In the mountains northeast of Kyoto, a massive spherical barrier stood tall.
It was surrounded by countless Cursed Spirits.
Innumerable Cursed Energy remnants emanated from these Cursed Spirits, forming a vast, dark cloud in the sky that even affected the Kyoto Basin.
Although ordinary people could not see the dark cloud formed by those Cursed Energy remnants, they were not entirely unaware of it.
The sunlight was dim despite the sun hanging high overhead, and the air felt colder than expected, leaving them with an uncomfortable feeling.
In the sky, a silver-white meteor streaked across.
"Bellerophon!"
With a delicate shout, the pure white Pegasus transformed into a silver meteor and crashed toward the barrier ahead.
"Roar!"
A Rainbow Dragon soared into the sky, leading hundreds of flying Cursed Spirits to sweep away all the Cursed Spirits obstructing Medusa's path.
Boom!
A tremendous sound erupted from the point where the barrier and Pegasus collided.
A violent impact spread from the center, causing ripples to continuously appear on the barrier's surface.
"Chirp~"
Pegasus let out a cry of pain and was bounced back from the barrier.
Seeing this, Medusa immediately pulled the reins, controlling Pegasus as it flew unsteadily toward a nearby mountain peak.
"No, only anti-city Noble Phantasms or methods with special attack properties can break through that barrier."
Medusa gently stroked Pegasus's mane, calming its emotions.
Without attacks that countered barriers, such as anti-magic, defense-ignoring, or territory-piercing abilities, an immense amount of power would be needed to destroy this barrier.
"Is that so? I understand."
Suguru nodded upon hearing this.
His best friend was trapped inside, and his condition was unknown, which made Suguru very agitated.
However, his career as a cult leader had greatly honed his composure, so his face still maintained that amiable smile.
Normally, knowing how powerful Satoru was, Suguru would not be this anxious.
But the current situation was clearly different.
Both the massive barrier, several kilometers in diameter, and the millions of Cursed Spirits surrounding it indicated the extraordinary nature of this event.
If it was like this outside the barrier, what kind of dangerous battle was Satoru facing inside?
"You all retreat and wait for Eichi to arrive. I'll go in."
Suguru's words sparked many questions.
"Hey, hey, seriously? Are you planning to charge in alone?"
Miguel pointed at the Cursed Spirit army in front of them with a somewhat exaggerated gesture.
"Miguel."
Larue spoke up to remind Miguel to mind his attitude.
"Even I know that fighting an enemy of that scale isn't the best strategy. What do you plan to do?"
Ryu, leaning against a tree trunk with his arms crossed, looked directly into Suguru's eyes.
"What, are you scared?"
Suguru looked at Ryu with a chuckle.
"How could I be? But liking a fight and committing suicide are two different things.
I admit you're strong, but the number of Cursed Spirits you have can't compare to what's in front of us, can it?"
Ryu spread his hands.
"My goal isn't to eliminate these Cursed Spirits, but to break through their blockade and enter the barrier to rendezvous with Satoru."
Suguru extended his right hand, pointing his finger at the massive barrier ahead.
"For me, breaking through these small fry and reaching the barrier is easy, isn't it?"
"It's indeed easy. I have no objections."
Ryu raised his hand in agreement.
"I'm also okay~"
Miguel also expressed his approval after hearing Suguru's words.
"We agree too."
Larue nodded.
Carving a path through the Cursed Spirit army and annihilating these millions of Cursed Spirits were two different concepts.
"Then you all..."
Suguru was about to say, "Then you all go to the back and meet up with the other support forces," when he suddenly sensed something was off.
"We?"
Suguru's eyes widened slightly.
"That's right, we."
Larue walked in front of Suguru.
Miguel, Ryu, Nanako, Mimiko, and the others all stood behind him.
"We've grown up. Don't think about leaving us behind again."
Nanako and Mimiko looked at Suguru with determined eyes.
"No one can be sure of the situation inside the barrier. You'd best conserve enough strength before going in."
Larue offered a reason Suguru could not refuse.
"Is that so? Then I'll leave it to all of you."
Suguru showed a genuine smile.
The sight of his family helping each other and staying together made his eyes feel a bit sore.
"Then."
A dark space opened behind Suguru, and more than a dozen Cursed Spirits, all at least Special Grade, emerged from it.
"Let's go!"
With that, Suguru leaped down, leading the charge toward the barrier.
"Granite Blast!"
The first to arrive was Ryu's Cursed Energy cannon.
Continuous blasts tore open clearings in the Cursed Spirit army.
"Bellerophon!"
After resting for a while, Pegasus was summoned once again by Medusa.
Although she was not part of Suguru's family, Medusa genuinely had a good impression of his large family.
Moreover, they were already comrades, so Medusa had no reason to retreat.
Pegasus, carrying terrifying magical energy and powerful impact force, carved a path for Suguru. Seeing this, Ryu immediately adjusted his cannon to aim in front of Pegasus, reducing the resistance to Medusa's charge.
"Die!"
A hideous Cursed Spirit in a tattered kasaya attacked Suguru, who was also wearing a kasaya.
Special Grade Cursed Spirit: Nodera-bo.
Because its temple had been uninhabited for many years, receiving neither respect nor offerings from the villagers, it eventually died in despair.
Under intense resentment, it became a Cursed Spirit, then went on a rampage through the surrounding villages. Not long after becoming a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, it was captured by Kenjaku, who happened to pass by, and thrown into his treasury.
"We can't let you disturb our esteemed cult leader."
Miguel, with his peculiar footwork, blocked Nodera-bo's path.
His fighting rhythm, which seemed chaotic but was actually like music, left Nodera-bo with no room to retaliate.
"Want to eat this?"
After elbowing Nodera-bo into a daze, Miguel asked Suguru.
"You handle it yourself."
Suguru said without looking back.
Normally, Suguru would gladly accept this Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
But now, with his best friend's condition unknown and possibly in danger, Suguru naturally had no intention of wasting time on a Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
"You're out of luck. Goodbye."
With that, Miguel increased the force behind his punch.
"Great Waterfall!"
Dagon flew in front of Suguru, and a large volume of water gushed out before it.
The currents swept the dense Cursed Spirits in front of them to the sides, clearing a path for Suguru.
Next, countless tree roots broke through the ground, forming a bridge for Suguru to cross alone.
"Gravel Insects."
Uniquely shaped flying insects guarded Suguru, and many flying Cursed Spirits unaffected by the water were engulfed by the Gravel Insects' flames.
"Gate-Eyed Demon."
Suguru raised his hand, and a tall, slender Special Grade Cursed Spirit was released.
This Cursed Spirit was one of those born from humanity's fear of being watched.
Its Cursed Technique could create a door anywhere, then open a crack to peek at you and curse you.
The slender figure placed one hand on the barrier, making a motion as if opening a door, while its other hand was loosely clenched, as if gripping a doorknob.
But soon, a scream erupted from the Gate-Eyed Demon's mouth.
(To be continued.)