Chapter 64 : Sprites and Kyubey
The situation was urgent and time was limited. Jiang Lai's gaze fell on the phone screen, and he directly made a decision, selecting the sprite he used most often.
A flash of brilliance appeared, and a nimble figure suddenly leaped out of the air!
The sprite that jumped out had limbs and body somewhat like a large feline, with an overall light green coloration. Its two long ears, longer than a rabbit's, had white fur coating the tips, and its tail was in a miraculous leaf shape.
"Leafeon...!?"
Yoshino Junpei stared wide-eyed in astonishment, unconsciously murmuring aloud.
Although his usual hobbies were movies, he had also dabbled in games.
He had played this very famous sprite adventure game a few times. Leafeon was one of the initial sprites available for selection at the beginning and also appeared on various promotional posters.
What was going on?!
Besides that, another figure had appeared on the scene.
Jumping onto the ground was a creature with a cute appearance and adorable pink coloring, and its appearance and name completely overlapped with Kyubey from a certain depressing magical girl anime series, who had "done all sorts of evil deeds"!
This was a deliberate setting by this sprite game. They had purchased the image rights to Kyubey from "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," making Kyubey the player guide character for this sprite adventure game. It made people want to complain endlessly.
At this moment, Jiang Lai was somewhat surprised by the appearance of the guide character. He hadn't expected this technique to be so faithful to the original...
The landed Kyubey looked up, saw Jiang Lai, and seemed somewhat surprised as well: "...Mirai?"
"?!" Jiang Lai was surprised that the other party knew his name, and even more so by this familiar gentle child's voice.
After just half a second of reaction, he recalled: "Noah's Ark? Hiroki?!"
Noah's Ark was an artificial intelligence carrying Hiroki Sawada's consciousness, and could actually be seen as the electronic version of Hiroki himself. He was a friend of Jiang Lai's Little Sheep disguise in the Detective Conan world, but also knew about the real Jiang Lai beneath the disguise.
"It's me." Kyubey-shaped Hiroki nodded in reply, but the current situation was obviously not the time for reminiscing or asking about circumstances. He quickly adapted to his guide image and said following his instincts, "I'll explain other things later. For now, use your phone to battle!"
Jiang Lai saw the Lv1 level display above the sprite's head on the screen, as well as the health and mana bars.
In the game, his sprite had already been upgraded to the maximum level. However, judging from the current situation, the level of sprites summoned through the technique was different from that in the game.
After all, the game was just a simulation medium, and the real technique was naturally separate from the game.
But since this technique simulated the game and referenced game conditions, this sprite could not only level up but also evolve!
However, the direction of evolution and whether it would succeed were uncertain, which was also a major feature of this game.
At this moment, after quickly grasping the technique, Jiang Lai stopped overthinking and focused on the battle at hand!
Although there were many cursed spirits in front of him, most were low-level cursed spirits that had gathered from nearby. The only one with a higher level was the multi-limbed spider-like cursed spirit occupying the center.
This game wasn't a turn-based game and required players to control the sprites themselves for flexible combat.
Jiang Lai simply dropped his backpack, gripped his phone with both hands, and skillfully used his gaming techniques to manipulate Leafeon and launch a counterattack in the narrow corridor!
Yoshino Junpei was behind the brown-haired boy, supporting himself against the wall with one hand, his legs still somewhat weak.
He stared in disbelief at this scene of a game becoming reality, feeling like this was a dream before death.
Pink and white Kyubey Hiroki jumped over to Yoshino Junpei's side. Being thoughtful, he knew that the one who needed companionship and protection at this time wasn't Jiang Lai, but this boy.
"What are you spacing out for, senior?" The brown-haired young boy wasn't standing still to operate; he was also moving flexibly, adjusting his line of sight and positioning. At this moment, he took a step back to Yoshino Junpei's side.
"Did you make the call?" He blinked. "I charge by the second, and the price goes up every minute that passes. Little Kyubey Hiroki's companionship fee will also be charged hourly later."
"Huh??" Yoshino Junpei was somewhat confused hearing this, but still caught the key point. He fumbled for his phone in a panic. "I, I'll call right away...!"
Jiang Lai once again focused his gaze ahead. Sprites level up very quickly in the early stages. At this moment, after manipulating it to eliminate several low-level cursed spirits, its level had already reached LV10, which was when it could start using its initial ultimate attack.
Leafeon was a Grass-type sprite. In this game's setting, its ultimate attack had relatively weak power but a fairly wide area of effect. This was perfect for the current situation with numerous low-level cursed spirits.
After Yoshino Junpei hurriedly finished his phone call and looked up, he was met with the sight of leaves flying everywhere. The light green Leafeon stood steadily on one side, and [Swift Tempest] swept through the corridor like an autumn wind!
