Exorcist of the American Nightmares

[...]

[Condition met: Trigger random mission, demon manifestation]

[Mission requirement: Exterminate or expel (completed)]

[Reward: +55 attribute points (distributed)]

York, controlling his flight through subtle telekinesis, looked down at the neon lights below. Hearing the mission update, he redirected his attention to the virtual display in front of him.

His personal information had changed significantly.

[York John]

[Race: Human, Divine]

[Occupation: Priest, Bishop, Professor of Pharmacology, Doctor, Knight...]

[Overall Physique: 201]

[Health: 202/202]

[Spirit/Holy Power: 403+1507 (consumables) / 403+1507 (consumables) (Note: recovers one point per minute)]

[Magic Power: 401/401 (Note: recovers one point per minute)]

[...]

Other than consuming a divine incarnation from the decayed world's grand cathedral, he had little expenditure.

Dealing with Amon, the sixth among the seventy-two demon gods, was primarily handled using the name of God + the demon's true name.

His other abilities were hardly needed.

In essence, he had performed a true exorcism in front of everyone, a common practice among the clergy.

After pondering, York allocated all the recently acquired 55 attribute points to his health.

Compared to physical attributes, he valued the effects associated with health more.

After all, he didn't lack basic attributes like defense or strength, as his telekinetic abilities could compensate for those.

Yes, when telekinesis reached the fourth level, allowing for finer manipulations, he found it to be a sort of cure-all.

It could be used defensively, even enhancing his physical strength significantly.

The notion of "one punch demolishing a house" was quite literal with his current power.

Thus, the super regenerative abilities, coupled with regrowth and potential further evolution, were more enticing than the basic attribute of physical strength.

[Point addition successful]

[Health 202 raised to 257]

[]

After hearing the notification, York exhaled lightly.

"Just simple, but there's still something undone."

With that thought, he narrowed his eyes and accelerated, flying towards New York at full speed.

The roaring sound of his speed echoed like an explosion.

He was heading straight for his stronghold, the Pluto Church.

Indeed, when he mentioned being busy to Drew and his girlfriend, it was true.

He didn't want to just show off in front of the livestream audience, ending everything perfectly to showcase the church's transcendence and break the so-called demonic judgement of sinners.

He hadn't done so primarily because he felt an intensely strong gaze.

It indicated another powerful demon was present, fixated on him from the moment he appeared.

Based on his senses, he could only detect a presence cloaked in darkness, with two crimson pupils, flaming body, and forked tongue.

Combining this with the seventy-two demon gods led by Amon, he easily guessed the identity of this being.

Also referred to as Satan, sharing the name Lucifer, one of the seven princes of Hell, embodying humanity's original sin—laziness, according to Christian teachings. Before his fall, Belial was a Seraph, one of the first angels created by God who followed Lucifer into damnation and became one of the seven princes of Hell.

A fallen six-winged angel, though reportedly stripped of a wing by God himself, there was no doubt Belial was formidable, deserving of God's direct intervention.

According to his knowledge in this world, the creator of the seventy-two demon gods was none other than Belial himself.

That meant the master of the seventy-two demon gods was this dangerously potent entity.

With this realization, York sped up even more.

While he wasn't necessarily afraid of such a creature, caution was paramount when dealing with a demon of this caliber.

Fortunately, as he neared New York, the prickling sense of danger began to diminish.

York breathed a sigh of relief, hoping to avoid a clash with Belial unless absolutely necessary.

Such a confrontation would require sacrificing all the divine incarnations in the decayed world, a price too steep to pay.

After all, their fall into Hell and their defined roles were likely orchestrated by God himself.

Thinking irreverently, after experiencing the decayed world, he felt this might be one of God's ways of harvesting the faith of humanity.

"Working for God, don't push it too far!"

Despite still feeling watched, York muttered under his breath as he continued towards the Pluto Church.

Approaching the church, York felt slightly embarrassed and added, "Either come out and fight me, or stop watching. Are you afraid God will see?"

Unfortunately, despite his words, Belial showed no intention of appearing.

As the Pluto Church came into view, York still sensed the hidden gaze but landed nonchalantly in front of the main building.

If Belial hadn't made a move by

 now, he probably wouldn't.

With that thought, York relaxed. Watching was trivial; he doubted Belial could see his essence or the system's existence.

To him, the system wasn't so much a cheat as a manifestation of some of his abilities, or perhaps a new soul's capability device.

Thinking this, York felt increasingly at ease, no longer on edge, ready to return to his stronghold and possibly face a formidable enemy. He shifted his attention to the immediate surroundings of the Pluto Church.

The church looked the same as when he left.

Father Archibald, who took over in his absence, had wisely kept everything unchanged, even the small mounds in the backyard.

This familiarity made York feel like he was finally home.

"Though I haven't been gone long, just about a year."

Perhaps feeling this sentiment for the first time, York chuckled and glanced towards a corner outside the main and side buildings.

To his delight, the two sibling pigeons he had released had finally returned.

"Bibi!!!"

York whistled a familiar call.

Flapping sounds approached from a corner of his vision as two pigeons emerged from the darkness, flying towards him.

"Richie!"

York extended his arms, and the larger pigeon landed on his right arm while the smaller one settled on his left, each knowing their place.

"You know to come back," York said, noting Richie had grown larger, apparently having fed well before returning.

This made him feel guilty; as a priest, he was often lazy, compounded by his frequent missions or deliberate searches for random mission triggers, leaving church matters to be sporadically attended.

Thus, feeding the pigeons was left to the old faithful, who complained about his negligence more than once, even reporting him to the church's complaint box.

