Culling Game

It looked like some kind of monster.

Born into this world as equals from the very beginning.

The singing reached their ears, instantly dragging the minds of tens of thousands into that bizarre vortex of reincarnation!

Cast out the darkness, cast out the darkness,

When the curtain of night falls, that's the signal, then we'll face each other in a circular battle, turning endlessly.

Cast away all meaningless nonsense.

The chorus exploded! Chen Tian's voice suddenly rose, like lightning tearing through the night sky!

Wave after wave of guitar piled up, while the dense drumbeats poured down like apocalyptic rain! The air throughout the venue boiled and resonated!

The crowd below went completely insane! Like a wheat field battered by a hurricane, they shook their heads wildly, jumped, and screamed!

Their raised arms formed a frenzied forest beneath the psychedelic lights. The chants of "Nero! Nero! Nero!" rose higher and higher!

Onstage, Chen Tian's singing grew more impassioned. Every note seemed to carry the force of a thousand jun, slamming viciously into the souls of the people listening.

Nanami Kento's furrowed brow drew even deeper. His eyes remained fixed on the radiant Chen Tian onstage, while those few lines of lyrics kept circling through his mind.

He knew perfectly well that the darkness of the Curse world could not be drawn out so easily. Curses were like a festering disease attached to the bone, breeding and spreading through human negative emotions, while Jujutsu Sorcerers were shackled by endless constraints as they struggled forward through that darkness.

Nanami Kento sighed helplessly. He thought that Chen Tian appeared frivolous and carefree, yet he had used music to express the current state of the Curse world in such an oblique way. He wondered how many of the spectators drunk on the singing could truly understand it.

Maki, on the other hand, had long since fallen into a frenzy. She hadn't taken her eyes off Chen Tian for even a moment, waving both hands almost out of control and screaming herself hoarse, as though she wanted to vent all her passion.

At that moment, she had completely lost her usual stern demeanor and had turned into an ordinary fan, wholly immersed in the charm of an idol.

Nanami Kento raised his hand, the cold light of his phone screen reflecting across his face.

He had intended to report the song's abnormality to the higher-ups, and his finger was already pressing the call button.

But then he imagined having to face their tedious analysis and endless meetings afterward. He might even be sent to carry out more troublesome missions. It would be like falling into a never-ending cycle of overtime, and exhaustion instantly surged through him.

He curled his lip and muttered, "Forget it," before slipping the phone back into his pocket.

In the midst of this insane concert, he really didn't want to be bothered by those miserable affairs of the Curse world. He just wanted to enjoy this brief moment of "leisure," however short-lived it might be.

Meguro Ward, a neighboring district of Shibuya.

The streets, which should have been bustling, were utterly silent. The residents had been temporarily evacuated under the official pretext of a "natural gas pipeline emergency inspection," leaving behind only empty storefronts and tightly shut doors and windows.

The wind blew past, carrying several discarded flyers with it.

Beside the river, the pink-haired Yuji Itadori stood out conspicuously. He stood by the murky water with both hands raised, clapping hard.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

The crisp applause sounded exceptionally jarring in the silence.

The river churned in response, as though it were boiling! Dozens of distorted, foul-smelling Cursed Spirits roared as they burst through the water, baring their claws and fangs as they lunged toward the boy on the bank!

Yuji's eyes sharpened. He pushed off with his feet and nimbly leaped backward, easily avoiding the first wave of attacks.

"This way!" he shouted in a low voice. Without hesitation, he turned and sprinted toward the entrance of an abandoned tunnel not far away!

Behind him, the Cursed Spirits chased after him relentlessly, like hyenas that had caught the scent of blood.

A tall figure stood silently in the shadows of the tunnel entrance—it was Choso.

Yuji lured the swarm of Cursed Spirits into the area around the tunnel entrance, then abruptly stopped and turned to face his pursuers.

Choso moved. He formed a hand seal with both hands, and scarlet Cursed Energy surged like a solid substance!

Frenzied red blood arrows shot out in an instant!

Several Cursed Spirits at the front were pierced straight through before they even had time to scream!

The Cursed Spirits behind them were pierced one by one as well.

Yuji seized the opportunity. His figure shot into the chaotic swarm of Cursed Spirits like a cannonball!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

His heavy fists carried the force of a thousand jun as they hammered into the Cursed Spirits! Every dull impact was accompanied by the wail of a Cursed Spirit as it dissipated.

