The Phantom Terrors: Unveiling the Secrets

Ethan Blackwood felt a chill as he stepped out of Blackwood Mansion, the oppressive aura of the house still lingering. He was relieved to be away from the spectral tormentors, but his heart raced from the ordeal. The city lights outside seemed almost comforting compared to the darkness he had just escaped.

Nathan Graves, the enigmatic figure with an air of nonchalance, emerged behind him, cigarette dangling from his lips. "What's with the garlic for ghosts? That's quite the unique approach," Nathan remarked, a hint of mockery in his tone.

Ethan, drenched in sweat and still trembling from the encounter, barely registered Nathan's jibe. His fear was palpable, and he was grateful when Nathan, sensing his distress, didn't press the issue further. They both got into the car, and the engine rumbled to life. As Nathan drove through the city streets, the low hum of a chant filled the vehicle's interior.

The silence between them was heavy, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Nathan broke the silence, his voice cutting through the stillness. "Curious why those entities targeted you but ignored me?"

Ethan, still shaken, managed a weak response. "Because you're skilled, and I'm not."

Nathan shook his head, chuckling softly. "Skill isn't the issue. It's the presence you project. They prey on fear, and your apprehension invited their attention. I exude confidence and vitality, which deters them. If you're serious about this line of work, you need to fortify your courage."

Ethan didn't have much to say. Courage was something everyone desired, but it was easier said than done. Nathan's confidence came from experience and ability. Ethan, on the other hand, was just beginning to understand this world, having lived over twenty years without knowing the supernatural existed. The fact that he was still standing was an accomplishment in itself.

Nathan seemed to sense Ethan's frustration and offered a calming explanation. "Skill comes with practice. Daoist techniques are effective for dealing with ghosts and spirits. If you want to continue in this field, you need to refine your skills."

Ethan, feeling a pang of gratitude mixed with frustration, admitted, "My mentor didn't give me much guidance. He handed me an ancient book filled with classical Chinese characters and left me to figure it out."

"Didn't your mentor offer any direct instruction?"

"Once a month, if I'm lucky. Since becoming his apprentice, I haven't seen him."

Nathan's expression grew thoughtful, and he finally asked, "Do you worry about the supposed 'five deficiencies and three shortages' of practicing spells?"

Ethan's eyes widened with concern. "Yes, I've heard about those. I don't want to tempt fate further."

Nathan laughed softly, shaking his head. "That's more of a concern for others. You're already lacking in one key area—so don't worry about it."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. "What am I lacking? Help me out here."

"Common sense," Nathan said with a smirk.

Ethan's initial relief vanished, replaced by irritation. Nathan dropped Ethan and the camera off near his home, speeding away in his car. Ethan's colleague, Jimmy, happened to be passing by and greeted him warmly. "Hey, Ethan! Want to grab some skewers? I haven't eaten yet."

Ethan shot him a glare. "How's your aunt?"

"She's better, much better," Jimmy replied, clearly evading the question. Ethan responded with a sarcastic blessing and headed inside. A bit of petty revenge against Jimmy lightened his mood as he prepared a quick meal and transferred the footage from the camera to his computer.

The footage was unsettling, but it was his job to review it. For the show to air, he needed to ensure it was of high quality. Tomorrow was Friday, and he had to have a finished product ready by 9 PM, or the show would be delayed.

Watching the footage alone was unnerving, so he invited Jimmy over, promising him something interesting. Jimmy, curious, rushed over. As the video played, the tension mounted. Ethan's initial scenes, dressed in his suit, appeared somewhat composed. However, as the drawer in the haunted room opened by itself, his professionalism gave way to genuine fear.

Jimmy's eyes widened in horror, and he bolted, leaving Ethan to face the footage alone. The terrifying images, including shadowy figures and red light, were clear. Despite the unsettling nature of the footage, Ethan felt a sense of accomplishment. Nathan's angles were expertly chosen, capturing every eerie detail. The first episode was shaping up well, even if some shots were not as clear as he had hoped.

The absence of the full apparition was disappointing, but the footage was still compelling. Ethan felt a surge of confidence. He called Daniel, his producer, who was thrilled with the material and eager to start editing. Ethan's late-night efforts had paid off.

The next morning, Ethan rushed to the office. Daniel was already there, eager to get started. They connected the footage to the TV, and Daniel watched with increasing excitement. "This is the best live footage we've had since the show started. Ethan, you're a real talent."

Ethan was slightly irritated by the mispronunciation of his name, but he kept his frustration in check. "Director, we have the footage, but it's time to start recording. 'The Friday Phantom' is a show, not just a collection of ghost stories. We need to make sure the production values are high. I've only had a short time to work on this, so 40 to 50 minutes of content should suffice."

Daniel agreed, but added, "We need to keep the format consistent. We'll find some guests to tell ghost stories and recount the history of Blackwood Mansion. Also, your footage is impressive. Did you bring in any additional help?"

Ethan nodded. "I had to enlist a skilled colleague for assistance. The show's success depends on a strong team. We can't afford to cut corners."

Daniel considered Ethan's words and responded, "Every show needs a core team. Based on your recent performance, you've shown dedication. I'll support your efforts. You'll be responsible for recruitment. Let me know the salary requirements, and I'll arrange for additional resources. For now, the company will handle the post-production."

Ethan felt a surge of relief. He was pleased with Daniel's supportive response and shared the details about Nathan. Daniel agreed to a competitive salary and promised additional support for the team.

As Ethan prepared for the broadcast, he was energized by the positive feedback. Daniel and his team set up the office as a makeshift studio. Ethan, dressed impeccably, introduced himself and the show with enthusiasm. Despite a lack of guest speakers, Daniel shared some local ghost stories and set the stage for the main content.

By the end of the day, after a long and exhausting editing session, Ethan was satisfied with the final product. Daniel left with the completed footage, and Ethan called Nathan to join him for the evening broadcast.

As the show aired, Ethan watched with a mix of pride and anxiety. The final product was a testament to his hard work and determination, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The show's future looked promising, and Ethan was ready to face whatever challenges came next.