Empire of Shadows

Everyone turned to look at Elvin. Lance gestured for him to speak and waited quietly.  

Lance trusted Elvin’s sharpness and tact. If it had been someone like Ethan, Lance would have given a warning to avoid saying anything that might dampen the mood.  

Elvin glanced around at the group. “The truth is, everyone wanted to be here—Lance, Ethan, Mello, and even Ennio. They all wanted a chance to help the company and you.”  

“We just got lucky that you picked us. That’s why we have this opportunity to split such a large sum of money.”  

“I’m grateful to you, Lance. Things were rough before you decided to change everything for us.”  

His heartfelt words resonated deeply with Hiram and the others, whose struggles were fresh in their minds. The anti-immigration movement was still sending ripples through their lives.  

Most of them had taken the warehouse job despite knowing it was exploitative, simply because they had no other choice. Their desperate hope was, *Maybe they’ll pay us this time.*  

Elvin’s sincerity drew nods and sighs from the group, touched by shared hardships.  

“So, my idea is this: I’ll take $200, and the rest can go into the company account,” Elvin proposed.  

---

Morris immediately raised his hand in agreement.  

“When I heard how much we’d each get, I was a little thrilled at first,” he admitted. “But then I felt afraid. I’ve never seen so much money. I don’t want it to control me or turn me into a fool—or worse, a criminal.”  

“I’ll also take $200, and the rest can go into the account,” he added.  

The rest of Lance’s group quickly followed suit, agreeing to keep only a small portion for themselves.  

---

Hiram’s team turned to him for guidance.  

Hiram hesitated for a moment, flicking his damp hair in a futile attempt to shake it off before brushing it back with his hand. His clumsy movements, paired with his vacant expression, made him look as foolish as a dim-witted farmer. But his next words showed surprising insight.  

“Lance, no matter what others say, from my perspective, you did all this to help us.”  

“At first, I only hoped you’d help us get our wages and punish those responsible. I never imagined it would amount to so much!”  

He looked around, his voice steady despite the rain’s chill. “I think… maybe having too much money isn’t always better. Having enough is fine.”  

“I have a proposal,” he added, glancing at Elvin. “I want to stick with you, Lance. From what I’ve seen with Elvin and others, you can give me a life with dignity.”  

“I just need my wages. If I suddenly had too much money, I might spend recklessly and draw unwanted attention.”  

Hiram’s unassuming demeanor masked a sharp mind. His apparent simplicity belied his capability.  

“Are you speaking for yourself or for your group?” Lance asked.  

Hiram turned to his team. After a brief exchange of glances, a few stepped forward, agreeing to Hiram’s approach, requesting only $50 each.  

However, two men remained silent, clearly unwilling to follow suit. Hiram looked momentarily irritated but said nothing further.  

---

“This is your choice,” Lance said calmly. “You’ve taken great risks, and no one can fault your decision.”  

The two men visibly relaxed, though their relief was short-lived as Lance continued.  

“Tomorrow, you’ll come to the company to collect your money, and from then on, you’ll have nothing to do with this matter.”  

“At the same time, I hope you’ll keep a low profile. If your actions cause trouble and this gets out…” Lance’s tone turned cold.  

“I can handle Federation citizens, and I can handle Imperials too. Don’t make me throw you into an oil drum and sink you in Angel Lake. And don’t think your families are safe either.”   𝘳ã𝐍оᛒĚS

His stern warning left the two visibly shaken, but the lure of over $4,000—a sum equivalent to ten years of wages—was too enticing. It would take them decades to save that much while paying for rented work cards.  

The two finally declared, “We understand, Lance. This stays between us. If anything slips, we’ll accept whatever punishment you see fit.”  

Satisfied, Lance nodded. “Good. Remember what you’ve said.”  

Then, his smile returned. “Now, let’s finish the rest of this food. It’d be a shame to waste it.”  

---

Some ate heartily, while others were visibly distracted. The torrential rain eased into a drizzle by midnight, revealing a clear, starry sky.  

---

The next morning, Lance kept a close watch on the warehouse, expecting the police to arrive at any moment. Losing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of liquor wouldn’t go unnoticed, and the owner surely wouldn’t absorb the loss alone.  

But no police came. Instead, the warehouse was sealed off, with two large trucks parked outside to block the entrance.  

Lance was puzzled. The only explanation he could think of was that the liquor was contraband.  

He sent Ethan and two others to keep watch, all armed, while he sought information.  

---

At the same time, three well-dressed men arrived at the Jingang City Police Department’s coroner’s office.  

The coroner, used to dealing with both the living and the dead, immediately recognized them as gangsters—well-dressed and clearly influential in the city’s underworld.  

After shaking hands, the coroner handed them a file. While one of the men reviewed it, the coroner studied him carefully.  

The man appeared in his late twenties or early thirties, with a pale complexion and a lean build. Though he didn’t look physically strong, his tailored suit fit perfectly, exuding attention to detail. His collar and cuffs were meticulously arranged, and even his tie knot was flawlessly done.  

The only flaw, the coroner noted, was the man’s hands. Scars marred the back, while his palms bore thick calluses.  

After a few minutes, the man set the file down. He radiated a violent energy, as though he wanted to destroy something. But restrained by the unfamiliar environment, he clenched his fists, then released them.  

Finally, he calmed himself, brushing back his hair. “The report says he choked to death?” His raspy voice had a magnetic quality, aligning with women’s modern ideals of masculinity.  

The coroner nodded. “The muscles around his jaw and face showed signs of tearing. It’s likely someone forced food into his mouth, causing his stomach to rupture and resulting in massive internal bleeding.”  

The man let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “That idiot!” He raised a hand apologetically before pointing to a photo in the file. “I don’t mean you—I mean the idiot who died.”  

His reddened eyes betrayed his anger. “Do you know who killed him?”  

The coroner shook his head. “You’ll need to ask Officer Lukal in Major Crimes. His office is clearly marked.”  

The man stood, taking a deep breath before extending his hand. “Thank you for your work. Can I… see him?”  

The coroner nodded. “Not yet. Officer Lukal will guide you through the identification process.”  

After a pause, he added, “Death is inevitable. I hope you can find peace and move forward.”  

The man nodded firmly. “Thank you. That helps more than you know.”  

As the man left, the coroner watched his retreating figure, feeling certain that Jingang City’s peace was about to be shattered.