Chapter 12: Radiant Slash!
The Tyrant’s reaction was pure instinct—he flung up his massive arm to block the unseen blade.
When the Sword of No Light came crashing down, a deafening metallic screech tore through the air!
The unnatural sound sent a chill racing down Serene’s spine. Her battle-honed reflexes kicked in, launching her backward to a safe distance in an instant.
Her gaze snapped to where her blade had struck.
To her shock, the Tyrant’s arm hadn’t been severed. Instead, a deep, bone-baring gash split his flesh wide open!
Even more terrifying—the blood-soaked wound began to knit itself together before her very eyes, healing within moments until only a faint scar remained.
The Tyrant flexed his freshly mended arm, and then, like a berserk beast unleashed, charged at Serene with thunderous steps.
He was nearly three meters tall—a living mountain bearing down, radiating a suffocating aura of dread.
Yet Serene did not retreat. Not even half a step.
She drew a steady breath, chest rising and falling, both hands locking tight around the Sword of No Light. Even in the gloom, the blade shimmered with a cold, steely light.
As the Tyrant barreled forward, she surged to meet him head-on!
CLANG—!
Steel met flesh with the force of colliding trains. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the Security Bureau’s main hall, the floor itself trembling beneath their clash.
On the sidelines, the onlookers could no longer hide their fear and awe:
“How the hell is this monster so strong…?”
“There’s no way its threat level is just F-class!”
“Can the knight… can she really win?”
“When is the Investigation Bureau going to get here?!”
“…”
The Security Bureau’s staff were pale with terror, unable to fathom how any human could stand against such a beast.
Even armed with a rocket launcher, they doubted they could destroy it for good.
Huang Xin coughed, his voice low and bitter. “Told you—he’s a damn monster! We really screwed up this time…”
“You’re still alive?” Liu Qian stared at Huang Xin in disbelief.
“Not that easy to kill me,” he snapped back, steadying himself before addressing the group. “Don’t panic. As long as we hold out until Li Hongyou arrives, we’ve still got a shot.”
“How long until she gets here?”
“Uh… ten minutes, maybe?” Huang Xin hesitated, not entirely certain—he only knew Li Hongyou was already on her way.
“Maybe?” Liu Qian narrowed her eyes, suspicion plain on her face.
Huang Xin coughed again, quickly changing the subject. “Anyway, let’s leave the Anomalous threats to the pros. Our job is to protect the citizens of Ninghang City.”
“We’ve already contacted the other Security Bureaus,” Bai Yu interjected. “So far, only our branch has come under attack. No zombie sightings anywhere else.”
“How’s that possible?” Huang Xin frowned, mind racing. “Could they be after something—or someone—inside this Bureau?”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The relentless clash of steel and flesh echoed through the Security Bureau.
The Tyrant’s strength was monstrous, but Serene’s Strength, Agility, and Constitution were all ranked A. Even in a direct clash, she refused to yield an inch.
“Holy Fire!” Serene called out, swinging her blade. Instantly, golden flames surged forth, engulfing the Tyrant’s head.
But even as sacred fire scorched his flesh, the Tyrant pressed on, utterly unfazed, his massive fists crashing down at Serene.
His relentless assault forced her back, the Sword of No Light barely intercepting each iron blow. Yet the raw force traveled up her arms, leaving them tingling and numb.
Just then, Bai Xuan’s voice cut through the chaos: “Serene, his weak point is his heart!”
“Understood!” Serene called back, springing away to open the distance.
She began to chant, her voice low and resonant. Arcane power surged around her, swirling into countless golden motes that gathered on the Sword of No Light. The once-invisible blade blazed with radiant clarity, as if reforged by holy light itself.
The chant ended. Serene gripped her sword in both hands, its tip pointed to the floor.
She whispered:
“Radiant Slash!”
In the next instant, she shot forward like a bolt of golden lightning.
A heartbeat later, she stood behind the Tyrant.
It happened so quickly, the Tyrant didn’t even have time to react.
The glow on the sword faded, but a blazing golden wound had been carved straight through his chest—his heart pierced clean through!
“Rrraaaagh!”
With a guttural roar, the Tyrant’s massive body crashed to the ground. He did not rise again.
It was over.
Serene staggered, steadying herself with her sword—her final strike had drained nearly all her magic.
Bai Xuan rushed to her side, catching her before she could fall.
“You okay?” he asked, concern etched in his voice.
“I’ll be fine. Just… used up too much mana.” Serene shook her head, breathing deeply as her strength slowly returned.
Outside the shattered hall, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
“You did it! You actually did it!”
“They took down that monster! Unbelievable!”
“Thank you—thank you for saving the Bureau, and all our lives!”
“…”
The air crackled with relief. Huang Xin hurried out, waving his arms to calm the chaos. “Everyone, please! Settle down! Quiet!”
Gradually, the crowd stilled.
Huang Xin turned back to Bai Xuan and Serene, introducing himself with a respectful nod. “I’m Huang Xin, junior investigator with the Ninghang City Investigation Bureau. Thank you both for saving the Security Bureau!”
“No need for thanks,” Bai Xuan replied evenly. He gestured at the Tyrant’s corpse. “But can you tell me—why did that thing attack this place?”
Huang Xin hesitated, then spoke. “We’re tracking an item that was smuggled in from outside the city. It’s a serious threat—one that could endanger millions in Ninghang City.”
“That thing—he was an infected we’d captured based on a tip. We thought he might know the item’s whereabouts. But he never gave us anything useful. Instead, he nearly wiped us out.”
He scratched his head, offering a rueful smile. “Looking back… Bai Yu was right all along. He let us catch him on purpose, so he could be brought inside. There’s something hidden here in the Bureau they’re after.”
“Then you need to find out why you were attacked, and fast. Otherwise, the danger isn’t over,” Bai Xuan warned.
“Don’t worry,” Huang Xin nodded, forcing a smile. “We’ll get to the bottom of it.” Then, switching gears, he asked, “By the way, with skills like yours, have you considered joining the Investigation Bureau?”
“Not interested,” Bai Xuan replied without hesitation.
He would never tie himself to any organization.
Now that he could perform Legendary Summons, he was no longer acting alone—he led a team. Joining the Investigation Bureau would only bring endless trouble and disrupt their rhythm.
He would not let anyone else dictate the fate of his legends.
“That’s a shame,” Huang Xin said, genuinely disappointed. “Still, if you ever change your mind, you’re always welcome.”
“Huang Xin—”
A voice suddenly called down from above: “Is the danger over?”
“?”
Everyone looked up.
A young woman in a crimson qipao was descending gracefully from the sky, landing lightly in the midst of the crowd…