The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse
Chapter 301: Ch: 300 Tournament Starts - Part 2

Chapter 301: Ch: 300 Tournament Starts - Part 2

Once Luke had finished laying down the first rule, he didn’t stop there.

He flashed the crowd an easy smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach his sharp, calculating eyes.

"Now then. Let’s continue, shall we?"

Luke said, his voice carrying effortlessly across the arena.

The second and third rules followed quickly after.

Each rule was delivered with a lightness that didn’t match the weight behind his words.

After what had happened to the three reckless hunters earlier, no one dared make a sound.

No one even twitched in Luke’s direction.

They just watched him with weary, suspicious eyes.

Waiting.

Calculating.

Luke chuckled under his breath, as if he found their fear amusing.

"Relax. As long as you follow the rules, you’ll be just fine. I’ll personally guarantee your safety."

He said, waving a hand casually.

There was a glint in his eye that said otherwise, but no one dared challenge him again.

Then, with a clap of his hands, Luke made his next announcement

"The first phase of the tournament officially begins now!"

He declared

"The goal is simple: reach the finish line within the allotted time."

A portal of light flashed briefly above the arena, signaling the start.

And with that, Luke disappeared from the platform.

No flash

No noise.

One second he was there—

—the next he was gone.

The crowd stood frozen in place, looking around in confusion.

The finish line? Where was it? Luke hadn’t told them anything about where to go.

A ripple of unease spread through the competitors.

Then someone in the middle of the group shouted.

"Maybe this is the test!"

Without waiting for confirmation, he bolted toward the nearest exit out of the arena.

Like sheep, the others panicked and rushed after him, flooding out of the stone amphitheater in a chaotic stampede.

Within minutes, the arena was almost empty.

Only a few scattered groups remained—

—and among them were Ethan, Zara, and Orion.

Orion looked around nervously.

"Uh... shouldn’t we be running too?"

He asked, glancing toward the exits.

Ethan shook his head calmly.

"There’s no need."

He stood relaxed, hands in his pockets.

"I already know where the finish line is."

Zara raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

Ethan didn’t answer. He just smiled.

A quiet, dangerous sort of smile that made both Zara and Orion exchange a look.

The system chimed at that moment, its voice neutral but loud enough for everyone still remaining to hear.

[Announcement: The first participant to reach the finish line will be granted an advantage in the next round, as well as a private meeting with one of the tournament organizers.]

Orion’s head snapped toward Ethan.

"...Still not going to run?"

Ethan’s easygoing expression vanished instantly.

Now, there was fire in his eyes.

"No. We’re going."

Ethan said, voice firm.

Without another word, he spun on his heel and took off, moving with the speed and precision of a predator.

Zara and Orion scrambled to keep up, barely able to match his pace.

"What changed all of a sudden?"

Zara panted.

Ethan didn’t slow down.

He just grinned sharply over his shoulder.

"A meeting with the organizers could mean a meeting with Selene."

That was all he needed to say.

Zara’s face tightened in understanding.

Orion cursed under his breath and pushed himself faster.

Their surroundings blurred as they cut through the dense woods that had been conjured outside the arena.

Every few meters, traps were laid out—spikes, pits, twisting illusions meant to throw off their sense of direction.

Ethan avoided them effortlessly, as if he could see through the illusions themselves.

Zara and Orion trusted him completely, following without hesitation.

Other competitors stumbled and fell around them, caught in traps, screaming in frustration as they got turned around.

______

Madam Verta walked briskly through the twisting paths of the tournament grounds, her cloak swirling around her ankles.

The group of participants trailing behind her exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to speak for several minutes.

Finally, one of the younger ones, a boy no older than sixteen, cleared his throat nervously.

"Um... Madam Verta? Are we heading the right way?"

Madam Verta didn’t even slow down.

She cast a smirk over her shoulder, her sharp green eyes gleaming.

"Of course we are. You can trust me. I would never lead you astray."

She said smoothly.

Her voice was velvet and steel at once, sending a cold shiver down the spines of those who heard her.

