Chapter 46: Ch 46: A Ga of Chase- Part 2
Selene took slow, deliberate steps toward Orion’s hiding spot, her eyes locked onto where he was crouched down.
To any normal person, it might seem like she was staring at nothing, but Selene knew better.
She could see him because of the system. She knew where Orion was and what she needed to do to get to him.
The system’s tracking ability had given her his exact location, and now, with Insight activated, she could see sothing even more useful—the weak points in his barrier.
The only reason Selene was able to do this was because Orion was too inexperienced and he was not able to feel or resist her abilities.
She doubted she would be able to get away with this if she tried it on soone like Ethan.
Orion had an impressive ability for soone so young.
His D-ranked barrier was far stronger than most beginners, but even the best defenses had gaps.
And Selene knew exactly where to press.
She lifted her hand and reached forward.
Ethan, who had been standing behind her, tensed.
"Selene—"
But he didn’t get to finish his sentence before Selene did what she wanted to.
Her hand passed through the barrier effortlessly and not a single hint of pain was seen on her face. Selene’s arm tingles but she was not hurt because of what she was doing.
Orion’s eyes widened as he watched that arm breach his barrier and reach toward him. He closed his eyes almost instinctively before he forced them to open.
For the first ti since awakening his ability, soone had breached his shield.
He was so stunned that he didn’t even think to move away.
"How did you do that?"
His voice was small, hesitant. This had never happened before and it made Orion’s eyes skip a beat in shock.
Selene smiled, withdrawing her hand but keeping her gaze steady.
"Because I’m like you. Did you think you were the only freak left in the world?"
Orion’s expression flickered with confusion. He had not seen anyone else with abilities like his before, but now he felt conflicted.
Hope flashed in his eyes at the thought of not being alone anymore.
"I’m an Awakened One. That’s what people like us are called. I have the system too, and I have my own abilities. Ethan is one as well, so you don’t need to feel worried about us."
She continued, her voice light and soft. It soothes Orion and he almost gave in to that voice before he rembered where he was and what he was doing.
He didn’t say anything, but she could tell he was listening.
Selene crouched down so they were at eye level.
"That’s why I want you in my party. You’re strong, Orion. And with the right training, you could be so much more. Don’t you want to be with people who are just like you?"
Orion swallowed.
"You... want
in your party?"
"Yes."
"Why? Is it because I am useful to you?"
Selene didn’t hesitate.
"Yes, I want it because you’re useful."
Orion flinched, as if expecting that answer to hurt.
But Selene wasn’t done.
"And because in return, I’ll be useful to you too."
He blinked in surprise.
"What?"
"I’m not going to lie to you. I will use you. But in exchange, I’ll let you use
too. That way, you will be willing to trust
more and take what I want to give you, right?"
Selene said.
Orion’s fingers twitched against his knees.
He had been expecting lies. Empty words about kindness and protection—things that adults always said when they wanted sothing from him.
But Selene had given him none of that.
She had looked him in the eye and told him the truth.
A mutually beneficial relationship.
For the first ti in a long while, Orion wasn’t sure how to respond.
He opened his mouth, ready to reject her, but—
Ethan shifted behind Selene, cracking his knuckles.
The sound was casual.
Too casual.
Orion stiffened imdiately.
Selene might have been honest, but Ethan was terrifying.
The way Ethan was looking at him now... it wasn’t threatening, exactly. But there was sothing about his sharp, assessing gaze that made Orion break out in a cold sweat.
It was the look of soone who didn’t like wasting ti.
Orion got the feeling that if he refused, Ethan wouldn’t force him to co along—but he would make it very clear that Orion was making a bad decision.
Very, very clear.
"...Fine."
Selene’s lips curled into a small smile.
"Good choice."
She extended her hand toward him.
Orion hesitated, then slowly reached out and grasped her fingers.
The mont their hands t, Selene tightened her grip just slightly before pulling him up to his feet.
"Co on," she said, already turning toward the exit.
Orion followed instinctively before realizing sothing.
They weren’t leaving the shelter.
They were walking back into it.
His stomach dropped.
"Wait. Where are we going?"
Orion said quickly.
Selene didn’t look back.
"I’m just letting the people in the shelter know that I’m taking you with ."
Panic surged through Orion’s chest.
"No—No, no, there’s no need! Just—just take
and go."
He shook his head, gripping her hand tighter.
Selene frowned slightly, slowing her pace.
"Orion—"
"I don’t want to say anything to them. I don’t need to."
His voice was firr this ti, his small fingers trembling around hers.
Selene studied him.
He looked desperate.
Not just nervous—but genuinely terrified at the thought of interacting with the people in the shelter.
His whole body was tense, his breathing uneven.
She exhaled softly.
"...Alright."
Orion blinked up at her.
"Really?"
Selene nodded.
"Really."
Relief flooded his expression.
Ethan let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Fantastic. Can we finally leave now?"
Selene rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.
Orion didn’t know why, but his chest felt strangely warm.
She had listened to him.
For the first ti in a long while—soone had actually listened to what he wanted.
Maybe...
Maybe going with her wouldn’t be so bad after all.
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