Chapter 38

There was a cursed spirit nearby, but it didn't feel like the one they were hunting. The one they had captured was only a Grade 2, and its nature had nothing to do with fire; it was born from humanity's fear of heights, and its innate technique allowed it to manipulate gravity in a specific area.

This ability was all too familiar to Takizawa Sei. He had lost count of how many times he had fought against a "gravity user." This Grade 2 spirit already possessed basic consciousness, and upon sensing the presence emanating from Takizawa—which far surpassed its own—it fought with the desperation of one backed into a corner. Yet, such a struggle could not bridge the gap between their power levels.

The lingering traces of fire were identical to those found on the sightseeing bus.

"It moves faster than we anticipated," Takizawa said, his lips pressed into a thin, tight line.

"The 'Window' discovered it too late," Satoru Gojo replied, his gaze fixed on the ruined scene as sirens wailed across the city. "If a special-grade spirit decides to go on a rampage, it is an easy feat to accomplish."

After all, it was a curse capable of free movement and possessing supernatural power.

They tracked the cursed energy residues, only to find that the trail vanished at the entrance of a subway station. It was even more revolting to see a curse learning how to utilize human transportation.

For three consecutive days, Gojo searched for the curse to no avail. Meanwhile, disasters erupted across multiple regions. The number of accidents reported in the news grew significantly: a chain-reaction car crash in Tokyo, an avalanche in Hokkaido, and a landslide in Osaka. Other, less severe incidents were not reported by the media but were monitored by the "Window" and relayed through the assistant directors.

"Some of these things are undeniably man-made." Rin'ya Eba even called Takizawa, his voice trembling with frustration and uncontrollable rage as he watched those lives slip away, reduced to mere numbers in casualty reports. "Most independent sorcerers have the ability to kill with ease. If they discard their legitimate roles in society, they become unconstrained; they are nothing but criminal convicts!"

Takizawa was surprised that Eba, with whom he had no deep connection, would speak so passionately. "We are still tracking the cursed spirit."

"We are investigating, too!" Eba tried to suppress his impatient tone. "I will drag those hidden rats out into the light! I can overlook the cursed spirit, but this mutual slaughter between humans—what is it even for—"

"..."

Eba’s voice shook, and Takizawa heard a loud thud, as if a fist had slammed hard against a table.

The blue-eyed youth parted his lips and said hoarsely, "...They want to wear Satoru down."

It was difficult to distinguish whether the frequent disasters were coincidences or orchestrated. The government dispatched rescue teams alongside sorcerers; even the first-year students were sent out.

Takizawa, staying by Gojo’s side, used his own body to block a speeding, out-of-control vehicle. Through the glass, he locked eyes with the driver and realized the man had already fallen into a coma.

"Our movements have been marked," Takizawa noted. "It seems they are right here among us..."

Just as he finished speaking, Gojo returned, holding two people by their throats.

"It's these two."

The two elderly sorcerers were forced onto the ground, trembling with terror at how quickly the Six Eyes had discovered their whereabouts.

"How... he said we wouldn't be found... we've been deceived! To think they dared to deceive me!"

As the men cursed and ranted, Takizawa crouched down to meet their gaze, seeing his own cold expression reflected in their murky pupils.

"Pawns?"

"Shut up!" the man shouted in panicked rage.

They were likely of little value.

Suguru Geto, who had just joined them, pulled Takizawa up and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

"The plan to eradicate the Six Eyes likely involves exhausting Satoru with an overwhelming number of missions, then setting a trap to lure him in. The cost, however..." The dark-haired youth glanced at the unconscious driver in the car, "...is these ordinary people."

"We had vaguely guessed as much, but is there actually anyone in this world capable of killing Satoru?" Takizawa scratched his head. "I don't understand. Even if they all attacked at once, they wouldn't be able to do anything to him, right?"

Gojo was the undisputed, peerless strongest.

"It won't continue like this forever," Gojo said. "They can't keep running for much longer."

What kind of scene those brilliant, heavenly eyes were seeing, Takizawa could not fathom.

"Geto, take Sei back first."

Takizawa: "?"

"Since they came for me, there is no reason not to welcome them."

Takizawa pointed at himself. "And me? You want me to go with Geto? To where?"

"Anywhere is fine." Gojo patted his head. "I can only be free of worries if I leave you in his care!"

"I would be happy to be obedient..." Takizawa looked at him, "but I'm not entirely at ease leaving you."

"What is there to be uneasy about?"

"Would you be satisfied if I didn't worry about you?"

Gojo paused. "...Go back first."

He leaned in, his forehead resting against Takizawa’s. In the shadow he cast, his eyes, filled with profound meaning, seemed exceptionally bright. "I have found them."

Geto let out a low chuckle, acknowledging the situation. "Satoru will have a big fight with them now. Sei, let’s return to the academy. The students and Shoko are all there."

A cursed spirit for transportation emerged at his command, hovering before Takizawa.

"You let me follow you when you were looking for them, but now that you're about to fight, you want me to leave," Takizawa grumbled as he climbed onto the spirit. "Can't I fight? I’m quite strong, you know. I’ve even learned how to manifest a domain... even if it’s a semi-finished product. Being left out during a crisis makes me feel defeated. I want to stand by your side, too—"

Gojo stood beneath the cursed spirit, coaxing him. "You’ve been with me for days already, aren't you tired? Just sleep in bed, and when you open your eyes, you'll see Satoru has returned~"

Takizawa felt goosebumps rise at his sticky tone. "I need to say this in advance..."

He looked into those blue eyes and spoke with absolute clarity, "If something happens to you, I won't be able to go on living."

Gojo stiffened.

The expression in his eyes flickered, turning slightly angry. "Say that again?"

Takizawa repeated it loudly, "If something happens to you, I won't be able to live! I will wither away and die!"

"You are not allowed to say things like that—!" Gojo was so frustrated he hopped in place. "Sei, even if you’re trying to warn me or threaten me with lies, you can’t say that. I’m actually really angry!"

Being too dismissive of one's own life only causes pain to those who love you.

"Pfft," Takizawa remained unmoved. "I mean it."

He pressed a hand to his chest. "My life was meant to bloom only for the sake of being by your side."