The boy who asked immediately regretted it, bowing his head and retreating into the crowd.

Uncertainty rippled through the group like a visible wave.

Madam Verta caught the tension and laughed lightly.

It was not a kind sound.

"If you don’t trust me, then you’re welcome to leave."

She said airily.

She slowed her steps and gestured lazily to the twisting woods ahead.

"Find your own way through this death trap. I won’t stop you."

No one moved.

Panic flashed across their faces as they realized she meant it.

The group scrambled forward, hastening to stay close to her before she disappeared behind the thick trees.

Madam Verta sighed dramatically, muttering under her breath.

"Useless. Completely useless."

Her gloved hand brushed along the edge of a tree as she walked, her lips curling in distaste.

"Ever since Isabelle got hurt, everything’s gone downhill. The rest of the help is too stupid to function without me leading them step-by-step like toddlers."

A low growl built in her throat, but she quickly masked her irritation with a smile when she sensed movement nearby.

Her instincts prickled.

Something important was coming.

Something—or someone—that she could not afford to ignore.

She turned the next corner and froze.

There, just a few steps away, was Ethan.

And his little entourage—Zara and Orion—flanking him.

Madam Verta’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly schooled her expression into something serene.

One detail immediately stood out to her.

Selene wasn’t with them.

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Madam Verta’s face.

This was her chance.

Her final chance to get Ethan to understand that he needed her.

If he rejected her now...

Well, then it would truly mean that there was no place for her beside him.

Madam Verta took her time.

She smoothed down her dress, fixed her hair with a flick of her hand, and then stepped boldly into their path.

The group halted immediately.

Orion’s hand went instinctively to the hilt of his weapon.

Zara narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

But Ethan...

Ethan simply stood there, watching her with a calm, almost distant expression.

It stung more than she cared to admit.

Still, she forced a smile and greeted him sweetly.

"Ethan. I have been waiting for you."

She purred, her voice thick with honeyed venom.

Orion muttered under his breath, but Madam Verta ignored him completely.

Her gaze was locked onto Ethan.

Only Ethan.

"This is your last chance,"

She said, stepping closer, her heels clicking sharply against the stone path.

"Join me. I will lead you to greatness."

She tilted her head, feigning sadness.

"I can save you. If only you let me."

For a long moment, Ethan said nothing.

The wind rustled through the trees.

Tension coiled so tightly around the group it felt like the whole world was holding its breath.

Finally, Ethan spoke.

His voice was steady, emotionless.

"Show us the way to the finish line, and I’ll consider joining you."

He said.

Zara stiffened beside him.

Orion sucked in a breath through his teeth.

Both turned toward Ethan with wide, alarmed eyes.

But Madam Verta...

Madam Verta felt a burst of pride and triumph swell in her chest.

She pressed a hand to her heart, savoring the moment.

So he finally understood.

Finally saw her value.

Finally knew that without her, he would get nowhere.

She allowed herself a slow, smug smile.

"As you wish," she said sweetly.

"Follow me, Ethan. I will not lead you astray."

Zara stepped closer to Ethan, hissing under her breath.

"What are you doing?"

But Ethan didn’t answer.

He simply gestured for them to stay calm and follow along.

Madam Verta walked with a spring in her step, her head held high.

In her mind, she considered herself incredibly lucky. No—blessed.

The system’s guidance, her own cunning, and her unwavering power had all come together perfectly.

I was right, she thought smugly. I was always right. No one else understood. No one else believed.

Her followers, the other contestants, even her so-called allies—they had doubted her, questioned her choices, whispered behind her back.

But look at them now.

They were lost.

And she? She was leading Ethan—the key to everything—straight to victory.

She sent a silent prayer of thanks to the system, feeling its faint hum responding in approval.

Everything she had ever fought for, every risk she had taken, it was all worth it now.

’They’ll see. hey’ll all see how foolish they were to doubt me. I will be the one standing at the top when this is all over.’

Madam Verta promised herself.

She glanced over her shoulder, catching sight of Ethan following silently behind.

A satisfied smirk curled her lips.

The future was hers for the taking.

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