Chapter 7: The Level Three Finisher

As Xia Shou jumped down from the car, he still held the investigation report on the House of the Blood Demon.

In an instant, all eyes focused on Xia Shou. Zhang Zhengde and the masked man exchanged glances.

When they saw Alice standing behind Xia Shou, the two immediately understood—he was the person they had been waiting for!

“How strong do you think he is?” Zhang Zhengde asked with a furrowed brow.

The masked man scrutinized Xia Shou for a long while before speaking. “I can’t tell. You know, although higher anomaly levels generally indicate greater power in supernatural beings, low-level ones can also possess unparalleled advantages. No matter what type he is, since he is a Level 3 Finisher, his strength is beyond what we can imagine.”

Zhang Zhengde nodded in agreement.

A Level 3 Finisher is the highest rank of finisher that ordinary employees can witness firsthand.

Apart from this time, in Zhang Zhengde’s long career, he had only seen one other Level 3 Finisher.

That individual’s anomaly level was reportedly only Level 2, but his soul was favored by many supernatural entities. Through contracts, he gained tremendous power to combat aberrations and was known as the “Demon Agent”!

Zhang Zhengde took a deep breath to steady himself, then approached Xia Shou with great respect. “We’ve been awaiting your arrival. Is there anything you require our assistance with?”

Xia Shou stared blankly at the stern and rigid man before him.

He was merely a temporary reinforcement, and the documents stated that no extra assistance had been arranged for him on site; he would have to rely entirely on himself.

Yet, as soon as he got out of the car, someone was already asking if he needed help?

That was simply too kind.

“Can you provide assistance?” Xia Shou asked in return.

Zhang Zhengde looked at the pale youth before him, then at the possession spirit clinging painfully to his neck, weeping blood and filled with resentment. He immediately grasped the subtext: ordinary support was meaningless to a Level 3 Finisher.

“We really cannot offer assistance,” Zhang Zhengde wiped the sweat from his brow and said.

Xia Shou frowned inwardly, thinking that if they couldn’t help, why ask at all? It was a waste of time.

“The more the House of the Blood Demon devours, the greater the danger. So far, one Level 2 Finisher and five Level 1 Finishers have entered but failed to return. The situation inside remains completely unknown. Please be extremely cautious,” Zhang Zhengde earnestly warned.

Xia Shou frowned but said nothing. He bent down, slipped past the cordon, and stood before the crooked, dilapidated villa.

The pitch-black door was shut tight, just as in his dreams. Apart from the eerie architecture, the entire villa gave an oddly ordinary impression.

The Control Bureau’s only record of the House of the Blood Demon was a failed investigation a decade ago.

In other words, the Control Bureau knew nothing about the Blood Demon—it was a wholly unknown aberration.

Although the unknown often meant danger.

Fortunately, Xia Shou still had his skill, “Seeking Death.”

Once activated, he must proceed along the most dangerous path for one hundred meters, but he gains a one-time chance to rewind time upon death.

After paying the negative cost the first time, he no longer needs to follow the most perilous route when rewinding.

This allows him to avoid the deadliest path and instead choose the safest one.

Moreover, the intelligence gained from the initial exploration greatly increases his survival odds.

Standing before the House of the Blood Demon, the scene was unnervingly silent.

He pulled out a mirror and looked back, seeing that the surveyors, armed personnel, and both the suited man and the masked man had all stopped their work. They stood silently a short distance behind him, watching.

“What’s going on?” Xia Shou asked with curiosity.

“No, nothing. Are you planning to enter immediately?”

“Otherwise?” Xia Shou replied, a bit speechless. If none of you can provide outside support, what else can I do but go in? Stand here dazed?

“Whoosh—”

Xia Shou composed himself, focusing all his attention on the villa before him. He took a deep breath and grasped the icy door handle.

“Seeking Death”—activated!

In an instant, red threads like spiderwebs spread from beneath his feet, the vivid crimson strands extending forward. The thickest and longest thread pierced straight through the door gap into the house.

This thick red line marked the death route indicated by “Seeking Death.”

The time limit on the death rewind was one hour. He had to race against the clock to gather as much intelligence as possible within that hour.

Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and resolutely stepped inside.

Zhang Zhengde watched Xia Shou enter the House of the Blood Demon, then saw the door close behind him. He finally exhaled deeply, admiring, “As expected of a Level 3 Finisher—no hesitation at all!”

“This is a top-tier aberration that devoured a legendary S-rank investigator. To this day, no sign suggests it can be defeated by force. If this finisher’s true age matches his appearance, his willpower and spirit must be terrifyingly strong... simply chilling,” the masked man marveled.

Just as he finished speaking, brakes screeched behind them. Zhang Zhengde frowned and turned around.

Suddenly, a terrifying pressure surged toward him, tangible as if physically weighing him down!

His leg muscles weakened, barely able to stand, as gravity seemed to multiply several times over in an instant!

Zhang Zhengde glanced at the other on-site staff. The ordinary employees showed no effect, but the masked man beside him fell to one knee, struggling greatly and appearing to endure even greater pressure.

Zhang Zhengde immediately understood: the stronger one’s perception, the greater the impact of this special pressure.

The masked man struggled to his feet, gritting his teeth as he looked toward the unsolicited transport vehicle.

“Whir—” The vehicle’s door slid open. The ordinary sound cut through Zhang Zhengde and the masked man’s ears like a gunshot, sharp and ominous.

As the door opened, a foot clad in studded boots stepped out, followed by a figure cloaked entirely in black.

“Sorry about that. I heard we’re working overtime today; Little Black is a bit upset. Please forgive us,” the man said as he brushed dust from his cloak. His face was hidden deep in shadow, his features indistinct.

From inside the vehicle came a hoarse, furious growl. Then, a leopard wreathed in black flames leapt down.

The black panther circled the man on the grass, stepping lightly without crushing a single leaf.

At that moment, Zhang Zhengde realized the oppressive aura they felt was not from the man, but from this animalistic, resentful spirit!

“Commissioned by the Investigation Department Two, Level 3 Finisher, ‘The Beast Tamer,’ here to assist,” the man said calmly.