Under the dim glow of a yellowed chandelier, the temporary meeting room of the European Division resembled a basement converted from a monastery. Ancient stone carvings still lingered on the walls.The atmosphere was colder than the stone itself.
Ethan fixed his gaze on the new figure across the table.Tall, clad in a black trench coat, messy chestnut-blonde hair partially framing a pair of icy blue eyes.
"This is your new teammate," the division chief introduced coldly."Alicia Hall, from the Berlin Task Force."
Alicia simply nodded, her tone flat:"Pleasure to cooperate."Her voice carried no warmth, like a line written in a routine report.
Ethan tilted his head and applauded exaggeratedly."Wow, such enthusiasm. I'm almost swept away by this tidal wave of friendliness!"
Karl couldn't help but kick him under the table.Ethan coughed, still grinning as he extended his hand."I'm Ethan. You may have heard of me—the unlucky guy almost killed by files, yet somehow still dazzling."
Alicia glanced at his hand, paused for a second, then lightly shook it.Her knuckles were stiff, like they were used to gripping a gun.
After brief formalities, Alicia began her briefing.The projections she brought displayed recent Nightmare incidents across Europe:
In Berlin, dozens of people fell into comas over three consecutive nights.
Rome showed signs of a spreading "sleep plague."
In Poland, an entire research institute's staff disappeared, leaving only operating experimental equipment behind.
"These incidents share similarities," Alicia said calmly."They all trace back to certain financial flows and secret transports—linked to the Curtain Wall."
The team fell silent.
Ethan raised an eyebrow."So, are you a professional intelligence officer or a cold-blooded statistician? Sounds like you know the backstage far better than we do."
Alicia's gaze hardened."I'm here for the mission, not to be doubted."
"Relax," Ethan spread his hands, smiling innocently."I doubt everyone. You're just first in line."
Karl broke the tension."Europe is her turf. We need her support. Ethan, ease up."
"I'm just testing her stress resistance," Ethan grinned."After all, teaming up with me is more punishing than any Nightmare."
Alicia said nothing further, only giving him a cold look before turning back to continue outlining the next steps.
As the briefing progressed, Ethan realized she held a wealth of information—some of it even undisclosed to the upper echelons of the European Division.His curiosity mixed with suspicion.
After the meeting, stepping through the stone archway, the night wind hit them.Ethan walked beside Alicia, half-joking:"You look perfectly statue-like. Want to stand in a cathedral? Devout worshippers would light candles for you daily."
Alicia replied lightly:"Statues don't move. I will."Her eyes scanned the darkness, as if on guard against something unseen.
Ethan felt a fleeting thought flicker through his mind—This woman likely knew far more than she let on.
And in the distant shadows, inside a parked black car, a camera lens quietly focused on them.