Transcendent Dawn

“File Number A—321, codename Nightmare.”

“Description: A cursed dream, the curse bearer often dies in their sleep, with the clues hard to trace…”

Su Lu turned to the next file, nodded, “This one is good… it’s a pity there aren’t many clues, makes it too difficult to find.”

“File Number A—876, codename Cursed Doll.”

“File Number A—992, codename Ocean Revenant.”

As far as the eye could see, there were horrific spiritual bodies and curses, each one extremely dangerous.

This made Su Lu feel dismayed, maintaining the Federation was indeed a difficult task.

“Huh?”

At this moment, his eyes sparked:

“File Number A—535, codename Headless Demon.”

“Initial location: Western Federation.”

“Description: A spiritual body, appears as a man in a black suit holding an axe, which he uses to sever the heads of his victims late at night.”

“Speculation one: The damage inflicted by its axe is very high; three master-level Occupations have already been killed. It’s suspected to cause real damage!”

“Speculation two: The Headless Demon’s actions follow a certain pattern. It is currently roaming in West Disk City.”

“Another familiar one… real damage, huh?”

This is a peculiar trait that is manifested by bypassing any forms of defense.

For instance, some physically immune spiritual bodies would still dissipate if the axe strikes them!

“Thank you, Chief.”

Su Lu collected the file: “I plan to set out tomorrow to deal with some Revenants.”

“Really? That’s wonderful.”

Dunstan spread a relaxed smile across his face.

West Disk City.

At midnight, a lively folk tune echoed amongst every household.

It was a bizarre event.

The source was an official announcement. A coldblooded serial killer had fled to West Disk City, and had sent a provocative warning letter to the city hall.

— The killer declared that he would punish any family that did not play folk music at midnight!

And an even darker rumor was circulating, this killer was not a human, but a Revenant, or something even more terrifying than a Revenant!

In a quiet apartment.

“Captain…” The Eleventh Bureau’s personnel were assembling, and a new member asked doubtfully, “Is this useful?”

“This is the experience that many of our former members risked their lives to chance upon… The Headless Demon generally does not murder anyone to the tunes of folk music, but favors striking during symphonies… We forged the letters to increase the survival rate of ordinary people.”

The captain, dressed in a black uniform, wore a determined expression and placed a black vinyl record onto the record player, lowering the needle.

— A passionate symphony played, and the faces of The Eleventh Bureau’s members were filled with unease.

“Seven traps have already been set up in this city. We must be successful this time! We should at least be able to drive it out!”

The captain turned around, saying with utmost seriousness, “I repeat… certainly, certainly, you must certainly not let the Headless Demon’s ax hit you! That is a lesson paid for with the lives of four Occupation masters, among whom were specialised [Exorcists]!”

Gulp!

The new member’s throat bobbed, his hand gripping the gun trembling slightly.

“Don’t be scared!”

Seeing this, a middle-aged member comforted him, “Aside from the damned axe, the Headless Demon is not that bad. And if we manage to deal it enough damage, it will be forced to roam and find a new human settlement… But no matter how many times you kill it, it is useless. This is an indestructible Cursed Spirit! We must focus on driving it away until we find the most appropriate sealing method.”

“Cursed Spirit?”

The new member was even more terrified.

In the midst of an uneasy atmosphere, the pointer on the wall clock briskly crossed half an hour.

“We’re safe… The target doesn’t seem to be us.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but the captain was somewhat anxious as he stared outside, “I wonder how the traps at other locations are doing? I heard that the Federation already has wireless telegraph technology. I should apply to the Bureau, and have each team equipped with one for easier communication…”

In fact, he knew that was nearly impossible.

While telegraphs were cheap, it didn’t mean receivers and transmitters were.

Even if the Federation issued a government procurement order, it would only ensure each city had one, it was too luxurious for every team to have a set.

Thump! Thump thump!

At that moment, footsteps echoed from outside the door.

The hearts of several members began to race, drawing out their guns and weapons.

“Get ready…”

The captain raised his right hand, his pupils gleaming with a silvery light.

The door in front of him became ethereal, and he saw a silhouette standing behind the door!

The figure was dressed in full gentleman attire, wearing a silk top hat and wielding an axe in hand!

“It’s him! The Headless Demon! Attack!”

The captain bellowed.

Bang Bang!

The first was the sound of guns, followed by a myriad of rainbow glows and chanting.

The doors riddled with holes shattered to reveal the void and darkness behind it.

“Where did it go?”

“Everyone… stay alert!”

The captain yelled.

In the next moment, a translucent figure materialized within the room, a cold smile seemingly present on its indistinct face as it swung its axe.

“Ah!”

A scream echoed, as the head of one of the members was cleanly severed.

“In the name of the Goddess, begone!”

At this moment, a hidden cleric within the team appeared, throwing holy water onto the Headless Demon.

Sizzle!

A white mist arose, and the Headless Demon’s figure disappeared.

But in the next moment, it appeared behind the cleric, swinging its axe!

The holy light, the armor… everything tangible and intangible crumpled in front of the rusty axe.

The cleric cried out in the name of the Goddess of Light, but was still beheaded anyway.

“It’s too terrifying…”

Cold sweat poured down the captain’s forehead, “An attack that bypasses defenses, combined with the properties of indestructibility and resistance against seals… No wonder the Bureau asks for ‘exile!’”

“No… there is another hidden speculation about the Headless Demon, once it has ‘killed’ enough people in one gathering spot, it will leave by itself and move onto the next.”

This is a property of Cursed Spirits, to spread fear as far as possible.

But now, the captain felt a chill in his heart, “Could this really be the Bureau’s plan? Even if they couldn’t drive it away, as long as we sacrifice enough lives, the Headless Demon will leave voluntarily?”

It was a terrifying thought that once born was like a wildfire, surging through his mind.

“No… it wasn’t me! It was the influence of the Headless Demon!”

The captain suddenly shouted, “Be careful… it also has the ability to stir up negative emotions in our hearts!”

But it was already too late.

A lot of the member’s eyes were bloodshot, like wild beasts suddenly set free, pulling out their guns and firing at each other.

Bang Bang!

Bang Bang!

A pool of blood appeared.

The Headless Demon strode calmly to where the fallen captain was, lifting his axe high.

“Cursed Spirit, the ultimate evil of this world… I curse you…”

The captain was shot in the abdomen, his eyes firmed on the vague face of the Cursed Spirit, “There will be someone to annihilate you!”