112

Hunter, Don't Shoot My Friend

Chapter 112: The Judgment Before Departure [1]

"The world won't care if you're here to become human again; everyone needs your help, and there's nothing better than facing evil as a monster," said a messenger from the Association of Light who had arrived at Anton's house a few days after the exorcism.

Ethan, who was staring at a small tree Anton had sent him, smiled slightly, a wide smile as if humanity had returned to him.

"Regent, you…?"

"Do all the top officials of the Association of Light agree that someone as disastrous as me should return to operations outside? They must be really desperate. Is the Pope of Light close to dying, and that's why they want me back in the field?" Ethan asked, his subtle smile directed at the association's messenger.

To be more precise, Ethan had arrived in this town after eliminating a very ancient vampire, a success that cost the vampires one of their largest hives.

If Ethan were to return as Regent to deal with global-scale cases, he would pick and choose from what suited him best, and disaster would ensue.

It must be known that Guardian Regents are the first to have the authority to use nuclear weapons or wipe out an entire city if they so decide.

In this case, it was hard for Ethan to believe that the entire Association of Light agreed on his return. If his mental state was in question, many might think he's only back because of the world crisis.

"Everyone is desperate, Mr. Winchester. Seeing your performance in recent days, everyone knows you're ready to return. Besides, you'll have extra time for all your games unrelated to the Association of Light."

When this person mentioned that, Ethan frowned and asked in a cold tone, "Does my sister know?"

"She should know, but she won’t interfere with what you want to do because it’s your life... But she left one condition: To ensure you're really doing this for yourself."

Ethan sighed, realizing he was being used. No one knew his capabilities better than him, and he deeply believed everyone was affected by having someone like him in such a small place. They couldn’t handle the pressure of him being gone for such a short time.

But if there were downsides, it was that his responsibilities would increase, bringing many more problems.

"Everyone needs you. The higher you climb the elimination ranks, the sooner you'll be able to retire."

"What do you know about what I like?" Ethan asked coldly, his emotionless gaze fixed on the messenger. Wanting to change the topic, he asked, "By the way, what data have you gathered on the demon extermination?"

"Everything's been cleaned up. We discovered the attack was orchestrated by followers of the vampire you eliminated before arriving at Beacon Hills."

At this point, Ethan looked at a black wooden box. Upon opening it, he saw a necklace with a purple cross, symbolizing his official return. Now, he would not only be more involved with the Association of Light but also have about a thousand subordinates moving around him.

But to be honest, he now wanted to do much more than just stay here, especially when he had super-soldiers under his command.

"So, that's all. Thank you for your visit, and tell the Pope of Light that I’ll do a good job," Ethan said, looking at the purple cross-shaped necklace.

"He knows you will do a good job."

As the messenger left, Ethan put the cross over his black suit and sighed deeply, knowing that now his actions would not only be his responsibility but also that of many others. That, in itself, was worrying.

Just when he was about to rest, he received a call from a cheerful Stiles, who had recently become a hunter for the Association of Light after passing JJ's tests.

"Sir, everyone has received the news that you're back, and you'll soon be assigned a team. I'd like to be part of that team. I may have only been assigned desk jobs, but I think I can do a good job," JJ said, excited after reading that Ethan had returned.

Ethan was surprised, walked to his room, and soon saw an announcement on his computer where his name, photo, and information had been broadcast across the Association of Light’s forum.

"Typical of the Association. They're no different from The High Table." Ethan thought it was practically the same, except one managed the living and the other the dead, the supernatural, and things not of this world.

Compared to The High Table, Ethan knew that the Association of Light was an institution recognized by world governments and even financially supported by them, as they received results from their work.

After being confirmed as an active Regent once again, a message was sent to him with the exact location of the building where he would now operate. His work as a hunter had changed a bit, and he had been promoted to a position few had reached in their lifetime.

"Base location: Arts Building in the city center.Operation zone: open sectionPosition: Guardian Regent.[Request: Present yourself to your new subordinates and operate on a larger scale than usual.]"

Ethan dropped what he was doing and walked to the garage, where new cars sent by his father awaited him after learning his truck had been damaged.

Upon arriving at a modern-looking building, Ethan got out of the car, and a man in a black suit at the door quickly approached him to park the car in the reserved area for workers.

"Sir, we've been expecting you."

Ethan looked at the man in the black suit and nodded, noticing the gun at his waist. He could tell he was an external security guard.

Unlike The High Table, the Association of Light had bases in public places hidden underground. Places like museums, libraries, or cultural centers housed departments of research, surveillance, and management, along with peacekeeping agents.

When Ethan entered, he walked toward an elevator to descend underground, where he would meet the people under his command.

"Guardian Regent, we’ve been expecting you. Welcome to the city’s central base," said a woman in a professional suit as she approached Ethan and handed him a smart tablet.

When Ethan took the tablet, the woman beside him said, "In your hands, you have all the profiles of the new recruits, including field agents, exorcists, adept apprentices, light agents, office workers, and private investigators. Additionally, your private selections will be under your command at your discretion."

Ethan watched the profiles appear on the screen, nodded, and prepared to descend further into the base, where more professional operations regarding the elimination of dark entities would take place.