A Grand Purchase

CHAPTER 10.

Taro tossed him a wooden sword as he dropped his own.

He stared at Gojin for a moment before channeling his Ki, focusing it into his fists. A blue aura ignited around his hands like flames.

"This is something anyone can learn. It enhances the impact of a specific part of your body, increasing the damage it can inflict."

"Now, I want you to use your technique alongside the wooden sword. Attack!" Taro commanded.

Gojin tightened his grip around the wooden sword and lunged at Taro, swinging the weapon from the right with lightning speed.

Despite his height, if the blow connected, it would deal serious damage. Somehow, Taro dodged the attack and appeared behind Gojin, ready to deliver a punch.

[Alert: Barrier broken]

"What the fuck?" Gojin thought as the blow was about to land.

Suddenly, Taro halted just inches from Gojin's face. The rush of wind from his sudden stop made Gojin stumble backward.

"You need to master your technique to the fullest. I believe that's called a barrier technique," Taro said with a smile, turning to leave the training hall.

"That's the end of today's training. You can keep practicing. One day, you'll master all your techniques," he added, stepping out of the room.

Gojin was still in shock. How had the barrier broken? He knew it was Taro's doing, but how? With just a fist? Was he really that strong?

"Why did the barrier break? Was it because of the Ki he gathered in a specific part of his body?" Gojin asked the system.

He waited for a reply, but none came, which meant the system either had no explanation or was ignoring him.

"What the heck is wrong with this system? Where's your control center? You need a reset!"

Frustrated, he began swinging the wooden sword wildly in different directions until it broke apart in his hands.

"I should have used the backfire technique; why didn't I think of that? One thing I know for sure is that Taro is strong—not just from this experience, but from the last one as well. I understand why he doesn't take on missions anymore; the souls they usually encounter are weak, making the battles boring. I'd feel the same way if I were in his position."

Gojin dropped the wooden sword, deciding to get some sleep since it was already late. As he left the training hall, he was about to turn toward the route to his room when he saw a figure dart by like a rat.

Instinctively, he tailed the person, knowing that no stranger or thief could infiltrate the palace. It had to be one of the clan exorcists or a worker.

Soon, he caught up and caught a glimpse of the individual: a man in his mid-30s with gray hair and a chiseled face. He wore a white jacket over black trousers and boots that reached just above his ankles.

Standing at about 6'4", the man looked left and right. When he glanced to the right, he noticed Gojin and jumped in shock.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed..." He halted abruptly, realizing he was about to say something that could expose him.

Gojin recognized him immediately from his voice, and his aura was even stronger than Satoshi's.

"You're the clan head, right?"

"What? No! I'm a Senior Exorcist, here to collect something before heading back," the man stammered.

"Nah, you're dressed like you're going to a club, and you were literally sneaking out of the palace. You're definitely the clan head."

"This is a breakdown of everyone in the palace, and I know all their faces. The ranks below Junior Exorcists are currently still students at the academy, so we have ten Junior Exorcists, six Senior Exorcists, one Grand Exorcist, and one Master Exorcist, which leaves you as the clan head."

L stared at Gojin, bewildered.

"Why is this child so smart? Being the God of Doom shouldn't make him this clever. I knew it was trouble when children started reading and understanding at the age of one; it makes them wiser than expected."

Gojin grinned mischievously, resembling a smiling raccoon, making L think he might have lost his mind.

"Let's make a deal. I know you're going to the club, but if you don't want me to expose this, you have to do what I want. It's just one thing: I want to explore the city for three days. I need a pass to go outside whenever I want."

L's face fell in shock, stunned by Gojin's audacity.

He seemed like an experienced businessman.

While L could easily decline the offer—after all, no one would cares if he went outside—the only problem was that the workers and exorcists might know his identity. Satoshi definitely knows his face, but Taro definitely didn't.

After a moment of contemplation, L realized there was no way he could decline the offer; his identity was at stake.

"Only one day, not three. It's not safe out there, but I'm giving you a chance at freedom. I could erase my face from your memory, but that would be a waste of time. Get some sleep; it's 9 PM now."

L walked past Gojin, vanishing into thin air.

Gojin's eyes widened as L's words echoed in his mind. He could do what? Erase my memory?

He held his head, shaking it in disbelief. "How many things can they do with Ki?" he wondered, running to his room with a worried expression.

____________________________

The Kuroyami palace.

A man was walking through a garden with beautiful cherry blossoms trees. Likely, this was the clan head. He was a old man with long blonde hair and a wrinkled face. His name was Shota.

Beside him was Akiko, who wore a black leather jacket over a white crop top along with a high-waisted jeans and thigh-high boots. She was a grand exorcist.

"It's been a while since I've heard about the Seren Clan and Shadokai Clan. What have they been up to?" he asked in a low voice.

"I suppose they've been doing well. The number of souls is increasing, and they've become more frequent in various places," she replied.

Shota paused, considering her words.

"Then let's make a Grand Purchase. Inform the other clans about a meeting. I knew this day would come."