I'm not going to be an Spirit! (Translate)

The pitch-black night sky was dyed a crimson red.

It was as if the entire world had been soaked in blood. No matter where one looked, it was impossible to tell where this crimson hue ended.

Geto Suguru stood quietly in mid-air, gazing down with furrowed brows at the scene below, his expression gradually turning grave.

He was aware that Nightmare could summon a certain scarlet barrier, and that anyone who entered it would be forcibly put to sleep.

However, just like everyone else—himself included—he had once believed it to be a type of standard barrier technique.

Barrier techniques had no entry threshold. In fact, one didn't even need to be proficient in cursed techniques. As long as they possessed a certain amount of cursed energy, they could construct the most basic barrier.

Therefore, it was entirely reasonable that Nightmare would possess knowledge on constructing barriers.

"This isn't a barrier—it's a domain!"

The realization struck Geto like lightning, and although he maintained composure on the surface, his eyes betrayed his suprise. "And it's an open domain at that…"

For ordinary jujutsu sorcerers, being able to use even the most basic closed domain was already something to take pride in.

In the current Japanese jujutsu world, those who could wield a closed domain were few and far between—no more than five individuals in total.

As for the more advanced open domain, it was considered a mere legend within the jujutsu world. No one had achieved it in ages.

To master an open domain required more than immense cursed energy and formidable strength. One also needed a solid foundation in innate domain theory and extensive knowledge of barrier techniques and binding principles. It took decades—if not centuries—of refinement to accomplish.

In this world, Geto could count the number of people capable of deploying an open domain on a single hand—and most of them only existed in ancient records passed down from the golden age of sorcery.

Could it be that this self-proclaimed Nightmare was truly one of those ancient sorcerers from a thousand years ago?

Or… perhaps from an even more distant era?

As these thoughts surged through his mind, Geto felt his scalp begin to tingle.

Though he was supremely confident in his strength, he considered himself more of a scholar than a warrior.

He had no trouble toying with the current generation of rookies. As long as it wasn't Satoru Gojo, he had the confidence to defeat any other special-grade sorcerer.

But now, he was facing someone who also possessed an open domain—someone whose background remained entirely unknown.

Geto took a deep breath and forcibly calmed himself.

Now was not the time to panic.

He understood that this scarlet domain had a guaranteed effect: anyone within it would fall asleep.

However, he also knew that the more cursed energy one possessed, the less susceptible they were to its effects.

Fortunately, the body he currently inhabited had excellent natural aptitude and an enormous reserve of cursed energy.

The effect of the City of Devouring Time on him shouldn't be particularly strong.

"In other words, if I can destroy her simplified domain before falling asleep—then I win!"

With this thought, Geto quickly formed a series of hand seals and unleashed a barrier-disruption technique designed specifically to break through simplified domains.

Simplified domains came in many different versions.

Hollow Wicker Basket, Falling Blossoms Emotion, New Shadow Style…

As a master barrier-user, Geto was intimately familiar with all of them.

"But what version of simplified domain is this?!"

He tried to analyze the simplified domain used by Tokisaki Kurumi but found that it was a version he had never seen before.

Did she create it herself?

"Heh… Looks like I need to add this to my knowledge of barrier techniques."

Like a graceful dancer, Tokisaki Kurumi elegantly engaged in combat with two special-grade cursed spirits while asking:

"So, how long do you need to break through my domain?"

Geto furrowed his brows, staring intently at her simplified domain, attempting to identify any vulnerabilities, but all his usual techniques failed.

At first, he estimated that ten seconds would be enough to break through her Domain of Free Will.

However, this entirely new version exceeded the limits of his knowledge, forcing him to start from scratch and construct a targeted destruction technique.

Ten minutes.

He would need at least ten minutes—and that was a conservative estimate.

Seeing the thoughtful look on Geto face, Tokisaki Kurumi knew he had already taken the bait.

That was why the smile on her lips grew increasingly eerie.

City of Devouring Time—set to maximum absorption mode!

As Kurumi unleashed her full power, the crimson hue of the domain deepened.

Before their very eyes, the two special-grade cursed spirits entangled in combat with her began to visibly weaken.

Geto pupils shrank slightly, and his scalp tingled.

He could feel it—the terrifying speed at which the cursed energy of those two spirits was being drained.

The City of Devouring Time was absorbing their cursed energy!

Once their energy was entirely drained, the spirits would be exorcised!

"The ability of the City of Devouring Time isn't just to induce sleep—it can also absorb cursed energy from others!"

At that moment, Geto finally understood.

But his expression quickly turned to panic.

At this absorption rate, those two special-grade cursed spirits would be completely drained within three minutes.

His most powerful close-combat cursed spirit, Black Mokushi, had already been exorcised. These two, though slightly weaker, would soon follow.

To hold out long enough for him to fully analyze her simplified domain, he would need to send in at least four more special-grade cursed spirits.

Geto expression darkened.

These were special-grade cursed spirits, not some random stray cats or dogs.

Sacrificing three to defeat Nightmare was already a painful loss, but if he had to offer up seven?

That would be a total bloodbath!

What's more—what could he even gain from defeating Nightmare?

Aside from her physical body, there was nothing else to obtain.

"No… I can't afford to take this head-on."

Nothing had gone according to plan tonight, and Geto patience had reached its limit.

After weighing the pros and cons, he clenched his teeth, eyes flashing with resolution.

A thousand-year-old monster like him would never be blinded by temporary gains or losses.

Once he realized that a drawn-out battle brought him no benefits, Geto made his decision without hesitation.

"Tenmyou Messenger!"

At his call, a giant bird-type cursed spirit—three meters in length—appeared beneath him and carried him onto its back.

