I must have missed something. How would it be straight forward?

I dont have a problem reading ext2, that isnt the issue.

I am aware of how ext2 and ntfs file systems work, but i dont see how that is going to help me.

There are several ways i can do this, all without my desired results. Sparse files for one (thanks adeyblue), but that doesnt quite meet my needs.

I would like to have a single file, only the size of what is accessed. Keep the original application untouched. Use something to redirect where the file is being accessed at. I am quite aware it is possible, just not how to do it. Do you know how to do that?

In any case thanks for your help, and to anyone else who can help.