Ethan pushed open the heavy iron door of the archives; dust and the metallic scrape of hinges filled the air.This was the quietest place in the bureau; no agent lingered here willingly. Filing cabinets stood like cold tombstones, recording untold secrets.
In his hand, he held the key to a dossier obtained earlier. Its icy weight reminded him: this was the only pass into the restricted area.
—
At the far end, the locked cabinet still stood.The words "Shadow Dossier" were worn by time, yet still sent a shiver down the spine.
Ethan took a deep breath, inserting the key. Click. The heavy chains fell away.The cabinet door opened slowly; the scent of paper and ink hit him.
He flipped to the first page. Familiar content stared back—history of nightmare energy, missing cities, sealed entities…But at the very end, a peculiar marking caught his eye:
—[Second layer sealed, dual authorization required]
Ethan froze."Second layer?"
He remembered the dossier already being shocking enough. What could another layer contain?
—
He tried to turn the page, but the paper seemed glued by invisible force.Frowning, he drew his short blade and carefully cut along the edge.Immediately, icy black mist wafted out, wrapping around his ears like whispered voices:
"You shouldn't see this……you will be devoured…"
A sudden headache hit, as if dozens of voices erupted in his mind.Ethan pressed his palms to his forehead, cold sweat streaming.He fought to stay conscious, holding the dossier with all his strength.
Just as he was about to lose awareness, a cold voice shattered the silence:
"Who authorized you to access forbidden files?"
—
Ethan jerked his head up.The director stood at the doorway, cold and stern, eyes like blades.
He instinctively closed the dossier, chest heaving."I… just wanted to confirm something."
The director approached slowly, footsteps echoing:"Confirm? Do you know what this dossier means? Even high-ranking agents don't have clearance. And you—a rookie—dare to touch it?"
Ethan gritted his teeth, defiant:"The dossier contains the truth about nightmares and the government, doesn't it? And it has a second layer… Why hide it?"
The director paused, then coldly smiled:"You know too much."
The air tightened; Ethan felt an invisible pressure pressing down, almost suffocating him.Yet a rebellious thought flared even stronger in his heart.
He let out a low, ironic laugh:"Director, I thought at least you'd fabricate a grand excuse. Instead, you just threaten me? Efficient management, huh."
—
The director's gaze went ice-cold, assessing a dangerous prey:"Ethan, don't forget—you're just a replaceable cog."
With that, he gestured, and the dossier cabinet slammed shut, iron lock snapping into place.The black mist vanished, leaving only chilling silence.
Ethan gripped his short blade, heart racing.He realized one thing:The "second layer" truly existed, and it was important enough for the director to personally guard.
But he also knew: this secret must be uncovered.
—
As he left the archives, Ethan glanced back at the locked cabinet.Faint whispers seemed to linger:
"Second layer… is only the real beginning…"
A tired yet determined smile curved his lips:"Alright. Since you're desperate to hide it, I'm even more determined to open it."
In the darkness, his lone figure stood resolute, stubborn against the shadow.