The old man slammed his cane toward Finian's head.
Finian ducked just in time and bolted.
"You brat!" the old man roared, striking again. The cane clipped Finian below the back as he ran.
Ron and Kai stood nearby. Ron had already activated his invisibility.
"Thanks for saving me, Ron," Kai said, laughing as Finian sprinted for his life.
"I actually feel sorry for him," Ron replied calmly.
"Hahaha! Let's get him!" Kai shouted and charged after Finian.
The old man, still in pursuit, sensed something rushing toward them. He turned just in time to see Kai charging like an enraged bull. The old man leapt aside as Kai thundered past him.
People nearby gasped in shock.
Kai closed in on Finian and stretched out his hand to grab the back of his shirt. At the last second, Finian turned—
Too late.
Kai, unable to stop at such close range, tackled him straight to the ground.
"Damn you, Finian!" Kai growled.
Finian burst into manic laughter, clutching his stomach. "Hahahahaha!"
Kai stood up, ready to punch him, but Ron's voice cut through the chaos.
"Hey. You two. Can we focus on the mission now?"
Kai and Finian exchanged a glance… then nodded.
"Follow me. I'll take you to my place," Kai said.
Glory Apartments
"I live here," Kai said, pointing at the massive building.
"Glory Apartments?" Finian muttered.
Ron looked at him. "You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Yeah. I've heard that name before."
"Don't worry about old stories," Kai said. "Come."
He led them toward a side pathway that descended into basement parking.
"These are premium apartments," Kai explained as they walked. "There are three more parking levels below this one."
Ron nodded, quietly observing everything.
They reached another downward ramp.
"Those are the lower parking floors I mentioned. Not important. Let me show you the building."
As Ron turned, his eyes caught a familiar car.
So… Liora and Ava are staying here? Too many coincidences. No… something isn't right.
He followed Kai inside.
The moment they stepped into the lobby, Ron and Finian froze.
Marble floors. Crystal chandeliers. Golden lighting reflecting off polished walls.
"This…" Finian whispered. "This is insane."
Kai smirked. "Didn't I tell you? Now, follow me."
They entered the lift. Ron and Finian were still processing the luxury.
The doors opened.
Kai walked ahead, Ron to his right, Finian to his left. People passing by couldn't help but stare. A few women whispered that Kai might be from the Zayden Family.
Kai felt his pride swell.
He stopped at his room, unlocked it, and the three entered.
The room was massive—modern furniture, wide glass windows, elegant décor.
"Sit wherever you like," Kai said, walking to the telephone. He ordered tea and food.
Ron removed his jacket. Finian did the same.
Ron sat back on the sofa, resting his left ankle over his right knee. Finian leaned back like he owned the place. Kai joined them.
"So," Kai said, "where were we?"
"The uniform with the bear's claw on the back," Ron replied.
"Right. You'll find them on the first floor."
"The ground floor?" Finian asked.
"That's the ground floor," Ron corrected.
Kai nodded.
"So what's the plan?" Finian asked.
Ron's expression turned serious.
"We stay here a few days. Map every route in and out of the mansion. Every colony exit. Any hidden paths. We gather everything."
Finian smirked. "Spoken like a true leader."
"When do we enter?" Kai asked.
Ron shook his head. "Not you. I'm not dragging you into this. Just give us the information you know."
"Yeah," Finian added. "You can leave this place. We'll get you a job—better pay, better residence."
Kai hesitated… then nodded. "Okay."
He leaned forward.
"The mansion has six floors. Three hundred rooms. Fifty per floor. The top floor belongs to the Leader—Kruex Zayden. No one enters except his daughter, the commander… or a special guest."
Kruex Zayden… so that's the leader's name.
Ron nodded thoughtfully.
"There are other restricted rooms on the top floor," Kai continued. "Only the Leader, his daughter, and the commander can enter."
"Why?" Finian asked. "I get restricting his personal room. But the others?"
"I don't know for sure," Kai said quietly. "But I heard there's water… something that grants immortality. And advanced weapons capable of destroying the planet in seconds."
Silence filled the room.
"What kind of weapons?" Ron asked.
"Satellites. Designed purely for destruction. They absorb energy from the sun continuously. When fired, a single beam could erase all life on Earth."
Ron's eyes widened.
"WHAT?!" Finian exploded.
"Kai," Ron said carefully, "did you hear anything about research papers?"
"Yes."
Ron leaned forward.
"How do you know?" Kai asked.
"I heard Kruex obtained certain research documents," Kai continued. "That's why Eclipse stayed quiet for years."
Ron nodded slowly.
"So when their important man left them, they were forced to retreat. They hid in the shadows… rebuilding."
"Who left?" Kai asked.
"The previous commander," Finian answered. "After he left, they suffered heavily."
Kai absorbed this.
Suddenly—
Knock. Knock.
Kai stood and opened the door. It was room service. He paid, brought the food in, and set it before Ron and Finian.
"Kai," Ron asked, "why is this place hidden?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe because of that strange research paper."
Ron's eyes darkened.
No wonder I felt something familiar when the walls became visible… Black Sorcery. Ron thought.
"Eat," Kai said. "After that, you should rest."