The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse
Chapter 45: Ch 45: A Game of Chase- Part 1

Chapter 45: Ch 45: A Game of Chase- Part 1

Ethan groaned as they weaved through the shelter, pushing past the crowds of desperate survivors. The people’s bodies crashed against him and it made Ethan feel irritated.

This was not something he envisioned himself doing, so he wondered why he was going this far for someone like Selene?

He truly had no answer for this question except to keep chasing after Selene and be with her. That felt like something he had to do.

"Selene, tell me—do we really need to chase this kid?"

Ethan asked with an almost whining tone. He openly expressed his dislike for the situation. Unfortunately for him, Selene did not seem to even pay him any attention for it.

Selene didn’t bother slowing down when she answered.

"Yes."

Ethan exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple as he kept pace.

"Look, I know you have a thing for collecting strays, but this one is more trouble than he’s worth."

Ethan tried to reason. He was sure that he would be able to make Selene reconsider this if he played his cards right...surely?

"He’s a Barrier Master, Ethan. Do you have any idea how rare they are?"

Selene shot back in an equally serious voice. She was not listening to a word Ethan was saying to complain.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But this one? This one ran the moment we showed the slightest bit of interest. What makes you think he’ll even agree to come with us?"

He muttered. Ethan did not understand why it had to be this kid.

Moreover, he did not understand why he felt so bitter about it? His insides boiled at the thought of Selene paying attention to someone who was not him.

But Ethan refused to look deeper into those feelings. It would only cause problems if he did that.

"I’ll make him agree."

Selene sounded certain about this, causing Ethan to let out a hollow laugh.

"Right. And what if he just runs again?"

"Then I’ll find him again."

Ethan groaned in frustration.

"Selene, come on. Just let him go. I promise we can find another Barrier Master—one who doesn’t bolt the moment we look at them."

Selene abruptly stopped, turning to face him. This was the first time she did this in a while, but the look on her face made Ethan flinch and wish that he had not seen her face anyway.

"If you don’t like it, you can leave."

Ethan stared at her, his expression unreadable.

For a second, he thought he might actually take her up on that offer and leave. But just as that thought came to his mind, it ended up leaving as well. Ethan felt hollow after that talk.

But then, with an exaggerated sigh, he rolled his shoulders and stretched as if completely unfazed.

"Huh? Sorry, I wasn’t listening. Did you say something?"

Selene narrowed her eyes.

’Liar.’

Ethan smirked at her irritation, but before she could call him out on it, he was already moving again. He seemed to have gotten over his complex...or whatever it was that he was going through.

"Come on, oh-so-determined leader, let’s go find your lost puppy."

Selene huffed but didn’t argue. She had more important things to focus on right now.

They had lost sight of the kid, but that didn’t mean Selene was giving up.

She glanced at her system, activating her enhanced ability.

[Insight: Active]

[Tracking Mode: ON]

A soft glow flickered in her vision as her system responded to her command.

One of the perks of her ability—something she had discovered after clearing the dungeon—was that she could track anyone she had previously used Insight on.

As long as they were within a certain range, their location would appear on her system.

And sure enough—

[Target: Orion]

A small dot pulsed on her display, indicating the kid’s exact position.

Selene exhaled in relief.

"Found him."

Ethan groaned.

"Oh, for—Selene, do we have to?"

She shot him a glare.

He threw his hands up in surrender.

"Fine, fine. Let’s go."

Even as he complained, he still followed her lead without hesitation.

______

Orion held his breath, curling into himself as he hid in the corner of the shelter.

His back was pressed against the cold wall, his body blending seamlessly with his surroundings.

The ability granted by his system allowed him to camouflage himself completely—it made him invisible, undetectable.

No one had ever found him when he hid.

Not once.

It had made Orion an outcast among people and he was satisfied to be treated like this. At least, he wasn’t being used by people this way.

But it also made sure that Orion did not have anyone by his side when he felt lonely or tired. This was the price he had to pay for his skills.

No one had ever tried to be close to him either, they just wanted his abilities because they were useful. No one actually cared about him, they just cared about his ability.

That was why he was sure—certain—that this time would be no different.

Still, his heart pounded in his chest, his tiny hands clutching at his knees.

He had been in this shelter for days now, waiting.

Waiting for his parents to come find him.

They would come.

They had to.

Orion bit his lip, forcing down the bitter feeling creeping into his chest.

He didn’t want to think about the possibility that they wouldn’t.

Not now. Not ever.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps.

Two pairs.

Getting closer.

He tensed, squeezing his eyes shut as if that would somehow make him disappear even more.

They wouldn’t find him. They couldn’t find him.

No one ever had before.

And yet—

Orion cracked one eye open just enough to watch as the two people—Selene and Ethan—stopped just a few feet away from his hiding spot.

Selene’s gaze was sharp, scanning the area.

Her eyes landed exactly where he was.

Orion’s breath caught in his throat.

No way.

He didn’t dare move. Didn’t dare make a sound.

But somehow, somehow—

Selene was looking right at him.

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