"Why four?"
Kenmei counted. On the battlefield where they had just fought the Grade 1 Cursed Spirit, only three Cursed Techniques were visible to the naked eye: Kiyono's [Growth], Iwata's [Earth], and Ishihara's [Scorched Heaven].
The fourth technique was Mr. Akutagawa's [Loan], and it was fascinating.
What looked like a seamless three-man execution was actually the result of four people working in tandem.
Through [Loan], Akutagawa could lend his own Cursed Energy to Kiyono, Iwata, and Ishihara.
Sitting on Akutagawa's shoulder was a chubby, white, angel-like figure that looked completely out of place with his fierce appearance. It kept shouting "Pochi, Pochi"—the physical manifestation of his technique, used for calculating fees.
There were three types of loans: "Usury" (High Interest), "IOU" (No Interest), and "Mortgage." The lender chose the method.
Naturally, for his own people, it was an "IOU."
Fueled by Akutagawa's Cursed Energy, the techniques unleashed by the borrowers were amplified in both precision and power.
Just now, the trio had borrowed a total of 17,670 units of Cursed Energy from Akutagawa—splitting it evenly meant 5,890 units per person.
Theoretically, the maximum loan per person was 20,000 units, which was Akutagawa's total Cursed Energy capacity.
Three people could borrow 60,000 units total. Akutagawa could facilitate this, but the remaining 40,000 units of debt would force the borrowers into a "Zero Cursed Energy" mode once the settlement phase began, until the debt was paid off.
Of course, "IOUs" were interest-free.
Then there was "Usury"—super-high loans, super-high interest rates, resulting in a terrifying repayment sum. It sounded like a trap no one would want to walk into.
Originally, Akutagawa, as the technique holder, could use all these methods on himself. But right now, the only option available to him was "Mortgage."
He looked at the bill. 18,000 points consumed already, plus another 330 just now.
"Settle accounts?"
"Cough, cough... wait a bit longer."
Possessing this technique made him the person with the highest Cursed Energy reserves in the Jujutsu Association. Unlimited loans meant unlimited Cursed Energy.
But because Akutagawa had abused the system in his younger years—borrowing recklessly and defaulting on debts—his credit was bankrupt.
Akutagawa coughed violently, wiping black blood from the corner of his mouth. To use this technique now, he had to activate a secondary technique, [Fictional Soul], to commit identity fraud against his own ability. Operating as a "blacklisted user" put a massive strain on his body.
After settling the account today, he probably wouldn't be able to activate it again for a month. He had to confirm the battlefield was secure before closing the technique.
As long as Akutagawa kept it active, there were still at least 42,000 units of Cursed Energy available for Ishihara and the others to borrow.
Otherwise, once he settled, the debt collection would begin. Even a debt of 6,000 points each would instantly drain their Cursed Energy to zero.
"Better safe than sorry."
Ideally, Grade 1 Sorcerers should have a solid win rate against Grade 1 Curses. Why was it so hard for them?
Four Grade 1 Sorcerers ganging up on one Grade 1 Curse—should it really be this exhausting?
The members of the [Cleaners] were assessed as fit only for logistics. naturally, they couldn't compare to active combatants.
Years of injuries and the lingering effects of curses from powerful enemies had taken their toll. These old hunters had suffered irreversible drops in their maximum Cursed Energy, output power, and reaction speed.
Akutagawa's crew was barely hanging onto Grade 2 proficiency now. In a few more years, they'd be forced into full retirement, possibly dropping below Grade 3.
Just like Takahashi, Kinoshita, and Hongo, who went with Kenmei to treat civilians—they were all worn down by years of overwork and accumulated injuries. They couldn't even use their once-powerful techniques anymore and were unfit for combat.
Only when they "borrowed" from Akutagawa could they briefly relive the glory of their younger days.
Ultimately, it came down to a shortage of Sorcerers. The busiest ones did the work of ten men, running all over the country to exorcise Curses.
And the only Sorcerer in the Association currently rated as Special Grade was a willful little brat who was completely unreliable and never took missions.
So, one reason Akutagawa and the others couldn't retire was that the next generation hadn't stepped up yet.
---
"Is it over?"
Seeing the commotion die down in the distance, Kenmei ran over immediately.
Nope, definitely not doing this just for the Points.
"You guys okay, old timers?"
"Of course we are! Kenmei."
Seeing Kenmei arrive, Ishihara set his hammer aside and laughed, slapping Kenmei on the back with a hand the size of a fan. It wasn't forceful, just a friendly greeting.
"Don't underestimate us. With the four of us combined, this was a piece of cake."
Before Kenmei lay a crater 20 meters deep and 100 meters wide. The bottom was scarred with signs of high-temperature melting, and the scorched earth inside was still burning. He could vaguely make out the charred, crimson remains of the terrifying Cursed Spirit's torso.
"Good work."
Kenmei praised them with a smile, but his eyes never left the crater.
Because Kenmei sharply sensed that the thing wasn't dead yet.
The system showed [Absorbable Cursed Energy: 0].
It needed a finishing blow. That was his specialty.
"Mr. Kiyono, lend me your sword."
Kenmei crouched down next to Shin Kiyono, who was slumped on the ground.
"What do you need a sword for? Hss... ow."
Kiyono and Iwata were both grimacing in pain. They had overused their techniques and couldn't even stand up, leaning against a car door for support.
Although the Cursed Energy was borrowed, it was channeled through their own bodies. The violent output of power flowing through dried-up, atrophied meridians was agonizing.
"Take it yourself."
Seeing the two exhausted uncles, Kenmei smiled helplessly and took the 1.5-meter-long katana from Kiyono's hand.
As for whether Kenmei would take the sword and finish off these two incapacitated former Grade 1 Sorcerers? Neither Ishihara, Kiyono, nor Iwata even considered the possibility.
Despite the age gap, they had been on countless missions together. The trust was there.
"Alright, I'll handle the cleanup."
Kenmei drew the katana. The cold glint on the silver blade was chilling.
His hand holding the sword was trembling. This was a chance to personally kill a Grade 1 Curse!
How many Points will I get?
"I'll be right back."
"Kenmei, what are you doing?!"
Seeing Kenmei draw the blade and eagerly head toward the crater that was still radiating terrifying heat, Ishihara tried to stop him.
"There's high heat and toxic gas down there! The air is so thin you'll die of hypoxia!"
Kenmei wasn't even certified as a Grade 4 Sorcerer by the Association. He was practically walking into a death trap.
But Ishihara's spirit was willing, while his flesh was weak. He was also stiff all over from Cursed Energy overuse and couldn't move a muscle.
He was just too stubborn to sit down, forcing himself to stay standing to save face.
"The temperature inside is still too high. The cleanup can wait."
Seeing Akutagawa walking over slowly, Ishihara shouted anxiously:
"Boss, stop Kenmei quickly!"
"He's going down there!"
Akutagawa looked at the three immobilized men with resignation. He, however, wasn't panicked at all.
I told you not to force it, but you had to show off.
If they had just stalled and circled the enemy, they wouldn't have drained so much Cursed Energy.
But the three of them had aimed to kill the Grade 1 Curse from the start, and the result was obvious—they all collapsed from exhaustion.
In a way, they really were birds of a feather. Kenmei, with his pitiful mana pool that didn't even hit triple digits, was just as prone to burnout.
"It's fine. Kenmei told me."
"He recently awakened his own technique."
Akutagawa pulled out a cigarette and lit it leisurely.
"On the other hand, you lot don't even know if your prey is dead or not."
"Grade 1 Sorcerers?"
"Heh. I'm embarrassed for you."