"The Rank of this mission is unknown. According to instructions from above, your primary objective is to investigate the situation inside the village.
If the situation becomes critical, you may abandon the mission. Be extremely careful."
Nitta Akari gave a serious warning.
It was already the next day, yet there was still no contact from the Windows.
They could no longer reach the Window in the village.
Worried that the situation might be complicated and could lead to casualties among these still inexperienced students,
Akari had applied to Jujutsu Headquarters to dispatch more experienced Jujutsu Sorcerers.
However, the request was rejected due to insufficient manpower and the unclear situation.
With no other choice, Akari repeatedly reminded the three, whom she still saw as children, to retreat immediately if anything went wrong.
"I understand. What about that Window? Is he still alive?"
Maki, sitting in the front passenger seat, asked.
"There is no confirmed report of his death yet, so there is still a possibility he is alive."
Akari, who was driving, checked the road before pulling a sheet of paper from the documents clipped to the sun visor.
The paper was filled with neatly written information.
"This is what I gathered from Jujutsu Headquarters after losing contact this morning."
Hearing this, Toge and Panda, who were in the back seat, leaned forward.
"You two, that's dangerous. Sit properly."
After being reminded, Panda and Toge awkwardly sat back, waiting for Maki to finish reading.
Inoue Hao, a university student.
Because of his love for adventure, he often traveled across Japan.
During an exploration of a well-known online supernatural site, he encountered a newly born Cursed Spirit.
He was saved by a Jujutsu Sorcerer who happened to be there to exorcise it.
Since then, he gained the ability to see Cursed Spirits and joined the Windows.
Whenever he discovered a Cursed Spirit during his travels, he would report it to the local Jujutsu department.
Once confirmed, he would receive a reward.
This time, while exploring the mountains, he passed through a remote and isolated village.
There, he discovered what appeared to be a Cursed Spirit.
However, the information he reported was too vague. For example, the Rank of the Cursed Spirit could not be determined.
Therefore, the local Jujutsu department required him to provide more detailed and verifiable information before issuing a reward.
After that, Inoue Hao lost contact.
Maki frowned as she read the document.
Tentacles, octopus, eyes. It sounded very similar to what they encountered yesterday.
"Are there any results regarding that thing from yesterday?"
Maki handed the paper to Panda and Toge.
"Not yet."
Akari shook her head.
It was not only Jujutsu Sorcerers who became busy as Cursed Spirits increased.
Doctors were also overwhelmed.
Shoko's workload had grown significantly.
"I see."
Maki did not say more.
"So our main task this time is to investigate the village and find this Window member, right?"
Panda summarized.
"That's right. According to police records, there have also been unexplained disappearances in this village recently, so the probability of Cursed Spirits being present is very high."
"Don't worry, we're strong."
Maki smiled confidently.
Tap, tap.
In the backward village, Maki walked along a narrow path with the Thousand Machine Umbrella on her back.
What she saw were abandoned houses, overgrown courtyards, and elderly villagers with dull expressions.
After half an hour, Maki had not seen a single young person.
Let alone Inoue Hao.
The village was small, and after splitting up, they quickly searched the entire area before regrouping at the entrance.
"Did you find anything?"
Maki asked first.
"Bonito flakes."
Toge shook his head.
"I see. What about you?"
Maki turned to Panda.
"I didn't see any Cursed Spirits, but there is a lot of residual energy."
"Residual energy means there really are Cursed Spirits here."
"Yes, but this residual energy feels very uncomfortable."
Panda nodded.
"Like the one in the sewer yesterday?"
Maki asked.
"Exactly.
The residual energy here feels more distorted than usual. Also, the people in this village feel strange."
After speaking, the three looked toward the village.
Even under sunlight, the village did not feel warm.
There was no sense of peaceful rural life.
The trees grew in unnatural directions.
Their branches twisted like deformed hands reaching toward the sky.
The roads, despite having people, were filled with an eerie silence.
It felt as if entering the village had dimmed the world's colors.
"I feel like the people here are more like Cursed Corpses than me."
Hearing Panda's words, Maki recalled the elderly people she had seen.
Wrinkled faces.
Withered bodies.
Empty eyes.
Faces without any vitality.
"Seriously, what is wrong with this village?"
Maki sighed, pressing her forehead.
For some reason, even she felt a chill rising in her heart.
"What should we do? Leave first?"
Panda noticed her unease.
"No. We haven't completed any objectives yet. While it's still light, let's go back in and check again."
After speaking, Maki walked back into the village.
Panda and Toge exchanged glances and followed.
They carefully examined areas with dense residual energy.
However, the traces were widespread and directionless.
Like puddles left after the tide receded.
They could not determine the Cursed Spirit's location.
Gradually, the sun set.
Maki and the others found a relatively intact house and decided to stay overnight.
Among the abandoned buildings, this one was in better condition.
The utilities were still functioning.
From the thin layer of dust, it had likely been abandoned for less than a month.
After confirming it was empty, they settled in.
Toge and Maki rested after eating high-energy food they carried and some wild fruit they picked.
Panda, who did not need sleep, took on the task of keeping watch.
He also planned to observe whether Cursed Spirits would appear at night.
A starless night arrived.
The village was soon swallowed by complete darkness.
Within the unknown shadows, distorted figures quietly crept out.
(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.)