I wanted to scream, but all I could do was stare in shock as Chief Stone stepped up to the invisible wall.
"Everyone, come here. This ritual requires several people performing the dispelling together from all sides."
"Just tell us already, Old Stone."
Mona Ouyang smiled and moved closer. I saw that, except for the man whose cheek was eaten away, the other three Ghost Syndicate members remained seated in front of me.
"Call them over. I said we need several people at once."
"You three, the student issue can wait. Come here first."
The three Ghost Syndicate members stepped out of the elevator and walked over.
"Take off my jacket."
Everyone stared at Chief Stone in confusion, but one Ghost Syndicate member still obeyed. As soon as the jacket came off, I saw Chief Stone’s back etched with a long string of talismanic symbols, a square mark on his chest enclosing a pattern like a keyhole, and around his neck hung a pitch-black key, ominous and cold.
The Ghost Syndicate members leaned in, examining him closely.