Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

"Just three hits with the nail sword summons the Curse Devil."

"The Curse Devil wields mysterious and devastating power. When Zen'in family Sorcerers contract with it, they must sacrifice their own lifespan. Once summoned, it can instantly kill Grade 2 Sorcerers without giving them any chance to resist."

"Even the Semi-Grade 1 Sorcerers in the Hei admit the Curse Devil's power is beyond their ability to handle. This is why the Zen'in family turned to their Kukuru Unit — a group of non-technique Sorcerers — to make contracts with the Curse Devil, making them their trump card."

Naoya, head bowed, revealed everything he knew.

The Zen'in family's secret tests showed that Sorcerers below Special Grade stood no chance against the Curse Devil's power. Even Special Grade Sorcerers would struggle if targeted.

However, summoning the Curse Devil had strict conditions — the same nail sword had to strike the target three consecutive times.

While the Zen'in family's Semi-Grade 1 Sorcerers couldn't match the Curse Devil's power, its price was uniquely demanding.

Unlike other Devils that might demand eyes, arms, or other body parts, the Curse Devil wanted only one thing — the contractor's lifespan.

How could life-cherishing Semi-Grade 1 Sorcerers possibly make such a contract?

By the time they reached Semi-Grade 1, they were elderly. A single payment of lifespan would kill them instantly.

This was why they had the Kukuru Unit, a subsidiary of the Hei, make the contracts instead.

Yet no one anticipated their target's overwhelming power. The Kukuru Unit members couldn't even approach him, much less land three strikes with the nail sword.

"The Curse Devil..." Daiki muttered, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

The Curse Devil's might was truly formidable. It could easily overpower a Weapon Devil like Katana Man, who had merged with the Katana Devil.

If he could collect a Devil of this caliber, the reward would be substantial.

Daiki's gaze lowered as he activated his Phantom Sight ability.

Naoya's forehead beaded with sweat, his heart pounding, as he watched the bisected Kukuru Unit member crawl closer.

Daiki stood behind him in complete silence.

Could it be...

'Does this fool actually intend to face the Curse Devil directly?' The incredulous thought flashed through his mind.

Other Sorcerers might hesitate, but this one was different — he had consumed Sukuna's finger...

Could he really have been promoted to Special Grade just from Sukuna's finger?

After witnessing the Black Bird Manipulation technique, Naoya snapped to attention. The Jujutsu Headquarters must have overlooked something crucial in their investigation.

But the Kukuru Unit member was already before him, channeling his remaining Cursed Energy into a fierce thrust at Daiki.

Squelch!

Blood sprayed through the air.

Devil fingers materialized behind the nail sword and burst forth. Their fierce force drove the blade straight through its target.

From the mysterious void, a grotesque demon growled, "Three."

"Argh!" The Kukuru Unit member roared.

The nail sword struck twice more with lightning speed. As he landed the third consecutive hit, he smiled.

"Ah—" Blood poured from his mouth as he opened it, "Cough cough... Kill him!"

The Curse Devil, hidden in the void, responded coldly to the man's final command.

"Zero!"

An invisible giant hand materialized instantly. With just a slight squeeze, bones began to creak.

The terrifying Curse Demon revealed its massive, grotesque form.

The Kukuru Unit member's lips twisted into a maniacal smile. His opponent's arrogance would cost him everything.

In his final moments, he turned toward the young family head.

"Young master, my mission... cough cough... is complete..." Blood clouded his vision, "Why... does the young master's silhouette... look different..."

His consciousness faded into darkness.

Mai, hiding in the shadows, covered her mouth in disbelief.

The Kukuru Unit member — supposedly the most loyal to the Zen'in family — was actually trying to kill Naoya!

Held in the Curse Devil's giant hand, Naoya's composure shattered. What he thought would be his moment of triumph had become his gravest mistake.

"Why did you stab me? You should have stabbed him!"

"I'll cooperate... I know... the address of the Jujutsu Headquarters..." Naoya gasped as the Curse Devil's grip threatened to crush his bones.

Broken bone fragments pierced his organs, grinding together as the Curse Devil's twin bone skulls descended toward him.

Naoya, his noble bearing forgotten, begged for his life.

"So this is the Curse Devil? Don't disappoint me!"

۞ Ghost Hand ⟴ Phantom Grip! ۞

An invisible Ghost Hand seized the Curse Devil from behind.

The Curse Devil, "…"

This familiar technique rendered it speechless.

The Heavenly Reversal! How dare anyone curse it — the Curse Devil itself!

Roar!

The Curse Devil's overwhelming power made the previously invincible phantom hand tremble.

۞ Decay ⟴ Withering Aura! ۞

Daiki raised his palm, unleashing misty gray Decay Energy that swept across the train platform, reducing it to dust.

The flourishing weeds withered instantly, and the living soil transformed into dead earth.

۞ Decay ⟴ Prison of Rot! ۞

Gray decay force spread from the invisible hand to encompass its palm, forming a rotting cage that imprisoned the Curse Devil.

"I'll be taking your power without ceremony." He lifted the cage containing the Curse Devil and tossed it into his collection space.

『Detected host collecting Curse Devil!』

『Reward: Curse Technique — Seven Nails of Damnation!』

A cold mechanical voice echoed in his ears.

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Meanwhile...

All people contracted with the Curse Devil worldwide lost their connections. The Curse Devil's power vanished entirely from both Earth and Hell.

In the depths of the Public Safety Devil Hunter Division, Makima suddenly lifted her head.

"What's wrong?" asked Kishibe, a burly man who had been delivering his report.

His wary gaze revealed his unease around this dangerous woman.

Yet her position — appointed by the Chief Cabinet Secretary — put her beyond any ordinary Devil Hunter's ability to challenge.

"Sorry, I was distracted." Makima replied, her expression unchanging as she composed herself.

Her true thoughts remained a mystery to all.

Kishibe studied her for a moment before resuming his report.

❊❊❊

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