The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 267: Ch 266: Reunion - Part 2

The alley was quiet now, their ragged breaths the only sound as the group caught their breath.

Selene stood with her back pressed to the cold wall, eyes still wide with disbelief. Noah and Nora hovered close while Zara paced nearby, muttering under her breath.

’I-It’s fine now. Everything is finally how it is supposed to be.’ ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

After a while, the silence stretched too long. It was Ethan who finally broke it.

"We can’t stay here."

Selene nodded slowly, pulling herself together.

"I know. We need to get out. Either find the exit or... finish this dungeon."

"That’s assuming there is an exit. This place doesn’t follow the rules of a normal dungeon."

Zara muttered.

Selene’s jaw tightened.

"Even if it doesn’t, there has to be a core. Or a boss. Something anchoring this place."

Zara looked over at her, skeptical.

"You’ve been here the longest. Any guesses?"

Selene hesitated.

"I... don’t know. This place isn’t like anything I’ve seen before. It doesn’t have the same structure, and even the environment feels too real."

She admitted.

A quiet disappointment settled over the group like a fog.

No one spoke. Even Nora’s usual optimism seemed to falter.

The hopelessness clawed at the edges of their thoughts, thick and suffocating.

Until Ethan stepped forward.

"I might know where the exit is."

Everyone turned to look at him.

"What? How would you know?"

Orion asked.

Ethan crossed his arms.

"I need you to trust me. I can’t explain how I know, and I won’t answer any questions about it. But if you want to get out, you need to follow me. No hesitation. No arguments."

Zara narrowed her eyes.

"I want to question you badly, but we came this far trusting you. We might as well take another gamble."

Ethan didn’t flinch.

"That was your choice. But if you want a chance—just a chance—at leaving, we need to head back. To the castle."

Selene blinked.

"The castle?"

He nodded.

"The boss is there. And I think... the exit too."

Orion frowned.

"How would the boss not know they’re the boss? That doesn’t make any sense."

Ethan glanced away, silent.

"Of course, more cryptic silence. Great."

Zara muttered.

Selene ran a hand through her hair and groaned.

"So we do have to go back. Just when I thought I’d finally gotten out."

Ethan shrugged.

"It’s the only lead we’ve got."

"I’ll lead us back. But if I get caught again, I’m blaming all of you."

Selene muttered, already turning toward the shadowed alleys and tight passages that would take them away from the crowded streets.

"Noted!"

Noah said with a small grin.

Before they could move, Orion raised a hand.

"Wait. What’s the plan for fighting this boss? We still can’t use our skills. The system hasn’t returned access."

Everyone froze again. The silence this time was heavier.

The thought had been buried under their relief at finding Selene, but Orion’s words brought it crashing back.

They were powerless.

Selene’s heart sank.

’It’s not just me. None of us can access the system.’

She realized.

Noah stepped forward, arms crossed but his expression relaxed.

"Then we try without it."

Zara gave him a look.

"Seriously?"

"We may not get another shot. If we hesitate now, we might never find the exit again. I’d rather die trying than sit around waiting."

He replied.

"...You’re insane."

Zara muttered, but there was a small smirk tugging at her lips.

The others slowly nodded, one by one. No one looked completely confident—but they were determined. That much was clear.

As the group began to move, the voice in Selene’s mind stirred once again.

[You’re walking toward the end. You know what’s waiting for you. Do you think they’ll all survive this time?]

It said, calm and cold.

Selene didn’t respond.

[You could stop this. You could end this farce before anyone else gets hurt. You only need to accept me.]

It whispered.

Selene clenched her jaw. Her footsteps faltered, but only for a second.

[This is your last chance. Use me. Let me in. You hate me, but you need me.]

The voice urged.

She looked at her hands. Trembling slightly. Cold. Human.

’What if it’s right?’

What if she could protect them, just this once?

She didn’t say anything. Didn’t nod. Didn’t reject it either.

For the first time in a long while, Selene didn’t push the voice away.

She simply walked on.

______

In the lavish hall of the castle, the air felt colder than usual.

Atticus sat on the throne-like chair near the tall window, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest. Julie stood in front of him, her head slightly bowed, waiting for the silence to break.

"Well?"

Atticus asked finally, not bothering to look at her.

Julie straightened.

"We’re still looking for her. Our teams have spread out across the city."

Atticus went silent again. But this time, the air around him grew heavier.

Julie could feel the irritation radiating off him, even as his face remained emotionless. She knew that expression well. He was angry—very angry.

"You have one day. One day to bring her back. If not, you’ll be dealt with accordingly."

Atticus said, voice low but sharp.

Julie’s jaw tightened. She gave a sharp nod.

"Understood."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, her boots echoing down the corridor.

As soon as the door shut behind her, she let out a long breath, her hands clenched into fists.

"Damn it!"

She hissed under her breath. The fury burned beneath her skin. "I’m not some dog he can just threaten—"

Before she could say more, a sudden chill crept up her spine. She sensed a presence and turned to her side quickly, her body tensing.

A figure cloaked in black smoke stood just a few steps away.

Julie’s breath caught in her throat.

The entity tilted its head, voice distorted and emotionless.

"Give up."

Then, just as silently as it appeared, it turned and walked away, leaving Julie frozen in place with a pounding heart and clenched fists.