Exorcist of the American Nightmares

After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways.

Simon had already left New York to visit his aging father back home.

After all, even clergy members, no matter their age, will eventually pass away; even if it means going to heaven, it's still associated with death. As for Eileen, clad in a skirt and jacket, she was busy with the tasks he had arranged for her, using his name to liaise with the clergy at the Cathedral of New York.

If possible, York would indeed like to take a few days off. Of course, he could also ignore the Pluto Church and let it be, but he didn't want to disappoint the familiar congregants, so he had no choice but to send another priest there.

The only thing left was the matter concerning the god of killing, John Wick.

Some time later.

"John, if you want to perform this baptismal ceremony in the church, honestly, I can agree to that," York said in a clean room, filled with candlelight in a private chapel, wearing a bishop's robe that only a bishop could wear.

Kneeling before him was John Wick.

Next to him, Eileen had changed back into her old, deep monastic robes. In her hands, she held a circular tray with a bowl of holy water, a crucifix, a heavy Bible, and even a monk's specific robes.

Yes, what York needed to do now was to allow John Wick to possess the ability to wield holy power, in other words, to administer baptism or ordination.

If during his time as a priest, York wouldn't have this authority, though he possessed the skill of exorcism, which detached everything, but a shift in role required a bishop-level clergy to lead, only then his talent could make him a true clergy member.

Fortunately, his current role as a bishop naturally gave him the power to conduct this baptismal ceremony and transform an ordinary man into a true clergy member.

Typically, such ceremonies need to be conducted in a cathedral, in the presence of God, to grant an ordinary person the qualification and ability to use holy power, but York also possessed the authority of exorcism, so he started simply.

This was exactly what John Wick wanted.

As a killer whose hands were stained with blood, after retiring from the assassin business, he always felt he was a sinful man, utterly unworthy to become a glorious clergy member under the witness of many believers.

Because he felt, he didn't deserve it.

"Bishop, I think this place is just right," John Wick said seriously, head bowed, gazing at the smooth floor.

"I am a man of sin, unworthy of forgiveness under blessing; my conscience won't allow it."

"Alright," York smiled, sensing John Wick's emotions. The current god of killing, should he be described as burdened or relieved?

But all of this was irrelevant to him; in the church, everyone had a chance to start anew.

"John, I respect your choice. Now, as York John, the bishop, I will perform the baptism for you."

John Wick bowed his head deeply and closed his eyes.

"Yes."

At that moment, the voice of the once numb and cold killer trembled slightly.

York reached out to take the heavy Bible from the tray in Eileen's hand.

"You will become a servant of God, serving the church and the believers, taking on the responsibility of spreading God's gospel, motivating believers, and caring for church affairs. This is a mission full of challenges and dedication, but also one of glory and joy. Are you ready, John?"

John Wick's breathing became heavy.

"Yes, I am willing to follow His path wholeheartedly and defend my mission with my life! I take the word of God as my reference and pledge to follow His teachings, displaying loyalty and integrity in my clerical duties."

York slightly raised his eyebrows, seemingly surprised by these words. He supported the heavy Bible with his left hand and placed his right hand on John Wick's head, ready to grant him the exorcism, allowing him to wield holy power and use his enchanted weapons.

"John Wick, may God bless you! May He grant you wisdom, grace, and firm conviction so that you can faithfully fulfill your duties as clergy and be blessed and guided in your service, may your life become a testimony to your faith."

Under these words, a noticeable change appeared on John Wick, as if he was emitting a layer of holy light.

This caused Eileen, who stood by, to show a slight change in expression.

She quietly stared at her bishop, thinking to herself, "As expected."

The situation was incorrect, raising some doubts in her about her bishop. The current scene confirmed her suspicions.

Her bishop was indeed different from everyone else, making her even more certain of her spiritual reliance.

Yes, after following and witnessing along the way, she had long changed her spiritual reliance.

Now, it was just more firm than before.

[10 points of holy power consumed]

Just like in the corrupt world, after a fixed consumption of ten points, York heard the familiar prompt and looked at John Wick, who had truly become a clergy member kneeling before him, then smiled.

"John, I, York John, bishop, now proclaim you a deacon of the church and grant you the corresponding authority and responsibilities. Please stand up now."

John Wick took a deep breath and stood up without having time to experience the changes in his body or the warm light within him.

York saw this and patted the shoulder of his new deacon, then took the crucifix from the tray in Eileen's hands and hung it around John Wick's neck as he bowed again.

This was his exorcised crucifix, fortified with a hundred points, which would repel evil if burst, and even demons caught off guard would be injured.

Moreover, once John Wick used this crucifix, combined with the Bible, to exorcise demons or evil spirits, the effect would dramatically increase.

So, a hundred points was quite a lot; any more, and the crucifix would likely manifest, which would be too conspicuous.

To swap, it would be like a man walking down the street with a golden dog head, or a fisherman carrying a dozen kilos of fish through the streets.

