Rensho Girls' School, middle division.
Since unrelated people weren't allowed inside the classroom, the three sorcerers and Kuroi Misato could only stand guard outside.
"I seriously don't get what the higher-ups are thinking. Tch. 'Satisfy her every request'? That's way too indulgent." Gojo's face twisted in annoyance—whether at the higher-ups or at Amanai Riko herself was unclear.
"Don't say that, Satoru. She may look carefree, but once she assimilates, she'll never see her family or friends again."
Geto's voice was calm, almost gentle. After a brief silence, he added:
"Let her do as she wants. Our job is to protect her."
"…Riko-sama doesn't actually have any family. There was an accident when she was very young. Since then, I've been the one caring for her." Kuroi Misato stepped forward, bowing deeply, her head lowered. "At the very least… please let her spend more time with her friends…"
"Then that makes you her family, doesn't it?" Geto cut her off softly.
"…Yes. Yes, I suppose so." Kuroi lowered her head even further.
Soujun leaned against the wall, scrolling through the dark web on his phone. The bounty on Riko was climbing steadily—already at thirty million.
He suddenly looked up and approached the group, eyes on Kuroi. "Someone's coming. Where's Tenri right now?"
Kuroi stiffened, forcing herself to stay calm. She glanced at her watch. "At this time… she should be in music class—either the music room or the chapel."
"The chapel first? But she didn't notify us?!" Kuroi's gaze flicked anxiously between them. "The music teacher sometimes changes the location!"
"Gojo, check the chapel. Kuroi-san, head to the music room," Geto decided immediately. "I'll handle—"
"I'll deal with the curse user," Soujun interrupted, his eyes sharp. "Geto, you go with Kuroi to the music room."
And protect her.
Geto caught the look and understood.
"No matter what you find, regroup here at once," Soujun finished.
They nodded, splitting up.
Soujun vanished on the spot, reappearing where the cursed energy was thickest.
…
Not far away, a burly man stood in the courtyard. A paper bag covered his head, one cold eye peering through a single cut-out hole.
He scanned the area, tugged at the bag, and his whole body radiated murderous intent. "Thirty million, huh? I skipped a meal to get here. Killing makes the next one taste even sweeter."
"What a pity," a voice replied ahead of him, "you won't even get to die on a full stomach."
Huh?
A tall figure loomed over him, strange eyes locking with his own.
…
"Don't worry, Kuroi-san." Geto ran side by side with her, tone gentle.
Was the intruder a surviving Q member? Or a hitman hired by the Time Vessel Association?
If it was the latter, things could get messy. They wouldn't know the enemy's face, or how many might come.
He analyzed quietly—then froze.
"Wait."
Geto halted, throwing an arm in front of Kuroi.
An old man with a white headband stood in the corridor, blocking their way.
"Go to the music room. I'll catch up."
Geto stepped forward.
Kuroi immediately turned and ran.
The old man gave her a glance, then dismissed her. Just an ordinary person.
"That uniform… you're from Jujutsu High, aren't you?!"
He shifted his focus back to Geto. Even as he spoke, his right hand snapped a talisman into place. Cursed energy surged, the paper igniting, and two shikigami leapt forth, circling around him.
Geto responded by summoning two kappas.
"No medium required? And the summoning method isn't that of a shikigami user either. Could it be… Cursed Spirit Manipulation?!" The old man's tone stayed level, but his thoughts darkened.
"Exactly. Live long enough, and you do see more," Geto answered coolly.
To subjugate curses and make them servants—obeying his command. To capture and add them to his arsenal without needing a medium, powered only by their own cursed energy. With no upper limit to how many he could hold…
The old man's mind ran through the intel.
Geto stepped back. At the same time, the kappas lunged.
The old man narrowed his eyes. The kid's technique was superior in grade, but his tactics were still bound by the mindset of a shikigami user. And—
Too young. Inexperience was his greatest weakness.
I already know exactly what he'll do.
Charging kappas, no guard left behind, himself poor in close combat—sending both at once, leaving himself open. There was no easier prey.
"You seem busy calculating. But it's all meaningless." Geto's words broke his thoughts.
A giant worm spirit appeared, body filling the hallway.
The old man's eyes widened. So those first two were just a feint?
The worm's maw gaped, lined with spiral rings of teeth. It barreled down the corridor, tearing ceiling and floor, ready to swallow him whole.
"It's over," Geto said.
Crash!
The old man burst through a window behind them, manic laughter spilling from his lips. "Hahaha! Your mistake was giving me a blind spot!"
Knife in hand, he dove at Geto, whose face finally showed panic.
"Die!" The man's grin twisted. "So green—it's already over for you!"
Snap.
A hand clamped his wrist mid-stab.
Shock froze him as he was yanked forward, a fist smashing into his jaw. His vision reeled, knees buckling.
Through the haze, he saw that "panic" fade from Geto's face.
"You were luring me all along?"
"Heh. Something like that. You just looked like you couldn't help yourself."
Geto's expression turned calm again.
"When someone convinces themselves they've already won, a little bait is all it takes to reel them in."
…
"So, they didn't return to Jujutsu High?"
The tall man with a vertical scar down his lip chuckled. "Perfect. More fools chasing bounty means more fish on my hook."
"Are you sure? That bounty was thirty million up front, paid by the Time Vessel Association. If they kill the vessel, you'll lose your advance—and maybe the rest of the reward too."
A voice spoke from the other end of the line.
"Handing the job to you is no different than posting the bounty publicly."
"Assuming the vessel dies." The scarred man exhaled. "But Gojo Satoru is there. Six Eyes and Limitless, the kind of monster born once in centuries. As long as he's by her side, nobody can kill the vessel."
"Not even you?"
"…Heh. Who knows?"
Silence lingered, then the voice continued:
"Adding a time limit was a smart move. The curse users are flocking together nicely."
"It's moving faster than expected. I'll head out myself. The thirty million will be returned, not a cent missing."
"Ha? You used more than some random forum. Posting fees, commissions, other costs—"
"Signal's bad!" The scarred man cut him off, tossing the phone aside.
__________________________________________________________
To read 15 more advanced chapters and support me, go to:
patreon.com/ArchSovereign