.

Across from her, Ethan, keenly observant as always, had noticed her distress.

Without a word, he pushed a glass of water toward her.

"Drink."

Selene, barely holding onto reality, grabbed the glass.

But the moment she looked into it—

Her blood ran cold.

Because in the reflection of the water, she didn’t see herself.

She saw a formless, shifting mass.

Dark. Fluid. Alive.

It had no eyes, no mouth, no shape—

And yet, she felt it staring at her.

A deep, primal terror slithered down her spine.

She almost threw the cup away.

But at the last second, she forced herself to stay still.

Her grip tightened.

She exhaled sharply.

Then turned to Ethan.

"We need to leave. Now."

Ethan’s golden eyes locked onto hers.

He didn’t ask why.

He simply nodded.

Selene turned to the government representative, her voice calm but firm.

"End the meeting."

The official hesitated.

Something about Selene’s tone made him uneasy.

And yet, he found himself unable to refuse.

"...Meeting dismissed."

The moment the words left his mouth, the tension eased.

People groaned, frustrated at how things had turned out—

But no one protested.

Not when Ethan was standing.

Not when Selene’s expression was unreadable.

Something about them—

The quiet authority they carried, the sharpness of their presence—

Made people think twice before arguing.

One by one, they filed out.

Some whispered.

Some cast lingering glances.

But none of them dared to speak up.

As the room emptied, Noah, who had been watching Selene the entire time, finally spoke.

"Are you going to tell me what just happened?"

Selene pressed her fingers against her temples, willing the pounding in her skull to stop.

"Not here."

Her head was still burning.

Her vision still flickered.

And worst of all—

She had no idea what was happening to her.

But one thing was clear.

Something inside her was waking up.

And whatever it was—

It wasn’t normal.