Chapter 89: Precise and Elegant
Under the shroud of night, those weak, low-level cursed spirits had already begun to spontaneously flee this area filled with the suffocating scent of death.
At Hikigaya Hachiman's fingertips, a blood-red bead gradually condensed. When the scattered blood converged into a single point, it emitted a deep crimson flash. If one didn't know this was [Red Blood Manipulation], they might have mistaken it for the Cursed Technique Reversal: [Red] performed with the [Limitless].
This was a simplified version of [Convergence: Piercing Blood], considered the secret art of [Red Blood Manipulation] and the highest single-target output technique currently remaining in the Kamo family.
Beside Hikigaya Hachiman stood a [Son of Horus] he had manifested using [Izanagi]. This green-painted iron warrior looked exceptionally formidable, likewise gathering a crimson point at the tip of its metallic finger. Through the proxy of [Izanagi], it was similarly capable of using [Red Blood Manipulation].
Facing Hikigaya Hachiman and the [Son of Horus] soldier was a row of cursed spirits tied together. They were forced to kneel in a line to facilitate an execution-style culling.
"Mutsumi, the only good cursed spirit is a dead one." Hikigaya looked at Wakaba Mutsumi. "If they are not of our kind, their hearts must be different."
These cursed spirits were all arranged neatly, connected to one another primarily by [Blood Thorns] pierced through their necks. They struggled, but having been turned into a "cursed spirit skewer," they were completely unable to break free.
"[Red Blood Manipulation] is the technique of the Kamo family, one of the Big Three families." Nanami Kento pushed up his goggles and explained to Mutsumi. "But as far as I know, no member of the Kamo family can generate blood from cursed energy like Hikigaya can."
Logically, [Red Blood Manipulation] can only use the user's own blood; the blood of others cannot be controlled. This limitation forces Kamo family sorcerers to carry blood bags filled with their own blood at all times.
"Hikigaya-kun is special. He is the only one qualified to be the next head of the Kamo family; no one else even comes close."
Hikigaya's primary goal was to control the variables. If he used a blood clone constructed via [Red Blood Manipulation], performing a "Disclosure of One's Innate Technique" would yield the same result. However, the [Son of Horus] constructed by [Izanagi] was different; it utilized a separate technique as its foundation. By using [Red Blood Manipulation] through a different base technique, it would not be affected by the boost of the disclosure.
As a comparative experiment for "Disclosure of One's Innate Technique," the destructive effects produced with and without the disclosure were diametrically opposed. To this end,
sorcerers choose to voluntarily reveal their techniques when facing cursed spirits or curse users to increase the activation efficiency and destructive power of the technique. If an incantation is added, the power can be increased by at least 100%.
In truth, Hikigaya Hachiman disliked disclosing his own techniques. He felt that self-reporting one's abilities before a fight was incredibly foolish. It made it easy for the enemy to grasp the characteristics of the technique and counter it—unless it was an inescapable technique, like the Domain Expansion [Unlimited Void] of the [Limitless], which was simply impossible to defend against.
Therefore, unless Hikigaya wanted to end a fight quickly, he preferred using a chainsword to hack from east to west. Every strike drew blood; if a cursed spirit could be cut down with one blow, there was no need for techniques.
However, it was different for Wakaba Mutsumi. In the early stages, any bit of power increase for her technique was valuable. Yet, Hikigaya had a feeling that Mutsumi probably wouldn't use this disclosure method.
Simply because she basically didn't talk.
Hikigaya estimated she would likely become a cold assassination machine—the type who was ruthless but said very little. Thus, he wanted to instill the influence of "Disclosure" in her from the very beginning to significantly boost her destructive potential.
"[Convergence: Piercing Blood] works on a principle similar to a high-pressure water jet. It compresses blood to the extreme within the body and fires it from a single point. The maximum speed of the [Piercing Blood] arrow can reach the speed of sound."
Hikigaya simply made a pistol gesture with his fingers.
Whoosh!
Essentially, only a shrill, mourning wail of cold wind could be heard before a beam of red light pierced through the night. The cursed spirits tied together were suddenly disintegrated as if hit by a large-caliber artillery shell. Amidst the flying debris, a large amount of corpse remnants scattered; the torsos of the various cursed spirits were directly blown apart and dissipated into the air.
Of the ten spirits kneeling on the ground, not even one remained intact. Even the least injured was left as nothing but a head, its body completely crushed. It wasn't until the projectile buried itself deep into the wall behind them, even punching a large hole through the masonry, that Hikigaya's destructive power finally ceased.
In comparison, there was the [Convergence: Piercing Blood] in the hands of the [Son of Horus]. Without the boost of disclosure, the two could essentially no longer be called the same technique. If the former was the brutal destruction of an anti-aircraft gun leveled horizontally, the latter was merely a high-pressure water gun with a slightly aggressive discharge speed.
