Chapter 56: Emiya Shirou, I'll Kill You!!!!!!!!
"In the mid-Edo period, a myth arose among the people that a Giant Catfish caused earthquakes. People believed that whenever the large catfish living beneath the earth moved, it would trigger an earthquake.
The legend says that the enshrined deity of Kashima Shrine, Takemikazuchi-no-Okami, pinned the Giant Catfish down with a Keystone to prevent this natural disaster... which is probably false.
In ancient times, the populace, often manipulated by those in power, was so deeply rooted in ignorance that they would label all unknown phenomena with the name of gods and demons.
Giant Catfish ... if such an imaginary Cursed Spirit existed, its Cursed Energy level should only be Grade 1, but in terms of destructive power alone, it might be even more terrifying than quite a few Special Grade Cursed Spirits."
A Cursed Technique that merely triggers an earthquake wouldn't affect a powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer, of course, but this is a city. If even a small accident occurs, the casualties will rise exponentially. And in the wake of such a disaster, fear will breed new fear... the result will only get worse.
After taking some effort to emerge from the sewer system buried under rubble, Nanami Kento immediately provided Emiya with a quick lesson on the ancient Japanese myths and legends, as well as the Cursed Spirit they had encountered last.
Because various ghosts and gods were once widely circulated in Japan, there's a high probability that corresponding curses and Cursed Spirits are born, or that many have already been born.
Therefore, it is very necessary for Jujutsu Sorcerers to study various legends and histories in mythological records; this is an extremely important course at Jujutsu High, and the school's public image is that of a religious institution.
"In that case, is it also possible for legendary Gods to be born?" Emiya asked directly, having considered this possibility.
The reason he thought of this was that life forms like Gods did exist in the world of magecraft, and in reality, most of them were not exactly friendly to humans. It even included some entities who harbored an extreme hostility toward humanity.
"Perhaps? But it has never happened.
Maybe the requirements for that kind of curse to be born are very high, or perhaps human reverence for the Gods still outweighs their negative emotions."
Nanami Kento was surprised that Emiya would ask such a question, but he still answered truthfully.
"Also, didn't that human-shaped Cursed Spirit mention that he was born from the hatred and revulsion of humans toward one another?
Thinking about it, a Cursed Spirit born from that level of negative emotion is bound to be Special Grade, or even stronger."
Nanami Kento, who once worked in a corporate setting, had some understanding of how serious the malice between humans is.
If the fear of ghosts, gods, or specific phenomena only exists within certain groups, the malice between humans has long been rooted in the entire society.
Things like the school bullying Emiya first witnessed—regardless of whether it's right or wrong—happen in every school, it's just a matter of degree.
In such an environment, merely keeping to oneself may not be enough.
When others perceive you as easy to manipulate, you become their target. So, the best choice to avoid becoming a target of bullying is to become a bully—isn't the submission of the minority to the majority one of the characteristics of humanity?
With teachers constantly providing guidance, schools meant for education have become like this, so is it not obvious what kind of landscape the resulting society will present?
In today's society, most people no longer expect kindness from unfamiliar strangers, and consequently, malice begins to fester.
Malice toward those who live better than them, malice toward those who live worse than them, and not many positive thoughts toward anyone in a higher stratum than themselves.
In the proliferation of this malice, it would be strange if the resulting Cursed Spirit didn't reach Special Grade, and it is only natural for it to be far stronger than a typical Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
"However, combining the mismatch between the Cursed Spirit's displayed Cursed Technique precision and its immense Cursed Energy, along with the information revealed in its words, we can draw a somewhat unbelievable conclusion...
That guy was likely still just a Cursed Womb."
One could tell from Nanami Kento's serious expression that this conclusion was definitely not good—in fact, it was very bad.
"Cursed Womb... What is that?"
This was the first time Emiya had heard this term. He had learned too little about the Jujutsu world for now.
"A Cursed Womb refers to the embryo of a Cursed Spirit where the curse has begun to transition from pure negative energy into a Cursed Spirit but has not yet fully formed.
A conventionally defined Cursed Womb is usually just an inanimate object with a certain vitality and no ability to act, which is why it can be sealed.
But if it's a Cursed Womb conceived by that level of curse, it might not be impossible for it to possess intelligence even before it fully forms..."
