QT: Against My Will-Chapter 559 - 8.76 - Wealthy Lunatics - Monster Heist
One person’s right leg was tied to the left leg of the person next to them, and their left hand was tied to the other person’s right hand — making them a single, interconnected unit.
Shina, feeling the restrictions of her tied position and the darkness, whispered, "I’m ready. Move as far as you can."
Instead of signaling Shina, Laura and Aria simply took charge of the movements with a few hand signals. Their steps had to be in sync with Shina’s, every movement mirrored, to prevent any missteps or tumbles.
The timer beeped, signifying the end of the two minutes and Shina felt the release of the blindfold from her helmet.
"Okay, I’ve got this," Aria said, signaling that she had the blindfold now, "Shina. Give me a gentle tug in the direction we need to go."
A gentle pull from Shina’s side signified they should move forward. Laura, sensing the change, adjusted swiftly to Shina’s lead — it was best for the person next to the blind one to lead the path.
The roles had reversed again, and the dynamics quickly shifted. Maintaining harmony in these shifting circumstances demanded immense patience from each of the members.
Laura, with the blindfold on, focused intently on the haptic feedback from Shina. But the arena was determined to test them further. Without warning, a deafening clap of thunder rolled through, reverberating off the walls.
"Whoa," Laura muttered, startled. "That’s loud."
Shina narrowly avoided a trap that would have sent them into the safety net below.
The sound of rain pelted down. It was an intense downpour, a simulation so real that they could almost feel the wetness around them. Then, just as suddenly, the soundscape shifted.
The haunting cry of a distant beast, followed by the chirping of night insects, surrounded them — challenging their communication and trust to the utmost limit.
As the LADs navigated the arena, the challenges were far beyond mere moving platforms.
First, there were sections where the floor would suddenly tilt, forcing them to maintain balance while tied together. A momentary lapse could send an entire team tumbling.
Next, the arena was interspersed with columns of water jets that would randomly shoot up. These weren’t just ordinary jets; they were icy cold, designed to disorient and shock the participants.
A maze of laser beams also crisscrossed certain zones. Touching one would result in a mild electric zap, enough to be uncomfortable and force them to be extra cautious.
Lastly, from above, synthetic fog would intermittently fill the arena, reducing visibility to almost zero. In these moments, even the non-blindfolded member was nearly as sightless as their blindfolded partners.
Amidst all these challenges, the central platform stood tall, seemingly mocking their attempts. It rotated on its axis, making the final leap onto it a test of timing and precision.
Sergeant Rills had a hawk’s eye when it came to monitoring the training exercise, "Alain, Henry, Douglas. You failed. Start again!"
Henry was usually calm and analytical, but even he displayed a hint of irritation.
"Which blasted rule did we mess up this time?" Douglas snapped, pulling down his helmet.
Alain, without even turning, pointed towards a replay screen. During the balancing platform, Henry’s hesitance caused a shift in the trio’s balance.
It wasn’t just an obstacle course; it was a gauntlet designed to push the LADs to their limits mentally. The frustration was evident, causing even the tightest of units to show cracks in their relationships.
Yet, their determination was unwavering as they cursed at the mind behind such a diabolical challenge.
When finally the blinding effect faded from all three of the girl’s helmets and a clear ring echoed throughout the arena, they paused.
Pulling off their helmets, they took a moment to catch their breath and assess their surroundings.
The arena was a scene of chaos. Platforms moved haphazardly, some tilted dangerously or completely upside down. Looking further, many had fallen down the safety nets, while others looked disoriented and overwhelmed.
"Impressive," Sergeant Rills began, sweeping his gaze across the silent chaos of the arena. "Tell me, Shina, is there anything you can’t overcome?"
Shina stood by his side silently, clearly enjoying the spectacle before her, "We took more time than anticipated. I’m aiming for a better record next time."
While many viewed the LADs as the epitome of skill and precision, their dominant personalities often proved to be a double-edged sword. This innate need to be in control made it particularly challenging during instances like this. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
The central platform in the arena was not just a physical destination, but a symbolic one. Reaching it first meant more than just completing the task; it was a badge of honor, a testament to one’s skill, strategy, and determination.
In the eyes of the LADs, being the first to set foot on that platform was akin to planting a flag on a conquered summit.
