The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 83: Ch : Rescue Mission - Part 3

Ethan ended the call with Selene, his expression cool and composed.

He slipped his communication device back into his pocket and turned to Zara.

"It’s decided. We secure the Bounty Seed first." fгeewebnovёl.com

He said. His relaxed expression looked off among the sea of nervous ones around him.

Zara rolled her shoulders, a faint smirk on her lips.

"Finally. I was getting bored."

She cracked her knuckles, the sound echoing ominously in the dim dungeon corridor.

Unlike them, the rest of the group looked far less confident.

The officials and lower-ranked adventurers exchanged worried glances. Even Noah, who usually exuded determination, had a crease between his brows.

Even the other hunters from the Vale family looked like they wanted to run from here. No one was confident about this raid.

But Ethan and Zara looked like they were out on a stroll and they could care less about where they currently were.

His hands twitched, ice-cold mist seeping through his gloves.

Ethan noticed and raised an eyebrow.

"Nervous?"

Noah straightened, his jaw tight.

"Not at all. I’m just ready to get this over with."

Ethan’s lips curled into a mocking grin.

"Sure. Just don’t freeze yourself solid, kid. My partner won’t be happy if I let you get killed here."

Noah shot him a glare but said nothing. His focus returned to the task ahead. He did not like the way Ethan had said ’partner’ and he especially did not like the possessiveness he had used for his sister.

’This bastard! He’s a wolf. He will eat Selene alive if I leave her with him. I need to do something to separate them both.’

And for that to happen, Noah needed to prove himself—not just to Ethan but to Selene.

If he showed her his strength, if he protected her, maybe then she would listen.

Maybe then he could convince her to come back home.

’Selene belongs to our side. She should be with me and Nora, not with this wolf who wants to eat her.’

He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and pushed open the heavy stone door leading to the boss room.

The chamber was vast and overgrown, thick vines hanging from the ceiling and sprawling across the floor.

At its center stood the monster—a gargantuan plant with twisting roots and gnashing thorned vines.

The Bounty Seed, a glowing, egg-like device, rested atop its central stalk like a crown.

Noah took a step forward, but the plant reacted instantly. Massive vines lashed out, their thorns dripping with poison.

"Hold it back!"

Someone shouted, and a barrage of fire bombs launched through the air. Explosions scorched the vines, but the flames barely left a mark.

The monster only grew more aggressive, its attacks coming faster and harder.

A vine swung toward Noah, sharp and fast. He rolled out of the way and shot a blast of frost at it. The ice crept up the vine, crystallizing it until, with a loud crack, the vine shattered.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he watched.

"Interesting..."

He connected the dots quickly. Selene must have known.

She’d sent Noah here not for his own safety but because his ice magic was effective against this monster.

Ethan’s curiosity flared. Selene always seemed to know more than she let on.

She was always a step ahead. He felt the urge to question her, to dig deeper into what she knew.

But for now, he had a job to do.

He raised his sword, energy swirling around him.

"Let’s make this quick."

Ethan charged forward, his blade slicing through vines. His attacks were precise, his movements almost lazy yet efficient.

Each swing of his sword cleaved through the plant’s defenses, buying time for the rest of the group.

He glanced over his shoulder, curious about how Noah and Zara were faring. What he saw surprised him.

The two had slipped through the chaos, weaving between snapping vines and falling debris. They had reached the central stalk where the Bounty Seed lay nestled.

Zara, with her swift reflexes, leaped up and grabbed the glowing device.

"Got it!"

She shouted, and without hesitation, she vaulted back down.

Noah was right behind her, covering their escape with walls of ice that slowed the plant’s attacks.

The plant monster, sensing its prized possession was gone, unleashed an ear-piercing roar. The ground shook, and vines whipped around wildly.

"Retreat! Everyone, fall back!"

Zara’s voice cut through the noise.

Panic rippled through the group. The officials and lower-ranked adventurers scrambled toward the exit, tripping over roots and dodging falling debris.

Ethan moved with them, his pace controlled.

He spared one last glance at the rampaging monster. It was still lashing out, the loss of the Bounty Seed driving it into a frenzy.

Despite the chaos, Ethan felt a flicker of amusement. Everything had gone according to plan—Selene’s plan. She had anticipated every move, predicted every reaction.

It made him want to ask her more, to see just how deep her knowledge ran. But that would have to wait.

For now, survival was the priority.

The group rushed through the winding dungeon corridors, the walls trembling as the monster’s rage echoed behind them.

The exit was in sight, sunlight filtering through the broken stone archway.

One by one, they stumbled out, breathing in the fresh air. The adrenaline began to fade, and the realization of their success set in.

Zara held up the Bounty Seed, its soft glow a promise of reward and safety.

"Mission accomplished."

Noah exhaled, a cloud of frost leaving his lips.

"We did it."

Ethan sheathed his sword and leaned against a crumbling wall.

"Not bad, kid."

Noah didn’t respond. His gaze was distant, his thoughts clearly on Selene.

Ethan noticed but said nothing. He’d let Noah sort through his feelings. Right now, all that mattered was that they had completed their part of the mission.

As the others celebrated, Ethan pulled out his communication device again. His fingers moved swiftly, sending a quick message to Selene.

[Seed secured. On our way out.]

He couldn’t wait to see what her next move would be.