Headless Demon

"File number A-321, code name Nightmare."

Description: A curse from a dream; those cursed often die in their sleep, making it difficult to trace the source of the curse...

Sulu flipped to the next file and nodded. "This one's good... but unfortunately there aren't many clues, making it too troublesome to find."

"File number A-876, codename Cursed Doll."

"File number A-992, code name: Sea Wraith".

Everywhere you look, there are terrifying spirits and curses, each one extremely dangerous.

This made Sulu sigh with emotion, realizing how difficult it was for the Federation to barely survive.

"Huh?"

Just then, his eyes lit up:

"File number A-535, codename: Headless Demon."

"Original location: Western Federation."

"Description: A spirit, appearing as a man in a black suit, wielding an axe, who habitually beheads his victims at midnight."

"Speculation 1: Its axe deals very high damage; three master-level professionals have already been killed by it, suggesting it might be a true damage type!"

"Secret Theory Two: The Headless Demon's actions follow a certain pattern, and he is currently lingering in Xipan City!"

"Another case of real damage I've heard of before...?"

This is a very strange characteristic, which manifests as ignoring defenses.

For example, some spirits that are immune to physical attacks will still dissipate if chopped down with an axe!

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Sulu carefully put the file away. "I plan to set off tomorrow to deal with some Wraith."

"Really? That's wonderful."

A relaxed smile spread across Dunstan's face.

Xipan City.

At midnight, a cheerful country tune echoed through every household.

This is a very strange thing.

It stemmed from an official announcement that a cold-blooded serial Killer had infiltrated the Xipan City area and sent a provocative warning letter to the city hall.

--The killer declared that he would punish families who didn't play country music at midnight!

Meanwhile, rumors were spreading like wildfire that the murderer was not a living person! Rather, it was a Wraith, or something even more terrifying than Wraith!

Inside a quiet apartment.

"Captain..." As the Bureau 11's personnel were assembling, a newly recruited member asked doubtfully, "Will this even work?"

"This is experience gained by many members who have risked their lives... The Headless Demon usually doesn't kill during country music, but prefers to launch attacks during symphonies... We forge letters to increase the survival rate of ordinary people."

The captain, in his black uniform, with a resolute expression, placed a black record on the record player and put down the IV drip.

--As a stirring symphony played, the faces of the members of the Bureau 11 around them were filled with unease.

"Seven traps have already been set up in the city. This time, we must succeed! At the very least, we must drive it out!"

The captain turned around and said seriously, "I'll repeat it again... whatever you do, whatever you do, whatever you do, don't get hit by the Headless Demon's axe! That's a lesson learned by fourth-tier professionals at the cost of their lives, and some of them are even dedicated [Spirit Exorcist]!"

Glug!

The team member's Adam's apple bobbed, and his hand holding the gun trembled slightly.

"Don't be afraid!"

Seeing this, a middle-aged member nearby comforted him, "Aside from that damned axe, the Headless Demon is alright. And if we inflict enough damage on it, it will be forced to wander and search for the next human settlement... However, no matter how many times we kill it, it's useless. It's an immortal, Cursed Spirit! Until we find the most suitable way to seal it, our main focus should be on exorcising it!"

"Cursed Spirit?"

The new members were even more terrified.

In an unsettling atmosphere, the Pointer of the clock swept across half an hour.

"It's alright... the target doesn't seem to be here."

The team members breathed a sigh of relief, while the captain stared anxiously outside. "I wonder how the traps are doing at the other locations? I heard the Federation already has Wireless Telegraph technology; I should apply to the bureau to equip each squad with one for easier communication..."

In fact, he knew it was almost impossible.

Wireless Telegraph is cheap, but that doesn't mean the transceivers are cheap.

Even if the Federation issues a government procurement order, it will only be distributed to each city at most; it's impossible to equip every squad with one—that would be too extravagant.

Thump! Thump thump!

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.

The members' hearts tightened again, and they drew their guns and weapons.

"Prepare..."

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

The door in front of him suddenly became an illusion, and he saw a figure behind it!

The other person was dressed in a gentleman's suit and wearing a silk top hat, but was holding an axe!

"It's it! The Headless Demon! Attack!"

The captain roared.

Bang! Bang!

First came the sound of gunfire, followed by various colorful lights and chanting.

The door, now riddled with holes, shattered into pieces, revealing the nothingness and darkness behind it.

Where is it?

"Everyone... on alert!"

The captain roared.

The next moment, inside the room, a phantom solidified from nothingness, a cold smile seemingly appearing on its blurry face, as it swung an axe.

"Ah!"

A scream rang out as a team member's head was severed.

"In the name of the Goddess, banish them!"

At this moment, the clergy hidden in the group appeared and splashed holy water on the Headless Demon.

Sizzle!

White mist rose, and the Headless Demon's figure vanished.

But the next moment, it appeared behind the clergyman and swung an axe!

Holy light, armor... all tangible and intangible matter is utterly powerless before this rusty axe.

The clergy cried out in the name of the Goddess of Light, yet they were still beheaded.

"That's terrifying..."

The captain's forehead was covered in cold sweat. "An attack that ignores defense, coupled with the characteristics of being immortal and difficult to seal... no wonder the department's requirement is 'expulsion'!"

"No... there's another hidden theory about the Headless Demon: once it 'kills' enough people in a settlement, it will automatically leave and move on to the next one."

This is a characteristic of the Cursed Spirit: to spread terror as widely as possible.

But then, the captain felt a chill run down his spine. "Could this be the bureau's whole plan? Even if we can't expel it, as long as we sacrifice enough lives, the Headless Demon will leave on its own?"

Once this terrible thought emerged, it spread like wildfire through his mind.

"No... this isn't me! It's the influence of the Headless Demon!"

The captain suddenly shouted, "Watch out... it also has the ability to trigger our negative emotions!"

But it was too late.

Many members had bloodshot eyes, like wild beasts suddenly released from their cages, and they were drawing their guns and firing at each other.

Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang!

A pool of blood appeared.

The Headless Demon walked calmly to the fallen captain and raised his axe high.

"Cursed Spirit, ultimate evil of this world... I curse you..."

The captain, shot in the abdomen, stared intently at the blurred face of the Cursed Spirit: "Someone will come to destroy you!"