The bustling city was a stark contrast to the quiet grounds of Jujutsu High.
Towering buildings lined the streets, traffic flowed without end, and crowds moved through the city like a living tapestry.
Their destination was a newly opened shopping mall, decorated with festive displays and packed with visitors. Promotional announcements blended with laughter and conversation, creating an atmosphere full of life.
"Wow, that's a lot of people," Itadori said as he looked out the car window.
Nobara's eyes lit up slightly.
"It looks pretty lively. Maybe we can look around after we're done?"
Megumi showed little interest in the attractions. Instead, he carefully observed the surroundings, remaining alert for any traces of Cursed Spirit activity.
Ijichi parked nearby and turned to them.
"The patrol area includes the mall and the surrounding plaza. Crowd density is expected to peak this evening."
He adjusted his glasses before continuing.
"Please be careful, all four of you. Focus on patrol and early detection. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid using Cursed Energy or Cursed Techniques in front of civilians."
"If anything unusual happens, contact me immediately."
"Understood!" Itadori replied first as he stepped out of the vehicle, taking a deep breath of the bustling city air.
The four of them blended into the crowd and began what appeared to be a straightforward mission.
The interior of the mall was enormous, filled with a dazzling variety of stores.
Despite remembering their assignment, Itadori and Nobara couldn't help glancing around with curiosity. Megumi remained focused, his eyes constantly sweeping across crowded walkways and secluded corners.
Sol followed behind them casually, but his perception had already extended throughout the entire building complex.
As Ijichi had predicted, there were indeed traces of newly forming Cursed Spirits born from the negative emotions of the crowd. Most were insignificant and incredibly weak. Many dissipated before fully taking shape, while others were erased simply by the residual presence of the four sorcerers passing nearby.
The mission was so easy that it bordered on boring.
After nearly an hour of patrol, they had found almost nothing.
"Doesn't seem like much is happening," Itadori said with a yawn. "Most of those little guys break apart the second you touch them."
"Maybe there are enough happy people around to balance things out?" Nobara joked.
Megumi checked the time.
"We'll continue for another thirty minutes. If nothing happens, we'll contact Mr. Ijichi and head back."
The group made their way toward the mall atrium, where a large stage event was attracting an even bigger crowd.
As they approached, Sol's steps slowed almost imperceptibly.
His perception had picked up an extremely subtle fluctuation of Cursed Energy.
It was completely different from the weak Cursed Spirits around them.
The presence was fleeting, almost illusory, but its quality and concealment immediately reminded him of the Cursed User who had infiltrated Jujutsu High that night.
He's here.
Without drawing attention, Sol casually scanned the crowded atrium.
His gaze quickly settled on a man wearing a baseball cap and ordinary casual clothing.
The man stood among the spectators, looking down at his phone as though he were no different from anyone else waiting for the performance to begin.
Yet the faint traces of forcibly suppressed Cursed Energy surrounding him could not escape Sol's notice.
The man appeared to be observing rather than acting.
Sol withdrew his gaze.
There was no need to alert him.
Meanwhile, Itadori, Nobara, and Megumi remained unaware, still discussing the event.
"Looks like some really popular idol group is coming," Itadori said, standing on his toes to read a nearby poster.
"Never heard of them," Nobara replied with a dismissive pout.
Megumi frowned slightly.
"The atmosphere here feels off. Stay alert."
Ten more minutes passed.
The stage event reached its peak.
Music thundered through the atrium while cheers echoed across the mall.
The man in the baseball cap quietly put away his phone, turned around, and left the crowd. His Cursed Energy fluctuations vanished completely.
Although Sol's gaze appeared casual, he had already locked onto the departing figure.
The man's retreat was decisive, and his presence was concealed with remarkable skill. He was clearly experienced and far from an ordinary Cursed User.
Still, Sol didn't pursue him.
Fishing required patience.
The performance continued.
The idol group's songs drove the crowd into a frenzy, and the fans' screams nearly seemed capable of tearing the roof off the building.
Itadori covered his ears with a pained expression.
"This noise is almost as bad as a Cursed Spirit's roar."
Nobara found herself slightly caught up in the atmosphere, unconsciously nodding to the rhythm.
Megumi, on the other hand, looked increasingly irritated by the overwhelming noise.
Then, as one song ended and the idols paused for an audience interaction segment, a brief moment of silence appeared.
An instant later, disaster struck.
Several massive spotlights mounted on the ceiling exploded without warning.
Glass fragments and burning debris rained down onto the densely packed crowd below.
"Ahhh!"
Terrified screams instantly replaced cheers.
Panic spread through the audience as people pushed and shoved one another in an attempt to escape.
But that was only the beginning.
Hidden behind support pillars and near ventilation ducts throughout the atrium, several tiny black spheres inscribed with eerie runes suddenly activated and rolled into view.
Buzz!
An invisible wave mixed with powerful mental interference surged outward.
This was not a physical attack.
It was a Cursed Technique aimed directly at the minds of ordinary people.
Fear was amplified instantly.
The crowd's initial shock transformed into full-blown hysteria.
People cried, screamed, shoved one another aside, and fled in every direction without thought.
A stampede erupted.
"Watch out!" Itadori roared.
He instinctively tried to rush forward and shield civilians from the falling debris, but he was too far away.
Megumi reacted immediately.
"Nue!"
His hand signs flashed into place.
A giant owl Shikigami materialized overhead with a piercing cry. Powerful gusts erupted from its wings, pushing upward against the rain of shattered glass and broken lighting fixtures.
Most of the debris was diverted, but smaller fragments still fell into the crowd.
Nobara immediately drew her nails and infused them with Cursed Energy.
"It's a Cursed User!" she shouted while scanning the chaos. "A technique that interferes with people's minds!"
The idol group that had just left the stage found themselves at the center of the disaster.
The temporary security barriers collapsed under the pressure of the panicked crowd, and several bodyguards were instantly swallowed by the surging human tide.