The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse
Chapter 53: Ch 53: Developing the Skills- Part 3

Chapter 53: Ch 53: Developing the Skills- Part 3

Selene could feel the sweat dripping down her back, her body tense with fear.

Every instinct screamed at her to turn back, to leave before they were spotted. Her breathing was uneven as she weighed her options, trying to push through the panic gripping her chest.

Just as she was about to decide to retreat, she felt something—

A light touch on her hand.

She flinched violently, pulling her hand away instinctively before she even registered who had touched her.

Orion.

The boy looked just as startled as she was, but he quickly composed himself. His dark eyes studied her with concern.

"Selene... are you okay?"

She swallowed, forcing herself to nod.

"I’m fine."

But even as she said it, she knew she wasn’t convincing anyone. Her complexion was pale, her fingers trembling slightly. Orion clearly wasn’t buying it.

He hesitated before speaking again, softer this time.

"If you’re scared, we should go back. We can always find another dungeon."

Selene shook her head, tightening her fists.

"No. This is the dungeon I want to explore."

She had put too much effort into researching this place. There had to be a reason the Vale family was here. If they were after something inside, then she needed to know what it was.

She took a deep breath, pushing down her unease.

"I have a plan. But I need your help, Orion."

She finally said.

Orion straightened at that.

"What do I need to do?"

Selene looked him in the eyes.

"You need to expand your barrier around both of us while I carry you inside."

Orion blinked.

"Wait—carry me?"

"Yes."

Orion hesitated, looking down at himself before looking back at her.

"I-I might be too heavy—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Selene bent down, hooked an arm under his legs, and lifted him into her arms.

Orion yelped, going rigid as he clung to her shoulders.

"Selene!"

She smirked, adjusting her grip.

"You’re lighter than you think. My stats have increased thanks to the system, so carrying you isn’t a big deal."

Orion flushed, clearly embarrassed, but he nodded.

"O-Okay, fine."

Focusing, he activated his ability, and a translucent barrier shimmered around them. Selene tested it by poking at the edge—it held firm.

"Good."

She whispered.

Before moving, she turned her Insight ability toward Damien Ross, selecting him as her new target.

Immediately, a rush of information filled her mind—his general location, his combat level, his movement patterns.

Her heart skipped a beat.

’He’s strong. But not as much as he used to be. I think I can take him in a fight.’

Unfortunately, this man was not alone and Selene had no intention of showing herself in front of her siblings.

Selene’s jaw clenched, and she turned her attention back to Orion.

"Listen to me. Do not interact with anyone outside this dungeon. If you do, they’ll take advantage of you."

She said in a low voice.

Orion swallowed hard and nodded.

"I understand."

Satisfied, Selene moved.

With Orion securely in her arms and the barrier around them, she dashed forward, sneaking toward the dungeon entrance.

Her enhanced agility allowed her to move swiftly, and the barrier helped muffle their presence.

She could feel Damien and his people getting closer.

Her heart pounded.

Finally, just as the Vale family reached the dungeon’s threshold, Selene slipped inside.

Inside the dungeon, the atmosphere shifted immediately.

The air felt heavier, colder. The walls shimmered slightly, as if reality itself was distorted within this space.

The dungeon’s interior was made of dark stone, illuminated by faint, glowing patterns that ran along the walls like veins of light.

Selene didn’t stop moving. She rushed forward until she reached a safe distance inside before gently setting Orion down.

"We made it!"

He muttered, looking back toward the entrance.

Selene wasn’t so sure.

She opened her system interface and started a timer.

Insight had given her information on Damien and his team. If their current pace remained the same, they would reach the dungeon’s first room in 15 minutes.

That was all the time they had to get ahead.

Orion watched her with wide eyes.

"You’re setting a timer?"

Selene nodded, eyes sharp.

"We don’t have much time before they catch up to us. We need to move fast."

Orion shifted nervously.

"What do we do first?"

Selene took a quick glance at their surroundings before focusing ahead.

"We find the first challenge in this dungeon. The sooner we start, the better."

Orion hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded.

"Okay."

With that, the two of them pressed forward.

The first room of the dungeon was unlike anything Orion had expected.

Instead of a battleground, it looked like an ancient hall filled with floating platforms and glowing symbols. The platforms were suspended in the air, shifting positions at random intervals.

At the far end of the room was a door with no visible handle or keyhole.

Selene’s eyes scanned the environment quickly.

"A puzzle room."

Orion frowned.

"What do we have to do?"

Selene’s gaze landed on a series of glowing runes carved into the floor. They pulsed faintly, shifting colors every few seconds.

She narrowed her eyes.

[Insight activated.]

Immediately, text appeared in her vision:

"The Path of the Sky - Those who walk with the wind may pass. Step with the flow, and the way shall open."

Selene read it aloud. Orion frowned.

"Walk with the wind?"

Selene exhaled, analyzing the platforms. They didn’t just move randomly—they followed a pattern. A rhythm.

"We have to step on the platforms in a specific sequence. If we step at the wrong time, we’ll probably fall."

She realized.

Orion paled.

"F-Fall where?"

Selene looked down.

The floor was missing beneath the platforms. Instead, there was a spiked path which did not look too dangerous...for someone who had a shielding skill.

She grimaced.

"Not somewhere we want to end up."

Orion took a step back.

"Great."

Selene turned to him.

"You’re going first."

His head snapped toward her.

"What?! Why me?"

"Because you have a barrier. If you fall, you’ll be protected long enough for me to pull you back."

Orion groaned but didn’t argue.

Selene watched as he hesitated at the first platform. She could see the pattern clearly now.

"Wait... now! Step on it!"

Orion obeyed, jumping onto the first platform just as it stabilized. It held.

He let out a shaky breath.

"Okay... what now?"

Selene smiled. "Now, we keep going."

Behind them, the timer on her system counted down.

10 minutes left.

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