Lucifer didn’t hesitate.
He immediately selected one of the six Skill Upgrade Scrolls, eager to see how much stronger his abilities could become.
To his surprise, most of his skills were unavailable.
Only Holy Seal of Justice and Holy Light could currently be upgraded, while Blessing of Might, Devotion Aura, and Cleansing Spell all displayed the same message.
[Level Insufficient.]
Judgment didn’t even have a level attached to its name, so it couldn’t be selected.
“So much for dumping all six scrolls into one skill.”
Lucifer sighed and used one scroll on Holy Seal of Justice and another on Holy Light.
[Skill upgrade successful.]
[Holy Seal of Justice — Level 2: Duration increased to 20 minutes.
Usable 5 times per day.
May be applied to the user’s body or weapons.
Extremely effective against evil entities.
Additional effects: double damage against evil and Strength +1 while active.]
[Holy Light — Level 2: Duration increased to 22 seconds.
Usable 5 times per day.
Heals physical trauma and may now be used offensively to burn evil targets.]
After both upgrades were completed, the words [Level Insufficient] appeared beside them as well.
Lucifer wasn’t disappointed.
Holy Seal of Justice now lasted twice as long and had two additional daily activations, while Holy Light had gained a direct offensive use.
Two Skill Upgrade Scrolls had been consumed, leaving him with four.
“It looks like leveling up is still the priority.”
His current permanent attributes remained unchanged.
[Apprentice Paladin — Level 3]
[EXP: 245/400]
[Holiness Points: 10]
[Strength: 8]
[Agility: 9]
[Stamina: 10]
[Spirit: 15]
Satisfied with the upgrades, Lucifer’s thoughts returned to his new agency and the footage Williamson had recorded.
The Hell Morning Show was supposed to air the haunted-house segment early the next morning, and if everything went well, the broadcast could bring his agency its first wave of clients.
Thinking about that future put him in a good mood.
Lucifer left his bedroom and headed toward the kitchen.
“Edward, tonight you’re going to witness greatness.
I’m making Savory Pork Liver Pie.”
Edward, who had been relaxing nearby, immediately jumped to his feet.
“No.”
Lucifer stopped.
Edward hurried after him.
“Seriously, put the knife down.”
Lucifer stared at him.
“You haven’t even seen me cook yet.”
“I have seen you cook.
That’s exactly why I’m worried.”
The original owner of Lucifer’s body had been terrible in the kitchen, and unfortunately, Lucifer hadn’t been any better in his previous life.
His enthusiasm had always been far greater than his actual ability, and one of his past attempts at cooking had left Edward sick enough to need medical treatment.
Lucifer waved away his concern.
“Things change.
I’m a completely different cook now.”
Edward looked unconvinced.
“What happened between yesterday and today that suddenly turned you into a chef?”
Lucifer reached for the kitchen knife with absolute confidence.
Then Edward pointed toward the refrigerator.
“We don’t have pork liver.”
Lucifer froze.
He slowly lowered the knife.
“That is…
a minor problem.”
Edward immediately relaxed.
Lucifer cleared his throat.
“Fine.
Tomorrow night.
I’ll make it tomorrow.”
“Sure.
Tomorrow.”
Edward quickly took over dinner before Lucifer changed his mind.
Unlike Lucifer, Edward was genuinely good at cooking.
He had loved food since childhood and taught himself how to prepare a wide variety of American and international dishes over the years.
His growing waistline might have suggested enthusiasm, but his cooking skills proved that the interest wasn’t wasted.
After dinner, Lucifer returned to his room and prepared to sleep early so he could wake up for the broadcast.
Before putting his phone away, he remembered Jennifer Check.
He sent her a message.
The haunted-house case I told you about is airing on the Hell Morning Show tonight.
Watch it if you’re awake.
Jennifer replied almost immediately.
Wait, you’re in Los Angeles now?
Lucifer smiled.
Exorcism requires travel.
I’m opening my agency here too.
A few seconds later, another message arrived.
Then I definitely need to visit when I’m back in LA.
You’re welcome anytime.
Jennifer stared at the reply with a smile.
Ever since seeing Holy Light appear in Lucifer’s hand back in Chicago, her curiosity about him and the supernatural had only grown stronger.
