Night pressed heavily, wind weaving through the ruins, carrying rust and damp decay.Ethan walked alone through the broken old city, his short blade glinting coldly under the dim streetlights.
The bureau's order was simple: "Proceed to the coordinates and confirm the source of nightmare energy."But Ethan knew the location was unusual. The coordinates landed precisely on a "restricted area" already marked by the bureau.Who would deliberately send a "rookie agent" here alone?
A bitter smile tugged at his lips:"Hah… looks like someone is eager for me to 'disappear' during this mission."
—
At the end of the street stood a burned-down factory. Its shattered walls gaped like a black mouth; shadows drifted faintly in the air.Ethan held his breath and stepped cautiously. Just as he prepared to enter, a low, hoarse laugh came from behind.
"Didn't expect to meet a rookie here."
Ethan spun, short blade in reverse grip.A man emerged from the shadows, thin, eyes sharp, wearing what resembled the bureau uniform—except half the badge had been violently torn away.
He raised a hand, showing no hostility:"Calm down, I'm not a nightmare."His voice was hoarse, with a hint of world-weary cynicism.
Ethan narrowed his eyes:"Who are you?"
"I used to be like you, part of the Nightmare Investigation Bureau," the man said with a grin, stepping closer."But now, they call me—the Defector."
—
Ethan did not lower his guard.Bureau training taught him that anyone claiming to be a "defector" was more dangerous than a nightmare—they knew internal secrets and might even deal with nightmares.
"Why defect?" Ethan asked coldly.
The man's eyes flickered with irony:"Why? Does the bureau need a reason to betray its agents? How many colleagues have disappeared, and not a single corpse was found?"
Ethan's chest tightened.The words struck the rawest nerve—Karl's disappearance.
The defector noticed his reaction, smiling wider:"Ah, seems you've tasted abandonment too. You rookies always think the bureau is humanity's last bastion. But it's an illusion."
"You're lying," Ethan gritted his teeth, heart tightening.
The defector shook his head:"An illusion? Wait until you see the director personally send innocent hosts to the dissecting table. Then you'll understand my truth."
—
The air grew oppressive.Black mist seeped from the factory, as if responding to their conversation.
Ethan sensed the familiar fluctuation of nightmare energy and tightened his grip on the short blade:"Whatever you say, you're in an area beyond bureau monitoring. That alone is defection."
The defector chuckled, eyes sharp:"Monitoring? You think this area is truly unmonitored? Kid, your every move has been watched. They sent you here to see if you'd… awaken to doubt like me."
Ethan's mind spun.If true, this mission wasn't investigation—it was a test, even a trap.
The defector suddenly leaned in, whispering:"Ethan, right? I know your name. If you want to survive, stop working for them. The bureau isn't what you think—"
Before he could finish, a piercing roar echoed from the factory's depths.A twisted figure lunged out, nightmare energy forming tentacle-like shadows, wildly stretching.
Ethan reacted instantly, blade slicing through the air.The defector merely stepped back, watching with amusement:"Good opportunity, kid. Let's see if the nightmare devours you… or if you survive."
—
The fight was fierce.Alone, Ethan was nearly overwhelmed. The black shadow coiled around his arm, scorching nerves with searing pain.He gritted his teeth:"Karl… if you left me, I might really die here."
His short blade flared with psychic energy, severing the shadow.The creature shrieked, retreating into the darkness.
Ethan panted, almost collapsing, but forced himself upright.
The defector clapped slowly, tone tinged with faint praise:"Not bad. You didn't disappoint me."Turning, he vanished into the mist, leaving only a cold warning:"Remember, the bureau is the real nightmare. You either continue as their pawn—or find the answers yourself."
—
The factory fell silent again.Ethan gripped his blade, heart pounding.He didn't know if he could trust the defector.
But one thing was clear: the bureau held secrets he had never touched.
The night wind carried away the scent of blood.Ethan whispered:"Defector… who are you really?"
Only the deep darkness answered.