Nanamin!

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The air in the sewers is thick with the stench of dampness and decay, illuminated only by the eerie glow of dim, flickering lights. Junpei Yoshino cautiously approaches a dark, foreboding area, where a figure looms in the shadows—Mahito, the Special-Grade Cursed Spirit.

Mahito, with his unsettlingly smooth and ever-shifting face, looks down at Junpei with a predatory gleam in his eyes. The atmosphere crackles with an unnerving energy as the cursed spirit begins to speak, his voice carrying a tone of eerie calm.

"Welcome, Junpei. I see you've come to understand the nature of our existence." Mahito's form seems to pulse with malevolent energy, reflecting the dim light in unsettling ways.

Junpei, still grappling with the sight before him, manages to voice his curiosity. "Why did you turn those people into curses? What is the reason behind it?"

Mahito chuckles softly, a disturbing sound that reverberates through the damp air. "Our kind is born from humanity's negative energy. The fears and anxieties of humans manifest as curses. People fear natural disasters, and those fears give birth to powerful cursed spirits. But that's merely scratching the surface."

Junpei's eyes widen as he listens, trying to process the chilling information. "What about you? What were you born from?"

Mahito's expression shifts, revealing a sinister smirk. "I was born from the hatred that people harbor for one another. I am the embodiment of all the malicious traits and destructive tendencies that humans possess. The deep-seated animosity and discord between people gave rise to me, Mahito—the personification of every bad human trait."

As Mahito speaks, the air around him seems to thicken, almost as if it's resonating with his dark nature. His eyes glint with a cold, cruel satisfaction as he continues.

"While others might be born from fear of natural events, I am a reflection of the ugliness within humanity itself. The true nature of curses is far more complex and sinister than simply being born from fear."

If Death had a mirror, it'd be Mahito, the true curse.1

...

The lair is a cavernous, dimly lit space, filled with the macabre remnants of Mahito's experiments. Deformed human bodies, some giant and grotesque, others shrunken and misshapen, are strewn about.

The stench of decay mingles with an almost palpable aura of malevolence. Junpei Yoshino sits cross-legged, seemingly at ease amidst the horrific surroundings, as Mahito, the Special-Grade Cursed Spirit, looms nearby.

Mahito's form shifts and contorts slightly, a testament to his eerie and unsettling nature. His eyes glint with an unsettling mix of curiosity and malice as he addresses Junpei, who has been unusually calm and composed throughout their conversation.

"You seem quite comfortable here, despite the… unpleasant company," Mahito remarks, gesturing to the distorted corpses around them. "Why is that?"

Junpei looks around, his expression betraying little discomfort. "I'd only be upset if it were someone I cared about. To me, this is just a part of life. I've come to expect cruelty from people, and I think indifference is what we all should aim for."

Mahito's eyes narrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Indifference, you say? That's an interesting perspective. It seems to me that your indifference is your way of exacting revenge on a world that has been foolish and unkind. Is that all there is to it?"

Junpei shrugs, his gaze steady. "Maybe. I've always believed that people complicate simple answers. It's easier to be indifferent than to try and find meaning in everything."

Mahito chuckles darkly, a sound that reverberates through the cavern. "Indeed, people often create excuses to justify their actions. It's fascinating how much they cling to complexity, even when the answers are simple. I suppose you've come to embrace that simplicity through your brand of revenge."

The cursed spirit's voice takes on a more reflective tone as he continues. "People have a soul separate from the heart. Emotions are a byproduct of this soul, and I can see these souls quite clearly. Frankly, I find them unimpressive. Other lives hold no inherent value to me."

Junpei listens, his eyes showing a flicker of understanding. "So, you agree with me that life continues without meaning. But you're telling me to live the way I want?"

Mahito's face twists into a sly grin. "Precisely. While I see little worth in the lives of others, I support your outlook. Don't limit yourself to mere indifference. Embrace your way of thinking, however flawed or unconventional it may be."

...

The room hums with an undercurrent of urgency as Yuji, Nanami, and Ijichi huddle around a cluttered table strewn with maps, photos, and notes. The soft glow of the overhead lights casts a sharp contrast against the tense expressions on their faces.

Nanami, his usually calm demeanor steeled with resolve, points at a location circled on the map. "From the residual cursed energy we've tracked and the patterns of disfiguration, we've managed to approximate the location of the hideout. However, this is not an exact position."

Yuji, his face set in a determined scowl, leans forward. "I'm ready to move out. Let's get to it."

Nanami raises a hand, halting Yuji's eagerness. "We don't act on approximations. There's still one more step. We need to locate Junpei Yoshino. His connection to the victims could provide critical information."

Ijichi, standing by the doorway with a worried expression, nods slowly. "There's no solid evidence suggesting Junpei is a curse user, but his involvement must be investigated."

Yuji, his determination unwavering, responds, "I'll find Junpei."

As Yuji exits the room, Nanami turns to Ijichi, his tone shifting to one of serious concern. "The culprit is deliberately drawing us into their hideout. I don't want Yuji caught in the crossfire. I'll go in alone."

Ijichi's face tightens with worry but he acknowledges Nanami's decision with a nod. "Understood. We'll proceed with caution."

Just then, Yuji re-enters the room, his eyes filled with concern. "Be careful, Nanami-sensei."

Nanami looks at Yuji with a faint smile. "It's 'sensei,' not 'Nanami.'"

Yuji's face flushes with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, old habits die hard."

Nanami chuckles softly, a rare expression of warmth on his face. "Just remember, you're not the only one involved in this. Stay safe and stay sharp."

With a final nod, Yuji exits the room, heading out to search for Junpei Yoshino. Meanwhile, Nanami prepares for his solo mission, his expression hardening with focus.