— — — — — — —
"Huh? I still can't believe it..."
"Our club… actually takes on requests?"
Walking toward the old school building, Utaha couldn't help but question it out loud.
Back in the Supernatural Research Club, Yukinoshita Yukino had already explained the request.
The school was planning to renovate the old school building, so the student council started drafting a reconstruction plan.
But then… strange things started happening.
Some students claimed they saw shadows moving. Others swore the desks and chairs would shift on their own. And some even said they saw Hanako-san in the restroom!
The rumors just kept getting wilder.
To put an end to the chaos, Student Council Secretary Fujiwara Chika had approached the Service Club for help.
Yukino, naturally, scoffed at the idea of ghost stories meant to scare kids and confidently took on the request.
And then ....she and Yui ran back like frightened cats with their tails between their legs.
Because the chairs in the old school building really did move on their own!!
That was also why, when Yuigahama Yui first stepped into the Supernatural Research Club, she was so on edge.
She was already traumatized.
Not willing to let the request go unfinished, Yukino sought out the Supernatural Research Club on the recommendation of Professor Natsuki.
Which led to what had happened earlier.
"Seriously…There's a whole club dedicated to supernatural cases in this school."
"So why didn't Fujiwara Chika just ask them in the first place?"
Yukino couldn't help but complain internally.
Trailing behind the group, she heard Utaha's comment and felt her eye twitch.
These people… can they really be trusted?
But then she recalled what had happened earlier in the clubroom, and she instinctively shuddered. Her gaze drifted toward Lynn. "Who is he, really?"
"Yuki, are you sure you're okay?"
Yuigahama Yui looked at her with concern.
"Yuki… is she sick?"
"No, it's probably because of that incident."
"Wait! So why are we going back there again?!"
— — —
Elsewhere…
A lively girl with short, orange hair blinked in surprise.
"Huh? Is that… Miko?"
Yurikawa Hana's eyes lit up when she spotted Yotsuya Miko, but then she suddenly remembered something.
And her cheeks puffed up in anger.
"You traitor, Miko!"
"You joined a club and completely abandoned me!"
A month ago, they were always heading back together after school. But now, all of a sudden, she was the only one left.
Every night, walking home alone—so lonely and depressing!
And every time she asked Miko what club she joined, Miko always dodged the question with vague answers.
"Well, well! Looks like I finallycaught her in the act!"
Hana narrowed her eyes and carefully trailed behind Miko, making sure not to be noticed.
She was going to find out the truth about this mysterious club!
— — —
The Old School Building
Yotsuya Miko looked up at the looming structure, and her eye twitched.
"…This place… isn't some cursed spirit's lair, is it?"
Her spirit-sight revealed everything clearly.
Aside from the first floor, the entire building was absolutely drenched in malice.
A thick, eerie mist of black and purple completely engulfed the upper levels.
Only the first floor was somewhat… safe.
Under these conditions, the fact that the student council members and others managed to run out alive was already a miracle in itself.
Miko glanced at Yukino and Yui with a complicated expression.
"…Something wrong?" Yukino paused.
"She's just amazed you actually made it back alive." Utaha's voice came from behind her, low and teasing. She even blew a soft breath against Yukino's neck for extra effect.
"Eek!"
Yukino jolted, shivering before glaring at Utaha. "What's with all this talk about life and death? You're making it sound way worse than it actually is!"
"Are we really going in?" Shiina Mahiru looked a little worried.
She might not have Yotsuya Miko's ability to see spirits, but as a Devil, she could naturally perceive supernatural beings.
So both she and Utaha could see exactly what Miko was seeing.
Also, Lynn had already used his magic to scan the place—there was just a single Grade 1 Cursed Spirit.
Lynn was unfazed.
To him, this thing wasn't even worth mentioning. But for Miko and the others… yeah, this was definitely pushing their limits.
Still, it could be a valuable experience.
Even if they were just here to spectate, they'd at least get something out of it.
But hold on—something wasn't adding up.
[Lynn: "A giant Grade 1 Cursed Spirit roaming the old school building, and no one's dealing with it?"]
[Natsuki-Chan: "Heh, if you wanna know, go ask those idiots on the school board."]
[Lynn:"..." ]
As expected.
No matter where you go, there's never a shortage of fools in charge.
They wanted himto work for free?
Not happening.
No way in hell.
[Lynn: "A Grade 1 Cursed Object as compensation isn't too much to ask, right?"]
[Natsuki-Chan: "I'll put in the request for you."]
It's not like she was paying for it anyway.
In the faculty office, Minamiya Natsuki readily agreed.
It wasn't her resources on the line, so why would she care?
---
In Front of the Old School Building
"Okay, now we're talking."
"Speaking of which, is Jujutsu Kaisen also part of this messy mashup world? I need to check later."
"But for, let's just wait for my reward."
Lynn leaned against the railing, feeling much better now.
At least Natsuki's guarantees were trustworthy.
[Natsuki-Chan: "Stop calling me 'Natsuki-chan'!!!"]
[Lynn: "That's what you're named as in my phone, so nope!"]
Ignoring her protest, Lynn put his phone away and gazed up at the third floor of the old school building.
His sharp eyes pierced through the layers of sinister purple mist, revealing the truth hidden within.
Then, he grinned.
"Tsk. A mere Grade 1 Cursed Spirit… and you're making this much of a scene?"
Seeing Lynn's expression, Utaha and the others immediately understood—
The Cursed Spirit inside the old school building was screwed.
"Alright, let's go. Someone's already made a good offer for this job." Lynn casually waved his phone.
"Cursed Object?"
Utaha and the others were confused.
"It's basically a special kind of weapon."
Lynn explained briefly, then turned to Miko.
"This time, you're the main fighter."
He had decided to let Miko claim the reward. After all, this kind of thing suited her abilities perfectly.
But Miko was completely dumbfounded.
"…Huh?"
Did he just say she had to fight a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit?!
"Relax, I'll be here to back you up. Once you've gained enough experience, I'll finish it off."
Lynn glanced at his Familia members and sighed.
Not one of them was ready to take the lead yet.
When the hell was he finally going to live a carefree, lazy life?!
"So… can someone please explain what's going on?" Yukinoshita Yukino raised her hand, signaling for attention.
Ever since this conversation started, these guys had been spouting all kinds of weird terms— Cursed Spirits, Cursed Objects…
None of it made any sense!
And wait, wasn't her club the one that took on this request?
What was this about rewards? Who even offered a reward?!
What she didn't know was that the Service Club was nothing more than Minamiya Natsuki's puppet.
From the very beginning, this request had been made directly to Lynn by Natsuki herself…
Poor Yukino.
.
.
.