The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152

A hailstorm of machine gun bullets erupted, catching ten rookie mercs, five regulars, and one elite completely off guard- they were slaughtered right where they stood.

The remaining ten rookies, five regulars, and two elites, together with Monde, managed to react in those split seconds when the shooting began.

Diving for nearby rocks and cover, they dodged death by the skin of their teeth.

But when Monde heard that familiar woman’s voice echo over the carnage, his very soul shuddered in terror.

In the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps, their boss never showed her real face.

Even someone as high–ranking as Monde had never seen what their boss looked like.

All he’d ever seen was Bloodforge in a long, shapeless coat and that blood–tear mask covering her face.

The only people who’ve ever laid eyes on Bloodforge’s true looks were her original four subordinates–Ghost–Hammer, Snowfang, Marlie, and Falcony.

Later, when Yellowcat and Parromerri replaced Marlie and Falcony, they also got to see Bloodforge’s real face.

Still-

Monde had never laid eyes on his boss’s real face and not even her figure–it is always hidden away under that long, loose coat of the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps.

But that voice? Monde could recognize it anywhere, no matter what. ‘No way… that’s her…‘ he thought, his pulse pounding.

“B–Boss?” Monde’s throat went dry, his words barely squeezing out.

“You… you’re not dead?!” Monde felt his whole world spin.

Monde crouched behind a rock at the edge of the canyon, paralyzed with fear–there was no way he was stepping out.

The whole place was stripped bare: no grass, no animals, just rough, cold stones everywhere.

He caught Nova’s voice right away and let out a shrill, desperate scream.

The sound sent a jolt through the seventeen mercenaries still hiding nearby–each of their pupils shrank in shock.

‘That’s… that’s Bloodblade’s…

‘Boss?!

‘The one who’s torn through battlefields for years, clearing 56 hell–level, SSSSS–secret missions that scare even the toughest

mercs!

‘Bloodforge!

‘She’s not dead?

‘She’s back!

‘Wait… that teenage girl who were intercepted by us outside the canyon and were reported as an intruder just ten minutes ago-

‘Could that really be our boss?

‘Our boss is just a teenage girl?‘

Everyone was stunned.

Right then-

Bathed in moonlight, a teenage girl appeared before their eyes–tall and graceful, with a fierce, unyielding pride in her stance. Her beauty was simply breathtaking, making everyone forget to breathe.

“Our boss… is actually this young?” one of them blurted out, voice trembling.

“She’s been missing for almost a year. That means the whole time she was leading Bloodblade into war, she was just a teenager!” another mercenary stammered, showing great disbelief.

“Hell, she might not even be eighteen!” another merc blurted out, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Every member of Bloodblade was trained in special operations before ever setting foot in the corps.

They never made a peep unless it was truly unbearable.

But right now, Nova had shaken them to their core.

The Bloodblade mercs were so shocked, they couldn’t help blurting out in disbelief.

“Thud, thud, thud.”

Nova hoisted the machine gun in one hand and walked straight toward the rock where Ghost–Hammer was hiding.

Within the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps, Nova always made sure to keep her real face under wraps–never revealing a thing unless she absolutely had to.

Aside from her closest confidants, she never let any of the other mercenaries catch so much as a glimpse of her figure- always shrouded in that formless coat and hiding behind her signature blood–tear mask.

There was a reason for all this…

On the battlefield, if anyone realized how young she actually was, she’d never get the respect a leader needed.

Without that edge, not even her own Bloodblade mercs would have truly put their trust in her.

If anyone ever found out just how young she actually was…

Her crew would go wild, the entire corps would fall into chaos, and every plan she’d ever made would crumble to dust.

That’s exactly why, since the day she created the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps, Nova always kept her true face hidden from

everyone.

But now, Nova’s achievements and power are recognized around the world.

Monde and the rest of the mercenaries had no reason to doubt her strength.

She’d wiped out over a dozen of them with nothing but a single burst from her machine gun.

Scared out of their wits, they cowered behind whatever cover they could find, not daring to make a sound.

They were all just waiting, jittery and desperate, scoping out the perfect chance to make a run for it.

Behind the rock, Ghost–Hammer lay collapsed, his huge body soaked in blood–he was a mess, out of energy and barely hanging on after the bloodbath.

That desperate, near–suicidal move with his gun had squeezed out every last drop of strength he had left.

Only when he heard that familiar woman’s voice cutting through the fog, and caught a blurry glimpse of Nova approaching, did he finally register what was happening.

After days of constant high–strung nerves, Ghost–Hammer’s exhaustion finally hit him all at once–he crumbled, letting go of everything and just melting into the ground.

His vision was blurred red with blood; he could barely see anything ahead.

Through the thick streaks of blood, all he could make out was a hazy figure coming toward him.

Blood covered Ghost–Hammer’s entire face, but as Nova came near, he managed to tug his lips into a weak, grim grin.

“Boss… You made it…” Ghost–Hammer whispered, voice cracked and barely holding together.

It was a smile streaked with blood.

It was a genuine, gritty smile–bloody and sincere.

‘She’s really here…‘ Ghost–Hammer’s heart finally settled, a weight lifting off his shoulders.

“The one I’d trust with my life–a true ride–or–die partner,’ he thought, pride welling up in his chest.

Nova gave a slight nod.

“Yeah, I’m here. Leave the rest to me,” she said, her voice steady and unwavering.

At Nova’s words, Ghost–Hammer finally let himself go–his heart settling for the first time in days. Trusting her completely, he closed his eyes, feeling true relief.

For what felt like an eternity, he hadn’t dared to rest–not even blink. But now, at last, he could shut out the world and surrender to sleep.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh-”

All around, every mercenary–including Monde–remained crouched behind rocks and scraps of cover, nerves strung tight and breaths held.

Even though Monde was one of the so–called “old–timers,” he was definitely the weakest of the bunch–bottom of the barrel, really.

He and his squad had been sent specifically to hunt down Ghost–Hammer.

But the ones really calling the shots–the true masterminds dead set on taking Nova down–were the other senior members, along with Snowfang.

In front of Nova, Monde was just a puppet–he couldn’t even summon the nerve to fight back.

He knew all too well just how terrifying his boss truly was.

He’d only had the guts to go after Ghost–Hammer because he actually believed what the other old–timers and Snowfang said -Nova was supposed to be dead. Without that rumor, he’d never have dared to make his move.

Now that things had gotten this far, there was no turning back.

Monde wasn’t dumb. He knew trying to talk his way out of this with Nova was useless–she’d never believe him anyway.

Not that he even had anything to say for himself.

Without another word, Monde sprang into action.

Seeing Nova move toward Ghost–Hammer instead of coming for them, he grabbed his guys and made a break for it–they all scrambled to escape, scattering in every direction.

“Run! Run! Split up, everyone!

“If you don’t want to die, move it!” he yelled, voice tight with fear.