York, once again under the scrutiny of the many eyes in the hall, watched as the elevator doors parted and stepped out.
"Father York!"
Todd, the black cashier who had been keeping watch at the cash register, bowed his head in a respectful greeting.
York nodded in acknowledgment, glanced at the goods on the shelves, and casually picked up a few loaves of bread, walking over to place them on the counter.
"Todd, anything new happening lately?"
Under the bright incandescent lights, Todd's dark skin appeared even darker. As he used the scanner to price the bread, he pondered for a moment.
"Father York, there's been an increase in new faces lately."
"Oh, is that so?" York replied calmly, but inside, he couldn't help thinking about the message that Satan was looking for him and how the frequency of paranormal events seemed to be on the rise.
"Yes," Todd replied, packing all the bread into a bag and handing it over with a tone neither servile nor overbearing.
"That'll be one dollar, Father York."
"Alright." York nodded, casually taking out a $50 bill and leaving it on the counter as he walked out of the store.
"No need for change, Todd. The rest is for your hard work."
Todd silently picked up the bill, watching York's retreating figure with respect.
"Thank you, Father York. Take care."
York waved his hand, found his Ford Raptor, opened the door, tossed the backpack into the passenger seat, and sat down.
Bang!
With the car door closed, even though he didn't feel tired, York couldn't help rubbing his face, taking a piece of bread to eat.
"Time to review…"
Muttering to himself, York ate while taking the opportunity to carefully recall all the information and plan his next steps. This habit of reflection, a carryover from his past life as a doctor, helped him to constantly improve his skills.
"If the Frenchman contracted it abroad, then the power he's able to use now shouldn't be that strong. Otherwise, the ominous presence on Roline wouldn't be just to this extent. But as time goes on, his power will likely increase."
As York leisurely tore a piece of bread, he couldn't help but think that given the demon's high interest in Roline, it might take some action in the near future.
After eating, York concluded two things: he needed to wait for news from Old Mac and Roline.
He tossed the bread wrapper into a slot next to him, looked back at the quiet back seat, started the car, shifted gears, and drove off towards New York.
Stamford, Connecticut, wasn't far from New York, only about 58 kilometers away, so it didn't take long for York to get home. He moved all the items he had gotten from Ed to his basement warehouse.
For a time, the basement, usually filled with weapons and exorcism tools, had a new corner resembling a collection of items, though they were mediums containing evil spirits. After surrounding them with ropes adorned with crosses, York paused, looked at the still Annabelle doll, and smiled.
His basement was not as simple as Ed's room. Beside the glass cabinet was a large shelf of crosses he had accumulated, and the thick holy energy there was enough to suppress the evil spirits' restless thoughts.
"So, stay here and think of this as home. I don't mind."
Sensing the weak presence of the spirits inside, York patted the glass cabinet, turned off the light, and went upstairs to sleep.
Before sleeping, York didn't forget to record today's experiment results—the consumption rate of the recording and how one point of spiritual power could maintain an hour's effect. He also didn't forget to add the 0.5 attribute points he gained today to his life value.
[Life Value: 124 increased to 124.5]
[...]
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, York woke up refreshed. Even without sleep, he would still be in top condition, but he felt that sleeping was the best way to sense the passage of time.
[10:21]
After getting ready, York headed to the church. Although Pluto Church had employed Robert, there wasn't much change. The same familiar parishioners came and went, sharing their petty troubles and concerns about their children. Unfortunately, no random tasks were triggered...
However, there were two noticeable changes. The first was the group of noisy kids in the yard, Robert's daughters, who brought a new world of sound to his already non-human ears.
The second change was today's lunch, specially brought by Robert's wife, Beth.
Looking at the appealing meal in his hands, York glanced at Robert's family eating together, their laughter reminding him of how he had saved this family.
"This feeling... isn't too bad..." York mused with a smile, beginning to eat. The taste was good and to his liking.
As time passed and he was halfway through his meal, his phone suddenly rang. York, sensing something, paused and took out his phone.
"Ed? That was quick?"
Remembering his previous suspicions, York felt a surge of emotion and answered the call.
Indeed, Ed's first words were about the nun, not Roline, but York himself. Ed also dreamt about the nun, a much clearer and haunting image than Roline's.
"Father York! I drew her. Do you want to see?"
York looked at Robert's family, took his utensils, and walked into the main building.
"Yes, send it over to me."
"Okay, Father York."
After the call, York sat down in his usual spot and soon received the drawing from Ed.
The typical image of a nun in habit, but with deathly pale skin like a corpse soaked in a pond for days, and pitch-black eyes and lips, exuding a strong sense of evil.
Now knowing the image of the nun, York felt his heart stir for the first time.
"It seems we're dealing with a formidable opponent."
York felt grateful for the support from his readers, appreciating their contributions.
support.
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Based on York's experience in exorcism, although all demons are malevolent, they have varying strengths and hierarchical levels. If a demon can also be connected with the clergy of the church, it indicates that the demon is quite extraordinary. Not every demon can impersonate a clergyman associated with God, after all, God is watching.
"So which demon could this be..."
York stared at the photo for a long time. Although it felt familiar, he couldn't quite place it.
"Forget it."
