Ch 7: If you don't pay attention, you will die- Part 3

A split-second misstep was all it took to send Selene's confidence shaking and suddenly, she was surrounded.

The creatures loomed over her, eyes flickering with cruel amusement. They could smell her fear.

No. No, no, no.

Selene's fingers trembled as she reached into her pocket.

She had nothing.

No weapons. No magic. No system to protect her.

Only—

Her fingers brushed against something cold.

The smoke bomb she had received from Ethan. She had never gotten rid of it or left it in her bag-pack. She still had it in her hand and it comforted her to hold it.

Without hesitation, she hurled it to the ground away from her.

BOOM!

A thick, suffocating cloud of smoke exploded into the air.

The monsters shrieked in confusion, thrashing as they lost sight of their prey.

Selene took the chance—she ran.

Heart pounding, she sprinted through the thick haze, her ears straining for any sign of safety.

Then—

A voice.

Low, calm, and infuriatingly familiar.

"This way."

Ethan's voice was distinct and it managed to get to Selene even through the smoke all around her. She quickly followed the voice until she reached safety….or so she thought.

Just as she veered in his direction—

The ground behind her erupted.

A massive clawed hand burst through the stone floor.

Selene's eyes widened in horror.

Had she been even a second slower—

She would have been dead and that monster head would have swallowed her whole. Just thinking about it made her heart skip a beat in horror.

But it was a mistake to think she was safe so soon.

The monster's head lunged toward Selene. It moved fast—too fast. A blur of gnarled teeth and blackened claws, its gaping maw stretched wide, eager to tear into her flesh.

Selene threw herself to the side to avoid that attack, and her arm hurt at the impact.

She hit the ground hard, her breath escaping in a sharp gasp. The monster's attack barely missed her, its claws grazing the air where she had been standing just moments before.

Her hands trembled as she scrambled back onto her feet.

No more hesitation.

She yanked the gun from her hidden armory to try and create some gap between it and herself.

BANG!

A single shot rang out, piercing through the thick dungeon air. The bullet struck the monster's forehead, hitting dead center.

For a brief moment, Selene felt a flicker of hope—

Until the monster didn't fall.

Didn't even flinch.

Its sunken eyes flickered toward her, filled with an eerie amusement, as if it were mocking her attempt.

Selene's stomach dropped.

She knew that this would not work against a monster like this, but she had still hoped to see some effect. It was disheartening to see that she had failed this time.

That was supposed to be her last resort!

The monster let out a piercing scream as it felt the bullet graze its body.

It was an unbearable, bone-rattling sound—one that shot straight through her skull and sent waves of searing pain crashing through her body.

Selene squeezed her eyes shut, hands flying up to cover her ears. But it was useless.

Her knees buckled. Her senses blurred.

The world around her tilted.

Move. MOVE!

But her body refused to obey.

The monster's cry slowly died down, and Selene forced her eyes open just in time to see it lunge at her again.

Too late.

She wasn't going to make it.

But before the monster could reach her—

A flash of silver cut through the air.

A blade sliced cleanly through its throat.

The creature's cry choked off, its body falling lifelessly to the ground with a sickening thud.

Selene gasped, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

A shadow loomed over her.

Ethan.

He stood just a few feet away, his bloodied sword still in hand, his dark eyes sharp and filled with irritation.

"Run. Keep running till you reach Nora. I will clear your way."

His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Selene didn't hesitate.

She turned on her heels and ran.

Her legs burned. Her lungs screamed for air. But she didn't stop.

Not until she saw Noah and Nora.

The twins stood tall at the heart of the battle, their presence radiating power.

Behind them, a shimmering barrier protected the non-combatants—a sanctuary from the chaos.

Selene pushed forward, forcing herself to reach the safe zone.

She nearly collapsed as she slipped past the barrier, finally allowing herself a breath of relief.

She was safe.

But before she could even gather herself—

She felt it.

The cold, burning stares.

Selene glanced up, her relief quickly fading as she took in the expressions of the people around her.

Disgust.

Annoyance.

Contempt.

None of them said a word, but the message was clear.

She didn't belong here since had contributed nothing.

She was just a useless burden.

Selene clenched her fists as she listened to the quiet murmurs around her.

"Why is she even here?"

"She's useless. Why did we have to be saddled with her?"

"I can't believe we have to protect someone like that."

Their voices weren't loud, but they didn't need to be.

Selene knew exactly what they thought of her.

She kept her head down, pretending not to hear, pretending it didn't matter.

At least they weren't doing anything.

Not yet.

These were dangerous times, and even they knew better than to openly attack one of their own while monsters still lurked nearby.

Selene exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the bitter feeling in her chest.

The battle had finally ended.

The last of the monsters had been slain, their twisted bodies littering the dungeon floor.

People relaxed, their tense shoulders easing as the immediate danger passed.

Selene tried to do the same, but a sudden sting in her arm made her flinch.

She glanced down, noticing a thin, red line trailing down her sleeve.

A scratch?

She hadn't even noticed when she'd been hurt.

She brushed it off.

It was nothing.

She had bigger things to worry about.

______

I'll likely post 1 more chapter today. Gotta write that mental breakdown...but it won't come until ch 11.