Chapter 37: Heading to the Airport
At that moment, a dark green light suddenly appeared within the void-like space.
It moved at an incredible speed, diving into the deep water in the blink of an eye.
The light darted through the abyss until it reached the two glowing, crimson eyes—then vanished into them.
Shortly after, an image flickered within those eyes.
In the vision, a black-robed figure stood with their back turned, seemingly in the middle of a solemn exorcism ritual.
"A Church, is it?"
A low, hoarse voice echoed through the murky depths.
Refined and eerie, the sound rippled through the surrounding waters, sending waves of pressure in all directions.
It was a long while before the space grew quiet once more.
---
Meanwhile, back in the basement...
With the exorcism completed, a line of text flashed before Gideon Black's eyes:
[Scripture Reading +1]
After all this time, the progress of his abilities had accumulated as follows:
---
[Psychological Counseling]
Current Level: Tier 0 (25/100)
[Holy Water Purification]
Current Level: Tier 1 (305/1000)
[Holy Water Blessing]
Current Level: Tier 1 (60/1000)
[Scripture Reading]
Current Level: Tier 0 (78/100)
[Ignatian Exercises +1]
Current Level: Tier 0 (12/100)
---
Among these, Scripture Reading was nearing a breakthrough. Once it ranked up, it might unlock a new ability.
And his Ignatian Exercises were progressing steadily too.
Ever since he began anointing himself with consecrated animal oil, Gideon's body had undergone noticeable transformation each day.
Curiously, when he'd asked other priests about their experiences with the sacred oil, most of them only reported mild effects—perhaps smoother skin at best.
This made Gideon suspicious.
Could it be that the effects were so pronounced for him because of the synergy with his Ignatian Exercises?
After packing up his gear, Gideon turned toward Emma, who was sitting in the corner.
Her face was frozen in astonishment—yet again.
She had lost count of how many times she'd been left speechless like this since arriving at the church.
The world she thought she knew had been turned on its head.
She never imagined that real demons and malevolent spirits existed in this world...
...or that someone like Gideon—with powers straight out of a myth—would actually walk among them.
Now, looking back, all the schemes and manipulation she once prided herself on felt childish. Laughable.
No wonder this damned priest had been able to see right through her.
Earlier, after witnessing Gideon purify another evil spirit…
Emma found herself overwhelmed by uncontrollable curiosity.
Purity. Compassion. Hope.
Exorcists seemed to embody all of these traits perfectly.
These were the very qualities she believed she should possess!
If she could master this ability, then she'd become the most beloved girl in the entire state—
No— the entire United States!
People would kneel at the hem of her skirt, praising her boundless generosity.
And by then, she wouldn't even need to lift a finger. Just a single command…
That damned priest would be dragged before her, ready for execution.
Of course, if given the chance, she wouldn't mind stabbing him herself either.
Emma's eyes sparkled with excitement. It felt like she'd finally found a new path.
Gideon, meanwhile, glanced at her sitting on the floor—dazed, grinning to herself like a fool.
His eyes narrowed immediately.
"She's possessed!"
This cellar really is steeped in evil!
It had likely stayed quiet all this time because he himself practiced spiritual cultivation and was protected by divine power.
But Emma? She was just an ordinary human.
"Good thing I noticed early!"
Without hesitation, Gideon reached out and grabbed Emma by the arm.
Still lost in her beautiful fantasy, she was abruptly pulled back to reality.
"Hey, what are you—blub—glurgh!"
Before she could finish, her mouth was filled with water. A burning sensation stung her nasal cavity.
"Cough! Cough!"
She spat out salty water, body shivering from the cold.
The next thing she knew, she had been tossed into a pool.
And that bastard priest was standing over her, reciting exorcism prayers while holding a crucifix.
"Strange… it's not working? That shouldn't be the case."
Gideon rubbed his chin, puzzled that Emma was showing no signs of possession.
"I'm not possessed, you damned—glurgh!"