The bird flapped its massive wings, creating strong air currents as it ascended into the sky.

"I'll leave this victory to you for now, Nightmare."

Sitting on the cursed bird's back, Geto looked down at Tokisaki Kurumi and said, "Don't get too proud. This isn't over yet."

"You could've just said you were running away," Kurumi replied with a light laugh, her voice dripping with mockery. "How disappointing. So this is all the power the most evil sorcerer in history has?"

"My methods are meant to deal with Satoru Gojo, not you."

Geto narrowed his eyes slightly and said coldly, "I don't care how strong you are, Nightmare. I'm just warning you: I'm not your enemy, and my target isn't you. So if you're planning to interfere with me again in the future, make sure you're ready to face the consequences."

After he finished speaking, his voice paused slightly before he added, "Otherwise, the next time you face me, it won't just be me alone — you'll be facing all of my allies."

"Allies... huh? A guy like you, do you really consider anyone an 'ally'?"

"Collaborators, allies, pawns — call them whatever you want. It doesn't matter to me. Since you're not interested in joining us, then from now on, you go your way, I go mine. We'll stay out of each other's business."

"And what if I refuse?"

"Don't ask such stupid questions."

Geto gave her a long glance, then sneered. "I don't care if you join us or not. Just don't interfere with our plans. You and I are both people who dwell in the dark. In the end, all we want is a meaningful existence. I hope you can make the right choice."

Kurumi didn't say anything in response, just quietly stared at his departing back.

He didn't even try to retrieve the two Special Grade Cursed Spirits entangled with Tokisaki Kurumi.

Because he had no doubt — if he tried that, Kurumi would absolutely chase after him during his escape.

Though it was frustrating, his only choice was to treat those two Special Grade Cursed Spirits as sacrifices — feeding them to Tokisaki Kurumi.

"Of course I'll make my choice. At the same time, I'll keep watching you all from the shadows... as you walk toward your end."

Glancing at Geto fading into the distance, Kurumi gaze showed a bit of curiosity.

"'Nightmare'..."

Mouthing that name again, Geto expression grew darker.

But then, he too began to chuckle.

His eyes narrowed into slits, as if he were contemplating the future.

It wouldn't be long before the plan against Satoru Gojo would be put into motion.

If the plan went smoothly, then this body of Suguru Geto wouldn't be all that important anymore.

Recalling all the intel and abilities regarding Nightmare, and considering what had happened tonight, he was actually starting to feel a bit of anticipation.

"Being able to absorb and store cursed energy from cursed spirits... What an interesting domain."

He murmured to himself.

"Maybe... tonight wasn't without gains after all."

The battlefield where Geto had just stood was now covered with spiritual residue.

The two Special Grade Cursed Spirits, as their cursed energy gradually dissipated, became weaker and weaker.

Once their cursed energy was completely drained, their increasingly translucent bodies finally could no longer sustain themselves — they vanished from the world.

"Dealing with three Special Grade Cursed Spirits alone… I'm exhausted."

Tokisaki Kurumi sighed tiredly.

This was pretty much her limit.

If just now, Yorozu had been a little more ruthless, even without fighting her directly — just adding another high-level cursed spirit or two into the mix — he might've successfully worn her down enough to destroy her.

No, he wouldn't even need to summon another spirit. If he had directly intervened at that moment, catching her when she was out of strength, she wouldn't have had any means of resisting him.

"But I did gain a lot from this, didn't I?"

From the shadows, another Tokisaki Kurumi slowly emerged and asked gently, "Do you need a shot of Bullet IV?"

"No need. I still have spiritual energy left. Just let me rest for a bit."

"Go ahead."

After switching places with the original body, the clone slipped into the shadows and returned to the shadow space.

Yes — from the beginning, the one fighting Geto was just a clone.

To play the role of Tokisaki Kurumi well, one must fully utilize the disposable nature of the clones, sending them to scout and test opponents.

As for the perfect timing to swap between the real body and the clone — Kurumi had taken advantage of Geto moment of hesitation caused by [Angel's Trumpet] and swapped positions while in the shadows. Once she retreated, she immediately reclaimed control and replaced the clone in battle.

To be honest, she hadn't expected Geto to let her go.

She had been mentally prepared to lose a clone tonight — to fake Nightmare death and surprise him the next time by appearing when least expected, giving him a shock.

As one of this world's final bosses and the mastermind behind numerous conspiracies, Geto wouldn't be easily fooled by a simple alias.

With his Cursed Spirit Manipulation, Womb of a Thousand Curses, and various trump cards, defeating a single clone should've been a walk in the park.

However, this man who had survived in hiding for over a thousand years had clearly formed some kind of assumption based on what had just happened, leading him to make a cautious yet incorrect choice.

"Once he returns, he'll probably start planning how to deal with me… Sigh, I wasn't planning to meet him this early."

Tokisaki Kurumi let out a small sigh. "I hope the original plotline doesn't get altered because of this."

Then, she remembered something else.

Based on Geto words just now, Satoru Gojo is currently sealed — and possibly even sealed somewhere nearby.

That made things a bit tricky.

She had originally wanted to build a good relationship with Satoru Gojo. After all, Side Mission 3 required her to change the structure of Japan's Jujutsu society. Naturally, that meant engaging with the current strongest sorcerer who also desired reform.

She had even prepared to offer a Sukuna Finger as a gift when they met.

But thinking about it now, perhaps it was better to forget that plan.

"Tokisaki Kurumi character is that of a lonely martyr. Seeking help from others doesn't really fit her image."

Submerging herself back into the shadows, holding the Sukuna Finger she'd just obtained, Tokisaki Kurumi muttered thoughtfully:

"In that case… I'll use you for something else."