November 2nd.
A total of ten massive, sky-obscuring dark barriers plunged all of Japan into panic.
To uphold the principle of equivalent exchange,
Kenjaku used his technique to inform all ordinary humans already inside the barriers of the rules of the Culling Game—
and granted them a one-time choice to leave the game.
Barrier techniques can be ranked from low to high as: standard barriers, grand barriers, and pure barriers.
From the most basic barriers that even Jujutsu High assistants can deploy,
to the massive grand barriers of the Culling Game that are nearly impossible to break through by external force,
and finally to the pure barriers spread across all of Japan by Tengen, which sustain the operation of all other barriers.
The stronger the barrier, the stricter the rules within it.
Excluding the sorcerers from a thousand years ago who had already formed binding vows with Kenjaku to participate in the Culling Game,
everyone else was given one opportunity to decide whether or not to join.
If, after learning the rules, one still steps into the barrier,
it is equivalent to placing a binding vow upon oneself—one cannot voluntarily violate the rules of the Culling Game.
Three days passed.
The sorcerers of Tokyo Jujutsu High waited inside the Tombs of the Star Corridor for Kenjaku for a full three days.
In the end, they abandoned the futile strategy of waiting for him to come.
From Tengen, they obtained the back side of the Prison Realm and learned the conditions required to unseal Satoru Gojo.
The group split into three teams, each heading toward different objectives.
Yuki, Nanami, Ino, Yaga, and Choso—
one Special Grade and four Grade 1-level sorcerers—remained behind in the Tombs of the Star Corridor as Tengen's guards.
Yuji, Nobara, Panda, and Toge headed to the location indicated by Tengen,
to seek out another sorcerer comparable to Special Grade strength—Kinji Hakari, who had been expelled from Jujutsu High.
Okkotsu and Kusakabe, acting as protection for Shoko Ieiri, went to the Gojo family estate.
Okkotsu had originally wanted to either stay behind to guard Tengen or enter the Culling Game early to accumulate points.
But after analysis from Tengen and Yaga, he was ultimately assigned to Shoko's team.
If neither of the two Special Grades appeared outside,
Kenjaku would not recklessly attempt an invasion.
Delaying time would only put Jujutsu High at a disadvantage.
Besides guarding against Kenjaku, they also had to remain wary of Zenin Mirai, whose objectives were still unclear.
From Tengen, they learned the participation rules of the Culling Game—
and once Okkotsu entered a barrier, he might not be able to leave for some time.
Thus, accompanying Shoko to the Gojo estate became the best option.
If anything unexpected occurred, he could respond immediately.
Sendai — Entrance to the Culling Game barrier.
"It's already been three days, and that old bastard still hasn't shown himself!"
"And there's no trace of him anywhere in Japan!"
Hundreds of thousands of mechanical insect scouts spread across Japan,
yet White Zetsu still couldn't locate "Brain"—Kenjaku.
Mirai, however, showed no surprise, his expression calm.
"That guy is waiting for Jujutsu High to split up—and also waiting for me to enter the barrier first."
"As the initiator of the Culling Game, it's only natural that the cursed spirits inside the barrier can relay information to the outside."
"If he doesn't see me enter, Kenjaku won't dare to attack the Tombs of the Star Corridor with peace of mind."
White Zetsu clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"That old bastard is seriously cautious!"
"Just follow the plan. Everything is still under control."
With that, Mirai stepped into the barrier.
White Zetsu grinned and followed closely behind.
[Hi! I'm Kogane!]
The moment Mirai entered the barrier,
a golden, insect-like shikigami suddenly appeared at his side.
About the size of a palm, it resembled an enlarged bee.
Those who enter the Culling Game—whether sorcerers or ordinary humans—are collectively referred to as players.
Each player is assigned a personal shikigami: Kogane.
Kogane provides immediate updates on rules and any newly added conditions.
In simple terms, it functions like a system interface—
capable of intelligent, real-time communication and checking one's score at any time.
However, Mirai's Kogane was slightly different from the others.
It had blood-red pupils, eerily similar to his Sharingan.
"What about me?"
"Where's President White's shikigami?"
White Zetsu looked around but couldn't find his assigned Kogane.
"Don't forget—you're just a clone," Mirai replied casually.
He then instructed Kogane to recite the current rules.
Culling Game Rules:
Rule 1: All players (including reincarnated sorcerers from a thousand years ago who made contracts with Kenjaku, as well as cursed spirits) must enter a barrier within 19 days.
Rule 2: Violating Rule 1 results in the loss of one's cursed technique.
(Ancient sorcerers were able to reincarnate into the modern era due to Kenjaku's assistance, and thus are automatically bound to participate.)
Rule 3: Non-players who enter a barrier automatically become players.
Rule 4: Players earn points by killing other players.
Rule 5: Killing a sorcerer grants 5 points; killing a non-sorcerer grants 1 point.
Rule 6: A player may spend 100 points to add a new rule to the Culling Game.
Rule 7: Newly added rules must not disrupt the long-term operation of the Culling Game.
Rule 8: If a player's points do not change within 19 days of entering a barrier, their cursed technique will be removed.
These eight were the initial rules.
There was also a ninth rule—added later by a player using Rule 6:
Rule 9: Players may view information about other players (including name, score, and barrier location).
Rule 9 added by: Hajime Kashimo.
"He's really motivated," White Zetsu remarked with a grin.
"This rule is clearly meant to make killing more efficient."
High scores indicate strength, and location reveals where to find them—
it's practically a system designed to hunt the strongest opponents.
Thanks to this rule,
Mirai immediately identified the top four scorers within the Sendai barrier:
Dhruv Lakdawalla (reincarnated) — 91 points
Ryu Ishigori (reincarnated) — 77 points
Uro Takako (reincarnated) — 70 points
Kurourushi (cursed spirit) — 50 points
The Sendai colony, filled with powerful combatants, had become far more intense than the other nine barriers from the very beginning.
After three days of chaotic battle,
these four had emerged as the dominant players.
Each of them possessed overwhelming strength capable of crushing entire factions.
Within a barrier where everyone is an enemy and no alliances exist,
a delicate balance had formed.
"Then let's start with the one who has the highest score."
Mirai spoke calmly, dispelling his intangibility as his feet touched the ground.
The moment he solidified—
a terrifying surge of cursed energy erupted, instantly flooding the Sendai barrier.
At the same time—
the four dominant players, each stationed in their respective territories, abruptly turned toward the entrance.
That overwhelming pressure—enough to distort space itself—
caused all four to feel the same emotion:
fear.
It was as if something unknowable and catastrophic had fixed its gaze upon them—
a chilling dread shooting straight to the top of their heads.
Please drop some power stones and support me at my
PS: Access the complete/finished chapters/series at Patreon: NanamiTL