A pillar of light, similar to a crimson arrow, only managed to pierce through the first eight of those kneeling on the ground. A nearly perfect, bowl-sized circular wound appeared on the chests of all these spirits. Aside from the first four spirits who bore the brunt of the damage and died instantly, the remaining six essentially maintained their full vitality.
The ceiling of the technique was, after all, right there. Even if Hikigaya increased the effect through disclosure, the destruction caused was only at that level. Thus, in Hikigaya's view, the so-called "secret art" of the Kamo family was no different from children playing house. With the [Limitless] and the [Ten Shadows Technique] preceding it, the fact that this could be considered a "secret art" was quite unfathomable to him.
Of course, due to the site constraints, the [Convergence] technique Hikigaya used was not the full version. Otherwise, he could have fired it like a cursed artillery battery—and certainly not just a single shot. If Hikigaya were to truly get serious and go all out, it would be a simultaneous salvo of at least a hundred [Piercing Blood] shots. At that point, the resulting destruction would definitely be more than just a bowl-sized hole.
Moreover, due to the influence of cursed energy, the blood would never be consumed; it would only be continuously accelerated until the target's body was thoroughly pulverized before it might dissipate.
This controlled variable experiment was quite simple, intuitively demonstrating the massive difference in destructive power with or without "Disclosure."
"So, exposing your own hand can very effectively enhance the technique's effect," Nanami Kento noted with deep feeling. As a veteran Grade 1 sorcerer, he had long ago integrated "Disclosure" into the rhythm of his personal combat. Both sides had the same cursed energy output, yet the destructive power on Hikigaya-kun's side was far superior; that was the power of "Disclosure."
"However, it mainly depends on the situation." Hikigaya wasn't telling Mutsumi to foolishly expose everything. Different situations required different responses. "Against cursed spirits, you can state your technique's effect as quickly as possible, because they generally have little intelligence and won't understand what you're saying anyway."
Hikigaya simply clapped his hands, and the bloody severed limbs on the ground, as well as the [Son of Horus] soldier, all dissipated. Using psychic power to clear away "residue" was the fastest way, leaving no traces behind.
"But against humans—that is, those curse users—you can choose to only state a portion; there's no need to honestly reveal the whole thing. Doing so can confuse the opponent's judgment, making them hesitate and fear your technique, thus preventing them from advancing."
Nanami Kento shared this sentiment. Although his [Ratio Technique] was merely a strike at a 7:3 point on an object or living being to cause a critical hit—a very simple effect—using the power of words could still serve to mislead a curse user.
"A battle between sorcerers isn't just a contest of jujutsu; it's more of a contest of intelligence and technical application of jujutsu in combat. When two sorcerers are of similar strength, the one who can gather the most information about the other in the shortest time will win."
Seeing Mutsumi's look of partial understanding, Hikigaya smiled. "Just adapt to the circumstances. Mutsumi is smart; this should be very simple for you."
Hikigaya wanted to train Mutsumi into an outstanding sorcerer, but the targets a sorcerer must be wary of are not just spirits. There are also curse users; the danger level of these damnable traitors was, in his view, much higher than that of spirits. Curse users can appear harmless, while spirits cannot—even if they act like humans, they are disguises a sorcerer can see through at a glance.
"Mmh." Many things were a first for Wakaba Mutsumi, but she would work hard.
"Then Mutsumi, activate your technique." Hikigaya had already demonstrated the effect of disclosure; now it was her turn for practical application.
"Mutsumi, I'm giving you a task now: kill all these remaining cursed spirits."
"Oh?" Mutsumi tilted her head.
"Yeah," Hikigaya nodded. Mutsumi hadn't undergone combat training, so naturally, the spirits left alive by the [Son of Horus] were the most suitable targets. Cursed spirits bound by him could be hacked at safely even by a child with a knife.
Although real combat could never be this simple—with an opponent kneeling and waiting for you to strike—one must take things one step at a time; it's impossible to become a master overnight. Forcing Mutsumi to fight a cursed spirit directly would only be difficult for her. Although the Wakaba family wasn't some great clan, they provided for her well, making her essentially a very well-protected young lady. Asking her to take a longsword and fight a ferocious spirit right away was asking too much.
When Mutsumi entered her "Grand Duelist" mode, her physical attributes in all aspects would be enhanced. Furthermore, holding a guitar while playing in a band served as a form of exercise for her hand muscles.
She would kill a few spirits first to get a feel for it, while also revealing her jujutsu. Then, they could brainstorm together to further develop her technique. Regarding Hachiman's request, Mutsumi complied quite obediently.
As for Mutsumi's little bird, it was completely traumatized after witnessing too many horrors with Hikigaya Hachiman. It hid in Mutsumi's hair, not daring to move or poke its head out.
"Kyuuri," Mutsumi called out simply.
