### **Arc 5: The Veil of Betrayal**
**Chapter 3: The Web of Deceit**
The docks were eerily quiet as Jae-min and his team approached the abandoned warehouse Garrick had mentioned. The air smelled of salt and decay, and the faint sound of waves lapping against the shore was the only noise that broke the oppressive silence.
"This place is too quiet," Riho muttered, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. "It feels like we're walking into an ambush."
"Probably because we are," Jae-min said grimly, scanning their surroundings. The warehouse loomed ahead, its broken windows like hollow eyes watching them approach.
"We need to split up," Yuna suggested. "If it is an ambush, we can't afford to all get caught at once."
Jae-min nodded. "Riho and Yerin, you take the left flank. Leon and Yuna, circle around to the back. I'll go in through the front."
"What about me?" asked Aria, her voice tinged with concern.
"You're with me," Jae-min said. "If things go south, I'll need your magic."
Aria hesitated but nodded, gripping her staff tightly.
---
The group moved silently, splitting off into their designated teams. The shadows of the docks offered some cover, but Jae-min couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
As he and Aria approached the warehouse's front entrance, he motioned for her to stay behind him. The large metal doors were slightly ajar, and the faint glow of lanterns spilled out from within.
Jae-min pushed the door open slowly, wincing as the hinges groaned in protest. The interior was dimly lit, with crates and barrels stacked haphazardly around the room. Shadows danced on the walls, and the faint sound of voices echoed from deeper within.
"Stay close," Jae-min whispered to Aria.
The two moved cautiously through the warehouse, their footsteps muffled by the dust-covered floor. Jae-min's hand rested on the hilt of his dagger, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
As they rounded a corner, they found themselves face-to-face with a group of men dressed in dark clothing. Their eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in hostility.
"Well, well," one of them sneered, pulling a blade from his belt. "Looks like we've got ourselves some intruders."
---
The fight broke out instantly.
Jae-min lunged forward, his dagger flashing in the dim light as he parried the first attacker's strike. The man stumbled back, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his fingers.
Aria chanted softly, her staff glowing with a faint blue light. A pulse of energy erupted from her, sending two of the attackers flying into a stack of crates.
"Nice work," Jae-min said, barely dodging another blade aimed at his head. He countered with a swift kick to the attacker's knee, dropping him to the ground.
More men poured into the room, their weapons gleaming in the lantern light.
"This isn't just a gang," Aria said, her voice tinged with alarm. "They're organized."
"No kidding," Jae-min muttered, his mind racing.
---
Outside, Riho and Yerin had their own problems.
The left flank of the warehouse was crawling with armed men, and the two women found themselves in the thick of it.
Riho moved with precision, her blade cutting through the air as she deflected strike after strike. "They're better trained than I expected," she said, her tone clipped.
"Focus," Yerin said, her daggers flashing as she took down two men in quick succession. "We need to clear this side and regroup with Jae-min."
---
At the back of the warehouse, Leon and Yuna were met with a locked door.
"Figures," Leon muttered, pulling a set of tools from his pouch.
"Hurry up," Yuna said, her eyes scanning the area nervously.
"Almost… got it," Leon said, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as the lock clicked open.
The two slipped inside, only to find themselves facing a small group of armed guards.
"Looks like we're late to the party," Leon said, drawing his sword.
Yuna raised her bow, loosing an arrow that found its mark in the shoulder of one of the guards. "Better late than never," she said with a smirk.
---
Back in the main room, Jae-min and Aria were holding their own, but the odds were against them.
"We need to regroup," Jae-min said, his voice strained as he blocked another attack.
Aria nodded, her hands glowing with energy as she prepared another spell.
Just as things seemed dire, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse. The rest of the team burst in, their weapons drawn and ready for battle.
"About time," Jae-min said with a grin.
The group fought together, their movements fluid and coordinated. Within minutes, the remaining attackers were either unconscious or fleeing.
---
As the dust settled, Jae-min surveyed the room. "This wasn't just a gang. They were too organized, too well-equipped."
"Then who are they working for?" Yerin asked, wiping her daggers clean.
"That's what we need to find out," Jae-min said, his eyes narrowing.
Among the crates and barrels, they found a set of documents. The papers were filled with cryptic symbols and coded messages, but one name stood out: *Eclipse.*
"This just got a lot more complicated," Leon said, frowning.
Jae-min nodded, his jaw tightening. "We need to report this to Lucian. And fast."
As the group left the warehouse, the weight of their discovery pressed heavily on their shoulders. The Black Thorn was just the beginning, and the true enemy was still shrouded in shadow.
---
**End of Chapter 3**