He Built [1]

After they finished explaining the details of this mission, which was designed to help them bond, everyone headed to the city to find the mysterious building.

Hisagi, who had just bought a lot of coffee cookies, looked around and murmured, "Everyone must think I'm dressed as a character from some movie or something."

Maki agreed with him and said sincerely, "I think you should look for a different uniform. You look good, but I don't think it's optimal for fighting."

"You do look good..."

'I wonder how they see Panda...' Hisagi thought, but looking at the collar on his chest, he figured only those with active cursed energy could clearly see him.

"Pumpkin with sugar..." Toge had taken the opportunity to buy stories about his favorite superhero, and after that, they went straight to the building, which wasn't hard to find.

The group of five walked slowly, curiously observing their surroundings. It wasn't common to have so much time to reach a mission, so everyone took it easy.

...

Six in the evening was the perfect time for people to go out drinking after work. It was common to see people leaving and playing along with their boss to avoid getting fired.

These social gatherings were more out of obligation than desire, but Hisagi wasn't one to judge if this was good or bad.

"Well, looks like this is the place..."

"I don't know why I imagined something more impressive."

"I don't blame you. Considering the last place you fought, this looks like a children's daycare."

The group of five stood in front of the building, staying still for a few minutes while analyzing what might be inside. Many expected some sort of trap; as for everyone except Yuta, this mission felt like a waste of time.

Was this really a mission to forge friendships?

Hisagi had been absent from training because he didn't need it. His body had reached a level where training was unnecessary, and he spent most of his time studying various barrier spells, each more interesting than the last.

This place was divided into two areas. One area was filled with numerous buildings that would soon be transformed into restaurants or shops to attract people looking for a unique place to live.

The other area was full of food stalls. Everyone here loved the place because they didn't have to travel far to get whatever they wanted.

"By the way, can cursed spirits only be eliminated with cursed energy and special weapons?" Yuta had just remembered that. All sorcerers seemed to have cursed energy, so unlike him, who relied on the power of his curse, he wanted to learn more during this team mission.

"I told you not to ask me anything about cursed energy. Besides, you already know the answer to that question," Maki said, knowing Yuta was trying to break the silence.

Panda liked this about Yuta and responded, "Maybe that wasn't the right situation to bring it up."

"Sesame sauce."

The reality was that in the last mission between Maki and Yuta, things had gone terribly wrong. The reports said they almost died, and if it hadn't been for the release of Yuta's special-grade curse, they might have failed the mission.

Everyone wants to learn at some point in their life. This was happening with Yuta, who wanted to solve the curse of his best friend.

"I can teach you while we wait..." Hisagi unexpectedly offered to teach Yuta about the differences in energy, saying, "As you know, all of us as humans have cursed energy around our bodies. Negative energy never runs out, so cursed spirits always exist. We manage cursed energy, which makes us special beings capable of eliminating cursed spirits. Those with little of this energy use weapons, like Maki, but they can also rely on spiritual energy."

"Spiritual energy?"

Everyone except Maki looked at Hisagi in surprise. He had slowly learned about this new energy, which he used to create barriers and seal techniques.

Few knew about these techniques, but they were indeed remarkable in combat.

"Is that a more special energy?" Yuta asked while fiddling with the hilt of his sword.

"Only spiritual agents use that energy. They make a contract after death and work to suppress Yokai." Panda had limited knowledge about these spiritual agents, who rarely appeared on the field.

Hisagi and Maki seemed to possess spiritual energy, but few could control it.

"Not necessarily," Hisagi said as he approached the building.

"You already have a bond with a powerful cursed spirit that offers you strength, and you have cursed energy connected to your body. However, you can't control it in a single day, so you can use it little by little without forcing yourself." Hisagi began to touch the door, which was completely shut.

"No field agents... It looks like it's a special request or a fabricated scenario."

"It doesn't matter; leave this to me." Panda was ready to break through a wall.

"Like a little kid..." Maki scoffed and walked toward the abandoned building.

Yuta and Toge followed her, and Hisagi's voice reminded them, "Oh, Yuta, you also need to suppress that cursed spirit with you. Otherwise, all the nearby cursed spirits will be instantly eliminated."

"Understood. I won't let Rika out." Yuta nodded, knowing this control was something he always had to maintain.

Panda smiled. At least Yuta was sensible. Any of them could eliminate a third-grade cursed spirit in seconds... Why would Rika even need to come out? With Hisagi here, the outcome was predictable.

"Hurry up, why the hell are you taking pictures?" Maki snapped, annoyed that her teammates could get distracted even by ants on the ground.

Once Hisagi rolled up the metal shutter, Maki entered first. Although it was a bit dark, at least they could see clearly.

Hisagi entered as well. He looked at Maki in front of him and said, "You don't have to work so hard; leave it to me."

"Huh?" Maki turned her head and looked at Hisagi. "Did those cursed spirits you fought scramble your brain?"

"I like that fierceness you show all the time, so if you don't want to distract me, we can work as a team." Hisagi only wanted his points, but he couldn't explain that to Maki. If someone else eliminated the spirits, there would be no point in being here.

"Come on, Hisagi!" Panda patted Hisagi on the shoulder. He knew this woman wasn't easy to deal with—more troublesome than most.

The three of them started searching while Hisagi went straight up the stairs. The cursed energy was stronger upstairs, but the lower floors showed weaker reactions as well.