[Chapter 14: The Evil Spirit Returns]
As Daniel uttered the incantation, a sudden chill swept through the Cross Hall.
Out of nowhere, a twisted figure materialized in midair. Its face was a horrifying mask of torn flesh, writhing with countless maggots squirming between the bloody shards. The moment it took shape, it lunged fiercely toward Daniel.
"Hmph!" Daniel snorted coldly. With a swift twist of his wrist, he thrust his Exorcist's Sanctum Blade forward.
"Ah!" The creature screamed, recoiling rapidly as its form flickered and grew semi-transparent.
Daniel's sharp gaze fixed on it. The shredded flesh and maggot-infested visage made it impossible to identify the figure's gender at first glance. Judging by the body, though, it was definitely male.
Daniel grimaced at the vile face. "You're the one who killed those three people here before, aren't you?"
The figure remained silent, eyes burning with feral hatred.
"I'll give you two options." Daniel's tone was icy. "One: I'll strike you down until your soul scatters."
He pointed toward Lawrence's place next door. "Or two: Go there and... use your expertise."
The figure glared at Daniel and the Sanctum Blade before flickering again, passing straight through the wall and vanishing.
...
Lawrence sat on a lone sofa, eyes locked on the TV in front of him. On the screen, two naked figures immersed in themselves.
His eyes glowed an eerie green, and his hands moved quickly in a rythemic pattern.
Suddenly, the room's lighting shifted, bathing everything in a ghastly emerald hue.
Lawrence's movements froze as he stared up at the ceiling light -- something clung there.
That dark shadow, barely visible in the green light, had a human shape. Lawrence leapt in shock, but when he focused again, the figure was gone.
"What the hell?" He scanned the room cautiously but found no one.
Bang!
A sudden crash made his heart nearly stop. His gaze snapped to his fish tank, which had exploded, water flooding the floor. Several fish flailed helplessly, gasping in the wet chaos.
"Lawrence... Lawrence..." A voice whispered his name, making his skin crawl.
He twisted toward the sound -- it came from the naked pair on the television screen, their eyes locked onto him like predators. Their terrible yelllow teeth were bare, their voices chanting his name in a menacing loop.
"F-fuck!" Lawrence stumbled back in terror and tripped over his sagging pants. He fell hard.
Bracing himself with his hands, he felt the floor wasn't solid. Instead, it was soft, slimy, writhing beneath his touch.
Looking down, horror filled his eyes -- it was a rotten, shredded face writhing with maggots.
"Ahhh!" Lawrence let out a piercing scream and scrambled to his feet.
He tried to run, but his body refused to obey. An icy chill crept up from his ankles, creeping slowly to his calves, thighs, waist, and abdomen.
"H-help... help..." He cried, panic rising inside him, but no one came.
The cold reached his head; he gaped silently, unable to utter any sound.
Despair appeared in Lawrence's eyes...
...
Daniel faintly heard the horrific screams from next door.
A faint smile touched his lips. He began tidying the ritual table calmly.
As for that malevolent spirit, since it hadn't interfered with him directly, Daniel decided to let it be. He figured once it finished its dark business, it would leave on its own.
...
Morning light filtered through the blinds as Daniel was roused by the murmurs and gasps outside.
He listened closely.
"Lawrence is dead! Lawrence is dead!"
Daniel dressed quickly and stepped outside his shop. A crowd had gathered at Lawrence's door, whispering anxiously.
Someone spotted Daniel immediately. "Daniel, Lawrence is dead. Did you hear anything last night?"
"Lawrence is dead?" Daniel feigned surprise and shook his head. "No, I didn't hear a thing. What happened?"
"We'll know more after the police arrive and the medical examiner checks the body."
The man shook his head in frustration. "Neil is cursed. First, someone dies at your place, Daniel, and now Lawrence. He'll have to drop the rents again."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that good for us?"
"Maybe for you, but I wouldn't live anywhere someone died."
...
Soon enough, a patrol car pulled up, and Sheriff Ford and Lara stepped out -- both wearing familiar, grim expressions.
Ford approached quickly. "It's barely been days, Daniel. Someone's died near you again?"
"Let's be clear -- it wasn't at my place this time. It was next door."
"I won't say more now. I'm going to look at the body," Ford said curtly.
He and Lara entered Lawrence's shop.
Minutes later, Lara emerged, frowning deeply.
"He died horribly -- worse than the three in your shop from before."
Daniel asked, "How?"
Lara's voice was cold. "He gouged out his own eyes... and died from the pain. There was blood everywhere."
How cruel.
Daniel silently sighed.
Lara studied him closely. "Mr. Cross, I remember Lawrence and those three last time all had grudges against you, right?"
A faint smile crossed Daniel's face. "What are you implying?"
Lara's lips tightened, devoid of amusement. "Just asking. Why does death always seem to follow you?"
Daniel shrugged with a dry smile. "Maybe Death has a crush on me."
"That's not something to brag about."
Daniel only smiled but didn't reply.
Soon the medical examiner arrived, and Daniel gave his statement as a neighbor.
Once the official business was over, it was no longer his problem.
...
Neil arrived, furious, raging at the sight of Lawrence's corpse with a tirade of curses.
Daniel patted him on the shoulder. "Neil, how much are you thinking of dropping the rent for this place?"
Neil shot him a glare. "Why do you care?"
"If you can't rent it out, come to me."
Neil smirked. "You want to take both shops?"
"I'm just thinking about it -- haven't decided."
"Lawrence's is bigger than yours. The rent's $3,800 a month. I can cut it to $3,500 for you."
"Goodbye," Daniel said, his face darkening as he turned sharply away.
Neil called after him, "If you don't take it, it'll be your loss."
Daniel retorted without turning around, "I doubt you'll have any luck."
"Impossible! My shop will rent for sure," Neil called back loudly.
...
Since exorcism was useless here, Daniel didn't waste more time.
That night, after grabbing dinner, he resumed drawing prayer seals.
After countless attempts, his success rate had improved significantly.
Late into the night, Daniel suddenly snapped awake.
In the dark room, he saw a shadowy figure standing silently at the foot of his bed.
*****
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