Chapter 109 : That Projection Isn't Even One Ten-Thousandth of Him
Jiang Lai had experimented before and found that switching identities wouldn't make already summoned spirits disappear. As long as his cursed energy remained, he could maintain the spirits' existence.
Therefore, he could now safely switch to his main body without worrying about Matsuda Jinpei suddenly disappearing and causing Fushiguro Megumi to be shocked and concerned.
Jiang Lai freely switched to his main body in the alley, maintaining his chosen cursed spirit form, then sensed the cursed energy fluctuations lingering nearby.
He followed the cursed energy fluctuations, his form lightly landing at the domain's edge.
This was an incomplete domain, and since Jiang Lai himself as an [Existence] wouldn't be bound, he stepped forward normally and entered the illusory domain.
…
Fushiguro Megumi walked through this domain with a grave expression. After Little Sheep Jiang Lai was transported away, the moonlit forest scene dissipated like a mirage.
The surroundings returned to the initial modern street scene, with bustling crowds and vehicles occasionally passing by.
However, he clearly knew that he hadn't truly returned to the modern world.
The surroundings were still environmental images within this domain, just returned to the initial layer.
Black wolf-dog Matsuda Jinpei and Divine Dog Totality flanked Fushiguro Megumi on both sides, all maintaining vigilance to avoid sudden attacks from the illusion's master, just like what happened to Watanabe Mirai earlier.
Devil-horned Matsuda Jinpei habitually maintained the meticulousness and sharpness of a police officer, constantly monitoring the cursed energy fluctuations in the air.
As a spirit shikigami, his five senses had greatly improved. At this moment, he vaguely sensed subtle auras rising from the distance, cursed energy carrying some evil and coldness that briefly appeared then dissipated.
Divine Dog also detected something, tensing its body and slowing its pace, barking once toward Fushiguro Megumi.
Matsuda Jinpei spoke: "The cursed energy aura over there is a bit strange. Speaking of which, are there others in this illusion?"
Fushiguro Megumi temporarily stopped walking while answering: "My classmates and two seniors are probably all in this illusion too."
Classmates... meaning Itadori Yuji and Kugisaki Nobara were also here. Matsuda Jinpei paused, connecting that evil and cold cursed energy aura with Ryomen Sukuna.
Only he would have such powerful, far-reaching energy.
Could it be that Ryomen Sukuna had emerged for a moment just now? Or had he slightly broken free from control while Itadori Yuji wasn't paying attention, revealing some of his power?
Noticing the thoughtful expression on the black wolf-dog's face, Fushiguro Megumi said: "What's wrong? Do you have any thoughts?"
Because of his Ten Shadows Technique, Fushiguro Megumi had a natural fondness for other shikigami. He didn't simply treat shikigami as cursed energy condensations, but more like friends.
If Divine Dog could speak, he would have naturally started conversations with his own shikigami long ago. Facing a shikigami that could speak human language, Fushiguro Megumi naturally inquired.
Though Matsuda Jinpei knew the information from the manga, he naturally couldn't reveal it, so he said directly: "We should split up from here. In this situation, it's better to gather everyone together as quickly as possible."
The black wolf-dog dangled his cigarette, his tone carrying usual laziness, but his words were very rational.
"Both I and your shikigami can sense cursed energy more keenly than ordinary people. Since that's the case, you and I should go separate ways. After finding the others, we can also sense each other and reunite."
At this moment, this was a suitable consideration. Fushiguro Megumi was about to nod but had some hesitation.
He was a senior to Watanabe Mirai. If he not only failed to protect him but also caused his shikigami to dissipate, then...
Having been an adult for a long time and having gone undercover in organizations after death and resurrection, Matsuda Jinpei was very keen at observing micro-expressions. Without Fushiguro Megumi speaking, he guessed what the other was thinking, so he said:
"If I'm attacked and my health drops to zero, I'll disappear, but I won't dissipate. I can be summoned again next time without any effects."
