[Author note:]
Volume two over. Shorter than the first. Now, we are in the last and longest volume, likely lasting till whatever I do and happens. All I gotta say is that the following chapters will be a huge power boost for our dear MC. About damn time if you ask me.
I've probably asked this before, but I don't care. Tell me what the next fanfic shall be.
Pick a anime and shoot. Maybe I'll consider it instead of whatever I have in mind for next year(probably will have to get to original works too over at RR sooner rather than later, since writing original works is tedious and this is far easier since I don't really have to plan and all ig)
Lastly.
Todo glaze.
Yeah. What are you gonna do about it?
[Author note over]
The workshop smelled the same as before.
Metal. Oil. Something faintly rotten.
Tetsuya stepped inside, boots crunching on debris, as he approached Juzo.
The guy was leaning against the workbench, wiping his hands with a white cloth that was slowly turning not so white, grinning like a maniac.
"Welcome back, little guy!" Juzo called out cheerfully. "Changed your mind? By the way, I have to say. Can I please turn ya into a hanger? OHHHH! and a wallet too! You'd make a really nice one. Good leather."
Tetsuya didn't respond.
He just reached into his cloak and pulled out the sealed sphere.
Then he let it fall.
The moment it hit the ground, the seal unfurled.
The small glowing ball expanded violently, sealing paper shooting outward in five directions like living tendrils.
They slammed into the walls, the ceiling, anchoring themselves with sharp snaps of impact.
The curse kinda unfolded on the floor like a reverse origami, for lack of a better explanation.
The thing was still tied, body still wrapped in layers of sealing script, pressed flat against the concrete floor by the suspended paper.
It thrashed. Snarled. Tried to break free.
The sealing paper held firm.
Juzo whistled, low and impressed.
"Well, well. That's something." He stepped closer, circling the trapped curse slowly, eyes sharp and assessing.
"Never worked on something this powerful before. Special Grade 1! or Semi special whatever they call them, huh? This might actually be kinda fun, you know? Like you have a favorite food and you occasionally eat something new!"
He turned back to Tetsuya, grin widening.
"So, little guy. What do you want me to make out of it?"
"I need you to...
Days later.
Tetsuya stood beside Juzo at the workbench, staring down at the object resting on its surface.
The cursed spirit, or rather, cursed tool, was hidden in a decorative wooden box. Said box was about the size of his palm, made of dark, lacquered wood, and etched with intricate patterns, mostly there for aesthetic rather than need.
"Is there a point to all this?"
Juzo cackled, slapping the bench with one hand.
"Of course there was! This might not be what I'd consider a masterpiece, but damn if I didn't outdo myself this time!"
His grin faltered slightly, and he sighed dramatically.
"Ah, man. Still would've preferred working with a human body though. Way more fun."
Tetsuya ignored him, reaching forward and opening the box carefully.
He stared at the contents.
Then grimaced.
"Did you have to make it so creepy?"
Juzo just laughed harder.
Tetsuya closed the box with a sharp snap, slipped it into his pocket, and pulled out his phone.
A few taps. Transfer confirmed.
Juzo's phone buzzed.
He checked it, eyes widening, then grinning even wider.
"Pleasure doing business, little guy!"
Tetsuya turned and walked toward the door without another word.
Juzo called after him, still cackling.
"Come back anytime! I'll make you into a nice wallet next time!"
Tetsuya stepped outside, closed the door behind him, and walked off.
'Perhaps I should have finished that guy off. Then again. I don't quite care what he does for the most part. It sure would be a shame if someone who does, gets wind of this though.'
Of course, he had never revealed Juzo's workshop or anything of the sort to anyone close to the white haired monster.
Tetsuya sat alone in his island home, the small wooden box resting on the table in front of him.
He stared at it for a long moment.
Then opened it.
Inside, coiled neatly, was the cursed tool.
It looked like a belt.
If a belt were made entirely of bony spines.
He pulled it out carefully, holding it up to the light.
It unfurled slowly, spine segments clicking softly as they straightened.
The thing was as long as his arm. Maybe longer.
At one end, it tapered into an arrow-like tail made of sharpened bone.
At the other end, where a buckle should be, was a face.
Vaguely worm-like. Fossilized. Made entirely of bone, like the rest of it.
It reminded him of the cursed spirit Toji had.
'Come to think of it, does he just keep the thing in his stomach all the time?'
Tetsuya thought, cracking up at the thought of Toji having it wriggle around like a family pet.
Looking at the cursed tool in his hand, Tetsuya grimaced.
"Yeah. Definitely creepy. Especially with what it's going to do..."
He set it down on the table, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
The memory surfaced.
Tetsuya had stood over the curse's form, hands pressed against its bare spine, cursed energy flooding into it.
The thing had been only half complete, needing a few finishing touches.
Juzo watched from the side, interested, and occasionally offering 'commentary'.
"You sure about this, little guy? Implanting so many Binding vows on a cursed tool this strong?"
Tetsuya didn't respond.
He was too focused.
The first binding vow formed in his mind, sharp and deliberate.
In quick succession, four more binding vows were formed between him and the incomplete cursed tool.
Tetsuya opened his eyes, staring at the bone belt coiled on the table.
He reached out slowly, fingers brushing the fossilised face.
It was cool to the touch. Smooth. Dead.
But he could feel the curse inside. Waiting. Watching.
He picked it up, held it in both hands, much how one might clasp a praying rosary, and took a deep breath.
"Alright. Let's see if this was worth it."
He poured cursed energy into the tool.
The bone face's eyes snapped open.
Glowing yellow. Hungry.
The arrow like tail at the other end twisted violently, before stabbing and burrowing itself into his body, through his hand.
Pain flared.
Blood splattered up around the entry point as his arm was nearly mangled instantly.
Tetsuya gagged.
The sensation was wrong. Disgusting. Invasive.
Under his skin. Between muscle fibers. Wrapping around bone, as if seeking a cosy, warm place.
The fossilised face pressed against his wrist, then stopped, almost looking like he had a second tiny pale face on his left wrist.
It was waiting for something.
Tetsuya's vision blurred. But he pushed on. He took a deep breath and spoke. Yet, his voice seemed to echo twice. Not one, but two voices.
"Ten deaths. Putrid flesh. The brush of the artist shall sculpt my flesh. Two souls, yet one gown. With this Malignant Profanation, the wound shall be unwound"