"…Jujutsu High isn't a place where someone like you can just drift through life!"
In the hallway, Maki Zenin delivered her final words to Yuta Okkotsu.
Judging by his expression, every word had struck home—each one a direct hit to his weakest points.
Panda couldn't take it anymore.
"Maki, that's enough!"
"Salmon…" Toge Inumaki added softly, signaling her to stop.
Didn't she see how dejected the new guy looked?
"Yeah, yeah. You're so noisy."
Maki slung her weapon case over her back and walked off.
Panda turned to Yuta.
"Sorry about that. Don't take it too seriously—she just thinks she understands everyone."
Yuta lowered his head.
"It's fine… she's right."
Tokiya Shingen stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
"She may act like that, but Maki's actually very kind to her teammates—"
"Shi—n—gen!"
Maki's furious voice echoed from ahead.
"I'll go find Gojo-sensei—see you!"
Shingen waved quickly and bolted.
…
"This mission is a bit special."
Gojo Satoru spoke casually.
"It involves not just curses, but possibly a curse user as well. Probably around Grade 2 to Grade 1."
"If you can complete it, Shingen, you'll only need a recommendation and evaluation to be promoted to Grade 1."
He added with a grin:
"And your technique is especially effective against curse users, so this will be a solo mission. No problem, right?"
Shingen shrugged.
"Sounds fine to me."
Even reaching Semi-Grade 1 would unlock new privileges.
Not to mention—
The difference in mission rewards alone was huge.
"But I'll need a close-range cursed tool," he added."Do you have one, Gojo-sensei?"
Gojo nodded.
"There's one in the school's storage. I'll register it for you later."
Soon after—
Shingen obtained a blade-type cursed tool.
Though technically, it still belonged to the school.
With the mission details in hand—
He set off.
…
His assigned assistant supervisor was:
Akari Nitta
A beautiful woman with medium-length blonde hair.
She looked young, lively—even a bit cute.
The mission site was a small town.
Five adult women had gone missing.
Initially, local police handled the case.
But during the final incident—
A nearby security camera captured something…
Something abnormal.
Ordinarily, curses couldn't be seen—
Not even by cameras.
That anomaly was enough.
The police escalated the case.
After arriving, Nitta briefed him:
"So the 'Windows' confirmed lingering cursed energy… and because the victims follow a pattern, there's suspicion of a curse user?"
She nodded seriously.
"Yes."
Shingen stroked his chin.
Curse users…
Fallen jujutsu sorcerers.
Many committed horrific acts.
The most infamous?
Suguru Geto
A former student.
A Special Grade sorcerer—
Who massacred 112 villagers.
Then killed his own non-sorcerer parents.
Now labeled a curse user—
Marked for execution.
Yet—
Still alive.
And apparently—
He and Gojo had history.
Shingen shook off the thought.
Back to the case.
The victims:
Young women
Ages 20–25
Attacked late at night
Bodies severely mutilated
Even Shingen—
Used to grotesque curses—
Had almost been unable to stomach the scene.
"If it's a human… that's seriously twisted."
No signs of assault.
No shared connections.
Not revenge.
"…A psychopath? A serial killer driven purely by dark urges?"
"And a curse user, at that."
But something didn't add up.
If it were purely a curse—
The pattern would be different.
There should've been a shared location.
"Let's start by searching for traces of cursed energy."
…
They investigated the town for hours.
Result?
Almost nothing.
Just scattered residuals—
With no clear connection.
"Could the killer be hiding?" Nitta asked.
Shingen shook his head.
"No."
"Curse users… are unstable."
"In a way, they're already insane."
"…Though, to be fair, most sorcerers are a little off too."
"Five victims, continuous crimes—even under police pressure."
"That means the killer is bold. Reckless."
Nitta nodded.
"With power like that… it's no surprise."
Silence fell.
Then—
Shingen spoke.
"Ms. Nitta… I have an idea."
She perked up.
"Let's hear it."
Shingen studied her.
Stylish suit.
Attractive.
Confident.
"You fit the killer's profile perfectly."
"Young. Beautiful."
"If you walk alone at night…"
"The predator won't pass up the opportunity."
"Your cursed energy isn't prominent either—so you won't raise suspicion."
"…Though—"
Nitta didn't hesitate.
"I'll do it."
"If a curse user is involved, catching them sooner saves lives."
Shingen nodded.
"I'll stay within visual range."
"My technique specializes in speed."
"Once we confirm the target, just distract him for a few seconds."
"I'll reach you instantly."
She nodded.
The plan was set.
…Nightfall
The streets emptied.
Only drunks, night owls, and late workers remained.
A blonde woman staggered along the sidewalk.
Stylish clothes.
Heavy makeup.
Unsteady steps.
She looked drunk.
It was Nitta.
Not long after—
A man began following her.
She tensed inwardly.
Was it him?
The footsteps grew closer.
Then—
A voice.
"Miss… are you drunk? Need help?"
She stayed in character.
"Don't… who are you…? I'll call the police…"
The man hesitated.
Then backed off.
"Not him," she concluded calmly.
But—
Moments later—
He returned.
Persistent.
She couldn't deal with him.
Not now.
So she moved toward a lit street.
Then—
She spotted a taxi.
Perfect.
She approached it.
The man stopped.
Hesitated.
She leaned toward the driver—
Then froze.
"…Hello… I need a ride…"
The driver smiled.
"Get in, miss."
The door opened.
She was inside—
Before she even realized it.
Her body felt heavy.
Her mind sluggish.
"Damn it… it's him."
The car started.
Dark, viscous energy crawled across its surface.
She tried to move.
To signal Shingen.
Nothing.
All she could do—
Was wait.
And hope.
Behind her—
The driver smiled.
Cold.
Twisted.
Meanwhile…
Hidden nearby—
Shingen watched.
At first—
He thought she was escaping the stalker.
But then—
He realized.
Why would she take a taxi?
That made no sense.
Unless—
"The taxi… is the target."