The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse
Chapter 304: Ch: 303 Abandoned by the System - Part 2

Chapter 304: Ch: 303 Abandoned by the System - Part 2

Selene’s hand trembled as it hovered above the glowing core in front of her. Her breath came in shallow gasps, skin clammy and pale.

Her lips, cracked from dehydration, parted as she forced herself to bring the core closer. The energy radiating from it pulsed against her skin—hot, wild, alive.

Her body screamed in protest. Muscles seized.

Veins bulged. Her heart pounded like a war drum in her chest.

’Just one more’

She told herself.

The core slipped into her palm. It burned her skin, and her fingers twitched uncontrollably as if trying to drop it.

She clenched her jaw and forced it upward, pressing the core to her chest. The energy leapt into her, stabbing into her heart like molten lightning.

She didn’t scream. She couldn’t. Her throat was raw from the last one.

In the back of her mind, the voice returned.

[It won’t take long now. We’re almost there. Keep going, Selene.]

it whispered.

But Selene couldn’t even remember what "there" was.

Her memories blurred at the edges, names fading like chalk in the rain. Her own name felt foreign.

Another core. Her hand moved on its own. Trembling, disobedient.

"Stop. Stop, please..."

She muttered, barely audible, as her fingers reached for the next one.

The voice sighed.

[You really are stubborn. But that’s fine. I don’t need to push anymore. You’ll do it yourself now.]

And then... silence.

The voice vanished.

Selene blinked, stunned.

For the first time in days—or was it weeks?—her mind was quiet. No whispering. No pressure. Just silence.

She let out a breathless sigh and slumped backward, her body sagging against the wall.

A sliver of clarity returned, and she felt the fog in her mind part. Her own thoughts—the real ones—trickled back.

’Who am I? What am I doing here?’

Her lids fluttered shut as exhaustion crept in. For a moment, she let herself drift. Sleep was close, a comforting shadow.

"Selene!"

Rough shaking pulled her back. Her eyes snapped open, heart lurching in her chest. Luke stood over her, his face etched with worry, panic simmering beneath the surface.

"You stopped responding. You weren’t blinking, weren’t breathing right—I thought—I thought I lost you."

Luke said, his voice tight. He stopped himself, gritting his teeth

Selene stared at him, expression flat, almost irritated.

But then his words sank in.

She blinked slowly.

"I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me."

She muttered. Her voice was hoarse. She clutched her head, trying to drive away the lingering static behind her eyes.

Luke didn’t move.

He just watched her, jaw clenched, eyes burning with concern. Selene struggled to her feet, swaying as the world tilted around her.

Her knees buckled halfway through.

Luke caught her before she hit the ground, arms locking around her like a net.

"I said I’m fine."

She snapped, but her voice was too weak to sound convincing.

"Yeah. You look it."

Luke muttered.

He lifted her without asking and carried her back to the bed.

Selene didn’t resist—couldn’t resist.

Her limbs were too heavy, her mind too fragmented. Her head lolled to the side as he laid her down gently.

She wanted to say thank you. The words were on her tongue.

But then pain tore through her chest like a jagged spear.

She gasped and curled inward instinctively, her hands flying to her heart.

The core’s energy writhed inside her, like something alive and angry, clawing its way through her veins.

Her skin glowed faintly, lines of golden light pulsing along her neck and collarbone.

Luke knelt beside her, panic returning to his voice.

"Selene?! What’s happening—what did you do?"

Selene’s jaw clenched so tightly her teeth ached. She couldn’t speak. Her vision blurred again.

For a second, she swore she saw something—someone—standing in the corner of the room. A dark figure, unmoving, watching.

She blinked and it was gone.

Luke reached out to touch her shoulder, but paused. His hand hovered in the air. "What is inside you?" he whispered.

Selene opened her mouth to reply, but another wave of pain hit her and stole the words away.

She clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms.

The silence inside her head had returned. But it wasn’t comforting anymore. It felt like the calm before a storm.

Luke remained at her side, watching with growing unease. Whatever Selene had done... it wasn’t over. And something inside her was still waiting to wake up.

