Chapter 230: Mission and Evaluation

"This world truly never ceases to amaze," York mused as he stopped flipping through the documents, pondering the information before him.

"It's actually possible."

Indeed, as Bishop Romulo had mentioned, all of York's questions and what he was supposed to do were answered in the documents.

And often, the truth was surprisingly simple.

The development of events felt almost like a coincidence to him.

"Did you hear my prayers?"

York's gaze finally settled on a family photo in the documents, depicting a family from Thailand.

The family portrait showed seven members, ranging from the elderly to the young: an old man, a pair of parents, and four children.

However, a note below mentioned that the old man had died under mysterious circumstances.

But what was most critical wasn't this, but rather the information at the bottom of the page.

Skipping over the irrelevant details, the core of it was that this family had long been targeted by the Satanist cult.

The mother, who had given birth to four children, was a common artist but suffered from infertility. In her desperation for children, she sought the help of dark forces.

Indeed, the church's investigation revealed that the mother joined the Satanist church to have children.

And she did indeed conceive successfully.

However, the process of seeking a child was rather peculiar.

Overall, it was more about seeking the essence of life rather than simply a child.

Of course, the mother's wish did not come without a cost.

According to the document, she was required to offer her youngest child as a sacrifice to the Satanist church when the child turned seven.

"So, the eldest daughter Rinee is 24 years old, the second child is 18, the third is 12, and the youngest is 6, but in two days, he will turn seven."

Seeing the data where the ages were consistently spaced six years apart, York glanced at the photo of the gloomy mother, deciphering the truth behind these numbers.

The mother, who joined the cult to have children, may have developed maternal love after giving birth, unwilling to give up her child. Thus, she conceived another child when each child reached six years, escaping the cost.

However, subsequent information indicated that the mother seemed powerless after giving birth to the fourth child, as she developed a strange illness that left her immobile and mute.

Reading this, York continued to flip through the documents.

The final piece of information was about what the Satanist church intended to do.

York lost interest after a glance.

Because the methods of the cult didn't change fundamentally.

Rather than creating a demon that could walk among humans, it was more about summoning and possession.

In this process, besides using the seven-year-old child as a sacrifice for the summoning, the cultists also specifically sought a medium with the ability to see ghosts as the cost for summoning the demon.

The purer and more powerful the medium's ability, the stronger the summoned demon would be, even capable of possessing a child and using its powers more completely.

"So, was Amy Fisher, the victim of abuse, a medium with the ability to see ghosts?"

York put away the documents, gazing at the image of Jesus and calmly said.

"Bishop Romulo, your last operation was indeed a failure. Why didn't you inform me about this happening in New York?"

Hearing this, Bishop Romulo took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and made the sign of the cross as if confessing his sins to God before opening his eyes with an emotionless voice.

"You were at headquarters at the time."

York remained silent for a moment, what else could he say? He could only place the documents beside Bishop Romulo and calmly said.

"Bishop Romulo, I'll take on this task."

The words were followed by the sound of a triggered random mission, devoid of any emotion.

[...]

[Condition Met: Trigger Random Mission]

[Mission Requirement: Destroy the cult and eliminate its members]

[Mission Reward: +65 Attribute Points]

[Accept/Decline]

[...]

Bishop Romulo nodded, picking up the documents beside him.

"York, I trust you."

He then struggled to stand, with York helping him up.

Bishop Romulo smiled warmly, glancing at the image of Jesus and calmly said.

"I hope nothing unpleasant happens."

York's face remained impassive as he turned and waved to Archibald at the back, signaling him to come over: "The location is in Thailand, far away. I need a direct flight and air route to Thailand, and I'm leaving soon."

Bishop Romulo nodded indifferently: "That will be arranged for you."

Then, looking back at Archibald, who had walked halfway towards them, Bishop Romulo suddenly turned to York with a smile.

"York, let me tell you one more thing. Do you know why we unanimously decided to entrust this task to you?"

York squinted, observing the elder.

"This, well, calling it a task is one thing, but it's actually an evaluation. Although it's not necessary, this step is still required," Bishop Romulo said, looking at the puzzled priest, and patted his shoulder with a mysterious smile.

"Succeed, and you will no longer be bound by many rules."

"Bishop Romulo, what do you mean by evaluation?" York, puzzled, wanted to ask more.

But Archibald had already approached.

"Bishop Romulo, Father York."

Bishop Romulo freed himself from his support and walked towards Archibald, leaving only one sentence.

"You'll find out later."

With that, he walked towards the main door with Archibald's support.

York watched Archibald's nodding gesture, waving his hand as they left.

He also signaled Eileen to see them off.

Finally, York stood still, watching Eileen escort Bishop Romulo and Archibald away.

"Sigh, all enigmatic people. A bit more sincerity and fewer schemes would make the world a better place," York shook his head, sitting back in his usual spot to organize the current situation.

The task turned into a mysterious evaluation, and he could only adapt as necessary.

This random mission, however, puzzled him.

According to the pattern he analyzed, the system's mission rewards were definitely based on his current strength.

The higher the reward, the more dangerous the task, and the greater the threat to his life.

"This time, the mission reward is 65 attribute points, even more than what was offered for Valak at the Saint Catacombs. Could this mission be even more dangerous than the Valak incident?"

But recalling the documents he had read, York didn't think so. He felt this mission might not pose a threat to his life but rather represent some sort of trouble in another sense.

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