"!!!"
The demon possessing the victim didn't seem to have learned many swear words in the mortal world; it only repeated these few phrases over and over.
"Damned bug!! You deserve to die!!"
This caused the now-calm old man, Welber, to look at his daughter, who could only roar and struggle before the priest. For some reason, he actually felt a sense of pity for the demon inside.
"Yes, it was you who first let me know that my research direction was useful, and even let me become familiar with..."
Under the old man's gaze, York screwed the needle head into the Injector, a nostalgic smile appearing on his face as he looked at Prima.
Speaking of which, this demon really was his introductory teacher, allowing him to find a research direction distinct from traditional exorcism, including the use of the system... "I really must thank you."
Saying so, York took another needle from his backpack and inserted it into the Injector head.
"So, I'll give you a shot first to express my gratitude. This is medicine I specifically bought from an old friend's shop—one who does nothing but smoke. I didn't expect it would eventually be used on you; we really are destined."
While Prima continued to roar incessantly, York pulled the trigger toward her shoulder. After seeing the needle sink in, York didn't forget to explain to his "old demon friend."
"You know, buddy, there's a class of drugs in the human world used clinically to anesthetize patients. They work by blocking neuromuscular transmission, causing skeletal muscle relaxation."
Perhaps waiting for the drug to take effect, or perhaps to reassure the old man, York added another explanation.
"This should prevent the host you're possessing from being tossed around by you to the point of physical injury."
"Of course, this drug only works while you're limited to using the host's strength."
"If you ever reach the point where you can pull off various joint locks, then this medicine probably won't have any effect..."
As he spoke, Prima's struggling gradually diminished. The demon inside sensed something was wrong; it realized the power it could wield was slowly fading. It could only stare at York in grief and indignation.
"Dammit! How did such an anomaly emerge among God's lackeys!"
"Where is your Cross? Where is your Bible! Where is your holy water!"
For a demon to suddenly speak so much at once showed that its mental defenses had completely collapsed.
York smiled, looking at the victim whose struggling was slowly weakening, a strange light in his eyes.
"No rush, it's not time for them to appear yet. Since I've happened upon you, I want to try something new."
Saying this, York took out his phone. While tapping something on the screen, he spoke.
"It's only because it's you. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare do this, because I wouldn't be confident in ensuring the victim's safety against others of your kind."
"You're saying I'm weak!!! I am..." The beast-like voice roared to this point before Prima abruptly stopped, her grayish-white pupils staring at York as he fiddled with his phone.
"Cunning human! I won't fall for it!"
"Fortunately. If you had blurted out your True Name just like that, I would really have to change my impression of you."
Seeing that the other party hadn't fallen for it, York smiled indifferently. He placed the phone on his knee, looked at a recording file, and pressed play.
The recording on the phone began to play, and a voice rang out.
"...In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I come to this place... Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
"Under the armor of God, I declare that you no longer have the right to remain in this world..."
"..."
This was a recitation he had specifically recorded, consisting mostly of common exorcism passages from the Bible.
He wanted to see if a recording from a modern tool like this would have a corresponding effect on a demon.
Unfortunately, he only saw a look of mockery on Prima's face and deep-seated disgust in her pupils.
"As unpleasant as ever, it truly makes me unhappy..."
No effect?
Seeing no obvious change, York pressed pause. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the old man, only to see a face full of confusion and bewilderment. It seemed he hadn't understood what York was doing at all.
"Cough!"
York gave a dry cough, a fleeting trace of embarrassment appearing on his otherwise unchanging expression.
Could it be that some kind of blessing is truly required? For instance, the infusion of Holy Power? Or can it only be done by reciting from the Bible in person?
"What? Is this the new method you've researched?"
Amidst the demon's words, York was still pondering. He looked at the victim, Prima, who was becoming arrogant in accordance with her demonic nature, and rubbed his chin.
Perhaps, like holy water, the phone was missing the step of Consecration?
Remembering the most important step in making holy water, York began to try infusing the phone on his knee. He wanted to see if Mana could automatically replace the step of Consecration.
The Mana spread quickly, automatically consuming three points of Mana.
[3 points of Mana used]
[...]
Listening to the mechanical prompt in his ear, York pressed the play button again, and the paused recording resumed.
"The Lord said: 'When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.'"
"In the name of Jesus, by His power and authority, I cast out the evil spirit from your body!"
"..."
However, the Mana, which had always acted like a versatile treasure chest, finally met its first failure. The effect of infusing the phone was merely to make the sound louder.
Seeing the mockery in Prima's eyes grow stronger, York sighed inwardly. He pressed the pause button, deciding he would have to consecrate the phone or something similar another day before trying again.
"Jie jie jie jie!" The long-tormented demon finally offered its own mockery. Following its will, Prima lifted her upper body and faced York.
"What's wrong? Your little toy doesn't work? Come on! Increase the intensity!"
"...As you wish."
York smiled, setting aside his research to begin the formal exorcism. As he stood up, he waved his right hand, mobilizing the Mana within him. The old Bible in his backpack was automatically drawn before him as if by some invisible force.
Before the old man's wide, disbelieving eyes, the floating Bible turned its pages automatically.
[10 points of Mana used]
[...]
York' gentle voice rang out in the quiet room.
"..."
"But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
"Evil soul, heed my voice and feel the descent of the divine power!"
Unlike the dull, seemingly emotionless voice from the phone, this voice was vigorous and full of power. A surge of holy energy appeared instantly, dispersing all the evil aura and negative emotions in the room.
At this moment, York appeared sacred and inviolable!
In this instant.
Behind him, the old man Welber looked at him, his lips trembling with excitement. It seemed the old man could sense a calming yet familiar energy descending through his own spiritual perception.
"God..."