The air froze once again.
Sukuna's amused expression vanished instantly, replaced by a surge of tyrannical killing intent.
"What did you say?"
His voice was terrifyingly low, sounding like the collective roar of countless demons.
"You want my finger?"
"Are you looking for death?"
The fingers were more than just sources of power; they were fragments of his soul. And this lowly human dared to covet his soul?
Boom!
A terrifying burst of cursed energy exploded.
Sukuna raised his hand.
This time, he was truly intent on killing.
He was going to crush this arrogant profiteer into dust.
However...
The moment he made his move.
Zzzt—
An invisible force erupted from the depths of his soul.
It was irresistible.
His hand froze in mid-air, unable to strike down!
"Is this... a Binding Vow?!"
Sukuna's pupils constricted.
"Ah, I forgot to mention."
Hayashi En took half a step back and spread his hands.
He wore the classic smile of a merchant who had successfully closed a trap.
"Since you have already consumed my product and enjoyed the 'freedom' it provides..."
"...then the transaction has already been forcibly enacted."
"This is a fundamental trade based on the principles of a Binding Vow."
"If you refuse to pay or attempt to avoid the debt by killing your creditor, the rules will judge you as in breach of contract."
Hayashi En pointed at Sukuna's frozen hand.
"While I am no match for you..."
"...the rules will backlash against this physical body."
"Surely you do not want to be forcibly sent back just one minute after coming out, all because of a breach of contract?"
"You set me up?!"
Veins bulged on Sukuna's forehead.
He was the King of Curses.
And yet, he had been coerced into a forced trade by a human without a shred of cursed energy, all over a single piece of candy?!
What a supreme humiliation!
Rage.
Pure, unadulterated rage.
The killing intent in Sukuna's eyes was almost tangible.
Even if he had to risk being sent back, he would kill this...
"Don't be so quick to anger, Mr. Sukuna."
Just as Sukuna reached his breaking point.
Hayashi En suddenly took a step closer.
He lowered his voice.
He spoke in a tone only the two of them could hear.
"This one minute was merely a small 'trial run.'"
Sukuna's movement faltered slightly.
"I know what you're thinking."
"You're thinking about how to completely break free from this body's constraints and truly resurrect once you have collected all twenty fingers, right?"
Hayashi En's voice was full of temptation.
Like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
"However, Itadori Yuji is a perfect vessel, which also makes him a perfect cage."
"Even if you gather all the fingers, it will be incredibly difficult to break this cage from the inside."
Sukuna narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Hayashi En.
This guy.
He even knew that?
"But I can help."
Hayashi En pointed to his own head.
"If I can manufacture medicine that grants you 'temporary control,' I can also create medicine that allows for 'complete separation.'"
"As long as the price is right..."
"...even extracting your soul from this body intact, or even reconstructing your physical form from a thousand years ago..."
"I can achieve that."
This was a massive lie.
At least, for the current Hayashi En, it was impossible.
But more importantly, it was an irresistible carrot.
For a Sukuna who yearned for freedom, this temptation far outweighed the value of a single finger.
It also outweighed his current rage at being insulted.
Sukuna fell silent, staring at Hayashi En for a long time, as if trying to see through the man's soul.
"Interesting."
After a long while, Sukuna withdrew his hand.
The violent killing intent receded like the ebbing tide.
He turned to face the Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
Puchi—
In mid-air, the Special Grade Curse that had driven Fushiguro Megumi to despair was instantly torn to shreds.
It was as if it were being sliced by countless invisible blades simultaneously.
Without even a chance to scream, it transformed into a cloud of purplish-black blood mist.
As the mist cleared...
A withered finger radiating an ominous aura fell from the sky.
Sukuna reached out and caught the finger with ease.
"Catch."
He tossed the finger toward Hayashi En like he was throwing away trash.
"You had better fulfill your promise."
Hayashi En caught the finger steadily.
The moment it touched his palm.
