The tavern was eerily silent now, save for the faint creak of wooden beams and the occasional flicker of firelight casting long shadows across the room.
Every patron had fled, leaving Eclipse alone with the Karasu—Black Koi Syndicate.
Their presence filled the space like a storm cloud, heavy and suffocating.
Eclipse stood before them, his expression calm but guarded.
His fingers brushed against the vial hidden beneath his cloak—a contingency plan should things spiral out of control.
The acidic concoction within could melt through steel, let alone flesh. It wasn't much, but it was enough to buy him time if needed.
The woman who seemed to lead this group leaned back in her chair, her kimono shimmering faintly under the dim light, but it looked like it could fall anytime soon since they weren't on her thin shoulder.
