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Sometimes, I can't help but sigh; if only all cursed spirits were as simple-minded as this, wouldn't the world be a better place?

"Who's there?" Some of the manor's security personnel frowned as they spotted the approaching figure. They moved in to disperse him, but as they got closer, they realized what they were dealing with. The guns on his head and arms made it clear this wasn't a person. It was a cursed spirit. A real cursed spirit.

"A curse! It's a curse!"

"Run!"

If it had been an ordinary intruder, they could have handled it easily. But now that they saw it was a cursed spirit, they didn't waste a second before running back. The Shinomiya family's salary might be good, but no amount of money was worth dying for.

"Tsk."

The Gun Curse Spirit, normally eager to kill any human in his path, merely scoffed this time. He wasn't here for these insignificant creatures; he was here for the sorcerer inside the manor. His true opponent was waiting for him just ahead.

"Let me see if the so-called strongest sorcerer is really worth all the hype!" he sneered.

Thanks to Kenjaku's manipulation, he believed that Ryuji was the true strongest sorcerer, not Gojo Satoru. That confidence, misplaced as it was, had lured him right here.

Without another word, the Gun Curse Spirit raised his hand, its end forming the barrel of a pistol. No need for a magazine; curse energy gathered at the muzzle instead.

"Bang!"

The shot echoed like thunder, rattling the entire manor.

"What was that?"

"What's going on?"

The sudden commotion sent waves of panic through the banquet hall as people looked around, startled and confused.

"Boom!"

An explosion ripped through the manor. Every building and structure surrounding the main hall was obliterated in an instant. The shockwave made the manor look as though it had been nothing but a flimsy set of cardboard walls.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Walls crumbled, debris flew, and the guests began screaming as they frantically tried to shield themselves from the falling rubble.

"Help!"

"What's happening?"

"Save us!"

Most of the guests had no idea what was going on. For them, this was pure terror.

Meanwhile, Mei Mei, who had been expecting something like this, glanced at Ryuji. She noticed that he hadn't even flinched; he still held his wine glass, calm and composed. Her own anxiety relaxed a little.

With just a wave of her hand, she deflected any debris that flew her way.

Others, like Erina, were frozen in fear, watching as a large piece of rubble hurtled toward them, unable to react in time.

Am I... going to die? The thought struck Erina as her eyes widened, staring at her impending fate.

"Dissipate," Ryuji commanded, his voice carrying a hint of cursed energy that radiated outward.

Instantly, all the rubble disintegrated into ash and vanished before it could reach anyone.

"This…"

After a moment of stunned silence, many of the guests turned to look at Ryuji. Realization dawned—they had just been saved by him.

Erina stared at Ryuji in awe. Seeing something like this live was so much different from watching it on a screen. She finally began to understand the overwhelming power of a real sorcerer.

Alice, however, just chuckled as she observed her cousin's reaction.

"Well, Erina? Starting to feel a bit small?"

"..."

For once, Erina had nothing to say, only bowing her head, a bitter expression on her face.

"Mom!"

Eriri's voice broke through as she checked on her mother. She already had her sketchpad out, ready to activate her technique, but seeing that Ryuji was in control, she put it away.

"Looks like it's your cursed spirit fan club," Mei Mei smirked as she walked up to Ryuji, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Oh? Planning to deal with it for me?" Ryuji chuckled, clearly amused.

"That depends. What do I get for my troubles?" Mei Mei teased back, her confidence matching his.

"Compensation, huh?" Ryuji pretended to think it over, before giving her a sly smile. "How about me?"

"Deal!" Mei Mei replied without a second thought.

"Then don't even think about leaving tonight," Ryuji added with a grin, matching her boldness.

Mei Mei wasn't shy in the slightest. She was a seasoned sorcerer, and she knew what she wanted. Playing coy wasn't her style.

At that moment, the ominous sound of footsteps drew everyone's attention. Those who had planned to thank Ryuji froze in place, their faces paling as they realized the source of the footsteps.

Through the clearing dust, they could see the intruder: the Gun Curse Spirit. Slowly, he stepped through the broken walls and debris, heading straight for them.

"What… what is that?"

"A monster! A monster!"

"That's… that's a cursed spirit?"

People shrank back, horrified by the sight. The Gun Curse Spirit's grotesque form, with a head resembling an assault rifle and arms shaped like pistols, was enough to instill terror in anyone.

"Which one of you is Ryuji?" the Gun Curse Spirit demanded, his voice thick with malice.

The guests turned to Ryuji, looking bewildered and terrified.

"So, it's you," the Gun Curse Spirit said, locking his gaze onto Ryuji. A twisted grin spread across his mouth. "I've heard you're the strongest sorcerer around. I'll kill you and prove to everyone that my firepower makes me the ultimate cursed spirit! Hahahahaha!"

Ryuji, still unfazed, simply took a sip from his champagne glass. "Quite the eventful evening," he remarked with a faint smile.

Seeing Ryuji's relaxed demeanor, the Gun Curse Spirit seethed with anger. "Are you mocking me?" he growled.

Unfazed by the cursed spirit's rage, Ryuji's calm smile only deepened. His indifference seemed to infuriate the Gun Curse Spirit even more.

"Die!" it roared, lifting its pistol-shaped hand and firing a curse-imbued bullet straight at Ryuji's head.

"Clang!"

Before the bullet could reach him, Mei Mei intercepted it with her two-handed axe, sparks flying from the impact.

The Gun Curse Spirit's eyes narrowed as he took in Mei Mei's stance. "Who the hell are you?"

"You want Ryuji? You'll have to get through me first," Mei Mei replied, lifting her axe with a fearless grin.

The Gun Curse Spirit's expression twisted into fury. Without hesitation, he unleashed a rapid-fire barrage of curse bullets at her.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Each shot came with deafening noise, the cursed energy tearing through the air toward Mingmei.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

But Mei Mei deflected each bullet with skill and precision, closing the distance between them with each step. Her axe met every shot, sending sparks flying.

"You're tougher than I thought," the Gun Curse Spirit growled, but his confidence remained unshaken. Gritting his teeth, he lowered his head-mounted assault rifle, charging it with even more cursed energy.

"Die!" he roared, firing a massive blast that sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, cracks spreading in all directions.

From behind, Sonoko gasped, watching Mei Mei struggle under the intense blast. "Mei Mei! Are you okay?"

Tomoko put a reassuring hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Let's stay back. Mr. Ryuji will know what to do."

"Relax," Ryuji said with a calm smile. "Mei Mei can handle herself."

And sure enough, as the dust began to settle, Mei Mei's silhouette emerged, her clothes slightly torn but otherwise unscathed.

High above, a black crow circled, ready to strike.

"Black Bird Manipulation—Kamikaze!" Mei Mei shouted, activating her ultimate move.

The crow ignited with cursed energy, diving toward the Gun Curse Spirit with blinding speed, its feathers glowing with deadly intent.

"What—?" the Gun Curse Spirit barely had time to react.

"Boom!"