Seeing the murderous glare she shot at him, Gideon finally realized he might've jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Still, he dunked her back into the holy water without remorse.
"Such a foul mouth for someone so young. Tsk."
---
Emma later stormed out, towel in hand, and angrily tossed the wet cloth onto the ground.
"Sorry," Gideon said with a warm smile, "occupational habit."
He even brought her a cup of freshly boiled holy water.
Arms crossed and foot stomping repeatedly on the floor, Emma fumed silently. It was a typical gesture of hers when annoyed.
But then she remembered—she needed something from this damned priest.
Her foot stopped tapping instantly.
"Phew…"
She took a deep breath and looked at Gideon.
After hearing Emma say she wanted to become someone like him, Gideon's first thought was—
"So you've finally realized the weight of your sins and are ready to face divine judgment?"
Although… the Church probably wouldn't accept a nun like you.
It wasn't until Emma explained that she wanted to learn exorcism that Gideon truly understood.
"Drink this first," he said, pointing to the cup on the table.
Emma looked confused, but still picked it up.
While she drank, Gideon considered her motives carefully.
"Is she trying to make me let my guard down… then harm me?"
"Is she planning to use exorcism to take me down later?"
"Is she going to catch an evil spirit and throw it on my bed in the middle of the night?"
No matter how he looked at it, something felt off.
"There's no way… she's genuinely trying to do good for society, right?"
Even he didn't buy that.
So, he refused her.
"Why not?! If you just teach me exorcism, I'll be a good girl—I won't try to kill you anymore!"
Emma's wide eyes stared at him imploringly.
"As if any of your tricks ever worked," Gideon replied coldly, not bothering to be polite.
"You—!"
Emma was at a loss for words.
"…However," Gideon added thoughtfully, "if you're willing to do some… dirty work—"
He phrased his plan of using her as a tool as diplomatically as possible.
"Deal."
To his surprise, Emma agreed without hesitation.
Gideon smirked. Clearly, she had no idea what she was getting into.
---
The two packed up and prepared to head to the airport.
Since all flights from Philadelphia International Airport were suspended, they opted for the nearest alternative—New York.
---
Evening — 7:25 PM
New York International Airport
A taxi came to a halt at the terminal entrance.
Gideon stepped out first, still clad in his usual black robe. Emma followed close behind, carrying a black cloth backpack.
She had changed out of her dress and into more practical trousers.
The pairing of a mysterious robed man and a sharp-eyed girl immediately drew curious glances from passersby.
Not far away—
A large black bus pulled up to the curb. The side bore the logo: "Mt.Abraham High School."
As the door opened, a group of teenagers filed out.
"Hey, everyone hurry up! Line up and exchange your tickets. Make sure you're on Flight AF180!"
A long-haired woman called out to the group.
"Alex, check it out—now that's rare. A yellow-skinned priest traveling with a girl," someone snickered.
The boy named Alex, a white teenager, turned to look.
"Todd, we shouldn't make fun of people because of their skin color," he said seriously, patting his friend's shoulder.
A girl walking behind them, holding a book, glanced over as well. She had straight bangs, a crop top, and stunning, deep-set features.
The group soon entered the departure hall.
As Alex moved toward the baggage check-in counter, someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
He turned around to see a bald man with two vertical lines painted on his face—some kind of religious symbol.
The man handed Alex a flyer and murmured:
"Death is not the end."
Alex looked puzzled, but their chaperone soon arrived and shooed the man away.
Moments later, Alex reached the baggage check area.
While waiting, he noticed something strange on the airport's flight information display.
Every flight except theirs now read: "Delayed."
"What a coincidence," a voice suddenly said beside him.
Alex turned. It was the attendant behind the counter.
"I said, what a coincidence—your birthday's the same as your flight's departure time."
She handed back his ID with a smile.
Alex looked down.
His birthday: September 25.
Flight departure time: 9:25 PM.
[Guess Guess Guess...]