Ch 36: Echoes of Justice

The sinful man was not alone. A gang of miscreants had made the forest their sanctuary, their laughter echoing through the trees like a discordant symphony. Jon could feel their collective sin, a miasma of evil that hung in the air like a shroud.

Jon, the Ghost Rider, knew he had to strategize. He was outnumbered, but not outmatched. His Spirit of Vengeance form was a force of nature, a divine instrument of punishment. He decided to use the forest to his advantage, to become a phantom in the night.

He began by isolating the gang members, picking them off one by one. He would appear as a flicker in their peripheral vision, a whisper of dread that sent chills down their spines. Then, he would strike, his hellfire chains lashing out, ensnaring the sinners and purging their souls with divine fire.

[The legendary mission has been updated, adjudicating a thousand sinful souls, the current progress is 35/1000]

[The legendary mission has been updated, adjudicating a thousand sinful souls, the current progress is 36/1000]

[The legendary mission has been updated, adjudicating a thousand sinful souls, the current progress is 37/1000]

[The legendary mission has been updated….]

[The legendary mission has been updated….]

[The legendary mission has been updated….]

[The legendary mission has been updated, adjudicating a thousand sinful souls, the current progress is 52/1000]

The forest became a theatre of retribution, the Ghost Rider's flaming silhouette dancing among the trees. The sinful gang's boss watched in horror as his gang was decimated, the certainty of his impending doom growing with each passing moment.

"You... you're a monster!" the boss spat, his voice trembling with fear and rage.

Jon, his skull a beacon of hellfire in the forest's darkness, stood before the sinful gang's boss. The man was backed against a tree, his eyes wide with terror as he took in the charred remains of his men, reduced to ashes by the Ghost Rider's divine wrath.

"I am a mirror," the Ghost Rider replied, his voice echoing through the silent forest. "Reflecting the monstrosity of your deeds."

The boss swallowed hard, his gaze darting between the Ghost Rider and the ashen remains of his men. "What do you want from me?"

"Justice," the Ghost Rider said, his voice as cold as the night air. "Confess your sins."

The boss laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the forest. "I ain't confessing nothing to you."

The Ghost Rider's fiery gaze intensified. "You misunderstand. This is not a request."

The boss's laughter died in his throat as the Ghost Rider reached out, gripping his face in his skeletal hand. The Penance Stare took hold, and the boss's defiant expression twisted into one of pure terror.

His screams echoed through the forest, a chilling symphony of retribution. The Penance Stare forced him to feel the pain of every soul he had wronged, every life he had ruined. It was a torment like no other, a mirror reflecting the darkness of his deeds.

[The legendary mission has been updated, adjudicating a thousand sinful souls, the current progress is 53/1000]

When it was over, the boss was left a husk, his soul purged of its sins. The Ghost Rider released him, his fiery gaze softening. "Your reign of terror ends here," he said, his voice a low growl. "May you find redemption in the next life."

[Total reward points from eliminating the sinful 'Death Dealers' gang: 3500...]

[Currently your total penalty points: 9200 penalty points]

As the Ghost Rider, Jon's spectral senses picked up the reward prompt in his mind. 'Death Dealers' gang eliminated: 3500 points. A sense of satisfaction washed over him, a rare feeling of accomplishment in his relentless pursuit of justice.

Yet, in his Spirit of Vengeance form, his skeletal face was incapable of expressing the joy he felt. His flaming skull remained as it always was, a terrifying visage of divine retribution. But beneath the hellfire and bone, Jon felt a spark of happiness.

And so, the Ghost Rider roared off into the night, his hellfire bike leaving a trail of scorched earth in its wake. His skeletal face may not have been able to smile, but his spirit was alight with a sense of accomplishment. The Spirit of Vengeance had once again proven that no sin could escape his fiery gaze.

As Jon left, the forest fell silent once more, the sinners purged, the Spirit of Vengeance's mission complete.

***

The billiard bar was a symphony of clinking glasses, laughter, and the occasional cheer as someone made a particularly impressive shot. Jon walked in, his Spirit of Vengeance form replaced by his human guise. His entrance didn't go unnoticed. Chris and his bandmates were there, their faces lighting up as they spotted him.

