Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Special Grade
"I'm staying too."
Hikigaya Hachiman got up from the ground, wiped his mouth with the hem of his shirt, and stood firm.
Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at him twice but didn't say anything. Instead, she turned her attention to the rescued couple.
The couple noticed Hayashizaki and the others and started waving while running toward them.
"Did you… save us?"
The young man, panting heavily, asked after reaching them.
They looked like university students, probably just out for a date during their vacation. But instead, they got caught in this disaster—a city under attack by cursed spirits.
"Yes."
Seeing that the guy wanted to say more, Hayashizaki cut him off bluntly.
"Don't ask too many questions. Stay here. We'll take care of the monsters nearby. As long as you stay put, you'll be safe."
He had no intention of wasting time comforting survivors.
The young man hesitated but wisely chose not to say anything more.
These people had just saved him and his girlfriend, and they clearly knew what they were doing. The best thing to do now was to listen to the professionals.
"Since we've decided, let's get moving."
Hayashizaki turned to Yukinoshita Yukino and Hikigaya Hachiman, who had already regained their composure.
"We'll split up. You two take the left side of the street, I'll go right."
"Got it."
"Understood."
The three of them quickly disappeared from the couple's sight.
The once-crowded street was now empty, leaving only the two of them behind.
The summer night carried the strong scent of blood, sending a chill down their spines.
The girl clung tightly to her boyfriend, burying her face in his chest. Her voice trembled with uncertainty.
"Ryo… do you think we'll make it?"
"We will. I promise."
The boy held her close, his voice firm and full of conviction.
"Another Hyakki Yagyō, huh?"
A man in a brown trench coat, sporting a short beard, tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.
With a swift motion, he drew his blade, a flash of cold steel slicing through the air.
The cursed spirit in front of him was cut clean in two.
"But this time, there are way too many!"
Before he could even sheath his sword, another spirit lunged at him, claws bared, ready to tear him apart.
He dodged to the side, spinning his blade.
With a diagonal slash, he severed the creature's arm at the base.
Then, without even turning his head, he flicked his sword backward under his arm, stabbing it straight through the monster's chest.
Above him, a grotesque, bird-like cursed spirit let out a piercing screech and dove toward him at full speed.
"Hmm?"
Before it could reach him, a massive shadow crashed into it like a cannonball.
A giant paw reached out and crushed the creature's head with ease.
"Kusakabe maybe look around before trying to show off."
Panda's deep, steady voice rang out.
"Ah, thanks, Panda."
Kusakabe casually thanked him before dashing toward the next cursed spirit.
"Hah! You should've let that bird poke a hole in his head first!"
Zenin laughed loudly, swinging her weapon—a red-lacquered three-section staff.
She struck a massive cursed spirit far bigger than herself, her movements swift and precise.
The staff spun in the air, blurring like a dragon weaving through mist.
Each hit left deep dents in the monster's bloated flesh.
The special-grade weapon's cursed energy seeped into its body with every impact.
Then, with one final powerful strike to the head, the built-up energy exploded, blowing the creature into chunks of flesh.
"That was at least a grade two spirit… The Zenin clan really didn't know what they had, huh?"
Sunakawa watched Zenin's clean, efficient movements and couldn't help but sigh.
"Fall."
As he marveled at Zenin's strength, a wave of cursed energy surged through the air. The cursed spirits caught in its path suddenly collapsed to the ground, as if they were being crushed under intense gravity. Thick, purple blood splattered from their bodies, unable to withstand the pressure.
Inumaki Toge pulled a throat spray from his pocket and gave his mouth two quick sprays.
"Inumaki has been a Grade 2 sorcerer for quite a while now. He's got a lot of experience under his belt. Same with Panda. This year's second-years are seriously strong."
Kusakabe was too busy making comments to fight. Since no cursed spirits were approaching him, he took the chance to slack off.
He shifted his gaze across the highway. A graceful figure stood there—long, silky white hair tied into a thick braid that draped over one side of her face. Her slender waist and curvy hips moved fluidly as she fought, every motion exuding an irresistible allure.
"Meimei is really going all out. She's already taken down, what, almost forty curses?"
"Forty-seven. Unlike you, I get paid per kill."
A massive battle-axe that looked impossibly heavy swung effortlessly in her hands. The combination of raw power and feminine grace was breathtaking.
With another powerful swing, she split a cursed spirit clean in half like firewood. She flicked her head to the side, making her long white braid sway through the air, like a white rose blooming in the midst of battle.
As a major road, this place was packed with cursed spirits, so naturally, it was also packed with sorcerers.
This was the main battlefield of the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.
Among them were two Grade 1 sorcerers, two Grade 2 sorcerers, and even a Grade 4 sorcerer who could fight at a Grade 2 level. No matter where you looked, this was an impressive lineup.
"We've got this under control. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we clear all the curses out," Kusakabe said casually. "As long as a Special Grade doesn't show up."
As long as a Special Grade… doesn't show up.
The temperature around them suddenly skyrocketed.
A bright orange-red glow appeared beneath their feet.
"Hot! Hot! Get out of the red circle!"
Kusakabe reacted instantly, dodging away from the glowing zone. The others, hearing his warning, quickly followed suit.
But this wasn't some infrared targeting system—this was the asphalt melting from extreme heat.
The moment Kusakabe dodged, a massive pillar of fire erupted where he had just been standing. If he had hesitated for even a second, he would've been burned to ashes.
Five pillars of fire shot into the sky, lighting up the dark night. The temperature kept rising.
"Five sorcerers, and not a single Special Grade among you?" A proud voice echoed above them. "Is Gojo Satoru the only decent sorcerer left?"
Jogo landed in front of them.
A Special Grade.
In that instant, everyone tensed up, preparing for the worst.
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