John Wick, now able to use holy power, could also feel the terrifying energy of the crucifix and couldn't help but glance at the bishop in front of him, only to see the bishop nodding slightly and handing over the heavy Bible.

"This is yours, John."

York smiled, "Every clergy member has one, Simon does too, as does Eileen, and now you can finally wield the power of the Bible. So, take good care of it."

Hearing this, John Wick glanced at Sister Eileen next to him, who nodded lightly. After seeing the heavy Bible before him, a chord in his heart was touched, and he silently received the Bible he might read for the rest of his life.

He remembered his wife, who had passed away many years ago.

York, noticing the subtle change in John Wick's expression, sighed and continued to take the monk's robes from the tray Eileen held.

"This is the deacon's robe. While it seems ordinary, the material is top-notch, warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and even protective."

With that, York chuckled, "Though the style isn't very flattering, and the color is dark and not very attractive, it's more comfortable than regular clothes."

John Wick took the monk's robe he would often wear from now on, carefully examining it and calmly stated, "Bishop, I like it."

Then, he earnestly asked, "Bishop, is there anything else I need to do?"

York raised an eyebrow, catching the meaning behind those words, "That's it, everything is simplified, the main step is over. You should be able to sense the changes in your body, right?"

John Wick nodded truthfully.

"So, that's really the end of it. Normally, there would be a communion ceremony next, allowing the new clergy to interact with the believers and get acquainted, but, in my case, that can also be omitted. From now on, you just need to report to me."

John Wick took a deep breath, nodded affirmatively, and then said, "Bishop, I want to go back and tell Helen."

York nodded, "Of course, you can."

For a moment, John Wick's actions still followed the style of his assassin days, precise and no dallying.

Even his modified car was driven away by him.

"This guy really isn't polite at all," York stood by a floor-to-ceiling window watching the disappearing car tail, chuckling.

The orphan who had nowhere to go in the USA still stood by his side, "Bishop, who is Helen?"

"John Wick's wife," York sighed, "A devout believer I know well. She used to come to church often, bringing John Wick along, so that's how we met."

"Eileen was puzzled.

York resolved this doubt and then turned to leave, "Helen has cancer, advanced stage."

Hearing this, Eileen didn't know what to think, but she naturally felt a sense of heaviness. She stood still for a while before turning to follow her bishop's steps.

The next scene, however, shifted to the neighboring house, just across a small path.

Eileen didn't understand, nor did she know why her bishop suddenly decided to visit, but she could feel her bishop's awkward expression and a bit of hesitation.

"Ahem."

York withdrew his perspective from the holographic map, shifting away from Hannah, suppressing the sudden agitation in his heart, and with a calm tone addressed Eileen's changing expression.

"This house is where a friend of mine lives. We're close, and if possible, I'd like you to meet Hannah. Although Hannah is just an information broker and hacker, because of my connection, she will

 specially collect some information about supernatural events and news.

This is a private channel, so the church doesn't know about the things you do, and even if they find out, you would have already completed all the tasks."

Eileen blinked, recalling some rumors about her bishop due to his words.

Known for his intense hatred of demons and numerous exorcisms.

She had learned this from Mother Theresa, the nun who had raised her, and from what she heard in the church.

Eileen knew that her bishop had indeed done many good deeds, influencing a wide range of colleagues.

That's why many peers in the church held great respect for her bishop.

"Understood, Bishop. If possible, I would like to meet Ms. Hannah," Eileen said, blinking again.

In fact, she was even more eager to learn about her bishop from Hannah, since they had worked together for a long time and Hannah must know a lot more.

York nodded, estimating the time it would take for Hannah to finish dressing after her shower, then reached out to ring the doorbell.

As the doorbell echoed, York resumed his sensory perception, directly locking onto Hannah's location.

In the villa's bathroom.

He saw Hannah, who had just put on her clothes, obviously a bit stunned. Then, she pulled out a sleek black handgun from a drawer, her bewildered expression quickly turning into one of vigilance.

"Heh, still very vigilant, huh."

Watching Hannah walk out of the bathroom, quickly slipping on a jacket and tucking the handgun into her waistband while also picking up an assault rifle from beside the bed, then going over to a laptop, York chuckled.

The acquaintance with Hannah had started at a shooting range and had evolved into this current situation.

At that moment, a scream came from inside the villa.

It was Hannah's voice; she obviously saw who was standing at her front door.

York looked up, waving at a very inconspicuous, tiny camera tucked away in a corner.

"Long time no see, Hannah," he said.

York knew Hannah would hear this.

Then the unmistakable sound of footsteps came from inside, revealing the emotions of their owner.

But what bothered York was that Hannah was still holding her favorite assault rifle, a G36, known for its ease of use and manufactured by Heckler & Koch in Germany.

Through the holographic map, York watched as Hannah, still wearing a long coat and gripping the G36, marched towards him, a smile tugging at his lips, uncertain whether Hannah was actually planning to shoot him.

As the front door burst open and Hannah, with her rifle aimed at him and showcasing her fit figure, York jokingly said,

"Hannah, you're not really planning to shoot me, are you?"

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