The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 229: Ch : The Plan- Part 3

Selene kept an eye on the place she had asked her companion to pass. She could barely make out the place using her Insight, but that did not mean she had a perfect vision of that corner.

That was why, she felt relieved when she got the first confirmation, telling her that her plan was working out just fine.

Rize’s message came through the system, short and to the point.

[Done. Heera passed through the mark.]

Selene exhaled slowly, a hint of tension easing from her shoulders.

One step closer.

She glanced at the timer she had set in her mind. Fifteen minutes had passed since Rize’s message.

Almost on cue, Nora’s signal came next.

[We’re past the point.]

Selene’s fingers hovered over the trigger mechanism.

Noah and Nora were close now. It meant that Selene could move on to the next part of her plan.

’It’s time.’

Her heart pounded in her chest as she activated the contraptions.

A low rumble echoed through the air.

Boom.

The explosion roared to life, a shockwave of heat and force erupting behind her. The light was blinding, bright enough to engulf the entire block.

Selene stood firm, her body completely unaffected by the searing heat or the pressure. The perks of being an awakener—her core protected her from such things.

But to anyone watching...

’It looks just like a dungeon explosion. It’s a good thing that I remembered what this looked like in my past life.’

Selene’s eyes narrowed, scanning the chaos as smoke and debris clouded the area.

She didn’t waste a second.

[Hide. Now.]

Her message to Noah and Nora was brief. They needed to disappear immediately.

’If they’re seen after this, everything falls apart.’

A wave of relief washed over her as she saw a confirmation ping from both of them.

[Hiding.]

Selene allowed herself a brief moment to breathe.

’It’s over.’

The plan had worked.

Or so she thought.

[That’s too easy, Child...Allow me to help you out.]

The voice slithered into her mind again.

Selene’s muscles tensed instantly, her pulse spiking.

[Where’s the fun if it ends like this?]

"No."

Selene whispered, her voice barely audible over the fading echoes of the explosion.

But her gut clenched as a pulse of energy rippled through the air.

Her instincts screamed at her.

’Something’s wrong.’

She spun around—

The explosion site was pulsing.

A deep, ominous energy condensed at the epicenter of the blast. The air grew heavy, vibrating with an unsettling power.

No...

Selene’s system buzzed wildly.

[Warning! New dungeon formation detected!]

Her eyes widened, horror setting in as she watched the impossible unfold before her.

’What the hell is this?’

The swirling energy formed a rift—a tear in space—and the familiar glow of a dungeon core began to manifest.

’This wasn’t supposed to happen.’

Selene’s mind raced.

"What did you do?"

She demanded, her voice low but laced with fury.

[I’m helping you, Child. I’m giving you exactly what you want.]

The voice murmured, its tone almost playful.

The voice fell silent again.

But the damage was done.

Selene’s heart pounded as the rift grew larger, the energy intensifying.

Her eyes narrowed as a shadow shifted behind the swirling mass.

’No... not now.’

A guttural growl echoed from the forming dungeon.

Selene’s breath caught in her throat as she spotted it—

A monster.

Massive. Hulking. And clawing its way toward the surface.

"Selene?"

Nora’s voice crackled through the communicator, her tone sharp with concern.

"What’s going on? The energy levels spiked. Should we come back?"

Selene’s eyes locked onto the emerging creature.

"No."

Selene said firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding.

"But—"

"Do not come back."

Selene’s tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

"This is something I’ll handle on my own."

There was a brief pause.

"Selene... what’s happening?"

Noah’s voice followed, more worried than before.

Selene’s jaw clenched.

’They can’t get involved.’

"I told you - If you come back now, all our preparations will be useless. We can’t risk it."

She said, her voice softer this time.

She could almost feel Noah’s hesitation.

"But—"

"I mean it."

Selene’s tone turned cold.

Silence.

"I’ll go."

A new voice cut through the tension.

Ethan.

"Stay where you are. I’ll check it out.""

He told Noah and Nora, his tone lazy but with an edge of authority.

"No!"

Selene started, her voice tightening.

"I’m closer. And I’m more expendable if things go south."

Ethan added casually.

Selene’s jaw tightened.

’Damn it.’

"Stay with them."

She growled.

But Ethan wasn’t listening.

"Relax, Selene. I’m just backup."

He murmured, his tone light but laced with purpose.

Selene’s mind spun with conflicting thoughts.

If Ethan came, he’d be able to handle himself.

’But if something happened to him...’

"Ethan—" freewebnoveℓ.com

"I’m already moving."

Selene exhaled sharply, frustration tightening in her chest.

She could not stop Ethan.

"Nora. Noah."

Selene’s voice came through again, sharper this time.

"Stick to the plan. Head to the safe point."

"But Selene—" Noah’s voice was strained.

"I’ll handle this. Do not come back."

Her tone left no room for argument.

A beat of silence.

"Understood."

Noah sounded reluctant, but he obeyed.

Selene felt a pang of guilt, but she pushed it down.

’They can’t be here.’

Selene turned her full attention to the dungeon.

The monster was almost through.

Its twisted form was halfway out of the rift now—black scales, glowing red eyes, and razor-sharp claws.

A low snarl echoed across the ruined street.

Selene’s expression hardened.

’You’re not getting out.’

Her system buzzed in the background, warning her of the growing threat.

[Dungeon rank... undetermined.]

’Great.’

Selene’s fingers flexed, energy gathering at her fingertips.

"Bring it."

She whispered, her eyes narrowing as the creature’s form solidified.

’I don’t care what you are. You’re not leaving this place alive.’

The ground shook as the creature fully emerged.

Selene’s pulse pounded in her ears.

And somewhere in the back of her mind...

[This is just the beginning, Child...]

The voice whispered once more.

Selene’s eyes flashed.

"Shut. Up."

The battle was about to begin.