A train abruptly materialized in front of everyone. The group, who should have been confined to a cramped surveillance room, had inexplicably been swallowed into an unknown space.
"Domain Expansion: Idle Death Gamble!"
It was a train station . A phantom man stood anxiously at the ticket gates, his eyes peering into the station's interior.
Under the influence of the sure-hit effect, the rules of Hakari's Domain and Cursed Technique were forcibly dumped directly into Mahito's brain—*Private Pure Love Train*.
The indicator board would randomly display one of seven character types: Heroine No. 1 through 3, Male No. 4, Heroine No. 5 and 6, and finally, the Protagonist, No. 7.
When the animation sequence began, it randomized the numbers from one to seven. If two consecutive randomized slots landed on the same character, it was called a "Riichi." The rules were completely identical to Japan's national "cultural treasure": Pachinko.
Mahito glanced at the indicator board. Heroine No. 1. Heroine No. 1.
Even though it was supposedly completely random, the board seemed to have lost all sense of probability, hitting Heroine No. 1 twice in a row. Two identical heroines had appeared. "Riichi."
The third panel on the indicator board was spinning. All that remained was for the train to pull into the station and determine whether the phantom male protagonist would be able to meet his crush. If the protagonist's love interest and the "Heroine No. 1" displayed on the board were the same person, it was a Jackpot.
As a side note, purely from a statistical standpoint, the odds of hitting the Jackpot were 1/239.
But judging by the current situation, the probability of hitting a Jackpot was—10,000%!
"You're in peak condition, Hakari," Mahito said.
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted, King of Curses?" Kinji Hakari took a deep breath and shrugged off his black fur coat. Underneath, he wore a tight white T-shirt that perfectly accentuated the striations of his muscles. As he breathed slowly, his muscles rippled, looking like a wild panther gathering power.
"Mahito, I'll assist you!" Jogo took a few steps forward, intending to rush to Mahito's side.
"This is a duel between kings. There's a limit to being a buzzkill, Curse," Kirara Hoshi suddenly interjected.
Jogo tried to advance, only to realize that no matter what he did, he couldn't reach Mahito. In an instant, he noticed the distance between him and Mahito was growing further and further, until he was eventually squeezed into a corner. Cursed Technique: Love Rendezvous! With a casual wave of Kirara's hand, Jogo found himself inexplicably rooted in place, unable to advance.
Jogo's heart skipped a beat. *A spatial Cursed Technique!*
It wasn't spatial teleportation, but spatial *control*. He could run normally, his legs were moving, but no matter how fast he sprinted, he couldn't get any closer to Mahito. It was as if he were walking down an endless hallway, forever unable to reach its end.
As expected of Kinji Hakari's right-hand man, to possess a spatial technique. If this were paired with Hakari's invincibility, wouldn't enemies be completely unable to flee, doomed to be beaten to a bloody pulp?!
Mahito was in danger!
Hanami realized this too. Since they couldn't move freely, what about their Cursed Techniques? She let out a low roar, preparing to unleash her Innate Technique, but just then, Mahito raised his hand. Hanami clenched her fists, her fingertips digging so hard they nearly pierced her palms, but she ultimately suppressed her technique.
Jogo was growing anxious. He roared, "Mahito, I can fight alongside you as a tool! Just like when a Curse Manipulation user controls Cursed Spirits, it's considered part of the sorcerer's own strength! This doesn't violate your 'King vs. King' Binding Vow! You should use me!"
Hakari's pupils constricted. "'Use' you? What does that mean? Can you turn Special Grade Cursed Spirits into tools? What kind? Weapons? Equipment? Or is it Shikigami manipulation?"
Mahito sighed. It was exactly as he had expected. Although these intelligent Cursed Spirits were indeed loyal and held no ulterior motives, their mentalities were no different from children. It was no wonder these children, wielding such immense power, were led around by the nose by Kenjaku in the original story.
"Who knows," Mahito replied casually, raising his wine glass and taking a small sip.
The train had arrived at the station. The train doors suddenly slid open. The animation sequence of "Idle Death Gamble" had reached its climax, and the answer was about to be revealed.
Steam billowed, and emerging from within was—Heroine No. 1! The indicator board spun. Heroine No. 1. Heroine No. 1. Heroine No. 1.
JACKPOT! Infinite Cursed Energy!
"Then I'll just beat the answer out of you myself!" Hakari roared.
