2 Start of the journey

A few days later in the Ryōmen clan grounds.

After the night when Ryōmen Sorcerer Family was destroyed, all other clans received the news. They quickly started their own investigations, and almost every Sorcerer Family sent their own group of Sorcerers to the previously majestic Ryōmen clan.

When Sorcerers arrived there, they were shocked. They could see beheaded and limbless corpses laying around, while a small pile was formed from the skulls. There were even skulls of little children, that by the looks were not older than four.

Some Sorcerers outright puked on this sight. Others had disgusted faces, and turned their eyes away, just to not see that sight. After some time, they just decided to burn those skulls to the ashes and forget about them.

After looking around for some time, they found nothing except for rivers of blood, and one particular building, that was still standing somehow. It has to be mentioned that all constructions that were standing there before, were reduced to nothing but dust. After searching for any clues in that building, they found nothing, except for one more skull and a text.

Some of them quickly recognized that it was the skull of the head of the Ryōmen Sorcerer Family. He clearly had shocked and a frightened expression was written all over his face like he was not expecting this at all. And the text was clearly written by blood, and it said:

"I hope that you will entertain me for long enough, Sorcerers...

P.S Sukuna..."

So aside from that text and skull, there was absolutely nothing. But at least they got the name of the culprit, who made this nightmare come true. After contacting their higher-ups, they got a little bit of information, about Sukuna.

He was the son of one of the Ryōmen Sorcerer Family elders. It was also mentioned that he was a bit abnormal, having more limbs than a normal person should. Aside from that, not much information was given.

They now had to wonder, why would a member of his own clan destroy it. They were also a bit skeptical about it, as it was not mentioned that he was strong enough to destroy a whole clan of Sorcerers. But, he always could have some helpers, so for now, they decided that he will be a culprit. Sorcerers decided to place a bounty on his head. They didn't have any new pictures of him, only one of his childhood. But that was not a problem, as Sukuna looked so outstanding, that the hunters would not have a problem recognizing him.

While all this commotion was happening, the culprit of this incident was leisurely walking inside the forest. It was clear as day that he was walking with no apparent goal. He actually loved it. Freedom. It is just as how he imagined it to himself.

"Huh~ It really feels different to be out of the clan and not be bound by some measly rules. I wonder where should I go now... I should have so much free time now. There should be plenty of villages around this area. Maybe, I can do something with them?" He said excitedly.

"But killing those old farts was really worth it... they were pleading for mercy so desperately~. I wonder how their clanmates would look on them, two people that were the core of the clan asking mercy from me... Hahaha.." Sukuna laughed in a jovial tone as he remembered that wonderful night.

Flashbacks from a few days ago

In past, this place was quite noble and grand. But now all that has been left is rivers of blood, buildings on fire, and crawling people, who ask for mercy. For Sukuna it is the most delightful moment in his entire life. Never he has been so excited and happy. He wanted to see those emotions, in eyes of those, who despised him his whole life. They look so desperate, hatred boiling inside them, but they still can not do anything. It feels so refreshing for him.

But most common of all those varieties of emotions is fear.

Fear for their lives. Fear for the lives of their family. Fear for pain. All these fuel Sukuna even more. He wants to feel those reactions from others. He wants to absorb those negative emotions, so he can get even stronger. He wants to get stronger so he could have even more fun.

"Yo-you... monster..." Suddenly he heard a weak and trembling voice from behind. He turned backward and what he saw there was a pathetic excuse of his father lying in the pond of his own blood.

"Oooh~? You got that only now, old man? I thought that your brain works faster. I'm truly sorry... It must be your age that gives up on you. But it seems like you won't die out of old age. I hope, that you at least remember those words you said to me earlier. I wonder what you said? Something about.. what is the real power, right? At least I will get to see it, and maybe even obtain it~, while you will rot buried somewhere underground."

The said old man looked at Sukuna with hatred, but he knew he couldn't do anything to him. He was defeated fair and square, and Sukuna did not even drop a sweat! How foolish he was.. he thought of himself as a pinnacle of power, while beating up his own son. And in one day all turns upside down. Now he is beaten, by his very own son, like he is some kind of dog that barked too loud. At least, he could catch a glimpse of true power at the end of his life.

"Heh~," Said Sukuna, as he finished him: "Now what should I do? Shall I torture them more, or should I leave and find another place for fun. Yeah, probably I should go.. this place doesn't bring fun anymore."

After he said that, he walked towards other cursed spirits. They still seem to have fun there.

*clap* *clap* *clap*

"Guys," He clapped to gain their attention on himself: "I think I'm going to leave you here, I still want to go somewhere else. Our deal ends here as I and you already fulfilled our part of the pact. And while we are at it, I really had fun with those weaklings. Cya" He said to them as he left the area.

Now here he is, walking in the forest, searching for anything interesting. Even he himself does not know what he searches for. Not that dislikes this feeling, it is quite the opposite, he likes it. Going everywhere your eyes could see, and doing whatever you want. Just what he dreamt about.

