I tried implementing Doc Shoko's 'lessons,' but it didn't lead anywhere. However, my rabbits have managed to find me some water. A water canteen, still filled to the brim. The water didn't seem stale or rancid.
I ate another candy bar and drank all the water in one gulp. Even before coming here, I was already thirsty—no need for rationing.
I kept the canteen for now; there might be a clean water source here somewhere.
My rabbits are still carrying me, too; they're pretty durable and enduring. The bruise on my chest was still the same; no amount of food and water can heal me unless there's a lot.
So, I need medical help asap.
Also, if I don't move a lot, it won't hurt. I've almost regained some of my strength. Some more rest and I'll be able to summon a shikigami — especially Max Elephant.
After another few hours...
The rabbits opened another door; this time, it led to a room with a rather massive, bottomless pit. The bottom of the pit was barely visible, and a structure protruded from it. I couldn't quite focus my eyes on it.
The pain is becoming too much for me.
Anyways, they weren't spikes; their edges were blunt and round. It's like those small stone-lined structures that they use on roads.
An idea popped into my head.
"That's it. I can use that."
It's reckless and maybe stupid, but I have no other choice.
The pain is becoming too much to bear, and if I hold on for a lot longer, this bruise and some of my injuries will get even worse. The slash wound on my back has been stabilized, but it was still lightly bleeding, staining the white foam mattress.
I've recovered enough cursed energy.
"Max Elephant!" I shouted while making the proper hand sign.
A huge pink elephant shikigami then appeared before me; fortunately, the room had enough space for it to walk around comfortably. Water dripped from its snout. Max Elephant can produce water, but I've never drunk from it, not once.
When there's no other option, I'll drink from it. For now, there are better opportunities out there.
"Toad!" I shouted, making the proper hand sign again.
A green toad, almost human in size, appeared with a symbol on its chest.
I slowly rose from the foam mattress, using the wall beside me to help me stand. It's so damned painful, and this is my only hope.
I am going to summon Round Deer and then try to tame it. The Toad will be on standby; I will only order it to restrict the deer when it gets close or runs away. Max Elephant will use its water blast attack to push the deer straight to that pit.
The fall, along with the structures below, should be enough to defeat or at least incapacitate it. If not, then Max Elephant will jump into the pit to execute the final blow.
It's a simple plan, so it should work. I can't take this pain anymore, it's way too much for me to bear. I collapse on the foam mattress again, squishing some of the rabbits beneath. I needed a quick breather. "Agh!"
...
...
...
The time is now; it's now or never. I slowly extended my arms forward as my chest's pain intensified. Even a simple gesture is enough to blow me out of my breath.
"Round Deer!" I summoned the shikigami, and it then appeared.
It was a normal-sized deer with a symbol on its left neck. The height was relatively normal for a deer, but its bulging muscles were causing me to second-guess my action.
It seemed bulkier than before. But maybe it's just me.
I've tried taming this shikigami before. Any damage that I've dealt would be healed. This shikigami can use the reversed curse technique. A rather annoying ability that temporarily halted my efforts to tame it.
The deer was now drawing its front right leg, like a bull. It was going to charge at me.
"Now!" Max Elephant released a powerful water blast; the deer was going to dodge it, but it wouldn't have dodged it if the Toad hadn't been restraining its lower left leg.
*Wham!* The Round Deer shikigami was struck, knocking it back straight towards the pit and falling inside, headfirst.
*Thud!* A bad fall, enough to defeat it.
Then I've felt it. Inside of me, a feeling that I was successful in taming it. I can now summon it, but I've already expended my already mediocre amount of cursed energy. It'll take a few hours before I can summon any shikigami again.
I've dispelled the summoned shikigami, rabbits excluded. I then took another nap, forcing myself to sleep. So long as I am lying down, my chest won't hurt.
...
...
...
Two hours later...
I woke up, hearing the loud buzz of the ceiling lights again. It was getting annoying; no wonder they've been mostly removed. I've had enough cursed energy to summon a single shikigami.
I didn't hesitate to summon the deer. "Round Deer!" It then appeared in front of me and looked at me as if it was scanning me. It then sent out that familiar sense of Reversed Cursed Technique.
The healing was slow, slower than Doc Shoko's, but it'll have to do. I can already feel the pain in my chest slowly subsiding and my injuries healing. This will take some time.
I then managed my breathing, steadying it. By thirty minutes, the pain in my chest had gone away. By forty minutes, the slash wound on my hand had healed, but it felt like there was a scar now. By fifty minutes, my body finally stabilized.
After an hour, I could move again without any problems. Although my body still felt exhausted since I've lost a considerable amount of blood. I've no idea how I am still breathing, nor do I have any idea why I am here...
"Is this Sukuna's doing?" I muttered while looking around. "Is this how Shibuya looks now?"
(♫♫ You are my special... ♫♫)