Chapter 9 – A New Assignment
That voice sent a wave of dizziness crashing through Gideon's mind.
But at that moment, he had just finished reciting the entire exorcism scripture.
[Scripture Reading +1]
[Current Progress: Tier 1 (0/1000)]
[Unlocked Ability: Focus – You deeply comprehend the sacred meaning of scripture. When evil attempts to inflict mental interference, its effects are greatly diminished.]
—
As the notification appeared, Gideon's mind suddenly cleared like a veil being lifted.
Without hesitation, he began reciting the exorcism again.
At the same time, he hurled everything holy he had—holy water, crucifix, and other sacred artifacts—onto the possessed "Senter."
This time, under the combined force of all the sanctified items, the evil presence within Senter was finally suppressed.
That bone-chilling voice vanished as well.
Gideon was drenched in sweat.
"Whew…"
He took a deep breath.
That had been way too close.
Thankfully, his [Scripture Reading] skill leveled up at a critical moment—probably the only reason he made it out alive.
Still, there was something deeply unsettling about what just happened. Whatever that thing was… he had never encountered anything like it before.
Could it be tied to some unknown entity?
And if so—why did it retreat so easily?
Gideon narrowed his eyes. Something didn't feel right.
All around him, the hall was in ruins—bodies and scattered garments littered the ground.
Aside from himself, only a few of the exorcists who had collapsed earlier were still breathing.
Without delay, Gideon decided to "purify" the scene one more time—just to be sure.
He gathered the remaining sacred items and walked over to each of the robed cultists one by one.
Exorcism prayers. Crucifix. Holy water.
The process flowed like clockwork.
He gave special attention to the two apparent leaders, continuing the ritual until their corrupted remains crumbled completely into ash.
In a far corner of the audience seating, a certain cultist's pupil twitched slightly.
Senter had indeed opened a spatial rift—but his physical body had been too weak, and the sacrificial power too insufficient.
As a result, only a faint echo of something else had slipped through.
But before that presence could stabilize, Gideon had suppressed it.
What shocked it even more was that this seemingly insignificant priest had a way to protect his mind and soul.
So, just before the "passage" sealed, that being managed to leave behind a single trace of its essence.
With enough time, it could grow stronger again.
Originally, it had planned to wait until the priest left before taking action.
But who would have guessed he'd be this cautious?
Still, it seemed the priest was out of sacred gear.
The black-robed cultist exhaled in relief.
And then—his eyes widened.
The priest had just pulled out another bottle of holy water from under a potted plant.
"…Damn you. I won't forget this."
A harsh sizzling sound echoed.
Moments later, the cultist turned to ash.
Gideon remained unaware of what had just happened.
Seeing the final puddle of goo dissolve, he gave a satisfied nod.
"That's the last one."
At the same time, another message flashed before his eyes:
[Holy Water Blessing +1]
[Current Progress: Tier 0 (79/100)]
This exhibition had done a lot to boost that particular skill.
He returned to the stage, packed up his gear, and prepared to leave.
Just then, Gale—who lay unconscious nearby—twitched a finger.
Gideon paused, thinking.
This woman clearly had powerful backers. If she woke up now and saw him standing here…
That could bring on all kinds of trouble.
"You'd better nap a little longer."
He grabbed a flower pot and walked over...
Not long after, the police arrived.
That same evening, the incident made the evening news.
["Cult activity discovered in a building on 13th Street has left around thirty people dead. Survivors reported witnessing supernatural phenomena. Authorities have launched an investigation into the Paranormal Council…"]
One of the survivors, Gale, was now resting in a luxury hotel suite.
She stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a medicated patch on her forehead, dressed in nothing but undergarments—her curvaceous figure barely concealed.
She gently touched a scar at her waist.
In her hand, she held a darkened protective charm—burnt and spent, but clearly the reason she was still alive.
"I… never even got his name," Gale murmured.
—
That same night, Paranormal Council branches across the country received an encrypted email.
It stated the Council was seeking the unknown figure responsible for neutralizing the 13th Street threat.
In gratitude, they hoped to extend the highest honors and invite this mysterious figure to a private meeting.
Out of respect, the Council would not disclose any personal information—only hoping the person in question would reach out on their own.
And so, overnight, whispers of a new power spread across the ranks of the Paranormal Council.