Cursed Energy boiled. Music suddenly drifted through the Domain—it was the theme song of the Private Pure Love Train. As long as this theme song was playing, Kinji Hakari possessed infinite Cursed Energy and an unrestricted Reverse Cursed Technique.
The duration of the theme song was exactly 4 minutes and 11 seconds. 4 minutes and 11 seconds of absolute invincibility!
BOOM!!
Hakari smashed his fist into the low table, shattering it completely. The splintered wood exploded outward like shrapnel rain. Mahito launched himself backward from his seated position, the splinters grazing his cheek. Hakari burst through the storm of debris, one hand already clenched into a fist, and threw a devastating punch!
Mahito chucked his wine glass, intercepting Hakari's fist. The punch, coated in infinite Cursed Energy, pulverized the glass instantly, sending the spilled wine scattering like falling cherry blossoms.
Hakari's fist slammed into the floor where Mahito had just been. With a deafening boom, the entire room violently convulsed. A crater erupted around Hakari's fist, spiderwebbing outward, climbing the walls, and ultimately shattering the lightbulbs. Glass rained down from above.
Mahito retreated rapidly, slamming his back through the door to burst it open. "It's too cramped in here. Let's find somewhere a bit more spacious."
Hakari pursued, with Kirara following close behind. It wasn't until they exited the room that the spatial technique branded onto Jogo and Hanami was lifted. They rushed out after Kirara, but the moment they stepped into the hall, their footing faltered for a second.
An earthquake!
Hakari was throwing heavy punches at Mahito down the hallway. He advanced step by step, each footprint crushing the floorboards, carrying vast Cursed Energy and overwhelming physical force. Mahito was knocked backward by the shockwaves. Hakari's Cursed Energy had a jagged, serrated edge to it; every strike felt like a spiked club swinging with wild abandon. Mahito had already transmuted his skin into steel, but the corrosive Cursed Energy still caused throbbing pain. Mahito moved like a ghost, his toes lightly tapping the ground, while Hakari stomped the earth like a rampaging behemoth.
Mahito continuously flipped and vaulted through the corridor. Hakari's fists danced like furious dragons, sticking close to Mahito and refusing to let him escape his attack range. He roared as he punched, and every time a fist missed and struck the wall, it left a massive, cratered impact surrounded by spreading fissures. He was practically dismantling the entire hallway single-handedly.
Mahito kept falling back until he suddenly vanished, slipping into the emergency stairwell. Hakari charged in right after him.
Kirara instantly understood where Mahito was heading—the roof!
This old multi-story parking garage had an incredibly expansive roof. Because it was originally designed to park cars, the massive, wide-open space was perfect for both combatants to unleash their full power. Mahito wanted a fair fight with Hakari up there.
Kirara pulled out a phone and dialed the staff: "Clear out the guests. Cancel all the underground fights for tonight and evacuate. Make it clear to the customers that Kin-chan is entertaining a very dangerous guest, and staying here could cost them their lives."
Human wave tactics were useless in high-tier Jujutsu battles. Keeping the staff here now would only serve to hand the three Curses free hostages. The same went for the customers; rather than risking them being used as leverage, it was better to clear the area immediately.
Jogo and Hanami surged past Kirara, charging into the emergency stairwell.
"Didn't I tell you not to interrupt Kin-chan's fight?!" Kirara suddenly flared up. Spreading their arms wide, the space in front of Jogo and Hanami seemed to fold and stretch outward. By the time the Curses realized what was happening, they had already been pushed far away from the emergency doors.
Technique Release: Love Rendezvous!
A distinct mark was branded onto the emergency door—the Southern Cross motif of Love Rendezvous. Jogo and Hanami were jolted awake; they felt the sensation of being marked as well. The Cursed Technique had successfully tagged everyone present.
From this moment on, Kirara held absolute control over the pacing. They looked at Jogo and Hanami with a leisurely, self-satisfied grin. Jogo spun around, glaring viciously at Kirara, and let out a low, rumbling roar:
"Old Human, you've pissed me off! Eruption!"
Jogo didn't hold back; he intended to kill Kirara in a single strike! Blazing hellfire roared to life beneath him, surging forward to swallow the entire hallway. Glass and plaster slowly melted under the extreme heat, and the explosive flares even burst out of the corridor, spewing out the windows like a soaring fire dragon, illuminating the night sky.
This was Jogo fighting at full power in his base state. He knew exactly how dangerous spatial control was. Unable to physically reach Kirara, his only hope was that the overwhelming torrent of his Innate Technique would incinerate the sorcerer instantly.