He and Choso worked together flawlessly—one clearing the field over a wide area, the other eliminating targets with precision. Their movements were clean and efficient, and their effectiveness was astonishing.

In less than a minute, dozens of Cursed Spirits had turned into black smoke and dispersed. Only the stench of blood and faint traces of Cursed Residue remained at the tunnel entrance.

"Done!" Yuji shook his fist, but no relaxed smile appeared on his face. His expression remained just as heavy as before.

Choso nodded, his expression calm. "The next point?"

"Yeah, let's go..." Yuji had just begun to speak when his voice abruptly cut off.

A voice suddenly came from above the two of them. "Huh? Megumi isn't here."

They both looked up at the same time.

A figure had appeared at some point on the highway guardrail above the tunnel.

His short blond hair was striking in the dim light. He even glanced left and right, as though confirming something.

"Tch, am I the first one here?" he muttered to himself.

Yuji and Choso instantly tensed all over, their muscles bulging as they assumed defensive stances!

That movement finally drew the blond man's attention. He lowered his head and swept them with an indifferent gaze, as though he were looking at stones by the roadside.

"What were you doing just now?" His tone was flat, yet carried bone-chilling contempt. "Making that much noise. Were you afraid no one would notice?"

Yuji frowned. "Run?"

The blond man sneered, as though he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "Hah? You don't even know that?"

Choso took half a step forward, subtly shielding Yuji behind him. His voice was low. "Yuji, the higher-ups have issued an execution order for you. They say it's because you've lost Satoru Gojo's protection."

"Huh?!" Yuji's pupils contracted sharply. The absurdity of it left him speechless for a moment.

A low, hoarse voice without the slightest fluctuation, like an Ice Cone pressed against the back of their necks, suddenly sounded behind them:

"Hm? ...There isn't just one person?"

A tremendous surge of Cursed Energy instantly enveloped Yuji and Choso! Their body hair stood on end, and every muscle in their bodies stiffened as though frozen!

Less than ten steps behind them, a man stood there without a sound. His eye sockets were deeply sunken, and heavy dark circles hung beneath his eyes. His entire body radiated a dead, silent aura.

A long, narrow cloth bag was slung across his shoulder, its outline carrying an ominously sharp edge.

His cold eyes were fixed on Yuji Itadori.

Chapter 11: Culling Game

At the tunnel entrance, the cold Cursed Energy pressed down like a tangible force.

Yuta Okkotsu's gaze remained firmly locked on Yuji. His dead eyes held not the slightest ripple. He leaned forward slightly, his fingers resting on the cloth bag slung across his shoulder.

Naoya Zenin immediately raised both hands, a false smile plastered across his face. "Okkotsu! I'm Naoya Zenin. The higher-ups sent me to assist you."

Yuta paused. His gaze swept over Naoya, and he gave an almost imperceptible nod.

After confirming his identity, he hesitated no longer. His right hand shot into the cloth bag!

"Clang—!"

The blade flashed coldly! A long katana instantly came free of its sheath!

Without any unnecessary words, Yuta's figure left behind an afterimage where he stood, the tip of his blade stabbing straight toward Yuji!

"It's Yuta Okkotsu!" Yuji's pupils shrank! He knew all too well how powerful this Special Grade upperclassman was! Without thinking, he kicked off the ground, his body flying backward like a cannonball as he narrowly avoided the lethal blade!

"Run!" After Yuji saw Choso give him a meaningful glance, he turned without hesitation and burst into the depths of the dark, gloomy tunnel at top speed!

Yuta Okkotsu pursued him without a word.

"Don't even think about getting past me!" Choso growled. He brought his hands together, about to release Blood Manipulation!

"Tch! Don't even think about stopping me." A malicious grin spread across Naoya's face. His body shifted sideways at an eerie speed, appearing before Choso like a phantom, and he kicked apart Choso's technique before it could be released.

"You troublesome piece of trash!" Naoya Zenin shook his hand and looked contemptuously at Choso blocking his path. "A defective product of the Kamo family? Fine. I'll play with you."

Before his voice had even faded, Naoya's figure blurred again, leaving behind an afterimage. His palm, wrapped in fierce Cursed Energy, slammed viciously toward Choso's face! The wind pressure from his high-speed movement struck head-on!

