The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 175

Chapter 175

Armory entrance, first floor. Snowfang stood there, expression unreadable.

55

Hearing that the Zorian prodigy who’d just cleared the 5S mission had flat-out turned down a meet wi Snowfang just nodded silently to the soldier, not missing a beat.

He turned away.

Beneath that trademark wolf-like intensity and sharp features-more than just untamed wildness-the a hint of something deeper.

For a split-second, disappointment flashed in his eyes before he pulled himself together.

*****

Up on the rooftop, watching Snowfang walk away, that cold, deadly look swept across Nova’s eyes-no w she could hide the killing intent burning there.

‘Why bother meeting him?’ That thought flashed through Nova’s mind.

The reason was simple: she couldn’t trust herself not to put him down right then and there if she got too close.

“Nova…” Yellowcat noticed how Nova was barely holding herself back, and her concern slipped into her v

“Let’s go,” Nova said, voice low and steady.

The wind stirred, tossing her long, jet-black hair into the air, letting it sweep and fall-never quite landing always restless, just like her.

Beneath that gorgeous face, loneliness was hard to hide-no mask could cover the emptiness in her eyes.

Once upon a time, she had nothing-but she had four brothers-in-arms, loyal to the core. Out there on the front lines, she was never truly alone.

Now, she was unstoppable, but the things that mattered most were lost to her. On the battlefield, it was just her-hers, and hers alone.

‘There’s one thing I never admit-not even to myself,’ Nova thought.

‘If I ever get close to Snowfang, I might actually snap and kill him with my own hands,’ she told herself, chilled by the idea.

‘But the real nightmare?’ Nova’s heart clenched. ‘If I become the one who shatters the only family I have left… I’m not sure I’d ever forgive myself.’

Eric gave Mavis a gentle nudge. “Come on, go stand up for her.”

They always had the sense that Nova wasn’t just any girl-she was carrying some heavy baggage.

“Nova!” Mavis called out, her voice ringing with concern as she stepped up.

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14:52 Mon, Jul 20

Chapter 175

Chapter 175

“Is that Snowfang? What’s he doing here?”

55 vo

From her hidden spot on the rooftop, Yellowcat glanced down. When she saw Snowfang at the base of building, she muttered under her breath, barely concealing her shock.

In that split second, a jolt of tension shot through Yellowcat’s body.

Even if she managed to shake off Bloodblade, it was all because Snowfang tipped her off. She couldn’t i that.

But Snowfang had it out for Nova-that much was obvious.

If anyone dared to target her boss, they were asking to be her enemy, plain and simple.

“Snowfang? Wait, you actually know Snowfang-the legend in the mercenary world?” Eric’s jaw practicall the floor at that.

He stammered, barely believing what he was hearing.

“Why would he want to meet me, of all people?”

While Yellowcat was on edge and struggling to stay calm, Nova barely flinched-her steady presence mad clear who the real pro was.

Jonas answered, “My buddy’s mercenary squad has been dealing in the black market here in Uria lately, an they just ended up in this part of town.”

“He caught wind of a prodigy from Zoria’s special ops who managed to complete a 5S-level mission solo.”

“Honestly, I bet he’s after the same thing I am.”

Mavis jumped in, “Wait, is he trying to poach Nova for his mercenary crew?”

Jonas scratched his head, which was as good as a yes.

It turns out he didn’t actually show up here because of her.

Nova said, “I will not meet him.”

Nova’s answer was blunt and final.

Mavis, Eric, and the rest of the college crew just thought Nova must really have it out for mercenary teams.

“Fine, I’ll let my guys deliver the message,” Jonas said.

He waved off one of his crew to go take care of it.

**

1/5

14:52 Mon, Jul 20

Chapter 175

Armory entrance, first floor. Snowfang stood there, expression unreadable.

58 v

Hearing that the Zorian prodigy who’d just cleared the 55 mission had flat-out turned down a meet w Snowfang just nodded silently to the soldier, not missing a beat.

He turned away.

Beneath that trademark wolf-like intensity and sharp features-more than just untamed wildness-the a hint of something deeper.

For a split-second, disappointment flashed in his eyes before he pulled himself together.

*****

Up on the rooftop, watching Snowfang walk away, that cold, deadly look swept across Nova’s eyes-no wa she could hide the killing intent burning there.

‘Why bother meeting him?’ That thought flashed through Nova’s mind.

The reason was simple: she couldn’t trust herself not to put him down right then and there if she got too close.

“Nova…” Yellowcat noticed how Nova was barely holding herself back, and her concern slipped into her voi

“Let’s go,” Nova said, voice low and steady.

The wind stirred, tossing her long, jet-black hair into the air, letting it sweep and fall-never quite landing, always restless, just like her.

Beneath that gorgeous face, loneliness was hard to hide-no mask could cover the emptiness in her eyes.

Once upon a time, she had nothing-but she had four brothers-in-arms, loyal to the core. Out there on the front lines, she was never truly alone.

Now, she was unstoppable, but the things that mattered most were lost to her. On the battlefield, it was just her-hers, and hers alone.

‘There’s one thing I never admit-not even to myself,’ Nova thought.

‘If I ever get close to Snowfang, I might actually snap and kill him with my own hands,’ she told herself, chilled by the idea.

‘But the real nightmare?’ Nova’s heart clenched. ‘If I become the one who shatters the only family I have left… I’m not sure I’d ever forgive myself!’

Eric gave Mavis a gentle nudge. “Come on, go stand up for her.”

They always had the sense that Nova wasn’t just any girl-she was carrying some heavy baggage.

“Nova!” Mavis called out, her voice ringing with concern as she stepped up.

2/5

14:52 Mon, Jul 20

Chapter 175

She was still that proud, classy senior, never willing to compromise her unshakable principles.

That was the code she lived by.

Instead, she stepped just behind Nova and gave a faint, almost imperceptible bow-the kind that hinted pride even in apology.

“We misjudged you,” Mavis admitted, her voice quiet but stubborn.

“I shouldn’t have acted that way.

“I’m sorry.”

Mavis pulled Vivian over, urging her, “Say sorry.”

“S-sorry!” Vivian croaked out, voice barely more than a squeak.

‘How could I ever have imagined this?’ Vivian thought, reeling from the shock.

‘Nova actually led and completed a 5S-level mission-unreal!”

“Finally getting it, huh?” Yellowcat folded her arms, gazing down at Mavis and Vivian from above with unmistakable superiority.

“Nova doesn’t do forgiveness,” she said, her voice as proud as ever.

But, put her in front of Nova, and things were totally different.

She walked off without a word, leaving them behind like they didn’t exist.

******

When Nova returned to Zoria from Uria, Suntry Academy blew up like it was holiday-rumors flying everywhere, everybody losing their minds.

Everyone had two huge reasons to freak out.

First, Nova-the one nobody ever thought much of-had shockingly led a 5S-level mission to victory.

Second, she’d snatched up a million stars all at once. Total campus legend status unlocked.

“A million stars! No kidding-even if after a hundred years, even a thousand, nobody’s ever going to top you!

“Nova, you didn’t just smash Suntry Academy’s fifty-year record. You’re probably going to be the legend everyone talks about for centuries, maybe even a thousand years!”

Lillian and Yvonne were circling Nova like super fans, hyping her up so much you’d think she was a superstar.

It was like they were finally letting out all the epic shock they’d ever felt in their whole lives, all at once.

Nova kept a straight face, showing zero reaction.

3/5

14:52 Mon, Jul 20

Chapter 175

She couldn’t care less.

255 vo

All that mattered to her was the reward for the 5S-level mission-nothing else could touch her attentio

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