EPISODE 8: THE TRAITOR ## CHAPTER 1: THE CELEBRATION The Dungeon Break victory earned them a week of relative peace. Director Chen's faction threw a private reception—ostensibly to celebrate the crisis response, really to parade their new assets in front of skeptical allies. Marcus felt uncomfortable in formal wear, but he played the part. Smiled at the politicians. Shook hands with the guild leaders. Pretended he belonged in a world of power and politics. "You're doing well," Kira murmured beside him. "They're starting to believe you're one of them." "I'm not." "No. But perception matters. Every person here who sees you as a potential ally instead of a threat is one fewer person hunting us." She was right. It was all theater. All manipulation. But it was working. --- ## CHAPTER 2: THE WARNING Echo contacted them the next morning. "We need to talk. In person. Immediately." Her voice carried an edge that Marcus had never heard before—not just urgent, but afraid. They met in one of Kira's safe houses, the information broker pacing nervously while they waited for her to speak. "Someone's been accessing my network," Echo finally said. "Someone inside. They've been feeding information to Voss for weeks." Marcus felt his blood go cold. "Who?" "I don't know yet. But whoever it is has access to everything—our...