Bonus chapter unlocked by your Power Stones!
...
"Who's in danger?"
"It's not Mio, not Miko, not Senjougahara… none of my contracted girls."
"The location—here!"
Following the pull of his [Love Curse], Takumi instantly locked onto the source of distress.
Night still glimmered across Kuoh Town, neon signs painting the streets in red and blue hues.
A woman in an office uniform, exuding the graceful maturity of a working professional, walked briskly through the commercial district. It was Akitsuki Kayoko—her sharp yet elegant face softened by exhaustion.
"Haa~ Working overtime till this hour again… I should hurry home."
She yawned, picking up her pace. But as she walked, she failed to notice the crowd thinning around her. The lively street grew eerily empty, and soon, only the dim lamplight guided her steps.
By the time she sensed something was wrong, the world around her had fallen into absolute silence. Ahead, the lights flickered out one by one—leaving only a void of pitch-black darkness that yawned open before her like the maw of a beast.
Thump.
An inexplicable panic seized her chest. Kayoko clutched her shoulder bag tightly and looked down at her phone.
"No signal? Why suddenly no signal…?"
Confusion turned to suffocating dread. Her instincts screamed to run—but when she turned around, a tall figure was already standing under the streetlight behind her.
A woman.
She wore a brown trench coat, her face hidden behind a medical mask. Long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, framing pale, flawless skin. Even through the coat, her voluptuous curves pressed against the fabric, outlining an alluring S-shaped silhouette—ample chest, narrow waist, full hips.
Kayoko's mind blanked for a second. Beautiful…
The word escaped her thoughts before she could stop it.
Then she remembered. The rumors. The urban legend that had resurfaced in Kuoh Town—the Slit-Mouthed Woman. An old tale whispered anew.
"…No way. That's just an old story."
Kayoko forced a nervous laugh, shaking off the thought as she walked forward, intending to pass the stranger. But as she drew close, a chill colder than ice crawled up her spine, freezing her in place.
The woman moved—slowly stepping out from under the light.
A faint, almost musical giggle echoed down the deserted street. "Fufufu~"
Then, in a voice smooth and hauntingly beautiful, the woman spoke. "Am I beautiful?"
Kayoko blinked, startled but momentarily relieved as the stranger removed her mask. A breathtakingly gorgeous face appeared before her—porcelain skin, delicate jawline, long seductive eyes, and lips painted a deep, alluring red.
She was stunning—unearthly, even.
"You're… very beautiful," Kayoko breathed.
The woman's lips curved upward. Her tone dropped an octave, dripping with malice.
"Then… what about now?"
Her mouth split open—literally. The corners of her lips stretched far past what was humanly possible, tearing toward her ears, blood gleaming along the wounds.
Hhhhhh—
Kayoko's breath stopped. Her entire body locked in frozen terror.
"Now… am I beautiful?"
The Slit-Mouthed Woman hissed, grinning wide enough to devour her.
Kayoko trembled uncontrollably, unable to make a sound.
That was when a man's voice rang out behind her.
"Kids, this isn't beautiful at all."
BAM!
A blur shot from the side, his elbow crashing straight into the creature's ribs, sending her flying several meters away.
"Takumi-kun!?" Kayoko gasped, wide-eyed.
Takumi stood there, turning his head with a relaxed smile. "Yo~ good evening, Miss Akitsuki. Didn't expect to run into you here."
"Takumi-kun…" She threw herself into his arms, relief flooding through her trembling body. Her soft curves pressed against him, the faint scent of perfume filling the air. But now wasn't the time for nostalgia.
The wind shifted. Takumi twisted his body and struck out again.
BOOM!
His elbow hit nothing but air—and the Slit-Mouthed Woman flew back once more, crashing into the asphalt.
Only then did he notice something strange.
"She's using a primitive Domain instinctively… blocked my hit with cursed energy.
This pseudo–Cursed Spirit's power is close to a first-grade level."
Holding Kayoko protectively in one arm, Takumi studied his opponent with keen interest.
Pseudo–Cursed Spirits were manifestations born from human imagination and fear—weak phantoms by nature. But when born from widespread urban legends, their power could rival true high-grade curses.
This one, however, was weaker than he'd expected.
Still, feeling Takumi's overwhelming aura, the Slit-Mouthed Woman glared with growing malice.
"Am I beautiful?" she asked again, voice low and echoing.
"You are," Takumi replied immediately. Her mouth was a bit too wide, sure—but if she kept it shut, she was still acceptable. And worst case, there were always masks.
His little head had clearly won over his big one.
"..."
The woman froze, blinking in confusion. No one had ever answered that way before. Something about his tone made her feel… unnerved.
Then her lips curled again.
"Since you think I'm beautiful… then become like me!"
With a shriek, tangible malice condensed into a massive pair of scissors, sharp enough to gleam under the streetlight.
Swish!
They lunged straight for Takumi's neck.
"Wait, weren't you supposed to cut mouths, not heads!?" He sighed, flicking his finger casually.
Crack!
The giant scissors shattered instantly, dissolving into black mist as the [Corrosive Power] spread through them. His aura flared violently, raw mana erupting like a volcano.
The street cracked beneath his feet as he stepped forward, his energy pressing down on the Slit-Mouthed Woman like a mountain. Her knees buckled; fear flooded her gaze as she looked up at him.
In that instant, the only emotion left in her heart—was terror.
...
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