QT: Against My Will-Chapter 537 - 8.54 - Are You Okay Bertha? - Monster Heist

Current time...

After Bertha started interrupting Shina’s conflicts with Nathaniel and Victor, the two girls ceased their interaction. Bertha began devoting more time to the company of those two dominant figures instead of Shina’s team.

"Bertha," Bing Shi said, her tone resolute when Bertha suddenly asked her to meet up, "I want you to listen carefully. While it’s important to express your emotions honestly, I need you to understand that Nathaniel and Victor may not have your best interests at heart."

"...But..." Bertha hesitated, her voice filled with uncertainty. It was not like Shina had her best interest at heart either, especially when it came to men.

Bertha thought that Shina didn’t like how she had received a bit of attention from two popular Alphas. It was always like this, Silvia would always begin to paint the people she began to like in a bad image so she would hate and fear them.

This was why Bertha never had any friends. Thanks to Silvia, she always thought they were dangerous people, when the truth was the exact opposite, "Hear me out. After I got to know Nathaniel and Victor better, I realized that they aren’t that bad. I think if you stop provoking them or responding to their actions, they will leave you alone."

Bing Shi listened attentively while giving Bertha a gentle hug, aware of the onlookers in the cafeteria, "Ah, I’m so jealous. Why did they have to steal the only person who genuinely cares about me away, hm? If you believe that using yourself as a shield will keep me at bay, then go ahead, it’s actually working."

Bertha blushed as she looked around, patting Shina’s back, "Nobody stole me away from you. I will return as soon as I make sure you are no longer in danger," she said and hurriedly covered Shina’s eyes to stop her from glaring at Victor and Nathaniel.

Laura rolled her eyes, expressing her annoyance when Bertha left to clear the misunderstanding to the two Alphas. "She had a problem when you chased after guys, and now she has a problem when you start to chase them away. Can’t she make up her mind? What’s her deal?"

Bing Shi picked up her spoon, "Bertha has always been there for me, and I appreciate her care and concern. Look how little is enough to brighten up her whole day," she turned around to nod at Nathaniel and Victor in sincere apology for her earlier glare.

Bertha grinned proudly at her progress, sending Shina a big thumbs up.

Bing Shi turned back with laughter. She found Bertha’s bond with Silvia very unique, "Endearing, isn’t she? Even though she is head over heels with one of them, she wouldn’t mind giving up on him if I asked her for it."

Laura shrugged her shoulders, "I admit it’s fun teasing her...sometimes."

Bing Shi kept to her words and diligently avoided confronting Victor and Nathaniel as if they were a plague. She made a conscious effort to steer clear of situations that might lead to a conflict.

Regrettably, there was a heavy consequence of Bing Shi’s decision. Bertha began to fall into this honey trap called Victor and Nathaniel, deeper and deeper.

Bing Shi began to notice how Bertha became entangled in their web, struggling to differentiate between their genuine care and the potential ulterior motives they might have. Both of these individuals were skilled at captivating others’ hearts, adept in the art of seduction — albeit with their own distinct approaches. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

’Oh, how I wish for Bertha to be able to melt their hearts just as Bertha did with mine. Wouldn’t it be the sweetest honey trap ever?’

’~You are speaking as if one of them wasn’t your husband...Shouldn’t you be the one melting his heart?’

’I’m afraid Nathaniel will melt mine first, and that’s something I would like to avoid. You see, his kind was never my type.’

Bing Shi found herself locked in with the gaze of a formidable beast. It lunged forward with lightning speed, yet she still stood there motionlessly. Time seemed to slow down as the beast’s claws sliced through the air, inches away from her body.

She stumbled backward, barely managing to evade the razor-sharp claws of the beast as she desperately tried to regain her footing.

"..." Victor had flown in like a speeding bullet, only to find himself standing there like a confused pigeon. The icy tendrils that had enveloped her legs dissipated without a trace.

With a swift kick, Bing Shi knocked the beast off balance, creating an opening for her to grab her Warhammer (her new weapon) and deliver a decisive blow to its vulnerable flank.

"..." Victor’s gaze scanned the surroundings, searching for the source of his discomfort. And then he saw him. Amidst the remnants of the battle, he noticed a figure, standing with an air of superiority, silently observing him with a derisive smile.

Witnessing Nathaniel mimicking his behavior, a surge of anger coursed through Victor’s veins, ’Does this male lead only know how to go after the same people as me?’

"..." Bing Shi observed Victor’s attention shift from her to the situation unfolding with Nathaniel, ’Why I’m starting to think that Nathaniel had shown interest in Shina Night because Victor had been showing interest too?’

’~I wouldn’t be surprised. He stopped sneaking around the food lady lately.’

· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·

Bing Shi stood before the mirror, her gaze meeting her reflection. Her scars seemed to have softened in intensity. But what caught her attention even more was the change in her height.

Standing at an impressive 175 cm, she marveled at the growth that had taken place within her over the past months. She had stopped taking the suppressants a long time ago, and the alpha hormones surging through her body had not only contributed to the fading of her scars but had also triggered an incredible growth spurt.

Hubby said it was because he couldn’t contain her godhood fully and it was showing up through her body in various ways. Her golden eyes and pinkish-blond hair had both darkened in color.

· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·

The sound of heavy boots pounding on the ground echoed through the barrack halls. The recruits turned their heads to see the drill instructor storming toward the janitorial closet, his face twisted into an angry scowl as he kicked the door open.

"What is the meaning of this?!" he barked, his voice so loud that it seemed to shake the walls. He pointed a finger at Elera, "You there! Why aren’t you doing your duties? I ordered you to take over the cleaning duties, and instead, I find you lounging around here with a book?!"

Elera’s heart skipped a beat as the drill instructor singled her out. She cursed at the tracking chip inside her wrist, quickly snapped to attention, and stood up. She swallowed hard and replied with a quivering voice, "I apologize, sir. I thought I had completed my tasks, so I took a moment to relax and read."

The drill instructor’s scowl deepened, and he took a step closer, his presence intimidating. "Relax? Spare time? In my training program, there is no such thing as spare time, recruit!"

He continued, "Do you think the dirty dishes in the kitchen will clean themselves?! You will do one hundred laps around the barracks immediately! And don’t even think about slowing down or taking a break!"

Elera could feel the eyes of her fellow recruits boring into her back. She straightened her posture and mustered her resolve. "Yes, sir! Right away, sir!"

Without wasting another moment, Elera dashed out of the janitorial closet, her boots pounding against the ground.

Whispers and smirks spread among the recruits as they headed to their classes, adding an undertone of amusement to the atmosphere.

Bing Shi leaned her back against her barrack front dorm, patiently waiting for Bertha to show up so they could go to the training together.

As the drill instructor passed by, he noticed Shina’s lingering and furrowed his brow, "Why didn’t you follow the rest of the recruits for the training, Night? Are you exempt from the morning routine now?"

Shina straightened up, "I apologize, sir," she responded, "I’m waiting for Bertha Hammilton. She’s usually punctual, but she hasn’t arrived yet. I didn’t want to leave her behind."

The drill instructor’s stern expression remained unchanged as he listened to Shina’s explanation. "Seems like your schedule is not your concern, recruit," he barked, his voice raised to emphasize his point. "Your failure to follow the rules is a clear display of indiscipline! As a consequence, you will report to the kitchen immediately!"

"Yes, sir. Sir..." she interjected when she noticed the shift in his expression, her voice respectful, "Do you happen to know the location of Bertha Hamilton?"

The instructor hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice quieter than before, "Follow me," he said before the recruit could turn the whole barrack upside down in search of one person.