The ineffective attack made Umekawa Kuko's heart tremble.
"Looks like we've run into a tough one today!"
The clerk behind him wore an equally grave expression. She edged closer behind Umekawa Kuko and whispered.
"How is it? Can you judge its strength?"
Umekawa Kuko swallowed, his tone solemn. "Very strong!"
"Probably the strongest cursed spirit we've encountered in all these years of struggle!"
The clerk's pupils suddenly contracted. "Then do we stand a chance?"
"Hahaha, less than a ten percent chance." Umekawa Kuko gave a bitter smile. "I'm afraid we'll only have the slightest chance if both of us unleash strength beyond anything we've ever shown before!"
The clerk heard the despair in Umekawa Kuko's voice. "Should we retreat? Or ask that new kid who came in today for help?"
Umekawa Kuko waved his hand. "Do you want me to abandon all those innocent citizens?"
"If I leave, what will happen to the unarmed civilians around us?"
His righteous tone made the clerk take half a step back in shock, but her cheeks soon flushed red. She immediately threw herself against Umekawa Kuko's chest.
"Oh, darling, this is the very thing about you that intoxicates me!"
"You're becoming more and more irresistible."
"You're right. Other than us, who else can defeat the overwhelmingly powerful cursed spirit before us?"
"Though I can't stand that newcomer, isn't it our duty as seniors to quietly protect them from the shadows like this?"
"Let us protect this poorly conceived world!"
In that instant, their hearts became one. Sparks seemed to crackle between their intertwined gazes.
"Let's go together, darling!"
"Uweegh—my eyes!"
The cursed spirit seemed to sense their provocation. It advanced much faster, its fingernails rapidly lengthening until they exceeded ten centimeters in an instant.
"Oh, you want to face us head-on?"
Umekawa Kuko