Another trio of LADs finally made it to the central platform, relieved. They exchanged glances, catching their breaths. Their faces were a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
"Who the hell came up with this twisted exercise?" one of them huffed, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Another chimed in, "Must’ve been a real sadist to think of this one."
There was a general murmur of agreement among the group.
From the sidelines, Sergeant Rills just smirked, his gaze sharp and knowing. Without uttering a word, he subtly pointed with his eyes towards Shina Night, who was standing by his side.
Shina met the accusatory glances, her posture defiant. "Always pushing boundaries, that’s how we grow," she stated, her voice clear and unapologetic.
By day’s end, of all the teams that attempted the exercise, only 3 managed to reach the central platform.
The likes of Victor and Leon would have cleared the challenge blindfolded with ease, but with the additional baggage, even they struggled. It showed that there were still many shortcomings they had to overcome.
· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·
Felicia was meticulously going through the accounts when she was hit by a realization; if they continued on this trajectory, bankruptcy might become a very real concern soon.
Building an entire arena for military exercises? At least look for some investors for god’s sake or buy the land for it instead of renting one from the military!
It was the first time Felicia met 20 or so people from the "Night" family. They helped her with finding the right engineers and with testing out the arena.
She, on the other hand, took care of the deals and legislation process as Shina Night’s manager. She retrieved her body from the mysterious man who appeared in her Lady’s bathroom before. It was in the incubator next to the two babies. She was still in the process of learning how to possess it on her own.
While most would see it as an ostentatious display of wealth, for Bing Shi it was a blend of business and pleasure — buying connections, fostering relationships, and of course, having a bit of fun while at it.
Felicia sighed, ’Next time, I hope she will consult me before making such hefty financial decisions. My heart can’t handle this kind of stress!’
Having previously served as a manager and server in a small restaurant, Felicia found the scope of her current responsibilities overwhelming.
Felicia had been scammed a few times when she first started, but the money she lost was so minor it barely made a dent. Those close calls made her Lady laugh but for her, it served as a wake-up call to be even more cautious.
Her lady told her that if things got hard, she should get help but stay low-key about it. As a ghost, she had the unique ability to see if someone was trustworthy, which gave her an extra edge in finding the right people to help.
Felicia had always been adept at keeping a low profile, a skill she developed partly to avoid drawing her father’s attention. In this aspect, at least, she felt confident enough to meet her lady’s expectations.
Felicia was engrossed in her ledger, trying to figure out yet another avenue for income, when her phone pinged with a new message. She picked it up and glanced at the screen, seeing Shina’s name pop up.
(Shina Night): Call me. 💰
Do not tell her Shina was in need of money again. Before Felicia could dial, Bing Shi was already calling her.
"Felicia, the project TIED TRUST received a roaring success. I’ve just gotten word that the military is interested. Time to cash in. Cha-ching!"
"..." Felicia’s eyes widened, her jaw-dropping comically,
There was a playful chuckle from the other end of the line. "Thank you for looking out for our finances."
’If there will be some profit... then I guess I can’t complain too much!’ Felicia rolled her eyes, even though Shina couldn’t see her. "Someone has to, especially when you’re out there building arenas like they’re sandcastles at the beach. Just... keep me in the loop next time, okay?"
Bing Shi laughed again, "Deal! Leon just transferred my dowry into our son’s account. Can you check if it’s enough for a couple of space rings?"
She swiftly tapped away on her keyboard. "Felicia, I’m also forwarding you the contact info for Leon’s financial manager. Liquidate all of my husband’s assets if necessary. I really want to get my hands on some space rings."
Felicia hesitated, her paranoia mounting with each new responsibility. "Actually, would you mind if I bring in some additional help for this? An extra lawyer and an accountant, at least. Maybe even an additional tech guru to make sure we’re not leaving any digital footprints."
"Of course, assemble your team, Felicia. Just keep us out of the paperwork, that’s all I ask for," Bing Shi replied.
Felicia sighed in exasperation as she received the sensitive data, "Of course, my Lady. Anything else?"
"Just this: told you so!" Bing Shi’s voice sang out before ending the call, leaving Felicia both amused and grateful...that she didn’t have to look for another stream of income, yet!
After reaching out to Leon’s financial manager and learning about his assets, Felicia couldn’t resist taking a quick look at Shina’s tube baby’s finances.
Her eyes nearly performed a lunar landing!
That lunatic basically handed over his entire fortune to an equally crazy lunatic!