Kirara stood completely still as the flames washed over them, emerging without a single scratch. Jogo's pupils dilated in shock as the hellfire actually rolled back on itself. The searing current crashed back onto Jogo like a fiery tidal wave. He instantly dispelled his technique, but the scorching heat still managed to singe the hem of his clothes, leaving a charred black spot like a blemish on pure white paper.
The entire hallway was radiating steam, the air visibly distorting from the heat. Kirara raised a hand and lightly brushed their drooping bangs. The tips of their hair had curled from the heat. Even though the fire technique hadn't directly struck, the sheer physical phenomenon of the intense heat was enough to touch them. Kirara smiled, but the smile held absolutely no cute charm; it was the smile of a Jujutsu Sorcerer in combat—ferocious, sharp, and akin to a drawn bayonet.
"Man, it's been a while since I've fought a Special Grade Curse. Taking on two at once is making me a little nervous," Kirara said, beaming. "Since my technique doesn't have direct offensive power, it's a bit of a hassle to use. But if we really throw down... I wonder what'll happen?"
Jogo clicked his tongue violently. Sorcerers with spatial techniques were an absolute nightmare; he literally couldn't even damage them! Jogo exchanged a glance with Hanami, who gave a slight shake of her head. The moment Jogo had attacked, Hanami had tried to slip away to Mahito while Kirara was distracted, but she had failed. Even if Kirara wasn't actively paying attention, the technique was still in effect.
The worst-case scenario had happened: Jogo and Hanami were pinned down here!
*Mahito, you have to hold on. I'll be there soon.* Jogo took a deep breath, fixing his gaze on Kirara.
"Until Kin-chan settles things with your King, I'm not letting you leave this spot!" Kirara formed a one-handed hand sign, readying for battle.
There was a very strange grading system within the Jujutsu world: A Sorcerer's grade was always evaluated one tier higher than a Curse's. In other words, a Grade 2 Sorcerer was not matched against a Grade 2 Curse, but rather a Grade 1 Curse.
Before their suspension, Kirara Hoshi's rank was: Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Which corresponded exactly to a Special Grade Cursed Spirit!
Jogo breathed slowly, forcing himself to calm down.
Even though he understood clearly that he was absolutely no match for Kinji Hakari, this Grade 1 Sorcerer, Kirara, was a different story. Although a Grade 1 Sorcerer theoretically matched a Special Grade Curse on paper, there was a fundamental misunderstanding here.
There were vast power gaps even among Special Grades.
The only reason Jogo was classified as a Special Grade Cursed Spirit wasn't because his power stopped at Special Grade—it was because the Jujutsu world's classification system for Curses *maxed out* at Special Grade!
In the original story, there was a scene where Jogo clashed head-on with Kento Nanami. Nanami was a highly experienced, immensely powerful Grade 1 Sorcerer who was fully prepared for combat. Yet, in the next instant, Jogo closed the distance, lightly touched him, and nearly burned him to death in a flash.
A lethal one-hit kill!
The unprecedentedly intelligent Cursed Spirit brewed his fury, letting it radiate outward slowly.
He formed a hand sign, staring dead at Kirara. His explosive voice fell deathly quiet, and the Cursed Energy around him released in a slow, methodical rhythm. The massive reserves of Cursed Energy converted into waves of oppressive heat spreading in all directions, as scorching as a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Jogo had an epiphany. This was absolutely not the kind of fodder sorcerer he was used to crushing. Before this, other than Kenjaku, no other sorcerer had ever managed to apply this kind of pressure on him. He had been supremely confident, only for reality to violently knock him down. Hakari was one thing, but he hadn't expected the lackey to possess this level of strength too.
Mahito was in danger right now. He couldn't afford to be bogged down here.
"Hanami, don't intervene. You need to save all your strength to help Mahito," he told her.
Hanami hesitated for a moment but ultimately suppressed her urge to fight, standing quietly to the side.
The truth was, Hanami and Jogo's abilities had terrible synergy. Fighting together yielded diminishing returns. Not engaging was the most tactically sound decision. Hanami understood this logic; she didn't throw a fit, but obediently complied with Jogo's request.
Then, Jogo looked back at Kirara, his voice dropping to a dangerous rumble:
"I need to conserve some Cursed Energy to help Mahito, so... one-tenth. I'm going to exterminate you using only one-tenth of my power."
"You're welcome to try, Curse," Kirara retorted.
"Here I come, Old Human!" Jogo roared.
Both sides moved at the exact same time!