novel bin Chapter 849 Hunting for Shade (6)
Chapter 849 Hunting for Shade (6)
849 Hunting for Shade (6)
Back in the car, Rebecca broke the silence that settled over the group.
"What do we do?" she asked, looking around at her companions for guidance.
Erik, the de facto leader, didn't hesitate. "We're going to this Shadow's Market," he said, his tone resolute. "And find all the information we need."
Ramon, leaning back in his seat, rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"It'll be dangerous, based on what Vincent said." He voiced the concern that lingered in his mind.
"Don't trust Vincent," Erik said, a hard edge to his words. Ramon raised an eyebrow. "I never did, but why do you say that now?"
Erik sighed. "Vincent didn't tell us a lot of things."
His gaze sweeping across the faces of his companions.
"What he omitted to say is that the Shadow's Market also hosts an underground arena where the most dangerous criminals fight, high-stakes betting takes place, and even auctions for mysterious stuff are held."
"But that's not important. What was important, and which he didn't talk about, is that there's a secret level to the Market, accessible only to a select circle of the criminal elite. It's there that the darkest and most dangerous operations are planned, operations that have direct ties to the shadows within Etrium's government."
"This means Shade..." Ramon said.
"Exactly."
Camille shifted, her expression strangely grin. "So, it's worse than we thought."
June, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "This just got a lot more complicated. If there are ties to the government, we need to tread carefully."
Erik nodded, acknowledging June's concern. "Exactly, and we can't take Vincent's words at face value. Why did he omit this information?"
"Maybe he was scared," Rebecca said.
"Yeah. But he already told something he shouldn't have. Why omit this at that point?" Camille voiced a reasonable question, but another important want was voiced by Rebecca again.
"Do you think we're walking into the lion's den?"
"They're not uncommon there, i guess, and it'll help us blend in. The last thing we want is for someone finding out who we are, or questioning us."
The group agreed, and soon, they stopped at a small, nondescript shop tucked away in a side alley.
Inside, they selected masks that ranged from simple to elaborate, each choosing one that felt right.
With their new disguises in hand, they resumed their journey.
Eventually, they arrived at a very luxurious building that stood as a stark contrast to its surroundings.
While it wasn't the largest structure they had ever seen—the Band of Giants' headquarters held that distinction—the building before them was all the same impressive.
It was clad in shimmering glass windows that reflected the city lights, casting an aura of exclusivity and wealth.
The entrance was guarded by sleek, modern sculptures, and the ground floor boasted high-end shops that seemed out of place in the underworld market they sought.
Not only was the building very tall, but it was also very large, among the largest they had seen.
Ramon, Camille, and Rebecca, accustomed to the grandeur associated with their mercenary guild, couldn't help but shrug at the building's design and the statement it made.
They knew this was the gateway to the Shadow's Market, based on what Vincent said.
The group parked nearby and Erik led the way, his mask firmly in place, as they approached the entrance.
The group's demeanor changed; with their faces concealed, they felt safer, but they were still on edge.
They were about to step into a world few knew existed, armed with masks to hide their identities and a resolve to uncover the secrets that lay within.
As they entered, the group knew they were stepping into the lion's den, their disguises their only protection as they ventured deeper into the shadows of Nokisi Point's criminal empire.