Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

At the edge of the Shibuya district stands the Busujima dojō.

Located far from Shibuya's core area, the dojo narrowly escaped disaster. Its remote setting, away from the bustling city center, offers tranquility. From the courtyard, one can hear birds singing in the forest and water flowing nearby. The pitter-patter of rain on leaves creates a peaceful atmosphere.

According to Saeko, this is just one of their dojos. It belongs to the Busujima family's private property, and only she has access to it. She suspects monster toxins might have affected the other dojos, so she chose this secluded location where they won't be disturbed.

The dojo's interior is spacious, with wooden floors stretching to the far end. In the warm light, wooden training dummies stand bearing deep sword marks. Even without inspection, one can tell the blade in its scabbard must be genuine and razor-sharp — nothing else could have left such fierce gouges.

Anyone breaking in at midnight would likely be terrified by the eerie atmosphere.

Subaru waved his folding fan, examining the dojo like a noble lady.

"The decor isn't bad, it looks like someone regularly maintains it. Saeko's swordsmanship level must be higher than I imagined."

The smiling praise didn't make Saeko get carried away.

The Shibuya incident's impact was more devastating than anyone had imagined. The large-scale disease outbreak decimated the Public Safety Devil Hunter Division, with the death toll exceeding tens of thousands by Saeko's estimates.

Many members of the Devil Hunter Division stationed in Shibuya perished, including numerous Onmyōji and Jujutsu Sorcerers. The fact that they continue to send more forces, despite such losses, speaks to Subaru's overwhelming strength.

"Mitejima-san, please don't joke. According to the Jujutsu World's evaluation, my Cursed Energy is merely Grade 4. As for swordsmanship..." Saeko trailed off with a resigned sigh, silently preparing two cups of tea.

Subaru pondered briefly, understanding her resignation. Both Onmyōji and Jujutsu Sorcerers rely on on a commom type of Cursed/Spiritual Energy in battle. Though their energies have different definitions, they serve essentially the same purpose.

Jujutsu Sorcerers enhance their combat power through Innate Techniques and Domain Expansion, with Black Flash serving as their reliable fallback for critical strikes.

Onmyōji, on the other hand, strengthen themselves using Talismans, Shikigami, and Techniques. Their ultimate power lies in the Twelve Guardians' Mystic Spell Equip — the true power acknowledged by Abe no Seimei's ancestral Shikigami and the authentic form of the Twelve Guardians who suppress Impurities.

Yet times have changed rapidly. Impurities now breach the Magano into our world, Devils from Hell walk among humans, and Cursed Spirits multiply endlessly. When these three forces converge, they create truly terrifying power.

Even the mighty Onmyōji struggle to keep pace with these changes, let alone the Busujima-style swordsmanship — a technique developed by ordinary people that has long since outlived its usefulness.

"Don't lose heart, Saeko. Life still holds promise. Inspector General Daiki's visit surely means he has a plan." Subaru sipped his tea, his words carrying hidden meaning.

When she witnessed Daiki summoning the special Shikigami Garuda, she suspected Saeko's master might be Yuki Tsukumo.

Though their encounters were few, Yuki stood out among the four Special-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerers. Her unique Garuda, existing as both Cursed Spirit and Shikigami, had particularly intrigued Subaru.

Yet due to that woman's elusive nature, Subaru's interest had waned, and she'd moved on to other matters.

Garuda held special significance for Yuki — her Innate Technique Star Rage could bestow imaginary mass, but only she and her Shikigami could withstand it. Thus, controlling Garuda would inevitably mean confronting Yuki in mortal combat.

Daiki's possession of Garuda raised serious questions.

How had he acquired it? Was it willingly given or taken by force?

Had Saeko considered these implications? Perhaps she had, but her desire for strength outweighed such concerns!

Subaru's provocative tone earned a sideways glance from Daiki, whose cold stare made her shrink back and quietly return to her tea.

Saeko, ignoring their exchange, asked, "Mitejima-san, does Onmyōdō offer any special techniques for enhancing swordsmanship?"

Her eyes sparkled with faint hope, eagerly awaiting an answer.

Subaru sighed softly and replied, "I'm afraid not. An Onmyōji's power comes solely from Spiritual Energy, Shikigami, and their associated Techniques."

Saeko's eyes showed disappointment as she continued, "Then how do you fight?"

Subaru remained silent for two seconds before using Spiritual Energy to materialize a light machine gun.

Saeko fell silent at the sight. Had Onmyōji truly become this modern?

She turned to look at Daiki. While Onmyōji could be this modern due to their special Spiritual Energy, Jujutsu Sorcerers were different. Their Cursed Energy typically just wrapped around fists and blades, enhancing their power.

Jujutsu Sorcerer's Cursed Energy, originating from negative emotions, couldn't be formed into other shapes — unless Daiki possessed such an ability.

۞ Gun Construction — Sniper Rifle! ۞

Click—

He materialized a high-tech sniper rifle.

The weapon was several times more intricate than Subaru's — they weren't even in the same class.

"Hey, why can you construct guns too?" Subaru asked in surprise.

"Isn't this just basic operation?" Daiki said casually.

"Impossible! That's completely impossible! Jujutsu Sorcerers aren't like this!" Subaru protested.

Among the Twelve Guardians, only she could materialize guns.

Yet here was Daiki, not only materializing one but creating something far more sophisticated. Next to his, Subaru's gun looked like scrap metal.

The usually composed woman couldn't hide her frustration.

Saeko stood motionless, looking from the elite Jujutsu Sorcerers and Onmyōji with their guns to the sword at her waist.

No wonder she was weak — times had changed!

She found herself torn between amazement at their advancement and despair at her own obsolescence.

"Daiki-sama, is swordsmanship destined to become obsolete?" Saeko asked, her voice heavy with dejection.

The issue wasn't her stubborn attachment to swordsmanship — it was her perceived lack of talent.

Despite achieving perfection in her sword skills and possessing exceptional natural ability, she lacked an Innate Technique and couldn't master Black Flash at will. These limitations had closed off her path to becoming a powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer.

The path of an Onmyōji was equally impossible — her Spirit Sight was weak, and she'd never had the right connections to pursue that training.

This left her with only one option: placing her hopes in her master's friend, Daiki.

"The Busujima-style swordsmanship is indeed fated to fade with time." Daiki said, taking a sip of tea, "However, I have mastered a secret sword technique called Tsubame Gaeshi, which creates a Multi-Dimensional Refraction Phenomenon through swordsmanship."

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