He took the script of an exorcism legend, but became the number one anti-fraud expert.

The fog acts like a natural barrier, obscuring not only visibility but also sound.

Pitt had been looking serious, as if he had something on his mind.

Now, he simply glanced around, avoiding eye contact with Benjamin.

Benjamin turned to look in the direction Abby had been, but the torchlight had completely disappeared.

Benjamin realized that Pete was trying to test him. Although Pete had helped him before, he shouldn't forget that this was Windhowl Town...

He would choose...

[Virtue: Even in the worst places, there are good people, like candlelight in the darkness. Telling the truth might bring unexpected joy, +5%]

[Torment: I don't trust anyone, not even those who have helped me. There are no good people in Windhowl Town! +5%]

Benjamin doesn't trust anyone, so his obvious choice is obvious.

But as he made the decision, something occurred to him.

That's right, exorcism.

Last night, while I was fast asleep, a voice echoed in my mind, along with the image of a reward.

This made him realize that he might need to accumulate more virtues.

He began to analyze the situation calmly.

Pete didn't urge him; Benjamin's silence seemed to have already given him the answer.

Benjamin then began a brainstorming session.

From the moment he stormed into the police station yesterday, Pete never once aimed a gun at himself; his hostility was only directed at Jeff and the thugs.

When Avery wanted him to throw him out, he didn't respond immediately.

This is not how a soldier should behave in front of his superior.

In addition to the help this morning.....

But it's hard to say. What if Pitt was just acting? If he turns around and tells Avery the truth, he'll be finished.

What exactly is he planning to do?

Bang!

At that moment, gunshots and shouts rang out in the distance, and the sound of hurried footsteps swept through the thick fog—the sounds of other teams rushing to reinforce.

and many more,

Benjamin seemed to realize something.

Of the nineteen guards, Pete and John were singled out, which is generally considered a sign of being antisocial.

Furthermore, Avery wasn't very satisfied when he heard that he had chosen Pete.

The two did not get along.

It was clear that Pete had no intention of helping other teams when they were in danger.

He didn't care about other people's lives at all, which confirmed my suspicion.

An unexpected surprise...

"What do you want to do by asking this?"

Benjamin decided to take a gamble; he felt it was time to find a companion—Virtue.

[Virtue: Fountain Accumulation Progress: 43%]

Pete continued walking steadily, seemingly unmoved, his stiff face making him inscrutable.

"cooperate."

This is indeed the answer Benjamin wants, but what will be the cost of cooperation?

"I don't think we have the same goals."

"Stop pretending. You know very well what kind of predicament you're in. How long do you think you can hold out against Avery? The two most troublesome groups in Windhowl Town are eyeing you covetously. You'd better make a decision as soon as possible."

Benjamin bit his lip: "What can you offer me?"

"Temporary safety."

"You mean this operation?"

"Buddy, if you think the monastery will let this go, you're sorely mistaken. Avery isn't stupid. He's just using you into the guard as an excuse to ask for money. You can't feed him."

Benjamin stared ahead. Now that things had come to this point, he knew Pete was unlikely to be a close confidant of Avery.

And, as the diary says, this unexpected joy is perhaps the kind of help I need most right now.

"Okay, let's cooperate."

Pete finally smiled faintly: "After the mission, go to the Oak Tavern on the South Shore Path."

Since things have come to this, we have no choice but to take a gamble.

Fortunately, he did not admit that the so-called Hod family was a fabrication.

Even if Avery catches him, this so-called cooperation is just nonsense based on ignorance.

In the midst of his thoughts, a flickering flame suddenly appeared in the thick white fog ahead.

A terrified Abby suddenly stumbled over, his pupils wide and dark-circled, trying his best to control his voice:

"Oh my god, run!"

What?

Just as they were wondering what was going on, the sound of fighting came from ahead.

Without a second thought, Abby ignored Benjamin and the other man and ran away.

"Oh no! It's John!"

This time, Pete didn't abandon his teammate; he picked up Brown Beth and charged forward.

Benjamin followed, his eyes never leaving Pete's back; in this thick fog, it was too easy to get lost.

"Damn it! Pete! Get away!" John yelled.

"John!"

"My God!"

Benjamin was terrified by what he saw.

Despite having mentally prepared myself, I never expected things to be this bad.

The plan was to find a lone fishman, but instead, they encountered an even more troublesome fellow.

The evil spirit before me had a face full of menacing flesh, a fat belly, and skin that was purplish-blue all over, sending chills down my spine.

Its empty eyes, nearly two-meter height, and swollen body from being soaked in water made it look just like Avery!

Unfortunately, it's not...

"It's a drowned ghost! John, step back!"

Pete lowered his voice to warn John, while he himself stabbed the drowned ghost's fleshy leg with his bayonet.

When Pete pulled out his bayonet, a large amount of yellowish-red pus flowed out.

"Back off! Back off now! The drowned ghost will self-destruct!"

Benjamin retreated while observing the surroundings. The air was no longer filled with the sweet scent of thick fog, but rather with the stench of decay.

The drowned ghost moved slowly, its flesh swaying with every step it took.

The three turned around and quickly retreated.

"Pete, this is troublesome. The appearance of the drowned ghost means there are sirens. Windhowl Town is probably..."

"Run first, we'll talk about it when we get back!"

Pete kept glancing back every few steps, constantly checking what was happening behind him.

Benjamin's face also turned pale upon hearing the word "siren."

The Exorcism Manual states that among the fish-men there are highly intelligent leaders who are powerful evil spirits. Countless coastal towns have been breached by human defenses under the command of these fish-men leaders.

Could the fish-man leader be the siren that Pete was talking about?

The fog is still very thick.

But suddenly the lights ahead came on.

The flickering torch reappeared, and Abby, holding it in his hand, ran back, looking bewildered.

"Oh, truth prevails, you're all alright!"

"Abby! I don't believe you're here to save us. Things are bad enough already, and those damn Indians are just running away!" John scolded.

"Mr. John, you guessed right, there are mermen behind me, and quite a few of them!"

"Fuck!"

John let out a wail, then looked at Pete.

"Damn it, running to the beach means death, running into the jungle means we'll be deserters!"

"I know John! Shut up!"

Pete raised the Brown Beth and aimed it in the direction Abby was running from; there was no other way but to fire now.

John, with his back to Pete, aimed his gun at the drowned ghost.

Abby wanted to escape, but the fog was so thick that he couldn't find his way.

Only Benjamin stood there, his brow furrowed, deep in thought.

Benjamin faces the threat of evil for the first time, entering exorcism mode (accumulating progress faster), in a desperate situation with pursuers ahead and ambushes behind...

His choice was...

[Virtue: Confront evil head-on, give it your all, +50%]

[Torture: If your strength is insufficient, turn around and run away, +50%]

Benjamin estimated the current progress of accumulation.

Virtue, 43% + 50% = 93%.

Torture, 52% + 50% = 102%.

Damn it, the system is letting me choose the torment!