NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: Chapter 28: New Shadow Traces
The cheers for the world tournament were drawing closer, but tonight, an alarming event unfolded. As Lana worked on her car with Vera and Alex, the garage was suddenly plunged into darkness.
"What now?" Vera muttered, switching on her phone's flashlight.
Before they could investigate the cause, a deep voice echoed from the dark corner of the garage.
"I hear you're the racer who's going to change the world."
Lana spun around, her eyes widening at the sight of a tall, masked man standing at the garage doorway. He wore a long black leather coat, his presence radiating an intense aura of danger.
"Who are you?!" Lana shouted, her body tensing.
The man chuckled softly and stepped closer. "My name is Dante. I don't work for anyone, but I know about the mafia. And I know what they did to your family."
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The Secret Behind Dante's Arrival
Dante introduced himself as a former world champion racer whose career had been destroyed by the mafia. They had crushed his dreams, and since then, he had lived in the shadows, gathering information and plotting his revenge.
"I've been watching your every move, Lana. You're stronger than anyone I've ever seen. But you can't fight them alone. I'm here to help you."
Lana hesitated. "How can I trust you? You could be one of them."
Dante tossed a file onto the table. "This is a list of the mafia members controlling the world tournament. It includes Viktor and Kyron. If you want to win, you need to know who your enemies are."
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A Dangerous Track
That night, Dante revealed something even more shocking.
"The world tournament isn't just about racing. The mafia has set traps on every track—from tech sabotage to weather manipulation. They want to ensure only their racers win."
Lana was stunned. "How am I supposed to fight that? My car might be advanced, but I can't beat nature or their technology."
Dante smirked faintly. "That's where I come in. I have something they don't: experience and far superior technology. I'll train you, Lana. But you must be prepared to face risks far greater than you've ever known."
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Training Under Pressure
In the days that followed, Dante took Lana to a secret underground track beneath the city. The track was filled with extreme obstacles—tight curves, dark tunnels, and even muddy terrain.
"This is a simulation of the final track in the world tournament," Dante explained. "If you can master this, you'll stand a chance."
The training was grueling. Time and again, Lana nearly gave up, especially when her car got stuck in the mud. But with encouragement from Vera, Alex, and Dante, she kept pushing forward.
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A New Enemy: The Shadow Driver
During one of the training sessions, a sleek black car suddenly appeared on the track. It sped through at an incredible pace, challenging Lana at every turn.
"Who is that?!" Lana exclaimed, panic in her voice.
Dante's expression turned serious. "That's The Shadow Driver. He's the mafia's secret racer—undefeated and nearly invisible on the track. No one knows who he is, but he's known as a 'ghost' for his ability to race without being seen."
Lana tried to chase the black car, but its speed was unparalleled. It vanished around the final bend, leaving her frustrated.
"If I can't beat him here, how can I face him in the tournament?" Lana lamented.
"Don't worry," Dante said, patting her shoulder. "Every ghost has a weakness. You just need to find it."
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A Betrayal Exposed
That night, Lana received an anonymous message on her phone. The message contained a recording of a conversation between Kyron and someone Lana knew all too well.
"Rai…?" she whispered in disbelief.
In the recording, Rai could be heard revealing Lana's strategies to Kyron.
"I just want to keep her safe," Rai said. "If I don't do this, Viktor will destroy her like they did her mother."
Lana's heart sank. Though Rai's intentions were to protect her, his betrayal felt like a crushing blow.
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Chapter Closing
The chapter ends with Lana standing on the secret track, staring at her car.
"I've come too far to back down now," she thought. "If they want to destroy me, I'll make sure they never forget my name."
In the distance, The Shadow Driver appeared once more, silently challenging Lana to a final showdown. This time, however, Lana stood her ground, unafraid.
"Bring everything you've got," she murmured. "I'll face you with everything I have."
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