Chapter 232 – An Unexpected Encounter with a Star
"Heh. I'd advise you not to stick your nose where it doesn't belong, Father."
The man yanked Grande against his chest and locked an arm around her throat.
At the same time, his other hand slipped into his pocket. The fabric bulged outward, forming the unmistakable outline of a cylindrical object. His intent was obvious.
Gideon raised both hands calmly.
"There's nothing wrong with threatening someone by keeping a gun in your pocket," he said evenly.
"But it depends on the situation."
As he spoke, he slowly took a few steps backward.
A flash of smug delight crossed the man's eyes, though confusion followed at the priest's words.
"When there are lots of people around, it can indeed prevent panic," Gideon continued, still retreating.
Grande's eyes filled with despair.
"But in a deserted alley like this," Gideon said softly,
"it only traps you."
The man narrowed his eyes.
"Hmph. Instead of running your mouth in front of a woman, you'd better get lost—before I change my mind."
"Have you ever ridden a bicycle?" Gideon suddenly stopped and asked.
"…What?"
Gideon slipped his hands into his pockets.
"When you ride with your hands in your pockets, there's a high chance you'll trigger a classic accident—a car suddenly appearing out of nowhere."
"When that happens, you won't have time to pull your hands out, which means you can't change direction."
"The most likely outcome? You crash head-on and end up eating pavement."
The man's patience snapped.
"You piece of trash! What the hell are you trying to say?!"
Gideon smiled faintly.
Then—he vanished.
The man's eyes widened.
"So in moments like this," Gideon's voice sounded behind him,
"you should've pulled the gun out from the start."
Gideon reappeared at the man's back.
Startled, the man tried to spin around and draw his weapon.
But just as Gideon had said, the gun snagged inside the pocket. His hand wouldn't come free.
Gideon seized the man's wrist and crushed down hard.
"AAAAHHH!"
A scream tore through the alley.
The man released Grande and collapsed against the wall, clutching his arm. Several pill bottles spilled across the ground.
Gideon used a handkerchief to pick up a compact handgun.
The safety was still on.
So it really had been a bluff—he never intended to fire.
"You bastard, I'll—ngh—"
The man barely raised his head before Gideon struck his neck, knocking him unconscious instantly.
Gideon ejected the magazine and tossed the gun aside.
"Call the police," he said, turning to the girl.
Grande curled in on herself, not responding at first.
"Are you alright?" Gideon frowned.
"I… I'm fine," Grande replied weakly.
"Thank you for saving me."
"You're not high, are you?"
Gideon took several steps back at once, watching her carefully.
People on drugs could do anything.
"You're young and throwing your life away. Do you have any idea how many people would kill for a healthy body?"
Realizing she'd been misunderstood, Grande hurriedly looked up.
"No—no! I'm not taking drugs. I've just… been in a bad state lately."
"I've been seeing things. Hallucinations."
Before she finished speaking, the priest suddenly appeared right in front of her.
"What are you doing?!" Grande jumped in fright.
Gideon stared directly into her eyes.
"I need to ask you a few questions."
"O-okay…" Grande hugged herself instinctively.
"Have you—or anyone in your family—recently bought a luxury house at an abnormally low price?"
She froze when she heard the question.
What kind of question was that?
But seeing how serious the priest looked, Grande could only shake her head.
"N-no… nothing like that. I did plan to spend some money to buy—"
She stopped halfway, realizing she had accidentally exposed her financial situation.
Fortunately, the priest in front of her didn't seem to notice.
"Have you recently obtained any strange items?" Gideon asked calmly.
"Statues, blood-stained remains, relics of unknown origin…"
"T-that's terrifying. I'd never dare collect anything like that."
"What about games?"
"Have you played any kind of occult summoning game?"
"…Summoning?" Grande forced a weak smile.
"T-that only happens in movies, right?"
After asking a few more questions, Gideon finally let out a quiet breath.
He had already examined her with the Ethereal Sight, and now he was certain—she hadn't actively come into contact with evil.
That left only one explanation.
Extreme stress.
Aside from those born into wealth, almost everyone in high-income circles paid a heavy price for their success.
