Deep within the archives, the air was damp, like a long-forgotten cellar, and dust floated slowly in the dim beams of light. The heavy iron door creaked open under Ethan's hands, rusted gears grinding lowly, as if protesting the secrets about to be unveiled.
In his hand, the "File Key" obtained through the underground black market emitted a faint blue glow, pulsing like a heartbeat, resonating with the symbols etched on the walls.
Karl stood nearby, unusually solemn. He didn't speak, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the iron cabinet.
"Last chance," Karl said quietly. "Once you open it, there's no turning back."
Ethan turned his head, the corner of his mouth tugging into a half-joking smile:"Turn back? When have you ever seen me turn back?"
Karl remained silent.
—Click.
The instant the key rotated, the entire archive room trembled. The wall-mounted lamps flickered and went out. Then, a blood-red mark illuminated the center of the file cabinet.
The iron doors slowly cracked open, releasing a musty, long-sealed scent.
Ethan reached out, fingertips brushing the pitch-black file. A cold force seemed to seep into his veins, making his whole body shudder.
The cover of the file seemed to be formed of shadows, quivering slightly, whispering deep inside his mind:"You've finally arrived."
He gritted his teeth against the sudden headache and forcefully flipped the file open.
In an instant, images, texts, and symbols flooded out like a tidal wave, threatening to tear his sanity apart. Hidden records revealed themselves, intentionally concealed for decades:
—The names of missing agents appeared one by one, including the friend once declared "dead."—The Bureau had secretly struck deals with the Nightmare Forces decades ago, exchanging portions of human souls for control over the rifts.—The so-called "Realm of the Reaper" was not a naturally existing plane, but a prison constructed jointly by humans and some ancient entity.
Ethan's breath quickened, eyes flickering with shock.
The most staggering revelation came on the final page of the file.
It resembled a genealogy, with glaring words etched across it:"The Veil Family: Vessel of the Shadow Bloodline."
Ethan's pupils constricted sharply.
He could hardly believe what he was reading. What did this mean? It meant the secret hidden within these files was directly tied not only to himself, but also to Ronan—his estranged older brother.
"…Vessel?" he muttered under his breath.
Behind him, Karl spoke softly:"Looks like you've already been written into this game, Ethan."
The whispering from the file grew louder, icy and ominous:"Bloodline awakened. The shadow approaches."
Ethan snapped the file shut, breathing ragged, palms slick with cold sweat.
He tried to mask his panic with nonchalance, but his eyes betrayed him:"Damn it. I thought I might find some answers, and instead… I'm part of the problem."
Karl narrowed his eyes, voice low and firm:"Are you sure you still want to keep going?"
Ethan lifted his head, the faint smile returning to his lips, though edged with cold resolve:"Of course I continue. Otherwise, I'd just let some people laugh their heads off. And since I'm the vessel, I need to see exactly who wants to use me to contain this shadow."
The file trembled slightly in his hands, as if still whispering.
The air in the archives grew heavier than ever.
With the files fully opened, the conspiracy left no room for retreat.