Chapter 423: The Spirit Demon

Upon hearing Higa Makoto's words, Erin and John Wick exchanged a glance before speaking.

"Go ahead, I'm afraid that Saint Koto is already aware of what type of vengeful spirit this creature is."

"Yes." Higa Makoto nodded and answered the phone.

She also believed this because she knew her sister's capabilities. While not claiming to be stronger than her elder sister, she certainly had a better understanding of the local vengeful spirits.

Moreover, the sisters shared a bug-like telepathic connection. Often, just as she encountered a supernatural event and utilized her spiritual power, her sister, far away, would know everything, even what level of vengeful spirit she was facing.

"Big sister?"

The moment the call connected, Higa Makoto immediately spoke.

"It's me."

Hearing this familiar voice, she breathed a sigh of relief. Some vengeful spirits were quite sinister, capable of controlling emotions through the phone to activate their powers.

"Are you at Pluto Church?"

On the other end, Higa Koto looked up at a car speeding towards her and stepped out of the first floor calmly asking.

"Yes!"

Hearing her sister's response, Higa Koto's normally cold face softened slightly, then she said.

"Hand the phone to Sister Erin, I need to speak with her."

"Alright!" Higa Makoto turned to look at Sister Erin and briskly walked over to her.

"Sister Erin, my sister needs to speak with you." She said as she handed over the still-connected phone, whispering softly.

"Big sister knows what type of vengeful spirit this creature is."

Sister Erin felt a stir in her heart and took the phone.

"Saint Koto, this is Erin."

Having just identified herself, the first thing she heard in response was gratitude.

"Thank you, Sister Erin."

Erin replied warmly, "It's what I should do."

Higa Koto fell silent for a moment, then, with help from her subordinates, settled into the back seat of the car.

The Church's status worldwide was extraordinary. In the island nation, although it seemed that the Shinto shrines were dominant, the real puppeteers behind the scenes were the Church, as it could command the stationed forces of the Free Country here.

In situations that the Shinto shrines could control, the Church usually would not intervene. They only acted when their status was threatened or in cases of heresy, or when the island nation faced subversion, or in matters involving world rifts.

So Sister Erin's actions were actually of her own volition, clearly due to Nissan.

She couldn't help but recall that impressive figure, Higa Koto breathed out softly, saying.

"Sister Erin, I know the true nature of this vengeful spirit."

Sister Erin glanced at Higa Makoto, who had been watching attentively, and asked.

"What is it?"

Higa Koto reclined in the back seat, her weary body fully resting against the comfortable upholstery, and said calmly.

"Have you ever heard of the term 'Spirit Demon'?"

"Spirit Demon?" Erin raised an eyebrow.

Before coming to the island, she had actually crammed some Japanese language studies while waiting for her bishop's return. Due to the Higa sisters, she had also specifically studied the local ghost folklore.

The name Spirit Demon originated in the late Edo period.

According to legend, the Spirit Demon is an incorporeal monster that lives in a distant place and kidnaps people at night.

In the K region of Mie Prefecture, locals are taught from a young age that if the Spirit Demon comes calling, one must never answer or let it in. If it comes to the front door, one should lock it and ignore it; if it arrives at the back door, and the door is unlocked, one would be taken to the mountains.

Now, the claims have become more certain; the Spirit Demon is an incorporeal entity, a collective of the spirits of dead children, including aborted fetuses and children who died from abuse.

It occasionally comes out to take unhappy, unloved children to a "mountain" in the spirit world.

Rather than taking them, it absorbs and grows stronger, continuously spreading like a virus until it can capture anyone, eventually turning the entire country into the Spirit Demon's feeding ground.

"Makoto has symptoms typical of being targeted by the Spirit Demon: thirst, feeling of bugs crawling, etc. This is a legendary type of vengeful spirit, definitely not something ordinary people can handle."

Higa Koto said calmly, "It can detect the dark sides and weaknesses of people, find 'gaps' to attack, it learns, mimics, and possesses, unpredictable."

