The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 233: Ch : The Control of the Dungeon - Part 2

Selene stood in the dim glow of the fading dungeon, her eyes fixed on the shimmering core in her hand.

It pulsed gently, a steady rhythm that seemed to sync with her own heartbeat. But this core... it was different.

Stronger. Wilder.

The system’s voice echoed in her mind, cool and clinical as always.

[Warning: Host should wait before absorbing the core. Processing the energy will take time. Premature absorption may result in unpredictable consequences.]

Selene’s brow furrowed, her fingers tightening around the core.

"Wait?"

She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her instincts screamed at her to consume it. She had always swallowed the cores after finishing a dungeon, and her body craved the power it would bring. But this time...

Something felt wrong.

Her grip loosened slightly, her mind torn between caution and instinct.

[Host should absorb the core immediately.]

The system repeated itself, but Selene’s body betrayed her.

Her fingers moved—

On their own.

Selene’s eyes widened in alarm as her hand lifted the core closer to her lips.

"No..."

She whispered, trying to pull back.

But her body ignored her commands.

Her instincts took over.

Before she could resist, the core touched her lips—

And dissolved.

The familiar rush of power surged through her veins, but this time—

It was different.

Selene’s body convulsed, her senses overwhelmed by the flood of raw energy.

Heat. Cold. Pain. Power.

Everything hit her at once.

Her vision blurred, and her knees buckled, but she held on, teeth clenched as she rode the wave of power coursing through her.

[Authority Acquired: Dungeon Control Transferred.]

The system’s notification echoed in her mind, but Selene barely registered it.

"What...?"

[Host now has full control over the dungeon. Host may issue commands to all creatures within.]

Selene’s breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling from the sheer force of the energy settling within her.

Her vision cleared just enough to see the threads of power connecting her to the monsters beyond the dungeon’s core.

All of them.

Selene’s eyes narrowed.

"Return."

The command echoed in her mind, laced with authority she didn’t fully understand yet.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

Movement.

The monsters began to withdraw, their snarls and screeches fading as they turned back toward the dungeon.

Selene’s chest rose and fell with relief as she watched them retreat.

"It’s working..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the tension in her shoulders eased slightly.

She kept her focus sharp, ensuring that every last creature obeyed her command.

Once the final monster slithered back into the darkness of the dungeon, Selene spoke again.

"Rest."

The monsters hesitated, confused by her order.

"Rest... and never come out again."

This time, the authority in her voice left no room for doubt.

The monsters stilled, then one by one, they disappeared deeper into the dungeon’s shadows, vanishing from sight.

Selene’s heart pounded as she felt the connection between her and the monsters dim.

It was done.

"Lock the dungeon."

Her voice was steady, despite the exhaustion weighing her down.

A pulse of energy surged through the dungeon as her command took effect.

The dungeon was sealed.

Selene let out a shaky breath, her body sagging with relief.

No one would ever open this place again.

If the dungeon reopened...

It wouldn’t be a threat to anyone.

Her work was done.

Selene turned toward the exit, her limbs heavy, her body screaming for rest.

But as she took her first step toward the outside world—

The dungeon pushed back.

A force like invisible chains wrapped around her limbs, pulling her back toward the core.

"No..."

Selene growled, gritting her teeth.

She pushed forward—

Fighting.

Forcing herself through.

Each step felt heavier than the last, but Selene refused to stop.

"I’m... not... staying... here."

With one final push, Selene crossed the threshold—

And the dungeon let go.

As soon as her feet hit solid ground outside, her legs gave out.

Selene collapsed.

Her body hit the ground hard, and her vision blurred as dizziness swept over her.

"Damn it..."

She muttered, trying to push herself up.

Her arms trembled, her strength almost gone.

Move.

Her mind screamed at her body, but her limbs refused to cooperate.

Selene gritted her teeth and forced herself to her feet, her body protesting every second.

Her head spun, her vision swimming—

But she stood.

Just as she steadied herself, a familiar voice called out.

"Selene!"

Ethan.

Selene barely had time to register his presence before he was by her side, his hand gripping hers tightly.

"What happened?"

His voice was laced with panic, his eyes scanning her for injuries.

Selene tried to brush him off, forcing a weak smile.

"I’m fine..."

But her words faltered as a sharp pain tore through her chest.

Her hand instinctively flew to the source of the pain—

Warm. Wet. Sticky.

Her fingers came away coated in red.

Selene’s eyes widened.

Blood.

"Selene..."

Ethan’s voice was barely above a whisper, but the panic in his eyes was clear.

Selene’s breath hitched.

But she didn’t feel any pain.

Why?

Before she could speak, the system chimed in.

[Core absorption in progress. Side effects may include external bleeding and temporary organ strain. No permanent damage will occur.]

Selene let out a shaky breath.

"It’s... the core."

Her voice was barely audible, but Ethan’s sharp ears caught every word.

"The core?" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

His grip tightened, his worry deepening.

"It’s... being absorbed."

Selene tried to reassure him, but Ethan’s expression didn’t soften.

Not when she coughed—

And blood spilled from her lips.

"Selene!"

Panic surged through Ethan’s voice, his arms steadying her as her body threatened to collapse again.

"I’m fine..."

Selene whispered, but her voice was too weak to be convincing.

Ethan’s jaw clenched.

"You’re not fine."

His eyes were filled with worry, and for once—

Selene had no argument.

Her body was betraying her, and she knew Ethan wouldn’t let this go.

"Come on..."

Ethan murmured, his voice softer now as he supported her weight.

"Let’s get you out of here."

Selene didn’t resist.

For once...

She let him take care of her.