The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167

“An SSSSS–rank mission?”

“You mean that hellish, top–secret SSSSS–rank mission everyone whispers about?”

Eric was the first to react.

The shock almost gave him a heart attack, but he held it together and jumped in.

“Getting picked for an SSSSS–rank mission? Whether you’re someone from the underground or just a regular soldier like us, it proves you’re the real deal.

“Forget about actually completing the mission…”

Vivian, Lillian, Yvonne, and all the other students were left rattled by what Nova said.

Yellowcat spoke up for Nova.

“If Nova says it’s an SSSSS–rank mission, then you can bet it is. Seriously, do you really think she’d make something like that up?”

‘My heart almost skipped a beat.‘ Mavis thought, feeling the shock hit her just as hard. But she kept her face as calm and composed as ever, not showing a flicker of emotion.

After all, she had an image to uphold–as a senior, she couldn’t let anyone see her rattled.

Mavis spoke in her usual chilly tone, “If there actually was an SSSSS–rank mission, of course we’d take the chance.

“But I haven’t heard a single rumor about it anywhere. Honestly, Nova, I’m starting to think you’re just making stuff up.”

For anyone in the international underground world, and for every soldier here, pulling off an SSSSS–rank mission was the highest honor, the dream of a lifetime.

This was what they all lived and fought for–a goal that everyone chased but almost no one ever reached.

“She’s not making it up–there really is an SSSSS–rank mission up for grabs right now. It’s a chance of a lifetime,” a mild- mannered man’s voice suddenly chimed in.

Nova glanced up and saw a man who looked to be thirty–four or thirty–five. He had a refined air and impressive bearing; even from a distance, he gave off the kind of quiet confidence that made heads turn.

“Counselor Flynn, are you serious?” Mavis and Eric traded surprised glances, both demanding at once.

As soon as Flynn appeared, Mavis and Eric shared a quick look, then blurted out the question in shock.

It was Flynn, the college counselor. He was a former soldier who’d served in the war zones before retiring and now spent his days helping students navigate college life.

He was also the one who handed out missions from the task board.

“When have I ever lied?” Flynn replied with a gentle smile. After answering Mavis, he turned his attention to Nova.

“You’re the one Commander Marshall put in for, right? Heard a lot about you–you really made waves in the latest operative team selection.”

I’m guessing Commander Marshall’s already filled you in on the whole SSSSS–rank mission, hasn’t he?”

Flynn just figured Nova must’ve gotten the heads–up from Harrison Marshall, the commander of Sector X18 who’d vouch for her with the action team.

Most kids at Suntry Academy actually earned their spot–they’ve got the skills to back it up. Then again, pulling a few strings to get in isn’t exactly unheard of around here.

Nova didn’t say a word.

Flynn just took her silence as confirmation.

“So, are you guys taking the SSSSS–rank mission or not?” Flynn asked with a smile.

This SSSSS–rank mission wasn’t some special assignment custom–made for Nova and Mavis.

Normally, a mission like this would require thousands–if not tens of thousands–of elite operatives working together.

There’d be loads of people jumping at the chance to take this mission on.

The true make–or–break of any SSSSS–rank mission all came down to the handful of elites leading the charge.

In Flynn’s eyes, students like Nova, Mavis, and Eric were really just there to make up the numbers and handle miscellaneous.

chores.

If they got lucky and the mission pulled through, their file would sport the rare achievement of having ‘taken part in an SSSSS–rank mission.‘

That alone was already a once–in–a–lifetime kind of thing.

Mavis cast a graceful glance at Nova and Yellowcat, her eyes cool and composed.

She responded to Flynn first, then looked to Nova and added,

“With an opportunity like this, we’re definitely in.

“Just don’t back out–hope to see you at the SSSSS–rank mission site, for real!”

As she finished, Mavis motioned for Vivian and Eric to follow her, then strode away without a backward glance.

She said it for all to hear, making sure everyone was watching.

If Nova bailed now, the embarrassment would be hers alone.

‘I’m really looking forward to this,‘ Nova thought, her lips curling into a silent, confident smile.

She didn’t say it aloud, just let the small grin speak for itself.

