While everyone got to work, Shinon was waiting for the Masterbuilder near the factory’s exit. He didn’t have to wait long as Masterbuilder hurriedly approached the gates a moment later.

"Is there something you need, newcomer?" he asked as his eyes fell on Shinon.

"I wanted to leave the factory for a short while but was told to get your permission first," Shinon politely replied. "Since I’m new here, I thought it would be beneficial to get familiarised with the city if that’s not too much trouble."

The Masterbuilder considered Shinon’s request, his stern expression softening slightly. "I suppose it’s a reasonable request. Fine, you can leave, but you better be back before sunset. The guards don’t like people roaming around after the sun’s down."

"Thank you, sir," Shinon replied, but Masterbuilder didn’t pay attention to him.

"Miro, please deal with the rest," Masterbuilder asked his trusted assistant before departing.

"Of course, Masterbuilder," Miro nodded. "I’ll see to it that everything runs smoothly inside and our newcomer has no trouble."

"So, you’re an explorer, eh?" Miro smiled, reaching into his pocket for something. "In that case, take this. This badge serves as proof that you’re working with us and you’re not an illegal immigrant. Wear it on your chest, and it should help you avoid any unnecessary trouble."

As Shinon placed the badge on his chest, Miro whispered to him, "While you’re out there, be cautious around the guards. Some of them can be rather... troublesome, especially with newcomers. It’s best to avoid them altogether."

"I’ll keep that in mind." Shinon nodded. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

With the Masterbuilder’s permission and a badge securely fastened, Shinon stepped out of the factory into the bustling streets of Haven’s Refuge.

Although he had told Miro that he was simply in the mood to get familiar with the city, which wasn’t entirely true. The actual reason was his retinal map.

As soon as he had stepped into the city, he noticed a blicking orange icon on the map. Since it wasn’t any icon he remembered, Shinon decided to go out and look at it himself.

However, while he was at it, he couldn’t ignore the city’s uniqueness. The place was full of life, starkly contrasting with the desolation that had defined much of Shinon’s time in this post-apocalyptic world.

Haven’s Refuge bustled with activity, even with the Eclipse as its leader. While his primary objective was to learn about the blinking icon, Shinon also wanted to know and learn more about the Eclipse and what better way to do it than paying attention to what the residents had to say for themselves.

As Shinon approached a vendor’s stall, an elderly woman with a kind smile appeared out of nowhere and offered him a warm loaf of bread. He politely declined, not wanting to impose, but the woman insisted.

"It’s a welcome gift, dear," she said. "You’re new here, aren’t you?"

"Yes, I am," Shinon accepted the bread with gratitude while planning to extract some information from the lady. "I recently started working in the workshop."

"Ah, a blacksmith, is it? We always appreciate skilled hands in our city," The woman’s eyes glimmered with curiosity before her voice dropped. "But you must be careful and stay out of trouble. The Eclipse doesn’t take kindly to those who question their authority."

"The Eclipse?"

"Boy, don’t you know anything?" The granny scoffed but continued as Shinon shrugged. "They are the ones in charge of the city. While they are good to us, it’s quite the opposite outside."

Shinon nodded as the lady continued telling him about it. There was an unspoken acknowledgement that the Eclipse’s rule was a necessary evil for their survival.

While many people were sceptical of their ways, none dared to voice their true feelings lest they be cast out into the unforgiving slums.

"So, if you come across them, just bow your head and keep walking," Granny remarked.

"Thanks for your guidance and the bread, Granny," Shinon said while stepping back to leave. "I’ll keep your words in my mind."

With that, he continued his explorations. Shinon randomly struck up conversations with various residents, learning more about the city’s inner workings.

The prevailing sentiment was one of resignation, as if the people had accepted their circumstances as the cost of staying alive. It wasn’t like the Eclipse mistreated everyone, and it was better than living outside among the undead, but that was about what little the city had to offer.

Despite all that, beneath the surface, there was a palpable tension, an undercurrent of dissent that simmered just out of sight.

It was a delicate dance of survival, where the residents concealed their true feelings, revealing them only to those they deemed trustworthy.

Unfortunately, Shinon wasn’t one of them, and besides, he didn’t want anyone to suspect him, so he decided to keep it cool while he made his way towards more secrets.

Soon, the day wore on, and the sun began its descent toward the horizon. He decided it was time to return to the factory, having learned enough for one day. But as he made his way back, a group of guards intercepted him.

Although taking them out was an easy job for him, Shinon decided the trouble wasn’t worth it. He recalled what everyone told him and kept his head low, hoping he would be allowed to pass.

But his luck wasn’t that great. Soon, he found the guards blocking his path, their expressions stern as they kept eyeing him. Shinon then remembered Miro’s words and calmly presented his badge to the guards.

"I’m a blacksmith from the workshop," he stated, expecting them to step aside.

To his surprise, the guards ignored his badge, their eyes fixed on him with an unsettling intensity. One of them, a burly man with a scarred face, was the first to speak up.

"That badge doesn’t mean much to us, you know."

"But it should," Shinon’s brow furrowed as he kept getting annoyed by them. "It identifies me as a legitimate worker in Haven’s Refuge."

"Well, you see, it’s not about your badge," The scarred guard chuckled loudly to get everyone’s attention on them. After all, it wouldn’t be a show if there weren’t any viewers. "It’s about making sure new folks like you understand how things work around here."

The guards closed in, forming a circle around Shinon. Their intentions become clear. They intended to extort money from Shinon, capitalising on his apparent vulnerability as a newcomer. Or maybe they just wanted to toy with him for the sake of it.

Shinon clenched his fists, his frustration building, but he knew that confrontation would only escalate the situation, and it would end badly for him.

"Is there a problem, gentlemen?" a calm voice interrupted, drawing the guards’ attention away from Shinon. It was Miro who had been following Shinon without him noticing it.

"No problem at all, sir," The scarred guard’s expression shifted, his bravado replaced by a cautious deference. "We were just having a friendly chat with the new recruit here."

Miro’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. He had seen it all, and it was clear that the guards had intended to harass Shinon. But since the guard was trying to diffuse the situation, Miro would do the same.

"I see," Miro replied, his tone measured. "Well, we wouldn’t want any misunderstandings among ourselves, would we?"

"O-Of course!"

"Then I assume we’re done here?" Miro said with a subtle glance, conveying that he was well aware of their intentions. He then turned to Shinon, offering a reassuring smile. "You’re free to go, Shinon. Don’t let these fellows bother you."

Shinon nodded his thanks, relieved to have escaped the encounter without incident. But he wondered how Miro could follow him without being noticed. Even his map had failed to notice Miro.

’Just who is he?’