Two Batteries

Yuanfang had expended no energy at all, easily dodging attacks from mouthparts that resembled octopus tentacles. Mei Mei, on the other hand, had a much harder time.

Although she did her best to hack at them with her axe, one of the tentacle-like mouthparts still struck her.

Boom!

Her body was instantly slammed back into the hole.

"Cough..."

She spat out a mouthful of blood, and before she could react...

The worm's enormous head, along with its densely packed smaller heads, lunged to bite her.

Facing death, Mei Mei felt no fear, only frustration. If she could use her cursed technique, she would have a chance to escape.

"Sigh!"

Yuanfang rushed over, intending to scoop her up and carry her away, but he couldn't help sighing at the sight!

It was too late to reach her now. To save Mei Mei, he would have to expose his strength and strike the Giant Worm's side to knock it off course.

Boom!

Squelch!

Finding himself on the other side after passing straight through the Giant Worm's body, Yuanfang was a little surprised.

He hadn't expected to grow stronger after absorbing energy for such a short time.

He had only meant to knock it aside, but instead he had pierced straight through it. He wasn't sure whether he had saved Mei Mei.

He turned to look. Fortunately, Mei Mei was unharmed.

The Giant Worm had probably stopped attacking because he had punched a hole through its body.

Mei Mei's face was full of astonishment, as though she had seen a ghost. Hadn't the information said this guy was only average at hand-to-hand combat?

That had also been her impression when she watched him fight that girl from the sidelines earlier today. He was somewhat strong, but nothing more.

So what was going on now?

Even she would need a weapon in her hand to pierce through this Giant Worm.

What was with this guy? He had kicked straight through it with a single blow!

Yuanfang ignored Mei Mei's shock and gave the Giant Worm no chance to react.

He attacked its body like a gale.

Whenever a wound opened, cursed energy poured out in an endless stream, which he rapidly absorbed.

From then on, Yuanfang and Mei Mei instantly switched places: the spectator and the fighter exchanged roles.

Two hours later, the Worm Cursed Spirit finally ran out of cursed energy to regenerate, and its body vanished completely.

Two somewhat shriveled fingers remained where it had been, radiating terrifying cursed energy, but Yuanfang instantly absorbed it.

"Two batteries. Not a bad haul!"

Yuanfang carefully tucked them into his pocket before turning to Mei Mei, who was now giving him a mischievous smile.

For some reason, that smile sent a chill down his back.

He had clearly saved this woman, yet he kept feeling that she had something up her sleeve.

"I hope you'll keep this secret for me. I won't take any of the payment!"

Yuanfang hoped that, for the sake of the payment and the fact that he had saved her life, Mei Mei would keep his secret rather than let it slip.

Of course, even if she did reveal it, it would only make things a little more troublesome for him. It wouldn't have much effect on his ultimate plan.

Mei Mei's gaze suddenly turned serious, and she stared intently at Yuanfang like a hawk.

A full minute passed before she suddenly flashed another mischievous smile and said:

"All right!"

"Huh?"

Yuanfang found it hard to believe she had agreed so readily. She was a miser, after all. It hardly made sense for her not to seize this chance to extort him!

Had his preconceived impressions from watching the anime led him to judge her incorrectly?

Unable to figure it out, Yuanfang couldn't be bothered to dwell on it. Even if he was exposed, it would only cause a little extra trouble.

And with that, the matter came to a close.

Only two days later did Yuanfang discover that his judgment had been right all along. This woman was simply too greedy!

At a café.

"I've received another assignment. I'd like you to come with me!"

"No, I've been a little busy these past couple of days. Go on your own!"

Although the request came from a beautiful woman, Yuanfang rejected it without a second thought.

Satoru Gojo had assigned him to take Yuta Okkotsu out to exorcise cursed spirits, and he had no intention of giving up a chance to absorb Yuta Okkotsu's cursed energy.

Of course, the main reason was that the cursed spirit Mei Mei was going to exorcise was only grade one. It was nowhere near Yuta Okkotsu's level.

"Two fingers!"

"Got it!"

Hearing that, Yuanfang had no choice but to compromise.

Those two "power banks" were crucial to him, after all. He had no intention of handing them over.

It looked like he wouldn't be able to shake her off for a while. He could only hope she wouldn't push her luck.

Otherwise, once Yuanfang grew strong enough, he would definitely show her what a "little brother" could do.

A week later, Maki was training on the athletic field when Panda suddenly called out to her.

"If it's nothing important, don't bother me!"

"Ooh, someone's angry! Don't tell me you're upset because Yuanfang and Miss Mei Mei have been getting so close lately!"

Panda's smug look only made the already hot-tempered Maki angrier, and she threw a punch straight at him!

Panda swiftly dodged while saying regretfully:

"You wouldn't listen when I tried to advise you back then. See? It's too late for regrets now!"

"Bonito flakes!"

Toge Inumaki, who had been running with them to train, also nodded in agreement with Panda.

"What a shame, Maki!"

Having grown more outgoing after getting to know them, Yuta Okkotsu teased her from the side as well!

Maki hadn't taken the matter to heart before, but for some reason, she suddenly became furious and launched a flurry of punches and kicks at them.

A month passed.

Several people were walking along a campus path.

"It's so cold today, it feels like we've fallen into an ice cellar!"

"Winter's here. Try to wear some more layers!"

Looking at Maki's bare, pale legs without any tights, Yuanfang honestly didn't know what to say.

"I've got it best. I don't have to worry at all!"

Panda rubbed the soft fur on his belly, looking immensely pleased with himself.

"Salmon!"

Inumaki stood nearby, making some comment or other.

"Heh!"

Yuta Okkotsu chuckled beside them. It was clear that he had become much more cheerful over this time.

Just then, Yuanfang's gaze involuntarily turned toward the sky.

His movement puzzled the others, and they couldn't help looking up as well.

An enormous bird with three pairs of wings and a pelican-like beak was slowly flying toward them.

The others on campus also sensed this cursed spirit's presence and hurried over.

As they watched it land, everyone except Yuanfang readied themselves for a fight, preparing to attack it.

Meanwhile, many people emerged from the bird's beak. The narrow-eyed man at the front, dressed in Buddhist robes, was particularly conspicuous.

Two of the girls among them were even chatting away, paying no attention whatsoever to Maki and the others.

"Who are you? You're not allowed to enter Jujutsu High without permission! That's what Boss Yuta says!"

When they continued ignoring them and even started taking pictures, Panda spoke with some irritation.

Beside him, Yuta Okkotsu felt that something was off, but he didn't catch on right away.

"Kelp!"

"Get lost if you don't want Boss Yuta to beat you up!"

Only after Maki finished speaking did he realize it. These guys were unbelievable-they were actually using him as a shield.