The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 62: Ch : Burden of a Support- Part 2

It was said that you could not run away form your past, but for Selene this saying felt like it has a grip on her.

Selene found herself retreating inward, her mood shifting. The small victories felt hollow, overshadowed by the public’s perception of her.

Her team, ever perceptive, noticed immediately. Ethan, Zara, and Orion did their best to reassure her, praising her leadership, reminding her of how far they had come because of her guidance.

"You’re not useless. You’re the reason we’re still alive. You see things none of us can. That’s not nothing."

Zara had said one morning, her voice firm, her eyes soft.

Orion had echoed the sentiment, his innocence a balm to her wounds.

"I don’t care what they say on T.V. You’re our captain. You always will be."

Their words helped, but the unease remained, a persistent whisper at the back of her mind.

That afternoon, as the sun dipped low, Selene sat on the worn couch, a threadbare blanket draped over her shoulders.

The television flickered, its blue glow soft against the dim room. She had intended to distract herself, but the anchor’s voice grated on her nerves.

"And once again, the so-called masked strategist continues to avoid any real contributions. Is she even necessary?"

Her grip tightened on the remote, her knuckles pale.

Ethan, who had been passing by, paused, his expression softening when he saw her.

"Want me to smite them? Just say the word, and I’ll bring the whole station down. They’ll think it’s divine retribution" freёnovelkiss.com

He asked, a playful lilt in his voice.

The offer, so casually spoken, pulled a laugh from Selene. It was a small sound, but it broke the tension in her chest.

"There’s no need for that," she replied, her lips curving up despite herself. "I’m not as offended as I look."

Ethan settled down next to her, his presence warm.

"Good. But if you change your mind, the smiting offer stands."

Selene felt the knot of insecurity loosen, her breathing evening out. Just sitting here, sharing space with someone who cared, was enough to keep the shadows at bay.

Her moment of peace, however, was short-lived.

A sharp voice from the television cut through their calm, the anchor’s tone tinged with fear.

"Breaking news! The first C+ rank dungeon has been discovered! Authorities are struggling to respond, and it’s unclear which guild will handle the crisis."

Selene’s head snapped up, her focus sharpening instantly.

Her fingers twitched, an echo of the past, where she had been powerless and small, but now? Now, she could act.

She rose quickly, the blanket slipping from her shoulders.

"Ethan, get Zara and Orion! We need to move. Now."

She instructed, her voice clear, the hesitation gone.

Ethan’s expression shifted, the teasing gone, replaced by determination. He nodded and vanished down the hallway, his footsteps quick.

By the time Ethan returned with Zara and Orion, Selene had already prepped their gear, her system screen alive with maps and intel.

"C+ rank dungeon. We’ll be one of the the first ones there if we leave now"

Zara murmured, her eyes bright with excitement.

Orion clutched his shield, his expression a mix of nerves and resolve.

"Will we be able to handle it?"

Selene paused, letting her gaze settle on each of them.

"Yes. We’ve trained for this. We go in, clear the dungeon, and make sure no one can twist this story against us."

Her mask and cloak were ready, and as she slipped them on, the familiar weight brought her comfort.

"And remember, we don’t need to prove anything to them. We do this for us. For the people who can’t"

She added.

______

Selene and her team arrived at the C+ dungeon, only to find the entrance crowded with dozens of teams, each hungry for fame and fortune.

The air buzzed with competition, and watchful eyes darted from team to team, measuring threats and opportunities.

As soon as Ethan and Zara stepped forward, a ripple went through the crowd.

Their reputations preceded them, and within moments, hunters, scavengers, and wannabe allies flocked to their sides, each trying to ingratiate themselves.

"Ethan! Zara! Heard a lot about you!"

"Mind if we tag along? Safety in numbers, right?"

"Are you here alone? Do you need a healer for your party? What about a shielder?"

The voices layered over each other, a cacophony of forced camaraderie and thinly veiled opportunism.

Ethan’s polite smile never wavered, but his eyes tightened, the lines at their corners betraying his discomfort.

Zara kept her chin up, but her shoulders were tense, her movements stiffer than usual.

Selene saw the unease in their body language and acted quickly. She grabbed Orion’s hand, her grip firm, and slipped away while the crowd remained distracted.

"Come on, Orion. We need to check the perimeter."

She whispered.

Orion nodded, his expression alert as they moved through the shadows, ducking behind tents and supply crates.

As they distanced themselves, the noise faded, replaced by the low hum of the dungeon portal, its energy swirling like a storm contained within glass.

Selene’s insight skill activated, her vision shifting to show faint green auras around hidden traps and weak points.

She studied the layout, noted the flow of people, and scanned for potential dangers.

"Something’s off. There are too many teams, and not all of them are here to clear the dungeon. Some are just... watching."

She murmured.

Orion followed her gaze, his brows knitting together.

"You think they’re here for us?"

"Possibly. Or maybe they’re waiting for someone to make a mistake. Either way, we need to move fast. The ranking system is supposed to appear after this dungeon, so let’s make sure we all rank high and gain a lot of influence."

Selene reminded Orion, but she knew that it was going to be tough for her and Orion to rank high.

After all, they were supports.

She tugged him deeper into the shadows, her mind racing with possibilities and plans.

The dungeon was a beast waiting to be tamed, but the real threat might be the people standing outside its gates.