[Chapter 120: Inside Out]
Feeling Daniel's unusual gaze, Rachel grew a bit uneasy. "Mr. Cross, is something wrong?"
"Nothing," Daniel replied, pulling his eyes away.
Although Rachel was the spiritual anchor for this ghost, killing her wouldn't necessarily end it. Its hatred for Daniel could create a new spiritual anchor, allowing it to persist. Besides, even if it couldn't survive without her, Daniel couldn't just kill Rachel -- she was his client. If he did, who would pay him the final fee?
In the movies, it was the protagonist's mother shooting herself, destroyed the ghost. For Daniel, that kind of drama was unnecessary.
"Hold on to the Seal I gave you and stay right here -- don't move," Daniel instructed. Then he moved toward the dark figure.
The figure appeared entirely black, motionless earlier, like a flat shadow. But as Daniel approached, it stirred.
Before Daniel could reach it, the figure flickered and appeared right in front of him. Its fingers morphed into sharp blades, aiming straight for Daniel's heart.
Without dodging, Daniel swung his thunder-struck ashwood sword.
Swish!
The figure's arm was sliced off.
It seemed to recoil in pain and quickly backed away.
Daniel glanced down. The severed arm vanished almost instantly after hitting the ground.
The figure's arm began to grow back immediately.
Daniel was surprised -- it had an ability he hadn't expected.
Ordinary methods couldn't kill it. Even the thunder-struck ashwood sword could only wound, not finish it. He could kill it with dozens of strikes, but that would take too long.
Daniel stepped forward once again.
Maybe recovering from that loss, the figure became cautious. It no longer charged recklessly. It hunched low, watching Daniel carefully as it swayed gently.
Suddenly, it vanished, then reappeared behind Daniel in an instant.
This time, its hands moved from both sides, aiming for Daniel's neck.
Its ten fingers were like ten blades; one strike and Daniel's head could be severed.
But just before impact, Daniel seemed to sense it from nowhere, turning his body smoothly to the side.
He grabbed its mouth and stuffed several Seals inside.
"Burn!"
With a soft command, the Seals ignited inside the figure's mouth.
Its body shook violently, cracking like fragile porcelain, fissures spreading over its form.
Glowing fire spilled from the cracks, lighting up the figure from within.
Unlike normal light, which it could hide from, these flames burned inside, impossible to extinguish or conceal.
Its aura weakened rapidly, and in seconds, it looked like it would dissolve.
Struggling, it turned toward Rachel at the ritual table. Though its eyes were unseen, reluctance seemed clear.
Rachel trembled under its gaze. She still couldn't believe something like this hid inside her mind.
Suddenly, flames burst from the fissures, engulfing its entire body.
Within moments, it was a ball of fire -- then burned out, leaving no trace.
[Ding! Killed an E-rank special ghost. Gained 50,000 Merit points.]
[Ding! Killed an E-rank special ghost. Acquired Body Absolution Rite.]
The System's notification rang in Daniel's mind, signaling the entity's complete destruction.
Normally, E-rank ghosts wouldn't reward Spells, but this was a special case.
"I didn't expect it to be an E-rank ghost," Daniel murmured.
"Well, it's pretty strong. Hard to kill except by light," he continued thoughtfully. "It hides during the day and can control or cut lights at night. But once you know its weakness -- the flames inside its body that it can't put out -- death is inevitable."
Daniel silently reviewed the encounter.
...
Watching the figure burn away, Rachel was stunned.
Only when Daniel stood before her did she speak, "Mr. Cross, it... it..."
"It's over," Daniel said. "Go ahead and turn the lights back on."
"Oh." Rachel blinked, shaking off the shock, and quickly switched the lights on.
The bright room suddenly felt dazzling.
She blinked several times until her eyes adjusted, then returned to Daniel. "That was resolved so easily?"
Daniel waved off the remark.
Rachel, still surprised, said, "I didn't mean it like that. It's just... wow. You're amazing. No wonder everyone calls you the best Exorcist."
Daniel smiled. "So my reputation's that good?"
Rachel nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! That's why I didn't hesitate to pay you $100,000. Seems like the money was well spent."
Daniel asked, "Is that feeling of being watched still there?"
Rachel smiled, relieved. "No, I feel completely relaxed now, very calm."
"That's good. Now you can prepare the final payment."
"Of course," Rachel agreed, grabbing her bag.
Soon after, she handed Daniel a check for $80,000.
Daniel tucked it away. "I wish you sweet dreams."
He started to leave when Rachel stopped him. "Wait, Mr. Cross. Didn't you say you'd help me change my luck?"
Daniel turned toward her. "You really want that?"
Rachel nodded sincerely. "Yes, absolutely."
Daniel shook his head. "Changing luck is even more expensive than exorcism, much more."
"How much?" she asked.
"Two million dollars," he replied.
Rachel gasped. That was astronomical.
After a moment, she asked, "Can I pay in installments?"
Daniel retorted: "What do you think?"
"You can charge interest."
"And your plan?"
"Ten installments, with $500,000 in interest. I'll pay you $250,000 a month."
Daniel did the math quietly. That totaled $2.5 million.
He could accept that.
"Alright. I'll give you an address. Come see me tomorrow."
Rachel beamed. "Okay!"
...
After saying goodbye, Daniel headed home. It was already past 10 p.m.
The journey had been smooth, with no strange encounters.
Once home, Daniel checked his Merit points in the System:
[Merit points: 231,700]
"Still over 20,000 points short of upgrading my exorcism level. And I can upgrade two Spells immediately."
He hesitated, then decided to wait and see.
...
The next morning, around 9 a.m., Rachel arrived at the address, even bringing a small gift for Daniel.
*****
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