Apocalypse Baby

Darrel wasn't about to let Ethan have the points uncontested.

Without a word, he and his faction followed, maintaining a cautious distance.

This wasn't an alliance anymore—it was a competition.

Whoever killed the beast lord first would gain double points, and Darrel wasn't about to let Ethan take the lead.

Ethan's group pressed on, pushing through exhaustion as they reached the edge of the forest.

Or at least—what used to be a forest.

The sight before them was unnatural.

Every tree stood lifeless.

The leaves had withered to dust, leaving only barren, skeletal branches.

The ground, once lush with grass, was now a field of decay.

A cold, unsettling air hung over the land.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

The beast lord was supposed to be up ahead.

But this? This looked more like a graveyard.

Ethan's expression hardened.

"This isn't normal," Jonah muttered.

Without hesitation, Ash—one of their best scouts—stepped forward.

His ability allowed him to see farther than anyone else, and now, they needed his eyes more than ever.

He focused, activating his ability.

His pupils dilated as his vision stretched beyond human limits, scanning the area ahead.

Then—his breath hitched.

His entire body stiffened.

Eyes wide.

Mouth slightly open.

A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"No way…" he whispered.

He staggered backward.

His face was pale.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"It's Alex," Ash said, still in disbelief.

Silence.

For a moment, nobody reacted.

Then Thompson scoffed. "Alex? Why the hell are you bringing him up now?"

Ash didn't answer right away. Instead, he used his ability again, his eyes glowing faintly as his vision stretched forward.

When he finally spoke, his voice was shaky.

"The beast lord… is Alex. At least, that's what the map is saying."

Everyone froze.

"What?" Jonah muttered.

"That makes no sense."

"How is that possible?" Thompson snapped.

Ash shook his head. "I don't know. But he's the only one there. Unless the beast lord is hiding, he has to be it."

"Maybe he's just hunting the beast lord," Jacob suggested.

"Alone?" Katie's voice dripped with disbelief. "That's impossible."

"But is it?"

Everyone turned to Nancy, who had been quiet up until now.

Her gaze was serious.

"He's certainly capable of doing that."

Katie's eyes narrowed as she shot Nancy a glare.

The resentment between them ran deep.

For Katie, it was simple—Nancy was a fraud.

She had the men wrapped around her finger, not because of who she was, but because of her ability. And Katie despised that.

Nancy, on the other hand, found Katie's attitude amusing more than anything.

Katie finally spoke, her voice sharp.

"You say that like you actually know him."

Nancy barely spared her a glance, responding in a lazy, uninterested tone.

"And why does that bother you?"

Katie clicked her teeth, frustration flashing across her face.

She was about to fire back, but—

"Enough."

Ethan's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

He turned to Nancy, his expression unreadable.

"If you know him so well," he said, "Why don't you go say hello?"

Nancy blinked.

"What?"

She couldn't believe what she had just heard.

Ethan stepped closer, his presence heavy, his voice low but commanding.

"Lure him here. We'll use the sealing scroll I got from defeating the beast lord," Ethan continued, his voice unwavering. "We'll trap him."

Nancy's heart pounded in her chest.

He was serious.

A cold chill ran down her spine. She didn't want to do this. She couldn't do this.

No… No, this wasn't right.

Desperation crept into her voice as she spoke.

"And what if he isn't the beast lord?" she asked quickly, trying to reason with him. "It's reckless to waste such an important item on him when the real beast lord could still be out there."

Ethan didn't flinch.

"It doesn't matter," he said firmly, his expression unchanging.

His next words made Nancy's stomach drop.

"He possesses so many tutorial points. If I kill him, I get half of it."

His eyes gleamed with something cold and ruthless.

"That's more than I'd ever get from killing the beast lord."

Nancy's hands clenched into fists.

Ethan took a step back, but his voice rang with finality.

"So bring. Him. Here."

Ethan's words hung in the air, heavy with cold logic.

Hunting Alex was the better option.Less risk. More reward.It made sense.

But was it wise?

Nancy's fists tightened.

"I refuse."

.

.

.

Silence.

Then, Katie snapped, her voice sharp with disbelief.

"What? Have you lost your mind?!"

Before she could say more, Ethan raised a hand.

A simple gesture, but it shut her up instantly.

His gaze locked onto Nancy, unreadable. Then he spoke, his voice low and deliberate.

"Are you rebelling against me?"

The moment the words left his lips, the air changed.

A suffocating force pressed against Nancy's chest. Her lungs felt heavier, her breath coming out in short, strained gasps.

Ethan was releasing his aura.

It was overwhelming, like an unseen hand gripping her throat.

Her body screamed at her to submit. To kneel. To obey.

But Nancy…

Refused.

She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stand tall despite the crushing weight of his presence.

Her heart pounded, but she wouldn't back down.

She wouldn't be intimidated.

"I won't do it."

Nancy's voice was firm, her stance unwavering.

Ethan let out a long sigh, tilting his head slightly.

"Is that so?" he muttered.

Then—he vanished.

In a blink, he reappeared behind Dorothy, his arm wrapped around her, a dagger pressed to her throat.

"Ah—!" Dorothy, the young archer, winced as the cold steel bit into her skin.

Nancy's eyes widened.

"What are you doing?!" she yelled, stepping forward instinctively.

Ethan grinned.

A slow, twisted smirk spread across his face.

"What... are you still going to refuse?"

Nancy's breath hitched.

"Let her go."

But Ethan didn't even flinch. His grip tightened, the blade pressing deeper against Dorothy's neck. A thin line of red trickled down her pale skin.

His voice was calm—too calm.

"You know what to do, woman. Don't test me."

His eyes gleamed with something dark. Something merciless.

"I'd slit her throat without a second thought."

Nancy's hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms.

Her jaw clenched.

Dorothy's terrified gaze met hers, silently pleading.

Nancy clicked her teeth in frustration.

She had no choice but to obey.

But leading Alex into a trap?

It was betrayal.

And Alex… he would never forgive her.

She could already imagine the look on his face—the shock, the disappointment, the hatred.

Her stomach twisted.

"Would he even listen to me?" she asked, grasping for any excuse. "He has no reason to trust me."

Ethan smirked.

"Oh, he would. With your ability, he wouldn't be able to resist."

Nancy clicked her teeth, frustration bubbling inside her.

Her eyes darted to Jonah, hoping for support.

But Jonah only bit his lip and looked away.

Coward.

Nancy's fists clenched tight.

She wanted to fight. To refuse.

But Dorothy's life was in Ethan's hands.

And Nancy couldn't risk it.

Grinding her teeth, she begrudgingly turned and started walking away.

The entire group watched her go—silent.

Nancy moved toward Alex's position, her heart pounding in her chest.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

She didn't want to use her ability on him.

But she had no choice.

Either Alex… or Dorothy.

Her eyes locked onto him—sitting on the ground, seemingly occupied with something on his system screen.

He looked calm. But the aura he gave off…

It was immense. Almost monstrous.

Nancy gulped.

Could he really be the beast lord?

No… that wasn't it.

She could tell—this was still Alex.

But there was something different about him now.

Something powerful.

Nancy hesitated.

A part of her was convinced—Alex could handle himself.

Even against Ethan. Even against Darrel.

But the betrayal?

That might break him.

Her fingers curled into a fist.

But what choice did she have?

Could she really sacrifice Dorothy just to spare Alex from betrayal?

No...she couldn't.

She had already made her choice.

Nancy steadied herself.

She inhaled deeply.

Then exhaled.

And with a final push—she stepped into the open.

Alex's head snapped up.

The moment his eyes landed on her, they widened in shock.

"You… what are you doing here?"