Remembering these incidents, York's eyes filled with nostalgia as he looked at Lili on his left arm.

Clearly less active than her brother, Lili's eyes were bright, showing great intelligence.

"I think you found him, good job, Lili."

Recalling his instructions to Lili to find her brother, York felt a surge of affection.

In that moment, he understood why John Wick would massacre an entire gang for a dog.

Removing deeper implications, if someone inexplicably harmed his pigeons, he too would ensure the perpetrator was duly punished.

Lili seemed to understand, flapping her wings while glancing at her brother.

York smiled, his telekinesis stirring as food placed by Robert floated up and moved towards Richie and Lili's mouths.

After feeding them, York let the pigeons fly off to their nest before he stepped into the main building.

The doors opened silently, revealing the true face of the church inside.

Everything was as before.

If Saxton and Emilia's wedding were to be held, it would likely take place here.

Compared to standing behind the couple's families, Pluto Church's level and scale were admittedly modest.

Suddenly remembering this, York also recalled Emilia's background.

His sister, Jessie, was an acquaintance too familiar to ignore.

The two had exchanged their firsts on one memorable night.

"Hope I don't run into her again," York thought to himself as the candles around him lit without flame.

Controlled by the fire element, the previously dim church was instantly filled with a warm, tranquil light.

The church wasn't devoid of modern lighting.

But for York, the light from candles suited the church's atmosphere better.

Because such light could bring tranquility.

York walked down the central aisle, gazing at the statue of Jesus at the far end, and sat in his usual spot as if he had done so a thousand times before, and spoke calmly.

"Having watched for so long, you might as well come out now, Belial."

The silence that followed made it seem as if he was talking to himself.

York grumbled, "The feeling of being watched is weakening. I've thought about it, and it must be that your time to remain unnoticed by God is running out. If you don't show up soon, you'll probably just disappear, right?

What's the point of watching me all this time? Or is it because of Lucifer that you don't want to show yourself?"

With these words, York shifted his gaze to another bench.

There, almost imperceptibly, a wisp of shadow began to coalesce, slowly forming a figure.

A broad nose, deep-set eye sockets, and profound eyes that seemed to perceive beyond human understanding, dressed in a pitch-black robe and a large hat, which added to his mystique and authority.

Most importantly, the figure had a single black wing, symbolizing the one torn off by God.

Clearly, York's guess was correct; this was indeed Belial, one of the seven princes of Hell, embodying the sin of sloth.

"Not bad, the soul that Lucifer most desires yet cannot have. Should I call you Ning Weize, or York?"

The figure spoke first, and it was such a statement.

York looked at Bel

ial's human form, conversing with himself as he calmly addressed Belial.

"Is this your sorcerer's form? Do you really hold the title of a great wizard or a six-star sorcerer?"

Belial turned to look at York: "I reign over fire and death, and this is but one of my many incarnations."

Understanding the implication, York shook his head, looking at the statue of Jesus and simply stating,

"Tell Lucifer to stop coveting my soul. Tell him not to obsess over me; I'm just a legend."

Truthfully, having faced demons numerous times, York found nothing particularly special about them; they were just another role to him.

Belial remained silent, devoid of emotional fluctuations, cold like a machine, just observing the human beside him with curiosity.

A long time ago, Lucifer had suffered a significant setback, igniting a fierce blaze that shook all of Hell, causing the demons below to tremble and dare not stir.

Such age-old beings naturally become curious.

After a lengthy investigation, it was discovered that a human had made a deal with Lucifer, obtaining the powers of Hell and darkness in exchange for their soul.

However, Lucifer did not receive the corresponding reward, the human's soul, only an empty feedback.

For a name to hold the power of a soul, it must be effective to make a deal valid.

Thus, the name Ning Weize did meet the conditions for a deal, but Lucifer did not obtain the soul of Ning Weize.

This was quite interesting.

Eager to see this intriguing human who had outsmarted Lucifer, Belial had come to observe.

Now, he finally understood why Lucifer coveted this soul.

Combining the names Ning Weize and York, the person before him was like a treasure, his soul appearing rootless and sourceless.

As one of the seven princes of Hell and a former Seraph, he could neither see nor understand the true nature of this soul.

That is, this human's essence was not as simple as the connected souls of Ning Weize and York; there was much he could neither comprehend nor see.

He suddenly empathized with Lucifer's feelings.

"Are you studying me?" York, narrowing his eyes habitually, spoke calmly.

Continuing, he sincerely asked Belial, "If you figure something out, could you let me know?"

Honestly, he was curious, but he didn't expect Belial to share any insights.

To his surprise, Belial shook his head sincerely, and a scroll appeared in front of him,

floating towards York like an ancient parchment.

Seeing the familiar scroll, York's lips twitched, about to speak, but Belial interrupted.

"Human, if you wish to control death or save someone's life, you may make a deal using the names Ning Weize or York with me. Although I haven't harvested anything, I will still agree to this deal.

Of course, if you take this scroll, I can consider it a transaction, and I will give you a piece of information."

York looked at Belial, silent for a couple of seconds before reaching out to take the floating scroll.

To him, it was just accepting an item. Given Belial's stature, the information would definitely be related to him, possibly involving Lucifer.

"Good! You've made the right choice." Belial's lips curved slightly, elegantly adjusting his hat.

"Lucifer has vanished. According to the information I've obtained, he's searching for the truth about your other name, Ning Weize."

With those words, Belial disappeared, leaving York under the candlelight, his expression fluctuating between light and shadow.

___________________

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