"Jon!" Chris called out, raising his glass in salute. The others followed suit, their cheers filling the bar. They made their way over to him, their gratitude evident in their smiles.

"Man, we owe you one," Chris said, clapping Jon on the shoulder. "You saved our skins back there."

Jon shrugged modestly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just did what I had to do."

The bandmates exchanged glances before one of them, a tall man with a mane of curly hair, Ferrante, stepped forward. "No, Jon. You did more than that. You saved our lives. We can't thank you enough."

***

The billiard bar was alive with laughter and friendly banter. Lilian, with her captivating figure, was the center of attention as she expertly maneuvered the cue stick. The balls collided, and one found its way into the corner pocket.

"Woo hoo, well done, Lilian!" Lanny cheered, clapping his hands together.

Lenny, however, wasn't as fortunate. His shot missed, and Ferrante's teasing comment had him retreating, a playful pout on his face. "Okay, Lenny, you're doomed. I don't think you need to fight anymore!"

Lenny waved his hands dismissively, a good-natured grin on his face. "Alright, alright, I get it. I'm no match for Lilian."

"Who's coming next?" Lilian asked, her eyes scanning the group. They landed on Jon, and a playful smile tugged at her lips. "Jon, do you want to try?"

Before Jon could answer, Chris pushed him forward. "Go on, Jon. Show us what you've got."

Jon picked up the cue stick, bending over the table. He had played billiards before, but it had been a while. As he lined up his shot, Lilian's teasing comment threw him off. "Don't be nervous, just point the pole at the hole and throw it, just like... you know!"

Jon's shot went awry, the ball flying off the table and landing in the wine glasses of two men at a nearby table. Their reaction was hostile, one of them standing up and shouting, "Are you looking for death?!"

Chris was quick to react, slamming his cue stick on the table. "What did you just say?" he retorted, his voice filled with menace.

The men backed down, returning to their drinks without another word. Ferrante clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Okay, let's ignore those two bastards and continue to play!"

The night wore on, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a bit too much alcohol for Chris. Alberton, the designated driver, took them home, while Jon found himself lost in thought.

The threat of Thanos loomed over them, a coming crisis that Jon couldn't ignore. He knew he couldn't rely on S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Avengers to protect his family all the time. So, for their sake, he decided to stay, at least until the threat was dealt with.

As he looked out at the city passing by, Jon made a silent vow. He would protect his family, no matter what. And when the time was right, when the threat was gone, he would take them out of this dangerous city. Until then, he would stand as their guardian, their protector, their Ghost Rider.

***

The city's nocturnal symphony was a distant hum as Jon arrived at his apartment, the adrenaline from the night's events still coursing through his veins. He had been through a gauntlet of danger, pursuing the sinful gang through the labyrinthine forests that skirted the city's outskirts. His body ached from the exertion, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and his soul was heavy with the weight of the sins he had witnessed.

He collapsed onto his bed, the cool sheets a stark contrast to the heat of the flaming motorcycle he had left behind. His eyes were heavy, his body begging for rest, but his mind was still racing. It was then that he heard the system's prompt echoing in his mind.

[Ding! The Soul Sacrifice function has been activated, click to view it.]

"Soul Sacrifice?" Jon murmured to himself, curiosity piqued. He opened the prompt, his eyes scanning the large section of explanation that appeared before him.

The Soul Sacrifice function was directly linked to the legendary mission. In this mission, Jon could absorb the memories and a portion of the power of the adjudicated. However, not all adjudicated were equal. Many were ordinary people who had committed serious crimes, their memories filled with mundane details and devoid of any supernatural powers.

The Soul Sacrifice function was designed to address this issue. Jon could offer the soul of a sinful individual he didn't need to the system, exchanging it for penalty points. It was a way to make use of the souls he had collected, turning them into a currency of sorts.

"This function is really timely!" Jon thought, a sense of relief washing over him. But then a question arose, "But why didn't you give this function earlier?"

He didn't dwell on the question, though. His body was demanding rest, and he knew he needed to recharge if he was to continue his mission. With a sigh, he closed his eyes, letting the darkness envelop him. The mysteries of the Soul Sacrifice function and the questions it raised would have to wait. For now, sleep was his only priority.

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