When Liam emerged at the entrance of the hall, he was a little surprised to find Toji standing at the side, waiting for him.
He looked over at Liam, his grin widening. "You've got a real knack for stirring up trouble, kid. I like it."
Liam shrugged, brushing some dust off his jacket. "Trouble finds me, not the other way around."
"Fair enough," Toji said. He walked over while dusting off his clothes. "You've got a strange way of doing things. Most people would've ended him right here."
"I'm not most people," Liam replied. He glanced over his shoulder. "Killing him now would be… anticlimactic. Let him stew in his failure. And also... keeping him alive sends a stronger message. Fear isn't just about power—it's about what you let people imagine you'll do next."
Toji laughed, genuinely impressed. "You've got a twisted way of thinking, kid. I like it."
The tension in the air began to dissipate as the two stood side by side, their attention shifting from the battlefield to the path ahead.
"So, what now?" Toji asked, adjusting his grip on his blade.
Liam sighed and rubbed his head, troubled by something. "I am sorry for changing the mission on my own."
Toji was amused and laughed. "So what? I feel this is more fun. And... you are the Boss, so you got to decide such a small thing."
The two moved through the forest, their steps steady and purposeful. Despite their differences, there was an undeniable synergy between them—a partnership born not of trust but of mutual respect and shared ambition.
For now, at least, they were on the same path.
The day was still bright and heavy as Liam and Toji approached the meeting location.
It was a big, majestic building not too far from the Tokyo Jujutsu High, a place that reeked of desperation and betrayal.
Before coming here, Liam quickly passed through Satoru Gojo's who was still out, and got his reward by checking in with him.
Liam's sharp eyes scanned their surroundings, his instincts always alert.
Toji, on the other hand, walked with his usual swagger, a smirk plastered on his face as if he were heading to a party rather than a clandestine exchange.
Inside the warehouse, two men from the Time Vessel Association stood waiting. Their pristine and expensive outside matched the aura of the place, their expressions a mixture of unease and superiority.
One of them, a thin man with a hawkish nose, sneered as Liam and Toji entered, dragging behind them a body wrapped in white cloth.
"Ah, the illustrious Sorcerer Killer himself," The hawkish man greeted, his tone laced with mockery.
"And he is… your sidekick, I presume?" His gaze flicked to Liam, his contempt barely veiled.
"Sidekick?" Toji could not help but chuckle, feeling quite the words quite funny. "You sound disappointed. What, expecting someone scarier?"
The second man, broader and younger, crossed his arms. "We expected professionalism. Instead, we get two clowns strolling in like they own the place."
Toji tilted his head, his grin widening. "Oh, we do own the place now. Didn't anyone tell you?"
Liam stepped forward, his calm yet commanding presence cutting through the tension.
"Enough."
His voice was low but carried an authority that silenced everyone.
He looked down at the covered body they were dragging behind, his expression unreadable.
"Rika Amanai," He began, his tone neutral, "A life sacrificed for your so-called 'greater cause.' What value did her life have to you?"
The hawkish man sniffed. "Her value was to serve the Star Plasma Vessel ritual. That was her purpose—to merge with Master Tengen and preserve our society."
Liam raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "And you think that makes you righteous? That you're somehow above the consequences of your actions?"
The younger agent scowled. "Spare us the sermon. You were paid to deliver her to us dead. You're no better than us."
Toji leaned against a nearby pillar, watching the exchange with amusement.
"Careful, kid," He drawled, "...this one likes to talk before he tears you apart."
Liam ignored Toji's quip, his gaze fixed on the two agents.
"I am not the Saint type myself and understand the meaning of sacrifice but it must have some worth. She... is just a child yet you are hell-bent on taking her freedom and her life.
Liam's face darkened and a terrifying killing intent surged from his eyes. "Rika Amanai's life is worth more than your pathetic existence. And now, it's time to balance the scales."
The hawkish man frowned, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "What are you—"
"Toji," Liam interrupted, his tone sharp, "kill them."
The command hung in the air for a split second before Toji moved.
Toji was a blur of motion, his cursed blade singing as it sliced through the air. The hawkish man barely had time to gasp before the blade was buried in his throat, cutting off his cry as blood sprayed across the warehouse floor.
The younger agent stumbled back, his hands fumbling to form a defensive hand sign. "W-Wait—"
Toji's blade was faster. With a single, fluid motion, he decapitated the man, his head rolling across the floor to join the lifeless body.
The entire execution had taken mere seconds.
Toji wiped the blood from his blade with a casual flick, his smirk returning as he glanced at Liam. "You're paying me enough to keep this interesting."
Liam stepped over the bodies, his expression unchanging. "They were distractions. Obstacles. Nothing more."
He turned to face Toji. "I don't go around putting my nose in insignificant things but some things just... piss me off! I don't care who they are... anyone who opposes us, no matter how insignificant, will be crushed."
Toji chuckled, sheathing his blade. "You've got a real flair for drama, boss. What's next? A throne made of sorcerer skulls?"
Liam's lips curled into a cold smile. "Why stop there? The Jujutsu society, the clans, their precious traditions—I'll bring them all to their knees. They'll either bow or break under the weight of my strength."
Toji raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Big words. But you've got the power to back it up, I'll give you that. Maybe in the future, you will surpass even the likes of Satoru Gojo!"
Liam's gaze hardened, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "This world thrives on power, Toji. Strength is the only language they understand. I'll speak it loud enough to drown out every whisper of rebellion."
Toji leaned back against a pillar, folding his arms. "Sounds fun. Just make sure my paycheck doesn't bounce."
Liam chuckled, the rare sound laced with genuine amusement. "Money is the only thing in your head, isn't it? Relax, I always keep my promises."
Their banter was interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps echoing through the warehouse. Both men turned toward the entrance, their senses sharpening as a figure stepped into the dim light.
"Satoru Gojo," Liam murmured, a flicker of recognition crossing his features.
Gojo's presence was undeniable, his aura crackling with raw energy. He looked different—sharper, more focused. His usual playful demeanor was replaced by a quiet intensity that sent a ripple of tension through the air.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
Thank you for being a part of this journey. May these stories bring excitement and inspiration to your life, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures!
If you've enjoyed my stories and want to help keep this adventure going strong, consider joining my Patreon! For as little as $2, you'll unlock extra chapters, exclusive art, and tons of perks.
🔮 Myth Guild 🦉
Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley