Outside the building, the assistant supervisor in charge of security had collapsed to the ground.
Just a moment ago, the Veil that had been surrounding the building suddenly turned pitch black.
It was a sign that the concentration of cursed energy inside was skyrocketing.
Furthermore, the despairing aura emanating from within...
"This feeling... Could it be a Special Grade?!"
Kiyotaka Ijichi's teeth were chattering.
According to the Window's observations, there should only be curses below Grade 2 here!
If it's a Special Grade, those four students inside...
They will all die!
"No! I have to get them to retreat immediately!"
Ijichi fumbled for his phone, trying to contact Satoru Gojo, only to find the signal was completely jammed.
"It's over..."
At the same time, inside the building.
The tremors grew more violent, and dense cracks began to spiderweb across the walls as if the entire building could collapse at any moment.
The air became incredibly thick; every breath felt like swallowing grit.
"What's going on? Is it an earthquake?"
Yuji Itadori leaned against the wall, barely managing to keep his footing.
"No, it's not an earthquake."
Megumi Fushiguro stared intently at the ceiling, cold sweat trickling down his cheek.
"It's a Cursed Womb."
"A Cursed Womb?"
Nobara Kugisaki's expression was grim.
"You're saying a Special Grade Cursed Spirit is being born here?!"
"Very likely,"
Megumi Fushiguro said through gritted teeth.
"And judging by this pressure, it's likely a Semi-Special Grade, or even a true Special Grade!"
"Damn it! The intel was completely wrong!"
"We have to retreat right now!"
Megumi made a split-second decision.
Against a Special Grade, these first-years didn't stand a chance.
Staying here would only lead to certain death.
"But... if we just leave, what about the residents near this building?"
Yuji Itadori looked at the crumbling building, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes.
"Now is not the time to worry about others!"
Megumi roared.
"That's a Special Grade! It's something we absolutely cannot defeat!"
"If you want to die, stay behind! I'm taking Nobara and retreating!"
He spoke as he reached out to grab Nobara.
However, at that moment.
"We can't get out."
Yoru, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
Everyone froze and turned to look.
The entrance they had come through was now sealed off by a black barrier.
The barrier emitted an eerie luster, as hard as steel.
"The Veil... has been forcibly cast."
Yoru walked up to the barrier and reached out to touch it gently.
"And it's the type that locks from the inside."
"Which means..."
"Unless we kill what's inside, no one is leaving."
Despair.
At this moment, true despair enveloped everyone.
Trapped like rats in a cage.
They were locked in this narrow cage by a Special Grade Cursed Spirit about to be born, treated as its first meal upon hatching.
"How can this be..."
Nobara Kugisaki's hammer fell to the floor.
She was still young; she had just arrived in Tokyo; she hadn't had the chance to visit Harajuku yet, nor buy pretty clothes...
Was she going to die here? Fear spread through her heart like a poisonous weed.
Just as everyone's psychological defenses were about to collapse.
*Clang—*
The clear sound of a sword being drawn rang out once more.
In this suffocating atmosphere of despair, though the sound wasn't loud, it reached everyone's ears clearly.
They looked up to see Yoru slowly drawing the blade from his waist.
His movements were slow and steady.
There wasn't a trace of fear or panic on his face.
Only calm—a calm as deep as still water.
"Don't be afraid."
Yoru said flatly.
He turned his back to the group and faced the source of the terrifying aura.
"Whether it's a Special Grade or something else."
"As long as it's a demon that harms humanity."
"I'll simply cut it down."
His voice wasn't loud, nor did it carry any intense emotion.
But those simple words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly surging through everyone's bodies.
Their trembling bodies miraculously grew still.
Looking at that back—not broad, yet exceptionally upright.
Megumi Fushiguro suddenly felt that his previous panic was somewhat ridiculous.
Right. We haven't even fought yet; how can we know we'll lose?
Even a Special Grade... isn't absolutely invincible!
"Whew..."
Megumi took a deep breath and resumed his shadow puppet stance.
Yuji Itadori clenched his fists, fighting spirit reigniting in his eyes.
Nobara Kugisaki picked up her hammer and wiped away the cold sweat from her face.
"Honestly... to be comforted by a guy with no cursed energy."
"I'm not going to lose to you!"
The moment everyone regained their confidence.
*Crack.*
The ceiling above completely shattered.
A massive fleshy mass plummeted from above, slamming onto the floor in front of them.
The surface of the mass was covered in disgusting veins and slime, pulsating rhythmically.
*Squelch—*
Accompanied by a sickening tearing sound.
The mass split open.
A hideously deformed monster, radiating terrifying cursed energy, crawled slowly out from within.
It had the body of an infant but several twisted human faces, emitting a piercing screech that seemed to pierce the soul.
Special Grade Cursed Spirit: Hatched!
"Is this a Special Grade?"
Yoru narrowed his eyes at the monster before him.
The tip of his blade slowly pointed toward the creature's forehead.
"You're truly hideous..."