QT: Against My Will-Chapter 560 - 8.77- LAD’s quarters - Monster Heist

The LADs’ quarters were a noticeable upgrade from the basic recruit and reservist dormitories. While the latter resembled traditional military barracks with bunk beds and communal bathrooms, the LADs enjoyed individual rooms, private bathrooms, kitchens, and superior furnishings.

Upon arrival, the team members were each handed a sleek, digital key card, with their names and room numbers clearly displayed on the front.

Even though Shina was perfectly capable of carrying her own luggage, Leon instinctively took the heavy bags from her. There was a gentle assertiveness in his actions, taken purely out of love and the natural desire to take care of his wife.

"This is so nice!" Bing Shi peeked into the bathroom and whistled appreciatively, "It looks like a five-star hotel room."

Ru Quan set down the luggage with a smile. "You can ask the cook to prepare a meal for you. The menu is on top of the kitchen counter," he said, though he knew she wasn’t particularly concerned.

Bing Shi, already inspecting the plush bed, called out, "If anyone needs me, tell them I’ll be taking a nap until dinner." She sprawled out, sighing contentedly.

Ru Quan glanced at Bing Shi, his usual stoic expression softening a bit. "Mind if I join?" he asked. Before she could answer, he settled himself on the bed next to her, showing a hint of fatigue himself.

Nora assumed they were going to sleep together. She hadn’t expected them to actually take a nap. This couple was so vanilla! {"Or maybe..."}

{"Does it matter?"} Victor replied, collapsing onto his bed, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him too.

· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·

Two years into Nathaniel’s new relocation to the northern barracks, the entire battalion gathered near the new exercise arena. They had heard rumors, but seeing the expansive facility, equipped with challenging obstacle courses left them in awe.

A large banner hung at the entrance, reading: "Tied Trust."

Even miles away in the north, Nathaniel realized he couldn’t escape Shina’s influence, ’What had she done this time?’ he asked himself.

After Leon Rusell (Ru Quan) returned to his position, Nathaniel was relocated to the northern areas. One could say he didn’t see Shina for two years.

"This is insanity!" one soldier exclaimed after he attempted the herculean challenge.

Gasps and exclamations echoed across the arena. Some gaped in astonishment, others muttered apprehensions.

"This isn’t training; this is torture," another grumbled, rubbing a forming bruise on his shin from a misstep, "Had anyone ever finished it?"

"Three teams, from what I’ve heard," Sergeant Moore replied, eyebrows raised in mild astonishment. "On their first try, no less. And get this—all three had a Wraith in their team."

(Wraiths were elite members of the 7th Special Operation Force.)

One of the LAD’s eyes widened. "You’ve got to be kidding me. Three teams? On their first try? We’re on our third and still haven’t made it past that balancing bridge."

Someone else’s eyes widened in realization, "Aren’t there around nine Wraiths stationed in the southern barracks? I bet one of them must have been Tia Knight."

"Wouldn’t be surprised," another added, "I’ve worked alongside Tristan Knight once. The way he maneuvered us out, was like watching a maestro conduct an orchestra. Every move was calculated, every decision precise. And the trust his team had in him? Unshakable."

(Tristan Knight was a Wraith and also Tia Knight’s father — one of the top clans. Tristan Knight was allocated to the northern barracks while Tia to the southern barracks.)

Sergeant Moore just shook his head, amused, "You’ve got to admire Shina’s creativity, though. It’s brutal, but it’s definitely different from our usual drills."

They just groaned, "If by ’creativity’ you mean ’sadism’, then sure."

Observing the troops facing the extreme challenges Shina devised, Nathaniel recognized the method to her madness. This wasn’t just about physical prowess; it was a mental game. He had never envisioned facing a challenge that would make him contemplate failure so swiftly.

Was this another one of her ways of getting into his head? Testing his mettle? Every twist and turn seemed to taunt him, every obstacle echoing her voice.

Xuan Mu chuckled, ’Shina probably didn’t even have you in mind when she came up with this exercise. But it’s cute that you think she’s plotting her challenges just for you.’

Nathaniel took a deep breath, pushing the phantom of Shina’s taunts to the back of his mind, ’You’re quite the annoyance. Why don’t you focus on spending time with your wife instead of bothering me?’

Xuan Mu laughed in his mind, ’I will always find time to mess with your ego a little.’

Lu Kai’s voice raised a notch, ’This isn’t about my ego, just a challenge to see if Nathaniel Hauxley could be knocked off his pedestal. Wifey understood that, and damn it, you should too. So, why don’t you just spill the beans on why you’ve shown up out of the blue?’

Xuan Mu’s eyes narrowed, and his voice took on a tone of seriousness, ’Do you have any brilliant schemes to handle our buddy Victor? Ru Quan had investigated, and it seems there’s no method to neutralize him. From attempting to end his life to subjecting him to excruciating torture, every endeavor proved fruitless. Victor, it appears, is utterly invisible."

Nathaniel’s own eyes narrowed, mirroring Lu Kai’s thoughts, ’So letting wifey to portray herself as a promiscuous woman turned out to be our blessing in disguise, huh?"

It was his duty to protect his wife’s honor, regardless of her misdeeds, and she decided to take away this privilege from him. He couldn’t deny the irritation that surged within him when Bing Shi allowed Silvia to film those adult videos and portray herself in a negative light. It genuinely stung his pride that she didn’t feel safe enought to just be herself.

Xuan Mu’s voice took on an eerie calm as he spoke, ’And just take a look at what she had achieved. She is slowly becoming herself while making Victor accept Leon as her husband as well.’

As soon as Xuan Mu uttered the words, coldness enveloped Nathaniel, ’It’s too late to surrender now, isn’t it?’

His eyes, once vibrant, now appeared as icy pools, devoid of warmth. This emotional anesthesia was a testament to how numb he could get just to get by every day.

· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·

In the early morning light, Shina’s team gathered at their designated meeting point, a clearing on the outskirts of the base. The air was crisp, carrying a faint chill.

The team consisted of 10 people: Shina, Ru Quan, Liam, Juliet, Douglas, Henry, Alain, Laura, Aria, and Orion — a Delta medic with water abilities.

Orion, in his mid-thirties, exuded a mature confidence and seasoned demeanor. His features bore the subtle marks of experience. Despite being the oldest, he didn’t look down on the fresh ’youths’ around him.

The team gathered their gear, loaded it onto the waiting military truck, and settled into the spacious interior. Shina sat at the front, while the rest of the team found seats among the benches and compartments.

Upon reaching the designated point, the truck came to a halt.

The distance to the second layer of the barrier was around 200km. On foot, covering 200 kilometers would take roughly 4 to 5 days, depending on the terrain, their pace, and the number of breaks they took.

Any delays would pose problems. If they arrived early, then only good.