Unexpected Change, Surrounded by Curses?

Lin Mu moved swiftly through the damp, dim sewers. Everywhere lay humans twisted by Idle Transfiguration.

All manner of grotesque forms lay lifeless across the floor.

Lin Mu did not know whether it was just his imagination, but he felt there were far more human curse spirits here than in the original story.

After turning the final corner, surging cursed energy rushed toward him. Mahito's elongated hands flailed wildly through the air.

If it had only been Mahito's attacks, Nanami could still have handled them. But there were two more curse spirits around him!

They were not humans altered by Mahito's Idle Transfiguration, but genuine curse spirits—one Grade 2 and the other Grade 1!

Mahito's rubber-like arms gradually tightened their encirclement. With the other two curse spirits interfering, cracks gradually appeared in Nanami's defense.

After knocking away one of Mahito's arms, Nanami had no time to defend himself again. He could only watch as a pale, ghostly hand was about to press against his chest.

"Ugh, sorcerers are nothing but piles of shit."

He had already witnessed Mahito's cursed technique: through contact with his palms, Mahito could directly alter the shape of another person's soul.

Moreover, the vast majority of sorcerers could not sense the soul, meaning they could not protect it with cursed energy.

Though he could instinctively protect his own soul, he would not be able to hold out for long. If he was touched a few more times, he would become a monster like those humanoid curse spirits.

Bang—

Mahito's palm struck Nanami squarely in the chest, sending him flying several meters away.

Mahito smiled teasingly. "My, my, you still managed to block it."

"But can you withstand the next attack?"

Nanami slowly rose to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and checked the time. There were still more than ten minutes until the end of his workday.

"What a nuisance." Nanami's brow furrowed slightly as he prepared to keep stalling for time.

"Wueee—"

A strange cry rang out. A curse spirit suddenly emerged beneath Nanami's feet, its hands tightly gripping his ankles!

"Haha, got you."

Mahito laughed smugly, one arm rapidly extending toward Nanami. "What shape should I mold you into?"

"You're so strong, so you should last a little longer. I hope you can keep me entertained."

After cutting down the curse spirit restraining him, Nanami swung his cleaver upward. But Mahito had already seen through this hasty defense.

The rubbery arm looped through the air before extending once more toward Nanami's chest.

This time, he truly had no way out. Nanami also understood that he probably would not be able to withstand Mahito's cursed technique this time.

Just then, a piercing whistle cut through the air. A black line shot toward Mahito's arm at incredible speed.

Clang—

A black kunai firmly nailed Mahito's hand to the wall!

The sudden change made Mahito's expression stiffen, his face full of surprise.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Nanami escaped the encirclement and retreated.

"Lin Mu, why are you here?!"

After realizing that Lin Mu had stepped in to save him, Nanami's tone carried a hint of reproach.

But Lin Mu had indeed saved him, so Nanami could not say much more.

"Retreat first. This curse spirit is very strong, and we still don't know how many companions it has here." Based on his judgment, Nanami made the best choice.

For an adult like him, running away was not something shameful.

After recognizing the newcomer, Mahito's lips curled upward again. "That Kenjaku really is as good at predicting things as ever."

With that, he laughed as he tore his pinned hand free, his expression indescribably arrogant. "Do you think I'll let you escape so easily?"

"Wueee—"

An indescribable symphony of bizarre cries echoed through the sewers.

More than fifty curse spirits of all kinds blocked their path of retreat.

The strongest among them even seemed on the verge of breaking through to Special Grade!

Rather than panic, Lin Mu felt excitement rising in his heart. He had thought that coming to Nanami's side would only let him kill humanoid curse spirits that could not provide inheritance progress.

Yet so many curse spirits had unexpectedly appeared, deviating from the original story!

He had truly hit the jackpot!

Lin Mu guessed that these curse spirits had most likely been sent by that brain to deal with his appearance.

Kenjaku might have been cautious, but not cautious enough. It had still underestimated Lin Mu's strength.

Other than that peak Grade 1 curse spirit, which was somewhat worth looking at, the rest were mere fodder.

But Nanami's face was grave. Including the newly appeared ones, there were three Grade 1 curse spirits here in total!

This was clearly premeditated, but why? Could it really be just to kill an ordinary Grade 1 sorcerer like him?

Nanami could not figure it out. He sighed softly. "Lin Mu, I'll do everything I can to open a path for you. If you get the chance, run immediately."

The current situation was dangerous even for a Grade 1 sorcerer. Yet when Nanami looked at Lin Mu, all he saw in his eyes was fervor!

The fervor of a hunter spotting prey!