The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse
Chapter 305: Ch: 304 Another Encounter - Part 1

Chapter 305: Ch: 304 Another Encounter - Part 1

Ethan stepped forward, chains trailing behind him like the echoes of a storm.

Luke gritted his teeth, drawing in every drop of power the system would grant him.

With each swing, his strikes tore through the air—laced with elemental force, compressed mana, and the weight of desperation.

Yet Ethan moved like a phantom, dodging, deflecting, or simply absorbing the attacks without so much as flinching.

Luke’s frustration mounted.

No matter how precise, how forceful, or how unpredictable his attacks were, Ethan remained two steps ahead.

"You’re not catching me off guard, Luke."

Ethan said calmly, his voice like iron wrapped in silk.

Luke snarled, summoning a new wave of energy.

"You think you’re so untouchable—why are you even here? What do you want from me?"

Ethan didn’t answer. Instead, he watched Luke carefully—measured, patient.

Then, when Luke lunged again, Ethan caught the strike mid-air with a chain and yanked him forward. Luke stumbled, off balance. In that moment, Ethan struck.

Luke barely parried, retreating several steps, sweat running down his face.

Ethan tilted his head.

"You’re helping run this tournament, aren’t you? Why not participate yourself? Are you afraid to lose?"

The jab landed harder than any physical blow. Luke’s jaw tightened.

"I don’t need to win the prize. The system will give me what I want for helping."

He growled.

Ethan’s expression darkened.

"And you trust that?"

"I don’t trust the system. But I trust the one who made the promise. That’s enough for me.""

Luke admitted, breathing hard.

"That’s all I needed to hear."

Ethan’s next move was swift, brutal, and unrelenting.

Chains erupted around him, shooting forward in precise, deadly arcs.

Luke went on the defensive, trying to block the barrage, but Ethan’s control was too refined. Luke was losing ground fast.

Panicked, Luke called out to the system, demanding more power.

The response was immediate—a surge of energy filled his limbs, strengthening his attacks. For a few seconds, he could hold Ethan back.

But then the system spoke to him:

[Warning: Body limit exceeded. Further power allocation terminated.]

The backlash hit like a hammer. The energy drained away from Luke all at once, his body seizing up from the sudden loss.

He stumbled, hands trembling, and a cold dread sank in his gut.

Ethan’s chains shot toward him again—one aimed straight for the chest.

Luke braced for death.

But it never came.

At the last second, Ethan shifted the trajectory, and the chain just grazed Luke’s side.

The force was still enough to knock him off his feet, but it didn’t pierce him. He hit the ground hard, gasping, legs failing beneath him.

Shaking, Luke looked up. Ethan stood over him, calm and composed.

"You’re lucky. I don’t kill pawns. But you’d better figure out who’s really pulling the strings before they burn you alive."

Ethan said coldly.

Luke couldn’t respond.

His whole body trembled—part exhaustion, part fear.

For the first time, he realized how deep he was in. And for the first time, he wasn’t sure the system would be there to pull him out.

Luke’s entire body trembled as Ethan tightened the chains around him. His voice cracked with desperation.

"I told you, I truly don’t know anything. You’re wasting your time trying to interrogate me."

Ethan didn’t budge. He stared down at Luke with hard, unreadable eyes.

"Then explain why the system guards you like a treasure. You’re not just another pawn. There’s something you’re not telling me."

He said coldly.

"I swear, I was promised a reward... I was told to follow instructions... I never asked questions."

Luke gasped, trying to pull air into his lungs.

Ethan clenched his jaw. The silence that followed felt heavier than any words. Luke’s denial didn’t satisfy him—but it wasn’t a full lie either.

Meanwhile, Selene jolted awake.

Her eyes fluttered open, but the world spun around her in a mess of light and shadow. Her body felt like it was on fire, every nerve screaming as if raw.

She blinked, trying to make sense of the dark room, but her vision was blurry and her head pounded. She shifted on the bed and called out weakly.

"E-Ethan..."

No response.

Reality hit her in a sharp wave. Ethan wasn’t there.

Her lips twisted into a grimace as the bitterness crept in.

"Luke?"

She called next, hoping he was nearby. But the room remained silent.

With great effort, she pushed herself upright.

