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

Chapter 66 - The Culling Game - Part 1

It was still eerily silent as I brandished the dagger, watching the figures emerge from within the building. With practiced stealth, the four curse users closed in on me, each step calculated to minimize noise. As they encircled me, I tensed, a premonition of danger prickling at the back of my mind. They were a team, likely well coordinated. I needed to find the weakest first and pick them off that way.

Suddenly, their ambush was sprung. From every direction, the assailants pounced, their movements swift and coordinated. I reacted instinctively, spinning to meet the first attacker head-on. My blade flashed in the sunlight, parrying the incoming strike with lethal precision. With a swift counterattack, I slashed through the air, forcing my opponent to retreat momentarily.

But there was no time to savor the small moment. The other three attackers closed in, their assault relentless. Dodging and weaving through the debris, I fought with ferocious determination to keep them away from Akie. Each clash of metal reverberated through the silence, a symphony of conflict amidst the ruins.

Compared to normal people, the fight almost felt trivial. Sukuna had been so overwhelming and dangerous that a normal person felt slow and almost pathetic. If not for their being multiple targets, this would have been over in seconds. When I dragged the dagger across one man's throat, it was surprising how easily he fell. I expected him to heal or counter or anything other than just sputter in a panic until he died.

The other three seemed surprised, but that's all the time I needed. With a quick series of reversals, the other three were quickly killed. They didn't even have time to use a technique. They didn't expect a sorcerer like me, not like it mattered.

“20 points down.” I sighed, leaning down to wipe the dagger off on one of their shirts before putting it back in its holster. I took a look at the man who couldn't have been more than twenty five years old. What a shame.

I glanced back at Akie, still curled up and squatting down with the spirit keeping watch. My heart squeezed in my chest and I felt horrible, but what else could I do? She would just die if I hadn't brought her in ever and it was critical that we get this rule in place.

I walked back out towards her, “Akie! It's alright baby. All done now.” I called.

She stayed still, her hands over her ears and I frowned. What could be making her so scared? As I stepped back through the rubble, I moved closer to her only to see exactly what her source of fear was.

Down the street a woman stood with her arm wrapped around a long heavy looking chain. She spun it absently, then raised her eyebrow when I came into her line of sight. She smiled, moving the toothpick from the corner of her mouth to the other side.

“I thought I sensed a strong one around here.” She said, her voice rough like a heavy smoker, “I guessed that little kitten in the street had her Mama nearby. She looks far too clean to be an orphan in this mess.”

I continued over to Akie, standing in front of my daughter protectively. With my hand resting on my dagger, I cocked my head to the side and pointed at the woman, “So? You looking for an easy kill? She's just a child. Surely you're not that pathetic.”

The woman chuckled darkly, spitting the toothpick out before she began walking towards me. She wrapped the chain around one hand, stretching it tight across to her other hand where she swung it in circles next to her. It had an impressive heft to it, but I could tell she must have been manipulating the cursed energy to make it heavier. She must have been able to manipulate the chain itself, possibly more.

“Go with Satoru, Akie.” I said, keeping my eyes on the woman, “He'll keep you safe.”

Akie stood up as the spirit put his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him, tears threatening to fall as he scooped her up into his arms. He smiled at her as he hurried off, and I moved towards my opponent drawing my dagger once again.