Curse Returns, a gamble from the start, I awaken dual spells

The VIP room door was open, and light poured in from inside, mingling with the aroma of cigars and whiskey.

Kinji leaned against the door frame, his Hawaiian shirt gleaming under the light.

His gaze swept over Rito, Itachi, and Takasō, finally settling on Rito's face, which was stained with blood and dust.

"Oh, I heard someone wants to see me?"

Rito went straight to the point: "Kinji-senpai, I've come to ask for your help."

"Help?" Kinji raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips.

"You beat up my men, and then you come asking me for help?"

"I know this is presumptuous, but I have no other choice." Rito paused for a second, then did not deny it.

"Tell me about it?" Kinji tilted his head and looked at Rito.

"Gojo-sensei has been sealed away. I need your power to help me rescue him and fight against the higher-ups," Rito said.

As soon as he finished speaking, a soft laugh came from the VIP room.

Rito turned his head and saw a figure emerge from the shadows behind Kinji.

He was a boy with long, silver-white hair tied in a low ponytail, three silver rings on his right ear, wearing a black jacket, and his hands in his pockets.

His eyes held a sense of detachment, while a smile played on his lips.

"Hoshi Kiraro," Kinji casually introduced, "my partner."

Hoshiki nods slightly as a greeting, but her gaze remains fixed on Rito, as if she's examining a product.

"I heard about Gojo-sensei being sealed away." Kinji pulled Rito's attention back.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, his nonchalant attitude turning into serious contemplation.

"The battle of Shibuya resulted in heavy losses, and the higher-ups blocked the news, but there are no secrets in the underworld."

"Then you should understand that I'm not here for idle chatter." Rito looked directly at Kinji. "I need a capable helper."

Kinji did not answer immediately.

He lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing this, a glimmer of hope rose in Li Ren's heart.

But the next second, that glimmer of hope was extinguished.

"I refuse." Kinji raised his head and calmly uttered these two words.

Li Ren's breathing paused slightly.

"Why?" Itachi couldn't help but take a step forward, his voice filled with urgency.

"Do you know what it means that Gojo-sensei has been sealed away? The higher-ups are currently purging everyone in Gojo's faction, and you're next!"

"I know," Kinji said calmly, "but that's your business, not mine."

"You—" Itadori wanted to say something, but Rito stopped him by raising his hand.

"Give me a reason." Rito's voice was cold.

Kinji looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "The reason is simple—it's not worth it."

"What do you mean?"

"Gojo Satoru has been sealed away. The higher-ups want to take you down. You're just a bunch of stray dogs now." Kinji's voice was devoid of any emotion.

"Why should I risk my life on a gamble that's destined to fail?"

Li Ren's fingers clenched slightly at his sides.

"You don't need to be so blunt," Rito's voice remained calm.

"It's better to be straightforward, so you don't have any illusions." Kinji shrugged.

"I know you want to save Gojo Satoru, and I understand your feelings, but I'm sorry, I, Kinji Hebi, never gamble on a game I'm sure to lose."

"So, your answer is a refusal?" the person asked.

"Yes, I refuse." Kinji straightened up, preparing to close the door. "You can leave now, just pretend you never saw me."

Rito stood there, watching the door slowly close.

But he didn't move.

"Kinji, has anyone ever told you you're an idiot?" Rito's voice suddenly rang out, tinged with coldness.

Kinji's hand paused on the doorknob for a moment.

He turned his head, looked at Rito, and gave a smile: "People often say that."

"Then you might have to listen to it one more time today."

As soon as he finished speaking, Rito took a step forward.

Kinji's eyes sharpened instantly, and he stepped forward to block Rito's path.

"What? Planning a fight?"

"If you insist on refusing, then I'll have to ask you in my own way."

Rito's gaze met Kinji's, and their eyes collided in mid-air, as if sparks were flying.

At that moment, Hoshi Kirara, who was behind Kenji, moved.