‘It’s not about competing with Mavis at all,’ Nova mused. ‘What I’m after is the reward after completing an SSSSS–rank mission…‘

And that payout? It’s going to be huge.’ Nova knew it wouldn’t come cheap.

Ever since everyone found out that Mavis and Eric–the school’s legendary upperclassmen–had jumped past SSS–rank missions straight to the SSSSS–rank, the whole campus exploded.

Everyone was singing their praises.

At the same time, people were blasting Nova for not knowing her place.

A week later.

On the eve before they set off for the SSSSS–rank mission.

“If this mission wasn’t such a life–or–death deal, I’d want to go myself,” Lillian said.

“My mom called yesterday and practically begged me not to take any dangerous assignments.

“She just wants me to keep my head down in college and not do anything reckless.

“Honestly, as long as I just stick it out and team up with the real elite soldiers, I’ll end up with a fat paycheck–and fifty thousand star points!

“Fifty thousand star points, can you believe it?” Lillian sighed.

Lillian was lounging at the edge of her bed, talking the whole time.

Lillian watched Nova pack for the mission–she just tossed a spare outfit into her bag and that was it. No fuss, no extras, just traveling light as always.

Before Nova left, Lillian and Yvonne waved her off. Lillian called out.

“Stay safe, Nova! Be careful out there, and whatever happens, just hang in there till the end!”

Quite a few students from Suntry Academy had signed up for this SSSSS–rank mission.

Honestly, it wasn’t hard to see why–even if most of them usually only handled low–grade stuff like B- or C–rank missions on the daily.

Of course, nobody was expecting to be in charge for an SSSSS–rank mission–they were all just there as extras, tagging along for the ride.

Still, having even one SSSSS–rank mission under their belt would totally be worth the gamble.

The Battle of Mura, Uria.

This time, every Zoria soldier had signed a life–or–death contract before being shipped off to Mura, tasked with backing up their Uria allies in a brutal showdown against the Orian Empire’s frontline troops.

In theory, the mission sounded simple–help Uria land a win and make sure the Orians get crushed.

But pulling it off? That was a whole different story–easier said than done.

One after another, transport planes landed in Uria, bringing Nova and Yellowcat–right in the thick of it, swept in with the surge of troops onto the battlefield.

As soon as Nova stepped off the transport, she caught sight of Mavis and Eric getting off another plane–and trailing after

them…

It was Vivian.

‘No way, she showed up too?‘ Nova blinked, a hint of surprise flashing across her face.

Vivian smirked, a cocky little laugh slipping out.

When she spotted Nova and Yellowcat, Maya struck a pose with her hands on her hips–pra all because her big sister was there to back her up.

ally glowing with confidence,

With Mavis around, she looked like nothing in the world could scare her.

Mavis never thought Nova would really show up.

For just a moment, her usually proud and distant face faltered, showing a trace of discomfort.

“Soldiers, follow me to the armory and grab your gear. Once you’ve picked your weapons, I’ll escort you straight to the front line,” the translator announced, his Zoriaien crisp and commanding.

He strode into the open space beside the transport planes, his voice easily cutting through the bustle of the landing zone.

No one dared to lag behind as he took the lead, guiding the whole crowd toward the armory.

Most SSSSS–rank missions were all about pulling off a win in some massive conflict.

Landing a victory like that? It was the kind of achievement that’d send shockwaves across the globe.

Nova Blake might still be young, but she’d already conquered an incredible fifty–six SSSSS–rank missions–a legend in her own right.

She’d charged across countless battlefields all over the globe, always at the very front where explosions shook the earth and gunfire never ceased–each mission, nothing short of perfection.

There wasn’t a war–torn country she hadn’t set foot in, no battlefield she hadn’t braved, weaving her way through every storm of fire and artillery smoke.

By now, there wasn’t a conflict anywhere that Nova couldn’t read like the back of her hand.

But in every one of those fifty–six SSSSS–rank missions, Nova had always been at the very front–serving as the top commander, leading the assault, and masterminding each battlefield move.

Yet now, for the very first time, she found herself blending in as just a student among students–just an ordinary soldier brought along to make up the numbers. Walking onto a battlefield more familiar to her than anyone else’s, but no longer at the helm, was an entirely new experience.