Ray

The old house stood on the edge of the village, seemingly forgotten. The boards creaked in the wind, and the windows were clouded with mist. Ray paused at the door, feeling a strange pressure—not just the presence of a demon, but something… else.

Behind him, the old man was trembling.

• Please... get rid of him... he's been here for several days...

Ray didn't answer. He pushed the door and walked in.

The cold hit immediately. Unnatural. Alive.

A fog slowly spread across the floor.

“Come out,” Ray said calmly, without raising his voice.

There was no answer.

He took a step deeper into the house, and the fog grew thicker, clinging to his boots as if trying to hold him back. Inside, it became so quiet his ears were ringing.

— …Don’t come any closer.

Voice.

Weak.

Ray looked up sharply.

In the corner, by the wall, stood a demon.

Tall, about a hundred and eighty. Light hair fell over a pale face, almost human… save for the fangs and gray, too-cold eyes. The claws on his hands kept appearing and disappearing, as if he had no complete control over them.

But that wasn't what stopped Ray.

The demon… did not attack.

He stood tensely, like a cornered animal.

“You are an exorcist,” he said quietly.

“And you are a demon,” Ray replied.

An old man's cry was heard from behind:

— KILL HIM! HE CAME HERE HIMSELF!

The demon shuddered sharply. The fog around him shifted, and the cold grew stronger.

“I… didn’t come…” he said almost in a whisper. “He called…”

Ray slowly turned to look at the old man, then looked back at the demon.

He took a step back.

Fright.

Real.

Ray frowned.

• Name.

Pause.

— …Hakugai.

The fog thickened slightly at his feet.

Ray dropped his hand from the talisman.

"You didn't attack. And you're trying to keep your distance..." He took a step forward. "Why are you more afraid than him?"

Hakugai fell silent.

And in this silence it became clear that something was wrong here.

Not a demon.

And the challenge itself.

Object: Hakugai
Threat Class: Unstable/Non-Aggressive
Performer: Exorcist Ray

⸻

I. Detection

1. Upon entry, the following signs are recorded:

• a sharp drop in temperature
• presence of dense fog
• sound suppression

2. If the fog reacts to movements →
   the object is aware of the presence

⸻

II. Contact

1. The exorcist is obliged to:

• don't attack first
• establish voice contact

2. Mandatory request:

• name of the demon
• reason for attachment to a place/person

3. If the demon:

• does not attack
• retreats
→ classified as non-aggressive

⸻

III. Verification of truth

Ray activates:

"The Look of Truth"

Checked:
• level of hostility
• presence of coercion (contract, conscription)
• emotional state

If fear is detected →
immediate expulsion is prohibited

⸻

IV. Limitation

If the situation is unstable:
• Purification seals are used
• fog zone is recorded
• the use of total destruction is prohibited

Target:
containment, not elimination

⸻

V. Special Case: "Summoned Demon"

If it is confirmed that a person has summoned a demon:

1. Priority changes:

• person = source of the problem
• daemon = linked object

2. The binding is checked:

• voluntary
• violent

3. If the demon can't leave →
   disconnection is mandatory

⸻

VI. Conditions of Exile

Expulsion is only permitted if:
• the demon shows aggression
• life-threatening
• loses control completely

In Hakugai's case:
⚠️ Probability of losing control = high (due to emotions)

⸻

VII. Alternative outcome

If a demon:
• not hostile
• shows fear
• does not cause harm

→ allowed:
partial cleansing/protection instead of destruction

⸻

VIII. Risk

Special note:

Hakugai is a demon whose abilities depend on emotions.
(fear → increased cold and fog)

👉 This means:
pressure = worsening of the situation

⸻

IX. Ray's Conclusion (Internal)

"He doesn't act like an enemy.
But if you push him… he will become one."