The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 187

**A Symphony of Shadows by Evelyn Hart**
**Chapter 187**

The air was thick with the anguished cries of the mercenaries, a cacophony that reverberated across the field like a dissonant symphony of frogs croaking in distress. Each wail echoed the collective realization of their defeat, a stark contrast to the bravado they had worn moments before.

Nova Blake, the formidable leader of the newly minted Blood Doll Corps, had previously displayed only a fraction of her abilities, merely teasing them with basic techniques. It was a casual exhibition, a mere glimpse of her prowess, and that had led these rookie mercenaries to underestimate her. They had seen her as just another female mercenary, one among many, and thus had failed to recognize the depth of her strength.

But now, as they lay crumpled and defeated, it became painfully clear. This was the first time Nova had unleashed her true power against them since they had joined her ranks. The realization hit them like a cold wave: she and Damien had dispatched them with ease, as if they were nothing more than defenseless frogs underfoot. Shock coursed through their ranks; they had never felt so utterly powerless.

Sham and Eder exchanged wide-eyed glances, their disbelief palpable. Their minds raced as they processed the transformation of their perception. This wasn’t just some weak woman; Nova was a force of nature, a warrior who commanded respect with every fiber of her being.

“Damn, I never imagined a woman could be this badass,” one of the mercenaries thought, his internal monologue filled with awe and surprise.

Half-buried beneath a mound of bodies, a fellow mercenary stammered, “A woman can actually be this strong…” His voice trembled, reflecting the profound impact of Nova’s display.

Yet, it was Damien Thorn who truly sent shivers down their spines. His presence loomed like a shadow, a reminder of the raw power they were up against.

‘Where did the boss even find a monster like him?’ one mercenary wondered, still grappling with the shock of their defeat.

“Had enough yet?” Nova’s voice sliced through the heavy silence of the apartment’s first floor, her tone icy and authoritative. She stood tall, her eyes glinting with a steely resolve that pinned the mercenaries in place. The atmosphere was so tense that even the slightest breath felt like a sacrilege.

Every syllable she uttered resonated with an unyielding command, leaving no room for doubt—she was someone to be reckoned with, someone they couldn’t help but respect, whether they wanted to or not.

“Not satisfied yet? Then I’ll be your next opponent!” Nova declared, her voice dripping with a chilling dominance that sent a wave of dread rippling through the ranks.

‘She really wants to fight us herself?’ one mercenary thought, a cold sweat breaking out across his brow.

‘After that nightmare just now, isn’t she just going to annihilate us?’ another mercenary thought, feeling a chill creep down his spine as the weight of her challenge settled over them.

The mercenaries, sprawled across the floor in a tangled heap, fell into a heavy silence. Not a single soul dared to utter a sound, their minds racing as they contemplated their next move.

For the moment, any rational individual would think twice before crossing Nova Blake.

“Boss, looks like they need a real lesson!” Yellowcat chimed in, seizing the opportunity to stoke the flames now that the others had fallen silent. She recalled her own initiation into the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps, remembering the fools who had dared to test their boss. Each one had left with broken bones and bruised egos.

“Up, turn left, and hit the road—30 kilometers, full kit, in the dead of night!” Nova barked, her voice leaving no room for dissent.

“Don’t come back until you’ve finished every damn kilometer!” she snapped, her words sharp and biting like a whip cracking through the air.

Determined to instill discipline in these rebellious rookies, Nova’s commanding presence made them feel as though they were standing before a queen reigning over a battlefield with an iron fist.

Yet, deep down, they struggled to fully submit to her authority. The notion of taking orders from a woman was a hard pill to swallow for these stubborn mercenaries.

But since they were all in it for the cash, they begrudgingly rose to their feet, preparing to follow her orders.

Even Eder, whose elbow was practically dislocated and clutching his injured arm, shot Sham a furious glare, donned his gear, and stormed out, determination etched on his face.

Nova straightened, ensuring her words were loud and clear. The International Mercenary Training Ground in Verecula was a legendary boot camp, an annual proving ground that tested mercenary squads from every corner of the globe.

All mercenary corps worldwide were eligible to participate, regardless of their origins. As long as a team survived the grueling gauntlet and ranked among the top three by the end…

…they could transform overnight from total nobodies to the most sought-after squad on the international mercenary scene, with fighters lining up for a chance to join.

Back when the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps was just getting started, Nova had led her team to victory, claiming first place overall at the 74th annual training competition at the International Mercenary Training Ground. That triumph shattered barriers in the mercenary world, catapulting them into the spotlight and making them the hottest new squad on the international stage.

However, for a mercenary squad that had barely been in existence for a few months—with no reputation and no backup—signing up for the International Mercenary Training Ground was essentially a death sentence.

Typically, only the most hardcore or fearless mercenary crews dared to step foot in that arena. They had either spent years honing their skills in the shadows or had serious heavy hitters backing them up.

The Blood Doll Corps had only recently come into being. And now, their boss wanted to throw them into the lion’s den of the International Mercenary Training Ground? Was she out of her mind?

Sham stared at her, his mouth agape, unable to comprehend the words that had just escaped her lips.

“Boss, have you lost your mind? You seriously want to take us to the International Mercenary Training Ground? We barely have thirty people in our squad, and those other corps roll in with hundreds—sometimes thousands! How are we even supposed to stand a chance against that?”

“Boss, I mean no disrespect, but you’re a woman. Sure, you can school us, but against those other mercenary corps…”

“Come on, just give it a rest. It’s not like you’re that legendary woman—the boss of the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps—who showed up in the International Mercenary Training Ground a few years ago with only four people and crushed the competition, taking first place overall!”