The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 99: Ch : I am fine- Part 1

Selene’s body felt foreign, as if her limbs were not her own.

Her feet moved without conscious thought, each step slow and deliberate. The world around her blurred, and the colors of the dungeon seemed to bleed together.

Ethan’s voice reached her ears, but his words sounded muffled, as if he were speaking through water.

"Selene! What are you doing?"

His hands gripped her shoulders, shaking her.

But it was too late. Her fingers had already brought the dungeon core to her lips, and before she could think, she swallowed it whole.

A burning sensation seared down her throat, and her insides felt as if molten lava had been poured into them. Her knees buckled, but Ethan’s firm hold kept her upright.

[Core Absorption is starting]

"What the hell, Selene? Are you out of your mind?"

His voice was sharp, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger.

Selene’s vision cleared just enough for her to see his face through the haze.

"I... I have a core absorption skill."

She mumbled, the words slipping out between ragged breaths.

Ethan’s eyes widened, his grip tightening.

"That doesn’t mean you shove random cores down your throat! You could have died!"

"I knew what I was doing."

Her voice lacked conviction, even to her own ears.

Ethan’s frustration simmered just beneath the surface.

"No, you didn’t. You weren’t in control."

The dungeon began to rumble, a low growl that vibrated through the floor.

Cracks spiderwebbed along the crystalline walls, and the twisted plant life began to wilt, the vibrant colors draining away.

Ethan wasted no more time.

With a swift motion, he scooped Selene onto his shoulder, ignoring her weak protests.

She barely had the strength to lift her head, let alone fight back.

The world bounced with each of Ethan’s strides as he navigated through the crumbling dungeon.

His movements were fluid, dodging falling debris and leaping over fissures that opened beneath them.

Ethan’s breathing remained steady, but Selene could sense the urgency in every step.

They burst through the dungeon’s entrance just as the gate destabilized behind them.

The air outside felt thin and sharp, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere within.

Sunlight filtered through the trees, and Selene blinked, her eyes struggling to adjust.

Ethan finally set her down, but the ground felt unsteady beneath her. She wobbled, and his arm shot out, catching her before she could fall.

"Selene..."

His voice had softened, the anger replaced by genuine concern.

She forced a weak smile.

"I’m fine."

Ethan’s hand met her forehead, and he pulled back immediately, his palm red.

"You’re burning up."

"I’m not...ok, maybe I am."

She started, but the words dissolved into a pained gasp. Her skin felt too tight, and every nerve hummed with energy, both invigorating and excruciating.

Ethan’s expression hardened.

"No. We’re getting you to a doctor."

"There’s no need. We have medicine at home."

Selene’s voice wavered, and her legs trembled beneath her.

Ethan wasn’t listening.

He looped her arm over his shoulder, practically dragging her toward a small medical store at the edge of the clearing.

The storefront was modest, with faded signs and dusty windows, but the red cross on the door promised some level of medical care.

Selene dug her heels into the dirt, her resistance weak but insistent.

"This is a waste of resources."

"Stop talking."

"You’re being irrational."

"Pot, meet kettle."

Her feet scraped against the ground, and the rough texture pulled her back to the present. She exhaled shakily and tugged against his hold.

"Ethan. Please."

He didn’t stop. His expression remained stoic, his jaw set, but she could feel the tension radiating from him.

"Take me home."

She whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ethan paused. His steps slowed, and he finally turned to look at her. Her face was pale, a sheen of sweat on her skin, and her eyes held a vulnerability he had rarely seen.

"Selene..."

"Please, I just want to go home."

She repeated, her fingers curling weakly into his shirt.

His resolve crumbled. A deep sigh escaped him, and the edges of his frustration softened.

"Fine. But if your condition worsens, I’m bringing you back here. No arguments."

She nodded, the motion small and sluggish.

"Deal."

Ethan led her to his car, his hand never leaving her arm.

The SUV’s interior was cool, and the leather seats felt like ice against her overheated skin.

She slumped into the passenger seat, her head resting against the window.

The drive back was silent.

The hum of the engine and the soft rhythm of the road beneath the tires served as a lullaby, pulling Selene into a dazed half-sleep.

Her body alternated between shivers and feverish heat, and the dungeon core burned within her, a foreign entity merging with her system.

Ethan’s knuckles were white against the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the road.

Every so often, his eyes darted to her, his worry palpable.

They reached home just as the sun began to dip below the horizon.

The fading light bathed the house in amber, the warm glow at odds with the chill that clung to Selene’s skin.

Ethan opened the door, and she stumbled out, his arm quick to catch her.

"Easy."

She nodded, her feet dragging as he guided her inside. Zara and Orion appeared at the doorway, their expressions shifting from confusion to alarm.

"What happened?"

Orion’s voice was sharp, his hands already reaching out to support Selene.

"She absorbed a dungeon core....but I’m more worried about her fever. It’s too high for my liking."

Ethan’s tone left no room for questions.

Zara’s eyes widened.

"Is she... is it safe?"

Selene managed a weak laugh. frёeωebɳovel.com

"I’ll live."

Ethan shot her a glare.

"That remains to be seen."

They settled her onto the couch, and Zara brought a damp cloth, pressing it against Selene’s forehead.

Orion hovered nearby, his hands clenched into fists.

"I’ll take Selene to her room. Can you both prepare something easy for her to digest? We need to get her body to calm down."