The Spare’s Second Chance in Apocalypse

Selene had felt his eyes on her long before she turned to look. It was a heavy gaze—steady, deliberate, filled with intent. It was one that was studying her.

And the pressure of those golden eyes felt familiar and comforting.

She had learned to ignore the whispers, the quiet insults, and the condescending looks thrown her way. But this? This was different.

This was not someone mocking her.

This was someone studying her.

Her fingers curled slightly as she adjusted the strap of her coat, using the movement as an excuse to shift her gaze slightly to the side.

Noah Park, the only L-class legendary hunter was looking at her but Selene did not feel like being looked at.

The man clad in dark combat gear sat a few feet away, his face obscured behind a sleek black mask. He sat with a relaxed posture, but Selene could sense that he was anything but casual.

Something about the way he carried himself sent a sharp prickle down her spine as recognition settled inside her.

What was he doing here?

And more importantly… why was he hiding his identity?

Her grip tightened slightly against the strap of her bag.

'It's none of my business. We no longer have any connection with each other. I need to let go of the past'

She had spent most of her life learning to stay in her lane. The only time she had stepped outside of her comfort zone had been for this fucker! 

But it had not ended nicely for her. She had vowed to never see this man again, but here she was- looking directly at him.

She wanted to speak up and tear him a new one, but now was not the time. She knew this man well, so she also knew that he always had a purpose behind what he did.

And if Noah Park wanted to hide among the Vale family's forces, then she wouldn't be the one to expose him.

So she made the same choice she always had.

She ignored him.

Selene kept her gaze forward, pretending that the entrance of the dungeon was the most interesting thing in the world.

But Noah Park, it seemed, had no interest in being ignored.

Selene stiffened as she caught movement from the corner of her eye.

He was coming toward her.

Her heart gave a sharp, uneven beat.

Why? Why now of all times? Haven't we put the past behind us?

Why would he bother with someone like her?

Before she could react, he lowered himself onto the bench beside her, moving with a natural ease that felt far too deliberate.

Selene kept her expression blank, refusing to acknowledge him.

But then—

"I don't like being ignored. If you know me, then speak to me." 

He said, his voice smooth and calm.

There was an amusement in his tone, like he was playing with her.

Selene exhaled slowly. 

"I don't talk to people I don't know."

At that, he let out a quiet chuckle.

"Liar."

Selene finally turned to look at him, her brows furrowing slightly.

Noah Park tilted his head slightly, and though his mask covered most of his face, she could feel his smirk.

"You know exactly who I am." 

He said, voice light but certain.

Selene's fingers twitched and her heart soared. She knew that it was dangerous for her to hope that her once best friend finally remembered her and wanted to talk to her. But she did not want to cultivate her hope too much.

Something in her bothered her to not feel hope or she would end up being disappointed.

After all, would her best friend speak to her like this if he remembered her and their past connection? Selene had a feeling the real Noah Park would not do that to her.

So she decided to give him a chance again and look at him once more.

But what bothered her wasn't that he was here or looking at her.

It was the way he was looking at her.

Like she was a puzzle he had never seen before. Like she was a stranger.

And that… that hurt.

She had never hidden.

Her name, her face—they had always been there.

Noah Park was the one who had disappeared from the world, who had turned into a ghost. And now, here he was, pretending like she was the mystery.

Selene inhaled through her nose and turned her body toward him.

"What do you want?"

Noah Park shrugged. 

"Not sure."

Selene narrowed her eyes.

"Then why are you here?" 

She asked, her tone clipped.

Noah hummed, tapping his fingers lightly against his knee.

"I just felt like sitting here."

Something in Selene snapped.

Her fists clenched at her sides, and for the first time that day, anger flickered across her features.

"Don't say that, or you will give me unnecessary hope." 

She said sharply.

Noah blinked. 

"Say what?"

"That you 'felt like sitting here.'"

Her voice was controlled, but beneath it, something churned.

"You say it like we're strangers. Like you don't recognize me. Ah, but you don't, right? You did not in the past and you do not know me now either. You just came here because you felt like it was a safe space."

Noah Park went silent at her accusations.

Selene swallowed hard and the truth hurt.

If he had truly forgotten her, if he was looking at her like this because he didn't remember her at all…

She wasn't sure she could bear it.

Noah's fingers drummed against his knee, as if piecing something together.

Selene didn't let him finish.

Before he could speak, she suddenly straightened, pressing a hand to her ear as if listening to a call.

"I'm being summoned. Excuse me, but I need to head out now." 

She said flatly and made her escape. She felt like a coward, but also liberated.

Selene stood and walked away without looking back.

Because if he didn't recognize her—then she wasn't going to stand there and let herself be hurt by it.