Big Shot, Are You Entrapping Me?

The rain grew heavier and heavier, and the clearing behind the mountain had already turned into a muddy mess. Edward and Jason's battle had reached its most intense stage.

Jason's machete came down again. Edward sidestepped to evade it while Ebony and Ivory fired in rapid succession. Silver bullets carved streaks of light through the rainy night, each one imbued with the power of Purification.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The bullets struck Jason squarely in the chest. The power of Purification sent plumes of white smoke rising from the undead killer's body. Jason let out a muffled grunt and staggered back several steps.

"How's that, big guy?" Edward teased as he reloaded. "This is the power of Purification, specially made to restrain evil beings like you."

Jason did not answer. He only swung his machete furiously. Beneath his mask, his eyes burned with even more savage killing intent.

Edward suddenly remembered something and pulled two pure silver crosses from his system space. "Try this!"

He threw the crosses at Jason, the silver holy relics gleaming in midair. Jason instinctively raised his machete to block them. The moment the crosses touched his body, they sizzled like red-hot irons against raw flesh.

But the effect was far less obvious than Edward had expected. Jason merely paused for a moment before attacking again.

"Tch. Looks like pure silver crosses don't work that well on monsters like you." Edward nodded thoughtfully. "Purification is still more reliable."

Jason charged again, moving even faster this time. His machete whistled through the air straight for Edward's head. Edward leaped backward, but Jason stayed right on him, the blade passing so close it nearly grazed his nose.

Telekinesis!

An invisible force erupted, shoving Jason backward for several yards. But he quickly steadied himself. This killer's strength and endurance far exceeded those of an ordinary person.

Edward frowned. Although Purification could injure Jason, he needed something more direct to finish him for good.

Just then, Jason's attack revealed an opening. He put too much force into his swing, throwing his center of gravity forward. Edward seized the chance and rushed in.

Now!

Edward grabbed Jason by the head, his fingers clamping tightly around the battered hockey mask.

Purification, maximum output!

A fierce holy light burst from Edward's palm and poured directly into Jason's skull. This was not an ordinary Purification attack, but a full-power release at point-blank range.

Jason let out an earth-shaking scream, a sound mixed with rage, pain, and unwillingness. His body began to convulse violently, and white flames could vaguely be seen burning beneath his mask.

"Let's end this, Jason," Edward said calmly.

The power of Purification continued for a full ten seconds. When the light faded, the undead killer who had terrorized Crystal Lake for decades finally collapsed. Jason's body hit the muddy ground heavily and did not move again.

Edward let out a sigh of relief, but he did not lower his guard. He knew that for something like Jason, death might only be temporary.

Edward used Telekinesis to lift Jason's heavy body and raise it above the lake.

"Go back where you belong."

Jason's body was hurled deep into the center of the lake, sending up a massive splash. Edward continued suppressing him with Telekinesis, making sure he sank to the bottom, then pinned him down beneath silt and rocks from the lakebed.

After finishing all that, Edward finally relaxed for real. The rain gradually weakened, and noisy voices drifted over from the direction of the camp.

Edward straightened his clothes, put away his guns, and leisurely headed back toward the camp.

Inside the dining hall, more than thirty students were still huddled together, every face filled with fear. When Edward pushed open the door and entered, everyone looked at him nervously.

"Edward!" Carrie was the first to rush over. "Are you okay?"

"I took a walk outside," Edward said casually. "Oh, right. I met a big guy behind the mountain just now. He was wearing a hockey mask and carrying a machete."

The dining hall fell silent in an instant. Everyone's eyes went wide.

"You mean... you ran into Jason the killer?" an upperclassman asked shakily.

"If there wasn't anyone else, then it was probably him." Edward nodded, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing the weather. "We hung out outside all night. He should be sleeping at the bottom of the lake now. Don't worry, nothing should happen tonight."

The students exchanged glances, unsure whether they should believe Edward.

After dawn, someone's phone finally regained signal. Before long, the police arrived at the camp. When they saw the horrific scene in the caretaker's cabin, everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

The police briefly questioned the students, but most of them could not give a coherent account. Only Edward described his "encounter" with Jason in detail, though he portrayed the battle as a friendly conversation.

"You're saying you talked with that Jason all night?" a police officer asked skeptically.

"More or less." Edward shrugged. "He wasn't much of a talker, but I don't think he's bad at heart. He's just a little lonely. He's already gone back into the lake, so he probably won't come out again anytime soon."

The police thought the boy might have been frightened into having hallucinations. After all, how could an ordinary high school student possibly get along peacefully with a legendary killer?

Regardless, the summer camp could not continue. The students were arranged to return early.

On the school bus home, Carrie sat beside Edward, her face full of guilt.

"I'm sorry, Edward," she said softly. "I didn't help at all last night. I only knew how to hide in the dining hall."

"It's okay." Edward turned to her and gave her a gentle smile. "This isn't something you can get involved in yet. Your Telekinesis still needs time to grow. Once you become stronger, we'll fight side by side."

Carrie's face flushed slightly, and she nodded hard.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared in the bus window. Alan's face emerged from the reflection.

"Edward, something happened at home," Alan said succinctly. "That babysitter from last night was a cultist. Lily got into a conflict with those people."

Edward's expression instantly turned serious. He lowered his voice and asked, "Jisi should be able to handle it, right?"

"She's fine, but..." Alan paused. "She might have gotten a little too carried away. You'd better go back and take a look as soon as possible."

Edward nodded, then turned to Carrie. "I may need to deal with something at home first. I'll take you home, then head back."

Although Carrie was somewhat disappointed, she obediently nodded. She vaguely sensed that Edward was always surrounded by secrets she did not know about, but she chose to trust him and wait for the day when she could truly help him.

The school bus stopped in the city. Edward got off with Carrie and watched her enter her house before he finally turned and headed toward his own home.