---
Yuta Okkotsu
A short boy with slightly messy dark hair and piercing dark blue eyes was sitting at the back desk. He wore the standard school uniform — a white shirt and black pants, which he seemed to wear without much enthusiasm. His face looked tired, and the faint shadows under his eyes hinted at a lack of sleep.
The classroom was dim and gloomy. Sunlight barely filtered through the dirty windows, and the only sound besides the teacher's monotonous words was the soft scratching of pens on notebooks. The teacher's voice, droning on about mathematics, seemed to dissolve into the air. No one was listening, though everyone pretended to be busy.
Yuta was staring out the window. Against the backdrop of a blue sky, sparrows were circling, and the sight seemed far more interesting to him than the lesson. Suddenly, a phone vibration broke the silence in the room, followed by a faint notification chime.
Several students turned toward Yuta. The rustling of pages paused for a moment. The teacher — a middle-aged man with a tired face and a thick folder in his hands — raised an eyebrow and frowned slightly.
"Okkotsu, I hope you have an explanation as to why your phone is on? " he said with a hint of irritation.
Yuta just nodded, quickly took out his phone, and read the message.
"Second-level curse. Minato District. Coordinates attached."
His gaze lit up, and a faint smile touched the corners of his lips.
" Excuse me, may I step out? To the restroom, " he said, rising from his seat.
The teacher hesitated, sighed, and waved his hand.
" Go, but no tricks, Okkotsu."
Yuta quickly walked to the door, slipped out of the classroom, passed the long corridor, and stopped by a window. Making sure no one was around, he deftly jumped out. Landing softly and quietly, Yuta pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
---
Otto
Otto's day started as usual, early in the morning. His strict black suit, perfectly ironed, was hanging on the back of a chair from the night before. After a morning shower, he put on a white shirt, buttoning it all the way up, and adjusted his tie. He spent a few more minutes fixing his hair and grooming his beard.
As he descended to the kitchen, he met his wife. She was sitting at the table with a cup of tea in her hands, her brown eyes looking at him with gentle concern.
" You're off early again? " she asked softly.
"Work," he replied curtly, pouring himself black coffee.
"Today as well? " she clarified, already knowing who he most often worked with.
"Yes, Rentarou is sick today and asked me to cover his shift. Besides, Yuta has an assignment today, so I'd have gone in anyway, " he explained.
She sighed but said nothing. This was their usual morning exchange — calm but with an undertone of worry.
Gathering his documents and throwing his formal jacket over his shoulders, Otto kissed his wife goodbye and headed out.
---
In the car, his phone rang.
"Yes, I'm listening, " Otto answered as he took the call.
" It's Yuta. Can you pick me up? I'm at school, in the back yard, " the voice was calm but hurried.
"All right, I'll be there in five minutes, "Otto replied, glancing in the rearview mirror and turning the car around.
---
Megumi
Megumi Fushiguro was at home. His calm morning began as usual: he got out of bed and headed to the kitchen. Tall for his age and slim, with messy dark hair, he looked like he'd just stepped out of a dream.
In the kitchen, he set the kettle on the stove, opened the fridge, and pulled out some eggs. A couple of minutes later, an omelet was already sizzling on the pan, and a mug of strong black coffee sat on the table.
Megumi sipped his coffee lazily, enjoying the silence, when his phone buzzed. He picked it up with one hand, stirring the omelet with the other.
"Megumi, there's an assignment. Second-level curse. Minato District. Meet me in 30 minutes at the subway station. This is your first mission with me. See you there."
He frowned slightly but felt a small surge of excitement. A mission with Yuta — that sounded interesting.
Finishing his breakfast, Megumi put on his dark jacket and boots. Before leaving, he grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen.
"Tsumiki, I'm on a mission. I'll be back by evening. Don't worry."
Leaving the note on the kitchen table, Megumi stepped outside and took a deep breath of the cold winter air. The morning was quiet, with gray skies stretching over the bare branches of the trees. A dark car with tinted windows was already waiting at the gate.
He squinted slightly, eyeing the vehicle. It was clearly not a standard school pickup. Behind the wheel sat a man in a formal suit, and in the back seat — Yuta Okkotsu.
