[Chapter 89: Golden Aegis Rite]
"Hahahaha! You think you can trap me?" The spirit's mocking laughter rolled again.
"Is that so?" Daniel's voice grew colder, unwavering. He tightened his focus and formed a solemn, sacred hand seal.
By sovereign order, all forces are set in place.By consecrated rite, my mandate stands unchallenged.No hostile claim holds ground before affirmed authority.Golden Aegis, rise and seal my body in light.
As Daniel traced the intricate hand seals and recited the incantation, an intense, mysterious power surged within him. Slowly, a faint golden glow began to radiate from his form.
With the emergence of this golden light, the shadows clouding Daniel's vision shattered instantly, and clarity returned to his eyes.
His gaze fixed sharply on the Evil Spirit, watching its Dark energy pulse wildly as it battered against the power of the Soul Suppressing Seal.
Noticing Daniel's piercing stare, the evil spirit instantly realized his vision had cleared.
"Impossible. How did you recover so fast?" the spirit hissed, its face etched with shock and disbelief.
Daniel said nothing, continuing his incantation:
Visible and invisible, all realms bear witness.
This light encompasses all dominion and sustains rightful order.
Through unwavering invocation, the radiance intensifies and fills the body.
No hostile force approaches; mandate stands unchallenged.
The golden radiance around Daniel intensified, his aura swelling with power.
From the two hollow eye sockets of the evil spirit, which held no physical presence, a flicker of fear now seemed to emanate. A profound sense of danger gripped its essence.
Let all spirits bow to lawful command; let thunder answer authority.
Ghost and demon falter; corruption loses form.
Within this light rests consecrated thunder, sealed in sacred name.
Wisdom pierces all veils; power surges under affirmed mandate.
Daniel's presence grew stronger, the pressure on the Evil Spirit becoming almost unbearable.
It shrieked, "Damn it! Break..."
Suddenly trembling violently, the Soul Suppressing Seal shattered, freeing the evil spirit from its magical bonds.
"Go to hell."
It roared, striking toward Daniel like a lightning bolt.
Its intent was clear: kill him before the incantation could complete and the golden light fully flourished.
In this desperate moment, it abandoned its primary target -- Amanda.
Golden Aegis, rise without delay -- defend under sovereign mandate.
Authority affirmed. Judgment sealed.
A resonating hum filled the air, echoing.
Daniel's golden light burst forth forcefully, instantly enveloping his entire body, faint streaks of lightning flickering within its glow.
A solemn and sacred aura radiated from him, mingling with gold and lightning, transforming him into a figure akin to a god.
At that moment, the Evil Spirit surged forward, its dense, corporeal Dark energy aiming to engulf Daniel wholly.
If it succeeded, Daniel's magic would scatter; without his power, he would be vulnerable -- like a lamb dragged to slaughter beneath that overwhelming darkness.
But just as its Dark energy brushed the golden light surrounding Daniel, it began to dissolve like snow on a hot pan, unable to pierce the radiant shield.
"You think you can kill me with that?" Daniel growled.
His large hand surged forward, golden light and lightning flashing in tandem, melting Darkness wherever it passed, carving a clear path.
In no time, Daniel's hand closed around the Evil Spirit.
"Ahhh..."
The evil spirit's anguished shriek filled the air as the combined power of golden light and lightning inflicted devastating damage.
It writhed, trying desperately to retreat.
"Think you can escape?" Daniel sneered, his shimmering hand climbing to grip its neck.
Though a spirit, Daniel's grasp clasped tight as iron, lifting the entity into the air.
"L-let go of me! Release me!" the spirit whimpered, struggling fiercely.
But Daniel's grip was unyielding.
Shrouded in overwhelming, terrifying power, with golden light and lightning continuously burning it, the Evil Spirit realized its very existence hung by Daniel's mercy.
Its once-defiant expression shifted to fear and desperation.
"Let me go -- I'll serve you!" it begged.
"You can indeed become a loyal dog," Daniel said coldly, his majestic expression unreadable. "But unfortunately, you're bound by an unbreakable contract with that old woman. I won't let Amanda die. So you must die instead."
Sensing what Daniel was about to do, the spirit's panic deepened.
"No! No, no, no!"
"Snap!"
Daniel's golden hand exerted immense force.
The Evil Spirit shattered like a fragile soap bubble and dissolved into nothingness -- its soul scattering and dissipating completely.
...
[Ding! Killed a D-Rank ghost, gained 100,000 Merit Points.]
The System's prompt sounded, confirming the true death of the Evil Spirit.
It was the same Rank as the Female Ghost from One Missed Call, though unlike her, this spirit offered no Spell reward.
In truth, the One Missed Call Female Ghost was slightly stronger, but she was subject to rules, while this spirit was not -- resulting in a harder fight.
Daniel turned to see Amanda still clutching her head, her face pale and fearful, spinning slightly in place.
She remained under the lingering effects of the Evil Spirit's Blinding Spell.
Though the spirit was destroyed, its power would take time to dissipate.
Daniel approached and gently patted Amanda's shoulder.
A soothing yet potent energy flowed through her body. Warmth spread instantly, and the darkness clouding her vision lifted.
She saw the world again -- and Daniel standing before her.
Amanda's initial joy at regaining sight quickly shifted to shock.
"You..." she whispered, staring at Daniel as if he were an angel from heaven -- though she saw no wings.
An instinct to kneel overwhelmed her, her legs growing weak.
Daniel's body trembled faintly as the golden light faded, returning him to his natural form. The sacred majesty surrounding him vanished along with it.
The urge to kneel that Amanda had felt finally passed.
Looking around and seeing no trace of the evil spirit, she asked hesitantly, "That evil spirit..."
Daniel finished softly, "It was destroyed by me. Your ordeal is over."
Amanda's face lit with relief, and she sought one final confirmation: "I don't have to die?"
Daniel smiled reassuringly, "You don't have to die."
"That's wonderful."
Overcome with emotion, Amanda threw herself into Daniel's arms, clinging tightly.
In his warm, broad embrace, she felt an unshakable sense of safety.
"It's okay," Daniel murmured, gently rubbing her back.
"I know," Amanda whispered back. "Just let me hold you for a moment."
After three days of relentless tension, the release overwhelmed her, and exhaustion pulled at her heavily.
Suddenly, she looked up at Daniel with deep affection.
"Kiss me."
Daniel leaned down and captured her soft, crimson lips.
They held the kiss for a long, tender moment, unwilling to break apart.
At that instant, a sudden flurry of footsteps approached.
*****
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