"So, Saint Koto, what do you want me to do?" Sister Erin thought for a moment before responding.

Higa Koto seriously said, "Please wait for me to return, I should be there

 in about an hour. In the meantime, could you please look after my foolish sister?"

Hearing this, Erin looked at the naively innocent face of Higa Makoto and replied seriously.

"Of course, until you return, we'll take good care of Makoto."

Higa Koto finally relaxed a lot, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome, Saint Koto." Erin smiled, "After all, my bishop once instructed us to take good care of Makoto and you, so if there's anything you need, just let us know."

"I will." With that, Higa Koto fell silent and then hung up the phone.

Listening to the hang-up tone, Erin's expression remained unchanged as she handed the phone back to Higa Makoto.

Higa Makoto took the phone, curious, "So, Sister Erin, did big sister mention what kind of evil creature it is?"

Erin nodded, "The vengeful spirit is called a Spirit Demon."

Upon hearing this, Higa Makoto's eyes widened.

"Ah? A Spirit Demon?"

"Yes, a legendary type of vengeful spirit, quite a complicated one." Erin smiled, looking towards John Wick, who had been paying attention all along.

"Makoto, it seems that the place you visited might have a family that abuses children. Though I'm not sure which family, it's clear they've been targeted by the Spirit Demon, hence your involvement."

Higa Makoto frowned, recalling the legend and stories related to the Spirit Demon.

"Of course, you should still be safe for now, as you're not the main target of the Spirit Demon; it's that family. Until it succeeds, it won't move against you." Erin explained, then turned to John Wick, who had just stood up.

"Brother John, could you please go call Hannah? I believe she's probably still asleep."

With this, Erin internally sighed at the absurdity; Hannah's lifestyle was completely topsy-turvy, treating night as day and day as night.

She had hoped that participating in charity activities would change her habits, but after a few days, she reverted to her usual routine. Unless necessary, Hannah would always stay in her room, living a cycle of sleep and eat.

Besides their own bishop, nobody could stir her.

In the words of their bishop, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks; it's hopeless."

Yet, despite this, Hannah was more aware of the outside world than anyone else, no matter how secret the information might be, she could discuss it as if it were common knowledge. This was a capability known as having not stepped out of a room yet knowing the world's affairs, covering both major and minor events.

And why? Because she was among the world's top computer hackers, also having collaborated with many formidable people. No matter where she was, she had acquaintances everywhere.

Again, in the words of their bishop, Hannah's information-searching capabilities were top-notch, no matter the issue or person, she could find a rough idea.

"Okay."

John Wick nodded and walked towards a side path next to the bench, heading towards the back yard, understanding Sister Erin's intention. If they wanted to trace the root of this matter without using the Church's power, involving Hannah was definitely the best choice.

But even as he went to call Hannah, the corners of John Wick's mouth twitched involuntarily; Hannah was somewhat formidable, and apart from their own bishop, absolutely no one could control her. Thus, he would definitely not provoke Hannah unless absolutely necessary.

A seasoned homebody who had mastered various firearms to perfection was indeed a miracle, considering he had undergone millions of repetitions to reach his level.

"Sister Erin, who is Hannah?" 

Higa Makoto seemed to notice John Wick's expression as she put her phone in her pocket and turned to Erin with a question.

Knowing John Wick's state of mind, Erin smiled gently and replied, "A very formidable homebody."

"A formidable homebody?"

Higa Makoto momentarily grew curious, because otaku culture was extremely normal for the island nation, even evolving certain terms like hikikomori (reclusive youths), NEET, and telecommuters (SOHO tribe).

At that moment, John Wick had already disappeared down the side path, entering a passageway through the exterior wall, eventually reaching the back yard.

The back yard was not much different from the front, also a large open space, but several buildings were constructed there.

John Wick's gaze shifted to the right, lingering on a lone building there.