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed at the mouth of the alley.
"Grande!"
Braun rushed in and immediately stiffened when he saw the unconscious man on the ground and the scattered gun parts.
Earlier, desperate to find her, he had contacted the mall's management to pull security footage—only then had he traced her here.
He raised both hands instinctively.
"This… Father?" Braun said cautiously.
"If you have any demands, you can name them. I already called 911 on the way here. The police should arrive soon."
He gestured to both sides—two burly bodyguards stood behind him.
"There's no benefit for either of us if this escalates."
Grande hurriedly waved her hands and explained everything that had happened.
"So that's what it was…" Braun finally relaxed.
"Thank you so much, Father."
Gideon quietly sized them up.
Anyone who could afford bodyguards like these was clearly no ordinary person.
Combined with the premiere happening nearby, he could more or less guess who they were.
She really is beautiful, he noted.
Grande hadn't had time to put on makeup, yet her delicate features still stood out effortlessly.
Noticing how Braun subtly positioned himself in front of her—and how the bodyguards kept watch—Gideon knew they hadn't fully let their guard down.
Since the misunderstanding had been cleared up, he had no intention of lingering.
He took out a business card and handed it to her.
"Hallucinations are usually psychological," Gideon said evenly.
"But sometimes… what you see may truly exist."
"If you ever have doubts, you can come find me."
Grande's heart trembled.
These past few days, whenever she mentioned hallucinations, people looked at her like she was sick.
But the priest's words made her feel—understood—for the first time.
Her lips parted. She suddenly wanted to pour out everything she'd been holding in.
But Braun stepped in first, accepting the card with a polite smile.
"Thank you, Father. Once this round of schedules is over, we'll consider some… religious activities."
Gideon nodded with a gentle smile.
He had done his duty.
Whatever happened next would no longer be his responsibility.
After bidding them farewell, he quickly disappeared into the alley.
---
A moment later—
"Do you have any idea what you were doing?!" Braun roared.
"Running out alone to buy medication? What if someone photographed you? What about the movie promotion? The new album?!"
Grande lowered her head.
"I'm sorry… I've just been in a bad state lately."
Braun sighed heavily.
"Enough. Let's go back. Your fans have been waiting a long time."
The four of them soon left the alley.
Not long after—
Two kilometers away, a dense mass of shadow crouched atop a rooftop, staring in the alley's direction.
The next instant, it appeared inside the alley.
Thick, corrosive malice spread outward, even eating away at the ground.
Its gaze locked onto Grande.
Silently, it followed.
___
House of Rest
"Gideon! Are you okay?!"
Judy bounced in front of Gideon, lifting his arm, then peering at his face.
"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Gideon asked, baffled.
Judy pointed at the newspaper.
"They say the middle school's been completely sealed off!"
Gideon glanced over.
So after Freddy dragged them into the dream, Chief had expanded the quarantine again—causing a major stir across Philadelphia.
"Minor issue. The commission's already resolved."
His thoughts drifted to the glove. He'd need to study it later.
"Oh! And do you know about the other incident?" Judy asked.
Gideon shook his head.
She flipped to the front page.
A massive headline screamed:
[SHOCKING! FAMOUS POP STAR COMMITS SUICIDE ON STAGE DURING CONCERT]
Gideon's eyes narrowed as he read.
[Philadelphia Pioneer Daily!
Recently, famous singer Skye Riley held her comeback concert at the Sports Center…
Previously, she had suffered a serious car accident while rushing between engagements. Her boyfriend died on the spot, after which Skye announced a suspension of all commercial activities…
According to unverified sources, Skye relied heavily on medication during preparations…
On the day of the concert, Skye fell on stage. When she stood back up, she displayed an abnormally eerie smile—then smashed her own head with the microphone…
Skye was pronounced dead at the scene. Over ten thousand people witnessed the incident, triggering massive panic both online and offline…
City hospitals have received more than five hundred psychological treatment requests, a number that continues to rise…
Authorities have formed a special task force, but the cause of death remains under investigation. No suspicious individuals were found at the scene…
Citizens are advised not to spread graphic footage for the sake of mental health…]
Beside the article was a photo occupying half the page.
