The traces of Nightmare energy had been cleared. The unconscious child was sealed in a specially-made black iron coffin and transported back to headquarters.Throughout the journey, Ethan's heart could not find peace. The child's tears, the agonizing "save me" from a throat torn in terror, hammered relentlessly in his mind.
At the Bureau headquarters, in the interrogation hall,cold lights cast the child alone in the center. The black iron coffin was covered in runes, emitting low, intermittent breaths.
The Director stood atop the dais, his voice iron-cold:"Once a Nightmare host is corrupted, they cease to be human. No matter their appearance, they are a threat."
The surrounding agents nodded in agreement, yet Ethan clenched his fists, finally speaking:"But we just saw him—he regained clarity. He begged for help. He was not a complete monster."
The hall fell abruptly silent.Surprised eyes turned toward him, some sympathetic, some mocking.
Aiden sighed quietly at his side: "Rookie… you've just stirred up a lot of trouble."
The Director descended slowly, his gaze like a blade:"Ethan Vale, are you questioning the Bureau's principles?"
"I'm questioning—whether our so-called 'justice' is merely a convenient excuse!"Ethan's voice echoed through the empty hall, carrying anger and a torn sense of conviction.
"The host is indeed dangerous, but danger does not equal hopelessness. If we eliminate them lightly, are we not killing the innocent?"
An older agent snorted coldly:"You're naive. The Bureau has existed for over a century. If any host could be saved, someone would have succeeded by now. But the result? Without exception, all spiraled out of control. Are you willing to gamble everyone's lives for one child?"
Ethan met the man's gaze steadily:"If we give up on even trying, then how are we any different from those Nightmares? They devour souls, and we devour hope."
The hall's atmosphere froze instantly.Whispers floated: "Crazy… he really said that.""Youngsters never see the true cost."
The Director was silent for a moment before speaking coldly:"Ethan, your emotions indicate the Nightmare has begun to erode your mind. Perhaps we should reassess whether you are fit to remain in the Bureau."
The words struck Ethan's chest like a hammer.It wasn't just his viewpoint under scrutiny—it was his very stance.
Aiden suddenly spoke:"Director, Ethan may be impulsive, but the fact remains: he saved the child. Without his intervention, we might have faced a large-scale loss of control."His tone still carried sarcasm, yet deliberately deflected the sharpest criticism from Ethan.
The Director narrowed his eyes, staring coldly at the two. After a long pause, he turned and said:"Very well. Since someone is willing to gamble, he shall have a chance. Within seven days, if you can prove the child is savable, I will delay the erasure.But if you fail, you must personally carry out the termination."
A hush fell over the hall.This was both a gift and a poison-bound oath.
Ethan clenched his teeth, nodding solemnly:"I accept."
The Director turned and left, leaving only one chilling remark:"Good and evil are not yours to define. Truth belongs only to the victor."
After the crowd dispersed, Aiden patted Ethan's shoulder, half in mockery, half in sighing:"You really jumped straight into the fire, kid. Did you see yourself back there? Like a street preacher."
Ethan gave a bitter smile:"Maybe. But if even we are unwilling to try saving him, then how are we any different from the Nightmares?"
Aiden said nothing further, only gazing at the black iron coffin, expression unreadable.
Beneath the dim lights, the child still murmured softly, as if struggling through a nightmare.The sound tightened something in Ethan's chest.
—This is no ordinary mission. It is a test—a question of good and evil.