Gojo Satoru: The Strongest Sorcerer Among Exorcists

Outside the Hospital.

A young security guard, Tanino, strolled through the hospital's front gate, yawning midway.

He had just woken up at home, and now he was here for the shift change.

Upon entering the security booth, Tanino began changing into the security uniform hanging on the wall while calling out to another guard slumped over the desk.

"Kakekin-senpai, wake up already. Go home! I'm here to take over the shift."

No response. A heavy silence filled the room.

Frowning, Tanino fastened the last button on his uniform and walked over to his senior, perplexed. He patted the man's shoulder.

"Senpai? Senpai, are you okay?"

His voice rose with concern, but there was still no response.

Worried that something might have happened to him, Tanino hastily turned the man over, hoping to check if he was still breathing.

But when he did—

"Ahhh!!!"

A sharp scream tore through the air.

The once kind and gentle face of his senior was now twisted into something grotesque. His ears had morphed into long, demon-like ones, and his teeth, partially exposed, were razor-sharp.

"Hah—"

The sudden noise seemed to rouse Kakekin. He exhaled sharply and snapped his eyes open.

The eyes that met Tanino's were mostly black, save for a thin ring of white that glared directly at him.

"Se...senpai..." Tanino stammered, his voice quivering with fear.

"Oh, it's Tanino-kun," Kakekin said, standing up as he stretched his stiff neck. His voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

For the first time in his life, Kakekin felt fantastic—better than he ever had.

At the same time, memories flooded his mind. They were the memories of the human named Kakekin.

The sight of Tanino standing before him stirred an unusual craving. He felt a growing urge to taste flesh, to savor sweet, fresh blood.

It might cause some trouble later, but that didn't matter now.

"Tanino-kun, come here for a moment. I need to tell you something," Kakekin said, beckoning with a hand and wearing an oddly mysterious expression.

"No way!"

Tanino refused without hesitation.

If you looked normal, I might've come over. But you're standing there looking like a literal demon from mythology, and you want me to approach? Do you think I'm an idiot?!

His sturdy frame was trembling uncontrollably, a primal fear of the unknown gripping him.

Without another word, he threw open the security booth's door, intent on escaping.

But before he could take a single step, his vision blurred, and he felt a searing pain and a suffocating grip around his neck.

"Cough! Agh!"

He choked and gasped in agony.

Kakekin held him aloft with one hand, his grin wide and exposing his sharp teeth. His eyes gleamed with hunger and greed for flesh and blood.

"I'm about to dig in!"

He opened his mouth wide, moving toward his terrified prey.

"Oh my, oh my, what a thrilling scene to stumble upon right away. Interesting, demon."

Who's there?!

Kakekin froze. His predatory grin vanished as his mouth snapped shut, and he dropped his "meal" to the ground without a second thought.

Something's off. Time to run.

"Hm? You're smarter than most demons, I see," said the voice. "You even put down your food."

"Who are you?" Kakekin demanded, his voice low and tense.

He turned to see a man with striking white hair leaning casually against the wall, scrutinizing him with a look of amused curiosity.

Danger. Danger. Danger. Escape. Escape. Escape.

Kakekin's instincts screamed at him to flee.

The man's silent and sudden appearance, combined with the primal warning from his very being, left Kakekin calculating his options.

But he knew deep down—there was no way a low-level demon like him could escape this person.

Then the only choice is... to summon something stronger.

Demonic energy began to rise.

Black marks spread across Kakekin's face, curling into twisted patterns. Sharp horns, like those of a goat, sprouted from the sides of his head, and his fingernails grew into long, blade-like claws.

"Hahaha—"

With a crazed laugh, he raised his claw-like hand and drove it into his own chest without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Gojo Satoru remained leaning against the wall, watching with the same amused expression.

This was only the second demon he had encountered this year, so naturally, he wanted to observe it for a bit longer.

As for whether this would attract attention? He wasn't concerned.

Before arriving, he had already set up a Curtain.

Which meant he could do as he pleased.