The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 77: Ch : Rising Tensions- Part 3

"You’ll what? You’ll try to hurt me? You’re not ready for that."

Ethan asked, his tone calm.

A shiver rippled through the onlookers, not from the cold but from the sudden, crushing weight of Ethan’s aura.

It pressed down on them, a reminder of his place in the top ten of the rankings—a reminder of the gap between Noah’s fury and Ethan’s power.

Noah’s eyes widened, but he did not back down. Ice began to crawl up Ethan’s arm, the frost biting into his skin.

Ethan’s expression did not change, but his fingers tightened around Noah’s wrist, and with a sharp twist, he brought the younger man to his knees.

Gasps echoed around them, hunters stepping back as the spectacle unfolded.

’I knew that Noah was no match for Ethan, but still! Noah is B-Rank. Ethan took him down as if nothing happened’

Selene remained where she was, watching with a mixture of resignation and detachment. Her mind felt blank as her brain tried to catch up with what happened.

She could feel Nora’s gaze on her, sharp and filled with questions, but she did not acknowledge it.

For a second, Selene wondered if her mask had slipped and her real face was visible to everyone. But she quickly noticed the feeling of fabric against her face and realized that it was not the case.

Noah was just looking at her because he wanted to, and not likely because he recognized her.

Ethan leaned down, his face inches from Noah’s.

"You’re strong. But strength without control is just a weapon waiting to backfire. And also, you will never be a match for me."

He said, his voice quiet but carrying.

Noah’s breath came in harsh pants, his teeth grit as he struggled against Ethan’s hold. The ice around them began to melt, the cold receding as Noah’s focus fractured.

Ethan let go, and Noah crumpled to the ground, his weapon slipping from his grasp.

"Stay down. You’re not ready for this."

Ethan advised, straightening.

Selene turned away, her expression unchanging.

"Let him go, Ethan. I am sure he has learned his lesson by now."

The camp fell into a hush, tension crackling in the air like static. Hunters who had been going about their business now stood frozen, eyes darting between Ethan and Noah.

They all knew it—Noah was no match for Ethan. The difference in their ranks and aura was too vast.

Before things could escalate, Nora stepped forward. She moved quickly, slipping between her brother and Ethan. Her hands were raised, palms open in a gesture of peace.

"Noah, Enough."

She said, her voice calm but firm.

Noah’s chest heaved, his knuckles white around the hilt of his weapon. The frost beneath his feet had started to melt, puddles forming around his boots.

Nora didn’t take her eyes off Ethan.

"I’ll handle my brother. You don’t need to get angry."

She said, offering Ethan a strained smile.

Ethan’s lips curled into a smirk. His relaxed stance never shifted, his hands still buried in his pockets.

"Angry? I’m not angry. I’m just amused." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

He drawled.

He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping into a low murmur that still reached everyone around them.

"Your brother’s welcome to try and take a swing at me. Any time he wants."

Noah’s jaw clenched, the ice around him cracking under the weight of his aura. He looked ready to charge again, but Nora’s sharp glare pinned him in place.

"Noah!"

She said again, this time with a hint of warning.

He growled under his breath, but he took a step back. His eyes never left Ethan, cold and full of promise.

"I’ll make you talk. I’ll make you tell me where you’re keeping Selene"

He muttered.

Ethan chuckled, his laughter a low rumble that seemed to mock Noah’s every word.

"I’ll be waiting."

Noah’s hands trembled, but he forced himself to turn away. His strides were stiff, every step a visible struggle to hold back his rage.

Nora gave Ethan one last wary glance before following her brother, her expression torn between fear and frustration.

Ethan watched them go, amusement glittering in his eyes.

"Your siblings are adorable. Just as fun to mess with as you are."

He said, turning to Selene.

Selene’s expression didn’t change. Her lips thinned, and her gaze remained on the twins as they disappeared into the crowd.

"Knock it off."

Her voice was soft but held a sharp edge. It made Ethan’s smirk falter, just for a moment.

But the real reaction came from Noah and Nora.

Even as they walked away, her voice reached them. Their steps slowed, and they half-turned, shock evident in their wide eyes.

This was the second time they had heard her speak, and this time, her voice was far more clear than before.

Selene kept her face carefully blank. She acted as if she hadn’t noticed, but the weight of their stares pressed against her back.

The twins’ mouths opened, words teetering on the edge of spilling out.

But before they could, another voice cut through the silence.

"Shadow!"

Valeria Clinton strode forward, her heels clicking against the frost-bitten ground. The cold in her eyes matched the lingering chill in the air, and her lips pulled into a thin, displeased line.

"Causing trouble already? I would advise you not to make things difficult for the Vale family."

Valeria’s tone was sharp, edged with barely concealed irritation.

She stopped a few steps away, her posture perfect and unyielding.

"If you know what’s good for you."

Orion snorted, his arms crossing over his chest.

"Pretty sure the only ones causing trouble are you guys."

Zara nodded, her expression mild but her words cutting.

"Didn’t the Vale side just lose against Ethan? Maybe you should worry more about yourselves."

Color flooded Valeria’s cheeks, a deep red that only made her narrowed eyes more intense. She clenched her fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms.

"That was us going easy on you. Next time, it’ll be different."

She snapped.