Just as Le Zhengwen was growing impatient, Hayashi suddenly burst into laughter, his voice echoing throughout the room.
Zhang Yiyi and Le Zhengwen exchanged a confused glance, unsure why Hayashi was laughing so unexpectedly. Was something funny suddenly coming to his mind? But what could possibly be amusing in a moment like this? It felt far too absurd.
At that moment, Hayashi was holding a manual on a reverse curse technique. He had seen this reverse technique before back at Jujutsu High.
Back then, he was already intrigued, and he hadn't expected to come across it again here.
But what made this manual particularly interesting was that it required 50 more points than the one at Jujutsu High.
This implied that this reverse technique was likely an upgraded or more complete version of the one he had seen before.
The reverse technique was called [Technique Reverse: Time Trace].
At Jujutsu High, it required 300 points, but here it required 350 points, making it the most expensive jujutsu technique in the Night Owl organization's collection.
After defeating so many fourth-grade curses during the mission at Heisei International Group, and with the points from defeating Shingo, along with the points accumulated from earlier with the Cursed Womb:Ice Bearer, Hayashi now had a total of 398 points.
These points were just enough to acquire [Technique Reverse: Time Trace]. If Hayashi had aimed for something more modest, he could have learned three simpler techniques.
But Hayashi wasn't interested in settling for less. If he was going to learn a technique, he wanted the best. Why bother with something that only cost 100 points?
He was certain that almost no one else in the world could use [Technique Reverse: Time Trace]. It was an exceedingly rare technique, one that likely required a unique bloodline and innate talent. It was the kind of technique that was embedded in one's very DNA from birth.
"Learn it!" Hayashi declared.
Without hesitation, he spent 350 points to acquire the Time Trace technique.
[Congratulations! You have acquired Curse Technique Reverse: Time Trace.]
"Awesome!" Hayashi was elated, but he deliberately put on a serious expression as he left the room.
Now he understood the importance of points. Earning 350 points required defeating two or even three special-grade curses, yet that amount only bought him one curse technique. The number of points he would need in the future would be astronomical.
Le Zhengwen, seeing Hayashi walk out with a gloomy look, was confused. Just a moment ago, Hayashi had been laughing—why the sudden change?
"Is something wrong?" Le Zhengwen asked, unsure of what Hayashi was thinking.
"It's nothing," Hayashi replied dismissively, then turned to Zhang Yiyi and said, "Let's go."
"Alright," Zhang Yiyi agreed, though she had no idea what had transpired in the room. At this point, she didn't care too much about the upgrade to a first-grade division. It was no longer a priority.
"Uh…" Le Zhengwen hesitated, then quickly moved to block Hayashi's path. "What's the meaning of this?"
"There's no hidden meaning. Can't you tell?" Hayashi had achieved his goal and didn't want to waste more time.
Seeing Hayashi's indifferent attitude, Le Zhengwen's expression darkened. "We had an agreement. I took you to see the jujutsu manuals, and in return, you were supposed to sign the contract. Are you planning to back out now?"
Hayashi flashed a smile, but there was no warmth behind it—only a hint of mockery. "Actually, from the very start, I never intended to sign any contract. And I certainly don't need to bind myself to you. Your scheme was transparent from the beginning. Did you really think you could trap me here like some child?"
"You!!!" Le Zhengwen's face twisted in anger. Even Zhang Yiyi was surprised by Hayashi's blunt words. This was an outright confrontation, with no room for reconciliation.
Le Zhengwen had certainly underestimated Hayashi. Even if Hayashi didn't want to be bound to the Night Owl organization, neither would Jujutsu High allow such a thing.
"Very well, Hayashi. I didn't expect a brat like you to play me so thoroughly. Do you think just because you're strong, I can't do anything to you?" Le Zhengwen's smile vanished, revealing his true nature.
"Oh? Are you looking for a fight? I'm more than happy to oblige," Hayashi responded coldly, not even bothering to humor him. He had no respect for someone like Le Zhengwen, who only cared about personal gain. If it came down to a fight, it would suit him just fine.
Le Zhengwen considered it, but with Zhang Yiyi present, it wasn't an easy decision. She had been openly dissatisfied with the headquarters for a long time, so if a fight broke out, she certainly wouldn't side with him.
And though Le Zhengwen was a first-grade jujutsu sorcerer, Hayashi's strength was daunting. Le Zhengwen wasn't confident he could defeat him.
On top of that, most of the headquarters' members were either out on missions or on leave. Without their support, Le Zhengwen knew his options were limited. Otherwise, would Hayashi dare to act so arrogantly?
"Zhang Yiyi, is this the person you brought to me? Very well, if that's the case, there's no need to upgrade your division. In fact… I'll be downgrading your division to third-grade. That should suit you better," Le Zhengwen spat venomously.
Zhang Yiyi almost exploded with rage, but Hayashi held her back.
"Le Zhengwen, you're lucky today. Otherwise, this wouldn't have ended so easily," Hayashi said cryptically before pulling the fuming Zhang Yiyi away.
Le Zhengwen watched them leave, his face dark with anger, but he didn't stop them. People who dared to cross him always paid the price. It was only a matter of time.
The reason Hayashi had said Le Zhengwen was lucky was because of the reverse technique [Time Trace]. If it weren't for that, Hayashi wouldn't have been in such a good mood.
Once they left the Night Owl headquarters, Hayashi felt a sense of relief. This trip hadn't been in vain—he had obtained a powerful technique.
Zhang Yiyi, however, looked frustrated. While she hadn't been obsessed with upgrading the division, she had hoped to improve everyone's living conditions.
Instead, their visit to the headquarters had only brought more trouble. Now, Hayashi had made an enemy, and their division had been downgraded. This meant they'd have to hand over 60% of their mission earnings—a financial stranglehold.
How were Yan Dao and the others supposed to survive? Life would only get harder.
Hayashi, however, wasn't the type to shirk responsibility. Realizing his involvement in the situation, he turned to Zhang Yiyi, who still seemed upset, and said, "Honestly, we don't need to rely on the Night Owl organization at all. We could just form our own group and take on missions ourselves. That way, we'd get to keep all the earnings. Doesn't that sound better?"
Zhang Yiyi shook her head. "It's not that simple. The purpose of a large organization like Night Owl is to maximize profit. If we leave, they'll suppress us, and we might not even get any missions. Nobody pays attention to small groups like that. Plus, there are so many restrictions and limitations. That's just the reality."
Hayashi thought for a moment and realized she had a point, but he wasn't completely convinced. "Don't worry. Trust me—I'll make sure we earn money. There are plenty of curses and cursed spirits out there. We'll be fine."
"I'm not too worried about that. What concerns me is that now Le Zhengwen holds a grudge against you, and he's not someone to take lightly," Zhang Yiyi said, concerned not about Hayashi's strength, but about what underhanded tactics Le Zhengwen might use in the future.