Looking at the coral formation that resembled Mount Fuji, standing eerily upright in the middle of the street, Seigen Amawaka's body remained tense.
Every muscle in his frame was coiled like a spring, ready to snap into motion at any second.
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
The being looked like it was the distorted manifestation of negative energy, condensed into a grotesque shell — something only a powerful impurity could maintain in the human world without immediately collapsing.
Even though the street was packed with people from the exhibition as the people walked passed them without minding either him or the cursed thing that was not far from them.
Seigen could not relax for even a moment, as he raised his left hand to hide his confused daughter behind him.
This is bad…really bad...
Fighting in a place this crowded would be disastrous.
There are too many civilians, with many blind spots for the being to exploit and it is guaranty that their fight with cause many potential casualties.
And yet…
There was no choice.
The creature — the brand-new Kegare reported in intelligence files — stand there without any intention to move, as it's head continue to produce smoked that disappear in the air, twisted pipe-like appendage growing from its shoulder that it used as a scarf. Its single massive eye slowly rotated upward, staring into the sky as if it was waiting for someone.
Silence stretched between them, the surrounding noise of peoples laughter, and camera flashes felt strangely distant.
Then—
After what felt like minutes, the creature spoke. A deep, hoarse voice echoed out.
"...You are an Exorcist… aren't you?"
Seigen didn't answer. His fingers subtly twitched, ready to used the talisman the moment it make any moves.
The creature as if not knowing of his actions, continue in it's usual tone. "Do you know… Gojo Satoru?"
Seigen frowned slightly, as his expression began to darkened.
Gojo… Satoru?
Why?
Why is he asking about Gojo Satoru the moment it saw him?
That name wasn't one casually spoken — especially not by a newly manifested impurity.
{T/N: They don't know about cursed spirit, since Gojo didn't tell them, they are thinking of him as a Impurity or Kegare because of the same felling or atmosphere that is similar to a Impurity, and not as a Devil or Demon. }
Where had it heard that name?
Who told it?
Or worse—Had it seen him before?
"I'm not interested in you."
The creature exhaled a hot black smoke slowly as it utter his word in a indifferent manner. Its giant eye rotated downward from the sky, locking directly onto Seigen as if to convey his intention.
"The one I'm looking for… is Gojo Satoru. Tell me where he is..." The creature pause for a second as if seriously deciding on something before it continues, "And I will spare your life."
Seigen let out a short scoff, as if he had heard a new joke. His lips curled into a faint smirk to hide his inner emotions.
"Heh. You're talking big for something that just crawled out of the Magano."
Jogo's eye twitched slightly as he glance at the foolish human with his cold eyes.
"If you refuse…"
The air grew heavier as the cursed energy thickened in the surrounding, the people who were not far away from them began to retreat subconsciously.
"Then I'll kill you...."
Jogo pause again. This time it was Longer.
Seigen could feel the suffocating atmosphere as he distance himself from his shaking daughter, moving forward as if ready to launch at him.
Jogo continue, his eye glint with cold murderous intention. "Or… I'll kill everyone in this city."
The words dropped like a blade.
"And eventually… Gojo Satoru will come out." Jogo lips curl up as he make a twisted smile as if enjoying the thought of killing so many humans.
Seigen's eyes sharpened instantly. He rolled his shoulder slightly.
Crack!
Cracking his neck with his other hand as he began to approach him,
"Then try it." His expression hardened completely as he distance himself from his daughter, while also motioning her to run away.
"Let's see if you can kill me first."
Without hesitation, he placed the talisman onto his arms—
As he activated the spell that he is the most experience at.
"Byakuren Kohō Matoi Kajiri (White Lotus Tiger Arms Mystic Spell Equip)"
Blue-and-white spiritual light burst outward from the talisman as it covers his arm, symbols flashed across his arm with the light.
As the energy condensed into an armor like form.
His right arm transformed instantly — covered in glowing spiritual armor shaped like a massive white tiger claw.
