"The Ghost Rider is Mephisto's bounty hunter," Carter said quietly. "You signed the contract, so you should know this. Our souls are in his hands. Unless you break the contract directly, it's very hard to escape his control."
"You haven't experienced your first transformation yet, have you?"
Inside the small church, Carter was asking about Johnny's situation while preparing to explain the basics.
Johnny was still a complete novice.
Carter was not.
He was a veteran Ghost Rider. He knew exactly what the first transformation felt like, what followed after, and what kind of changes would occur.
Because Morin had already contacted him beforehand, Carter didn't hide anything this time.
Unlike in the original timeline, he revealed his identity directly.
He was Carter Slade.
The previous Ghost Rider.
That alone instantly raised Johnny's sense of trust.
People with similar experiences could always talk more easily.
Especially when one was a senior in the same "profession."
Naturally, Johnny listened attentively.
"Yes," Johnny said, still a little confused.
"That explains it," Carter nodded. "No wonder you couldn't recognize me. Ghost Riders can easily sense their own kind. Since you haven't undergone your first transformation yet, it's normal."
"But I'll say this first."
"The first transformation is extremely painful."
"What do you mean... extremely painful?" Johnny asked.
"The Ghost Rider's strongest weapons are Hellfire and the Penance Stare," Carter said. "But to control Hellfire, during the first transformation, your entire body-both flesh and soul-will be burned by it."
Johnny swallowed.
Just hearing it made his scalp tingle.
"Burned away?" Johnny asked. "If it's burned away, then what do I become? How can I still be the Ghost Rider?"
"What do you think a Ghost Rider is?" Carter asked calmly.
"Just a skeleton."
"A skeleton?" Johnny's mind automatically filled in the image.
"That's right. A skeleton," Carter said. "On fire. With clothes. And a mount."
"Actually... it doesn't look bad."
Carter recalled his own past.
Back then, his Ghost Rider form had been truly striking.
A flaming skeleton.
A skeletal horse.
Hellfire wrapping everything.
Cowboy attire.
Wild. Fierce. Unrestrained.
Perfectly fitting the reputation of Texas's top ranger.
The Riders Mephisto chose were always like this.
They had to be the best riders in the world.
Anything less would be unworthy of the Lord of Hell.
As for transportation-
Even devils had to keep up with the times.
Didn't Mephisto even switch from scrolls to A4 contracts when tricking Roxanne?
"Can you transform and show me?" Johnny asked.
"Get out," Carter snapped, swinging his shovel. "I can only transform one last time. You want me to die right here?"
"Sorry-sorry, I didn't know," Johnny said quickly.
"You two seem to be chatting quite enthusiastically," Morin's voice sounded as a teleportation light flashed.
"Are you that police officer?" Johnny asked. "Are you also a Ghost Rider?"
"I'm not," Morin said, shaking his head. "I'm a magician."
"A magician?"
"A magician?"
Johnny and Carter spoke at the same time.
"Yes. A magician," Morin said naturally. "Is that strange?"
"...Isn't that magic?" Johnny looked dazed.
"As a magician, knowing a bit of magic is perfectly normal," Morin replied smoothly. "Many magicians use stage tricks as cover to perform real magic."
"...Is that so?" Johnny thought about it.
No wonder he never understood those tricks.
Carter said nothing.
As someone experienced, he could tell Morin was joking.
But...
He couldn't help worrying about the intelligence of the next Rider.
This easy to fool?
Can he really be the key?
Wait.
Maybe that's exactly why he can be the key.
Carter suddenly understood the meaning behind Morin's earlier plans.
"Anyway," Morin said, dropping the joke, "our goal is the same."
"To deal with Mephisto."
"But before that, understand this."
"Plans matter. Precision matters."
"But the most fundamental thing is strength."
Johnny nodded.
The title 'Lord of Hell' alone explained enough.
"So," Morin looked at him, "this will depend on you."
"Mm," Johnny nodded seriously.
Then froze.
"Wait. Why me?"
"Why not you?" Morin asked. "Don't you want to defeat Mephisto and take your soul back?"
"Of course I do," Johnny said, then hesitated. "But... what about you?"
"I'm old," Carter said immediately. "I can only transform once more, and that's it. No combat power left."
Johnny accepted that.
Then he looked at Morin.
"I have no grudge against Mephisto," Morin said calmly. "This ambush is just to fleece him a little."
"I'd actually love to fight."
"But I already signed an agreement with him last time."
"I can't act directly anymore."
"...Then what am I supposed to do?" Johnny felt tricked.
But when he thought about it, their reasoning was airtight.
"Mephisto's son, Blackheart, has come to Earth," Morin said, placing a hand on Johnny's shoulder.
"He wants the Contract of San Venganza."
"He wants to absorb those souls."
"And open Hell on Earth."
His gaze sharpened.
His voice grew heated.
"Young man-no, middle-aged man."
