Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 76: Survival Instincts

"A relay team is only as strong as its weakest link."

Nancy recognized the athlete Ryan was reprimanding. It was Gabriel, once the shining star of the swimming world. Now the eldest member of the squad, his performance throughout the year had been underwhelming.

Gabriel kept his head bowed, his voice heavy with defeat. "Coach, I’m getting old. My body just isn't keeping up anymore. I’m thinking about retiring after the World Championships..."

"Shut up!" Ryan roared. "The competition is right around the corner! The one thing an athlete can never lose is their fighting spirit!"

A sudden flash of inspiration hit Nancy.

She spoke up hesitantly. "Ryan, I might have a way to test whether Gabriel’s issue is physical or psychological."

The team looked at her in confusion. The assistant coach frowned. "Miss, please don't interrupt the team's training while you're visiting..."

"What kind of way?" Ryan asked seriously. He knew Nancy; she wasn't the type to talk nonsense.

Nancy leaned in and whispered a few words into Ryan’s ear. They both glanced toward the travel carrier.

"Gabriel’s state is already at rock bottom," Ryan muttered. "We might as well take the gamble."

Ryan nodded and signaled the other swimmers to move to the side of the pool.

"We’re going to run a special test to determine if your problem is your body or your head," Ryan told Gabriel. "It’s going to be intense. Are you willing to try?"

"I am," Gabriel said firmly. He was desperate to know if he still had anything left in the tank.

"Good. Get to the block."

Ryan gave Nancy a subtle nod.

Nancy carried the case to the edge of the pool behind Gabriel and whispered to Mist inside. "When the whistle blows, you chase this handsome guy. But you are absolutely not allowed to bite him. Do you understand?"

Mist wriggled with excitement. "Don't worry, I wouldn't want to hurt that handsome face!"

"Take your marks!"

Gabriel tensed into his starting position.

The moment he dove into the water, Nancy released Mist into the pool.

"Holy—!"

Gabriel felt a sudden cold sensation against his ankle, followed by something like a flickering tongue brushing his calf.

He exploded with a burst of speed that defied logic.

Water sprayed everywhere. Gabriel risked a quick glance back and saw Mist’s ivory fangs glinting coldly through the water.

"Help! Help! Help!"

Gabriel’s voice cracked in a panicked shriek as he shifted into full survival mode. His arms churned the water so fast they became a blur.

Mist flicked her tongue, having the time of her life. "Your ankles are really sexy, I really want to coil around them!"

He fled, she pursued; there was no escape.

The assistant coach stared at his stopwatch, his eyes darting back and forth in shock. He was trying to track the time and Gabriel’s performance simultaneously.

"Good lord! He’s moving that fast and he still has time to look back?! If he did that in a race, his opponents would die of pure humiliation!"

The other team members watched Gabriel tearing through the lane, feeling like they were looking at a stranger.

"Gabriel keeps saying he’s old... he’s been playing us this whole time!"

"Old? He’s moving like he’s running for his life!"

"It looks like the footage is being played at double speed."

"That’s not swimming anymore. He’s practically flying on top of the water!"

The onlookers were stunned—not just by Gabriel’s speed, but by Nancy’s "unorthodox" training method.

"Incredible. This is some sick training right here! Miss Nancy is ruthless!"

"Anyone would call this 'professional'!"

Nancy scratched her head awkwardly. "I only thought of it because of Ryan’s lecture. When the survival instinct is triggered, people often break through their limits and reveal their true potential."

She pointed to Mist in the water. "Besides, this little one kept nagging me about wanting to get 'up close and personal' with you guys..."

The swimmers shuddered in unison, giving forced laughs. "Up close? No, we’re good."

"Yeah, we’re a very socially anxious swim team."

When Gabriel reached the end of the hundred-meter pool and touched the wall, he practically scrambled out of the water on all fours. He collapsed onto the tiles, looking as though he had used up every ounce of energy he’d ever have.

Everyone crowded around him, applauding and cheering.

The assistant coach’s face was flushed with excitement. "Do you have any idea how fast that hundred meters was?"

Gabriel waved a weak hand, gasping for air. "Coach... don't tell me that yet. Just tell me... did I remember to pay my life insurance premium this year?"

The team erupted in laughter.

Nancy reached her hand out toward Mist in the pool. "Good job. Come on back up."

Mist’s slender white body drifted lazily in the water. "C'mon, I'm exhausted and I just want to coil around his arm."

Nancy gave up. "Fine, do whatever you want, you little creep!" She turned to walk away.

Jonas helped a trembling Gabriel to his feet.

Only when Gabriel felt certain he was going to live did he find the breath to ask about his performance. "My time... what was it?"

"46.92 seconds."

The assistant coach’s voice shook. "The world record is 46.86. You were only 0.06 seconds away from breaking the world record!"