Megumi opened the door and got in, trying not to show his slight unease.
"Hey, "he greeted shortly, settling into the seat.
Yuta turned his head toward him and smiled, his gaze calm and friendly.
" Hey, Megumi. Glad you made it on time."
Yuta looked relaxed, but his eyes seemed to be searching Megumi's face for something — perhaps signs of nervousness or uncertainty. Megumi could feel the gaze but chose not to show his concern, merely nodding silently and turning his eyes to the window.
The car started moving, and Otto — clearly an experienced
driver — navigated the city streets so smoothly it felt like they were gliding.
" Have you ever dealt with a Grade 2 curse before? " Yuta asked, slightly turning toward Megumi.
"Only twice. The first time, two years ago, I would have died if Gojo hadn't helped me. The second time, a year ago—I handled it, but it wasn't easy, " Megumi replied, his voice steady, though a flicker of anger flashed in his eyes.
Yuta smiled faintly, as if approving the boy's composure.
"Don't worry. If you're in danger, I'll rush over in an instant. This is just a standard Grade 2 curse. It's taken root in an abandoned building."
Megumi nodded, showing no emotion. Inside, though, he was analyzing the situation: If Yuta talks so casually about a "standard" Grade 2 curse, he must really be experienced. Let's see what I can learn from him.
For a moment, silence filled the car, broken only by the hum of the engine.
"Tell me, what's your fighting style? " Yuta asked suddenly, his gaze fixed on Megumi.
Megumi slightly turned his head, studying Yuta's tone. The question was asked with genuine curiosity, without a hint of judgment. This eased Megumi a little, and he replied:
"I'm a summoner. I fight at a distance. My shikigami distract the target while I support them or finish the enemy off if necessary."
Yuta nodded, listening attentively, a faint smile on his lips.
" Simple but effective, " he said with genuine sincerity in his voice.
Megumi felt a slight sense of satisfaction at these words. He knew his approach wasn't flashy but was reliable.
After a brief pause, Yuta added:
" But you understand that it leaves a weakness. Summoners often lack close-combat skills. If an opponent gets close to you, things could get tricky."
Megumi frowned for a moment but then relaxed. Yuta wasn't saying this with reproach or arrogance. His tone sounded more like advice.
"You're right, " Megumi admitted calmly. " I'm working on it, but I'm far from perfect."
Yuta nodded, something like respect glinting in his eyes.
" It's good that you're aware of it. The important thing is that you're open to improvement."
Megumi looked at Yuta more intently. Despite his reputation, this person didn't seem arrogant. Instead, he seemed... like a mentor.
" I wouldn't mind working on that, "Megumi added, shrugging slightly.
Yuta's smile widened a bit.
" Great. Then, if we have time after this mission, I'll show you a couple of moves."
Megumi turned to look out the window, hiding a faint smile. Despite his usual reserve, he liked the suggestion. He felt like he could learn a lot during this mission.
I wonder how well our team will work together, he thought, glancing at Yuta, who had already turned back to the window.
---
The Abandoned Building
When they approached the old building, Megumi froze, studying its ruined silhouette. Dark cracks crept across the walls like a web, as if the building itself was wrapped in a net. Broken glass crunched underfoot, and weeds sprouted through cracks in the concrete, as though nature was trying to reclaim what once belonged to humans.
This place seemed to breathe darkness. Even the air around it was filled with stagnation and decay. But the truth was even more frightening: only two years ago, this building had been alive. Inside these walls, ambitious conversations, laughter, and phone calls had echoed. Young entrepreneurs, full of enthusiasm, had been building their futures. But one argument had changed everything, triggering a curse. Now, the place was not only physically dead but spiritually as well.
Yuta explained with cold certainty:
— This building is up for sale, so it needs to be cleared. The place is teeming with minor curses. But our main target is a Grade 2 curse. We're here to eliminate all of them.
Megumi didn't reply. He silently scanned the shadows of the building, feeling as though something unseen and malevolent was watching them.
---
Inside the Building
The moment Megumi stepped inside, he felt the air tighten around his chest. It was cold here, so cold that even his warm winter jacket seemed useless. Dampness seeped into every corner. The stench of rot, blood, and mildew clung to everything like a suffocating veil.