York gave up trying to remember and called Ed again.
Since the demon was already able to invade Ed's dreams, it probably meant that its power had reached a considerable level. Based on this development speed, York was certain that the Warrens might encounter paranormal events similar to Ronnie DeFeo's case in the future.
His only option was to wait.
"Father York?"
Hearing Ed's voice from the phone, York calmly said, "Ed, if anyone else comes to you for help, remember to tell me in advance, whether you're just verifying the authenticity or whatever it may be."
Ed's tone was serious and heavy, "Understood, Father York."
"Good."
York reassured Ed a few more times before hanging up. He quickly finished his lunch and prepared to immerse himself in his priestly duties. He had already heard footsteps approaching.
"Father, my name is Morse. Would you be willing to listen to my troubles?" A young man, clearly in distress, carefully asked.
The young man was distinctly Western in appearance, with rugged features and vigorous hair growth. The most important thing was that he looked unfamiliar, as if it was York's first time seeing him.
"Unfamiliar?"
York's eyes lit up because unfamiliar faces could easily trigger random tasks.
"Um, I heard that you are very good at listening to others' troubles and giving appropriate advice…"
The very nervous young man, named Morse, continued.
York already showed a compassionate expression that belonged both to a priest and to himself, "My child, perhaps every priest is good at these two things you mentioned. Come, let me hear what troubles you."
[Trigger Random Task]
[Resolve Morse's Troubles]
[Reward: +0.5 Points]
[Accept the task?]
Morse's eyes lit up, "Really?"
York nodded with a smile, "Come, have a seat."
Willing to become a psychological counselor for the task reward, York accepted the task.
[Task Accepted]
Unaware of what was happening, Morse nodded gratefully and quickly sat in the indicated chair.
Typically, the troubles of ordinary people are quite similar – financial issues, family problems, parenting pressures, or relationship issues.
Morse was troubled by a relationship issue, but as York listened, he felt something was amiss.
According to Morse's account, his situation was just like the "nice guys" from York's previous world, or even worse.
How worse? After breaking up with his girlfriend of several months, Morse underwent a vasectomy because of a few words from his ex-girlfriend – a decision that meant he would no longer have the chance to father children.
"Father, the reversal surgery failed," Morse regretted deeply.
"This means I can no longer have children. What should I do?"
York struggled to hide his reaction to this bizarre problem. He already had a set of responses to address the various issues of his parishioners, ensuring that each one left satisfied. However, he was at a loss on how to address such an unusual problem. But for the sake of completing the task, York reluctantly redirected the conversation.
"May I ask you a fundamental question?"
Morse nodded, "Go ahead, Father."
York was direct, "Do you like children?"
Morse frowned, seemingly pondering seriously. He nodded and then shook his head.
"I guess I don't like them because I think those little kids seem annoying. My neighbor is a single mother with three children, and I have seen how haggard she is every day. Her sister has now come to live with them, and she is on the brink of collapse."
Imagining a scenario like this in his own world...
Although York thought of the Roberts family outside, who had four children, he finally found another perspective.
"So why are you worried about this? You have already perfectly accomplished what you wanted."
Morse was stunned, having never considered this before. He was bothered by his inability to have children in the future.
York noticed Morse's silence and sensed an opportunity.
"Everyone has their choices. Since this is your true choice, and you don't like children, why bother worrying about it?"
"This is my choice..." Morse seemed to have an epiphany, muttering to himself.
"Yes, it's your choice," York affirmed, crossing himself. "Everyone has moments of self-doubt, but it's important to trust your choices. My child, please believe in the abilities God has given you and bravely face the challenges."
Morse's eyes grew brighter, and he inhaled deeply, "Father, you're right. Since this is my choice, regret is pointless."
York smiled gently, offering support. There was no need to say more – Morse would fill in the blanks himself.
Morse took a deep breath and stood up.
"Thank you for your guidance, Father. I really shouldn't be troubled by this."
As Morse spoke, York heard the completion notification. Relieved, he smiled.
[Resolved Morse's Troubles (Completed)]
[Reward: +0.5 (Issued)]
"My child, the Lord be with you," York said as usual.
"He will hear your prayers and guide you."
"Thank you!"
Enlightened, Morse nodded, pulled out his wallet before leaving, and stuffed a few bills into the donation box.
York acknowledged his generosity, "Thank you for your donation."
"No need to thank me, Father."
Morse smiled and left, deciding to visit this church more often.
York watched Morse disappear through the door and glanced around the hall at the old parishioners, exhaling softly. That 0.5 was hard-earned! Remembering his conversation, York shook his head and added the 0.5 points to his life value.
[Life Value: 124.5 raised to 125]
He continued to focus on life value.
Feeling the slight change brought by the addition of 0.5 points, York believed that increasing his life value to a certain level would bring a qualitative change to his body. After another look around the hall, York prepared to head to the rest area.
The rhythm of sanctification couldn't stop. In preparation to face the demon nun, he had to prepare more powerful tools.
"Now it's time to order some military hardware for sanctification, like a revolving grenade launcher..."
York's murmur echoed in the dim hallway as an afternoon passed.
It's a wrap! The difficulty wasn't in the plot but in looking up military hardware and weapons...
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