Yuji pushed his speed to the limit. All he could hear was his own rough breathing and his frantic heartbeat.

Behind him, that bone-chilling killing intent clung to him like a festering disease, pursuing him relentlessly! Yuta Okkotsu was faster than him! The distance between them was rapidly shrinking!

The faint hiss of the blade cutting through the air seemed to be right behind his head!

"Yuji Itadori." Yuta's emotionless voice echoed through the gloomy tunnel like a whisper from the god of death. "Stop."

Yuji's answer was a sudden turn and a heavy punch! The wind howled around his fist as it slammed toward the side of the blade!

"Bang!" Fist and blade collided with a muffled boom! The tremendous force made Yuta's wrist tremble slightly!

Yuji used the impact to leap backward again, trying to widen the distance. But Yuta's eyes turned cold, and his figure closed in again like a teleportation!

The blade flashed once more! Fast as lightning! Ruthless and decisive! It went straight for Yuji's neck!

Yuji's pupils contracted sharply, and his body instinctively arched backward as far as it could go!

"Shhk—!"

The blade skimmed past his cheek, leaving behind a fine line of blood!

Yuji had no time to counterattack. Yuta twisted his wrist, and the blade came sweeping across again like a festering disease attached to the bone! Fast! Ruthless! Precise! Leaving him not the slightest chance to catch his breath!

Yuji rolled and dodged desperately. The solid concrete walls were carved with deep cracks by the blade's aura, sending rubble flying!

"Damn it!" Yuji gritted his teeth, feeling the burning pain in his neck. Facing the full-force pursuit of a Special Grade, he could do nothing but flee for his life. Every evasion was perilously close!

The tunnel seemed to have become a massive cage, with the hunter closing in step by step!

While Yuta Okkotsu and Yuji were fighting for their lives, what was our protagonist doing?

He was dating in Osaka!

Chen Tian and Kitagawa strolled through the streets. Shops lined both sides of the road, their colorful signs glittering beneath the daylight.

Kitagawa held Chen Tian's hand with one hand and an ice cream with the other, taking a bite now and then. A little cream clung to the corner of her mouth, making her look especially cute and playful.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked around curiously. When they passed a doll shop, she excitedly tugged Chen Tian inside.

The shop was filled with all kinds of dolls: soft and adorable rabbits, cuddly little bears, and uniquely designed anime merchandise.

Kitagawa weaved through the shop, picking this one up to look at before touching that one. Exclamations escaped her lips from time to time.

"Tian Jun, look at this cat doll. Isn't it super cute?" She held up a white cat doll, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled.

Chen Tian nodded with a smile. "If you like it, buy it." Kitagawa happily hugged the doll to her chest and continued choosing.

After leaving the doll shop, the two continued wandering around.

A street performer was putting on a juggling show, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

Kitagawa pulled Chen Tian over as well. Watching the performer toss several balls effortlessly through the air, she couldn't help clapping and cheering.

After the performance ended, Kitagawa even put some change into the performer's hat to show her appreciation.

As they walked, a light drizzle suddenly began to fall from the sky.

Chen Tian hurriedly pulled Kitagawa into a café by the roadside.

The café was filled with the rich aroma of coffee, while soothing music drifted through the air.

The two found seats by the window and ordered two lattes.

Kitagawa held the steaming coffee cup in both hands, gazing through the window at the street outside in the drizzle. Happiness filled her face.

"Tian Jun, I'm really happy today," she said softly. Chen Tian reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "As long as you're happy."

"But you're getting more and more famous, and you also have the identity of a 'Superhero.' Why do I feel like you're going to become busier and busier from now on?" Kitagawa's little face twisted into a conflicted expression.

Chen Tian smiled, his smile warm.

"It doesn't matter. I've already earned enough money, and I've made all the investments I should. Even if I do nothing from now on, we'll still have enough money to support ourselves. As for this so-called 'Superhero' identity..."

Chen Tian rubbed his chin. "I'm not all that interested in it. I only want to live my own life well."

Kitagawa scrunched up her little face as she hugged the white cat doll. "But... Tian Jun, you're obviously so amazing! Back in Shibuya, you sliced open space with just a couple of swipes..."