𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗚𝗘

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - FAULTS

We hadn't even arrived am I could already feel the pressure. Whether it was the amount of people studying me or the drastic change in emotion, I was subject to figuring out the cause of the problem and putting an end to it. Doubt would never be useful on the exorcising field, but lucky for me that was a great fault of mine. And with the many people keeping an eye on me, between friends and foes, I could see myself being humiliated in the future. I wasn't accident prone but everyone makes mistakes and I would definitely see a lot of those today.

Or maybe that's just the dubiety of my mind. Again.

Arrival was quick and easy, but I was hesitating to get out of the car — especially after listening to what exactly had happened here. I wanted to turn back after being greeted with the story but Maki would most definitely berate me for losing confidence and I didn't want to see the disappointment on anyone faces anymore. But did I really have the ability to do that?

A lot of death, regret, misery, pain — anything and everything negative if I'm honest — resided on this block.

Apparently, the story dates back to a few years ago when someone had an outrage and forced people to succumb to that pool of darkness I did not want to see. Taking out his criminal rage, a sense of bloodlust drove the man into a insane state pressuring him into killing — there was some psychological thing done later. It was a decently big thing back in Kanagawa, we went over the scenario in class and performed many drills. I was scared into expecting the worst.

Though, according to my driver, the only thing I'd see today was a low-grade wandering around after a thorough exorcism of all the high-grades. That was more of a reliever but that didn't mean I wanted to go with this decision. I was fairly hesitant and my incertitudes crowded like a Black Friday shopping centre, pushing and cutting any thoughts of confidence.

Even while this mission was simple insecurity still drowned me without the hesitation I defiantly held.

I scaled the small building with my eyes, pale walls slowly dimming with age, dark roofing that withstood many storms and very few greenery to actually give the bored colour life. I studied it momentarily before looking back down at the ground, a small sidewalk path led me right to the entrance of the eerie building. It felt like yesterday all over again; fear, pressure wavering decisions — what if I just ran right now?

Behind me the man stood conducting a few murmured phrases, something spoken aloud to created a boundary between the natural world and the sorcerers. A curtain slowly fell from the sky, inking down in a black slime to create a broader between me and the car. The sky had dimmed but didn't turn to night, just less happy and cheerful — as if the sun was the moon instead. My eyes dragged across the concrete walls and I swallowed achingly harsh.

I was all alone now. And there wasn't any going back.

————

I've changed. Greatly. I used to willingly enter haunted houses with Etsuko while Yuki stood fearfully between us hugging our arms. I was the one joking around and laughing at her fear but now I'm stuck in a world that cruelly devours those who fear and strives happily on negativity. My insecurities only add fuel to the horrific flames, everything gets worse when you're alone.

I voluntarily wanted to leave this haunted building — and as quick as possible.

But unfortunately it's my job, and running meant death. I was under strict rules the moment I placed my foot into the world of jujutsu, officially tying my realities together. I don't know why I settled with it but maybe it was because of how scared I was of death. I didn't want to die but that was my only other option. The only thing I regret was my own doubts, that's all I'm allowed to — I am alive, after all.

Maki lended me a cursed tool. She was a little reluctant and took her time when assigning one to my care. It wasn't anything special in my eyes just a reminder I'd have to actually fight on the assignment.

I crept around the building with my senses sharp and goosebumps pricking up. It was a sensation I never liked, I always found nothing good would come out of it. I could only hope this mission wasn't much to me, not like a grade or test of my confidence... just something easy. But I couldn't change anything even if I tried, I just had to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I wish things could go back, desperately.

I began to shift cautiously around a corner, my senses had spiked since I entered the building; sound were louder, things seemed to move out of the corner of my eye, the scent seemed dreadful and dim. I was incredibly uncomfortable and my steps were painfully meticulous — I didn't want any step too loud to be my last one. I was extraordinarily quiet.

I went to a stop at a small gurgle and retreated to the other side of the wall, hiding behind the corner I had previously walked around. It took a few seconds for me to gain the effort to peek around the side with a wary shake in my gaze. From where I stood I could see a small creature waddling across the floor.

It was a fairly small, considerably the same size as my old backpack. It's colours weren't neutral, in fact this creature was yellow and green — it didn't even look threatening. It had more than one eye, each looking in different directions as it crossed the hall carefully, a few more mumbles following it. I clutched the sword Maki had handed me, it wasn't anything like Yuuta's, in fact it was made of wood — something I was skeptical of, but I trust Maki's judgment... I think.

I took a deep breath subconsciously gripping the tool with all the strength my body provided. My back leaned off of the wall and once more I peeked around the edge with furrowed brows. Confidence is key, I repeated in my head as I took a glance.

Unfortunately, a sudden growth in pressure shot through my body taking me off guard and I had to back away my spine slamming against the concrete wall as I used it as a barrier between me and whatever else was over there now. I didn't know what I was expecting when I would round the corner, but the low-energy and pressure told me it was going to be weak.
That's was until what I just saw.

A special-grade, I knew well, was stalking its way down the hall with a crazed grin.