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"Th–There's… really a curse spirit?"
Ayase Momo stared ahead, her voice trembling.
She was, after all, just a normal high-school girl.Even though she'd always chased after supernatural rumors, seeing an actual creature like this for the first time sent a chill crawling up her spine.
And besides…
Was Yukinoshita really planning to fight all these ghosts?
She glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino, worry written across her face.
On the other side, Yukino clenched her fists, a flicker of unease flashing in her eyes.
This was her first time fighting these so-called curse spirits. She had no idea if she could handle it.
But—
Her master had already given the word.So she might as well test her skills.
And if it didn't work out…Her master was right behind her.
There was no way he would just stand there and watch such a cute subordinate die, right?
Hum—
Yukino raised a hand.
Her pale, jade-like fingers flushed bright red, heat gathering almost instinctively.Without thinking, she snapped her palm forward.
Boom!
The air itself seemed to explode.
A blaze of brilliant fire engulfed the curse spirits at the front.
"Aaaahhhh—!"
Their shrill screams echoed for a second, then abruptly cut off.
When the flames faded, nothing was left on the ground but scorched, charred patches.
"…The power in my body feels stronger."
"So this is what people call experience points?"
Yukino took a deep breath, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Nicely done," Edgar said. "But next, try using cold. Let's see how strong that is."
He'd already noticed it—Yukino's temperature control was tied to her own physical limits. She couldn't surpass what her body could withstand.
It was fundamentally different from Esdeath's absolute zero.
"Yes, Master." Yukino nodded, excitement flashing in her gaze.
Facing the curse spirits that gathered again from all directions, she no longer felt scared at all.
Then—
She activated another skill.A visible wave of frost spread outward through the air, the temperature plunging in seconds.
At that moment, watching Yukinoshita unleash one overwhelming ability after another, Ayase Momo stood frozen in shock.
Supernatural powers.So Yukinoshita really wasn't an ordinary person.
And…Momo couldn't stop herself from asking:"E-Edgar… why does Yukinoshita-san call you 'Master'?"
"Oh, she's my retainer," Edgar replied casually. "Basically, someone who serves me for life."
S-Serve for life…?
Momo's eyes widened.
So that's the kind of relationship they have…?
She peeked at Yukino and Edgar's faces.
Now that she thought about it…They really did look strangely compatible.
Ten minutes later, no new curse spirits appeared.
"How do you feel now?" Edgar asked.
"It's amazing!" Yukino said, practically glowing.
She was finally certain: she had become something beyond ordinary.And every bit of experience made her stronger.
Honestly, she wished more curse spirits would show up.Not enough to kill.Not enough experience.
"All right, looks like the area's clear. Let's head deeper inside," Edgar said, walking upstairs.
The next few floors were completely empty.
It was obvious: all the curse spirits had been drawn by the earlier commotion… and Yukino had wiped them out.
After who knew how long, the three of them finally reached the deepest part of the abandoned school building.
"Huh? It's actually really clean here," Yukino said, looking around in surprise. "It's almost like someone's been tidying up."
Edgar chuckled. "Looks like the curse spirits here appreciate cleanliness."
"...…."
Yukinoshita Yukino and Ayase Momo exchanged a quick glance, both catching the same strange look in each other's eyes.
A curse spirit… that likes things clean?
What kind of setting was that supposed to be?
"Don't act so shocked. Some curse spirits were human once. Every now and then you get… special cases." Edgar started explaining, then stopped mid-sentence.
Because at the edge of his vision, a shadowy figure appeared.
A girl with long, pitch-black hair.
Her skin was pale like polished jade, and her delicate, seductive features were almost unreal.
She was tall, her old-fashioned black school uniform slightly unbuttoned at the front to accommodate the curves that refused to stay hidden.
Below the dark skirt, a pair of long legs were wrapped completely in black thigh-high socks.
Standing there, the girl radiated an air of mystery from head to toe.
"Looks like a ground-bound spirit about to hit mid-level curse status," Edgar murmured, eyes gleaming.
Judging from her aura… she hadn't eaten anyone.
And her appearance was exactly the same as when she was alive.
This curse-spirit girl had great potential.
Also…
She looked familiar. Like she'd walked straight out of some anime.
At the same time—
Kanoe Yuuko noticed the three of them too.
She muttered, "What's with these living people? Are they all stuffed full and bored out of their minds, coming here just to tempt fate?"
"So many curse spirits around. Even if you can't see them, it's not good for your body."
"Well, guess I should put in some effort…"
She moved quickly as she talked.
Every so often she kicked a wall, dragged a chair, rattled a desk. Sometimes she let out a low little laugh.
"Hehehe… scared yet? Hurry up and leave. This isn't a place where the living should hang around."
"..."
Edgar and the girls' eyelids twitched.
This ghost lady… was actually kind of nice.
A moment later—
Yuuko squatted down, panting.
"Damn. The students this year have nerves of steel. I still couldn't scare them off?"
"That's not your fault. Honestly… your behavior was just too cute."
"Ha? I worked really hard, okay…"
Halfway through complaining, Yuuko's eyes suddenly went wide. She stared straight at Edgar.
"You—you—you can see me?"
"Not just me. They can too."Edgar pointed at Ayase Momo and Yukinoshita Yukino.
"You girls… you can really see me?"
Yuuko froze. Tears welled up instantly.
It had been decades.
She'd been stuck in this rundown place all that time.
The other curse spirits… none of them could communicate.
The isolation had nearly driven her insane.
And now—Someone could see her.
Not just one person. Three.
A warmth she'd never felt before flooded her whole being.
But soon, she realized something was wrong. Her expression turned awkward.
"So… you can all see me, right?"
"Mm-hmm!" the three replied.
"Then… everything I did just now… you saw that too?"
They nodded.
"..."
Yuuko's body stiffened.
Oh no.
Social death. Absolutely catastrophic social death.
Her mind spiraled into panic.
This was way too embarrassing.
She forced herself to calm down and pretended nothing happened. "Anyway, with so many curse spirits on the lower floors, you didn't get spotted, did you?"
"We got spotted." Edgar shrugged. "But don't worry. We already dealt with all of them."
Huh?
Eh? Eh? Eh?
Yuuko blinked, then started trembling hard enough for it to be visible.
C-could it be… these people were exorcists?
Right. That had to be it.
Otherwise how could all three of them see her?
She collapsed to the floor, looking utterly defeated.
So this was it—Yuuko was going to get exorcised.
Her eyes grew wet again, big tears rolling down nonstop.
"..."
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