Paid To Care, Destined To Conquer Novel

Chapter 478 Peril Everywhere Onboard the military plane, signal flares, each marked with a number, were handed out. Everyone else was paired up, except for Stella.* While the others nervously double-checked their gear, Stella just sat back with her arms folded, leaning against the cabin wall and resting with her eyes closed. Blackie lounged around her wrist, its tail flicking idly, both of them totally at ease.* Suddenly, she unbuckled her seatbelt and stood up. "Hey, boss, what are you up to?" Joey called out. Joey stopped his praying and leaned over, eyes full of curiosity.

Stella didn't say a word. With everyone watching, she walked straight to the back of the cabin and sat down, her face unreadable. Beside her was a guy wearing a black baseball cap, brim pulled so low you could only see his sharp jawline. Without even looking up, Stella ordered, "Eyes front." Instantly, every soldier whipped their heads forward. No one dared sneak another glance. After ten days of hellish training, they'd been trained to obey her without question. In the back row, Stella reached out and flipped up the brim of the man's baseball cap.

And there it was that strikingly familiar, handsome face. Stella raised an eyebrow. "Sebastian?" she asked. Sure enough, it was Sebastian. But Stella was certain that he definitely wasn't here when they first got on. Sebastian's face stayed impassive, saying nothing. But his gaze shifted uneasily, refusing to meet hers. Stella grabbed his chin, forcing him to face her. "Talk," she ordered. "I put in a request with the International Military Council," Sebastian said, slowly lifting her hand from his chin and holding it in his own, his gaze sharpening.

"Got us an extra slot." "Lucas?" Stella asked. "I tossed him to Allan," Sebastian replied, totally unfazed. Stella froze. 'He's bold as ever, she thought. "You-" Stella started, but before she could finish, Sebastian stole a quick kiss from her lips and pulled away just as fast. Sebastian's face was expressionless, but his eyes were gentle. "I want to be with you," he said simply. Those simple words left Stella speechless. "Alright," Stella replied with a resigned sigh, letting Sebastian undo her messy ponytail and fix her hair into a clean, tidy style.

** Ten hours later, the military plane reached the skies above Sumepa Island. Looking down through the window, Stella could see that the waters around the island were completely sealed off and under the control of the International Military Council. The air was thick with danger. 1/3 Chapter 478 Peril Everywhere "Everyone, get ready! Five minutes till we drop into Sumepa Island," Stella called out from the front of the cabin, her gaze sweeping over every young face. Her voice cut through the noise, full of authority. "Listen up, one last reminder.

"Once you hit the ground, whatever you run into, keep your cool. And put your own safety first, no matter what. Got it?" The cabin shook with their thunderous reply. "Got it!" "Alright then, seventy-two hours from now. See you on the other side," Stella said. Five minutes later, someone counted down, "Five, four, three, two, one..." On Sumepa Island, the drop doors of sixteen planes, each loaded with elite squads from sixteen nations, slammed open at the exact same moment. Parachutes strapped tight, everyone leapt out into their designated zones, raining down over the island.

In a flash, this place, once known as the forbidden Hell Island, had turned into a massive, real-life battle royale, just like a scene straight out of PUBG Game. And all of it was broadcast live via satellite to the giant screens at International Military Council HQ. In the tiered main hall, generals from sixteen nations took their seats, each group keeping to their own turf. Monterra's and Clusia's delegations claimed the prime spots up front, one on the left, one on the right. Even in the silence, the air crackled with tension, like a powder keg about to explode.

The giant screen on the wall didn't always show things live. As soon as boots hit the ground, all signals would go dark. That's when things got truly deadly. ***** Two hours later, on Sumepa Island, only ten out of the sixteen teams that landed were still in the game when Thalassa's flare shot up into the sky, just as Stella had expected. During those two hours, survival flares kept popping off one after another. Each flare meant someone was gone for good. Some didn't even get a chance to get their bearings and died the instant they hit the ground.

***** Deep in the jungle, Stella dropped right into the middle of a squad of Farronian soldiers, just as they were about to take out some locals infected with Fever Syndrome. Her sudden landing threw everything into chaos. The shot meant for the villagers went wild, sparks flying as the bullet slammed into a wooden post instead. "Oh damn!" the leader muttered, while the two guys behind him immediately trained their guns on Stella. They signaled for her to put her hands up. Stella was left speechless.

She lifted her hands at a lazy pace, her deep eyes scanning the corner where the old, sick, and weak villagers had been forced to huddle. Their skin was swollen and covered in sores, and when their eyes met hers, there was nothing but pure despair. It was clear they'd lost all hope of making it out alive. "Stella?" the leader called out, butchering her name with a heavy accent. In the next instant, a greedy glint flickered in the Farronian soldier's eyes. That was the unmistakable look of pure greed.

Stella replied coolly, "That's me." Even with a loaded gun pointed at her, her face didn't flicker with the slightest emotion. Chapter 478 Peril Everywhere "Mike put a price on your head," the guy sneered, striding right up to her and shoving the barrel under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Stella let out a soft laugh. "He's not even close to being able to take me down." The Farronian soldier whistled at her defiance. "Tough luck, sweetheart. You're the prize catch for every treaty ally now.

Once I wipe them out, I'll come back and finish you off." He trained his gun back on the islanders, who were shaking like leaves, huddled together in fear. The man gave a mocking laugh, full of contempt. "Pathetic scum," he spat. He stared at the villagers as if they were just ants under his boot. Stella's gaze turned icy, snapping up just as the guy leveled his gun at the helpless villagers. She said, " Sebastian!" Bang! A muzzle flash burst from the treetop. One shot, two kills. The Farronian soldiers dropped in perfect sync.

Almost at the same instant, Stella flicked her wrist, and a streak of silver shot from her fingertips. The villagers shrieked at the top of their lungs, their screams echoing through the jungle. The guy who'd just been acting all tough suddenly looked lost, his eyes going blank as he reached up to his neck. Bright red blood stained his fingers, and as a thin wound opened up on his throat, blood spurted out in a rush. He let out a choking gasp, and his massive body crashed to the ground. His limbs twitched violently. But soon, he went completely still. Stella didn't even blink.

A drop of blood dripped from the wire in her fingers, sharp enough to slice through steel, and hit the ground. She crouched down and looted him for all his gear. Then, she looked up. She locked eyes with Sebastian as he dropped down from the tree and walked right up to her. "Nice shot," Stella said. Stella smirked, then tossed the gun she'd just snatched from the Farronian soldier over to Sebastian. Their chemistry was off the charts, totally in sync, as if they had a sixth sense for each other. Sebastian turned to the villagers.

He asked, "What about them?" Stella paused for a couple of seconds, then walked over to the villagers. They were skittish, muttering in a language no one else understood. Stella knelt down in front of the lead girl and spoke in their language. "Nia?" Stella asked softly. 3/3 Editorial Board Editorial Board Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.