In that instant, every muscle in Lynn's body tensed, and Special Grade Cursed Energy circulated wildly within him like a fully drawn bow.
"Mr. Geto Suguru, that joke isn't funny at all."
Leaning on his black cane, Lynn used his other hand to subtly shield Junpei behind him and the unconscious Megumi Fushiguro.
"I'm just a merchant making a small profit on the price difference, while you..."
Lynn pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as a blade.
"...are the most evil Curse User... who plots to overthrow the entire Jujutsu World."
"Names are just labels."
Kenjaku wasn't angry; he maintained that smile that was as refreshing as a spring breeze, yet sent shivers down one's spine.
He slowly raised his hand, the wide sleeves of his monk's robe swaying with the wind.
"merchant or Curse User, it doesn't matter."
"In this upcoming new era, only the strong have the right to define their identity."
Kenjaku's gaze moved past Lynn, looking into the restless darkness deep within the cavern.
"Mr. Lynn, you took that finger just now, didn't you?"
"That was an offering for Sukuna."
"I know."
Kenjaku nodded.
"But not everyone is qualified to give a gift to the 'King of Curses'."
"If your strength doesn't match your ambition, then the bargaining chip in your hand will become your death warrant."
Before his voice had even faded...
Kenjaku lightly flicked his finger.
*Vroom—*
An obscure wave of Cursed Energy instantly swept through the entire cavern.
It was as if a valve to hell had been opened.
"Squeak squeak squeak—!!!"
"Roar—!!!"
The countless low-level Cursed Spirits that had been lurking underground, frightened away by the previous battle, now seemed to receive some kind of frantic summons.
They poured out frantically from the cracks in the rock walls, from pits in the ground, and from dark corners.
Ten... a hundred... a thousand!
A dense, black mass, like a flood breaking through a dam, swept toward Lynn and the others with a suffocating malice.
This was Kenjaku's greeting—the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.
"There are too many of them!"
Looking at the overwhelming tide of Cursed Spirits, Junpei's face turned pale instantly.
A nightmare for anyone with trypophobia.
Moreover, blood-red lights flickered in the eyes of every Cursed Spirit; they had clearly been reinforced.
"Boss! What do we do?!"
Junpei instinctively looked at Lynn.
Lynn didn't move.
He just quietly watched the black tide about to swallow them, then slightly turned his head to glance at Junpei behind him and Megumi Fushiguro lying on the ground.
"Junpei."
Lynn's voice was terrifyingly calm, showing no signs of being frightened by this horrific sight.
"Do you remember what I told you in the car?"
"Eh?" Junpei was stunned.
"A true employee must learn to share their boss's burdens."
Lynn slammed the golden law in his hand against the ground.
*Thump!*
An invisible shockwave spread out with him as the center, temporarily forcing back the few Cursed Spirits charging at the front.
"Listen up, Yoshino Junpei!"
Lynn's tone became stern and unquestionable.
"This is your conversion exam!"
He grabbed the unconscious Megumi Fushiguro from the ground and threw him toward Junpei like a sandbag.
"Protect him!"
"Until I finish off that big guy, don't let any of those filthy things touch you!"
"Can you do it?!"
Junpei caught Megumi Fushiguro, his legs trembling as he looked at the tsunami-like swarm of Cursed Spirits.
This wasn't a question of whether he could do it or not.
People would die!
But... Junpei looked at the back of Lynn standing at the very front.
That back wasn't broad, yet it was like a mountain, blocking the most terrifying pressure coming from Kenjaku.
"...Yes!!"
Junpei bit his lip, the fear in his eyes replaced by determination.
"Yotsuki!!"
The giant jellyfish Shikigami appeared out of thin air, but this time, it didn't float in the sky.
Junpei's hands formed a seal, and his Cursed Energy poured out frantically.
"Form Variation: Poisonous Fortress!"
The giant jellyfish instantly landed, its tentacles intertwining and hardening to form a semi-circular transparent shield, protecting Junpei and Megumi Fushiguro tightly inside.
*Sizzle sizzle sizzle—*
The Cursed Spirits charging forward slammed into the shield and were immediately corroded by the poison on the surface of the tentacles, letting out shrill screams.
"Oh?"
In the distance, Kenjaku raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Was that one... also nurtured from scratch?"
"The use of the Shikigami is quite interesting."
"However..."
Kenjaku's gaze returned to Lynn.
"What I want to see is your true quality."
"Go."
Kenjaku waved his hand.
From within the tide of Cursed Spirits, several giant ones that had clearly reached Grade 1 level roared as they bypassed Junpei's defensive line and lunged straight for Lynn!
They were the elites controlled by Kenjaku using Cursed Spirit Manipulation.
A winged monstrous bird, a giant ape covered in rock armor, and a shadow demon lurking underground.
Three Grade 1 Cursed Spirits attacked in a pincer formation!
Combined with the overwhelming fodder, it was a certain-death situation.
"Heh."
Looking at the monsters rushing over, Lynn's lips curled into an elegant and cold arc.
He didn't retreat.
He didn't even draw his blade.
He simply held the black gentleman's cane in one hand and walked forward leisurely, as if attending a banquet.
The bird Cursed Spirit was the first to arrive, its sharp claws carrying a whistle that tore through the air as it lunged for Lynn's head.
Without even looking, Lynn casually raised his cane to parry.
*Clang!!*
Though it was a blunt instrument, it produced the crisp sound of clashing metal.
The bird's talons, sharp enough to crush a tank, were actually blocked firmly by this thin cane, unable to advance an inch.
At the same time...
The shaft of the golden law vibrated slightly.
An invisible wave was swallowed by the cane.
"Roar!!"
The rock giant ape followed closely, its millstone-sized fist smashing hard toward Lynn's chest.
With a flick of his wrist, Lynn held the cane horizontally across his chest.
*Boom!!!*
The dull impact caused the surrounding air to vibrate.
Lynn's feet sank three inches into the ground, but his body didn't budge an inch.
The cane vibrated again, and a dim light flashed across its shaft.
"Is this all?"
Lynn pushed up his glasses, his tone contemptuous.
"If it's just this kind of trash, it's not even enough interest to make me draw my blade."
"Then let's raise the stakes a bit."
Kenjaku laughed.
He pointed a finger at Lynn.
This time, the Cursed Spirit he released had a completely different aura.
*Boom!*
A Quasi-Special Grade Imaginary Vengeful Spirit with three heads and covered in burning ghostly green flames crawled out from the shadow behind Kenjaku.
It ignored Junpei and locked onto Lynn with a death stare.
The pressure was so intense that the air became scorched.
"Now that's more like it."
Lynn's fingers tightened slightly around the cane.
He could feel the 'Debt' within the cane hungering for more impact.
"Phew..."
Lynn understood that he had only just reached Special Grade, and Kenjaku was many levels stronger than him.
To win, he had to make use of every bit of power.