Lucien hung up Jamie's call, not because he was angry—
but because of the unexpected guest standing in front of him.
"Mr. Lucien, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Elise smiled warmly.
Though elderly, she radiated vitality and kindness.
"A pleasure to meet me?"
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"I don't remember becoming some kind of celebrity."
"Mr. Lucien, don't you know?"
Elise stepped forward with a smile.
"Recently, you've become rather famous in our circle."
"May I sit down for a while?"
"Please."
After receiving permission, she sat opposite him and continued.
"Lately, there have been rumors spreading among spiritual practitioners about a young exorcist who has helped many people deal with evil spirit incidents."
"At first, many questioned whether the stories were true."
"But there were too many eyewitnesses."
"And according to those people, this young exorcist possesses abilities far beyond ordinary practitioners."
Hearing that, Lucien quickly understood.
The information probably came from Annie's film crew.
Possibly from the police officers who witnessed the battle against Death as well.
Without realizing it—
his reputation had spread farther than expected.
"Actually, I've heard of you too."
Since Elise had been polite, Lucien naturally returned the courtesy.
"Ms. Elise."
"A famous psychic medium."
A trace of sadness appeared on her face.
"That's all in the past."
"I've decided to leave this profession and live a normal life."
"If that's the case..."
Lucien looked at her knowingly.
"...why come here?"
He already understood why.
The old woman before him was simply too kind.
So kind that she had risked her own life countless times to save strangers.
How could someone like her ignore a plea for help?
Even if the person asking for help had practically invited disaster onto themselves.
Elise sighed softly.
"I came to ask for your help."
"A while ago, a girl named Quinn Brenner visited me."
"She wanted me to help her contact her mother, who passed away from cancer."
"Because of certain personal reasons, the séance wasn't completed."
"I warned her not to continue trying."
"But her longing for her mother was too strong."
"I don't think she listened."
"She couldn't distinguish between kind spirits and malicious ones."
"She mistook strange responses as her mother's voice."
"And that left me feeling uneasy."
Elise paused.
"Recently, while preparing to sleep, I suddenly saw a vision."
"I saw Quinn trapped in a dark space..."
"...about to be attacked by an evil spirit wearing an oxygen mask."
"But with my abilities alone, I couldn't save her, so..."
"So you want to borrow my strength?"
Lucien finished her sentence.
Elise fell silent.
"Ms. Elise."
Lucien leaned back.
"Are you making an exorcism request?"
"For situations like this, the church is more official and reliable."
Truthfully, Lucien wasn't very interested in this job.
According to Elise, Quinn had already been warned twice.
Once by Jamie.
Once by Elise herself.
Yet she still stubbornly continued.
That wasn't bravery.
That was simply courting death.
Respect spirits.
Respect gods.
But keep your distance.
That was basic common sense.
Even stubborn detectives became cautious after learning the truth.
Yet Quinn was treating supernatural warnings as signs of hope.
This was the first time Lucien had seen someone so absurd.
His intolerance for stupidity was starting to activate.
"The church process takes too long."
"By the time official permission is approved..."
Elise lowered her head.
"...Quinn may already..."
"That was her choice."
Lucien's calm voice made Elise freeze.
Soon after, regret appeared on her face.
"I'm sorry for troubling you."
She understood his meaning.
Everyone had to bear responsibility for their own choices.
Quinn's stubbornness had consequences.
Even if the cost was her life.
Elise didn't blame Lucien.
Helping was kindness.
Not helping wasn't wrong either.
No one could force morality onto someone else.
There was only one option left.
She would personally face her old fears and enter that dark world herself.
Just as Elise stood up, she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right."
She smiled.
"I'm looking forward to your performance on Sunday's antique appraisal program."
"I should get going now."
Hearing that, Lucien raised an eyebrow.
Antique appraisal show?
Interested in antiques?
Potential customer?
Lucien's thoughts instantly shifted directions.
Meanwhile, Elise had already reached the door.
Just as she opened it—
Lucien's voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"Don't fear the spirits you see."
Elise turned around.
"As a medium—and as a living person—your power is greater than theirs."
Surprise flashed across her face.
Then she smiled warmly and nodded.
"Thank you."
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
After seeing Elise off, Lucien got up and washed his hands.
Elise could handle an evil spirit of that level.
But he still felt uneasy.
The variable...
was Jamie.
That idiot had interfered with the original course of events by placing the talisman there.
Something that should've resolved smoothly had suddenly become unpredictable.
Just to be safe—
Lucien decided to use the Six Lines Divination he had just learned.
After calming his mind and washing his hands, he took out three coins once more.
The process remained identical.
Except this time—
he wanted to divine Jamie's fortune.
The static and changing hexagrams quickly formed.
Lucien closed his eyes and searched through his memories, matching them with the sixty-four hexagrams.
A moment later—
he opened his eyes.
Then silently stood up.
Without saying a word, he opened the counter drawer and took out several talismans.
Shortly after—
the sound of the shop door closing echoed.
The room fell silent.
————
Jamie rushed back into the apartment and immediately took the elevator to the fifth floor.
Before he even reached the room—
he saw a cleaning cart parked outside.
His expression changed instantly.
Oh no.
Jamie's heart sank.
He rushed inside.
The room that had once been covered in dust was now spotless.
Yet instead of relief—
a cold chill crawled up his spine.
It felt like someone had dumped ice water directly over his head.
Panicked, he ran into the bedroom.
Then his eyes locked onto the bed.
The talisman was still attached.
Safe and untouched.
Jamie finally released a long breath.
His legs weakened instantly.
Sliding against the wall, he collapsed onto the floor.
After resting for a while, he finally stood and walked toward the exit.
Relief flooded his body.
Thank God.
If he had arrived even a little later—
things could've become disastrous.
He still needed to think of a way to stop cleaners from touching the talisman.
But just then—
a cold gust of wind suddenly blew through the room.
Flutter—
The talisman at the bedside silently drifted to the floor.