Her legs wobbled beneath her, but she forced herself to stay on her feet.

Her instincts screamed at her to lie down, to rest, to give her body time to recover—but something else stirred inside her. Urgency.

The system’s familiar voice whispered to her, soft and distant.

[Luke is nearby. Southeast corridor. 83 meters.]

Selene didn’t question it. She stumbled forward, one hand dragging against the wall to support herself.

Her vision failed her—shapes and shadows merged into one indistinct blur—but her instincts were sharper than ever. They told her when to turn, when to duck, and where to step.

She moved fast. Faster than she should have in her condition.

By the time she neared the corridor, a pulse of raw energy reached her. Her instincts surged. Danger.

She rounded the final corner—and her gaze fell on Luke, pinned by ethereal chains. Someone stood over him, radiating pressure.

She couldn’t see who it was.

Didn’t matter.

She raised her hand without thinking and launched an attack. A wave of crackling energy surged forward, exploding on impact near Luke’s attacker.

The figure reeled back, leaping away from the blast just in time.

Luke gasped, turning toward her, stunned.

"Selene—!"

She didn’t speak. Her legs buckled slightly under her as she rushed forward, grabbing his wrist and yanking him up.

Her breath came in shallow gasps, her body close to collapsing, but she pulled him with her.

Behind her, a familiar voice rang out—sharp, surprised, pained.

"Selene?"

She froze for half a second.

Ethan?

She blinked toward the sound, but her blurry vision only revealed a silhouette.

Her mind warred with itself, but the burning inside her grew worse by the second. She clenched her jaw and turned away.

Now wasn’t the time.

She dragged Luke into the nearest side passage, away from the pressure, away from the voice.

Luke stumbled beside her, eyes wide.

"What are you doing? That was—"

"I know. But I couldn’t leave you there."

Selene interrupted. Her voice was low, almost robotic.

Luke looked at her with concern, noticing how pale she was, how her hands trembled.

"Selene... your eyes..."

She didn’t answer. Her grip on his wrist slackened as her strength gave out again. Her knees hit the ground and she slumped to the side.

"Selene! You shouldn’t have come. What the hell were you thinking?"

Luke dropped beside her, catching her before she collapsed completely.

Her eyes fluttered, distant and unfocused.

"You... were in danger..."

Luke swallowed hard, guilt tightening around his chest.

"You’re going to kill yourself if you keep pushing like this."

Selene tried to smile, but it came out wrong—pained and empty.

"I don’t care."

Luke’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t the same Selene who had once barked orders at everyone with sharp eyes and unwavering confidence.

This Selene was lost—burning, broken, and barely holding on.

Behind them, the presence stirred again. The one Selene attacked.

Luke gently shifted her into his arms. "We need to get out of here," he whispered, even though Selene had already slipped into unconsciousness.

As he turned to carry her away, he glanced back at the corridor. Ethan stood there, still watching.

And for the first time, Ethan looked... hurt. Not angry. Not betrayed.

Just hurt.

But Luke didn’t stop. He turned his back on Ethan and ran.

______

Ethan froze the moment he sensed her.

Selene.

Her energy pulsed wildly—unstable, reckless, unmistakably hers. She was close.

His eyes darted toward the corridor just as her silhouette blurred past him, fast and erratic, like a shadow on fire. She didn’t even pause.

"Selene!"

Ethan called out, reaching for her.

But she didn’t stop.

She didn’t even look at him.

Instead, she darted straight for Luke, unleashed a blast that sent Ethan staggering back a step, and grabbed the weakened man without hesitation.

Ethan’s voice rose again, sharp with disbelief.

"Selene, wait!"

Still nothing.

She didn’t turn. She didn’t slow down.

She dragged Luke into the side passage, disappearing before Ethan could reach them.

Ethan stood frozen, the sting of her silence cutting deeper than any blade. His hand remained outstretched, the air still warm where she had passed.

Why hadn’t she looked at him?

He clenched his jaw and ran after her, heart pounding, confusion burning through his chest.

But the corridor twisted, and by the time he reached the turn, they were already gone. Vanished into the maze.

Ethan stopped, panting in frustration. His fists tightened at his sides.

Something was wrong with her.

Very wrong.

And for the first time in a long while, Ethan wasn’t sure she’d let him help her.