"Wait!"
Hayashi stopped Zhang Yiyi just before she could recklessly slash at the 'Curtain.' Zhang Yiyi tilted her head toward Hayashi, curious. "You have another plan?"
Xie Zhiyong was also curious. What could someone as young as Hayashi possibly come up with?
"My plan is to take down whoever cast this 'Curtain.'"
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhiyong immediately exclaimed, "Are you serious? That's your plan? Do you even know if they're an enemy or an ally? Do you know if they're strong or weak? Besides, there's no reward for this—why take the risk?"
"Hmph!" Hayashi scoffed and shot back at Xie Zhiyong, "Since when did we need a reward to exorcise cursed spirits? Do we only act when paid? As jujutsu sorcerers, exorcising curses is our responsibility. If you're not going, fine, but I'm heading over."
Zhang Yiyi glanced at Hayashi with newfound interest. This kid had guts. Most jujutsu sorcerers avoided unnecessary risks unless forced into action. Of course, there were exceptions—those who actively sought to exorcise curses—but in today's world, such people were few and far between.
Most people, whether ordinary or sorcerers, were selfish. Hayashi's sense of duty caught Zhang Yiyi off guard, and she started to see him in a better light.
"This is a perfect chance to earn points. How could I miss it?" Hayashi thought to himself. Even without the points, he knew he would still act. With great power comes great responsibility, and he wasn't one to shy away.
Hayashi's words left Xie Zhiyong speechless. He knew Hayashi was right. Perhaps it was the long time spent in a transactional mindset that made Xie Zhiyong react this way. But the truth was, his own weakness played a big part.
"Zhiyong, stay here. We'll handle this," Zhang Yiyi said without hesitation. She initially thought it would be safer to avoid unnecessary risk, but seeing Hayashi's determination, she was more than willing to join in the fun.
As a Grade 1 sorcerer, Zhang Yiyi was leagues above someone like Xie Zhiyong. A Grade 1 sorcerer could exorcise a Grade 1 cursed spirit and could even hold their own against special grades, though the outcome would depend on the strength of the opponent.
Xie Zhiyong found himself in a tough spot. As a sorcerer, it was his duty to investigate, but his strength was lacking. If he went, he might be a burden. But if he stayed behind, Hayashi might look down on him. Zhang Yiyi already did, and he didn't want to appear weak in front of Hayashi as well.
"Don't worry about it. Leave this to us. You can stay here and provide backup. It's a strategic role too," Hayashi reassured him, glancing at Zhang Yiyi. "Let's go."
The two quickly dashed off, heading over a hill toward the cursed energy source.
Xie Zhiyong breathed a sigh of relief, leaning against a nearby rock. For now, this was all he could do. If something went wrong, he wouldn't escape unscathed anyway.
"The person who cast the 'Curtain' could be outside or within. It's most likely a curse user, but there's also a chance it's a Grade 1 cursed spirit. Worst case, it's a special grade," Zhang Yiyi said as they ran.
"Doesn't matter what it is. We just need to take care of it," Hayashi responded.
"Brave words," Zhang Yiyi said with a smile—her first smile since Hayashi had joined the Night Owl organization.
Meanwhile, in the center of the area enclosed by the 'Curtain,' inside a factory, a wounded man stood in front of a bald middle-aged man. Across from them stood a gray-haired young man and a large, grotesque cursed spirit.
The cursed spirit was massive, standing over three meters tall with a bulky body and sharp fangs. Its back was covered in spikes, making it look like a giant porcupine.
Between them lay the remnants of an exorcised curse, its remains now nothing more than decayed filth and bloodstains.
"You dared to exorcise the curse I had my eye on? You've got guts. You're just a lowly semi-Grade 2 sorcerer, yet you meddle in my affairs?" The gray-haired curse user sneered, clearly enraged.
He had unique methods to subdue the curse in this factory, but he'd arrived too late. This sorcerer had already exorcised it, and now his anger was palpable.
Casting the 'Curtain' was meant to trap this sorcerer. Some sorcerers were slippery and might have ways to escape, but now, there was no way out.
"I'm sorry, boss. I managed to exorcise the curse, but it looks like we're both going to die here today," the semi-Grade 2 sorcerer said with a grim face. He hadn't expected things to turn out like this. What was supposed to be a simple exorcism had drawn the attention of a curse user and a Grade 1 cursed spirit.
"No! I paid you! You can't let me die! You have to protect me!" the bald man shouted in terror, his face twisted with fear.
"See? There's no point in reasoning with humans. Not only do they fail to thank you, but they'll hate you for it. Why even bother protecting him?" the gray-haired curse user taunted. Human emotions, in certain situations, were repulsive to him. He'd rather deal with cursed spirits, no matter how disgusting they looked, than associate with humans like this.
The sorcerer sighed, but still pleaded with the curse user, "You can kill me, but let the people in this factory go. They're innocent."
"What a noble act. I'm impressed. Truly." The gray-haired curse user clapped mockingly. His smile twisted into a sinister grin. "Not only will you die, but everyone in this factory will die too. That way, this place will become a new cursed site, birthing even more powerful cursed spirits."
"You—!" The semi-Grade 2 sorcerer's face paled. This cursed user's plan was pure evil. If he and the others died here, their grudges and regrets would indeed spawn new curses.
This was an incredibly malicious tactic. Curse users were technically human, yet this one was willing to be so cruel?
"Kill him!" the curse user ordered, and the Grade 1 cursed spirit charged at the sorcerer.
"Binding Curse Technique: Ensnare!"
Whoosh!
The sorcerer quickly formed hand signs, releasing a series of cursed ropes that bound the cursed spirit's limbs tightly.
But it was futile. Against such a powerful cursed spirit, his technique had little effect. The spirit easily broke free.
With a single punch, the cursed spirit sent the sorcerer flying. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he collided with a machine in the factory.
"Damn, it's so strong," the sorcerer muttered, wincing in pain as he struggled to his feet. Blood dripped from his hands, and his vision blurred.
"Yes, that's right! Die with your regrets! Hahaha!" The gray-haired curse user laughed maniacally, his face full of cruel amusement.