The so-called "points"—Hayashi had gained this special ability when he reincarnated into this world three months ago.
These points corresponded to the level of Cursed Spirits: the stronger the Cursed Spirit, the higher its level, and the more points Hayashi would receive. These points could be exchanged for designated items.
This reward system was somewhat similar to a game Hayashi had played in his previous life. There was a line of items, and at the start, the points needed were minimal, but the rewards were pretty good. As points accumulated to a certain level, the next item would be unlocked.
In short, you had to keep accumulating points, and below that was the reward system for when you gain gain specific amounts of points for the first time.
At 10 points: Cursed Energy Overflow.
At 50 points: Azure Black Flash.
At 100 points: Technique - Cursed Energy Armor.
At 150 points: Jujutsu - Cursed Energy Output.
At 250 points: Cursed Tool - Black Steel.
At 350 points: Time Flash.
At 450 points: Power Multiplier.
At 600 points: Domain Expansion - Amaterasu Tsukikage.
At 800 points: Unlock Space-Time Mirror Dimension.
Hayashi had already acquired the first two rewards, Cursed Energy Overflow and Basic Black Flash, and he currently had 60 points. The first two rewards were pleasant surprises, akin to beginner's benefits in a game.
Of course, the rewards that followed were even more tempting, but they weren't so easy to obtain.
These were just the standard rewards—there was also a deluxe version, requiring 500 points to upgrade, and the rewards would be at least twice as powerful. But the point cost was also astronomical.
Still, Hayashi had just taken down a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit, and based on the reward system, that should have earned him around 60-80 points, so he was excited from the start. This was a delivery of points right to his doorstep.
However, the reward system was a bit of a trap, similar to how in his previous life, Hayashi couldn't resist spending money on games. These items were clearly displayed to provoke your desire to spend money. Games, after all, were like that.
Now, it was a different method—Hayashi needed to accumulate points by defeating Cursed Spirits or evil individuals to receive the corresponding rewards.
Hayashi didn't mind this. If you wanted to become stronger, you had to work for it. At least what he was paying for was tangible, not some illusion. As they say, having a goal gives you motivation.
Thinking about it, Hayashi felt quite lucky. Although he didn't fully understand this world, he had some recollection from his previous life, so it wasn't entirely unfamiliar.
[Killed Grade 1 Cursed Spirit, gained 82 points.]
A system-like voice echoed in Hayashi's mind, making him excited. A Grade 1 Cursed Spirit had actually given him 82 points—that was equivalent to eight Grade 4 Cursed Spirits! Normally, most of the Cursed Spirits in this area were Grade 4, and there weren't many of them, so Hayashi was thrilled to have earned so many points at once.
"82 plus 60… that's 142 points! I can claim the Cursed Energy Armor now!" Hayashi saw that the progress bar for Cursed Energy Armor had lit up, so he immediately claimed it.
[Congratulations, you have obtained Cursed Energy Armor!]
Hayashi looked down at his body, where a thin layer of light blue Cursed Energy emerged, quickly forming a protective armor-like barrier that enveloped his body and head.
"Ha ha… Now I'm not so fragile anymore. My attack was already decent, and now I have defense too. I guess I'm ready to make my mark in this world filled with Cursed Spirits!" Hayashi said confidently, grinning. Most importantly, with just one more Grade 4 Cursed Spirit, he'd get the next reward—how could he not be excited?
According to his future plans, as long as he developed well, surpassing even Jujutsu Sorcerer Gojo Satoru wasn't impossible, right?
While the thought was satisfying, Hayashi knew that surpassing Gojo Satoru would be extremely difficult. Gojo was practically a bug in this world.
But then again, Hayashi thought, wouldn't he be a future bug too?
The night passed uneventfully, and the next morning arrived.
Morning.
"Grandpa… Grandpa!"
"My poor grandpa, my heart aches so much, it's unbearable!" Hijikata Shichirou wailed in agony, lying over his grandfather Hijikata Izumi's bed.
But in Hayashi's eyes, Hijikata Shichirou didn't seem all that sorrowful. In fact, he seemed a little excited?
Hijikata Izumi had actually passed away the previous night. Without the Grade 1 Cursed Spirit's possession, Hijikata Izumi had died naturally. In fact, he should've passed away months ago.
Hayashi noticed that Hijikata Izumi was clutching a jade pendant in his hand. There were still traces of the Grade 1 Cursed Spirit's residual aura on it, suggesting that the Cursed Spirit had been attached to the jade pendant before.
Thinking about this, Hayashi was about to tell Hijikata Shichirou about the jade pendant.
But before he could, Hijikata Shichirou noticed his grandfather's tightly clenched hand and pried it open. "Huh? Isn't this the family heirloom jade passed down through generations?"
Then Hijikata Shichirou simply took it and hung it around his own neck.
Hayashi had originally wanted to remind Hijikata Shichirou to take good care of the pendant, but seeing how eager Shichirou was, Hayashi could only say, "Make sure you keep that jade safe."
For a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit to take an interest in the jade, it must be something special. Although it only had residual energy now, it could still repel lower-grade Cursed Spirits.
After putting on the pendant, Hijikata Shichirou finally let out a relieved sigh. "The Hijikata Crematorium can't be without an owner for a day. I'll start taking responsibility immediately."
Hayashi smiled awkwardly. This guy adapted fast—had he been waiting for this day to 'ascend the throne' all along?
But Hayashi didn't call him out on it. After all, it was Hijikata Izumi's final wish months ago—it had just been delayed slightly, so it was understandable.
The day after Hijikata Izumi was buried, Hijikata Shichirou officially took over his position. Perhaps because of Izumi's previous influence, Shichirou handled things smoothly and methodically, proving he could hold his own.
"He's probably better suited to managing things than chopping wood and stoking the furnace," Hayashi chuckled. Now that Shichirou had become the master of the Hijikata Crematorium, Hayashi figured it was time for him to leave. After all, he had only stayed here to train and earn some money.
"Hayashi-chan, do you really have to go?" Hijikata Shichirou treated Hayashi to a meal at a well-known local tavern, clearly reluctant to see him leave. He even promised Hayashi a position as his assistant, so he wouldn't have to deal with corpses anymore.
Hayashi smiled and shook his head. "Why would such a small crematorium need an assistant? Shichirou, you've got what you wanted, so manage your crematorium well. Oh, by the way, is that favor I asked you about ready?"
Seeing that Hayashi was determined to leave, Hijikata Shichirou was a bit disappointed but also happy for Hayashi. "Yes, it's ready—Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, Sugisawa High School #3, right?"
"Exactly! Can I enroll?" Hayashi's excitement grew. Although he wasn't too familiar with this world, he knew that if he wanted to delve deeper, he had to start at Sugisawa Third Secondary School.
"No problem. I can write you a recommendation letter. Plus, you're just the right age for High School. I'll even pay the tuition for you. Study well there—it's a much better life than handling corpses. Oh, and remember to visit me when you can."
Hayashi was only fourteen, eight years younger than Hijikata. At this age, he should be in school.
Hayashi's family background had always been a mystery, and Hijikata Shichirou didn't know much about it. It seemed that Hayashi's own memories were also a bit hazy, so the people at the crematorium had always treated him as an orphan, giving him extra care.
Hijikata Shichirou raised his cup, looking at Hayashi with a hint of sadness. Though Hayashi had only been with him for three months, they were the closest in the crematorium—perhaps because Hayashi was the only one who would listen to Shichirou's anime rants.