The Dead!
1041 Words
"You mean... you're a demonologist?"
Detective Nick Cruze widened his eyes, as if he had just met a demonologist for the first time.
After exchanging introductions earlier, he learned of Green's identity.
Nick's partner, Roy Powell, was less surprised: "You're quite skilled, much better than my partner!"
Green smiled slightly without responding.
The thought of this blonde woman being an old cowboy with a white beard always gave him a strange feeling.
"You guys are from the Ghostdom police, right?"
After some pleasantries, Green got straight to the point: "I've heard about you, and your deeds are truly admirable!"
"Oh?"
Roy raised an eyebrow, asking, "As far as I know, very few living people know about our existence. May I ask who told you?"
"Gabriel Amorte, my mentor."
Upon hearing this name, Roy showed a look of realization, unlike Nick who remained clueless.
"So it's Father Gabriel. How is he doing now?"
Green's face fell, his eyes filled with sorrow: "Yesterday, the church informed me of Father Gabriel's passing."
"Oh no!"
Roy also looked deeply saddened, taking off his hat in sincerity: "Father Gabriel was a great man, rest in peace!"
Nick stood there, bewildered, looking at the grieving Green and Roy, completely unaware of who Father Gabriel was.
Not wanting his partner to continue feeling awkward, Roy quickly spoke again: "Mr. Green, since you know who we are, you should understand our duty, so..."
He pointed at Thomas, still pinned down by the Shadow Legion: "We need to take Thomas away."
Surprisingly, Green shook his head.
"What will you do with him once you take him back?"
"Trial, of course! This guy has committed many crimes!"
Hearing this, Green's face lit up with a bright smile: "Since he's going to die anyway, let me be the one to eliminate him!"
"Ah?"
Roy and Nick exchanged looks, their eyes full of disbelief.
It was the first time they had encountered such a request.
"Well..."
Nick cleared his throat: "This might not comply with regulations. Trialing the dead is our duty at the Ghostdom police..."
But Green cut him off with a wave of his hand: "Nick, I know you're a good cop! But! I have my own difficulties!"
With a sigh, he continued: "Although Father Gabriel guided me onto the path of demonology, he hasn't officially initiated me into the church yet. I'm not an official demonologist."
"The church told me that to join them, someone like me must eliminate ten dark creatures!"
"I've already taken out nine! If I add Thomas, I can fulfill Father Gabriel's last wish and join the church..."
Nick stood frozen, having never heard of such a rule before.
He turned to his partner, eyes pleading for knowledge.
Aren't you always bragging about your vast knowledge?
Does the church really have such a rule?
"Cough..."
Roy coughed, then said after some thought: "As far as I know, the church does have such a right. Without the church's recognition, one cannot be considered a true demonologist."
"See?"
Green smiled.
"For the sake of Father Gabriel."
Roy patted Green on the shoulder and said: "Then Thomas is all yours to handle."
Looking at the grinning Green, he solemnly added: "But make sure to dispose of him quickly! According to our assessment, this guy has lost control over his powers! If he stays among the living, he could cause serious harm!"
"No problem!"
Green nodded: "I can handle it right now."
With that, he turned towards Thomas.
Nick and Roy glanced at each other, standing there watching Green's actions.
They too wanted to see how a human demonologist dealt with a dead spirit.
At the Ghostdom police, dead spirits were eliminated using a type of bullet known as Soul Killer, which could cause irreparable damage to the deceased.
A shot to the head would erase any dead spirit or Ghostdom officer from the universe.
Despite their casual demeanor, Nick and Roy kept their hands on their holsters.
If Thomas made any unruly moves, they were ready to make him vanish instantly!
Under their watchful eyes, Green slowly approached Thomas.
He glanced at the Shadow Legion restraining Thomas and picked up a broken wooden window frame from the ground.
After weighing it in his hand for a moment, Green lifted the frame above his head, aiming the sharp end at Thomas's head.
"A wooden stick? Can this kill a dead spirit?"
Nick's face was filled with astonishment; feeling shocked countless times that night.
"No way!"
Roy shook his head, equally puzzled:
"I've been with the Ghostdom police for over a century and have never heard of wood killing a dead spirit!"l
"Let's see what happens. Maybe this apprentice of Father Gabriel has his methods."
Ignoring their whispers, Green focused intently on Thomas. With a flick of his mind, a golden glow enveloped the wooden stick.
The next second, he thrust the stick into Thomas.
As the stick touched Thomas, it smoothly pierced his skull.
"RAAAARGH!"
Thomas let out a terrifying roar, struggling fiercely.
However, the Shadow Legion holding him weren't ordinary people either. No matter how much he struggled, he was pressed firmly to the ground.
As cracks appeared on the ground under the immense force, Green pushed harder, driving the stick deeper.
Poof!
With a puff of smoke, Thomas vanished completely before everyone's eyes.
"Phew..."
Green breathed a long sigh and stood up.
He looked down at the magical array on his wrist and saw that the progress bar, though having absorbed Thomas's energy, hadn't risen as much as he'd hoped.
Damn!
Even a mosquito is meat!
Cursing under his breath, Green returned to the stunned Nick and Roy.
"Thank you both. Now I can finally become a true demonologist!"
Faced with his gratitude, Nick and Roy were taken aback for a few seconds before responding: "N... No need to thank us."
"How about coming up for a cup of tea?"
"No need, no need! We have reports to write. Besides, we wouldn't appreciate your tea anyway."
Roy waved his hand, declining the offer.
"Okay, then. See you around!"
Without further comment, Green started missing Vanessa's warm embrace.
"Wait!"
Before Green could turn to leave, Nick pointed at the still-standing Shadow Legion: "May I ask what those things are?"
- Writer
