paranoianovel Chapter 193: Ch 193: Rotten Roots- Part 3
Chapter 193: Ch 193: Rotten Roots- Part 3
Chapter 193: Ch 193: Rotten Roots- Part 3The government representative wiped his brow, his exhaustion evident as he scanned the room. The meeting was quickly spiraling out of control, with voices overlapping in frustration.
"As you all know, this B-class dungeon is unlike anything we’ve faced before. Given its unpredictability, we have put in place strict entry limits—"
He tried to keep his tone steady, but the tension in the room was thick enough to cut.
"And that’s the problem."
A deep voice cut in.
A low murmur spread like wildfire.
"We need more of our people inside."
"This is an opportunity we can’t afford to waste!"
"We should be the ones deciding our own risks!"
The frustration was mounting.
None of these people were willing to see the bigger picture. They were all concerned about their own profit and what they would lose if the amount of people entering this dungeon were to be limited.
’T-This is not good. We all need to get along....why did we need to do that again? It’s easier to make them all submit, right?’
Selene watched through half-lidded eyes, barely able to focus. Her mind felt like it was splitting apart, but she forced herself to remain still, pretending she was fine.
Even her thoughts felt like they did not want to cooperate with her today. She felt like she was all over the place.
The government official hesitated. He looked around, clearly
Selene, barely holding onto reality, grabbed the glass.
But the moment she looked into it—
Her blood ran cold.
Because in the reflection of the water, she didn’t see herself.
She saw a formless, shifting mass.
Dark. Fluid. Alive.
It had no eyes, no mouth, no shape—
And yet, she felt it staring at her.
A deep, primal terror slithered down her spine.
She almost threw the cup away.
But at the last second, she forced herself to stay still.
Her grip tightened.
She exhaled sharply.
Then turned to Ethan.
"We need to leave. Now."
Ethan’s golden eyes locked onto hers.
He didn’t ask why.
He simply nodded.
Selene turned to the government representative, her voice calm but firm.
"End the meeting."
The official hesitated.
Something about Selene’s tone made him uneasy.
And yet, he found himself unable to refuse.
"...Meeting dismissed."
The moment the words left his mouth, the tension eased.
People groaned, frustrated at how things had turned out—
But no one protested.
Not when Ethan was standing.
Not when Selene’s expression was unreadable.
Something about them—
The quiet authority they carried, the sharpness of their presence—
Made people think twice before arguing.
One by one, they filed out.
Some whispered.
Some cast lingering glances.
But none of them dared to speak up.
As the room emptied, Noah, who had been watching Selene the entire time, finally spoke.
"Are you going to tell me what just happened?"
Selene pressed her fingers against her temples, willing the pounding in her skull to stop.
"Not here."
Her head was still burning.
Her vision still flickered.
And worst of all—
She had no idea what was happening to her.
But one thing was clear.
Something inside her was waking up.
And whatever it was—
It wasn’t normal.