The cold prompt of the system echoed, sounding sweeter than any music.
[SYSTEM: Transaction complete!]
[SYSTEM: Item obtained: Ryomen Sukuna's Finger.]
[SYSTEM: System valuation: 50,000 points.]
[SYSTEM: Remaining points: 50,070 points.]
Hayashi En clenched his fist, suppressing the urge to punch the air in celebration.
He had won the gamble.
This was the only law of survival for a transmigrator without power like himself.
Exploit information gaps, exploit human weaknesses.
Sell a one-dollar item for ten thousand.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Sukuna."
Hayashi En gave an elegant bow.
Even though his legs were still shaking.
"I look forward to our next... big deal."
Sukuna shot Hayashi En a deep look.
"If you can't provide something that satisfies me next time..."
"...I will slice your soul into ten thousand pieces and feed them to the curses."
"Remember that, profiteer."
With that, the black tattoos on Sukuna's body began to fade.
Though he was quite displeased...
He could feel the medicine's effects wearing off. Itadori Yuji's consciousness, as stubborn as weeds, was reclaiming the body.
A few seconds later.
The murderous 'King of Curses' was gone.
In his place stood a pink-haired boy, looking dazed and scratching the back of his head.
"Huh?"
Itadori Yuji blinked, staring at the surrounding carnage.
"Where's that Special Grade Cursed Spirit?"
"How did it disappear?"
Itadori was confused.
"I remember giving my body to Sukuna... then it felt like I fell asleep for a bit..."
"Why is there such a strong minty taste in my mouth? Man, this is intense!"
At that moment, Hayashi En was standing with his back to him.
He carefully pulled out a handkerchief and wrapped the withered finger in several layers.
Then, he solemnly placed it into the inner pocket of his vest.
Hayashi En glanced at the Innate Domain, which was starting to collapse around them.
With the death of the Special Grade Curse, this distorted space was about to vanish.
"It seems I won't need to escort you out."
"Wait!"
Itadori shouted.
"Who are you? That finger... are you going to sell it?"
As a sorcerer, he couldn't just stand by and watch a Special Grade cursed object fall into the hands of a mysterious stranger.
"Who I am isn't important."
Hayashi En straightened his slightly messy collar.
His figure began to turn translucent.
It was a sign that the card's effect was wearing off.
"As for this finger..."
Hayashi En adjusted his glasses.
He flashed his trademark, inscrutable smile.
"It is merely my first pot of gold."
Hayashi En's figure vanished completely into thin air.
It was as if he had never been there at all.
...
In the woods outside the juvenile detention center.
The air distorted.
Hayashi En stumbled out of the void, leaning against a tree and gagging.
"Ugh..."
That last minute may have looked calm on the surface.
But he had been overextending his mental energy just to maintain his 'mysterious master' persona.
Facing Sukuna's killing intent, even for a few seconds, was enough to cause a normal person's mind to shatter.
Not to mention having to play psychological games and sell empty promises under such extreme pressure.
"That was too intense..."
"This business is truly like dancing on the edge of a blade."
Hayashi En wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth.
With trembling hands, he pulled out the wrapped finger from his coat.
He looked at the dazzling [50,070 points] on the system interface.
A sickly flush slowly rose to his pale face.
"But the payoff... is so sweet."
With these fifty thousand points, he was completely free from the hardships of the beginner phase.
He could even begin to set the board for a much larger game.
"Next..."
Hayashi En looked toward the entrance of the detention center.
Several black sedans were driving up.
A white-haired man standing 190 centimeters tall and wearing a black blindfold stepped out.
He was carrying a bag of Kikufuku in his hand.
Gojo Satoru.
The strongest in the jujutsu world.
Hayashi En took a deep breath and tucked the finger away.
He stood up straight.
"Since I've already done business with the 'King of Curses'..."
"...then it wouldn't be too much to discuss a deal with the 'Strongest Sorcerer,' would it?"
He straightened his suit and began walking toward the strongest.