Chapter 231: Ch 231: Countdown to Destruction- Part 2
Selene moved deeper into the dungeon, her footsteps echoing through the vast darkness.
The air was thick. Heavy. It felt wrong to move through the dungeon under such circumstances. But Selene kept moving because her body kept pushing her to.
’Why is it so quiet?’
Her senses stayed on high alert, but—
Nothing.
Not a single monster.
The path twisted unnaturally, as if the dungeon itself was shifting.
Selene clenched her jaw.
She didn’t trust it. This dungeon was different from anything else she had ever seen before. Even this space felt like it did not make much sense.
But...
A strange pull guided her forward.
It was subtle at first—a faint tug in her core.
But as she pressed on, the sensation grew stronger.
Almost like... sothing was calling her.
"What the hell is this?"
Selene muttered under her breath.
Her system remained silent.
Great.
Her fingers brushed against the hilt of her blade as she followed the pull, deeper into the unknown.
Ti felt strange inside the dungeon.
Minutes... hours...
She couldn’t tell anymore how long she had been here. She could have been walking for seconds, or hours.
But finally—
A faint glow pierced through the darkness.
Selene’s steps slowed.
Her pulse quickened.
’The core...?’
She pushed forward, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.
And then—
Her breath caught.
A monstrous figure lood at the heart of the dungeon.
Selene’s blood ran cold.
It was a woman.
Or at least—half of one.
Her upper body was eerily human.
But her lower half—
A monstrous spider.
Eight legs, sharp and glistening, extended from her torso.
Her skin was pale, almost translucent, and her hair fell in long, tangled strands that brushed against the silken web suspending her above the ground.
Selene froze, her instincts screaming at her to stay back.
The monster remained motionless, head bowed as if she were asleep.
But Selene wasn’t fooled.
This thing...
Her grip on her blade tightened.
"I should be careful while I approach this monster. I have a really bad feeling about this one.."
Her steps barely made a sound as she crept closer.
Still—
The creature didn’t stir.
Now.
Selene raised her hand, conjuring a ball of fla.
"I should start with a small fire spell."
The flas surged forward—
But before they could hit—
SHWIK.
Threads shot out from the darkness, intercepting her attack effortlessly.
Selene’s eyes widened.
The web burned away, but the impact barely made the creature flinch.
Then—
The monster’s head tilted upward.
Luminous, silver eyes t Selene’s.
And—
She smiled.
"How... amusing."
Selene’s heart skipped a beat.
’It can talk?’
The system buzzed to life.
[Warning: Unable to determine threat level. Avoid engagent.]
Selene’s stomach dropped.
What the hell am I dealing with?
"A human? No..."
The creature’s voice was smooth, almost lodic.
"Not quite."
Selene took a cautious step back.
"What are you doing here, little puppet?"
The words made Selene’s blood run cold.
"Puppet?"
She whispered.
The monster’s smile widened.
"A being like you... wandering into my domain. How curious."
Selene ignored the chill creeping down her spine.
"I’m here to stop this dungeon from expanding."
Her voice was steady.
The half-spider tilted her head, amusent flickering in her eyes.
"To protect your people?"
Selene didn’t answer.
"A puppet..."
The creature let out a low chuckle.
"Worried for others. How... delightful."
Selene’s jaw clenched.
"I’m not a puppet."
The half-spider’s smile faded.
"Aren’t you?"
Selene’s fingers twitched, heat building in her core.
But sothing about the creature’s words sent unease crawling through her.
"What do you an?"
Selene asked.
The monster’s gaze lingered on her, as if weighing her words.
"Perhaps... there’s still hope for you."
Her tone shifted—less amused, more... somber.
"But it matters little."
The monster’s eyes dimd.
"I no longer control this dungeon. My children... they’ve fallen under the will of another."
Selene’s stomach twisted.
"Another?"
"An entity."
The half-spider’s voice was distant.
"Its influence seeps through this place... controlling everything."
Selene’s mind raced.
An entity?
"Can you stop it?"
The monster’s expression hardened.
"No."
Selene’s heart sank.
"Then... how do I stop this?"
The half-spider’s eyes t hers.
"You can’t."
Selene’s jaw clenched.
There has to be a way.
Her system chid softly—
[Alternative thod detected.]
Selene’s eyes narrowed.
[Consu the core to gain control.]
Her breath caught.
What?
Her system continued—
[Devour the monster’s core to absorb its authority over the dungeon.]
Selene’s mind spun.
’That’s... possible?’
Her gaze flickered toward the half-spider.
"You said there was no way."
The monster’s lips curved into a sly smile.
"Ah... so it told you."
Selene’s eyes darkened.
"You lied."
The half-spider laughed softly.
"And yet..."
Her gaze grew sharper.
"You’re so eager to trust that... system of yours."
Selene’s fingers twitched.
"What’s that supposed to an?"
"A puppet... obeying it’s master."
Selene’s breath hitched.
"I’m not a puppet."
The half-spider’s smile returned.
"Aren’t you?"
Her words echoed in Selene’s mind.
Why does she keep saying that?
"If you devour my core..."
The creature’s gaze lingered on Selene.
"You might gain control over this dungeon."
Selene’s heart pounded.
"But..."
The half-spider’s tone dropped.
"You’ll beco sothing... you can never co back from."
Selene’s grip tightened.
Her system buzzed again.
[Core consumption recomnded. Dungeon control probability: 95%.]
I can end this.
Selene’s eyes hardened.
"Why shouldn’t I?"
The monster’s expression was unreadable.
"Because, little puppet..."
Her voice was a whisper.
"Once you take that path..."
Her silver eyes glead.
"You’ll no longer be who you think you are."
Selene’s pulse quickened.
"And you may not like... what you beco."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
Selene’s thoughts raced.
The system pushed her toward one choice.
But the monster’s words...
They stirred sothing deeper.
Doubt.
What am I really risking?
Selene’s gaze locked onto the half-spider.
"Why are you telling
this?"
The monster’s expression softened—just for a mont.
"Because I was once... like you."
A chill ran down Selene’s spine.
Like ...?
The half-spider’s smile faded.
"Choose wisely, little puppet."
Selene’s heart thundered in her chest.
The core pulsed nearby—
Waiting.
What do I do...?
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