Chapter 14: Commission Complete
The dead spirits knew this man.
He liked beer, loved his family, and tended to run away from problems...
A typical American husband and father.
But right now, this man had completely changed.
Connecting this to the fact that he had been so close to the priest yesterday, the answer was obvious.
That priest actually had such methods—this time, they had really messed with the wrong person!
The spirits couldn't even imagine what kind of fate awaited them if they fell into the hands of that damn priest.
So, the look in their eyes as they stared at the Lipstick-Face Demon became even more determined.
Originally, the spirits were at a disadvantage in this fight, but now, they were willing to risk damaging their own spiritual bodies to defeat the demon.
The Lipstick-Face Demon was very frustrated.
Didn't we agree to harass humans together and snatch their bodies?
Although I'm not that interested in rebirth and just want to savor human suffering...
Aren't we aligned on the bigger strategic goals??
Why are you guys betraying the revolution?!
The Lipstick-Face Demon snarled and kicked the leather jacket man away.
Previously, although these "peers" had ganged up on him, they had held back a little, so the demon could fight them to a draw or even hold a slight advantage.
But now that the opposition was fighting with their "lives" on the line, he naturally couldn't hold out.
Seizing an opening, the Lipstick-Face Demon jumped onto the ceiling and quickly disappeared into the darkness. He wasn't going to go head-to-head with these traitors.
At the same time, a bright red wooden door opened.
Another ghost girl in a white dress walked out, holding the hand of the captured Dalton.
She had been the one responsible for retrieving the soul earlier.
"Dad!"
Seeing Josh, Dalton immediately broke free from the ghost girl's hand and ran over.
But in the next moment, he froze. Why has Dad become like this?
Josh was naturally very happy too, but he held Dalton in place.
"Oh, hold on a moment, darling. I really need to use the restroom."
Seeing that the person had been rescued, the spirits naturally didn't plan to chase anymore. They stood there, supporting each other.
But hearing this, they weren't about to let Josh stay any longer.
So Josh and Dalton were herded out the door.
After witnessing Josh's temperament, the spirits didn't dare let the two of them return from The Further alone.
Therefore...
The woman in the wedding dress held Dalton's hand, while the leather jacket man and the middle-class man carried Josh.
The latter was still mumbling about the restroom, but the spirits didn't care.
They also noticed the thread on Josh's body. The aura on it was very similar to a dead spirit's, a very mysterious power.
This priest really was trouble!
On the way, many wandering spirits were attracted by the scent of the living.
But without exception, they were driven away by the spirits protecting the two humans.
Reality was affected as well.
The clear sky gradually darkened.
Numerous spirits appeared on the lawn, drooling over Josh and Dalton's bodies.
But as soon as they got close to the house, they were bounced back by a holy force.
Everyone was shocked by this scene and finally understood the significance of all of William's preparations.
Especially Elise.
She clearly understood that under the joint attack of these spirits, even if their souls and bodies were intact, they would still be in danger.
Elise couldn't help but glance at William. She could hardly imagine what would have happened if she hadn't listened to him and had entered The Further directly inside the house...
This priest had unknowingly saved their lives.
Back in The Further.
The spirits escorted the pair all the way back to the house where Josh's physical body was.
Because they couldn't get close, they could only drop them off at the gate.
"You guys are so nice. Come over for tea sometime."
Josh was deeply moved. He hugged each of the dead spirits goodbye before approaching his house.
"Dalton, go find Mom first. I really have to use the restroom," Josh instructed.
As he spoke, he pinched a corner of his clothes with his thumb and forefinger, looking disgusted.
Dalton saw his body immediately and ran over to re-merge.
Josh went into the house.
In Reality.
"Dalton!"
Seeing her son finally wake up after months in a coma, Renai could no longer control her emotions and hugged Dalton, crying loudly.
On the other hand, Josh didn't wake up.
William frowned seeing this.
In The Further, inside the house.
Josh had freshened up. The cleanliness of his skin made him sigh in relief.
He looked up, but suddenly froze.
Standing in the mirror opposite him was an "Old Woman" in a black mourning dress.
This woman had a sinister face, devoid of any aura of the living, and was smiling hideously.
Facing this scene, Josh suddenly spoke. "Ma'am, you can't go out like this!"
Unexpectedly, Josh wasn't afraid. Instead, he leaned close to the mirror.
"Cheap cosmetics are bad for your skin, and you can't apply so much at once..."
Josh talked eloquently, seeming to have quite a bit of expertise in this area.
The Old Woman seemed surprised, but seeing Josh so close, she could no longer suppress her desire.
So she quietly reached her hand toward the mirror.
In the next moment.
The Old Woman grabbed Josh's arm tightly.
But almost immediately, she felt a force.
This force was chaotic and disordered, threatening to swallow her whole.
At the same time, the Old Woman realized Josh had stopped moving.
She slowly looked up.
To her surprise, Josh was staring at her, wearing a very peculiar smile.
In that instant, the Old Woman actually felt an emotion called fear.
She hurriedly let go and retreated far away from the mirror.
And Josh returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
The Old Woman scowled but didn't dare try again.
In Reality.
Seeing Josh not waking up, everyone thought something had gone wrong.
William was about to use the Exorcism Bible directly.
But just then.
"Josh!"
Josh finally woke up.
He opened his eyes to see his family surrounding him.
"Hey everyone, so glad to see you again."
Seeing this, William quickly removed [The Smiler's Mask].
And Josh returned to his normal self.
William asked them in detail about their experience in The Further.
He was a bit surprised to learn that the dead spirits had escorted the father and son back.
Elise looked at William. She guessed that it was because of the events of the previous night that the spirits were afraid of this priest.
She decided that she would overhaul her exorcism procedures when she got back.
Her old methods weren't safe enough; there were too many loopholes.
Thinking back on how she dared to stay in places full of evil spirits so casually before, not knowing how much danger she had been in...
Elise broke out in a cold sweat.
Ignorance truly is bliss!
As for the new procedure, she already had ideas!
The two assistants felt the same.
At first, seeing the priest refuse to enter the house, they thought he was cowardly. Even Renai had thought so.
But now it seemed this priest clearly knew the dangers of the dead spirits, which was why he prepared in advance.
When questioned, he didn't argue but chose to stick to his exorcism philosophy.
This was a true master.
Josh also turned over a new leaf, swearing to listen to Renai from now on.
At this time, Dustin came downstairs. Knowing he had missed the exorcism, he was filled with regret!
"Thank you for saving us. Here is the commission fee!"
Renai handed over an envelope. Elise got one too.
William accepted it calmly, but Elise refused.
"This time, it was mainly Father William who protected everyone."
But Renai insisted on giving it.
William also persuaded her from the side. This lady really doesn't know the hardship of being broke!
So Elise couldn't refuse.
After the commission was completed, Elise sealed the memories of Josh and Dalton so they wouldn't astral project again.
William also gave Renai several amulets, instructing the family to carry them at all times.
As for those dead spirits, William originally planned to destroy them completely.
But hearing that they had helped Josh in The Further, he decided to spare them this once.
However, just in case, William set up defenses around Renai's house again.
He brought the house's safety level up to one percent of the church's and left his contact information.
This was part of William's after-sales service.
With all this done, William planned to return.
That afternoon.
Renai drove him and Dustin back to Philadelphia.
When saying goodbye, Dustin insisted on being brought along for the next exorcism. He had secretly noted down William's number back at Renai's house.
William waved goodbye to the two and returned to the church alone.
He was about to unlock the door when he noticed that the hair in the keyhole was gone.