A Close Encounter

Observing the blue flames that dwindled to the point of extinguishing, leaving only a few parts still burning, Anton holstered his pistol without a care, scanning his surroundings with a composed gaze. 

Malevolent spirits belong to the category of soul entities and are immune to most conventional attacks, although the more powerful ones can also employ special attack methods, as demonstrated by the spirit that attacked the two apprentice exorcists just now.

Nevertheless, malevolent spirits are still weak overall, and in the known hierarchy, they are relatively low-level malign entities compared to those capable of possession or physical manifestation. 

Ordinary people like Ed and Lorraine can attempt to rid themselves of malevolent spirits as long as they discover fixed behavior patterns and the reasons or conditions for their appearance.

As for why they don't get rid of them themselves, that's because they adhere to the rules of the Association of Light, which shields them from the restrictions imposed by the English on them. For better or worse, it's what's best for everyone. 

Of course, private exorcists who operate independently don't care; there are so many exorcists in the world, and the church can't monitor each one every day.

The consequences of the private actions of these individuals are usually borne by themselves. 

If the consequences are too significant, causing harm to innocent people and creating discomfort and confusion in a peaceful society, then the church tribunal is responsible for personally punishing those wrongs. In contrast, the Association of Light eliminates any threat entirely, uprooting future inconveniences.

Similar to how the police will arrest anyone who disrupts public order and threatens society's security, the Association of Light eradicates everything at its root without caring about ethics or morality. Anton took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his right hand.

He had a purpose for being an exorcist, going beyond trauma or revenge. But now that he had seen something completely different from what he was accustomed to, he did it for pleasure. 

At this stage, malevolent spirits are essentially a group that must be eliminated for the sake of one's peace of mind, to help those in need, and to prevent pure families from being harmed.

Remembering his past experiences, Anton felt very disappointed in himself and hoped that his current actions could erase that past that no longer represented him. 

"Today, I'm not who I was before." Anton had forgotten about that man; right now, he had other concerns and was an entirely new person.

Setting aside his mood, Anton looked around to see if any evil was nearby, besides that malevolent spirit, but found nothing. But just before turning around, a sudden pop was heard, and white dust appeared out of nowhere on the ground where all the embers had just burned. 

"Huh?" When this scene appeared, Anton immediately stopped and looked at the white dust beside the back patio door with surprise in his eyes.

Some powerful malevolent spirits leave something behind, like spiritual dust on the ground. Its main effect is to cause harm to the intangible malevolent spirits, allowing ordinary people a chance to kill them. 

"Something that needs cleaning up," Anton muttered as he returned. At the same time, due to the sound of gunshots, except for those who knew him, Matthew's family was terrified.

 "Is Priest Anton okay?"

Thomas, who had helped the affected ones sent flying, returned and said, "He'll be fine; there are worse things he's faced that you have no idea about." 

No one could imagine what a physical demon fighting humans with overwhelming power was like, such as the one they eliminated in South Korea, where hundreds of people died. 

A spirit, to be honest, wasn't very terrifying, but in truth, both had their good and bad sides.

"Yeah, everything will be okay," Ed, who knew Anton's peculiar way of acting, reassured everyone who was nervous. 

"We've also encountered very powerful malevolent spirits, but they all end up eliminated regardless of the method." As soon as he said this, Drew, who was also keeping watch with Ed, perked up his ears and regarded Anton at these moments as his lifeline. 

Being someone he admired a lot, he asked, looking at the priests still praying outside, "Mr. Ed, can you tell me more about Anton in the future?"

"Of course." But as he said that, Ed suddenly saw something and smiled joyfully. "Priest Anton is back."