He has been despised his whole life, so now he wants to earn respect. So much respect, that everyone, be it human or a Sorcerer, would bow before him.

But for now, he knows that he is still too weak. This world is much larger than it might seem at the first sight. There are also a lot of beings, that are stronger than him. He can clearly feel it.

While he is interested in strong enemies, he can't search them now. Why? Something tells him that he should be in Japan for the time being. And it irritates him that he does not know where this feeling comes from.

After walking for some time, he saw that the forest ends here. Some distance away, he saw a small village. Nothing grand. Just a normal Japanese village. Few dozens of houses here and there. The village has like 200 villagers in a raw estimate.

"Women and kids, men and elderlies. Hahaha, seems like this slaughter will be a good one, finally, I can enjoy those desperate screams of women and kids. I wonder how they will be? There weren't many of them in the clan after all. I hope it will be worth it," He said, while a sadistic grin grew on his face.

When he got near the village, one of the villagers who were on guard shouted to him: "State your name and where are you coming from, stranger!"

"I am Sukuna, Ryomen Sukuna. And I just came from massacring my dear clan~." Sukuna stated while still maintaining his perfect smile. This smile, however, made the guardian feel uneasy, but when a stranger said his name and where he came from, his face grew pale.

All villages that were near the Ryomen clan knew that something or rather someone destroyed the whole clan. Bigger clans told villagers to leave this place because it might be dangerous. They thought that nothing can happen with them, because destroying a clan was nothing to do with them. While they did know that the clan was rather closed and no one outside can join it, they didn't know that it was a clan of sorcerers. So basically, they are clueless about the supernatural world.

Of course, clans did send few sorcerers here and there, so maybe they could get some information. And now that said guard is pale as a white sheet. Why you may ask? Because from the evidence they got, it stated that it was done by someone from inside the clan. Of course, he could have helpers, but that didn't come to his mind at this moment. He had only one thought– run. But of course, deep inside his heart, he knew that he couldn't.

"I have said you only my name and where I sail from, but you are already so afraid. Hahaha, I like it, I really do. Imagine, just saying your name once and others would already be so scared. That must be a wonderful feeling. I could state my name wherever I go, and after some time people would instantly fear me. At least now I have something to do, thanks... for that awesome idea," Sukuna said as his smile never left his face.

"D-demon.." The sorcerer in disguise said while breathing heavily. Sukunas aura alone was enough to scare the shit out of him... he could not even begin to imagine how could he stand against him. 'That is just bullshit!' He thought to himself. 'I was just guarding one small fucking village, and now I have to fight against a monster who massacred the whole clan?!'

"Ohh~ I was given a title~? I must say that this is a little bit rude. But, oh well, I guess it suits me. So, shall we begin?" Sukuna said with an excited tone, he starts to grow addicted to this feeling. No, perhaps he already is addicted. Do anything you want without thinking about the consequences of your actions. That is what real freedom should feel like.

Suddenly guardian saw how Sukuna rushed towards him. He could barely see him, but when he was putting up a stance, he suddenly saw his very own body. But there was something odd about it... it had no head and it was also falling slowly.

What he actually saw before was Sukunas' afterimage. He was just too fast for a low-ranked sorcerer like him. Sukuna killed him without pain because that guy actually gave him a nice idea. And also one person wouldn't change anything, especially when there are plenty more of them.

"I did not think that he was so weak... but eh, who cares anyway. And I can have dessert now. I wonder if there will be something aside from fear in this puny village? That ought to be interesting."

And so he started his carnage. It was really fun, at least from his perspective. How he beheaded those little kids in front of their parents, and then did the same with women, while their husbands were watching all of it. They could not really do anything because of fear. No one can really blame them though. One day you were having your normal everyday life; fishing, cooking, having fun with the family. And just as the sun sets beyond the horizon, you can see a Demon beheading your neighbors and family. Quite literally. Four hands, four dark red eyes, that were glowing slightly. And those eyes also had excitement in them. The excitement from killing people that is.

"W-why?! What have we done to earn s-such f-fate?!" Screamed one of the villagers, he just saw how his family were ruthlessly killed. That Demon tore out their eyes, then he cut off their tongue and then he pierced their heart. And he did it to all, women, children, men– for him it did not matter.

"Hahaha, what a stupid question to ask. It is just so I could have some fun with you. It brings so many emotions, those desperate screams, they are extremely beautiful, especially when I hear them from women. Kids are not that bad as well... they have that, high-pitched voice... it certainly was worth to come here." Sukuna said as he beheaded another man.

"..." Villager just stayed quiet, he wanted to say something, but he could not. He was frightened to the very soul. This monster in front of him does not care about people even one bit, he actually enjoys those screams and curses that are thrown at him... you could see that from his blissful expression...

"Don't be so sad, you should smile more. Your village will not be the last one, so do not worry, you will have a lot of friends in the afterlife. Hahahaha..." And with this sinister laugh, the majestic massacre continued till the dawn.

This village was only one of the many villages, that were visited by Sukuna. While it was only the start of his story, he already was feared by all people in Japan.