[Chapter 132: Ascendant Order]
Watching her tears that she couldn't wipe away, Daniel asked, a hint of amusement in his voice, "How much is the apartment you're renting now, per month?"
Francia answered honestly, "$1,600. I used to have a roommate to split the cost, but now I'm covering it all myself. I'm looking for someone new to share it... but--"
"Don't 'but' me," Daniel interrupted. "Someone died in that apartment of yours. Who would dare move in after that?"
"That's exactly what I was going to say," Francia whispered. "But this is already the most affordable place we found. The cheaper ones are in neighborhoods with terrible security, and I'm too scared to live there."
Daniel said firmly, "Cancel your lease on that apartment."
"Ah!" Francia asked weakly, "Then where will I live?"
Daniel replied, "I'm giving you a job. You'll live where you work."
Francia didn't question the sudden shift from housing to employment. She simply asked blankly, "What kind of job? I'm not sure I can handle it."
"My shop, you know it, right?"
"I know it," Francia nodded, innocent and straightforward.
"Because of some things, I'm often not at the shop. So I need someone I trust to watch the store and greet customers for me."
"But I don't know how to sell anything," Francia said hesitantly.
Daniel smiled. "There's no selling involved. Prices are clearly marked. Customers pick what they want and pay up. Simple as that."
After a moment's thought, Francia said, "I think I can manage that."
"This job is simple. I just need someone reliable," Daniel said. "And I trust you."
"Thank you, Mr. Cross," Francia whispered, tears welling up again.
"They weren't tears you could hold back for long," Daniel observed. "This job pays $3,000 a month..."
"Let me finish," he cut her off, seeing her about to speak. "Housing is included, but you'll have to handle your own food. The living quarters have a kitchen, so you can buy groceries and cook for yourself."
Wuwu...
Francia's tears broke free like a floodgate. This time, she cried aloud, her sobs raw and deep. She sank to the floor, burying her head in her knees, the muffled sound of her crying heavy, stifled, as if someone were smothering her mouth.
"No one has ever been this kind to me. Mr. Cross, why... why are you so good to me?"
After a long moment, Francia lifted her head, her eyes glassy with tears.
Daniel sighed, understanding why she cried like this. Her kindness had probably never been met with genuine goodness in return. But this time, Daniel had given her more than she expected, a reward far beyond what she thought she deserved.
More importantly, she hadn't done him any favors. He had saved her life, and he charged her only $100.
She couldn't understand why a stranger would help her so much.
Francia whimpered, "I have nothing. I don't know how to repay you. Maybe... you could take me..."
She stood up and started to pull off her clothes.
Daniel pressed her hands down firmly. "I'm helping you, not for that. I said kindness shouldn't be repaid with betrayal."
"But--"
"No more 'buts.' Wipe your tears. I'm taking you to my shop. That will be your home from now on."
Daniel led her out of the storage room. Just before leaving, he remembered, "Oh, right. I haven't prepared any extra toiletries at the shop. You should go back to my place first. Tomorrow, go to your apartment, pack your things, and bring them here. Here's the key. Keep it safe, don't lose it."
Francia grasped the key tightly and said solemnly, "I will take good care of it."
Daniel laughed softly. "No need to be so serious. If you lose it, we'll just get another copy made. There's nothing here worth stealing anyway."
...
After dealing with Samara, both Daniel and Francia felt a wave of relief wash over them.
Francia, especially, was ecstatic. She no longer faced death, a massive weight lifted from her heart, and she had a new job and free lodging.
But inside, she told herself over and over, 'Mr. Cross has been so kind to me. I have to work hard to repay him.'
Maybe that's how honest people are. When treated even a little bit well, they want to give back more.
But honest people seldom receive the reward they deserve. Often, they're exploited for their honesty and suffer great losses.
Honest people sit at the bottom of society.
Those who truly control wealth and power are rarely honest.
...
Daniel returned to the same room as before, but without the constant worry of monitoring next door after Samara's visit.
He listened, no sounds from next door. Francia must have fallen asleep.
He sat on the bed and accessed the System.
[Merit Points: 1,231,700]
Seeing his Merit Points surpass seven digits for the first time, the corner of Daniel's mouth curved upward.
With this many Merit Points, all his upgrade options were lit up.
His eyes immediately locked onto his Exorcism Level.
'Upgrade!'
[Exorcism Level: Thronebound (Authority Order)]
[Merit Points: 975,700]
As a Thronebound of the Authority Order, his Magic Power was even stronger. His control and use of his magical power improved significantly.
But this was far from the end.
He upgraded again.
[Exorcism Level: Living Edict (Authority Order)]
[Merit Points: 463,700]
At Authority Order Perfection, Daniel felt an even more formidable Magic Power.
His command of ambient spiritual presence had reached near-complete mastery. It was as if the unseen currents of the world shifted at his will. He could instantly redirect their flow, reshaping the ward structure of any place. He could even bend that presence to alter form itself.
'If Authority Order Perfection is this powerful, what kind of force must the Celestial Order, above Authority Order, hold?' Daniel wondered, eager to know.
Glancing at the System, the upgrade button still glowed.
He knew the next level wouldn't be just double or even ten times the previous Merit Points.
It was far more expensive.
Filled with anticipation, Daniel clicked "Upgrade" once more.
Boom!
It felt as though his entire being aligned with the greater order itself.
He became aware of the unseen currents that governed both ground and sky -- vast, structured, and responsive.
This was no longer mere manipulation. It was authority within the greater design.
The Foundation Order learned from the self -- discipline, control, and internal balance. The Authority Order studied the world -- terrain, structure, and the flow of ambient presence -- taking the living world as its teacher.
The Ascendant Order reached beyond both, perceiving the deeper workings of creation itself -- commanding storm, force, and natural law -- taking the whole of creation as its reference.
Daniel had stepped into a deeper state.
A realm where authority was no longer applied — It was inherent.
Spiritual authority surged within him, and his connection to the greater order strengthened with each passing second.
His soul expanded under the pressure of that alignment.
He closed his eyes, sinking deeper into the state, until all sense of self thinned into stillness.
Then, suddenly, his perception extended beyond his body.
With a single thought, his awareness spread through the entire house.
Though not perfectly clear, he could perceive the shapes and outlines of everything within it.
Before, he could only sense objects he had personally consecrated or infused with authority.
Now, none of that was necessary.
His awareness stretched even further, reaching into the neighboring room.
He detected the presence of life -- a person lying on the bed, clutching something in their hand.
Because the object carried his energy, he knew it was the key he had given her earlier.
A clear scene flooded his mind.
Francia lay fast asleep, holding the key, a faint, innocent smile playing on her lips.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.