The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 271: Ch 270: Back to the Cage - Part 4

Ethan’s hand was still stretched out protectively in front of Selene, but his gaze was fixed on the smoke-covered figure.

There was no point in hiding it now. He’d seen the same face Selene had. His own.

Or at least, a twisted version of it. And he seemed to know exactly why that shadow figure had his face.

Ethan glanced at Selene, only to see her looking back at him at the same time with a look of understanding.

"...You saw it too."

Selene said quietly, eyes flicking to his expression.

Ethan nodded once.

"Yeah. I saw it."

"Why does it look like you?"

He lowered his hand, but his posture remained tense. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"Because this place—this dungeon—is based on my home."

Selene blinked, confused.

"Your... what?"

"My real birthplace, Alteair. This whole dungeon is a distorted reflection of it. The city, the castle, even some of the people—they’re all based on reality. But it’s not real. The relationships, the roles... everything’s been warped. Reassigned. Like someone tried to rebuild my world from scraps without understanding what any of it really meant. It feels like a bad joke."

Ethan said.

Selene struggled to wrap her mind around it.

"And that thing? The smoke?"

Ethan glanced at the figure, then back at her.

"I think it’s the dungeon’s attempt to recreate me. My role. But it couldn’t figure out what to make of me. So it... fragmented it. Pulled pieces and shoved them into that thing. A failed copy, maybe."

Selene took a step back, shaking her head.

"None of that makes any sense, Ethan. Why would the dungeon recreate you? Why is any of this even happening?"

Before Ethan could answer, the smokey figure took a single step forward.

"Because your companion is afraid of you knowing the truth."

Its voice sent a chill down her spine.

"He would rather keep you in the dark. Because the truth might change the way you see him."

It said.

Ethan didn’t respond. He just stared at the figure, jaw tight.

Selene narrowed her eyes.

"Bullshit. I’m sick of riddles and cryptic half-answers. If you’re trying to scare me, it won’t work."

She said flatly.

But the silence that followed only confirmed what she already suspected.

Neither of them—Ethan or the figure—had any intention of telling her everything.

Fine. Then she’d figure it out herself.

She always had.

The shadowy figure hovered in front of them, thick smoke curling like tendrils around its limbs, never still. Its voice echoed softly through the corridor, calm but firm.

"You may think whatever you want, Selene. It doesn’t matter. As long as you fulfill your destiny. As long as you liberate us from this fate."

He said.

Selene tensed.

"Liberate you? What are you even talking about?"

The figure didn’t answer. It only turned slightly toward Ethan, as if expecting him to explain. Ethan shifted uncomfortably but said nothing.

Then he stepped forward.

"Don’t put this on her. Don’t burden her with something she doesn’t even understand. That’s not fair."

He said, voice tight.

The smoke flickered, pulsing with a strange energy.

"You should know better than to say that. You faced the same choice once, and no one spared you from it."

It replied.

Ethan flinched as if the words physically struck him.

He opened his mouth to argue, but nothing came out. His gaze dropped for a moment, jaw clenched, no words left to defend himself.

Selene looked between them, trying to piece the fragments together, but the tension was thick and suffocating.

Finally, Ethan exhaled sharply and looked back at the shadow.

"Fine. Then at least give us back our system. We can’t survive like this."

There was no response at first. Just a long, drawn-out silence.

Then, something shifted.

Selene felt a sudden warmth spread through her chest—an old, familiar feeling. A soft ding echoed in her mind.

[System Online.]

She gasped. Her interface blinked into existence in front of her eyes, stats flickering back to life.

Ethan let out a soft breath of relief.

"Good."

He muttered.

The shadow didn’t say anything more. It just began to fade, drifting backward down the hallway until it vanished completely into the dark.

______

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the palace...

Zara crept through a dusty hallway, flanked by Orion, Nora, and Noah. The place was quieter than expected, but eerie. Like something—or someone—was watching.

"Anything useful?"

Noah whispered, kicking aside a busted drawer filled with broken vials.

"Unless you count torn papers and cracked glass, no. This whole place feels abandoned."

Nora replied.

"Weird. There has to be something."

Zara muttered.

They moved on, clearing room after room. Occasionally, a guard stumbled upon them—only to be swiftly knocked out and stashed behind some old furniture.

"We’re wasting time. We should split up."

Noah hissed as they regrouped in a large hallway.

"No. Not without our systems. If something shows up—"

Orion said quickly.

"Wait. Do you hear that?"

Zara interrupted, raising a hand.

Orion’s eyes narrowed. His senses picked up something. Footsteps—fast, heavy. Getting closer.

"Someone’s running toward us. Everyone, be ready."

He warned.

They barely had time to form up when a blur of red and black shot around the corner.

"Shit! We are discovered by someone irritating."

Zara whispered, her eyes narrowing.

Orion took a step forward, preparing himself.

"She’s too fast—"

Julie was already lunging. He barely had a moment to react before her fist was aimed straight at his chest. He gritted his teeth, bracing for the impact—

Then, a voice echoed in his mind.

[System Online.]

His eyes widened. He didn’t question it. His body reacted on instinct.

A shimmering barrier erupted between him and Julie. Her punch slammed into the shield, sending a ripple through it, but it held.

Orion stood behind it, stunned by the force but unhurt.

Julie staggered back, eyes wide in surprise.

"What?!"

"The system’s back."

Orion muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Julie’s surprise didn’t last long. Her lips curled into a smirk.

"Good. Makes this more fun."

She lunged again, her speed just as terrifying—but this time, they were ready.