Lucy began absorbing the cursed energy within the Tokyo barrier.
After some time, Lucy's flesh began to corrode and rot. At a critical time when she feels like she is about to die. Lucy expelled the cursed energy she absorbed until she felt her body stabilize.
'Even if I can absorb cursed energy in concentrated spots and I can have more cursed energy than any human. I seem to have limits. [Monster] is not as great as I thought it was'
Lucy felt ecstatic after discovering the ability to absorb cursed energy when it's concentrated like in a barrier.
She even felt she could overwhelm Sukuna with this ability.
But, finding out she just has a higher tolerance than humans to cursed energy is a bummer to her. While she can absorb cursed energy to increase her quantity, after a certain threshold her body began decaying.
This phenomenon happens to those non-sorcerers who are devoured by cursed spirits due to their low resistance to cursed energy.
Only cursed spirits don't have such limits. After all, they are just a mass of cursed energy at the end of the day.
Another way to circumvent this rotting is to become a cursed object. Since 'cursed objects' are non-living, they don't have such limits. Even if they reincarnate, they'll retain the impossible cursed energy. But this takes too long and time is of the essence for Lucy.
"It seems I have to give it my all. I hate struggling so much"
She now has slightly higher cursed energy than her previous peak.
'But I should have the most cursed energy right now in this world, along with the best cursed energy output and black flash at my control. I should be able to hold against Sukuna without the fear of dying'
Lucy strengthened her body with her overwhelming cursed energy. Feeling like she can destroy anything with her punch.
She would not use any cursed techniques against Sukuna. It's just dragging the fight and there's a chance of being cut by him to oblivion.
After exploring her abilities, she realised the full potential of a [Monster]. Although she has hax like abilities.
If she's annihilated into the last cell, she will die. Not to mention, her lifespan is the same as before. She thought that as a Level 1 being, she would have a long lifespan but there are no changes to it.
'Too bad Kenjaku already killed Tengen. Otherwise, I would have gotten his 'immortality'. No, that wouldn't work Tengen is already dead turning into a spirit. His body is already decayed too. So, I may not get the technique.'
After some contemplation. Lucy set out on her journey to find Yuji and others.
It took her days to search from colony to colony and finally find them.
'i should have remembered specific details when reading the manga. Gege and his high IQ brain'
Lucy complained to herself remembering how she glossed over the rules and names of places when reading her manga. Making it difficult to search for them now.
As soon as she landed on the top floor of a skyscraper, she felt a terrifying cursed energy in front of her. Although the quantity is less than hers, there is a trait of 'power' to it. It didn't faze her of course.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
A lazy yet amusing tone sounded from the being.
"Oh, you are here?" Yuji asked seeing the foreigner for the second time.
"You know her Yuji?"
Gojo Satoru, who just got unsealed recently asked.
"Yes, she saved Megumi back then"
Lucy held the hem of the black gothic style dress, bowed lightly, and said
"Greetings, I'm Lucy Evans"
Lucy learnt etiquette classes before her exile but never got the chance to use them. But seeing such a fine man, she felt it was not a bad thing to impress him.
"Little girl~, you speak Japanese very well for a foreigner"
Gojo patted Lucy's head and giggled.
'Right~, I forgot he's a troll'
"*Ahem*, it's a side effect of my cursed technique. Besides, you should feel honoured, I have never used that greeting before to anyone. You are my first~"
Lucy flirted, while Gojo commented
"Nice try but I like someone older than me"
"Sensei, let's welcome her inside first. " Yuji chimed feeling left out.
"Hehe~, it's not a bad thing to get another ally but why are you here exactly?"
Gojo asked. He's still learning everything about the culling games. He wants to make sure he wouldn't fall into any trap before the decisive battle.
"The token I gave Megumi disappeared. That either means he's dead or someone tore it apart after snatching it from him. But, it seems like something really big has happened during the time I was away. By the way, are you Gojo Satoru, the one we are supposed to save?"
Lucy's eyes focused on Yuji when she mentioned something big had happened, meaning she realised that Sukuna had left Yuji's body.
"Yes, the one and only. And, it looks like Megumi trusts you enough to tell his plans. Come in"
Gojo finally let her in. Lucy followed the Duo to the floor below.
It's a spacious luxury suite, where all the powerhouses gathered.
"Everyone, I present to you the one and only foreign sorcerer, Luuuuucy~~"
Gojo gave a dramatic introduction, while Yuta looked at Lucy with surprise. It's his first time seeing someone who has more cursed energy than him aside from Sukuna of course.
"Thank you for inviting me in. I'm Lucy Evans, I hope you will take care of me"
Lucy bowed as she gave a formal introduction.
Everyone looked at her weirdly. Lucy realised that she had made it awkward and said
"Is that offensive? Sorry, I knew next to nothing about Japanese culture. This one, I have seen in anime. So, I thought about introducing myself like this"
After all, it was her first time here in Japan. In her first life, she's too poor to travel to other countries. In her second lifetime, she never left England. The only time she left, she went to the US.
Not to mention, she knew the old style culture of Japan from Reggie's memories but the information on modern culture is next to nothing in his mind.
"Never mind, so what can you do?"
Maki asked the most important question. Knowing a decisive battle is ahead. She can sense that Lucy is powerful but it's better to know about her skills.
"I will tell but, please tell me what's happening. I'm sure you all gathered here for a reason. I just came to this country drawn by the strange phenomenon 2 weeks ago. Although, Europe has spirits. It is not this terrifying. I know about culling games but why have you all gathered?"
Kirara explained about the king of curses Ryomen Sukuna and his overwhelming power. Sukuna reincarnated in Megumi's body and challenged Gojo Satoru. Explaining the background of Gojo as the strongest sorcerer in Japan.