Those who read the report were stunned.
Meanwhile, the man at the center of it all—Gideon Black—had already slipped several blocks away.
"Tch… Took all that risk and only made 23 bucks," he muttered.
Still, leveling up [Scripture Reading] had been worth it. That new ability alone might've saved his life.
He was just about to review it in detail when a figure suddenly stepped into his path.
Gideon instantly backpedaled five steps, hands flying to draw every sacred item he had.
Then he paused. The person looked… familiar.
"You... I've seen you before," he said.
It was Renai, the woman who'd bought protection charms from him earlier.
Renai looked desperate. "Father… please, help my child."
—
Since nightfall was approaching, Gideon led Renai back to the church for safety.
Of course, he had her pass a series of spiritual tests at the door before letting her in.
He was just about to close up when another voice piped up behind him.
"Father, you're amazing!"
Gideon turned—and blinked.
It was Dustin, the kid who had also survived thanks to one of Gideon's charms.
He had witnessed the exorcism at the theater firsthand.
A fan of knights, demons, and Dungeons & Dragons, Dustin had followed Gideon, dreaming of adventure. He couldn't wait to brag to his friends back in Hawkins.
Gideon sighed.
"…Don't your parents care where you are?"
"They said it's fine," Dustin beamed.
Gideon stared at him, stunned. North American parents are seriously too chill.
So now, the trio found themselves gathered at the church.
Gideon served two glasses of holy water before Renai began explaining why she had sought him out.
As he listened, Gideon felt something click.
Wait… isn't this the plot of Insidious 1?
Now that he looked more closely—yes, he recognized her character.
He mentally flipped through scenes from the original story, gauging the threat level.
Seemed manageable.
But then she mentioned her home was in Kentucky.
A field assignment…?
Which meant he had to factor in travel expenses.
Sensing his hesitation, Renai quickly added, "I'm prepared to offer $1,000 for your services."
She wasn't just making that up—she had done her research. That was the going rate for a professional exorcist.
Gideon might not be famous… but after what she'd just witnessed, she'd pay double.
On the other side of the table, Gideon stood up at once.
"Mrs.Lambert," he said with a bright smile—using her married name, "it would be my absolute honor to assist. You're welcome to rest here tonight. We'll depart at first light."
"And what about me?" Dustin piped up.
"You do you," Gideon said, barely looking at him.
Then, turning serious:
"But don't wander around tonight. This church is sealed with wards against dark spirits. If you trigger one by accident, even I might not be able to help you."
Dustin immediately stiffened, glancing nervously around.
Gideon nodded, satisfied.
That should keep the kid from stirring up trouble overnight.
After settling both guests in, Gideon set up a mini demon-binding array and holy water wards outside his bedroom.
He had never let anyone stay overnight before—just taking precautions.
—
Renai, meanwhile, slept soundly for the first time in a long while.
Maybe it was the hope she felt. Maybe it was just being inside a church.
Dustin, however, spent the night wide-eyed and terrified.
—
The next morning.
Gideon was up early for his usual scripture studies.
Thanks to his training, his mental stamina far exceeded that of a normal person.
[Holy Water Purification +1]
[Progress: Tier 1 (266/1000)]
[Scripture Reading +1]
[Progress: Tier 1 (1/1000)]
[Ability: Focus – Your deep understanding of sacred scripture greatly weakens any mental corruption, illusions, or spiritual invasions.]
This was a potent tool against the mental assaults so common in American horror creatures—hallucinations, psychic control, spiritual infection…
It was a real ace up his sleeve.
After a quick wash-up, Gideon began packing for the field.
Holy water, crucifix, blessed salts—the works.
By the time he was ready, Renai and Dustin had woken up too.
He ushered Dustin out first.
Then, Gideon got into Renai's car to depart—
Only for Dustin to pop out of the trunk halfway through the ride.
Gideon stared at him, stunned.
"…You little gremlin."
In the end, he had no choice but to let the kid tag along.
That afternoon, the trio arrived at Renai's home.
Gideon stepped out of the car.
To the untrained eye, the house looked new and spotless.
But through Gideon's eyes—
It was something else entirely.
Dark. Twisted. Crawling with shapes that shouldn't be.
A monster's playground.
"Father… let's go inside," Renai said from the front steps.
Gideon didn't move.
"Not yet. I need to prepare."