Nanami Kento was also somewhat incredulous about this conjecture, yet it was the possibility that most closely aligned with reality.
At the very least, even a Cursed Spirit born from the malice between humans couldn't have that exact human appearance as its true form.
The one who treats humans least like people is, ironically, humanity itself.
"If Mr. Nanami is worried that Cursed Spirit will return even stronger later, that's probably impossible.
The 'Domain' deployed from inside the body... I believe the lethality of that move makes survival impossible, even for a Cursed Spirit."
Regardless, Unlimited Lost Works was a technique meticulously developed by EMIYA Alter solely for the purpose of killing.
Just as a person dies when they're killed, Unlimited Lost Works has a similar concept.
Even though its power has not been developed to the maximum due to Emiya's current Reality Marble not being completely perfected, it is certainly not something an ordinary entity can withstand.
A truly complete Unlimited Blade Works would encompass all the Noble Phantasms Emiya knows how to project, including many with special, targeted powers.
Infallible hit, guaranteed kill, magic cancellation, recovery inhibition, special attack against Gods and Evil... Noble Phantasms with every conceivable attribute are readily available.
Without needing to investigate whether the enemy has any special abilities, as long as a target is deemed worthy of death, EMIYA Alter would unhesitatingly inject that bullet, wrapped in the Reality Marble, into them.
Emiya himself hasn't projected and stored too many special Noble Phantasms into his Unlimited Blade Works yet, but it should still be enough.
"Deploying a Domain inside the enemy's body?"
Nanami Kento himself had yet to master the technique of Domain Expansion, and this method of applying a Domain inside the enemy was entirely unheard of.
If such a technique truly existed, then not even a Special Grade Cursed Spirit would have a chance of survival, and arguably, no one in the entire Jujutsu world could withstand it.
'Even that guy...?'
Nanami Kento subconsciously thought of Gojo Satoru, but quickly shook the image out of his head, choosing not to engage in such a hypothetical comparison.
Although he was incredibly curious about this unheard-of Domain technique, Nanami Kento maintained his principles and did not inquire too much about a technique that belonged solely to another person.
"If that's the case, then all the better. Although people die every day because of Cursed Spirits, making them suffer in a state worse than death... that truly warrants their demise."
Closing his eyes and trying hard not to recall the appearance of the modified humans, Nanami Kento took off his glasses and let out a deep breath.
Despite being Gojo Satoru's junior, most people would consider Nanami Kento to be the more senior one, as evidenced by the lines already present on his face.
"If there are no objections, I will truthfully report this incident and the results to the High School and the Higher-Ups... though the probability of those guys accepting it isn't very high."
Such a powerful Cursed Spirit was born from the malice of humans toward humans, stronger than a typical Special Grade, yet it was individually eliminated, while still a Cursed Womb, by a newcomer who had only been a Jujutsu Sorcerer for half a month.
The probability of them accepting this result is probably not much higher than the sun rising in the West.
"It's okay, Mr. Nanami.
I didn't become a Jujutsu Sorcerer to gain fame, nor to have anyone recognize me. I'm satisfied as long as I achieved the goal of successfully eliminating the culprit."
If he hadn't succeeded in exorcising that Cursed Spirit, Emiya himself would probably be the most distressed one.
After all, he was the first person to provoke the Cursed Spirit, thus revealing its existence, and he was the one who fought the Cursed Spirit, causing it to break through its limits repeatedly.
If he couldn't kill it quickly, many more people would certainly be transformed into modified humans, and Emiya absolutely could not allow that to happen again.
"Is that so? Perhaps you really are much stronger than I am..."
Unable to stop himself from sighing at Emiya's conviction, Nanami Kento quickly recovered and began to discuss another matter.
"However, Emiya.
There is one more important thing I want to ask of you."
"Huh, what is it?"
Emiya looked with confusion at Nanami Kento, whose tone had suddenly become solemn.
"'Go, Great Catfish,' you heard a sentence like that, and then that imaginary Cursed Spirit appeared, right?"
After confirming this with Emiya, Nanami Kento brought up a topic: "Cursed Spirit Manipulation is a Cursed Technique that allows a sorcerer to subdue Cursed Spirits and manipulate them freely.
The drawbacks are that it cannot absorb Cursed Spirits that have a master-servant relationship with another person, unless their master is killed. Also, the precision of the absorbed Cursed Spirit's Cursed Technique ceases to grow from the moment it is absorbed.
