The air in the archive room was as cold as an ice cavern. The black mist above the stone table gradually dissipated, yet the oppressive weight lingering over everyone remained undiminished.
Ethan slowly raised his head, the black flames in his pupils gradually subsiding. He scanned the room. The agents still held their weapons, their eyes a complex mixture of fear, hostility, and an indescribable greed.
He let out a hoarse laugh."So this is what you call 'protecting the world'? The moment I don't follow your rules, I'm treated like a monster?"
The Bureau Chief did not answer, only clasping his hands behind his back, coldly watching him.
Suddenly, an ancient dossier on the other side of the stone table flipped open on its own, the pages rustling as if invisible hands were manipulating them.The motion stopped on a page depicting a shattered illustration—a towering black spire, countless eyes floating at its peak, overlooking the entire world.
All the agents held their breath.Even the Chief's expression wavered, for the first time.
"…It's not us."His voice was low, heavy with an uncommon gravity.
Ethan's heart tightened."Not you?"
The Chief's gaze fell on the illustration, his tone squeezed out from deep within:"The Bureau is not the ultimate guardian of the world. The true masterminds… are above us."
—
No sooner had the words fallen than the archive lights flickered violently.All the rune fragments blazed with blinding light, and an unfamiliar whisper filled the air, as if countless voices were approaching simultaneously.
Ethan furrowed his brows, his eardrums nearly shattered. He couldn't understand the language, but the information was pressed directly into his mind—chaos, despair, annihilation.
He clutched his head and collapsed to his knees.
"Ethan!"Karl rushed forward, holding him, but the whispers affected him as well, and his face turned pale as ash.
—
"Enough!"The Chief roared, slamming his psychic seal onto the stone table. The runes were forcibly suppressed, and the whispers gradually receded. The air returned to oppressive stillness.
The agents panted, sweat pouring down their faces.
Ethan struggled to his feet, glaring furiously."What exactly have you been hiding?!"
The Chief didn't answer immediately. He stared at Ethan for a long moment before speaking slowly:"The Shadow Dossier is merely a record. The true masterminds are beings older than the Realm of Death itself. The Bureau is but a pawn in their game."
"What do you mean?" Ethan gritted his teeth.
"In this world, there are not only nightmares and humans. In higher dimensions, there exists another force manipulating everything… we call them—'The Regents.'"
—
The air seemed to freeze.
Countless questions surged through Ethan's mind.He had always believed the Realm of Death was the ultimate end, and nightmares the greatest enemy.Now, the Chief told him all of it was merely superficial.
Nightmares were not the final shadow, and the Bureau was nothing but a tool.On a higher level, a group of invisible "Regents" were shaping the world to their will.
His identity, the so-called "Key," was just another move in their game.
—
A cold smirk appeared on Ethan's lips, his eyes as sharp as blades."So… I've just changed from one puppet to another?"
The Chief remained silent, offering no denial.
"To hell with fate."Ethan's voice was low but filled with grim determination.
He glanced at Karl. His partner's face was still pale, yet he managed to say:"We need to find out… who is really playing this game."
—
Suddenly, the runes on the stone table trembled again. The final symbol cracked open, revealing a new line of text.
Everyone's eyes widened:
"The Key has awakened. The Regents have taken notice."
The archive room fell into a deathly silence.
Ethan's breath caught in his throat.This meant he was not only exposed to the Bureau's scrutiny, but also under the watch of a higher-dimensional presence—the "Regents."
A sudden sensation surged within him, as if countless icy eyes were fixed on him from unseen corners of the world, waiting for him to take the next step.
—
The Chief finally spoke, his voice heavy:"Ethan, from now on, there is no turning back. The Regents will not allow the Key to run wild."
Ethan drew a deep breath, his gaze steadily sharpening.He muttered to himself, half in irony:"If I had known it would end like this… I should have refused that damn contract in the first place."
Then he raised his head, eyes razor-sharp."If they're watching me… then I'll change the game—I need to see clearly who is truly pulling the strings of destiny."
—
Silence reigned in the archive room.The wind stirred the scattered pages, carrying a low, trembling whisper, as if heralding the prelude to a much greater conspiracy yet to be unveiled.