The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 208: Ch : What’s the Solution? - Part 4

Ethan grabbed Selene’s hand and pulled hard, trying to drag her away.

But Selene’s feet wouldn’t move. Her body was rooted to where she stood and moving felt a little more painful than she wanted to admit.

It felt like invisible threads were wrapping around her ankles, holding her in place. The harder Ethan pulled, the tighter the threads became.

They even began to be seen physically.

"Selene, we need to go!"

Ethan’s voice was tense.

His grip tightened, but Selene felt herself being pulled back by a force stronger than she anticipated.

Selene’s heart pounded.

For the first time, she realized she was in far more danger than she thought. The dungeon’s energy was strange, and these threads weren’t normal.

"Wait!"

She muttered, trying to steady her breathing.

She reached deep into her consciousness, calling on her borrowed powers. A spark of light flickered in her hand before ice formed around her.

She focused and tried to sever the threads binding her.

The energy lashed out, but her power passed right through the threads as if they weren’t even there.

Selene panicked and tried to grab those threads using her hands. But the threads passed through her hand, making her panic a little.

’T-This is not good! How did I not realize until now that my body was being controlled? I am not that absent-minded, right?’

Selene’s eyes widened.

"What...?"

She flinched as the threads tugged at her again, pulling her closer to the ground.

"Ethan, you have to get out of here.""

She said, her voice strained.

"What?"

Ethan looked at her, shocked. freēnovelkiss.com

"Go! I’ll figure something out. I can handle this."

Selene’s tone was firm now.

Ethan’s jaw clenched.

"I’m not leaving you behind."

"Don’t be stupid! The dungeon is going to collapse. You need to get out before that happens."

Selene hissed.

Ethan shook his head. His eyes were fierce.

"I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay with you until the end."

Selene’s heart squeezed painfully.

"Idiot! Listen to me once in a while. Why do you make me feel like this all the time?"

She muttered, feeling frustration and guilt swirl inside her.

But before she could argue further, a low growl echoed around them.

Selene’s head snapped up. Her senses flared as she felt multiple monsters closing in. They were drawn to the scent of humans, eager for prey.

"Great!"

She muttered under her breath.

Ethan stepped in front of her, his stance firm.

"Don’t worry. A little exercise will do me good."

He said, his voice calm.

Selene’s stomach twisted with guilt. She could barely move, yet Ethan was fighting to protect her. She wanted to help him.

As that thought crossed her mind, the system flared red in her vision. A notification popped up.

[Combined EXP from consumed cores detected. New ability unlocked.]

Selene’s eyes narrowed. She quickly opened the details.

[New Ability: Submission

Description: Make any monster below your grade submit to your will after consuming the core of the dungeon boss. Monsters above your grade cannot be controlled.]

Selene’s breath caught.

"Submission..."

She whispered.

The ability sounded immeasurably powerful, but Selene was only C-class. She had no idea if it would work on the creatures closing in on them.

"I have to try."

She murmured, her jaw tightening.

Selene closed her eyes and focused on the power within her. She stretched her senses outward, trying to touch the minds of the monsters around them.

"Submit."

She whispered.

But nothing happened.

The monsters didn’t even pause. Their bloodlust-filled eyes remained fixed on Ethan and Selene.

Selene’s heart sank. The monsters were too strong. Her power wasn’t enough.

"Damn it!"

She hissed through clenched teeth.

Ethan was fighting them off one by one, but Selene could tell he was getting tired. They wouldn’t last long at this rate.

Just when Selene was about to lose hope, a faint voice echoed in the back of her mind.

"Would you like to use my rank and ability?"

Selene froze.

The voice was familiar. It was the same voice she had heard in her dream—the one tied to the glowing core.

Her instincts screamed at her to reject it. She didn’t know what it was. She couldn’t trust it.

"Who... are you?"

She whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I am the one who gave you power. You reached out to me before. I can help you again."

The voice replied, calm and steady.

Selene’s heart pounded. Her mind was racing.

She didn’t know what this entity was or what it wanted. But there was something... reassuring about its presence.

"Let me help you."

The voice urged gently.

Selene’s instincts, which had been warning her moments ago, suddenly quieted.

A strange sense of calm washed over her. It didn’t feel dangerous. It felt... right.

"I don’t trust you."

She murmured softly.

"You don’t have to. But do know that your friend does not have much time left. You need to make your decision now."

The voice replied.

Selene’s eyes darted toward Ethan.

He was still fighting, his movements slowing as exhaustion began to take hold. The monsters were circling closer.

She had no choice.

"Fine. Do it."

She whispered.

The moment the words left her mouth, she felt a surge of power rush through her veins. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. It was overwhelming, almost suffocating.

Selene’s vision blurred. She felt her mind connect to something ancient and powerful.

"Use my strength."

Selene’s body moved on its own. Her hand rose, and a wave of energy pulsed outward.

"Submit."

She commanded, her voice echoing with authority.

This time, the monsters stopped. Their glowing eyes flickered. One by one, they dropped to their knees, bowing before her.

Selene’s eyes widened in shock.

"It worked..."

She whispered, barely able to believe it.

Ethan turned, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Selene... what did you do?"

Selene swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing.

"I don’t know."

She admitted, her voice shaky.

The power was still coursing through her, and it felt... addicting.

But deep down, she knew this wasn’t entirely her power.