Chapter 86: Taking the Bait
Doctor: "Little Sheep, what's your role in this storyline?"
Marcus picked up the communicator and sent a message that all three of them could receive; he didn't hide it from Old Lamp.
Even if he did, there was a possibility Old Lamp would secretly verify the information with Little Sheep, so it was better for him to send it directly, increasing trust.
"My role this time is a 65-year-old woman, widowed and childless, with several million dollars in her account," Little Sheep replied instantly.
"I'll send you an address. Come here before tomorrow morning. There's an important character in the storyline who needs your help."
This kind of thing can't be hidden. Just like when the woman in the baseball cap met Frank in the priest storyline world, and he met Christine, there would be a notification when they first met a character in the storyline. Little Sheep would know when she encountered one.
"An important character in the storyline? Doctor, you found the storyline?"
Old Lamp had just finished cleaning up the trash and emptying the garbage truck. Seeing the message, he asked immediately without even wiping his hands.
"Found a character, but don't know the main plot, need to figure it out some more."
"Little Sheep just joined the Crossroads and doesn't have any abilities yet, why don't I take care of her? I've already swept enough trash on the street."
Just as Old Lamp was about to continue typing, a middle-aged woman with a red vest walked over and glared at him. She was the street sanitation supervisor. He quickly pressed send and put the communicator in his pocket.
"No, Little Sheep can do this kind of thing. You need to play a more important role."
"By the way, Old Lamp, could I ask what your strengths are, and how strong are you?"
Marcus sent the message and waited quietly for a reply. He had actually wanted to ask, but hadn't known how.
Of course, he only believed about 30% of what the other person said; it was just for reference.
Little Sheep: "Don't worry, Uncle Lamp. Doctor is very smart. We're teammates, just listen to him. I'll be right there."
Two minutes later, Old Lamp sent a message:
"I'm a martial arts expert, and I've acquired a Possessed Demon Body, probably mid-stage first rank."
"By the way, Doctor, you asked me to maintain my original identity, but I really can't do that cleaning job anymore. I'll just stay in my room for the next few days!"
Old Lamp had already gone to the bathroom to send the message. He had overturned the garbage truck outside, leaving a middle-aged woman fuming in frustration.
"Hmm, you can arrange these small things as you see fit. Just try to maintain your original identity as much as possible, and don't take out the communicator casually. There's a risk of exposure, especially for Little Sheep."
Marcus sent another sentence and then ended the chat.
Then, at the hotel, he searched for some information online and found an agent to register a company. He had to play the part completely.
Early the next morning, Kyle, dressed in mourning clothes, arrived at the funeral home's prepared chapel. Relatives and friends who had received the obituary had already arrived one after another.
He glanced at his phone, then hurried outside to greet Marcus, briefly introducing him to those around him.
Amidst condolences, Marcus, dressed in black with a solemn expression and a white armband wrapped around his arm, entered the chapel, paid his respects to Aaron, and then sat down in the adjacent rest area.
Kyle eagerly handed Marcus a newspaper and opened a video on his phone to show Marcus his successful work.
Marcus glanced at it; the newspapers had news about the funeral and the planned ritual ceremony, and introduced the lineup of reporters and influencers who would be attending, including James Webb, the "most popular streamer who filmed the ritual video," and "exploration-style influencer" Greyson Bear.
They also conducted interviews explaining the local tradition of performing exorcism rituals and analyzing folk culture. The news station seemed to be using the "expensive funeral" as a gimmick for publicity, but in reality, it was paid interview content for promotion.
That was enough.
Kyle clicked on the next video, which showed memorial notices posted on walls in many places, to prove his efficiency.
"Kyle, I am very satisfied with what you have done so far. I believe your father would be pleased if he knew. I still need to spend time preparing for the company these next few days, so you will have to work hard here."
Marcus looked at the energetic Kyle, praised him, and then turned to walk out the door.
Once he was out of sight, he checked his phone; there were 13 missed calls.
They were all from the same number, dialed approximately one minute apart, indicating the caller was in a hurry.
When the phone rang again, Marcus answered.
"Hello, is this Father? The priest from yesterday on the street?"
Jamie's excited yet apprehensive voice came through the phone.
"Oh, yes, it is. You're that poor girl from yesterday, right? I recognize your voice."
Marcus softened his tone, replying like a priest.
"Father, I've prepared what you asked me to prepare. Where can I find you?"
"Sigh, it seems you've made your decision. Just come to this location."
Marcus sent the location of a deserted shack he had chosen.
"Oh, okay, I understand, I'll be right there."
Jamie hurriedly hung up, quickly packed the items she had secretly prepared, and stuffed them all into her backpack.
"Aunt Rachel, I'm going out to work,"
Jamie said to Aunt Rachel, who already had some mental health issues.
"Huh? Oh...oh, come back soon," Rachel replied after a moment's hesitation, her expression slightly dazed.
Seeing that Aunt Rachel understood, Jamie hurriedly left with her shoulder bag, heading straight to the location Marcus had indicated.
Before her stood a dilapidated shack, its boards crumbling, its wooden doors and windows weathered, and its roof shingles broken, revealing the beams underneath.
If it weren't for the surrounding overgrown weeds and this single building, Jamie would have wondered if she had taken the wrong path.
Just as she hesitated whether to go inside, Marcus, dressed neatly and with his hair perfectly styled, arrived at the door and beckoned to Jamie.
Jamie hunched her shoulders slightly and followed Marcus into the old shack.
A few flies buzzed around inside, and there was almost no furniture, only some broken and miscellaneous items scattered on the floor, covered by a thick layer of dust, with only the edges showing.
"Father, where are we?"
Jamie was a little scared of the environment, but she had no other choice.
For so many years, every moment had felt like living in a nightmare, and she could never wake up.
This priest in front of her gave her a glimmer of hope; he was her last lifeline, and she couldn't afford to doubt or run away.
She dared not doubt that this seemingly respectable priest was a bad person, because that would mean everything was a lie, and she would still be living in the nightmare. Rather than that, she chose to believe.
Even if she believed wrongly, at worst she would die, and death would be better!
"Don't be fooled by the mess here; it's a place where spiritual energies converge, conducive to attracting and dispelling evil spirits. It's just not suitable for long-term habitation, which is why it's abandoned."
"Oh, I see." Although Jamie didn't understand, it seemed to make sense, so she affirmed, feeling much relieved.
(End of Chapter)
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