Chapter 57: Ch 57: Breakout the madness- Part 1
Selene and Orion approached the front door of their modest hideout, both drenched in sweat and dust from their harrowing escape.
The journey back has drained both of them, mainly because Selene decided not to take her SUV out this ti. As a result, the pair had to walk most of the way back.
Luckily, because they both had the system and their improved skills, this journey took almost no ti to make and Selene reached out to open the door.
Before she could knock, the door swung open, revealing Ethan’s wide grin.
"There you are! Did you two have fun without ? I’m so jealous! I wanted to go dungeon diving too!"
He greeted with too much cheer in his voice. Ethan almost sounded drunk, but this was likely his hyper mode.
Ethan was all smiles, his voice playful, but Selene brushed past him without a word, causing his cheerful mood to get ruined.
"Uh... Selene? Are you fine? Did sothing happen?"
He called, but Selene was already inside.
Zara, who had been sitting on the couch cleaning her weapons, looked up as Selene passed through the room.
"You okay? Do you want
to make you sothing for your condition?"
"I’m just tired. So rest will make
feel better. I will see you tomorrow."
Selene replied shortly, not stopping. Before anyone knew it, Selene was already at the stairs and heading upwards.
Her footsteps echoed down the hallway before the click of a door shutting signaled her retreat.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence once she was gone.
Ethan and Zara turned in unison to look at Orion, who stood at the entrance, rubbing the back of his neck. The kid looked uncomfortable but not bothered by Selene’s behaviour.
"What happened?"
Zara asked, her voice low and careful.
Orion shifted uncomfortably. He knew that Zara did not an to put him on the spot, but he felt like he was being interrogated.
"I’m... not really sure. Everything was fine, but then we ran into governnt people. And the Vale family too."
He admitted.
Ethan and Zara’s expressions hardened imdiately.
Orion didn’t notice and continued.
"I couldn’t believe it! I saw the Vale twins up close. And—uh—I even managed to block one of their attacks."
The room fell into a heavier silence, and Orion’s enthusiasm dimd.
He looked between Ethan and Zara, confusion clouding his features.
"Is... sothing wrong?"
Zara quickly forced a smile, slipping back into her usual calm deanor.
"No, nothing’s wrong. You did great, Orion."
Ethan nodded along, though his lips pressed into a thin line.
"Yeah, amazing job, kid."
Orion didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press further.
By the ti dinner rolled around, the atmosphere in the house was thick with unspoken concerns. Selene had not co down the whole day, so Ethan was preparing to go and get her.
But then she decided to co down herself.
The group sat around the cramped dining table, their plates filled but mostly untouched.
Selene had been silent, pushing food around with her fork.
Ethan shifted in his seat, clearing his throat
"Selene, are you—"
Before he could finish, Selene slamd her palms on the table, causing everyone to jump.
Her eyes burned with a mix of frustration and resolve.
"It’s ti we start making allies."
She announced, her voice sharp and unwavering. It seed as if she was over whatever mood she had been hours ago and had decided to strengthen herself up.
Ethan, Zara, and Orion all stared at her, the sudden intensity in her deanor putting them on edge.
Selene continued.
"It’s been a few days since this apocalypse started. People are finally accepting reality, and the system is becoming more familiar to everyone. Small factions are popping up everywhere, and if we don’t act now, this world will descend into chaos."
Zara set down her fork, leaning forward.
"What are you suggesting?"
Selene’s expression hardened.
"We need to bring these factions under control. Make alliances, set up agreents to maintain order. But we can’t do that without a proper ranking system. The system will issue one, so I want to warn the governnt to drop their idea to make one."
Ethan’s brows knitted together.
"Ranking system?"
"For strength, influence, resources—everything. We need a standardized system to evaluate groups and individuals. It’ll make negotiations easier, and it’ll also help us maintain a balance of power.""
Selene clarified.
Orion looked uncertain.
"Wouldn’t that just make us a bigger target?"
Selene’s lips curled into a grim smile.
"We already are. The mont the Vale twins saw us, our ti in the shadows ended."
Ethan and Zara exchanged glances, both of them understanding what she ant.
Noah had recognized her.
It was only a matter of ti before trouble found them.
"So, what’s the plan?" Zara asked, her voice more steady now.
Selene leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
"The governnt is going to launch a ranking system soon, but they would soon get crushed when the system decides to release its own system. So, I am thinking of warning them about it."
Ethan frowned.
"You an, you want to work with them?"
"No. It will be a foolish idea to think that the governnt will listen to us as we are. That is why, I am going to trick them into listening to . You don’t need to know the details, but just know that I will be out of the house tomorrow."
Selene warned and she could instantly tell that people were going to object to this.
"Before you ask, I need to do this alone. And don’t worry! I have a plan as well."
Selene warned the people around her to not bother with trying to convince her. And for the first ti, people actually did drop their charges and whatever they were going to say.
It made Selene sigh in relief and also made her feel like things could work out for her. Sohow, things were in her favor until now.
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