Chapter 51 - Mercy

Nobara and Nitta were running away from the curses without a chance to hide. As much as Nobara wanted to kill the curses, she knew how it was impossible for her to kill them alone after witnessing how they easily killed a Grade-1 Jujutsu sorcerer. So, she ran, hoping that either Itadori or Junpei would get here with help.

However, she was unfortunate as she saw a young man stood in the middle of the passageway blocking her path.

'A curse user?' Nobara thought.

"Oh, are you a student? A student and a poor manager? It's going to be fun." He said with a smile.

"Let's see. I think I want to start with the poor manager." He said.

Realizing the curse user was targetting Nitta and probably her as well, Nobara glanced back at the passage she just passed and saw the curses catching up to them. It was only a matter of time she was surrounded by both of them.

"Nitta san, run and hide now!" Nobara said as she prepared to fight Haruta and stall some time.

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Junpei was originally with Nobara, Maki and Naobito's group before he and Nobara separated to go find Nitta. That was when they first witnessed the curses *Sachiko unleashed killing other Jujutsu sorcerers and Junpei went back to get help while Nobara and Nitta went to hide.

After running for a few minutes, Junpei didn't expect to run into Nanami on his way and he thought things would be okay since Grade-1 Jujutsu sorcerer was coming with him.

However, when they finally got to Exit 13, they found that the situation was even worse, with tens of curses surrounding Nobara from one side while there was a curse user on the other side.

The curse user was a blonde with a side pony-tail, thin eyebrows and purple colored eyes with three purple markings under each of them. He was basically shirtless, only wearing a one piece suit that only covered his lower half. There was also a sword on his shoulder and he was currently standing in a relaxed manner as if he was sure of his victory, which probably was, if the curses were from the same group with him.

Nobara started to pull out her hammer, attacking the curse user. The curse user, Haruta slashed Nobara's leg using his sword, making her balance off so that her attack would miss.

At that moment, Nanami decided to interfere, "Leave this to me." He said to Nobara as he started using black flash to punch Haruta.

Haruta fell down, his upper teeth falling out at the impact.

"Damn it, you curses, aren't we from the same group? Why aren't you attacking them?" He said.

"We don't take orders from you." One of the curses said, leaving everyone surprised at their ability to communicate.

"Riko really was a beta version." Nanami and Nobara realized. Although Riko could communicate and use curses' abilities, in terms of power, she was nowhere near these curses.

Then, to their shock, Haruta was killed in the blink of an eye by the same curses which were supposed to be in the same group with him.

"What just happened?"

They were at a loss. If they were from the same group, why did the curses suddenly decided to kill Haruta?

But, they didn't actually get much time to think about this as the curses started to attack them.

"I still stand by what I said earlier. Leave this to me and leave here." Nanami said.

"But..we can't."

"Look, it is my responsibility to protect you as you two are still kids."

Nanami said, then started to fight the curses.

The two wanted to refuse but, Nanami didn't give them a chance.

Nanami used black flash to punch a curse but he suddenly felt a sharp pain before noticing his hand was torn off by another curse.

Then, in another blink, his stomach was targeted.

And his leg, as it was torn off by another curse while the stomach was ripped open.

"Nanami!"

The two shouted at the same time, Junpei quickly summoned his Jellyfish Shikigamis while Nobara pulled out the nails.

As they attacked the curses, the curses counterattacked them easily. Although *Sachiko told them not to kill Nobara and Junpei, it was fine as long as they wouldn't die. A few attacks on them wasn't a big deal. The curses figured.

On the other side, Nanami felt he was slowly dying, even without the curses' further attacks. That was expected , after all, no one could survive half of their limbs basically torn off and stomach ripped open.

Meanwhile, Nobara and Junpei tried to fend off tens of curses only to get injured to the point of broken bones and bloodied body, no longer being able to get up but, as long as they get medical attention, they will live with little to no permanent damage.

Nobara reached to her hammer and nails with difficulty in hopes that she could do something to get them out of this predicament. However, the reality was cruel. There was nothing she could do to save herself or anyone else. She felt extermely powerless.

"Well, it's truly a sight to behold, isn't it?"

*Sachiko arrived at the scene and the curses stopped their motions as soon as they saw her. *Sachiko nodded approvingly , then she let out a laugh, looking at Nanami.

"That's right. Even strong Grade-1 Jujutsu sorcerers will end up like this if they encounter my curses."

"How do you feel, Nanami Kento? Are you scared? Dejected? Or regret?"

Nanami struggled to open his eyes to see but, it was all too blurry.

"I have no regrets." He said slowly.

"That's impossible. Everyone has regrets, especially when you're dying, you realize a lot of things; things you should have done or things you shouldn't have done. So, why don't you tell me. Who knows..maybe..just maybe I might let you live." She said.

"There is nothing." Nanami replied.

"I see. Then, let me ask you something. How did you feel about Riko's incident?"

"You're the one who caused this all, aren't you?" Nobara yelled.

"Who knows? Maybe or" She said with a smile, "Maybe not."

"So, how did it feel to realize you may have been accusing the wrong person all along?" She asked.

"I didn't think she was the one responsible for that. There was no concrete evidences to begin with , after all." Nanami admitted.

"I see." A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes for a brief moment and she froze for a second before finally letting out a giggle.

"You're the interesting one, Nanami. Unlike those rotten Jujutsu sorcerers." She moved her hands to place them on Nanami's left shoulder before whispering to his ears, "That's why you will live."

After her whisper, Nanami could feel a positive energy healed his injuries and regrew his limbs in a rapid pace. In less than a minute, he was all healed.

She retracted her hands, then looked at Nobara and Junpei who was lying on the floor, "You better get these two to a doctor or something."

Nanami didn't know what to say to her. Apparently, she didn't expect him to say anything as she walked away, ordering the curses she controlled, "Leave them alone for now and go find others."