"…Alright," I said, dropping the topic when it was clear pushing further would just make things worse. "But if you collapse mid-fight, I'm carrying you back."
"Tch. Like that'd ever happen," Maki muttered.
Her grip on my hand tightened anyway.
We moved through the streets together, the crowd thickening the closer we got to the abandoned shopping district where the curse had been reported. Evening light painted everything in dull orange, shadows stretching long and crooked between buildings. The city felt… wrong. Not dangerous in an obvious way—just uncomfortable, like something was watching from the corners you didn't want to look at.
Mai stayed close to me, fingers wrapped firmly around my sleeve now instead of my hand. I didn't comment on it.
"Remember," I said quietly, keeping my voice low. "This isn't about rushing in. We observe first."
"I know," Mai replied. "You've only said it like a hundred times."
"And I'll say it a hundred more if that's what keeps you alive."
Maki snorted. "You worry too much."
"I worry the correct amount," I shot back. "You just underestimate how stupid people get when adrenaline kicks in."
She clicked her tongue but didn't argue.
That alone told me she was nervous.
We slipped into the empty district, the noise of the city fading behind us. Shuttered shops lined the street, broken signs creaking softly in the wind. Trash rustled somewhere nearby. The air felt heavier here, like breathing through wet cloth.
Mai stopped walking.
"…It's here," she whispered.
Maki stiffened instantly, eyes darting around. "Where?"
Mai closed her eyes for a second, then pointed down an alley between two buildings. "That way. It's… ugly."
"Describe it," I said, though I already see it, but the explanation is for Maki.
She swallowed. "It's like… a bunch of arms. Too many. Crawling."
Maki exhaled slowly. "…I still can't see anything."
"That's fine," I said.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the band for Maki. "Put it on."
She hesitated for just a moment before wrapping it around her head, adjusting it until it sat snugly.
Maki blinked.
"…I see it," she said softly.
I asked Mai to explain the curse to prevent Maki from sudden shock; after all, it was her first time seeing it.
The grin that followed was sharp.
"Good," I said. "Don't rush it."
We moved into the alley together.
The curse clung to the walls like a nest of malformed limbs, twitching and dragging itself along the concrete. It let out a wet, gurgling sound when it noticed us.
Mai flinched. Maki stepped forward.
"Positions," I said calmly.
Mai raised the gun with both hands, breathing shakily, just like we practiced. Maki lowered her stance, muscles tense, ready to move.
"Mai," I said. "Warning shot."
She swallowed, nodded, and fired.
The gun barked sharply, cursed energy tearing through the air and blasting a chunk off the curse's mass. It shrieked, recoiling violently.
"Again," I ordered.
She fired again—cleaner this time.
Maki moved.
She dashed in, movements sharp and efficient, staff striking exactly where Mai's shots forced openings.
I stepped in last, blade flashing as I cut through the core.
The curse dissolved into ash.
Silence followed.
Mai lowered the gun slowly, hands shaking.
"…We did it," she whispered.
Maki laughed, breathless. "That was it? That's all?"
I sheathed my sword and looked at both of them.
"Good work," I said simply.
Mai's shoulders relaxed, relief washing over her face. Maki turned toward me, eyes bright, adrenaline still buzzing.
"…You're still a pervert," she said.
I sighed. "I risk my life, and that's the takeaway?"
But despite the words, both of them were smiling.
"Anyway, let's go to the next target."
~~~
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100 POWER STONE FOR BONUS CHAPTER
Posted some extra 30 chapter in patron, if you are interested check it out, link is the synopsis.