Ch 28: A Silver Lining- Part 1

Ethan and Zara stepped into the dungeon, and immediately, an unnatural energy surrounded them. It was thick, heavy, and unsettling—like the very air was pressing against their skin. The deeper they went, the stronger the sensation became.

Zara frowned and instinctively reached for her weapon. 

"Something's wrong. Be careful, Selene." 

Zara muttered as she turned around to look at Selene. All she wanted to do was to make sure the female they brought with them was safe. But as soon as she did that-

Selene was gone.

Zara's body tensed as she spun around, scanning the area. There was no sign of her. No footsteps. No sound of movement. It was like she had vanished into thin air.

Her voice was sharp with panic. There was only one person she could turn to in this situation and ask for help.

"Ethan—Selene's gone!"

Zara expected Ethan to take action and suggest that they go and look for Selene in this dungeon. Ethan, however, barely reacted to this news.

He didn't look worried. He didn't even seem surprised that Selene was no longer with them. His reaction was suspicions.

Zara narrowed her eyes.

"You knew this could happen. But it looks like the dungeon decided to take Selene after all." 

It wasn't a question. The certainty in Ethan's voice made Zara certain that this was an outcome that was supposed to happen.

Ethan let out a slow breath, glancing around the dungeon as if confirming something. 

"It was a possibility."

Ethan said that, but it seemed like this situation was more than a possibility. Zara's grip on her weapon tightened. 

"What do you mean a possibility? You knew the dungeon would try to separate her?"

Ethan finally looked at her. His golden eyes were calm, unreadable.

"A 'marked' prey is easier to hunt when isolated. This tactic is not uncommon for monsters to use against unsuspecting prey."

Zara inhaled sharply.

"So that's what this is. The dungeon wants her."

Ethan didn't answer. He didn't need to.

A cold realization settled in Zara's gut.

Selene was just some girl who happened to get caught up in all this. And the one who caused her to get in danger were her and Ethan and all because they brought her here.

Zara's stomach twisted. 

"You're not planning to sacrifice her, are you?"

She expected Ethan to brush her off with his usual indifference, to make some dry remark about how sacrifices were necessary.

But instead—

For the first time—

She saw anger flash in his eyes.

It was brief, barely there, but unmistakable.

Ethan turned away, dismissing the conversation with a sigh.

"She's not that weak. She can survive until we get to her and save her." 

He said, as if that was the only explanation needed.

Zara stared at him.

That wasn't just a lack of concern. That was trust.

Ethan, who had always kept himself detached, who saw humanity as nothing more than collateral damage in his own war—

He trusted Selene to survive.

For the first time, Zara felt a flicker of hope.

Maybe—just maybe—Ethan wasn't as far gone as she thought.

She knew from experience that Ethan was not human. He might be wearing a human shell, but the being that dwelled inside him was something more. And that being did not care for humans.

Ethan was someone who would allow the world to burn if it meant he got to get his revenge. But his reaction assured Zara that there was still hope left.

Maybe one day, he would become more than just someone seeking revenge.

Maybe he could become an ally to humanity.

______

Selene ran through the dungeon, her breaths coming in sharp gasps. Her lungs burned under the burden, but she kept running since her life depended on it.

The Scout was still chasing her and nothing she did could stop it from running after her.

No matter where she turned, no matter how fast she moved, it was always right behind her.

It was tracking her.

It won't stop.

She pushed herself harder, heart pounding. She could feel it gaining on her. The cold, wet air of the dungeon made her skin prickle, but the fear in her chest burned hotter than anything else.

She needed to think. She needed a plan. 

A normal human would not be able to survive this situation. If only she had her stats from before she regressed, she could do something about it. Not that it was possible, but still-

But just as she turned another corner, a notification flashed in her vision.

[System Notification: Rebooting…]

[Adjusting stats to match dungeon environment.]

Her steps faltered and she almost fell.

What?

Another line of text appeared.

[Realigning user's stats… Calculating potential… Adjusting Amplify skill…Restarting the system due to apocalypse's energy]

Selene's eyes widened.

The dungeon is forcing the system to change?

She had barely processed the thought when something else clicked.

The dungeon wasn't just a death trap. It was a place which was connected to the apocalypse. And since this place was connected to the apocalypse, there was a good chance that the system would work here.

It was an opportunity for her to gain more power and to test out her system before she had to do any serious combat.

She had spent days worrying about how to get stronger before the apocalypse started. She had wondered how to awaken more skills, how to level up quickly in a world where leveling up wasn't possible yet.

But now—

This is it.

This was the cheat she had been looking for. 

A shortcut to strength. 

'Fuck this! I don't know if this is something Ethan expected to happen or not, but I am not going to give up this opportunity. I will hunt down this hound that is coming after me and show it the powers of humans.'

Selene had heard that the system rewarded users based on merit and how tough of a situation they faced.

So, what would she get for making it to the apocalypse as a 'marked prey'?

A silver lining in this messed-up situation had arrived after all.