Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

"Geto, what do you think?" Miguel's gaze shifted.

"It depends on how many of Sukuna's fingers that Special Grade Sorcerer can handle." Suguru said with a smile, adjusting his loose-sleeved robe, "If his tolerance is strong enough, we'll let him become Sukuna's vessel. If not... we'll kill him and take the fingers."

His casual words made Miguel and the others frown.

"He might be capable of Domain Expansion! And he may not be willing to consume more of Sukuna's fingers!" Miguel protested worriedly.

The Special Grade Cursed Object, Sukuna's Fingers, contains the soul of the King of Curses. When these Cursed Objects are consumed, three outcomes are possible.

First, the consumer dies from being unable to withstand the Cursed Power. Second, the consumer's body becomes possessed by Sukuna's consciousness. Third, the consumer can temporarily suppress Sukuna's soul through a special constitution.

Based on that young Special Grade's condition, only the second or third scenario was possible. If it was the third case, he must have realized something was wrong — getting him to consume more of Sukuna's Fingers would prove difficult.

"There are differences even among Special Grades." Suguru remarked, a smile playing at his lips as he waved his sleeve.

He had been collecting Sukuna's fingers for some time, but merely collecting them served no purpose.

He couldn't find a suitable vessel that could withstand their Cursed Power. While these fingers could increase a Cursed Spirit's power if consumed, his Innate Technique, Cursed Spirit Manipulation, had severe limitations.

First, Cursed Spirits subdued by his Technique maintained fixed power levels — even Sukuna's fingers couldn't increase their strength. Second, consuming Cursed Spirits was unbearably nauseating, like forcing down a vomit-stained rag. The experience had nearly driven Suguru to his breaking point.

The pressure from Special Grade Cursed Spirits proved too intense. Even with Cursed Spirit Manipulation, he dared not continue consuming them.

Moreover, given Sukuna's formidable soul, he dared not put these things in his mouth.

According to the original plan, he had his eyes on Yuta Okkotsu from Tokyo Jujutsu High. Yuta possessed a powerful Special Grade Cursed Spirit (Rika), which he could subdue using Cursed Spirit Manipulation.

But now he had found an even more suitable target.

"Don't worry too much. According to Nanami, he hasn't consumed many fingers. Though he's Special Grade, he's the weakest among them. I won't lose!" Suguru's smile radiated confidence.

Their Star Religious Group had already collected six of Sukuna's fingers, while Jujutsu High reportedly held another six, and Satoru Gojō, the strongest of the era, had privately gathered some more.

These collected pieces alone represented half of Sukuna's original power.

Daiki couldn't have collected more than five fingers — even three would be unlikely. He probably had only one or two.

How could they possibly be weaker than the power of just one or two fingers?

Miguel, his earlier concerns fading, settled back into his seat.

As Suguru had said, victory would be theirs!

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Meanwhile, at the Yukinoshita family mansion, a different scene was unfolding.

Mrs. Yukinoshita lay breathing weakly, her forehead dotted with fine sweat. Her whole body ached so intensely she couldn't lift a finger. Even the slightest movement or tremor sent her oversensitive nerves into overdrive.

After an hour of merciless rampage by the monster beside her, she could barely move. Though he seemed to have endless energy, she desperately needed to escape.

She dreaded what might happen if she stayed!

With a flushed face, she attempted to rise and leave Daiki's room.

Bang!

The door burst open. Harano appeared in the doorway.

Mrs. Yukinoshita, face draining of color, nearly cried out.

To her surprise, her daughter was completely intoxicated. Though she had planned for others to get drunk, Harano had ended up the most inebriated of all.

The mature woman clutched the thin blanket tightly around herself.

In the unlit room, the drunk Harano noticed nothing amiss.

"Daiki-kun..." She stumbled into his arms, her hands wandering aimlessly, making Mrs. Yukinoshita's heart race.

She tried to slip away quietly, but her daughter collapsed right on top of her. Terrified, she didn't dare make a sound.

"Hmph, not so proper now, are you?" Harano said irritably, "At dinner, you put on such a good act — I almost believed you'd changed. But it's clear now nothing's different. You were just behaving because Mother was there."

Mrs. Yukinoshita covered her ears, trying to block out her daughter's words.

"Hmm? Daiki-kun, your bed is quite comfortable..." Harano's breathing quickened, though something felt off to her.

The alcohol clouded her mind, making clear thought impossible.

Daiki's lips curved upward.

"Be quiet." He said softly, "And don't move."

At his words, Harano fell silent.

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Another hour passed.

Drowsiness and intoxication overtook Harano as her eyes grew heavy and closed.

Under the bright moonlight, a breeze swept across the vast mansion grounds.

Daiki sensed something different about the moonlight, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed.

The world and air seemed subtly altered.

Evil Spirits that had been invisible began materializing, while half-formed ones rapidly took shape.

The Yukinoshita family mansion must have had Cursed Tools to suppress Evil Spirits, as all were blocked from outside.

Daiki frowned slightly, instantly shielding the mansion with an invisible slash.

As he did this, a smile spread across his face.

"Didn't I tell you to rest a while longer?"

"How could I possibly rest easy like this!" The dignified Mrs. Yukinoshita emerged, her face flushed as she murmured, "Daiki-kun, aren't you going to rest?"

She looked puzzled — surely even Sorcerers needed rest. After such a busy day, he showed no signs of fatigue or exhaustion.

"Not yet." His attention shifted to the mechanical voice of the collection system.

『Congratulations, host, for collecting the Yukinoshita Family, triggering the Triple Bond Reward!』

『Reward: Cultivation Method — Yin-Yang Primordial Method!』

The Yin-Yang Primordial Method was the system's highest-level dual cultivation technique. Through dual cultivation, it could harness the universe's energy to increase one's power.

While the Art of Breathing rewarded from collecting Haruno was considered a basic cultivation technique, this one stood at the pinnacle of the immortal path.

In every aspect — especially cultivation speed — it was overwhelmingly superior.

The most basic ability of the Yin-Yang Primordial Method was granting Eternal Youth. Its profundity far surpassed the basic version of the other technique.

The Spiritual Power it cultivated contained the dao of Yin and Yang, allowing free transformation between Primal Fear and Sorcerers' Cursed Energy.

As Daiki contemplated this technique, preparing to test it, a swaying figure appeared in the distance. A maid anxiously tried to support the stumbling person.

He and Mrs. Yukinoshita looked over to see it was the drunk Ichika.

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T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!

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