Chapter 232: Ch 232: The Control of the Dungeon - Part 1
Selene stood frozen, her mind warring with itself as she faced the half-human, half-spider creature.
The monster’s words echoed in her head, each syllable laced with an unsettling truth that Selene didn’t want to acknowledge.
There was logic in the creature’s explanation, a grim reality that made sense the more she thought about it. And yet—
Her heart rejected it.
’Fucking hell! Am I thinking too much because of a monster’s words? I need to snap out of it. Monsters are not our friends.’
Selene’s instincts scread that the monster’s words, however logical, could not be the whole truth. Sothing was missing.
But she had no ti to sort through her confusion.
Ethan was still outside, holding back the monsters, and she didn’t know how much longer he could last.
Her jaw clenched.
"If you don’t know how to stop this...Then tell —how do I close a dungeon that doesn’t follow the system’s will?"
Selene’s voice was steady, but a hint of desperation seeped into her tone.
The half-demon spider fell unnervingly quiet.
For a mont, Selene thought she wouldn’t answer. But then—
"Even I don’t know what to do to get the kids to listen to . I told you that I lost my authority. There is nothing I can do to help."
The monster murmured, her voice carrying a strange... sadness.
Selene’s chest tightened.
"What do you an?"
The creature’s many eyes glinted in the dim light of the dungeon, her expression unreadable.
"If I knew how to break free...Do you really think I would still be here?"
The monster’s voice was softer now, almost wistful.
Her words carried the weight of centuries of suffering.
"My world fell to the system’s greed long ago...And soon... your world will follow."
The monster continued, her tone bitter.
A chill ran down Selene’s spine.
Her fingers twitched by her side, her pulse pounding in her ears.
"You’re wrong! We will never allow our world to fall."
Selene whispered, but the conviction in her voice wavered.
"Am I? Well, good luck! Once, we were just as confident as you are now. However, that all changed on judgent day. Even you will feel the hollow feeling of knowing there is nothing you can do to save your world."
The creature’s laugh was low and hollow, echoing off the dungeon’s walls.
Selene’s breath quickened.
Fear.
It clawed at her, gnawing at the edges of her resolve.
What if she’s right?
What if everything I’m doing... is useless?
Before Selene could spiral further, a familiar chi echoed in her mind.
[System Alert: Host must consu the core to terminate the dungeon.]
The system’s voice was cold. Clinical.
It didn’t care about her doubts.
It only gave her one choice.
Selene’s stomach twisted.
[Finish the boss. Take the core. Close the dungeon.]
Selene’s hands balled into fists.
Ethan was out there.
Fighting.
Dying.
She was running out of ti.
Her gaze returned to the half-spider monster, who watched her with quiet amusent.
"So? Have you made your choice?"
The monster tilted her head, her dark lips curling into a smirk.
Selene’s jaw clenched.
"I might beco a puppet later..."
Selene’s voice was barely above a whisper, but her resolve was unwavering.
Her gaze hardened, her eyes reflecting the weight of her decision.
"But that’s a problem for the future."
The half-spider monster’s expression shifted, sothing... almost like pity flashing through her gaze.
"For now...I have important people to protect."
Selene’s fists tightened, her knuckles white.
The monster’s laugh was softer this ti, almost... sorrowful.
"Ah... I see."
Her many eyes blinked, and for a mont, Selene thought she saw regret.
"A noble reason... but one that will cause you much pain."
Selene’s throat tightened, but she said nothing.
She had already made her choice.
"Very well...Let’s end this."
The monster murmured, her tone softer now.
Selene didn’t hesitate.
Her flas surged forward—
Bright. Hot. Deadly.
They engulfed the half-spider monster, but—
Nothing.
The creature’s webbing absorbed her attack effortlessly, the flas snuffing out like a candle in the wind.
Selene’s eyes widened.
No damage.
The half-demon spider let out a tired sigh.
"You’re too weak to kill , child."
Selene’s heart dropped.
"But..."
The creature’s expression softened, her lips curling into a bittersweet smile.
"Since I’ve grown tired of this suffering... I’ll help you."
Before Selene could react, the monster reached into her own chest.
Her long, clawed fingers dug deep—
And then—
A sickening squelch echoed through the chamber.
The half-spider monster’s body went slack.
Her life... fading.
Selene’s breath caught.
"What are you—?"
The system’s chi cut her off.
[Boss eliminated. Dungeon core exposed.]
Selene’s eyes widened as the monster’s body dissolved—
And in its place—
A core.
Bright. Pulsing. Alive.
It floated before her, its glow illuminating the dark chamber.
Selene’s throat tightened.
"Take it..."
The monster’s voice was a whisper in Selene’s mind—
A final echo.
"And end this nightmare..."
Selene’s hand trembled as she reached for the core.
It pulsed—
Once.
Twice.
And then—
Her fingers closed around it.
A jolt of power surged through her body.
"Ah—!"
Selene gasped, her knees buckling as the core’s energy flooded her veins.
It was...
Terrifying.
Exciting.
Her body shook, her senses overwheld by the raw power coursing through her.
Selene’s vision blurred—
Flashes of the dungeon’s structure appeared in her mind, each thread of energy connecting the monsters, the environnt—
Everything.
Her grip tightened around the core.
"This..."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
It was unlike anything she had ever felt before.
But beneath the power...
Sothing else stirred.
Dark. Ancient. Watching.
Selene’s breath hitched.
Her instincts scread—
This wasn’t right.
But it was too late.
The core dissolved into her palm.
The dungeon’s power—
Now hers.
Selene’s body adjusted to the influx of power, but her heart pounded with unease.
Sothing felt... wrong.
But she had no ti to dwell on it.
Ethan was still waiting.
Selene pushed down the creeping dread, her grip tightening as her eyes sharpened.
"I have to end this."
Her voice was quiet—
But her determination was louder.
This wasn’t over.
Not yet.
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