Lucifer put the phone aside and went to sleep.
At 2:30 in the morning, his alarm woke him.
Since midnight had already passed, his daily abilities had completely reset.
Holy Seal of Justice Level 2 and Holy Light Level 2 were both available five times again, while Cleansing Spell Level 1 had its full three uses restored.
Lucifer immediately went to Edward’s room and shook him awake.
“Get up.
Your best friend’s television debut is about to start.”
Edward groaned as Lucifer dragged him toward the living room.
“I haven’t slept properly in two days.”
Lucifer remembered the Basic Spirit Potion still sitting unused in System Space.
Since his own Spirit was already too high for it, he summoned the bottle and handed it to Edward.
“Here.
Energy tonic.”
Edward stared at the unlabeled bottle.
“What kind of energy tonic comes in this?”
“The expensive kind.
Drink it.”
Edward hesitated before swallowing it.
His face immediately twisted.
“Ugh.
That tastes weird.”
Lucifer shrugged.
“Never tried it myself.”
Edward blinked several times.
The exhaustion clouding his eyes gradually disappeared.
“Actually…
I feel a lot more awake.”
“See?”
Lucifer turned on the television and dropped onto the sofa with a can of beer.
The Hell Morning Show had already begun.
Host Fred stood before the studio audience, enthusiastically introducing the haunting that had terrorized the Lutz family.
Lucifer leaned forward expectantly, waiting for the footage of his exorcism to appear.
Instead, Fred’s next words made his smile disappear.
“Yesterday, we asked for help for a Los Angeles family suffering from a terrifying supernatural disturbance.
Two courageous exorcists answered that call.”
Footage of Father Marcus appeared on the screen.
“One was Father Marcus, a respected priest who bravely confronted the evil inside the home.”
Fred’s expression became solemn.
“Unfortunately, Father Marcus lost his life during the exorcism.”
Lucifer stared at the television.
Fred continued, “A second man was also present and later helped finish what remained of the weakened spirit.”
Lucifer slowly sat upright.
“What?”
The edited footage began playing.
The entire sequence had been rearranged.
Father Marcus was shown entering the house with his Bible and cross, followed by carefully selected shots that made him appear to be the primary exorcist.
Lucifer’s Holy Seal of Justice, Holy Water attack, battle with Ketcham, Judgment, and the purification of the twenty-four Earthbound Spirits were completely missing.
Almost everything supernatural Lucifer had actually done had been removed.
What remained were the worst possible clips.
First came Lucifer insisting that the Lutz family had to pay him before he would help.
Then Chelsea handed him the one-dollar coin.
Finally, the broadcast cut directly to Lucifer standing before the DV camera inside the secret chamber.
“Call Lucifer’s Supernatural Consulting Agency.
Professional supernatural problems require professional solutions.”
The studio audience burst into laughter.
Lucifer’s face went completely still.
Fred smiled toward the camera.
“You have to admire the man’s dedication to finding customers.”
More laughter followed.
“Apparently, even a haunted house is a networking opportunity.”
CRACK.
The aluminum beer can collapsed inside Lucifer’s hand.
Edward glanced nervously toward him.
The broadcast had transformed Father Marcus into a heroic priest who sacrificed himself saving the Lutz family, while Lucifer had been reduced to a desperate amateur using someone else’s tragedy to advertise his new business.
Even worse, none of the actual evidence proving Lucifer’s abilities had been shown.
Edward carefully spoke.
“Lucifer…
maybe this isn’t completely bad.”
Lucifer slowly turned toward him.
Edward raised both hands.
“Think about it.
They showed your face.
They showed the agency name.
People are going to remember you now.”
Lucifer’s jaw tightened.
Edward continued, “Good reputation or bad reputation, people still know the business exists.”
Lucifer took a slow breath.
The veins along his forehead gradually relaxed.
Finally, he gave a cold laugh.
“Infamy is still fame.”
At that exact moment, his Nokia rang.
Lucifer looked at the screen.
Williamson.
His anger immediately returned.
He answered the call and shouted before Williamson could say a word.
“You’d better give me a damn good explanation for what I just watched!”
[Community Goals Ongoing]