Luke stood over Selene, watching her body convulse with pain. Her hands clutched at her chest, and her breathing was ragged.

He couldn’t bear to see her suffer any longer. Making a swift decision, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial containing a sedative.

He administered it quickly, and within moments, Selene’s body relaxed, her breathing steadying as she slipped into unconsciousness.

"Thank you."

She whispered, her voice barely audible, before succumbing to the darkness.

Luke sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Rest now."

He murmured.

As he turned to leave, a message from the system flashed before his eyes:

[Second round commencing. Host required.]

Duty called.

He stepped onto the stage, the arena buzzing with anticipation. The second round of the tournament was about to begin.

Participants gathered, eyes fixed on Luke as he prepared to announce the next challenge.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted. Madam Verta stumbled forward, her aura flickering erratically. She clutched her head, a look of disbelief on her face.

"My powers... they’re gone!"

she cried out.

Luke’s gaze hardened.

"Madam Verta, you have violated the system’s protocols. You are hereby disqualified."

"This can’t be! I am one of the chosen!"

She screamed.

Without warning, she lunged at Luke, her movements wild and uncoordinated.

The system responded instantly, a beam of light enveloping her. In a flash, she was reduced to ashes, a warning to all.

The arena fell silent.

"The system does not tolerate insubordination. Let this be a lesson."

Luke announced.

The second round commenced, challenges testing the participants’ strength, wit, and resolve.

Luke observed closely, his eyes narrowing as Ethan Park dominated each task with ease.

There’s something off about him, Luke thought. He needs to be watched.

As the round concluded, Ethan approached Luke.

"I have questions,"

He stated.

Luke nodded.

"Walk with me."

They moved to a secluded area. Suddenly, Luke felt a sharp pain in his chest. Chains materialized around him, binding him tightly.

"What is this?"

He gasped.

Ethan’s eyes glowed.

"The system can’t help you now. Now, would you like to answer all my questions? Or, are you going to hold back one me?"

Luke struggled, trying to connect with the system, but found only silence.

"You’ve been hiding things. It’s time for answers"

Ethan said.

Luke gritted his teeth, the chains around him pulling tighter with every second.

"You don’t know what you’re doing. Capturing me won’t get you any answers."

He hissed.

Ethan didn’t flinch. His eyes remained locked on Luke’s, cold and unblinking.

"I don’t need answers. I just need the truth—and I’ll drag it out of you if I have to."

"There is no truth! I’m just a host. I follow what the system tells me to."

Luke snapped.

"Then why does it feel like you’re hiding something?"

Ethan stepped closer, the chains glowing faintly with energy that crackled in the air between them.

"Why does the system refuse to show me your data? Why does it shield you?"

Luke didn’t respond immediately. His muscles tensed as he struggled against the invisible pressure.

For a brief moment, silence fell between them—just long enough for Luke to focus inward.

[System! Respond to me. Override. Emergency protocol—priority access.]

He thought

A flicker answered.

Luke’s heart jumped. There it was. A thread of connection—weak but present.

He latched onto it and fed it his will, pushing his strength through the tether. His body glowed with faint blue veins of system light as the chains around his wrists began to tremble.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

"So you can still connect."

"I told you that you don’t know anything."

Luke growled, now gritting his teeth harder.

He yanked hard. The chains groaned, the ground beneath him cracking from the force of his resistance.

"I’ve been holding back. But you’re making it very difficult to stay civil."

Luke said, voice low and dangerous.

Ethan shifted slightly, his stance adjusting to brace for a potential counter. But he didn’t back away.

He couldn’t afford to.

Luke’s limbs trembled as he channeled the faint connection to the system, his body glowing with a soft blue hue.

The chains binding him quivered, responding to his renewed strength.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed, sensing the shift in energy.

"You’re not as powerless as you claimed."

He remarked.​

Luke met his gaze, determination etched into his features.

"I warned you,"

He growled. With a surge of effort, the chains shattered, fragments dissipating into the air.

Freed, Luke stood tall, the residual glow of the system fading from his form.

"Now, let’s see who truly understands the system."

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