Father Anderson continued studying the drawing Ed had sent him. From his years of exorcism work, he knew that demons varied greatly in power and status. Some were little more than malicious spirits while others commanded lesser entities and possessed abilities that could threaten entire regions.
The creature in the image was clearly unusual. It had taken the form of a Catholic nun and twisted a sacred symbol into something horrifying. Most demons could imitate human appearances, but few dared wear the image of someone devoted to God.
Such mockery required more than arrogance. The demon needed enough power to resist the sacred meaning connected to that form.
"Which one are you?"
Anderson stared at the drawing for several minutes. The corpse-white face and black eyes felt strangely familiar, as though he had seen them somewhere in his previous life. Yet the name refused to surface.
"Forget it."
He stopped trying to force the memory and called Ed again. The entity could already enter his dreams, which meant its influence over the Warrens had grown stronger. If nothing changed, they might soon experience something similar to the haunting that had followed the Tracy family.
For now, Anderson could only wait for more information.
"Father Anderson?" Ed answered.
"Ed, listen carefully. If anyone contacts you about another case, tell me before you accept it. I don't care whether they only want you to verify a haunting or conduct a full investigation."
Ed's voice became serious.
"I understand, Father."
"Good."
Anderson reassured him for another moment before ending the call. He finished the rest of Beth's lunch and prepared to return to his parish duties.
Footsteps sounded behind him before he could stand.
"Father, my name is Morse. Would you be willing to listen to a problem I'm having?"
Anderson turned toward the speaker. A distressed young man stood near the doorway with an uncertain expression. He had a rugged face and a broad Western build with thick hair covering his arms.
More importantly, Anderson had never seen him before.
A stranger meant a greater chance of triggering a random mission.
"I heard that you're good at listening to people," Morse continued. "They also said you give helpful advice."
Anderson's expression became warm and compassionate.
"Most priests should be capable of both. Sit down and tell me what is troubling you."
The system responded at once.
[Random Mission Triggered]
[Mission: Resolve Morse's Troubles]
[Reward: 0.5 Attribute Points]
[Accept Mission?]
Morse's eyes brightened at the invitation.
"Really?"
"Of course. Come and sit."
Anderson accepted the mission without hesitation. For half an attribute point, he was willing to act as a counselor for as long as necessary.
[Mission Accepted]
Morse sat in the chair Anderson indicated and began explaining his problem.
Most people who visited a priest suffered from one of several familiar concerns. Some had financial problems while others struggled with marriage, children, or grief. Romantic difficulties were also common.
Morse's problem involved a failed relationship. Yet the longer Anderson listened, the stranger the situation became.
Morse had dated a woman for several months. During the relationship she convinced him to undergo a vasectomy because neither of them planned to have children. The couple separated not long afterward.
Breakups happened every day. The surgery made this case far more complicated.
"Father, I tried to have the vasectomy reversed," Morse said. "The operation failed."
Regret covered his face.
"The doctors said I may never be able to father a child naturally. I don't know what to do."
Anderson's usually calm expression nearly broke.
He had prepared comforting answers for most problems his parishioners brought him. Those responses allowed each person to leave with hope and a clearer mind.
He had no prepared answer for a man who had made himself infertile at the request of a short-term girlfriend.
Still, the mission required him to resolve the problem.
Anderson looked at Morse's expectant face and searched for another approach.
"May I ask you something important?"
Morse nodded.
"Please do."
"Do you actually want children?"
Morse frowned and considered the question. He first nodded before slowly shaking his head.
"I don't think I do. Children usually annoy me."
He leaned back in the chair.
"My neighbor is a single mother with three kids. She looks exhausted every day. Her younger sister recently moved in to help and even she seems close to breaking down."
Morse shuddered at the thought.
"I can't imagine living like that."
The description reminded Anderson of Robert and Beth. They had four daughters and their home was rarely quiet.
At least Morse's answer gave him a direction.
"Then why are you tormenting yourself?"
Morse stopped.
Anderson continued before he could respond.
"You made a decision that matches the life you claim to want. You don't enjoy being around children and you never planned to become a father. The surgery gave you exactly that outcome."
Morse stared at him. He had spent days grieving over the loss of something he had never truly wanted.
Anderson saw the realization forming and pressed forward.
"Every person must make choices. This was your decision and you made it willingly. Why should you destroy your peace by regretting a result that matches your own wishes?"
"This was my decision."
Morse repeated the words quietly.
"Yes."
Anderson made the sign of the cross and kept his voice gentle.
"Everyone doubts themselves at times. What matters is understanding why you chose a path and accepting the consequences. Trust the judgment God gave you and face your future with courage."
Morse's expression gradually cleared. He drew a deep breath before nodding with growing conviction.
"You're right, Father. I made the choice and followed through with it. Regretting it now won't change anything."
Anderson offered an encouraging smile. There was no need to continue. Morse had already begun constructing his own answer around the priest's words.
The young man stood from the chair.
"Thank you, Father. I don't need to keep torturing myself over this."
A system notification sounded inside Anderson's mind.
[Mission Completed]
[Mission: Resolve Morse's Troubles]
[Reward Issued: 0.5 Attribute Points]
Anderson quietly released the breath he had been holding.
"The Lord is with you, my child. He hears what is inside your heart and will guide you."
"Thank you."
Morse took several bills from his wallet before leaving. He placed them inside the church offering box and gave Anderson a grateful smile.
"Thank you for your donation," Anderson said.
"You're welcome, Father."
Morse walked out of St. Michael's with a much lighter expression. He had already decided that he would return to the church more often.
Anderson watched him disappear through the entrance. Several elderly parishioners remained scattered throughout the nave and none appeared to need his help at the moment.
He released a quiet sigh.
"That half point was difficult to earn."
Anderson shook his head as he remembered the advice he had just given. He summoned the system panel and immediately assigned the reward to Vitality.
[Vitality Increased: 124.5 → 125]
He continued prioritizing Vitality because he believed the attribute would eventually cause a qualitative transformation. Every increase strengthened his body's endurance and its ability to resist physical or supernatural damage.
A faint warmth spread through him as the new point settled into place.
Anderson dismissed the panel and carried the empty lunch container toward the adjoining lounge. His consecration work could not stop while he waited for news about the demonic nun.
He already possessed three spells that covered offense, defense, and banishment. Combined with his ability to consecrate weapons, those spells opened several new possibilities.
Anderson needed heavier equipment.
"It's time to order another shipment for consecration."
His voice echoed through the dim hallway as he considered the available options.
"A revolving grenade launcher would be a good start."
Anderson spent the rest of the afternoon planning his next collection of weapons and ammunition.