Survivors

As I stepped into the mission site, an ominous presence drifted over from the easternmost classroom building.

The closer we drew to the east, the stronger the cursed energy became.

By the time I stopped before the entrance to the eastern classroom building, the cursed energy was so thick it almost seemed ready to drip.

A Grade 1 Cursed Spirit... after consuming human lives, it was on the verge of evolving into a special grade cursed spirit.

We exchanged a glance, our expressions turning considerably grimmer.

I stepped into the classroom building.

A jumble of presences filled the entire space. The cursed spirit's aura rampaged through the small building, pressing down on us until it was hard to breathe.

Although Toji Zenin couldn't sense cursed energy, the keen combat instincts granted by his heavenly restriction made his body tense. His rough hand tightened around the cursed tool at his side.

"Divine Dogs!"

Two large dogs, one black and one white, emerged from the shadows. Their noses twitched as they sniffed around, then they raced upstairs.

The top floor... that Grade 1 Cursed Spirit was on the top floor!

I hurried after the Divine Dogs, with Toji close behind.

The six-story classroom building wasn't particularly tall, and we reached the top in no time.

I kicked open the door to the top floor, and my heart sank.

-It was a "domain."

This Grade 1 Cursed Spirit, already nearing special grade, actually possessed a special domain!

I took a deep breath.

"Nue! Rabbit Escape!"

There was no other choice. I had no idea what would happen if we dragged this out any longer, so I had to give it everything I had from the start.

I stayed back to control my shikigami, while Toji stood beside me to protect my frail body.

Rabbit Escape slipped through the shadows into the domain to scout for me, while Nue attacked from high above and the Divine Dogs stood ready to strike.

But just as Nue swooped toward the source of that cursed energy, I suddenly heard faint sobbing through Rabbit Escape.

"W-we're not going to die here, are we...?"

"Dad, Mom, I'm so scared..."

"Classmate Geto, are we really never going to get home again? Sob..."

Nue abruptly stopped in midair.

"What's wrong? There are still people alive?" Toji Zenin asked when he noticed the change in my expression.

"Yes. There are still survivors."

That made things much trickier.

But... how had they survived an entire day inside the special domain of a cursed spirit nearing special grade?

Surely the cursed spirit that had already killed five people hadn't suddenly decided to show mercy.

Soon, however, the voices relayed by Rabbit Escape answered my question-

"Don't be scared. I'll get you out of here!" came a relatively composed voice. "Try to stay calm. The more scared you are, the stronger this monster gets!"

Well, well. So there was a... little jujutsu sorcerer who knew a fair bit about cursed spirits?

...What should I do?

Remembering Jujutsu Headquarters' instruction to rescue the missing people, I sighed, left the Divine Dogs outside, and stepped into the domain.

Before going in, I turned to Toji and said, "I'll send them out through the Divine Dogs' shadows in a moment. Toji, stay outside and keep an eye on them in case anything else happens, all right?"

Toji Zenin frowned. "Easy does it, princess. If you get yourself killed in there, don't expect me to do anything about it."

I nodded indifferently.

I raced toward the Rabbit Escape rabbit that had relayed the voices.

Before long, three figures huddled together came into view. Two of them were barely giving off any signs of life and were still trembling.

"He's right. The more scared you are, the stronger the cursed spirit gets."

"Who are you!"

Suguru Geto looked up warily. His small, deathly pale face was etched with exhaustion, but he forced himself to stay alert and stared hard at the girl who had suddenly appeared before him.

His messy, medium-length black hair hung loose, with a single odd lock of bangs drooping over his forehead. His deep purple eyes gleamed sharply.

The shadows beneath my feet spread out, teleporting the two weaker children behind him outside first. Then I turned to him and said, "I'm here to rescue you."

Then the shadows spread beneath his feet.

"Wait!" he called out to stop me. "Please let me help."

At least he had already been dealing with these things for a few years. Staying behind would improve their chances.

Besides... the girl in front of him looked even younger than he was.

I offered no comment on his words.

I chose to respect everyone's decision to throw their lives away.