Ch. 5 Curse Hunting

Keiko's P.O.V.

8 years have passed since my rebirth.

I'm currently in Tama Cemetery, the largest municipal cemetery in Japan, alone. Or rather, I asked to be left alone. It's only a 1st-grade-level enemy at best.

So I could properly train myself here. Where I'll execute my first exorcism. While I could've had a simpler task of hunting a lone curse spirit, I specifically asked to be here.

Cemeteries are filled with cursed spirits. Most are rather weak and, more commonly, not even considered grade 4. But at the right time, not only will the quantity of curse spirits increase, but their qualities will also increase.

It happens to be October.

Why do I want to fight multiple strong curse spirits? There are many reasons. Among them, I can't cower and take the easy route.

This era happens to be primed for chaos. With Tengen failing the merger and Geto having the perfect curse technique, Kenjaku would believe this to be the perfect turning point to enact his plan.

By fighting stronger opponents, I'll grow faster than average.

I already have a strong curse technique that can potentially reach Special-grade, so reaching enlightenment and understanding the core of curse energy is all I need.

All I've been doing up until now. Was all to prepare for that day. Hardening my resolve and my mindset.

"I alone..."

Walking around the graves and shrines, I have encountered a few curse spirits. Fodder, to say the least. Not even qualifying for 4th grade, these pests are everywhere.

I cleared them out anyway. Can't risk one growing to become stronger.

"Speaking of... I wonder if new curse spirits were born to compensate for my existence."

No help thinking about it now.

I currently only have a 1st-grade weapon. A Nichirin sword. A sword I got from my Tsugikuni side of the family. I was allowed to borrow a "colorless" Nichirin, since colored ones are meant for their main family or someone with great achievements.

Unluckily, I'm currently neither. It's not like I'm aiming for one anyway. I have a great idea for a weapon, but I can't make it yet. So I'm taking whatever temporary weapon I can get.

I slash another fodder with my great temporary ally and go deeper into the cemetery.

I spot a peculiar-looking headstone.

I go closer, and I feel invigorated. "What the... it's a similar feeling I get from RCT!"

I've been healed with RCT after my more painful spars, so I know how it would feel.

It heals even my mind. That's high-level stuff. I go closer to an eerily quiet grave... and I see the details more clearly. It's a pyramidal structure; at the height of my torso (45cm), each side of the pyramid has a circle in the middle, a carved point. Like it was poked by a perfectly circled object.

At the top of the pyramid is an ankh symbol, but with horns. The four points below the pyramid had different statues. An angel, a demon, a human, and another human?

I didn't get it. But the feeling does originate here. Seeing the source was one thing, but touching it has given me confirmation.

Aside from the fact that it releases RCT, nothing seems to be special about it.

"Hmm... perhaps I'll come back to it after clearing the cemetery."

Right... Now I'm motivated. A grave robbery after a curse massacre! How fun!

A satisfied grin unknowingly crept up on my face. As I traverse the cemetery at a quicker pace. I've been seeing 3rd and 2nd-grades now, and I've been feeling the curse energy pressure of 1st-grades since earlier.

I should clear out the mobs before the boss fights.

I then go around hunting every 4th-grade and 3rd-grade curse spirit. All I needed was water breathing, as I used [10th Form: Constant Flux]. Clearing all the fodder mobs quite easily. "Barely a challenge!"

Then there were three. Two 2nd-grade curse spirits and, as the final boss, a 1st-grade curse spirit. "Now the fun begins."

I focused my breathing and sped toward the closest 2nd-grade curse spirit. This one looked like a Machamp, but with a single eye and had it's mouth on its stomach.

Despite not having a curse technique, 2nd-grade curse spirits usually have a high amount of strength, agility, speed, and maybe intelligence. With varying degrees. The 2nd grade I killed happens to be strength-based, so focusing on water breathing, I performed [3rd Form: Flowing Dance], dodging it's strikes while doing my own.

The strikes I was able to make are shallower than I expected; whether it's because I lacked the strength or technique, I'll rectify it now.

[4th Form: Striking Tide]

Disintegrating the curse spirit. But before I could momentarily celebrate, the other 2nd-grade tried striking at me. I barely dodged, almost having my fingers cut off.

"How serious."

This curse spirit is fast—faster than the first one, but a little less strong. It looked like a mantis that is red in color. No, it is dark green; the red was the blood of what I assume to be the grave keeper. What's left of the victim is the skin of their face hanging from the mantis' mouth.

"How unfortunate."

The mantis has quick attacks and speed that is quite envious. But I don't need to be fast to counter this.

[7th Form: Drop-Ripple Thrust]

Thrusting at the swipes of the mantis, I was able to damage a specific point of the mantis's tibial spines, breaking them. Seemingly feeling the pain, the mantis leapt far. Not far enough.

[9th Form: Splashing Water Flow (Flash)]

Using a derivative form of the 9th form, I reached the mantis quickly, and slashed upwards cutting it's head in half.

The test of my breathing style has worked well. Although, I've only tested my water breathing as my primary breathing style it was enough to know that I am somewhat proficient. Mastering all the forms will really end well for me.

"To think I've reached this far in power. But it's not enough."

This much is no issue to the likes of Sukuna and Satoru. I have to reach the peak of my curse technique. Luckily, there's still one curse spirit left. The best for last.

With less curse spirits I could sense the last one's power more clearly. It's a 1st-grade. I went closer to where it was, and finally saw it. It was humanlike. It only had three closed eyes on it's face and has 6 arms two of which is holding a rather sharp shiny metal shovel. It's greyish rotting skin was peeling off from it's back but never peeling off completely. Looking at it more closely now, it definitely has a curse technique.

But no worries.

"I'd win."

Ch. 5 end

•~~~~~~~•

It has been quite long since the last chapter. I'm sorry for the long delay. I have been trying to find ways to create a satisfactory fight scene. But it really isn't my strong suit. Anyway, how was the chapter? Hope you enjoyed.

Thanks for the power stones despite the shitty time schedule.