The air vibrated with tense air.
Both of the being ready to fight with their life at stake.
But—
Before Jogo could react against Seigen.
The civilians reacted first, as if some mindless idiotic people they have forgotten the earlier bloodlust or the unnatural atmosphere,
"Woooow!!"
"Hey! Look at that!"
Within seconds—They swarmed around Seigen who was stunned by the peoples.
They had surrounded him and his daughter (who didn't run away) completely.
Taking their Phones out, the cameras flashing as they began to capture the images of Seigen.
"Your arm looks amazing!!"
"It appeared in a burst of light! Is that some new tech?!"
"Where did you buy it?! I want one too!"
"That claw looks so real! And it's glowing too! The quality is insane!"
"Send me the link, bro! I'll customize one for my arm!"
The noise piled up as it seem to have change the atmosphere.
Peoples after peoples continue to asked their question without stop while pushing themselves against him.
Even Jogo was stunned by the unexpected development. But after a second, he smiled coldly as glanced at the peoples who were placing him like he is invisible to them.
Seigen's face darkened visibly as veins popped faintly near his temple and neck area. His left human hand clenched tightly, as the nail turn pale white.
'Are these idiots serious…?' He question the sanity of the people around him. 'Do they not realize there's a Kegare standing right behind them?!'
Meanwhile—Standing just outside the crowd—
Jogo snorted softly, as it began to get impatient. It's grayish blue fingers bent slightly as the cursed energy surged violently inside its body.
The air trembled, as the violent energy continue to gather on it's hand.
He was ready to incinerate everyone in one single burst—
But—
Suddenly—
A cold hand appeared out of nowhere.
Grab!
And casually wrapped around Jogo's neck.
At the same time—A cheerful chuckle echoed from behind him, as he felt a chill run up his spine (if he had any).
"Yo~ Isn't this my old buddy?" The voice was cheerful and very friendly which is in contrast to the fact that he was tightening his hand around it's neck.
"What brings you to a convention such as this?" The voice turn casual, teasing but the hold only tighten. Suffocating him. "Interested in human girls now?"
Jogo body twisted as he finally broke out of his shock. Its giant eye widened in pain and recognition as he finally realize the situation.
When did he—?!
How did he—?!
Its body was locked completely, even when the other party was just holding his neck—he couldn't feel his body. As if the space around it was locked, he was unable to move.
Unable to react, he want to focus his Cursed energy and blast the person behind him but he couldn't.
Even moving his fingers wasn't allowed!
Slowly, It turned its stiff neck. But that too feels like it was only because the other party want Jogo to see him....
His giant eyes that was filled with pain and horror finally show the culprit—
White hair tall man. Wearing a blindfold.
Smiling.....
Jogo lips twisted violently but he couldn't utter a single word. Just then, he saw the white hair man's smile getting wider as he realise that he was finally able to move his lips.
Without waiting he finally asked the question that was buzzing in his heart like a siren, "...Gojo… Satoru?!"
It didn't know why. But the moment it utter the words him the one who answer wasn't the party in question but his own instinct— Its instincts screamed at him — That's him!
That's the one he was searching for!
Meanwhile—
"Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure" Gojo utter the chant as an invisible veil ("curtain") descended silently across the surrounding area.
Blocking perception.
Isolating the battlefield.
Inside the crowd—
Mayura Otomi, who had been squeezed backward earlier, blinked in confusion as the person beside her seem to have disappear.
Then—
She saw the familiar figure in front of her in the other side. Her face lit up with joy as she yelled in surprise.
"Gojo-nii!!"
Gojo turned towards her, still smiling. As raised his left hand and waved casually at her.
"Yo~ Mayura. Long time no see."
Mayura immediately tried to run toward him even though he seem to holding something on his right hand.
But—
Before she could move towards him, Gojo make a small gesture telling her to stop.
She froze in a place, understanding instantly that their might be a danger near him.
"Put the amulet I gave you… on the ground first." Gojo tell her in a calm tone.
