Later that night, I received a **summons.**

  A letter, left on my dorm desk.

  No signature. No markings.

  Just a time and place.

  *Midnight. The abandoned courtyard.*

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  A trap? Possibly.

  But I was **too curious** to ignore it.

  I arrived at the courtyard, hand resting on my gun holster.

  Then—

  A figure stepped out of the shadows.

  A man in a **black cloak** with a silver insignia.

  An insignia I knew all too well.

  **Eclipse.**

  The moment I saw it, my Villain System reacted.

  [Ding!]

  **[New Quest: Shadow Invitation]**

  - Meet with the Eclipse agent.

  - Earn their trust.

  - Reward: ???

  The figure spoke in a cold, quiet voice.

  **"Lucian von Kaiser. We’ve been watching you."**

  I narrowed my eyes. **"And?"**

  He chuckled.

  **"Nice meeting you.**

  *Here we go…*

  ---