Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

Megumi Fushiguro still had some combat experience; after all, he had tamed several types of Shikigami. Although the Onikiri in his hand wasn't as effective for Cursed Energy defense as Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, it was still a cursed tool, perfectly capable of harming Cursed Spirits.

With the help of two Jade Hounds, there was no immediate problem, but this Cursed Spirit seemed unusual.

Its body was torn apart by Megumi several times, only to reform like a cloud of mist, though slightly smaller each time. While its outer form resembled a snake, it was merely an appearance. Hajime had never seen a snake stretch its mouth like a bottomless pit.

Moreover, it exerted a powerful suction, pulling everything nearby into its black hole-like maw. Megumi, steady on his feet, did not fall for this trick, but surrounding stones and vegetation disappeared into it without altering its form.

Megumi calmly dodged and attacked, dismembering the black snake repeatedly. The mist-formed snake gradually shrank. Under siege by one person and two dogs, it couldn't escape and only resisted futilely.

As the battle tilted, the snake suddenly spat out many wooden and stone objects from its mouth. Dodging flying debris, Megumi was surprised when a human figure fell from within.

Hajime's gaze followed, and he used his Technique to pull the figure back. It was a male, wearing a thick outdoor sports jacket, completely unconscious but breathing faintly.

Having read the mission brief, Hajime recognized the man; he was the missing individual reported by the police nearly four days ago. Had he been swallowed by this Cursed Spirit?

"Megumi, don't exorcise it all at once. This Cursed Spirit seems capable of swallowing both inanimate and living things. There might be others inside."

Megumi thought, Good thing I didn't use the Great Serpent. Although this Cursed Spirit kept reforming like mist, it was still just a Curse. Under strong, widespread attack, it wouldn't last long. He was using the fight to gain combat experience, which is why he waited until the snake spat out the man.

After Hajime's warning, Megumi cupped his hands and bent his pinky finger, summoning the Shikigami "Toad" from his shadow. A calf-sized toad squatted on the ground, then, under Megumi's command, attacked the black snake alongside the Jade Hounds.

Soon, as the Cursed Spirit's body further shrank, more objects were spat out, and three bodies fell to the ground. Upon inspection, Hajime found they were all dead, their deaths caused by hanging.

This meant these individuals had committed suicide before being swallowed. Moreover, the Cursed Spirit swallowed not only people but various objects. It was unclear how its misty body accommodated all this, showing how mysterious Curses can be.

"In that case, can it swallow cursed tools? Would this be the 'storage item' I've been looking for?"

Megumi, nearly done beating the spirit, fought well but seemed unfamiliar with such non-human entities, and his weapon skills were basic. Perhaps Maki would teach him after he enrolled at Jujutsu High.

"Megumi, wait. This Cursed Spirit might be useful. Don't exorcise it yet. I'll try to subdue it and form a contract."

Shikigami users in the Jujutsu World form contracts with Curses or coalesced Curse aggregates to command them. Some capture wild Cursed Spirits, but this is uncertain. Ordinary Sorcerers must consider the target's nature carefully.

Powerful Cursed Spirits often harbor extreme negative emotions and aggression, making contracts risky. Even if a contract is forced, the power imbalance or aggression may cause future problems. Strong useful Cursed Spirits are difficult to subdue; weak ones aren't worth it.

Thus, only Cursed Spirits with special abilities are usually chosen. Shikigami users can't command infinite Shikigami, so they carefully select manageable ones. Cursed Spirits weak in combat attract less interest.

Still, Hajime had some combat power and wanted this spirit's ability to store objects. It could even store living things temporarily.

Hajime knew how to form contracts from his Barrier Techniques training but had never tried. Now was the time. Though he needed to subdue the spirit first, Megumi's attacks had already weakened it.

However, Hajime was surprised. When he approached, the spirit tried to escape but quickly returned to its spot. After several repetitions, facing Hajime holding Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, the black snake cowered, prostrating itself and trembling.

Hajime then formed a contract with it. With no resistance, the contract succeeded. Hajime felt a strange connection with the spirit, which also took some of his Cursed Energy and mental burden, though only slightly.

The black snake rose and transformed into nearly solid black mist that floated upward. Its essence was this mist, able only to take certain forms. Under Hajime's control, it gathered at his left ear, forming a small black magatama earring.

Originally wanting to keep it near his hand for easy access, Hajime changed it to an earring to avoid damage during combat.

Next, it was time to test the spirit's ability. Black mist flowed down from the magatama, clumsily but quickly enveloping Totsuka-no-Tsurugi and Spider Cutter in Hajime's hand.

The two cursed swords melted into mist as if sinking into a mire or being pulled into an unknown space. Hajime smiled at his empty hands, summoned Cursed Energy, and the tip of Totsuka-no-Tsurugi reappeared through the mist until he grasped the hilt.

"It's quite useful. Finally, I don't have to carry a big box everywhere."

Megumi, who had retrieved his shadow Shikigami, watched and asked, "It worked? What's next?"

Taking the Onikiri Megumi threw to him and storing it, Hajime replied, "That's basically it. When we return, you pack up, say goodbye to Tsumiki, then prepare to go to Jujutsu High."

After Megumi used Toad to put the surviving man into its stomach, preparing to hand him to the notified logistics team, Hajime learned more through his contract with the Cursed Spirit.

From its simple, almost indescribable thoughts, he understood it wasn't born purely from the negative emotions of suicidal people. Instead, it was connected to a wild god from local legends.

The legends contained elements of horror or intimidation. Unlike righteous gods, this one brought fear. Alone, this would be unlikely to spawn a Curse, but because the forest became a suicide spot, negative emotions surged, fueled by linked myths and strange occurrences, creating the Curse.

Although it had no clear consciousness, it generally avoided attacking, swallowing things instinctively. It wasn't a living creature, and what it swallowed was mostly preserved intact. The unlucky man had been swallowed, thus reported missing.

Hajime and Megumi waited for the medical team to take the faintly breathing man for treatment, hoping to learn his story once he awoke. They returned to Yaga Shrine, thanked Akashi Nohiko, and prayed for Tsumiki, buying omamori charms to bring to her.

They said polite goodbyes. Though brief and somewhat peculiar, their polite demeanor left an impression. When they explained they wanted charms for their sick sister, Akashi Emi insisted on giving the omamori free.

"See, both our names have 'Megumi'—it must be fate. My mother said I'm a blessing to others. I'm sure your parents love you very much. You two are a lot like our children."

Megumi said nothing, accepting her kindness with polite thanks. Together with Hajime, they left the shrine.

Back home, Tsumiki's complexion had improved significantly. Seeing the omamori and two boxes of incense sticks—said to calm the mind and promote health—her eyes curved in joy. She insisted on cooking a grand meal to thank them.

In the end, Hajime persuaded her otherwise, had Megumi assist, and cooked a meal himself. Though not the most delicious, meals made by family carry an irreplaceable warmth. Now finally home, Hajime planned to rest two or three days before returning to Jujutsu High.

However, at this moment, an accident occurred.

Fushiguro Tsumiki lost consciousness again.

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