The next day, at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Yaga stood on the podium, distributing new assignments to several students.
"Jujutsu Headquarters has recently received multiple missing person reports suspected to be caused by Cursed Spirits. Later, after investigation by a Window, it was confirmed that these cases were indeed the work of Cursed Spirits."
A Window is someone who can perceive Cursed Spirits but is not a Jujutsu Sorcerer. They report what they see to Jujutsu Headquarters in exchange for rewards.
Yaga turned his laptop toward them.
"Uninhabited island Cursed Spirit sightings, sea monster Cursed Spirit sightings… Due to insufficient manpower, Jujutsu Headquarters had queued these as standard extermination missions. However, after a major civilian casualty incident two days ago, Headquarters decided to deploy more personnel."
Yaga tapped the keyboard, switching the display to another report.
It detailed a mission involving a Mothman-type Cursed Spirit that had killed numerous civilians before being captured by Jujutsu Sorcerers.
"Sensei, I don't think it's necessary to say all that. Just tell us where the mission is," said Satoru, raising his hand impatiently.
What greeted him was the classic teacher's secret technique: the chalk projectile.
"It's precisely because this mission is unusual that I need to explain it in detail. However, with your abilities, it shouldn't pose any problems."
Yaga turned to the side. "Now, Ieiri-san, it's your turn."
"Alright."
Shoko, with dark circles under her eyes, stretched lazily before walking up to the podium.
"These Cursed Spirits all share one common trait: they were born under the same type of curse."
"Curse?"
Eichi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Someone's deliberately creating Cursed Spirits?"
"Most likely."
Shoko pulled out a report, displaying attached photos of a Mothman and a large toad.
The group sat close to the front, so they could clearly see the photos.
It showed a grotesque, distorted corpse. The head was missing, the torso bloated, and the arms looked like they were morphing into wings.
"Jujutsu Headquarters captured the Mothman Cursed Spirit for research and discovered this corpse nearby.
The deceased was afflicted by an unknown curse before death. Their body mutated, and after dying, they transformed into the Mothman Cursed Spirit."
Her explanation immediately caught everyone's attention.
"Is it a Curse User?"
Such an event strongly suggested human experimentation.
"I'm not sure. That's still under investigation."
Shoko's response came quickly.
"How can you not know anything?" Satoru complained.
"I'm not omniscient and omnipotent," she replied, glaring at him.
"In short, these strange Cursed Spirits were artificially created. After turning into Cursed Spirits, they devour humans to accumulate more Cursed Energy.
The most troublesome part is that this curse can spread secondarily through infection. One of the Jujutsu Sorcerers who fought the Mothman was injured and later infected. He's currently being treated at Headquarters."
Realizing the others weren't particularly interested in detailed scientific explanations, Shoko sped up.
"Ieiri-sensei, if these Cursed Spirits devour humans to build up Cursed Energy, what happens once they've accumulated enough?"
Eichi, seated near the front, raised his hand to ask.
"In response to that, Jujutsu Headquarters is currently conducting tests. They've captured one of these transformed Cursed Spirits and are continuously feeding it Cursed Energy to observe what it does once fully charged."
"So, what's our role in all this?"
"Of course, to exorcise these Cursed Spirits and determine the purpose behind their Cursed Energy accumulation."
Yaga tapped the laptop screen.
"These are the confirmed mission sites reported by Windows and verified by Assistant Supervisors."
"Gojo, with your Limitless Technique, you don't have to worry about being injured or cursed. Both of you," Yaga said, nodding to Eichi and Suguru, "have powerful Shikigami, so you're also well suited for this mission. You're the best candidates for this operation."
After finishing, Yaga crouched slightly, clenched his left fist, and pointed forward with his right hand in a dramatic pose.
To prevent public panic, the group split up.
Satoru was dispatched to an uninhabited island where a sea monster Cursed Spirit had been reported.
Suguru was sent to a coastal area, as his Cursed Spirits were best suited for underwater combat if necessary.
Eichi's destination was a school. According to reports, a massive fish-type Cursed Spirit capable of causing tremors during its attacks had struck there.
It targeted movement on the ground, tracking victims through vibrations. Teachers had quickly noticed this and led students to higher structures like flagpoles and gymnastic bars, staying still to avoid detection.
"Why does that sound exactly like the old movie Tremors?"
Eichi muttered as he looked out the car window.
After passing through this tunnel, they should almost be there.
But just a few seconds after entering, something unexpected happened.
Inside Eichi's shadow, Mahoraga's wheel quietly rotated, sending a pulse of new adaptation data.
Illusion.
Eichi immediately turned his head. Behind the car, a broken pipe was spewing out gas laced with Cursed Energy.
He looked forward again—and froze.
The tunnel still appeared normal, but its walls now felt… organic. Like flesh disguised as concrete.
"Stop the car!" Eichi shouted to Zen'in Shuji, who was driving.
Had the target moved? Or was this another Cursed Spirit?
Before they could react further, over a dozen large, flea-like Grade 3 Cursed Spirits appeared around them.
"Divine Dogs."
Forming a hand sign, Eichi summoned the Black Divine Dog. With swift, clean strikes, it tore through the swarm, exorcising them one by one.
As each Cursed Spirit was destroyed, their residual energy dissipated into the tunnel air.
"Drive back. Let's get out of the tunnel first."
"Yes, Young Master Eichi."
Shuji nodded and immediately reversed the car, while the Black Divine Dog guarded them.
Rumble.
As the flea Cursed Spirits vanished, the tunnel itself began to move, and the light from the entrance dimmed until it disappeared completely.
Eichi canceled the Divine Dog's summoning, then formed another set of hand signs.
"Qiongqi."
The beast appeared instantly, charging straight toward where the tunnel exit had just vanished.
Bang!
If there was no way out, then make one.
Qiongqi did its job perfectly.
Shuji maneuvered the car through the newly made opening, bursting out into the daylight.
Once outside, the two finally saw the tunnel's true form.
It was a massive, fish-shaped Cursed Spirit. But instead of a normal tail fin, it had a massive pincer, like a crustacean's claw.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)