The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Ready for the Challenge

Evelyn’s POV

I looked around. “Can these cables hold two people at once, or do we have to go one after another?”

Hunter nodded thoughtfully. “Currently, Leo’s team and ours are neck-and-neck, both using single-file strategy. The equipment is sturdy, definitely capable of holding more weight.”

“Is the safety connection system part of the training too?” I asked, curious. “I’d like to study that later.”

“Sure, but focus on the current task first,” he smiled. “Any specific ideas?”

I quickly surveyed the team. “What about pairing up? With twenty people, two-person teams would seriously boost efficiency. Everyone

here is trained, so you should have the coordination skills. Two people crossing together requires trust, but it’s more realistic. In real

emergencies, letting civilians cross alone would be impractical.”

Hunter’s eyes lit up. “You might have just found our breakthrough. I’ll run this by Seraphina.”

Hunter approached Seraphina with my suggestion, speaking quietly. I watched nervously, expecting immediate rejection. To my surprise,

after a brief exchange, her expression shifted from skepticism to consideration, then finally to agreement with a nod. Despite her issues

with me, she obviously still prioritized mission success.

“Listen up!” she announced with undeniable authority. “Tactical change! We’re doing paired traversal today. Each pair will be male-female, with guys handling support while the women ride as lookouts. This isn’t about strength – it’s tactical advantage. Keep proper spacing between pairs. Remember – we need to beat Leo’s team today.”

I exhaled with relief but kept my expression neutral. Now wasn’t the time for gloating.

Mark immediately appeared at my side, slinging his arm over my shoulders. “This little one’s with me.”

Hunter eyed us with an appraising look. “Sure you can handle her?”

Sophia wedged herself between us, patting our shoulders. “Boys, stop fighting over the new girl. Plenty of time to train together later.” She leaned close to me and whispered, “Great idea. Seraphina won’t admit it, but we all know whose suggestion this was. She winked before heading off to join another warrior.

I just smiled quietly results mattered, not credit.

A sharp whistle cut through the air, and everyone jumped into action. Pairs formed quickly at the canyon’s edge. The setup consisted of two parallel steel cables about ten feet apart, with connecting bars between them. Usually, you’d grip the upper cable while walking on the lower one. For someone my size, that was almost impossible my arms weren’t long enough to grip the top while keeping balance.

–

“Ready for this?” Mark asked as we took our position in the middle of the group.

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18:26 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 74: Ready for the Challenge

“Yep, I answered, focusing on the task rather than Seraphina’s attitude. Our team moved with surprising precision, like we’d practiced this

for months.

I climbed onto Mark’s back, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and crossing my legs at his waist. My smaller size actually became an

advantage for once.

Mark gripped the overhead support and tested our combined weight before moving forward. Just as we passed the first support point, I heard mechanical clicking sounds erupting around us. I quickly scanned our surroundings – training officers had set up launchers aimed

our way.

“Heads up ambush,” I said. “Officers setting up launchers all around us.”

“Where?” Mark asked, instantly alert.

“One ahead, two right side, one behind, three left side. They’ve got some kind of devices.”

Mark laughed under his breath. “Smoke bombs. Taric’s favorite trick. They’re loaded with stuff that burns your eyes and throat.”

He picked up speed, though we couldn’t rush too much without risking a fall. I called warnings to the pairs ahead and behind us.

The front pair had just reached safety when the officers fired simultaneously. We were halfway across, about twenty feet from the endpoint. The first bomb hit my arm, bursting into acrid white mist. My airways burned instantly, and my eyes watered. More bombs followed, and soon we were surrounded by dense smoke.

“Can’t see a thing!” Mark growled, apparently hit directly in the face.

I made a split-second decision. “Hold steady, changing position.”

“Don’t move! Too dangerous!”

‘If you can’t see, we both fall. Trust me.” I quickly maneuvered through his armpits, trying not to throw off our balance, then pulled myself to his front. I lifted the edge of my shirt and wiped his eyes. “Better?”

He blinked several times. “Yeah, but now you’re the target.” As if on cue, I felt several impacts on my back as more smoke erupted around

“Doesn’t matter. Just keep moving. We need to get out of this.”

“Yes, commander,” he said with a slight smile before refocusing.

Looking back, I saw the last pair making similar adjustments, though they were barely visible through the thick smoke.

When another bomb hit the back of my head, I gritted my teeth and locked eyes with Mark. “Full speed, now.”

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18:26 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 74: Ready for the Challenge

‘These bars are too slippery!”

យ

74

‘Don’t walk slide. Like you’re on ice. Keep moving forward – they’re reloading.” I meant this for Mark but loud enough for others to hear.

We finally reached the platform, but the officers had reloaded and started a new barrage. Mark set me down, and I noticed more than half

our team still trapped above.

‘Move it!” I shouted up at them. “This isn’t a nature hike! Get down here!”

They snapped out of their hesitation and descended quickly, though their pace was limited by the slippery chemicals coating the ladder

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