**Arc 5: The Veil of Betrayal**
**Chapter 4: A Face from the Shadows**
The morning light spilled across the cobbled streets as Jae-min and his companions made their way to Lucian's estate. The tension from the previous night still hung heavy in the air, and the coded documents they had recovered felt like a ticking time bomb in Jae-min's hands.
"You think Lucian knows who this 'Eclipse' group is?" Yuna asked, breaking the silence.
"If he doesn't, we're in deeper trouble than we thought," Jae-min replied.
The estate came into view, its high walls and iron gates exuding an aura of authority and security. The guards recognized them instantly and waved them through without question.
Inside, Lucian was waiting, seated at a long table covered in maps and reports. His piercing gaze met Jae-min's as they entered.
"You're late," Lucian said, though there was no malice in his tone. "I assume it's because you found something worth my time."
Jae-min placed the documents on the table. "We ran into an organized group last night. They were protecting this."
Lucian's expression darkened as he sifted through the papers. The name *Eclipse* seemed to leap off the page.
"This changes everything," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else.
---
Lucian spent the next hour decoding parts of the documents while the group watched. His expression shifted from focused to concerned, then to outright alarm.
"This symbol," he said, pointing to an intricate emblem at the bottom of one page, "belongs to an organization that was thought to be disbanded years ago. Eclipse is no ordinary gang. They deal in manipulation, subterfuge, and power plays. If they're active again, it means someone is pulling strings from the shadows."
"And they've got resources," Jae-min added. "The men we fought weren't amateurs."
Lucian nodded. "This is worse than I feared. Eclipse's influence could destabilize the entire city if left unchecked."
---
The room fell silent as the weight of Lucian's words sank in. Finally, Riho spoke.
"So what's our next move?"
Lucian stood, his demeanor all business. "We need to gather more intel. I have contacts who might know something, but approaching them will require discretion. Jae-min, I'm putting you and your team on this. Start with the merchant quarter. There's a man named Calder who deals in information. If anyone knows where Eclipse is operating from, it's him."
"Got it," Jae-min said.
Lucian handed him a sealed envelope. "Give this to Calder. It'll prove you're working with me."
---
As they left the estate, Yerin glanced at Jae-min. "This Calder guy—can we trust him?"
"Lucian seems to think so," Jae-min replied. "But we'll find out soon enough."
The merchant quarter was a bustling hive of activity, filled with vendors hawking their wares and customers haggling over prices. It took some time to navigate the crowded streets, but eventually, they found Calder's shop—a small, nondescript building tucked between two larger ones.
The interior was dimly lit, with shelves lined with scrolls, maps, and trinkets. Behind the counter stood a wiry man with sharp eyes and a crooked smile.
"Looking for something special?" Calder asked, his voice smooth and practiced.
"We're here on Lucian's orders," Jae-min said, handing over the envelope.
Calder opened it and scanned the contents, his expression unreadable. "Well, well," he said after a moment. "It's not every day Lucian sends people to me. What do you need?"
"We're looking for information on Eclipse," Jae-min said.
At the mention of the name, Calder's smile faltered. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You don't just throw that name around. It's dangerous."
"We're aware," Jae-min said. "That's why we need your help."
Calder hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But this isn't free. I'll need something in return."
"What do you want?" Yuna asked.
"There's a shipment coming into the harbor tonight," Calder said. "It's carrying an artifact I've been after for years. If you can retrieve it for me, I'll tell you what I know about Eclipse."
---
The group left the shop with mixed feelings.
"This feels like a trap," Leon said.
"Maybe," Jae-min admitted. "But it's our only lead right now."
The day passed quickly as they prepared for the mission. By nightfall, they were back at the docks, the harbor bathed in moonlight.
The shipment Calder mentioned was easy to spot—a large crate being unloaded from a ship by a group of men.
"Let's move," Jae-min said, signaling for the team to spread out.
They approached quietly, taking out the guards one by one. Everything was going smoothly until a sharp whistle pierced the air.
"They've spotted us!" Riho shouted.
Dozens of armed men emerged from the shadows, surrounding them.
"Looks like Calder forgot to mention this part," Leon said, drawing his sword.
Jae-min's mind raced as the situation escalated. They were outnumbered, but retreat wasn't an option.
"Fight your way to the crate!" he ordered.
The team moved as one, their training and coordination shining through as they battled their way forward. Jae-min reached the crate first, breaking the lock with a swift strike. Inside was a small, ornate box.
"This must be it!" he shouted.
"Then let's get out of here!" Yerin yelled, covering him as he grabbed the box.
---
They managed to escape with the artifact, but not without injuries. Back at Calder's shop, the man was waiting, his expression smug.
"Good work," he said, taking the box from Jae-min. "A deal's a deal. Eclipse has a base in the southern slums. But be careful—they won't take kindly to uninvited guests."
As they left the shop, Jae-min couldn't shake the feeling that Calder wasn't telling them everything. But for now, they had a lead—and that was all they could ask for.
---
**End of Chapter 4**