The silver-haired boy's figure appeared instantly beside Rito, and as he pulled his right hand out of his pocket, a silver light flashed in the air.

It was a long-handled dagger, with azure blue magical energy flowing across its blade.

His movements were so fast that he was almost just a blur.

But reasoning with people is faster.

The moment he thrust the dagger out, he slightly turned his body, and his right fingertips gathered blue-green magical energy, which accurately struck the blade.

Ding--

The sound of metal clanging echoed in the corridor.

Hoshiki's dagger was deflected, her body leaned back slightly, and she adjusted her center of gravity, leaping back two steps to create distance between herself and Rito.

"Interesting." Hoshiki Rauro's voice held a hint of amusement. "Not bad."

The person in charge did not answer.

His gaze remained fixed on Kinji, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

"Hey, hey, hey, they've already started fighting?" Kinji put his hands back in his pockets, looking helpless.

"I've already said I don't want to get involved in this mess, why are you forcing me?"

"Because we have no other choice." Itadori's voice came from behind Rito.

He stepped forward and stood beside Rito, staring intently at Kinji.

"Senior, I know you don't want to take the risk, but if you don't step forward now, you won't have a good ending once the higher-ups completely control everything!"

"Young man, you're right." Kinji nodded, then changed the subject, "But that's only a 'possibility'."

His attitude remained unchanged and unyielding.

Li Ren took a deep breath; he knew that continuing like this would lead nowhere.

Kinji is not someone who can be persuaded by words.

It seems... the only solution is to use force.

"A bloated appearance," the man whispered.

The figure behind him nodded silently and took a step forward.

His blood curse power condensed at his fingertips, and a scarlet light illuminated the corridor.

Xing Qiluoluo's gaze instantly locked onto the swollen face, her smile widening: "Oh? You have backup?"

The moment he finished speaking, the swelling began to move.

His figure transformed into a blood-red afterimage, rushing straight towards Xing Qiluoluo.

Xing Qiluo reacted quickly, brandishing her long-handled dagger again in an attempt to block Zhang Xiang's attack route.

But he was a beat too slow.

The moment the swollen blood curse power touched the dagger, it changed shape, turning into blood-red threads that wrapped around the blade and went straight for Xing Qiluoluo's wrist.

"What?!"

Xing Qiluo's pupils contracted sharply. She tried to pull back the dagger, but it was too late.

The crimson thread wrapped around his wrist three times before suddenly tightening.

Xing Qiluolu let out a muffled groan, and the dagger in her hand flew out of her grasp.

Immediately afterwards, the second blood curse power of the swelling phase condensed and took shape.

Several thin, hair-like blood needles hovered at her fingertips, their tips aimed at Xing Qiluoluo's vital points.

"Don't move!"

The sound of the bulging phase was deep and cold.

Xing Qiluo's body stiffened.

He glanced down at his wrist, which was wrapped in blood-red threads, then looked up at Zhang Xiang's expressionless eyes, and the smile on his lips finally faded a little.

"Your spell... has broken my Star Mark?" Hoshiki Luoluo's voice carried a hint of disbelief.

Zhang Xiang did not answer, but his silence was the best answer.

Standing at the door, watching this scene, Kinji finally showed a change in expression.

His brows furrowed slightly, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Zhang Xiang and Xing Qiluo, finally settling on Liren.

"Not bad, you've got some skills."

Rito didn't speak, but just quietly looked at Kinji.

"Let go of Kirara." Kinji suddenly spoke, his tone becoming more serious.

"If you agree to help, I'll release him." The man refused to budge.

Kinji remained silent.

He lowered his head, looking at his hands, seemingly deep in thought.

After a long while, he looked up, somewhat helplessly: "Sigh, okay, I've changed my mind."

Rito was secretly pleased, but before he could speak, Kinji said, "I can help you, but you have to beat me first."

He stepped forward, unbuttoned his shirt, and revealed his chest.

A deep blue rune on his chest slowly glowed.

"If you can beat me just once, I'll agree to help you!"