The walls were scrawled with chaotic markings and scratches, as if someone in agony had tried to convey their final thoughts. Crooked lines, symbols, and crude words in an unknown language stretched down the corridors. In some places, they were smeared, as though written with bloodied hands.
Tiny curses shifted in the dark corners. Their twisted forms barely resembled humans: skeletal, with long arms and dimly glowing red eyes. They didn't attack but stared, whispering and making eerie noises like the creak of old wood.
Wasting no time, Megumi formed a familiar hand sign. He focused on the shadows around him, allowing them to thicken, deepen, almost come alive. His voice broke the oppressive silence:
— Ten Shadows: Hounds.
Out of the dense, swirling darkness, two creatures emerged. A white hound, its fur shimmering like freshly fallen snow under the sun, and a black one, its eyes blazing like hot coals. Sigils resembling constellations glowed faintly on their foreheads.
— You, — he pointed at the white hound. — Find it.
The white hound nodded slightly before vanishing into the depths of the building, moving with incredible speed but no sound. The black hound stayed close, growling low and menacingly, ready to unleash its fury at any threat.
---
The Encounter
Silence shattered as a thunderous crash echoed through the building. It was followed by a piercing, inhuman scream, a sound that seemed to burrow into Megumi's mind, quickening his heartbeat.
He turned sharply. The white hound darted back from a corridor, its eyes not fearful but tense with readiness. Behind it, something enormous loomed.
The monster stepped into the light, and Megumi tensed. This Grade 2 curse stood over two meters tall. Its massive body, covered in gray-black, cracked skin, looked unnatural. Six long arms writhed like those of a spider, and in the center of its torso yawned a massive mouth. From this maw came a scream like a chorus of tortured voices.
The hound melted into its shadow, leaving the monster momentarily disoriented. Its dull, flickering eyes locked onto Megumi, standing in the light near the window.
---
The Battle
The monster roared and charged, its six arms moving in synchronized chaos, ready to tear apart its target.
"Orochi! " Megumi's voice was firm.
The shadows beneath him exploded into movement, and a massive snake emerged. Its body, covered in thick gray scales, slithered across the floor with terrifying grace. Orochi coiled around the monster, its rings tightening, crushing its body.
The curse roared, its arms flailing in an attempt to rip the snake apart. But Orochi was faster. Its massive fangs sank into the monster's shoulder, tearing through flesh.
Megumi kept a close eye on the fight, evaluating every movement of his enemy, prepared for any sudden shifts.
"Nue!"
The bird, hovering outside, shot back through the window, its wings crackling with lightning. With a powerful screech, it unleashed a bolt of electricity onto the monster.
The curse's roar was cut short. Its body froze, then crumbled into ash, vanishing into the air.
---
Reflection
Megumi exhaled, feeling the tension leave his body. He ran a hand over his face, wiping away sweat. Despite the cold, his winter jacket now felt too warm.
He glanced at the monster's remains, murmuring softly:
" Just the small ones lef"t.
Forming a seal, he summoned his hounds and ordered them to clear the building of minor curses.
---
Yuta
It took Megumi over thirty minutes to fully cleanse the building. In truth, that was an impressive result. For a Grade 3 sorcerer, handling a Grade 2 curse so effectively was remarkable. Even cleaning out all the minor curses would've taken Yuta longer. The hounds were efficient at this.
When Megumi approached him, Yuta said with a smile, "You did really well. I'm sure you'll reach Grade 2 very soon. I'll submit a request for your promotion today."
Megumi, caught off guard by his senior's enthusiasm, could only nod awkwardly. Then, catching himself, he added, "Thank you."
— No need to thank me. It's my duty. Besides, you've earned it. But before we start training your close-combat skills, I think you should work on controlling your cursed energy better, — Yuta said.
Megumi listened attentively and nodded in agreement.
In truth, though, Yuta thought differently. Sigh, he groaned inwardly. I have no idea how to teach him. I barely know anything myself. All I do is overpower my enemies with brute force. That'
s it. I've decided. Tonight, I'll call Gojo-sensei and ask him to teach me first. I'll learn close combat myself before teaching him.