Skye Riley's final smile on stage.
Twisted eyes.
A grin stretched unnaturally wide.
That familiar expression—
The Smiling Curse Entity.
Gideon frowned deeply.
How was this possible?
He had purified that thing completely.
Afterward, he had even investigated nearby residential areas—no similar cases had appeared.
Judy spoke grimly.
"It's that same entity from last time, isn't it?"
Gideon stroked his chin.
"Not confirmed yet… but the characteristics are very similar."
What concerned him more was something else.
The Smiling Curse spreads through suicide witnessed by others.
If Skye Riley had truly been possessed, then everyone at that concert had become a carrier.
And with live broadcasts…
The curse may already have spread like a plague.
If left unchecked, North America could collapse within two weeks.
Gideon grabbed his things and rushed toward the church.
Several tasks were urgent:
First—confirm whether Skye truly died from the Smiling Curse.
The church's records should have information.
Second—determine whether the curse could spread through media.
Earlier, he hadn't sensed evil energy from the photographs, meaning post-event images lacked transmissibility.
If that held true at the scene as well, the danger would be reduced.
Finally—eliminate the source.
If this was truly the Smiling Curse, then every single audience member would need full purification.
The curse's incubation period was 4–7 days.
Only two days had passed since the concert.
He still had time.
---
Dey Theological Seminary – Commission Office
Flora was on duty again. After exchanging greetings, Gideon went straight to the terminal.
He quickly located the concert incident report.
The evaluation stunned him.
"…After on-site investigation, no residual evil aura was detected. Therefore, the incident does not qualify as an exorcism commission…"
Gideon frowned.
Such a bizarre death carried enormous likelihood of evil involvement. Why would the church reach this conclusion?
Flora explained quietly:
"The investigating clergy had similar suspicions, but they searched the entire venue and found nothing. And with manpower shortages lately…"
With no results from the church, Gideon immediately turned to an old acquaintance.
---
Philadelphia Police Department
"Oh! Gideon! I was just debating whether to call you!"
A broad frame, thick mustache, and bright white teeth.
Chief Gordon grinned and clapped Gideon hard on the shoulder.
Compared to last time, Gideon's physical strength had improved significantly.
He estimated he could take Gordon down in under a second.
"Chief, I'm here about Skye Riley," Gideon said with a smile.
"I knew it."
Gordon rummaged through a cluttered desk and pulled out a file.
"This contains her movements in the week before her death."
Gideon opened it.
One week before the incident, Skye purchased restricted prescription drugs from a dealer named Louis, a former high-school classmate…
Louis was later found dead in a luxury apartment, cause of death: blunt force trauma to the head. The corpse displayed a smile upon discovery…
Multiple individuals reported Skye experiencing anxiety, panic, terror, and claiming to see strange people…
Skye was treated at a private hospital. Medical logs indicate a 12-hour coma during which she repeatedly mentioned phrases such as "killed my mother," "smiling face," and "fake death"…
That was enough.
Timing.
Smiles.
Suicide.
This was almost certainly the Smiling Curse.
Gideon immediately explained his previous case to Gordon.
"A demon that terrifying…" Gordon's eyes widened.
"So we have to find the audience immediately," Gideon said.
"I support you, but…" Gordon hesitated.
"What's wrong?"
"This case has caused massive public backlash. Celebrities are demanding answers. Even the White House has asked questions."
"If we don't give people something concrete, the department's leadership will be shaken again."
"The new commissioner's been losing sleep over this. I tried recommending you—got thrown out."
Gordon shrugged.
"Do you really think public opinion will accept a priest blaming an evil spirit? The commissioner said it'd be more believable to pin it on Middle Eastern terrorists."
Gideon sighed.
"Supernatural incidents have happened repeatedly in North America. Doesn't he see that?"
Gordon patted him on the shoulder.
"Some people only believe what they want to believe."
"Couldn't agree more," Gideon spread his hands.
"But as someone who ranked first in police academy academics, first in department combat tournaments, and owns the most beautiful daughter in the entire force…"
Gordon grinned mysteriously, flexing his arm.
"I still have a few… privileges."