"I won't let you escape this time."
Geto Suguru used Cursed Spirit Manipulation, releasing dozens of powerful Cursed Spirits, including a Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
"So it was you. I won't lose this time!"
The Cursed Spirit turned to Geto Suguru and spoke confidently.
It felt stronger than ever.
"Is that so?" Geto Suguru said with a smile.
The stronger his opponent was, the more excited he became. It made bringing the people from Geto's group along worthwhile.
"Hey, kid. This one's my prey. Don't even think about going after it, or I'll make up for it with your Cursed Spirits."
Shinsuke Zenin picked up a piece of Play Cloud from the ground and warned Geto Suguru.
"Hm? You again. You stole my prey last time. Are you trying to steal it again?"
When he saw Shinsuke Zenin, Geto Suguru's expression darkened as he remembered how the Mountain Demon King had been stolen from him all those years ago.
"You won't steal it from me this time."
Ignoring Shinsuke Zenin's warning, Geto Suguru waved his hand and sent dozens of Cursed Spirits to attack the Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
"Roar!"
"Come on, come on! Make me stronger!"
The Special Grade Cursed Spirit charged in, swinging its fists as it fought the Cursed Spirits, trying to unleash the same attack as before.
"Tch. You're the one stealing my prey, you know?"
Shinsuke Zenin glanced at the Play Cloud in his hand, wondering if he should sharpen it like Toji did.
But if he did that, wouldn't the five-hundred-million-yen Cursed Tool be ruined?
At least as it was, he could take it back and get it repaired.
"Forget it. It'll still be usable after a repair. I can give it to Maki later."
As he thought this, Shinsuke Zenin flashed over to Kusakabe and the others and handed him the broken Play Cloud to look after.
"Teacher Kusakabe, hold onto my weapon for me."
Using it as a disposable weapon like Toji wasn't really practical.
"Oh, o-okay!"
Kusakabe took the bloodstained Play Cloud, looking bewildered. "Um, what should we do now?"
"Should we retreat, or wait for Satoru Gojo to get here?"
This Cursed Spirit probably wouldn't be easy to deal with. It had even managed to land a Black Flash. Once its Cursed Technique burnout ended and it regained its technique, it would probably be even more terrifying.
Kusakabe figured that since Geto Suguru was there, they could leave the Cursed Spirit to him, as long as it didn't get outside the curtain. At least no one would get hurt.
Alternatively, they could wait for Satoru Gojo to arrive and exorcise the Cursed Spirit.
At this, Shinsuke Zenin looked at Kusakabe, then at Utahime and Meimei.
"Right, there are injured people here. We should get back as soon as possible."
Shinsuke Zenin walked over to Meimei and eyed the large axe beside her. "That axe is a Cursed Tool, too, right? Could I borrow it for a bit?"
Play Cloud hit hard, but it was still a blunt weapon. A sharp weapon would make this easier.
"Go ahead. You don't have to pay me back if you break it."
Meimei generously handed him the axe.
It was only an axe. Compared to the debt she owed him for saving her life, it was nothing.
"Thanks."
After taking the axe, Shinsuke Zenin stretched a little and gazed at the brawl between dozens of Cursed Spirits in the distance, excitement in his eyes. "Kid, I gave you your chance."
Since Geto Suguru hadn't taken it, Shinsuke Zenin didn't need to hold back.
"Let's get this over with."
His body shuddered, and a powerful wave of scorching air erupted from him.
Gate of Closing—open!
He opened five gates at once. Terrifying physical power surged through his body, his muscles bulging and his skin turning crimson as veins rose across his frame. The sight was horrifying.
The overwhelming pressure sent Kusakabe and the others stumbling back several meters.
BOOM!
The ground caved in within several meters of his toes, cracks spreading across it like a spiderweb.
In the next instant, Shinsuke Zenin appeared in the middle of the Cursed Spirits.
"Die."
He swung the axe, his figure blurring as he darted between the Cursed Spirits.
BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM!!!
In an instant, every Cursed Spirit—including the Special Grade—exploded.
"How is that possible?!"
Before anyone could even process what had happened, the Cursed Spirits had already turned into clouds of blood mist.
"What the hell happened?!"
Geto Suguru's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly recalled his Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
Fortunately, the Special Grade Cursed Spirit was tough enough to survive. Half its body had burst apart, but it could still be saved. The other dozens of Cursed Spirits, however, were completely done for.
"Damn you!! Human! You were holding back just now!!"
Only one Cursed Spirit remained, roaring in rage.
It had barely escaped being slaughtered thanks to its newly restored Cursed Technique.
It hurriedly regenerated its severed arm and used its technique to form two swords of lightning.
"I can't lose!!"
Lightning wrapped around its body as it tried to evolve once more.
Whoosh!
In the next moment, Shinsuke Zenin, his body radiating physical power, blurred past it. His giant axe tore through the air, and a line of blood appeared across the Cursed Spirit's body.
"Impossible!!"
As its body was about to split in two, the Cursed Spirit unleashed a surge of Cursed Energy and pulled its halves back together.
As long as it healed in time, it still had a chance!
It could become even stronger!
"Swish, swish, swish, swish...!"
But Shinsuke Zenin gave it no chance at all.
So your regenerative ability is amazing, huh?
Let's see whether you can regenerate faster than I can cut you apart.
All anyone could see was a blur repeatedly slamming into the Cursed Spirit. Blood sprayed from its arms, limbs, and torso. It was a true bloodbath, a scene of utter brutality.
It was hard to tell which one of them was supposed to be the villain.
CRACK!
At last, the Cursed Spirit could no longer regenerate. Its body was gone—or rather, it had become a pile of minced flesh.
In the final second before its consciousness faded, it sank deep within itself and saw Shinsuke Zenin.
"You're strong. Too bad you ran into me."
It had been a Cursed Spirit with enormous potential. Unfortunately, someone had found it before it reached its peak. Otherwise, it might have been a bit troublesome.
"..."
After reflecting on its life, the Cursed Spirit lost its final trace of consciousness.
A Cursed Spirit like it couldn't truly die. As long as humans retained their primal fear of natural disasters, it could be born again.
It would return. But the next time it appeared, would it still be the same?
Would it still seek greater strength?
"Damn you! Next time, I won't let you get the better of me!"
Geto Suguru looked at the Special Grade Cursed Spirit's gruesome death, his expression grave. What was wrong with that guy? Why did he keep ruining Geto Suguru's plans?!
There was no helping it. His plan had failed again, so Geto Suguru could only retreat and put it off until later.
He had thought he could add a powerful Special Grade Cursed Spirit to his collection. Instead, he'd lost dozens of them.
Meanwhile, Shinsuke Zenin didn't care what Geto Suguru thought.
A powerful current of heat surged from the scripture through his limbs and torso, then flowed into the acupuncture point of the Gate of View.
[Gate of View 3%--15%]
The Gate of View's unlock progress rose straight from 3% to 15%. It was the biggest increase he had ever gotten at once.
It took a powerful Special Grade Cursed Spirit, along with several Grade 1 Cursed Spirits among Geto Suguru's dozens, to raise his progress by so much in one go.
"Phew..."
Shinsuke Zenin exhaled a breath of stale air and returned to normal, feeling a little wistful.
"Cursed Spirits are useful. I've got to kill more of them..."
Before you continue