Upon hearing its master's call, the cowardly little bird finally peeked its head out cautiously from its master's shoulder. it let out a very human-like sigh but still didn't dare to say a word. Despite the "The person who speaks first wins" board hanging around its neck, it was so frightened by Hikigaya that it stayed silent.
An emerald light bloomed. The little bird completely decomposed into green, crystal-clear particles. When the particles merged back together, they transformed into the form Hikigaya had seen initially. It was a longsword, entirely jade-green, with a hilt resembling the emerald green of a cucumber.
The moment Mutsumi gripped the sword, her aura shifted instantly, giving off a chilling sense of killing intent. But this time, "Kyuuri" didn't just manifest as a sword; a lace mask appeared on Mutsumi's face, covering about two-thirds of it.
This mask was quite good; its appearance served to hide her features well. Hikigaya wasn't surprised. "It's likely because her cursed energy level has significantly increased compared to before, so the technique has evolved with new changes."
Under Hikigaya's awakening, Mutsumi's cursed energy—both in quantity and quality—had seen a marked improvement. The addition of a mask was perfectly logical, and the thin lace mask added a layer of mystery to her. Combined with her cold countenance, she looked even more like an exquisitely crafted doll. And with that slender longsword in her hand, she exuded an aura that was both elegant and lethal.
Mutsumi's cold voice spoke slowly: "Technique effect: [Duelist's Dance]. I can see the vitals existing on enemies or cursed spirits."
Hearing this, Hikigaya pointed to a Grade 3 spirit and asked, "How many vitals does it have?"
The spirits Hikigaya had found were well-suited to her strength, primarily Grade 3 and Grade 2; Grade 1 was still too early for her.
"Its whole body is a vital," Mutsumi answered. In her vision, she saw the spirit completely surrounded by green light—those green lights were the vitals she saw. Logically, she should only see a single point, but a Grade 3 spirit was covered in them.
Hikigaya then pointed to a Grade 2 spirit.
"Eight vitals," Mutsumi reported what she saw to Hikigaya.
"Eight." This was somewhat beyond Hikigaya's expectations. A Grade 2 spirit was the strongest he estimated Mutsumi could currently destroy. She only needed to land four hits at light-speed to trigger true damage, but with eight vitals, it meant she could basically hack wildly and still hit one.
Furthermore, Mutsumi's so-called "vitals" weren't like holes in a combat stance; they were simply striking points. When she touched these points, she would gain a buff, and the opponent would suffer massive damage through "true damage" destruction.
This meant her attacks ignored physical and jujutsu defenses, acting directly on the body of the spirit or human.
Hikigaya wasn't in a hurry to have her demonstrate the destructive power caused when her sword touched these weaknesses. After confirming the spirits, he directly pointed the object of detection at the nearby Nanami Kento.
"Mutsumi, can you see vitals on Nanami?"
Nanami Kento was powerful; as a Grade 1 sorcerer, he was capable of exorcising some weaker Special Grade spirits. Mutsumi turned her gaze to Nanami. In her vision, she could see very small and weak green lights on this serious middle-aged man who looked similar to her father. Though they were very faint, under [Duelist's Dance], she still saw a vital randomly refresh on his body.
"Can you see it?" Nanami understood that her technique was somewhat different from his own. To think that he, a Grade 1 sorcerer, would actually show a vital to a novice little girl—this was quite surprising.
Mutsumi nodded very honestly. "Yes. At the throat."
"And him?" Nanami pointed to Hikigaya Hachiman.
Mutsumi actually didn't want to use her technique on Hachiman. But when [Duelist's Dance] activated, there was truly not a single speck of green light on him. Dark and lightless—her technique even seemed to resist being used against him, a result of pure survival instinct.
"I can't do it. There are no vitals. I can't see any vitals on Hachiman." Mutsumi shook her head.
"Alright, Mutsumi, kill all these spirits," Hikigaya commanded. His body surface was protected by a psychic state, which was a strong counter to her technique.
When Mutsumi raised her sword and looked at those spirits who were incapable of resisting, she hesitated for a moment.
"Every cursed spirit killed reduces the probability of an ordinary person being attacked. So, you must not show mercy," Hikigaya said. He saw that although her stance was very unrefined, her technique effect was incredibly potent.
With her technique [The Grand Duelist], hitting an enemy's vital would instantly increase attack speed and strike power—these were instantaneous buffs. Even facing a thick-skinned, tank-like spirit, Mutsumi only needed two strikes—she didn't even need the fourth strike's true damage effect—to kill it.
Her movements were light and nimble, truly epitomizing the phrase "precise and elegant." The splashing blood didn't even touch her.
Nanami Kento realized that this girl's destructive potential was far beyond his own; she only needed to stack her passive to escalate damage to a terrifying level.
Just then, both Hikigaya's and Nanami's phones rang. Hikigaya picked it up; it was a call from the Jujutsu Association—meaning "Customer Service" Saki was calling.
Had an emergency occurred?
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