The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 67: Ch : Dungeon’s Third Test- Part 1

The crumbling bridge behind them had barely settled into the abyss when the dungeon began to stir once more.

The twisted ropes and shattered planks that had fallen away only moments ago were now reforming, the wooden slats knitting together as if time itself were reversing.

The bridge rebuilt itself, rope by rope, until it stood pristine, as if the chaotic battle had never happened.

Orion’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping open.

"How... How is that possible? I-Is the dungeon going back to how it used to be?"

Zara offered him a gentle smile, her voice steady, even in the eerie stillness.

"The dungeon is preparing for the other teams. It resets itself to maintain the challenge. This happens often in higher-level dungeons."

Selene nodded, but her expression remained guarded.

"Don’t think too hard about it, Orion. Dungeons don’t always follow logic. They’re designed by the system to test us, and overthinking won’t help."

Orion swallowed, his curiosity dampened by Selene’s tone.

"Got it. I’ll focus."

Everyone else except Orion had been to multiple dungeons and seen a lot it had to offer. So it was easy for Orion to get impressed and show it on his face compared to others.

It was a refreshing experience and Selene even snickered as she watched Orion gasp in awe.

But soon it was time to move again, and Selene took the lead once more.

The team moved forward, the air growing thicker, heavier, as they approached the final chamber.

The walls shimmered, a pulsing green light filtering through the vines that snaked along the stone, and a deep rumble vibrated beneath their feet.

But as they neared the entrance, Selene froze, holding up a hand.

"Wait. Do you hear that?"

Muffled shouts and sharp cries echoed from within.

They weren’t the first ones to arrive—another team was already inside, facing the dungeon boss.

Peeking through the cracked opening, Selene took in the scene.

The room was large, with glistening stone floors, and at its center stood the boss—a towering orc, its skin a sickly green, muscles bulging, and a massive sword resting in its grip.

The orc’s red eyes glowed, and with each step, the ground quaked.

The first team was struggling, and it was painfully clear why. The four attackers—all of them close-combat specialists—were battered and bruised, their armor dented, and their movements sluggish.

At the back of their formation, a young healer knelt, her hands glowing faintly, but her face pale and sweat-soaked.

"She’s exhausted. They’re pushing her too hard."

Zara whispered, her expression pained.

Despite her state, the attackers barked orders, their voices harsh and ungrateful.

"Hurry up, you useless brat!"

One of them snarled, his sword raised, but his stance weak.

"If we die, it’s on you! Do your job!"

Another spat, not even glancing back at the healer who was keeping them alive. freeweɓnøvel.com

Orion’s hand clenched, and he took a step forward.

"We should help them."

Zara nodded, her bow already raised, but before she could move, Selene held out her arm, stopping them both.

"Not yet!"

she murmured, her gaze sharp. What was happening reminded Selene a lot of herself in the past.

"But why?"

Zara’s voice was tight, her concern palpable.

"They need to learn. They don’t understand the value of their healer. If we step in now, they’ll never learn."

Selene said, her eyes hard.

The team watched, the orc boss swinging its massive sword, and the attackers scrambling to defend themselves.

Each clash of metal sent sparks flying, and each missed step brought them closer to defeat.

Finally, the healer’s glow dimmed, and she collapsed, her body hitting the ground with a soft thud.

The attackers faltered, their movements becoming panicked. One of them turned, his eyes wide with fear.

"Hey! Get up! You can’t just—"

But his words died, as the orc boss closed in, its blade sweeping through the air.

The attackers crumbled, their defense shattered, and within moments, they were pinned down, their weapons skittering across the stone floor.

The orc raised its sword, its target clear, but before it could strike, a barrier of light shimmered, blocking the blow.

"Orion, now!"

Selene called, her voice firm.

Orion extended his hands, his barrier enveloping the downed team, keeping them safe from the orc’s onslaught.

"Zara, Ethan—engage the boss!"

Ethan moved first, his sword flashing, his movements fluid and practiced.

He met the orc’s blade head-on, the clang of steel reverberating through the chamber.

His strength matched the orc’s, and with each strike, he pushed back, forcing the creature away from the fallen team.

Zara followed, her arrows swift and deadly, each shot aimed at the orc’s joints, slowing its movements.

Her precision was unparalleled, and with each hit, the orc’s rage intensified, its attacks becoming wilder and less focused.

Selene moved behind them, her dagger ready, but her focus was on the healer. She knelt beside the girl, her hand resting gently on the healer’s forehead.

"You did well. Rest now. We’ll handle this."

She whispered, slipping a small healing potion into the girl’s hand.

The healer’s lips moved, a soft thank you, and she drifted into unconsciousness, her breathing evening out.

With the first team secured, Selene turned her attention back to the fight.

Ethan and Zara had the orc cornered, its movements sluggish, wounds marring its green skin.

Orion’s barrier remained strong, a bubble of safety around the wounded party.

Selene moved in, her dagger aimed true, and with a quick, precise motion, she slashed at the back of the orc’s knee, its leg buckling.

Ethan saw the opening and lunged, his sword driving deep into the orc’s chest. With a final roar, the creature fell, its body hitting the ground, and the dungeon trembled as the boss was defeated.

A soft chime echoed, the system’s notification of their victory, and the room brightened, the dungeon’s oppressive air lifting.

Selene stood over the fallen orc, her expression unreadable.

"Let’s finish up here."

The dungeon had been conquered, but new lessons had been learned, not just by the first team, but by her own as well.