Unlike Fushiguro Megumi's shikigami that wouldn't reappear after disappearing, with their abilities inherited by other shikigami, Little Sheep Jiang Lai's shikigami were very similar to spirits in games. Zero health meant leaving the field, but the card wouldn't be torn up.
Hearing Matsuda Jinpei's words, Fushiguro Megumi's last trace of hesitation also faded. He calmly nodded in agreement.
The two parted ways. Matsuda Jinpei followed the sensed cursed energy, while Fushiguro Megumi continued with Divine Dog toward the most cursed energy-dense center of the illusion. That place was most likely where the illusion caster was located. To break this illusion, he needed to find the source.
Fushiguro Megumi stepped forward. The closer he got to the center, the blurrier the surrounding scenery became. It no longer resembled the clear modern street scene from before, but transformed into indistinct blurry color blocks.
Sound waves vibrated in the air, wave after wave striking his eardrums painfully. Fushiguro Megumi gritted his teeth, not deterred by these cursed energy threats. He cautiously prepared for battle.
The next instant, a ferocious-looking cursed spirit suddenly lunged from the air!
The prepared Fushiguro Megumi acted without hesitation, quickly blocking and delivering a full counterattack. The large cursed spirit was sent flying by his strike!
The moment he raised and released his hand, the cursed spirit blocking his vision was sent flying, and the blurry color blocks before his eyes became clear again.
Smoke filled the air, ruins everywhere. Flags on city walls flapped violently in the fierce wind. Several cursed spirits and human figures chased each other among the damaged ancient-style buildings.
Fushiguro Megumi was stunned for a second, then heard anxious shouting beside his ear: "My lord! Lord Fushiguro! The city gate won't open, the barrier is blocking it!"
An unfamiliar jujutsu sorcerer approached with an anxious expression, sweat trickling down his forehead, his voice carrying a crying tone from despair: "Why is this happening? That lord is clearly guarding the [Gate] in the outskirts. Why are cursed spirits appearing within Heian-kyo City too? We can't hold them back at all!"
Fushiguro Megumi's expression remained stunned for half a second, then he frowned and calmly directed Divine Dog to attack, preparing to dispel the illusion.
When he raised his hand, he noticed his sleeve wasn't the technical college student uniform, but clothing from a thousand years ago. Fushiguro Megumi looked down. His black hair cascaded down, the spiky edges retaining characteristics of his sea urchin hair.
"...!?" Fushiguro Megumi's movement paused.
"My lord? My lord!" That jujutsu sorcerer was still speaking anxiously, "What should we do?!"
Blood and gunpowder smoke from nearby flooded his nostrils. Night wind carried grit across his cheek, bringing stinging sensation.
Back then, during such great disasters, he alone hadn't been able to hold out for long. Preparing to use his technique with the resolve to perish together, he was stopped by someone who descended from the sky. After the moonlit forest, he was saved by that person again.
Memories from a thousand years ago were stirred up from beneath the dust in his mind. For a moment, he felt somewhat bewildered.
But this bewilderment lasted only an instant. Fushiguro Megumi's ears seemed to hear a mischievous voice saying "transfer all the ransom to my account!" The missing modern junior immediately brought him back to his senses!
Facing this situation, he pressed his lips together, first having Divine Dog strike and destroy that jujutsu sorcerer illusion, then unhesitatingly formed hand seals to summon Max Elephant, planning a thorough cursed energy cleansing.
Just then, a fierce wind came from the side. Fushiguro Megumi narrowly avoided it. Several cursed energy-wrapped nails embedded deeply into the ground.
An orange-haired girl suddenly appeared, wearing a technical college student uniform. It was Kugisaki Nobara, attacking without mercy.
Fushiguro Megumi quickly counterattacked while calmly saying: "Creating ancient street scenes on one hand while having modern figures appear on the other, this illusion is truly stupid."
"Hah? Using an ancient shell while spouting words that seem to expose the illusion, do you think I'll fall for that?" Kugisaki Nobara swept her hair, her cool eyes sharp.