Finally, about the mastermind Kenjaku who is a brain occupying Geto suguru body who has cursed spirit manipulation. He is the mastermind behind the event that needs to be defeated.
They explained their plans and backup plans if they failed. So that Lucy can decide where she will be of most help.
Lucy being in the situation in real time finally understood how difficult the situation is. While reading it as a human she felt like everyone can handle Kenjaku and Sukuna by jumping.
But being a sorcerer herself. She understood how difficult it is. Forget about sorcery, just fighting without losing focus is already difficult. Add in the invisible superpowers, it is extremely difficult for a normal sorcerer to fight.
'Fortunately, these are the cream of the crop and I'm not human'
Lucy commented "I understand the situation now. It seems I can't exert my full power with this Sukuna, he's my perfect counter, he could cut my strings, it's pointless to use my cursed technique against him. But, That Kenjaku. I'm his perfect counter. "
Thin glowing pink strings spread from Lucy's fingers and attached themselves to everyone except Gojo, where the strings stopped.
Everyone simultaneously raised their hands but they didn't do it consciously. They felt their hands lost connection to their body.
Lucy retrieved her strings saying "My cursed technique is puppet manipulation. I can wipe out armies with my technique but facing strong individuals like Gojo and Sukuna, it is not enough. I don't think even my summon, sorry, shikigami can be useful in this case"
Hana who is listening silently until this moment asked
"Lucy-san, can't you turn Sukuna into a puppet like you did that day? You just have to touch him right?"
"You can do that?" Maki asked in surprise.
If it's really possible, then there will be another hope.
"99.99% of the population can be turned into puppets. But, the ancient Sorcerers and everyone in this room are exceptions. It's not the power gap but the will power. I'm sure someone like Sukuna and you guys who are fighting against him have exceptional willpower. If the transformed puppets have strong willpower, the puppet transformation will be undone. Be it a cursed spirit or a human"
Yuta suddenly remembering something asked
"What about your Domain expansion? I have seen it in action that day. I was not sure who it was back then. But, those pink strings, it's you right? Can you freeze Sukuna long enough? So, we can force the cursed object out of Megumi's body?"
"That's not my Domain. That's my friend from Europe. She is unique, she didn't have a cursed technique but was born with a domain expansion curse technique. Although, she called it a Zone ability"
Hakari joined in, saying "That happens, My cursed technique is in the form of Domain expansion. But, you should have your own domain expansion, right? We can use that"
"We don't have sorcery schools in Europe, at least I never joined one. So, I don't know that Domain expansion can be performed by everyone with unique techniques, I never learnt it. I thought it was unique to her. Anyway, her domain can be summoned to Japan but it doesn't differentiate between friend and foe, human or cursed spirit. You should know it, Mr. Okkotsu"
"Just call me Yuta. It's fine. And yes, that domain ability makes every sentient thing immobile on the spot, while the non-sentient things will begin to move with weird flesh appendages"
Yuta shivered a little because he couldn't even move a muscle that day, while the buildings around him grew weird tumors of flesh that moved creepily.
"How are you planning to summon that domain here anyway? " Gojo asked the most important question.
Lucy called a number on her phone and asked for a 'key'.
A door appeared out of nowhere with a key in its keyhole.
Lucy took the key and the door vanished.
"The keys and door are a pair of connected Magic artifacts, My apologies, they are called cursed tools here. Just channel cursed energy into the key, the door appears connecting to her side. She can directly release the domain expansion. But, I won't rely on this if I were you. This has a limit, the door can be opened only once a day. I recommend using this as an asset to weaken Sukuna. Even if we paralyze him, we need means to end him instantly, which we will lack in the middle of the Battle"
"It's such a big hassle, can't we just call her for help?"
Yuji asked feeling it's getting too complicated for him.
"Good luck bringing her here. She values her life a little too much and is scared of curses. She even gave me access to this door because I could exorcise curses in place of her. I once tried to see what would happen if I refused her. She just watched a family die due to a cursed spirit in cold blood"
"Well, we already gained enough power with you here. We shouldn't be greedy for more. I think you can deal with Kenjaku along with Yuta."
Maki concluded the discussion. With a strong Ally like Lucy. Kenjaku and his army of curses are no longer a huge threat.
Now, all that's left is Sukuna. But, they pinned their hope on Gojo, the strongest sorcerer of the present.
They had revised all their plans, especially after knowing Lucy's abilities, and finally the door. Although the door is a powerful option, they don't have any instant destruction ability.
Everyone went back to training, especially the students.
After 2 months of training.
Kirara sat beside Lucy and asked, "Lucy-san, where did you get that black dress when you first met us?"
"I stole it from a shop near this place," Lucy answered frankly.
"Oh, then can I have it tomorrow? I like it "
"Sure"
Lucy agreed amusingly while watching Hakari in Yuji's body while Yuji in Hakari's body fighting each other. This is to train him for his domain expansion. They even gave her the option and she agreed to feel the soul switch.
She wanted to see if she could scan the body's cursed technique through the soul and to her surprise, it didn't work.
The only thing that disappointed her is, the system seemed to lock on her soul rather than her body. Even while in the body of Yuji, she still saw the system screen.
'Forget it, if it's that easy to get rid of the system. It couldn't give me powers that defy logic in the first place'
It also seems others who occupied her body failed to use any of the [Monster] abilities.
As for explaining the magic spells of puppet manipulation. She simply said using 'Words' is the key to using her puppet manipulation, which is true since Magic is commanded. Unlike sorcery where sorcerers use their spells. She chalked it up to binding vows shenanigans.