Cursed Spirit Manipulation has appeared several times in history and has been documented due to its unique nature. But in the modern era, there is only one person who possesses this Cursed Technique.
One of Japan's only four Special Grade Sorcerers—Geto Suguru."
Innate Cursed Techniques can be passed down through bloodline, and other Cursed Techniques naturally also have the potential to reappear. It could be a distant descendant of that sorcerer, or just a chance appearance of a similar ability.
In any case, Cursed Techniques documented in history do sometimes reappear.
"Four?"
"Yes, four."
Nanami Kento nodded in confirmation despite Emiya's repeated check.
"You must remember that I was the one who told you there were only three Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerers in Japan, yet now I'm saying there are four Special Grade Sorcerers.
That is because Geto Suguru, who was once one of the Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerers...
He died two years ago."
.
.
.
"Mahito, he's dead."
In an unknown mountain forest, Geto Suguru (or the entity wearing his body) was slowly pouring tea onto the teaware before him, stating this fact to the people in front of him.
However, calling them 'people' would be inaccurate.
Because the several creatures in front of him included one with a single large eye on a head like a volcanic rock, one whose eyes were replaced by extending branches, and one that lacked limbs and merely squatted there, strongly resembling an octopus.
The three of them even had unfinished playing cards in their hands.
But, undoubtedly, they were Cursed Spirits.
"WHAT?!"
Upon hearing Geto Suguru's words, the Cursed Spirit with only one large eye and a head resembling a volcano immediately displayed a temper that matched its appearance.
"What nonsense are you talking about, you bastard!!!"
It was very well aware of Mahito's strength, who, like itself, was classified as a Special Grade Cursed Spirit by humans.
The entire Jujutsu world probably only had that guy named Gojo Satoru... No, even that guy couldn't possibly kill him!
"I'm not lying to you, Jogo.
If we had strictly followed my plan, it would have been impossible to run into Gojo Satoru.
But Mahito was indeed not confident enough to look for trouble with Gojo Satoru, but he ran into another Jujutsu Sorcerer and was afflicted by his Cursed Technique.
Extending a Domain inside the enemy's body... I haven't seen that Cursed Technique either, so I couldn't save him."
At least Geto Suguru was being honest; everything he said was the truth.
It was just that, in the end, the one who caused Mahito's premature death wasn't Emiya, but himself.
After speaking, to bolster the credibility of his words, Geto Suguru even waved his hand, having a Cursed Spirit bring Mahito's 'remains' over.
Jogo was about to continue attacking Geto Suguru, but he froze the moment he saw the 'lump of swords'.
Even when a Cursed Spirit dies, Cursed Residue remains at the scene. No one would be better able to recognize Mahito's Cursed Residue than his comrades.
If calculated based on all the residue remaining, a large part of Mahito was now inside this 'lump of swords'.
"This, this is... what the hell is this!!!"
Flames suddenly erupted from the top of its head and its palms. It wanted to destroy the object presented before it to prove its falsity, but the ten-thousand-degree heat only caused slight signs of melting.
The ground had already melted into liquid, but the 'lump of swords' remained firm.
This firmness was enough to prove its authenticity indirectly.
"Who? Tell me, human, which Jujutsu Sorcerer did this!
Otherwise, believe it or not, I'll burn you with them!!!"
His single eye was bloodshot, and veins bulged from his forehead, showing the depth of his anger at that moment.
Even the limbless Cursed Spirit flipped over to Mahito's unique remains, emitting weak cries, and tears streamed from the corners of its eyes.
A Cursed Spirit possessing the concept of companionship—this was something probably no Jujutsu Sorcerer would believe until they saw it with their own eyes.
"Calm down, Jogo."
Facing the threat, Geto Suguru merely waved his hand in front of him, the unchanging smile still on his face.
"To achieve the plan of human extinction, we cannot proceed without first eliminating the most threatening individuals.
However, I have indeed found out the name of that Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, Emiya Shirou."
Jogo's eyes glazed over slightly, and then his entire body began to tremble.
The next second, the plugs serving as his ears were forcefully ejected by intense air pressure, and three jets of flame erupted from the holes on the sides and top of his head, turning the surroundings for hundreds of meters into scorched earth.
"EMIYA SHIROU, I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!"
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