Meanwhile…
In the North-Eastern Mountains
The roar of blades shattered the mountain silence as Eclipse's helicopter descended into the fortified compound.
Below, dozens of men trained relentlessly — fists striking sandbags, boots slamming against the earth, gunfire echoing across the valley. At the heart of the compound stood a massive Chinese-style mansion, nearly six stories tall, its curved roofs and red pillars radiating authority and tradition.
The helicopter hovered briefly, then settled onto one of the eight helipads atop the mansion.
Before the blades had fully stilled, armed soldiers surrounded the aircraft. The doors opened.
They saw Shadow
Without wasting a second, the soldiers rushed him toward the emergency wing.
Behind them, the Commander stepped out.
The guards immediately straightened.
"How are the trainees?" the Commander asked calmly.
"They're progressing well, sir," one guard replied.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Unnoticed at first, a man in his late seventies approached. Yet there was nothing fragile about him. His back was straight, his presence commanding — he carried himself like a warrior in his prime.
The Commander turned.
Every soldier lowered their head.
"Welcome, Leader," the Commander said respectfully.
"It has been a long time since we last spoke," the Leader replied, his voice steady and deep.
"It's good to see you recovered, sir," said Vincent.
The Leader's eyes swept across the compound.
"You've arrived. Everyone rest. Vincent… follow me. There's something we must discuss."
Inside the Mansion
They entered a secluded chamber.
At the center of the room stood a reinforced glass container filled with glowing purple liquid.
Vincent frowned.
"What is this?"
The Leader stepped closer, gazing at the liquid with unsettling admiration.
"A path to immortality. A path to power."
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
"Where did you find something like this?"
Without answering immediately, the Leader moved behind the container and waved his hand downward.
A concealed section of the floor slid open.
He retrieved a stack of aged white papers.
Turning, he handed them to Vincent.
"What is this, sir?"
"Wulkranoth's Research Volume."
Vincent's breath caught.
"I used it… to create the purple serum."
"Something like this truly exists?" Vincent whispered.
The Leader's gaze hardened.
"First, we wait for my daughter to arrive. Then we proceed with the plan."
Vincent hesitated.
"Sir… there's something you need to know."
The Leader looked at him sharply.
"What is it?"
Vincent explained everything — the wedding, the unexpected appearances, their departure by helicopter.
When he finished, the Leader remained silent for several seconds.
"Understood," he finally said.
Vincent bowed slightly and exited the chamber.
As Vincent walked down the corridor, he noticed a massive, muscular man mopping the marble floor.
"Excuse me, sir," the cleaner said nervously.
Vincent raised an eyebrow.
"I… I haven't received my salary for last month."
Vincent stared at him for a moment — cold, unreadable — then walked past without a word.
The cleaner's jaw tightened.
Thirty minutes later, his shift ended. He changed into ordinary clothes and exited the mansion.
He mounted his bicycle and glanced back at the towering structure.
"Stupid people…" he muttered.
Suddenly, a sleek black Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine pulled up beside the gates.
The door opened.
A breathtaking woman stepped out, holding a child in her arms. She walked past the cleaner without sparing him a glance.
The cleaner's head turned unconsciously, captivated.
At the entrance, Vincent himself stood waiting with elite guards.
The Commander personally came out to receive her.
Who is she? the cleaner wondered.
Shaking his head, he pedaled toward his apartment.
"How is Shadow?" the woman asked softly.
"He's stable," Vincent replied. "The Leader wishes to speak with you."
She nodded and walked inside.
In Hero Town
Jake arrived at his base.
He stepped out of the car. Aldrio stood nearby.
"Sir, I hope the wedding trip was satisfactory," Aldrio said.
"Aldrio… can you modify this car further?"
Aldrio blinked. "Further, sir?"
Jake gave a thumbs-up and walked toward the control room.
A giant digital screen illuminated the room, displaying images of Xentan, Liora… and the mysterious woman from the wedding.
"Sir?" Aldrio asked.
"I saw these people at the wedding."
"If I'm not mistaken, that woman is Locki's sister."
Jake clicked on Liora's profile.
Name: Liora
Codename: Rena
Active Period: 12 Years
Status: Highly Skilled Operative
"She was with Carter's sister, Ava," Jake said. "They also spoke to Eclipse's leader's daughter."
"Does Ava have ties to Eclipse?" Aldrio asked.
"I believe so."
"Are you suggesting Eclipse is active again?"
Jake leaned back.
"Yes. Ron was chasing Vincent — Eclipse's commander. That confirms it."
Aldrio's voice grew tense.
"Ever since you defeated Zayden Kruex, Eclipse struggled to recover. After all these years… they're returning."
Jake shook his head slowly.
"No. I wasn't the reason for their collapse."
Aldrio frowned.
"Sir?"
"There was someone else. Eclipse's true strength. The commander before Vincent. Even after I defeated Kruex… that man's strategy nearly reduced this city to ashes."
"What happened to him?"
"I don't know. One day… he vanished. As if he never existed."
Jake's expression darkened.
"His disappearance broke Eclipse's backbone. That's when they began losing the war. Kruex fell into depression… and his daughter, Seraphina, carried the burden alone."
Jake clicked on the image of the woman holding the baby.
"Seraphina spent years rebuilding Eclipse from ruin."
"So her presence at the wedding means something," Aldrio said.
"Yes… but what disturbs me more is why Rena and Ava were there."
Jake turned to Aldrio.
"Dig up everything on Carter's sister."
"On it, sir."
Jake leaned back in his chair.
Why was Ron after the commander?
Meanwhile…
Liora and Ava stood fully dressed in black tactical suits. Masks covered their faces, revealing only their eyes.
"RENA" was stitched on Liora's chest.
"AEX" on Ava's.
"Let's go," Liora said.
They stepped into a customized vehicle. The name "Finian" was engraved on the plate.
They drove toward the beach.
Without hesitation, Liora drove straight into the water.
The tires retracted. Turbine fans emerged. The steering wheel shifted, revealing aquatic controls.
Ava stared in awe.
"Damn, your brother is insane."
"It was a gift from a friend," Liora replied calmly.
"Where are we headed?"
"My tracker was destroyed in the North-Eastern mountains. That's where we're going."
"Did you bring your equipment?"
Liora's eyes hardened.
"Yes. We're back to being assassins."
Ava leaned back.
"Wake me halfway. We'll switch."
"Deal."
The vehicle disappeared beneath the waves — heading toward the mountains… and toward war.