Rizevim?
Hearing the name Rias spoke, Tatsuma's brain shrank for a split second.
Sukuna and Rizevim...
Were these two on the same level?
Just how desperate was Sukuna to challenge a transcendent being?
Rias shook her head. "I'm not sure about the specific reason. But in terms of the result, the curse Rizevim cast was extremely powerful. Even High-Class Devils couldn't destroy Sukuna's fingers."
The strength of High-Class Devils is second only to Satans and some ancient beings among Devils. Since even High-Class Devils couldn't do it, there was no need to mention the Curse users.
After several failed attempts, the Curse users responsible for managing cursed objects came up with a compromise. Sign a contract with Devils and pay a certain price to have Devils guard some of Sukuna's fingers.
"Because they had made some transactions in the past, the Jujutsu sorcerers had a relatively good relationship with Bael's family."
"After reaching an agreement a hundred years ago, the Jujutsu sorcerers in Tokyo placed one finger in Kuoh Town."
"I have some connection with the Bael clan. After becoming the administrator of this town, I also took on the responsibility of guarding Sukuna's finger."
Rias explained the whole story in detail to Tatsuma.
"Speaking of which, regarding the matter of Sukuna's finger, I owe you an apology, Tatsuma."
Tatsuma was confused. "An apology?"
Rias nodded. "Yes, after the seal on Sukuna's finger loosened, it attracted many Cursed Spirits."
"As the town administrator, I should have cleared out the Cursed Spirits immediately and maintained order."
"But due to insufficient ability, I recently let a few Cursed Spirits slip into the town."
Tatsuma realized. "The Cursed Spirit that attacked me half a month ago was one of them?"
Rias nodded. "I'm sorry. If I had reacted faster, that kind of tragedy wouldn't have happened."
Tatsuma asked, "What happened to that Cursed Spirit later?"
Rias said, "It was dealt with by Natsuki-sensei, and she was also the one who sent you to the hospital afterward."
"I understand."
A flicker of thought flashed in Tatsuma's eyes.
Since the culprit was dead, he could only go find the source of the problem.
The Sukuna's finger that attracted the Cursed Spirits.
Rizevim, who created Sukuna's fingers.
I'll find an opportunity in the future to deal with these two, which can be considered revenge for my parents in this life.
"Tatsuma, I am truly sorry about this."
Seeing that Tatsuma didn't speak, Rias, who had misunderstood, apologized again.
"No need to apologize, I understand."
Tatsuma came back to his senses and said, "Instead of a verbal apology, why don't you teach me some powerful magic or fight me? That would show more sincerity."
"...I understand."
Facing Tatsuma's unexpectedly calm reaction, Rias was silent for a moment before agreeing to his request.
From the application of demonic power to the basic teaching of magic, Rias personally instructed Tatsuma.
Like a sponge encountering water, Tatsuma quickly absorbed this knowledge and began a new round of growth.
...
A week later, on the outskirts of Kuoh Town.
A roar sounded, and surging flames engulfed a two-meter-tall yellow Cursed Spirit.
Tatsuma turned his head and asked Rias, "Rias, how was it? Is there anything that can be improved?"
"You have already surpassed me."
Pushing back a strand of red hair near her ear, a helpless wry smile appeared on Rias's face.
In just one week, aside from the untransmittable Power of Destruction, Tatsuma emptied everything she knew. In this process, he even optimized and improved some magic. Not only did he improve the efficiency of casting magic, but he also increased the overall power by a notch.
Even though she knew Tatsuma's talent was astonishing, this was simply too comprehensive.
Swordsmanship, close-quarters combat, magic, and demonic power.
Proficient in everything, with absolutely no blind spots.
"To be able to last a week, Rias, you already know a lot." Tatsuma walked over and comforted her.
"Although I know you're comforting me, those words sound harsh."
Rias perked up. "All the Cursed Spirits have been cleared out, let's go back to school."
"Calculating the time, the Jujutsu sorcerer sent from Tokyo to reinforce the seal should have arrived."
"Then let's go back."
Tatsuma conveniently opened his status panel.