This building was actually Brother Hilly's research room, and like Hannah, he mostly immersed himself in his own research.

His nature was somewhat different from Hannah's; he engaged in serious matters, and they generally wouldn't disturb Brother Hilly.

It was said that Brother Hilly often lingered at the Saint Maria Cathedral.

"I heard that the monks there seem to have started going to the military's shooting range." John Wick thought

 silently, then glanced at the building on the left.

This building officially served as the church's storeroom, but in reality, it was his arsenal and residence. The basement contained not only the weapons gifted by the bishop but also many successful products developed by Brother Hilly.

It was said that some of the bishop's ideas had been realized, although he had not yet used them. However, if there was an opportunity, he definitely wouldn't hesitate.

Thinking this, John Wick walked towards the building ahead.

Sister Erin and Hannah mostly resided in the building in front.

Entering inside, the interior layout was not much different from a typical living room, although the building's exterior appeared somewhat old and dated. Inside, however, it was filled with modern technology.

A large TV, an expensive-looking sofa, a beautifully appointed kitchen, carpets, and even a coffee machine.

Under the interference of their own bishop, this had long become the norm.

John Wick looked towards the stairs leading upstairs, mentally preparing himself before stepping forward, finally stopping in front of a tightly closed door, taking a deep breath before gently knocking.

No response, he increased the force of his knock.

Soon, an irritable voice came from inside.

"Who is it!"

John Wick could detect the irritation under the voice and calmly responded.

"John Wick."

"John? Has the Father returned?" Inside the room, lying on the bed covered with a thin blanket concealing her attractive figure, Hannah opened her eyes and frowned at the door.

John Wick took a deep breath: "No!"

"John, I need a reason you woke me up!" Hannah's brows immediately furrowed tighter, a common reaction of anyone rudely awakened from a pleasant dream, especially when she was dreaming of living with the Father.

"Otherwise, I think you'll be in trouble because I will definitely make trouble for you."

John Wick's expression twitched slightly; he suddenly felt some regret: "Sister Erin needs your help."

At this moment, he definitely wouldn't just say someone needs help; he immediately brought up Sister Erin as a significant figure.

The next second, Hannah's voice indeed changed, but she still seemed annoyed.

"Ah!"

Hannah got up from the bed, rubbed her head with a groan, and looked towards the door.

"John, your timing really couldn't be worse. Go back, I'm awake now. Whatever it is, say it over the phone."

"Okay!" John Wick decisively turned to leave, which was typical of their communication style. When Hannah was sleeping, apart from the bishop's contact which could make a sound, all others were on silent mode.

Apart from the bishop, Aretha, and Sister Erin, no one else had ever entered Hannah's room, for they would face a terrifying thunderous assault.

Listening to the fading footsteps, Hannah rubbed her eyes, looked helplessly at the still-operating computer screen and notebook on her desk, and got up from the bed.

The blanket automatically fell away, revealing a devilishly tempting figure as she was just in her underwear, all the necessary parts in place. She yawned widely, picking up a robe from beside her and settling directly in front of the desk equipped with computer screens and keyboards.

"It's been so long, he still hasn't come back!"

Hannah draped the robe over herself, covering the exposed view, and muttered to herself.

"The Father couldn't have run into any trouble, that's absolutely impossible. Maybe some fox spirit has bewitched him, which is also unlikely. Otherwise, why hasn't he fallen for me!

Am I worse than anyone else! Damn! Stupid men!"

She glanced down at her perfect upper body, muttering as she looked towards one side of the desk, which was piled with handguns, shotguns, rifles, and related parts and ammunition magazines scattered all around.

This was her way of passing time while working, dismantling firearms and repeatedly loading and unloading magazines.

From that pile of firearms, parts, and toys, she rummaged for a cellphone.

It already had a message from Erin.

The dim glow from the phone screen illuminated Hannah's puzzled expression.

"Ah? Check who is abusing children?"

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