The morning wind carried a damp chill, and clouds hung heavy over Paris.The Investigations Bureau vehicles cruised through the empty streets, heading toward an old stone building on the north bank of the Seine.
"This is the European Division?" Ethan pressed against the window, eyes lighting up."Wow, way fancier than the metal blocks back at headquarters. At least this building makes me want to take a wedding photo."
Karl sighed helplessly."It's a 19th-century courthouse, later converted. Don't joke around here—these people are no easier to deal with than the French military."
Ethan winked."Perfect. I'm great at turning tense situations into… even tenser ones."
Two rows of black-clad agents guarded the building's entrance, holding unusual weapons—specialized Nightmare-Disrupting Rifles.Their eyes scanned Ethan like a security scanner, cold and precise.
When Ethan reached the door, a guard even blocked his way."ID."
Ethan smiled and handed over his Bureau badge, adding an exaggerated salute."The Bureau's most humorous agent, Ethan, reporting for duty!"
The guard glanced at the badge, voice icy:"Humor is not on the clearance list."
Ethan muttered under his breath:"Ah, no comedy allowed here, as expected."
European Division Lobby
They were led into the lobby. Marble floors reflected a cold sheen, walls adorned with heavy oil paintings—blurred human figures that seemed ready to step out of their frames at any moment.
Agents moved through the lobby with extremely stern expressions. Unlike the lively chaos of headquarters, this place was eerily silent; footsteps and the rustling of papers felt painfully loud.
A woman in a deep blue suit approached, her gaze sharp enough to cut through a person."You're the reinforcements sent from headquarters?"
Karl nodded."I'm Karl, and this is Ethan."
Her eyes lingered on Ethan, silent for a long moment.
Ethan grinned brightly."Hello! I'm skilled with blades and dark humor. If you're hunting monsters, I can help. If you're throwing a party, I can host."
She didn't smile, only said coldly:"I'm Erin Vance, head of the European Division. Our rules differ from headquarters. I hope you can learn to be quiet."
Ethan muttered under his breath:"Looks like my KPI here is… shut up."
In the conference room, walls were decorated with intricate symbols, like ancient protective seals. Thick dossiers lay on the table.
Erin flipped through the files, voice cold:"According to our records, the plague has spread to five cities. Paris is only the beginning."
She slid a few photos across the table. In the images, people slept rigidly on streets, subways, and church floors, their expressions contorted in pain.Black mist seeped around the edges, clutching at their bodies like invisible hands.
Karl frowned."Classic sign of Nightmare energy going out of control."
Erin turned her gaze to Ethan."Interestingly, your name—Ethan—appears in several old dossiers."
The air froze.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, spreading his hands."Wow, I have fans in Europe too? Can we arrange a signing session while we're at it?"
Erin ignored him and continued, voice sharp:"These files indicate your involvement in several experimental incidents. We suspect—your relationship with Nightmare energy is more than just that of an agent."
The agents in the room cast cold, even hostile, glances at him.
Karl immediately stepped in front of Ethan."Ethan is my partner. Headquarters has verified his identity. You have no right to question him."
Erin responded coolly:"This is the European Division. We have the authority to verify anyone. Especially him."
In the silence, Ethan suddenly laughed."You're so enthusiastic—first meeting and already background-checking me. Want to see if you can check how many slices of toast I had for breakfast yesterday too?"
No one laughed.
The room was filled with cold suspicion.Ethan understood clearly—the division's hostility was not just doubt; it felt like a prearranged warning.
When the meeting ended, Erin left them with one sentence:"You may stay in the division dorms temporarily. But remember, every move you make here is being monitored."
Ethan stretched as he left the room, whispering to Karl:"Feels less like we're here to assist and more like we're auditioning. Just missing a 'suspect confession form.'"
Karl sighed."Be careful. They seem to know more than they're letting on."
The stone corridors stretched deep into the night, the building itself seeming to whisper.The European Division's suspicion and coldness hung over their actions like a shadow.