[Chapter 272: I Can Help You Imprison Ghosts]
"Ivanka, well done."
Daniel spoke softly, then lightly flicked his right index finger. A streak of orange-red light shot out, instantly sinking into Ivanka's brow.
Her body suddenly went limp; all her fear and tension vanished in an instant. Her eyes clouded over before she slowly closed them and slumped forward.
Daniel's figure blurred as he steadily caught her in his arms. He felt her delicate body rise and fall with rapid breaths.
Gently, he laid her down on the dry floor of the hallway.
He suddenly turned his head to glance at the mirror. "It's our turn."
Buzz--!
The surface of the antique mirror rippled violently, like a lake disturbed by a thrown stone.
Immediately, the surrounding scene began to distort. The once minimalist entrance cabinet let out a strange creak. The solid wood cabinet eerily elongated and twisted, sprouting over a dozen long wooden legs.
Like a giant beetle, it lunged at Daniel.
The overhead light morphed into a crimson eyeball, staring intently at him. Then the walls of the entire apartment began to warp and twist like melting candles. The expensive wallpaper peeled off in thick sheets, revealing walls that pulsed like raw flesh. Massive amounts of dark red liquid dripped from the ceiling, hitting the floor with dull "tap-tap" sounds.
Daniel snorted coldly. His hands formed a seal as he quickly recited in a clear voice:
Celestial guardians of the sacred firmament, watch and answer without cease.
Drive out corruption and shatter every enchantment; preserve life and guard this soul.
Let wisdom burn bright and undefiled; let heart and mind remain in perfect peace.
Let body, soul, and spirit stand united beneath the light of divine grace.
Swiftly, so ordained.
Heart Purification Mantra!
As the last words fell, an invisible ripple radiated from around Daniel.
Crack!
A crisp cracking sound rang out; those long wooden legs and blood-red eyeballs vanished instantly, and the living room walls returned to normal.
But this was only the beginning.
The mirror trembled again, and this time, the entire apartment disappeared completely.
Daniel found himself standing on a charred wasteland. The sky was dark red; molten lava oozed along cracks beneath his feet. Densely packed, weathered crosses stood all around. Countless charred and mutilated figures crawled from behind the crosses.
With piercing roars that chilled the skin, they surged toward Daniel frantically.
"A mere illusion. What can it do to me?" Daniel stepped forward.
Bang!
A charred claw, coated in slime, slammed hard onto Daniel's shoulder -- but he didn't flinch.
The moment the claw touched him, it passed right through and dissolved into nothingness.
Daniel kept moving, eyes locked straight ahead.
To him, these hideous monsters were nothing more than flickering static.
A skeleton wielding a giant axe swung from the front, the blade whistling through the air as it aimed for Daniel's head.
Daniel could smell the stench of decay and sulfur coming from it.
Everything felt so real.
But Daniel neither dodged nor defended.
The axe blade passed straight through his head without a sound or leaving a mark.
He strolled through the mound of corpses and the sea of blood.
With every step, the monsters launched frantic attacks -- blades piercing, teeth biting, flames burning -- but all dissolved like bubbles the moment they touched him.
Daniel moved closer to a massive black altar where the antique mirror once stood, its ominous light shimmering in the hellish illusion.
Just five steps away from the altar, he suddenly paused.
Without warning, his figure shifted two feet to the side and back.
Crack-pop--!
A blinding violet lightning bolt erupted from Daniel's palm, striking an empty space ahead.
There had been nothing there, but at the moment the lightning struck, a withered dark shadow appeared suddenly.
It wielded an extremely sharp, hooked willow-leaf blade.
It hovered less than an inch from where Daniel's waist had been.
"Ah--!"
A shrill scream exploded inside the illusion.
The dark shadow was blasted into dust by the lightning, shaking the surrounding wasteland violently.
[Ding! Killed an F-Rank Ghost, gained 5000 merit points!]
The System's notification rang in Daniel's mind.
Daniel withdrew his hand, a cold smile curving his lips.
"A bit clever. Mixing real attacks within illusions, hoping to land a fatal backstab when I let down my guard. Too bad it's useless against me. Now, it's my turn."
Daniel stepped forward, and lightning exploded all around him.
This time he no longer walked slowly.
Boom!
Daniel transformed into a dazzling orange-red ball of electricity.
Wherever he passed, bones shattered and charred corpses disintegrated; the entire hellscape was torn apart by his lightning.
Daniel stood surrounded by real and ghostly figures flashing before his eyes.
A young woman in an old-fashioned nightgown held her own head in her hands.
Just as she opened her mouth to scream, a violet lightning bolt shot through her.
"Ah!"
The scream cut off abruptly.
Next came a bloodied old man with a toothless mouth, trying to bite Daniel's neck. The moment he touched Daniel's aura, lightning shattered him into powder.
More figures appeared.
Men and women, old and young.
At least a hundred of them.
None were human.
[Ding! Killed a G-rank Ghost, gained 500 merit points.]
[Ding! Killed an F-Rank Ghost, gained 5000 merit points.]
The System's notifications sounded like rapid drumbeats.
Daniel pushed forward relentlessly, crushing illusory bones underfoot.
Suddenly, the scene shattered completely, and Daniel returned to Ivanka's apartment.
He stood before the massive antique mirror.
Daniel spoke coolly, "How do you want to die?"
The mirror seemed to sense something.
On its dull surface, countless blood-red threads twisted frantically, eventually forming trembling lines of text.
[Master Exorcist... have mercy!]
[I didn't know your identity; I was blinded by greed!]
[Please do not destroy me. I am willing to serve you. I can be your most loyal servant!]
The text changed rapidly, laced with flattery and desperation.
Daniel stopped, the lightning around him retreating into his body.
His right hand still pressed near the edge of the mirror frame, faint arcs of electricity pulsing in his palm.
"Have mercy?" Daniel sneered. "Give me one reason not to shatter you."
Text appeared on the mirror again.
[I have great use! I can create the most realistic illusions for you to deceive your enemies!]
[I can also... serve as a cage.]
[I can help you imprison ghosts!]
[The ghosts from earlier were all trapped by me in the mirror world!]
The vine patterns on the mirror frame wriggled frantically, as if bowing humbly.
Daniel frowned slightly.
Being able to create illusions and imprison ghosts? That function did sound tempting.
Just as Daniel was about to shatter it with a palm strike, a pink mist filled the air.
Chris appeared, settling lightly on Daniel's shoulder. Her long legs swung back and forth as her eyes fixed intently on the antique mirror.
*****
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