Chapter 174: The Cursed Fetus Togalin
Very good.
It’s all perfect this way.
We can both coexist without interfering in each other’s affairs.
While muttering softly to himself, Hachiman Hikigaya stared at the octopus-headed curse spirit in front of him while subtly moving away.
The octopus head really just stared its round eyes at him, watching as he edged back twenty meters.
“It’s rather cute,” murmured Hachiman quietly.
Compared to the ones from before that looked like deep-sea creatures with little regard for their own appearance, this octopus head appeared quite more appealing.
But Hachiman didn’t forget that five minutes ago, this guy devoured someone whole. Although he spit out the person after a few seconds when attacked by Snow Underneath Leader, what came out was already a skeleton upper half.
This was a cursed spirit—an ugly existence formed from the overflowing curse energy of human negativity—not something you could hold or cuddle like a toy and not something to coexist peacefully with humans; it must be purged.
He wouldn’t forget this nature of a curse spirit.
Though he was unsure why this one didn’t attack while his arm was injured, getting some much-needed rest was certainly welcome.
On another note, is Rinqi still not done?
Hachiman leaned against the window. Staring at the blood seeping out from his wound, he could see through the bloody flesh a hint of white.
Occasional tremors overhead came from the sounds of Rinqui battling someone else.
This being who can fight such a powerful figure like Rinqi should also be a Special Grade curse spirit—certainly too strong for me. The aftermath of just watching their battle could easily end my life several times over.
Where’s Snow Underneath Leader? She shouldn’t have run into any trouble, right?
No, no, speaking of which is jinxed.
Ah, it really hurts!
Komachi, I want to go home.
Hachiman tried to distract himself with these thoughts to lessen the pain from his arm.
“You.” A young, childlike voice suddenly rang out clearly in the silent space, “What is your name?”
That voice startled Hachiman, who realized the voice came from the octopus-head curse spirit in front of him.
“The cursed spirit is speaking!?”
“No, there are some curse spirits that can talk. They mostly ramble incoherently, but this was the first time hearing such clear speech.”
While mumbling, the spirit spoke again: “My name is Togalin. There are also Lohu, Hanomi, and Mahito. All of us have our names.”
Mahito?
That name… Right, Snow Underneath Leader mentioned this one—it’s the Special Grade curse spirit that killed Ooka and possessed human-like intelligence!
Wait, so this octopus head is a Special Grade!
—— Hachiman started sweating bullets.
Yet to buy enough time until she returns… No, if it’s truly a Special Grade curse spirit, maybe Snow Underneath Leader shouldn’t return.
A forced smile played across Hachiman’s lips: “I’m Hachiman Hikigaya. You’re Togalin, right? Nice to meet you?”
Can this spirit just leave me alone and go?
Togalin stopped mid-action, pulling back its tentacle aimed at Hachiman, and said, “Lohu is fighting a powerful enemy. I need to go help him.”
After saying that, it dragged itself away on its arms.
— Wait? It really left?
Staring blank-eyed at its departure, Hachiman realized that the spirit genuinely let him off without reattacking.
A lucky moment saved his life, and the dead-eye teenager could finally let out a sigh of relief only to—
“Wham!”
As he let out a breath of relief, in an instant, Togalin hurtled back, crashing into a store several times faster than it departed from.
The counter inside was obliterated, and shelves crumbled to pieces. Dust and smoke erupted.
“Ahh? What happened now?”
Hachiman had to stand up again, turning towards where the spirit came.
“Hahahaha, there’s still a surviving small blessing.”
Cackling laughter rang out, and three figures now appeared in Hachiman’s vision. The lead wore a white robe, and next to him walked a boy and girl. One of them was Komisaki Nobura, whom he recognized.
“That’s not a normal person, he’s a fellow worker.”
Nobara spotted the known face, racking her brain to recall, “Seems like his name is… Hacuriy?”
Ah, things are finally back to normal. Getting used to being misnamed, Hachiman felt an odd sense of warmth.
The people recently have all been too kind, none even getting his name wrong, making him feel like making new friends.
“It’s Hachiman Hikigaya.” He corrected her.
The trio approached, the dead-eyed teen warned, “Be cautious, everyone. That one might be a Special Grade curse spirit.”
“Special Grade? Even with the aura, it doesn’t seem there,” Nobara disputed.
“It knows the special grade that speaks, which means they are likely companions,” Hachiman stated cautiously. “Snow Underneath Leader went after a curse master, she’ll probably come back soon.”
They hardly finished speaking when a lovely figure dashed into view.
“Ish, Senpai Yukino!” Nobara, happy to finally see a girl in the group, waved at the approaching Yukinoshita Yukino.
No time for catchup, then Jinmyouma straightened the moment, warning, “Here comes.”
Right afterwards, the shelves burst into flight due to an explosion of curse power, a red figure appeared, hovering above them.
…
After school, become a juju sorcerer:
—
(Translation note: This seems like the beginning of an Oregairu x Jujutsu Kaisen crossover fanfiction.)
