The lanky one moved first, swift as a shadow, with sharp claws aimed at Satoru's chest. He didn't dodge—he simply leaned to the side, letting the claws tear through his shirt and open a deep gash across his torso.
Blood spurted, staining the white fabric, but Satoru just laughed and retaliated with a straight punch, the brute force launching the creature into the wall, which shook from the impact. In the same instant, the wound on his chest began to close, skin regenerating in seconds as if the attack had never happened.
The giant spider didn't stay idle—it attacked from the ceiling, firing a volley of poisoned spikes like arrows. Satoru spun on his heels, dodging most with fluid movements, but let a few strike his left shoulder and arm, embedding deep. The poison acted instantly, burning like acid.
Reversed cursed energy flowed, and the spikes were expelled, clattering to the ground with a hiss. But the venom kept working. "So curing poison is more annoying than physical wounds—"
!
Before he could analyze further, the lanky one came at him again, now aiming low and fast for his legs. Satoru jumped at the last second, spinning mid-air and landing a kick to the creature's skull, the impact echoing like thunder.
The spirit flew, colliding with the giant spider in an explosion of limbs. The two crashed into a clumsy heap, screeching in fury and confusion.
'Hmm, let's see,' Satoru focused on his arm and shoulder, 'I need to isolate and neutralize the poison... which means using reversed energy at the cellular and molecular level... Heeh, piece of cake.'
Suddenly, the giant spider recovered, firing another volley of poisoned spikes. Satoru raised his hand, activating the Mugen, and the spikes froze mid-air, suspended inches from his body. "Could you give me a minute? I'm in the middle of an important experiment here."
The cursed spirits showed no mercy. The giant spider fired another barrage while the lanky one zigzagged forward, targeting Satoru's flank.
Both attacks hit the Mugen and stopped, unable to cross the infinity that separated Satoru from his enemies. He tilted his head, a mischievous smile forming on his face. "I told you, I'm busy. Patience is a virtue, you know?"
The spider, frustrated, attempted a new attack, launching itself from the ceiling and then propelling downward with its legs outstretched, their sharp tips aimed at Satoru like spears. The lanky one, meanwhile, circled the barrier, its claws testing the Mugen with quick strikes, each one blocked just as easily.
While the spirits thrashed against the Mugen, Satoru kept his focus on the venom corroding his shoulder and arm from within. "Huh, I guess this is how it goes," he muttered, channeling reverse cursed technique with surgical precision. He visualized the venom as a network of invasive molecules, infiltrating his cells, and began to manipulate them, isolating the toxin with controlled flows of energy.
The reverse energy worked like a river, surrounding the venom and breaking down its chemical structure. It was a slow process, requiring a level of control Satoru knew he'd have to train to optimize. The pain began to subside, the corrosive sensation giving way to a mild itch, until, finally, he was healed, free from any trace of the toxin.
"Took a bit longer than I thought…" His eyes gleamed in the darkness as they turned toward the spirits, still launching their futile assault against the Mugen. The spider was now trying to wrap the barrier in sticky venomous threads, while the lanky one struck with blind fury, its claws sparking with cursed energy at every hit.
Satoru cracked his neck, his smile widening into an expression of pure delight. "Thanks for the patience, friends. You were very helpful."
In the blink of an eye, the lightness in his expression vanished, replaced by a cutting coldness. His eyes narrowed and he surged forward, fast as lightning tearing through the night.
The lanky one was the first to fall. Satoru performed a series of hand signs and spun his body, cursed energy pulsing through his fist. At the last instant before impact, he imbued it with Blue. 'I need to minimize the required hand signs.'
BAAM!
The punch obliterated the spirit, its body exploding into a cloud of black smoke that dissipated like ashes in the wind.
The spider, sensing imminent death, tried to flee, but an invisible force yanked it from the ground, pulling it toward Satoru.
BAM!
The creature slammed into the sorcerer's fist, which crushed it completely against the ground. The spirit's body shattered into shards of cursed energy, and at that same moment, the cave around them collapsed, revealing the vacant lot under the moonlight.
Satoru wiped his hands, a mischievous smile curling his lips. "Well, now…" He glanced around, as if the desolate scenery could offer some clue. "Where do I find some fine company for tonight?"
He turned and took three confident steps before stopping, frowning as he noticed his shirt — torn, stained with blood and dust. "Tch. First, a new shirt."
***
[Next Morning]
Sunlight filtered through the half-open curtains, casting golden stripes over the mess of crumpled sheets. Satoru was sprawled on the bed, his naked body covered only by a rumpled blanket. Beside him, a woman ten years older, equally naked, slept deeply, brown hair spread across the pillow, a satisfied smile on her face.
RING! RING! RING!
The silence was broken by the shrill ring of the phone on the nightstand. Satoru opened one eye, wearing the expression of someone personally offended by the sound. With an irritated huff, he reached out—nearly knocking over an empty wine glass—and grabbed the device.
"Talk fast, before I decide to turn you into cosmic dust," he muttered as he answered.
[G-Gojo-sama! A thousand apologies for disturbing your sleep—]
"Get to the point."
[R-right. I found the child you asked for.]
Satoru's eyes snapped open and he sat up in bed. "Are you sure?!"
[Y-yes, sir—]
"Send me the address." Hanging up, Satoru tossed the phone onto the bed and stood up. The woman beside him stirred, blinking open her eyes. "Leaving already?" she asked, her sleepy voice tinged with mild disappointment.
Satoru turned, his usual grin returning to his face. "Duty calls, darling. But don't worry, I'll be back for your rematch." He wasn't coming back.
***
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.