Hide and Seek: The Mad Girl Sees All novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169

“That’s enough.” Lyra said, raising her hand and pointing at four people before lowering it.

Nancy, Claire, Vivian, and Toni stepped forward.

The other ten didn’t budge, disappointment written all over their faces.

Lyra couldn’t help but laugh. “This is our first time leading a team in. We’re just testing the waters, not going in to wipe put the whole invasion zone.”

She glanced at the ten. “Keep training, and you’ll all get your shot.”

The ten shouted together, “Yes!”

Lyra added, “Whoever levels up fastest gets to go in first. The Wraith zone is packed with Wraiths, so relax, there’s more than enough for everyone to hunt.”

As soon as Lyra finished, the ten who’d been all tense suddenly looked fired up, their faces lighting up with excitement.

Zoe stood nearby, holding the list. “Today’s team: Lyra, Zoe, Nancy, Claire, Vivian, and Toni.”

She looked up at the four. “You four, follow orders, don’t rush ahead, don’t chase anyone who breaks away from the group. and don’t risk your lives.”

The four replied in unison, “Yes!”

Lyra turned to Zoe. “Zoe, get ready. We’re heading out now.”

Zoe glanced at her. “Right now?”

Lyra nodded. “Yeah.”

Zoe frowned. “Shouldn’t you rest first? You just got back from the Command Center.”

“I napped on the plane,” Lyra replied.

She fished a piece of candy out of her pocket, tore off the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth. “I’m at full power now.

Zoe didn’t try to persuade her further. She turned and gave her orders. “Logistics, prep the signal flares, recording gear. spare water, ration packs, candy, and first aid kits.

“Communications, check the recorders.

“Support team, two vehicles, ready in five minutes.

“Security team…” Zoe continued.

The base sprang into action.

A comms officer poked his head out from the temporary station “Captain Zoe, the live feed’s ready. Once we enter the mist. the signal will drop, but it’ll auto-upload when we’re out.”

Zoe nodded. “Clip them to everyone’s chest.”

Another soldier rushed over with a box, attaching the devices to Nancy and the others one at a time.

Lyra sat in a folding chair, shuffling through her deck. She noticed Catalina standing nearby, just quietly waiting and not

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interrupting.

After she found Ivana’s card, Lyra said, “Soul Deck, release.”

A burst of white light shot out, and Ivana floated out of the card, her golden hair swaying in the breeze.

As soon as she appeared, Ivana spotted Catalina. “Mom!”

Catalina took a few steps forward, reaching out to Ivana, her hand paused midair. “Ivana!”

Ivana drifted over and stopped right in front of her hand. “I’m here.”

Lyra stood up and walked away, giving them some space.

Zoe was wrapping up the last details. “Each person gets eight green flares and two red ones.”

“Communications, keep the live feed connected to the Command Center as we move out…” Zoe continued.

55 VOWER

Ten minutes later, two SUVS pulled up at the camp exit. Lyra was in the front passenger seat of the first car, with Zoe behind the wheel.

Jane floated in the back seat, while Ivana was chilling on the roof of the car, waving to everyone outside the checkpoint.

Catalina stood behind a row of soldiers, waving up at Ivana on the roof.

Lyra leaned out the window and shouted, “Catalina, Ivana says she’s going to take down a hundred Wraiths today!”

Catalina pressed her hands to her chest and gave them a big thumbs-up. “Go for it! Ivana, take down as many as you can. I’ll be waiting for you all to come back!”

Ivana leaned down and gave the roof a light tap. “Not a hundred, make it two hundred!”

Lyra let out a mischievous laugh. “Hear that? Everyone’s fired up now!”

Nancy called out from the back seat, “Reporting in, we’re joining the competition too!”

Claire chimed in, “We won’t drag the team down.”

Vivian whispered, “I’ll try to get at least one.” They all knew Zoe had only managed to take down one Wraith her first time, so Vivian’s goal was just to get the hang of it and not drag the team down.

Toni said, “Then I’ll try for two.”

Zoe started the car and called out, “Let’s keep our targets modest, making it back alive matters more than the numbers.”

Lyra leaned back in her seat and gestured ahead. “Let’s go.”

The two SUVS pulled out of camp, gravel crunching under their wheels as they headed for the gray mist.

The car was quiet for a moment.

Zoe asked, “Lyra, how far are we advancing today?”

Lyra thought for a second. “Three small objectives for today:

“First, let’s see how much damage the four of them can deal to the Wraiths, and how long they can hold out.

Chapter 169

“Second, Jane and the others need to level up, take in as much as possible, don’t let any go to waste

Third, keep channeling energy to Auntie.”

Zoe thought for a moment. “Should we spend more time with Auntie today? Or maybe do a few extra rounds?”

“Depends on how Jane and the others are doing.” Lyra replied.

Lyra turned to Jane. “Jane, what’s your take?”

Jane nodded. “Yeah, we’re all fully charged right now. We can start with an energy transfer, then go hunt some Wraiths to op up our energy, and repeat as needed.”

“Alright,” Lyra said.

When they reached the edge of the mist, the six of them got out of the car.

Zoe raised her hand. “Everyone, report your three Vital Flame values.”

Nancy checked her panel. “No loss, still full.”

Claire said, “No loss, still full.”

Vivian reported, “Vital Flame intact, no loss.”

Toni reported, “Vital Flame intact, no loss.”

Zoe glanced at their shoulders, four flames burned steadily on their suits, showing no sign of going out.

Zoe said in a low, serious tone, “Remember, once we’re inside, if you feel overwhelmed, don’t push yourself. Pull out right away.”

The four answered together, “Yes!”

While Zoe was giving the four a final pep talk, Lyra stood off to the side and pulled out the last eight cards from her Soul Deck.

“Soul Deck, release, Lyra said.

Bursts of white light shot out one after another, and eight souls, including Clara, rose up one by one. Seeing the mist ahead, they knew it was time to go wild again, and they were all grinning, ready for action.

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