The cross necklace was a magical instrument blessed with divine power.
Only something inhuman could trigger its warning; ordinary people wouldn't react to it.
Now, it has appeared in this villa. It could mean only one thing: an evil spirit was present.
Ryan studied the woman who had entered, his curiosity piqued. Since she dared to show herself so openly, he decided to see what she was up to.
"Sorry, the party's over," Vanessa said, spotting the unfamiliar woman as she cleaned up. Assuming she was a neighbor, Vanessa offered an apologetic smile.
"I'm not here for the party," the woman replied, her smile reserved.
"I'm looking for work."
"Work? I'm afraid we don't need a housekeeper right now," Vanessa said politely.
Even though her husband earned a good salary, she preferred to manage the household herself. Hiring help was an unnecessary expense.
"Madam, I have nowhere to go," the woman pleaded, her expression turning sorrowful.
"I only need a place to stay. You wouldn't even have to pay me."
Vanessa hesitated. Logically, she should send the woman away, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse her.
"Why don't you stay at my place instead?"
A voice cut in.
Ryan stepped forward, having listened long enough. He examined the woman, who was somewhere in her fifties or sixties. Her skin was lightly wrinkled, but she had an elegant demeanor.
She wore an old-fashioned maid's uniform, and her kind smile didn't quite reach her eyes. There was something unsettling about her, as if her warmth were only skin deep.
"What? Not interested?" Ryan tilted his head, amused by the flicker of annoyance on her face.
"That's not a good idea." Vanessa murmured, not wanting to burden her neighbor.
"It's fine," Ryan interjected smoothly.
"I could use some help cleaning and cooking. You know how young people are—no patience for chores. Besides, I've got a spare room."
He flashed Vanessa a reassuring grin.
"Unless you think I'd mistreat an old woman?"
Vanessa shook her head, her worries easing. "How could someone with such a bright smile be cruel?"
"Madam, my house is just up ahead. Shall we?"
Ryan guided the woman out, his grip firm.
Once outside the villa, the old woman's expression darkened. She followed in silence until they reached the edge of the property. Suddenly, her features twisted grotesquely.
A massive shadow stretched out behind Ryan, growing larger—
Zzzt!
The streetlight flickered wildly before dying with a final spark.
"Couldn't you have waited a little longer?" Ryan sighed, almost disappointed.
He slowly turned to face the woman, who had now transformed into something monstrous.
Her clothes were drenched in fresh blood, and her face was a mangled ruin as if she had been bludgeoned to death.
"Mind your own business!" the evil spirit snarled, lunging at him with inhuman speed and extended claws.
Most people would have died of terror on the spot.
But Ryan just grinned, his smile widening into something unnervingly bright.
As the spirit closed in, he raised the cross necklace, which was now blazing with holy light, and smashed it straight into her face.
BANG!
The spirit crumpled, her form flickering under the purifying force. Black smoke hissed from her body as holy fire consumed her.
Ryan knelt beside her, pressing a hand to her ruined face.
"No cameras here," he murmured.
"Broken streetlights. Whatever happens here, no one will ever know. Perfect, isn't it?"
He leaned closer, his voice almost gentle.
"I brought you here to kill you where no one could see."
So what are you waiting for?"
A final plea?
Begging wouldn't help.
"Don't worry," Ryan said cheerfully.
"I'll make it quick. You won't feel a thing."
To the spirit, Ryan's radiant smile was more terrifying than any demon's snarl.
"No—!"
"May the Lord bless you."
"Sacrifice."
A flash of divine light—and the evil spirit vanished into nothingness.
Ryan stood and dusted off his hands.
He wasn't unreasonable. Not all spirits needed to be destroyed.
But this one? It was a vicious thing, sustained only by hatred and lashing out at the living.
Allowing it to linger would have been disastrous.
"If life is so painful," he mused, "then consider this mercy."
Freeing the world of such malice was its own form of justice.
"I really am such a good person."
—