Both spoke their words, then suddenly paused for a second. They stared at each other warily while showing some suspicious exploration.
Fushiguro Megumi spoke first: "You..."
But Kugisaki Nobara spoke faster: "Are you alive or dead?" As she spoke, she beckoned Divine Dog over and started petting it.
"...What kind of question is that?" Fushiguro Megumi was speechless for a moment. Seeing the girl interact well with Divine Dog, he finally relaxed.
Divine Dog, being more sensitive to cursed energy perception, eliminated his wariness. Fushiguro Megumi recognized that the person before him was the real Kugisaki Nobara.
"Good boy, Divine Dog. Feels the same as always, so you're real." Kugisaki Nobara petted to her heart's content, then raised an eyebrow: "You didn't recognize this young lady at first? My presence clearly beats fakes by a whole street."
"You didn't recognize me either and attacked right away." Fushiguro Megumi replied in a flat tone, steadying himself.
"Who told you to change so drastically..." Kugisaki Nobara looked up and down at Fushiguro Megumi in ancient attire, "Made me think this illusion had pulled up my past memories again."
This ancient appearance was probably also an effect of the illusion, but Fushiguro Megumi didn't explain this. Instead, he grasped the key point, his blue-green eyes lifting: "...You remembered? When?"
"How should I put it? Not particularly clear, but I remember quite a bit from a thousand years ago." Kugisaki Nobara raised her chin slightly, answering, "Just when I stepped in here, I had a terrible headache for a while. It's a bit better now."
Fushiguro Megumi opened his mouth. He wanted to ask something but ultimately didn't.
Kugisaki Nobara wanted to say something proactively, but before she could speak, another figure suddenly appeared!
A navy blue kimono black-haired youth leaped in from outside. Witnessing the tragic scene within Heian-kyo City, his body paused. Though his face was shrouded in mist, one could sense the aura he gathered in an instant.
He turned his face, seemingly noticing Fushiguro Megumi and the others, stepping toward them.
"Shuuki." The other's voice was gentle with concern mixed in, "What happened?"
Fushiguro Megumi pressed his lips together and directed Divine Dog to attack!
The other's form dodged, hands nimbly using spatial techniques to deflect Divine Dog, but didn't attack. His voice carried surprise and helplessness: "What's wrong with you? Have you forgotten me?"
Fushiguro Megumi tried his best to keep his mind clear, but still couldn't avoid mental trembling, which also contained cold anger. He was furious at the caster for using memories of people to deceive in this way.
Past memories were a galaxy with glass thorns. The beautiful rippling waves carried slight pain from some regret, but ultimately belonged to his flowing past.
Now his memories were being maliciously used, and precious emotions were covered with inferior veils by the enemy. How could he not be angry?
Fushiguro Megumi formed hand seals again. The summoned giant Nue spread its wings and flew, thunder roaring as it attacked the enemy. The deflected Divine Dog simultaneously ran with agile form!
Kugisaki Nobara held her hammer horizontally, glaring over, her words bold: "Hey, you bastard! Don't randomly wear other people's skin and come out to disgust people!"
She held nails between her fingers, throwing them through the air!
The 'navy blue person' stepped back slightly, counterattacking with powerful spatial cursed blades!
The two forces collided thunderously, the shockwave causing both sides to retreat several meters. The surrounding Heian-kyo City scenery swayed like a disturbed water surface!
In such turbulence, a figure stood steadily on the ruins not far from their side.
No one knew when he had appeared there.
Fushiguro Megumi, Kugisaki Nobara, and that projection all instinctively looked over.
A black-haired, brown-eyed youth wore a light smile, his expression incredibly calm. Cursed energy fluctuations dissipated beside him without a trace of disturbance.
When he lifted his eyelids and silently gazed down at everyone, massive cursed energy surged densely forth, bringing overwhelming pressure from above.
That projection wasn't even one ten-thousandth of him.