"Are you ready to accept the devil's summons and defeat the devil's son?"
Johnny: "..."
Why does this suddenly feel like a hot-blooded anime?
Also.
You really didn't have to remind me I'm middle-aged.
And accepting a devil's summons to defeat a devil's son sounds extremely wrong.
Johnny complained internally.
"Anyway," Morin continued casually, "it'll be tonight or tomorrow night."
"Mephisto will forcibly control you."
"You'll transform."
"And he'll send you to deal with Blackheart."
"That will be your first battle."
"After that comes special training."
"That's why I told you to think carefully before reconciling with your girlfriend."
"So?"
"Thank me."
"Thank you!" Johnny said immediately.
He felt genuine gratitude.
If Morin hadn't stopped him, the situation would have followed the original timeline.
He would've reconciled with Roxanne.
Then stood her up again the same night.
The consequences would've been disastrous.
"No need," Morin said. "You should go back."
"You need time alone."
"Think it through."
"No need to promise anything yet."
"Alright," Johnny said.
At this moment, Morin's words felt like gospel.
The amount of information was overwhelming.
Anyone would need time.
What Johnny didn't know was-
Letting him leave was part of the plan.
After Johnny left.
"Are you sure he'll go mad over that?" Carter asked, uneasy. "Even if he does, it's his first transformation. Can he really reach that level?"
"And... isn't this dangerous?"
"And... what about that woman?"
"Without my plan, she'd still be dragged in," Morin shook his head. "And it would be far more dangerous."
"At least now, everything is under control."
"We just follow the plan."
"As for love driving him mad-don't worry."
"That's the foundation."
"This time..."
"I'm making Mephisto lose everything."
Meanwhile.
At the edge of the cemetery, Mephisto watched Johnny leave.
His gaze was icy.
He looked toward the small church, snorted, and glanced at the contract in his hand.
A cold smile appeared.
His clone on Earth was too weak to eavesdrop.
But that didn't matter.
"No matter what you're planning," Mephisto said softly, "victory is already mine."
He felt invincible.
With this advantage-
How could he lose?
A low, demonic laugh echoed.
Then faded.
Mephisto vanished.
Inside the church, Morin looked in that direction.
The corner of his mouth lifted.
He must be very proud right now.
I wonder what his expression will look like soon.
Truly...
Something to look forward to.
Morin left shortly after.
Tonight.
The curtain was about to rise.
As both director and actor-
It was time to take the stage.
...
When Johnny returned home, it was already evening.
He pushed his motorcycle into the elevator, parked it, then collapsed onto the sofa.
Candy went into his mouth.
Books covered the table.
Bibles.
Demonology.
Everything.
He'd never stopped searching for a solution.
It was just that without direction, it had been futile.
Now he had one.
Johnny flipped pages quickly.
Mephisto could arrive at any moment.
He needed every scrap of knowledge.
"Fire manipulation..." Johnny found a section and started reading.
I'll understand once I experience it, he thought.
But that experience came faster than expected.
After just a few lines, Johnny felt hot.
He drank water.
Washed his face.
The heat intensified.
His arms turned bright red.
Moisture evaporated instantly, forming mist.
"...."
Johnny knew.
This wasn't normal.
Before, he might've panicked.
But now-
With Hellfire and flaming skeletons in mind-
This was just the appetizer.
The real course was next.
The devil.
"John...ny..."
"Johnny..."
Weak calls echoed.
Along with the roar of a motorcycle.
His motorcycle.
It was gone.
Johnny wasn't surprised.
He followed the sound.
Outside.
The motorcycle waited.
Roaring.
Alive.
Johnny stopped in front of it.
He knew.
That devil had arrived.
"Hi, Johnny," a voice said behind him.
"...You," Johnny turned.
Mephisto.
"You've come."
"That kid gave you some confidence," Mephisto said lightly. "Courage?"
"...You know," Johnny narrowed his eyes.
"Of course I know," Mephisto smiled. "You're my favorite Rider."
"What have you planned?"
"Joining forces?"
Johnny's heart tightened.
"What do you want?"
Mephisto didn't answer.
He looked at the motorcycle.
"Nice bike."
"I've always been there."
"Phoenix. Denver. Houston."
"It was you," Johnny said quietly. "Making sure I never die."
"No," Mephisto chuckled. "You did that yourself."
"You're the greatest."
"And I..."
"I'm your biggest fan."
"Fan?" Johnny felt sick.
"Yes. Fan."
"And investor."
"Watching my investment grow."
"Until redemption day."
"What do you want?" Johnny asked.
Mephisto laughed.
"I want you to fulfill your promise."
"Deal with Blackheart."
"And bring me back..."
"The Contract of San Venganza."
Find Advance chapters
And for More Fan fiction
👇
👇
[Support link: pat reon.com/RioRaRyu]
------------
More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 250 power stones = Bonus Chapter
Give me more Power Stones
------------