The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 261: Ch 260: Where are you From? - Part 2

Outside the dungeon, Ethan double-checked the last set of supplies, face taut with intensity.

His fingers moved quickly, stashing healing potions, energy stimulants, and extra rations into his storage pouch like he’d rehearsed it all a hundred times.

The sun above flickered oddly against the barrier of the dungeon, the swirling gate humming with latent energy.

"You’re being ridiculous. We’re not planning a siege, Ethan. It’s just a dungeon raid."

Noah groaned, tossing his backpack to the ground with a loud thud.

Before anyone could speak, a sharp smack echoed through the clearing. Nora had stepped forward, hand still raised after hitting her brother on the back of his head.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Behave. This isn’t just a raid."

Nora said simply, tone quiet but firm.

Noah rubbed his head, pouting but not daring to argue further.

Orion sat nearby, adjusting his gauntlets without comment. His expression was unreadable, but he had been quieter than usual all morning.

Zara sighed, stepping forward and brushing her long hair back into a loose ponytail.

"Alright, listen up. This isn’t a joke. I need all of you to stay sharp and stay safe. If anything happens to you..."

She said, voice rising to catch their attention. Her voice faltered just slightly.

"I don’t know how I’d face Selene."

The group exchanged glances, a rare moment of seriousness hanging in the air.

’If only Selene was here. Things would be so much easier to handle. Well, not that we will have to make this trip in the first place.’

Zara did not blame Selene...anymore than she had to. But she also knew that playing the blame game would not help anyone.

She especially did not want to say anything when tensions were too high and everyone looked ready to snap at each other at a moment’s notice.

But Ethan didn’t wait for a response.

He was already walking, heading straight for the dungeon gate. With a snap of his wrist and a command under his breath, he tore the swirling barrier open.

Zara cursed under her breath.

"There he goes again."

Seconds later, Noah, Nora, and Orion followed, their silhouettes disappearing into the pulsing portal one after another.

Zara lingered for a moment, staring at the gate with narrowed eyes. Then she sighed and muttered.

"I knew I should’ve packed more food."

She stepped through.

The dungeon swallowed them whole before it spit them out into a forest with purple trees.

______

Back inside the palace, Selene lay on the bed, arms folded behind her head as she stared at the ornate ceiling.

The silence of the room was almost peaceful, but her thoughts wouldn’t settle.

Suddenly, a jolt shot through her chest. A prickling sensation ran down her spine like static.

Her eyes narrowed.

That energy—she knew it.

Faint. Fleeting. But familiar.

"...Ethan?"

She whispered.

The voice in her head stirred faintly but remained silent.

Selene sat up, breath held as she tried to reach out with her senses.

But the signature vanished as quickly as it came, leaving her questioning whether it was real or just her desperation playing tricks.

She was still staring at the wall, trying to make sense of it, when her door slammed open. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Julie strode in, eyes hard and posture tense.

"You’ve had enough rest. It’s time you start earning your keep."

She snapped.

Selene blinked.

"Excuse me?"

Julie didn’t wait. She grabbed Selene by the arm, not roughly, but with enough force to make it clear she wasn’t joking.

"I don’t have time to babysit freeloaders. You want to stay under this roof? Then you help our nation."

Selene didn’t respond right away. Her jaw clenched, but she pushed down the urge to argue. It wasn’t worth making things worse.

"Fine."

She said flatly.

Julie led her outside to the training ground behind the castle.

The sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows over the rows of soldiers lined up in formation. Their armor gleamed faintly in the evening light.

"This is how you can prove you’re not just dead weight. You’ll spar with them. One by one."

Julie said, gesturing.

Selene frowned.

"I’m not a fighter. This won’t prove anything."

Julie’s eyes narrowed.

"You’ll fight. Or you’ll leave."

Before Selene could protest, Julie raised her hand—and the first soldier charged.

Selene barely had time to leap back, hand instinctively reaching for her knife. She didn’t want to hurt anyone, but it was clear these soldiers weren’t holding back.

The blade clashed against a fist, then slid past a knee as Selene twisted and rolled.

She cursed under her breath.

"This is stupid."

Still, she fought. Light on her feet, focused on dodging rather than landing hits.

Each soldier seemed more skilled than the last, forcing her to adapt faster. Sweat began to form on her brow, but she was holding her own.

Until Julie joined the fray.

Selene didn’t even hear her footsteps.

One moment she was turning to dodge another swing—the next, a blade was slicing toward her shoulder from behind.

She barely twisted away in time.

The knife skimmed past, drawing a thin line across her arm. Not deep, but enough to make her flinch.

Selene snapped her gaze toward Julie, anger flaring in her chest.

"What the hell—?!"

But the words died in her throat.

Julie wasn’t gloating. She wasn’t mocking her, or smiling in victory.

She looked... disappointed.

Selene froze, panting as she tried to piece together what she saw in Julie’s eyes.

There was frustration there, yes—but directed at Selene.

Julie turned away abruptly, raising her hand again to dismiss the watching soldiers.

"That’s enough for today."

Selene stood in place, blood trickling down her arm. Her heart still raced, and her mind was spinning.

She had no idea what game Julie was playing—or if it even was a game anymore.

But one thing was clear.

The energy she had felt earlier...

It wasn’t just a figment of her imagination.

Ethan was here.

And if he was, then everything was about to change.