The wailing sounds of low-level cursed spirits echoed in his ears. The stirred-up wind lifted the brown-haired boy's small ponytail. He raised one arm symbolically to block the wind, while his other hand continued to move flexibly, switching to summon another sprite.
A white, cute dumpling that looked completely harmless bounced out lightly, but when it landed in the brown-haired boy's hands, it transformed into a pure white crossbow.
Yoshino Junpei's eyes widened slightly as he stared unblinkingly at the brown-haired boy's powerful stance, steady hands, and the arrow shining with different colors that he shot out with a thunderous roar!
The arrow, aimed at the abdomen of the multi-limbed spider cursed spirit, exploded thunderously the moment it penetrated!
This effect naturally included Jiang Lai's own infusion of large amounts of cursed energy. This white dumpling sprite had no level marking and was a support-type sprite that could transform into weapon forms to assist other sprites or players. Its ability level depended on the person being assisted.
That spider cursed spirit had a relatively high level, so Jiang Lai specifically summoned this sprite, held it in his own hands while infusing it with dense cursed energy, and delivered the final blow!
Kyubey Hiroki, as the game guide, could choose whether to disappear or not. He wanted to say something, but after pausing for a few seconds, seemed to decide it would be better to chat in detail when they had more free time privately.
"I'll go back first, Mirai." Hiroki said. "See you later."
"Okay." Little Sheep Jiang Lai nodded. Indeed, now wasn't a good time for a long chat.
The foul smell of the cursed spirits on scene had dissipated somewhat, and the bloody smell from the bodies of the several murdered students began to waft again.
Fortunately, Yoshino Junpei had always watched many horror films, so his tolerance for such scenes was acceptable.
Moreover, the few people who had died were the bullies who had just been tormenting him, so Yoshino Junpei felt even less psychological burden.
He trembled as he exhaled several times, calming his emotions. Hearing police sirens outside the window, he staggered forward a few steps, grabbed Jiang Lai's sleeve, and took a deep breath:
"Please... please teach me the techniques you just used! Please!!"
His gaze was sincere. The high school student who had suffered from school bullying yearned to master this power.
If possible, Jiang Lai actually wanted to help the bullied Yoshino Junpei.
It's just that he was clear that this power wasn't something the other person could learn just because he agreed to teach it.
According to the original setting, Yoshino Junpei could only recently see cursed spirits. But in reality, he didn't have a sorcerer's brain.
Unless his brain was reconstructed, he couldn't master techniques, or like Zenin Maki, use cursed tools and rely purely on physical techniques. But this required hard work and long-term training.
Actually, Jiang Lai felt that if Yoshino Junpei really wanted to join the jujutsu world, he might be more suited for the non-combat position of [Window].
Moreover, if the other party really did join [Window], their side would also have a trustworthy character in the jujutsu world's monitoring organization. Jiang Lai was certain that there were also Supervisory Committee people on the [Window] side.
These thoughts passed through his mind. On the surface, Jiang Lai didn't respond to anything for the time being. He just continued maintaining his Little Sheep exterior, blinking as he said:
"Then you'll have to pay for this time first before we can talk about next time~"
"This, this time..." Yoshino Junpei was stunned for a few seconds, then hurriedly began searching through his wallet, "Sorry! May I ask how much..."
As he moved, the bruised marks on his arms where he'd been twisted were revealed again.
"Considering we're classmates, I'll give you a discount. My appearance fee plus Kyubey Hiroki's companionship fee, the price is 50 dollars per second. Thank you for your patronage~"
50 dollars per second?! Yoshino Junpei froze on the spot.
"I told you my prices are very expensive, and this is already discounted." The brown-haired boy said with a grin, whether he was joking or being serious was unclear. "How about it, senior? Are you paying cash or card?"
At this moment, Yoshino Junpei couldn't quite tell whether the brown-haired underclassman in front of him was a great benefactor who had saved him, or some kind of extortion bully based on that foundation.
But in any case, the other party had saved him after all...
He clutched his wallet, saying in a low voice: "Sorry, I don't have that much money. Could, could I..."
"Then pay it back slowly. There's no rush for now." The brown-haired boy stepped forward a few steps, walking to his side, his dark eyes looking up. "Until you finish paying your debt, you'll follow me. I'll teach you some other things."
Yoshino Junpei's heart stirred, and he suddenly looked over.
"I can't teach you the sprite skills from earlier, but I should still be able to guide you in some electronic technology. I have high talent and learn super fast and a lot."
"Since you're my subordinate now, you'll have to call me BOSS from now on." The brown-haired boy puffed out his chest with quite an attitude. "As the BOSS, I won't let my subordinates be wronged either."
