That Time When I Fell Down the Stairs and Became a Jujutsu Sorcerer

Chapter 55 - Shikigami - Part 2

In the dimly lit cave, shadows danced around as Kumiko approached the curse, clad in her sleek leather jacket that hugged her frame, and black jeans that emphasized her agile movements. With every step, the leather whispered against itself, echoing the determination in her stride. Her eyes, dark, sharp and focused, darted around, analyzing the environment for any sign of danger. Before her loomed the monstrous creature, its four long arms poised to strike, each movement accompanied by the scrape of its fingernails against the rocky ground. Its bulging eyes, swiveled and unblinking, seem to pierce through the darkness, fixating on its prey.

Kumiko's heart raced as she calculated her next move, her mind working swiftly to decipher the creature's attack patterns. With each evasion, she moved with a dancer's grace, her body fluid and agile as she anticipated the creature's strikes. Leaping to the side, she narrowly avoided a sweeping blow, the rush of air grazing her cheek. She ducked and weaved, her leather jacket flexing with her movements, offering both protection and freedom of motion.

As she continued to evade the creature's onslaught, a plan began to form in her mind. With precision timing and calculated movements, she maneuvered herself into position, exploiting the creature's blind spot just below its large nose.

Behind her, Megumi watched carefully. His eyes were narrowed in concentration, feeling uneasy about how simple this was turning out to be. It's not as if she was a bad fighter, Kumiko was quite talented, but it was like the creature was luring her in. It had only summoned the one Shikigami, and possibly it had more than the one toad just as they both did.

Kumiko clenched her fist and a long sharp spike extended from her wrist. She prepared to drive it into the curse before she froze. From the ceiling she felt their presence. More Shikigami. Lots of Shikigami .

Like drips of paint from and unfinished ceiling, the shadows dropped to the ground. The wet plops followed by claws, talons, tails, and glowing yellow eyes as the creatures climbed out of the darkness. Megumi took a cautious step back, shocked by the image.

These were not the Shikigami he recognized. They were amalgamations. Nue and toad, dog and tiger, elephant and rabbit. Strange combinations, much like he'd seen Kumiko accomplish with nue and the dogs. Gojo had mentioned to him before that he could do that, but he'd not yet attempted to do so having just recently gained access to elephant.

Now the idea seemed pretty damn good though as he and Kumiko were swarmed. They each summoned Shikigami quickly while also avoiding the blows of the special grade that had summoned the rest of the shadows.

“Gotta focus him!” Kumiko said, ducking behind her nue and dog combo, “They'll disappear if we can get him!

“Yeah, thanks, I know.” Megumi growled through his teeth as he focused on keeping himself out of the hoard's range.

Gojo had taught him well, his instincts on high alert as he cautiously stepped through and around attacks. Using his twin dogs as cover, he used the sword Gojo had insisted he bring to slice through the groups of enemies. He took a mental note not to mention being glad to have the sword. Gojo definitely wouldn't let that go if he said something about it.

“I'm gonna try to get close.” Megumi called, “Watch your back!”

Kumiko turned just in time to stab her spike right through an approaching tiger and huffed. It was getting annoying how much better this teen was than her, but then again he'd been training with the best since he was five. His movements were quick and powerful, clearly influenced by how Gojo himself fought. It made a lot more sense now why the Zen'in wanted to get their hands on him.

Megumi stood still, watching the main curse, his heart pounding with anticipation as the shadow creatures emerged more and more from the darkness, their eerie forms twisting and contorting. Gripping his sword tightly, Megumi called forth his dogs, their eyes gleaming with determination as they flanked him, ready to defend their master.