Because the seal on Sukuna's finger had loosened, a large number of Cursed Spirits had recently come to Kuoh Town. The strength of the Cursed Spirits varied, and most of them would drop traits.
After discovering this, Tatsuma took on the task of clearing out the Cursed Spirits. Coupled with challenging dojos and fighting everywhere, he had farmed a large number of white and green traits this week.
After using them all, he successfully unlocked two equip slots.
(Note: The traits required to open an extra equip slot multiplies by 10 with every action. For example, for one extra slot, 10 white/1 green trait is required. But for the next slot, 100 white/10 green traits are requited.)
[Tatsuma Nakamura]
[Race: Devil]
[Strength: Level 2]
[Equipped Traits: Demonic Sword Creation (Blue), Spiritual Healing Bracelet (Blue), Pawn (Purple), Senjutsu (Purple), Boost (Red), Power of Destruction (Red), Limitless Potential (Rainbow)]
[Power of Destruction (Red): Adds the Destruction attribute to energy, greatly increasing destructive power.]
Power of Destruction was obtained by Tatsuma when sparring with Rias.
Perhaps feeling some guilt, Rias did not use her full strength immediately when sparring with him.
Naturally, Tatsuma wouldn't be polite about this. He stacked Boost four times, using sixteen times his normal strength to defeat Rias.
Closing the status panel, Tatsuma followed Rias back to the Occult Research Club.
Because of the closer distance, Akeno and others who had also gone out to clear the Cursed Spirits had already gathered first.
In addition, a black-haired girl wearing glasses was in the room, talking with Akeno and the others.
After seeing the black-haired girl, a hint of confusion flashed in Rias's eyes as she asked, "Sona, why are you here?"
Sona replied, "Sukuna's finger is missing."
"???"
Unexpectedly, her friend dropped such a bombshell right away, and Rias started getting a headache.
Rias asked, "What exactly happened? Tell me about it."
Instead of answering, Sona asked, "Did you notice that the number of Cursed Spirits that just appeared around Kuoh Town was a bit large?"
Rias nodded. "I did notice that point. Are you saying... those Cursed Spirits were deliberately released here?"
Sona nodded. "The culprit took advantage of the time we were all out clearing the Cursed Spirits to sneak into the school and steal Sukuna's finger."
Rias asked, "Where is Natsuki-sensei?"
"She took on a special mission this morning and is currently overseas."
"...Interesting."
A flicker of thought flashed in Rias's eyes.
First confirming that Natsuki was not present, and then releasing a corresponding number of Cursed Spirits to lure everyone out of the school.
From this point, it can be seen that the enemy has a general understanding of the combat power within Kuoh Academy.
However, she had only just recruited Tatsuma as a Peerage a week ago, and the people who knew about this were extremely limited.
In Rias's opinion, the possibility of internal information leakage was almost zero.
Based on this, if she were to speculate...
"It seems the frequent appearance of Cursed Spirits this week wasn't just because of Sukuna's finger."
"It seems you've also noticed."
Sona nodded. "The culprit is gradually figuring out our combat power by continuously releasing Cursed Spirits."
Rias asked, "What about the culprit's identity?"
Sona said, "We haven't investigated it yet, but I have collected the residual cursed energy left by the other party."
"Can I take a look?"
Just then, Tatsuma suddenly asked.
"Of course, no problem."
Sona took out a green crystal.
Through Rias's introduction, she had already met Tatsuma a few days ago. Although they hadn't met many times, she still had some understanding of his monstrous level.
"Tatsuma, do you know tracking magic?"
"I know a little."
Tatsuma activated Senjutsu, analyzing and recording the aura within the crystal.
Seeing this, Rias and Sona continued their conversation while waiting, exchanging the information they had.
However, just then, a knock sounded.
A boy with spiky black hair pushed open the clubroom door and walked in from outside.
"Good evening, everyone. I am Megumi Fushiguro, sent from Tokyo Jujutsu High to reinforce the seal."
"You've come at the wrong time."
Rias sighed, "Sorry. Sukuna's finger was just stolen."
"Huh?"