After saying goodbye to Shoko and Utahime Iori, Qingxiao strolled alone down the streets bathed in the evening glow. With no intention of hurrying back to Jujutsu High, he simply wandered aimlessly to clear his head.
As he walked, a thought suddenly occurred to him: his days were always spent either in special training, taking missions, or playing online games with his companions, his nerves constantly taut. Why not browse the Jujutsu Market on the outskirts of the city?
Outsiders all called this market the Jujutsu Black Market, but there had never been any illegal dealings or sinister Cursed Objects here. It was simply a legitimate market where Jujutsu Sorcerers privately traded Cursed Tools and rare materials. It had only earned the name "black market" because it was outside Jujutsu High's official control.
He rarely had time to visit, but with nothing to do today, this was the perfect chance to look around.
Having made up his mind, Qingxiao raised a hand to hail a taxi and gave the driver the market's address. The car pulled smoothly away from the curb and headed toward the Jujutsu Market on the outskirts.
The market was brightly lit, with all kinds of stalls lined up in rows. The smoky smell of metalworking mingled in the air with the faint, astringent scent unique to cursed materials. Everyone coming and going was a Jujutsu Sorcerer keeping a low profile, and the atmosphere was lively without being noisy.
With one hand in his pocket, Qingxiao ambled through the streets and alleys, his gaze drifting casually over the stalls on either side. There was nothing in particular he wanted to buy; he was simply browsing to relax.
Just as he passed an inconspicuous old smithy, an aged voice, somewhat overbearing and utterly discourteous, suddenly rang out behind