"Of course, I have important matters to attend to this time, so I can't accompany you." Gojo Satoru spoke casually, as though he were discussing a weekend outing. "Still, protocol requires us to investigate. Ijichi is already waiting outside. He'll take you there and explain the details."
He clapped his hands together.
"This mission will be carried out by the four of you. Consider it your first team combat assessment. Sol, I'll leave them in your care."
Sol gave a small nod.
Yuji looked excited.
"A Special Grade Cursed Object? That sounds awesome! Don't worry, Gojo-sensei, we've got this!"
Nobara checked her hammer and nails.
"A juvenile detention center, huh? Hopefully it won't be too annoying."
Megumi Fushiguro's expression remained serious.
"It's unusual for an unregistered Special Grade Cursed Object to appear in a place like that. Does Mr. Ijichi have any more detailed information?"
"Ask him when you get there~" Gojo replied, wagging a finger. "Gojo-sensei will be taking his leave now. Good luck with the mission!"
Humming cheerfully, he vanished from sight.
The four exchanged glances, gathered their belongings, and headed toward the school gate.
Assistant Director Kiyotaka Ijichi was already waiting in a black sedan. His expression was tense, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
"Please get in," Ijichi said as he opened the door for them. His voice was respectful, though his anxiety was impossible to hide. "I'll explain the situation on the way."
The sedan pulled away from Tokyo Jujutsu High and merged into the city traffic.
As he drove, Ijichi began his briefing.
"The Eishu Juvenile Detention Center is a correctional facility for juvenile offenders. About a week ago, a serious incident of unknown origin occurred inside. Multiple staff members and detainees were injured or killed."
"Following the incident, the facility was immediately sealed off. Our initial assessment suggested that any Cursed Spirit formed there would not exceed Grade 2. However, beginning the day before yesterday, the monitored Cursed Energy levels rose dramatically and eventually reached the threshold requiring a Special Grade response."
"Special Grade?" Megumi immediately straightened in his seat. "Are you certain?"
"The energy fluctuations are extremely high, but we cannot fully confirm it yet." Ijichi swallowed dryly. "The observers didn't dare approach and could only assess the situation from a distance. Headquarters has therefore dispatched you to verify the threat. If it is confirmed to be a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, you are to retreat immediately and report back. Senior sorcerers will handle the situation."
He glanced at the students through the rearview mirror, concern clear in his eyes.
"Please be extremely careful. If anything feels wrong, withdraw immediately. Your safety comes first."
Yuji's excitement dimmed slightly as the seriousness of the mission settled in.
Nobara frowned and instinctively tightened her grip on the nails in her pocket.
Megumi remained silent, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Sol sat quietly by the window, watching the scenery pass. His dark red eyes remained calm and unreadable, as though he were listening to a story that had nothing to do with him.
Roughly an hour later, the vehicle left the bustling city behind and entered a remote industrial district.
Ahead stood a gray concrete facility surrounded by high walls. A Curtain had already been erected around the area, and layers of caution tape blocked the perimeter. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on the surroundings.
The sedan came to a stop.
Ijichi took a deep breath and turned toward them. His face looked even paler than before.
"This is the location. The Curtain has already been deployed. The situation inside is unknown, and the Cursed Energy fluctuations remain extremely unstable. Please be careful."
He repeated the warning several times.
"If you confirm the presence of a Special Grade, or encounter a threat beyond your ability to handle, retreat immediately and contact me. I'll remain outside the Curtain."
Yuji was the first to step out of the vehicle. Stretching his arms, he looked both nervous and eager.
"A Special Grade, huh? Sounds ridiculously strong."
Nobara stepped out behind him and adjusted the hammer at her waist.
"Hopefully it's not some giant pain to deal with."
Megumi exited last. His eyes remained fixed on the detention center concealed behind the Curtain. Even from a distance, the structure radiated an ominous presence.
Instinctively, he glanced at Sol.
Seeing Sol's relaxed expression, Megumi unexpectedly felt some of the tension leave his shoulders.
Sol stepped out of the car and calmly observed the dark barrier separating the facility from the outside world. His gaze carried a hint of curiosity.
"Good luck," Ijichi said, unable to completely hide the tremor in his voice.
The four students exchanged no further words and stepped through the Curtain.
The moment they crossed the barrier, the surrounding light seemed to dim.
Cold, heavy air saturated with negative emotions rushed over them.
The interior of the juvenile detention center had become twisted and distorted. Dark stains clung to the walls, and distant scraping noises mixed with inhuman growls echoed through the corridors.
"Yeah, this place is seriously creepy." Yuji rubbed his arms while looking around cautiously. "It's way worse than that Cursed Spirit from the abandoned building."
Nobara tightened her grip on her hammer.
"The residual Cursed Energy here is thick. There are traces of multiple Cursed Spirits mixed together."
Megumi prepared himself to summon the Divine Dogs.
"Stay alert. Don't separate. Mr. Ijichi said there could be a Special Grade here."
His gaze drifted toward Sol again.
Sol stood slightly ahead of the group, calmly observing the endless corridor. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.
That steady presence subtly eased Megumi's nerves.
"Let's move," Sol said as he took the lead. His voice remained composed, completely free of tension. "We'll confirm the situation as quickly as possible."
"Special Grade Cursed Spirits are dangerous. Don't get careless."
The group advanced cautiously through the dark hallways.
The deeper they went, the heavier the contamination of Cursed Energy became.
A faint odor of blood and decay filled the air.
Most of the doors lining the corridor were twisted out of shape. Some had been ripped apart entirely by immense force, exposing dark rooms beyond that felt even more ominous.
"Something's coming," Megumi suddenly said in a low voice.
Almost immediately, several grotesque Cursed Spirits emerged from the corridor ahead.
They crawled across the floor with twisted limbs, radiating malice. Their individual strength was low, but their numbers were not.
Hissing and screeching, they lunged toward the group.