The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 97: Ch : It’s because of Lack of Sleep - Part 3

Selene and Ethan stepped through the arched doorway, leaving behind the twisted flower field and entering the second section of the dungeon.

The temperature shifted immediately—a humid, sticky heat wrapped around them, and a mist hung low to the ground.

They had reached the final part of the dungeon- the place where the boss monster was being cultivated by the dungeon- the green house.

"Let’s do this. It will only take a few minutes-"

Ethan cracked his knuckles as he took the first step toward the boss room. He looked confident in his ability, but Selene still wanted him to be prepared before heading inside.

"Wait a minute. I need to give you something first."

Selene reached into her inventory and pulled out a plain, unassuming mask. She held it out to Ethan.

"Put this on."

Ethan raised an eyebrow but took the mask without question.

"What’s this for?"

"It’s special. It’ll filter out the hallucinogenic spores in the air. Whatever happens, do not take it off. Not even for a second. It can become a matter of life and death."

Her tone dropped, serious and unwavering. Selene really believed in what she was saying.

Ethan’s expression tightened, and he slipped the mask over his face.

"Understood. I doubt someone of my level will need it, but I will do as I am asked to."

Selene nodded and adjusted her own mask.

She took a deep breath, the air cool and filtered, and activated her Insight.

Her vision shifted, the world gaining a faint overlay of energy trails and auras. The greenhouse, once only a jungle of green and glass, now pulsed with hidden dangers.

"There are people here. And they’re coming straight for us."

She murmured, her eyes narrowing as humanoid shapes moved through the fog. Their auras were dim and erratic, like flickering candle flames.

Ethan’s hand went to his weapon, his stance shifting.

"Do we engage?"

"Yes. But—"

Before she could finish, Ethan lunged forward.

His fist connected with a figure emerging from the mist, the impact echoing through the greenhouse.

The person crumpled, limbs folding unnaturally as they hit the ground.

Selene bit back a sigh.

’Of course, he wouldn’t hesitate, even when his opponent is a human.’

Ethan never hesitated.

She forced down the spike of worry, reminding herself that his ruthlessness was exactly why she needed him here.

"Try not to kill them."

She called, moving to his side.

He shot her a look through the mask, half-annoyed, half-amused.

"They attacked first."

"They’re not in control. They’re being influenced."

Selene swung her staff, the end glowing with a faint blue light.

She hit another figure in the chest, the impact gentle enough to knock them out but not cause lasting harm.

The mist parted as more figures emerged.

Men, women, even a few teenagers—all of them moved with jerky, puppet-like motions. Their eyes were vacant, and a thin layer of spores dusted their skin. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Ethan didn’t question her further.

He moved with precision, disabling attackers with calculated strikes. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he swept through the crowd.

Selene followed, her staff and magic keeping pace.

They cleared a path, and unconscious bodies lay in their wake. Selene paused, her breath coming in soft pants, and looked over the subdued group.

"Help me move them."

She gestured to the side of the path where thick vines created a natural barrier.

Ethan’s shoulders tensed.

"We don’t have time for this."

"We make time. If we leave them here, the dungeon’s influence could kill them."

Her voice was firm.

He didn’t argue, but his silence was heavy with judgment. Together, they dragged the bodies to safety, laying them on the soft, moss-covered ground.

When the last person was settled, Ethan straightened, rolling his shoulders.

"You know we can’t save everyone."

Selene’s fingers curled around her staff.

"I’m not trying to save everyone. Just these people."

"You’re too soft."

He said, but there was no bite to his words.

She shot him a sideways glance.

"And you’re too hard."

His lips twitched under the mask, and for a moment, the tension between them ebbed.

But the ground rumbled beneath them, and a deep, resonant hum filled the air.

A crimson notification flashed before their eyes.

[Dungeon Boss Emergence Imminent]

Selene tightened her grip on her staff.

"We need to focus."

Ethan nodded.

"Lead the way."

They moved quickly through the winding paths of the greenhouse.

The plants grew denser, their leaves sharp and edged with thorns. The mist thickened, turning crimson at the edges as if stained with blood.

But as they moved, Selene’s head throbbed. A sharp, splitting pain clawed at the edges of her mind.

She stumbled, her vision blurring.

"Selene?"

Ethan’s voice sounded distant, muffled.

She clenched her teeth, forcing her Insight to remain active.

Something was wrong—something beyond the physical dangers of the dungeon.

She could feel it, a presence brushing against her consciousness, slimy and invasive.

Her pulse spiked, and she pushed back with her mental energy.

Her Insight lashed out, a sharp blade in the mental fog. The presence recoiled, and for a moment, she felt a snap, like a thread breaking.

The pain receded, leaving her breathless and shaken.

’Why do bad things happen at the worst times?’

Ethan’s hands were on her shoulders, steadying her.

"What happened?"

"Someone... something was in my head. I think I hurt it."

She pressed her fingers against her temple.

Ethan’s eyes darkened.

"Then we need to find it before it tries again."

Selene nodded. The dungeon trembled once more, the hum rising to a fever pitch. She could feel it—the boss’s presence, a storm gathering at the heart of the greenhouse.

With a final breath, she steeled herself.

"Let’s end this."

Together, they pushed forward, the vines parting before them.

The dungeon boss waited, its silhouette monstrous against the blood-tinted mist.

Selene’s exhaustion hung over her, a heavy, clinging weight. But with Ethan at her side, she felt a thread of strength, enough to see this through to the end.