"Ah— Okay!"
Without hesitation, she pulled the small amulet hanging around her neck, that was glowing faintly.
Before, she gently placed it on the ground.
And—In that instant—
Her vision changed as the previous "invisible monster" in Gojo's hand began to slowly get clearer.
As a horrifying one-eyed monster with a painful and hideous expression appear in Gojo's hand.
"...Hiss—!!"
Mayura sucked in a sharp breath. Her body trembled at the sight of the monster.
Now she understood.
'This… is the monster Dad sensed earlier…'
She was frozen in place in fright, when she saw Gojo's motioning her to come near him with his free hand. She hesitated as she stare at her father who has his usual cold expression as she carefully stepped forward.
Step!
Slow.
Step!
Cautious.
Step! Step! Step!
Finally stopping beside Gojo, staring at the monster who looked like it can attack at any moment. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Gojo-nii…What… is this monster…?"
Inside Gojo's grip—
Jogo screamed internally.
Monster?! YOU'RE the monster!!
But—It couldn't speak.
Couldn't move.
Couldn't resist.
Gojo's hand alone completely suppressed its existence.
Gojo smiled lazily. As he casually patted the volcano-like structure above Jogo head.
"Oh, him? Just an old friend."
Pause.
Then—
With a playful grin—
"My big brother."
Flames seem to have burst inside Jogo's body as his whole face turn red in fury. His body twitching wildly.
"...Eh?" Mayura brain froze.
Question marks filled her head.
Big brother…?
.....
Meanwhile, Elsewhere in Tokyo,
Inside a private hot pot restaurant—
Arima Tsuchimikado was enjoying his meal.
Steam rose from the bubbling pot. Slices of fatty beef hung from his chopsticks.
He looked perfectly relaxed as he was about to eat the meat.
SLIDE
The private room door opened abruptly with a loud noise.
Mikage Tsuchimikado rushed in, breathing heavily. His face tense,
"Master Arima!"
Arima paused mid-bite, looking at the meat with reluctant expression before slowly lowering the beef down.
His expression changed instantly. He knows that Mikage wasn't the type to rushed in like that if it's not something serious.
"What happened?"
"Lord Seigen sent an emergency message!" Mikage began in a hurried manner. "The brand-new Kegare has appeared in the real world!"
"It's near the comic exhibition area."
Arima's eyes narrowed slightly at his words. As he asked the most concerning matter, "Has combat started?"
"No…" Mikage said with a relief sigh, "After Gojo Satoru arrived… the Kegare hasn't taken any action."
Arima pushed his glasses upward slightly as a slow smile formed, looking like an excited smirk.
"Is that so…" He stood up. "Contact the Tokyo Public Safety Devil Hunters Unit. We will have to evacuate the civilians immediately...."
He pause for a second before looking seriously at Mikage.
"And prepare transport." His smile widened slightly betraying his inner thoughts. "Let's go take a look ourselves."
"Yes!"
...
Inside Tokyo's Public Safety Devil Hunters Division Headquarters,
Makima quietly stared at her phone. Her golden eyes with multiple red rings reflected the message displayed on the screen.
Her face was unreadable, calm and cold as she confirmed the information.
The message was about a new type of Kegare being detected in Tokyo with the coordinates attached in the message.
She read the message silently. Then spoke under her breath.
"...Kegare." She paused as her pink soft lips curved slightly. "So… it finally came to the real world."
Her gaze darkened slightly as ber eyes remain focus on the coordinates. Her information network is extremely wide, and she knows all about the incident that happen in the Magano, but she never expected that monster to come to reality so quickly.
She tapped the phone once. As she began issuing commands.
"Notify all Devil Hunters."
"And dispatch evacuation teams."
Her usual smile returned as Makika softly said, "If it's the same one from that incident…"
She tilted her head slightly, eyes glinting with mild expectations.
"Then maybe…" Makima began with a deadpan expression, "...we can put a collar on it. And study it properly."
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 2,261