"After all, only by having excellent skills and sound physique can you better serve your boss." Little Sheep Jiang Lai said with a playful smile as he picked up his backpack and put it back on. "Work harder and pay off your debt soon!"
Yoshino Junpei's heart was pounding. He understood the meaning behind the brown-haired boy's words.
Although on the surface it was all about debt repayment and boss-subordinate relationships, in reality, within the joking words lay hidden care and help for him.
The meaning was that from now on, the other party would protect him, and additionally, would teach him some extra skills.
"That, I... thank..." Yoshino Junpei gripped his wallet tightly, his lips trembling, emotions clashing and colliding in his heart, his words somewhat stuttering.
"Good, good, no need to say it. It's great that you have this awareness in your heart." The brown-haired boy winked, looking down at his phone. "Come on, tell me your email address. I'll send you study materials later. Let's strive to get you learning early so you can earn money for BOSS me early~"
Just as Yoshino Junpei finished telling the brown-haired boy his email address, he heard the noisy sound of footsteps from the staircase. Police personnel were rushing up quickly!
Beside him, Little Sheep Jiang Lai had already heard the sounds.
He didn't want to attract unnecessary attention from ordinary social police and have to explain things troublesomely. If he could keep things simple, it was better to keep them simple.
So he immediately dropped his smile, pocketed his phone, then grabbed onto Yoshino Junpei's arm beside him, putting on the appearance of a trembling, tearful underclassman:
"Wuwu, the scene is so scary... What happened..."
Yoshino Junpei: ????
Yoshino Junpei was shocked into a blank expression by this 180-degree change.
Jiang Lai (innocent, scared, tearful): Starting to act to avoid trouble!.jpg
The gruesome dismemberment scene in front of them wasn't something two boys could have created. The police system also had personnel specifically responsible for handling these kinds of bizarre incidents, and they quickly notified jujutsu world personnel.
Little Sheep Jiang Lai and Yoshino Junpei were taken away, briefly questioned and comforted, then released.
After returning home, Nanami Kento hadn't gotten off work yet.
Jiang Lai sat on the sofa and summoned Kyubey Hiroki through his technique.
He hugged the fluffy pink and white Kyubey, had a lively reunion, and just as he was about to have a detailed conversation with him, the sound of unlocking came from the front door.
He looked up.
Outside the door stood Nanami Kento. Additionally, there was a pink-haired boy, Itadori Yuji.
"Hello, Watanabe-kun!" Itadori Yuji was the first to greet him. He had heard about Watanabe Mirai from Nanami Kento.
The boy's smile was bright as he introduced himself: "I'm Itadori Yuji. I'll be troubling you for the next few days, staying here temporarily..."
"Itadori-kun just received notification and will be executing this mission together with me." Nanami Kento said. "During the mission period, he'll be staying here as well."
Mission? Could it be... Jiang Lai immediately thought of today's incident at Satozakura School.
That batch of suddenly appearing cursed spirits shouldn't have been a coincidence. There was probably some reason behind it.
The jujutsu world moved pretty quickly too. After learning of this incident, they immediately sent people over.
"I already received a call from the police. Are you okay from today?" Nanami Kento had already understood the situation from the phone call and had specifically observed Little Sheep Jiang Lai when he entered, but he still asked again in person.
"I'm fine." Little Sheep Jiang Lai held up Kyubey Hiroki, who had been hidden by the cushion he was hugging. "Look! What is this..."
"Wow, a living Kyubey!" Itadori Yuji's eyes sparkled. "Could this be from that game..."
Nanami Kento's focus was on another aspect: "You awakened a technique?"
"That's right." Little Sheep Jiang Lai nodded. "I newly awakened a technique, which is the materialization of that sprite adventure game."
"Cool!!" Itadori Yuji stepped lightly, moving forward in two or three steps with high interest. "That must be super fun! Are there other sprites too? This Kyubey is so cute..."
Kyubey Hiroki had a good personality. He looked up with a smile, then deliberately flattened his ears, indicating that the other person could pet him.
"Want to give him a pet, Brother Itadori?" The brown-haired boy followed up with a question, smiling brilliantly.
"Ah, is that really okay?" Itadori Yuji was eager to try, just extending his hand when he heard the brown-haired boy quietly add a sentence.
"It's not expensive, 100 dollars once."
Itadori Yuji: "?"
His movements suddenly froze!
The brown-haired boy then burst out laughing: "Just kidding, I won't charge you for now~ After all, there's still a Zenin family heir who got scammed out of 1.8 billion."
"The Zenin family." Nanami Kento frowned. When it came to the Zenin Young Master, his first reaction was Zenin Naoya. "Zenin Naoya was scammed out of 1.8 billion? When did this happen?"
Little Sheep Jiang Lai: "Something that will happen in the future."
Nanami Kento: "..."