Chapter 20 – Mission Complete, Red Packet Secured
The sudden new function left Zen'in Shinsuke completely stunned.
Killing cursed spirits can speed up my cultivation?
Then what the hell were all those years of bitter training for?
So all that "hard work" was just him being a sucker?
One Quasi–Special grade curse equaled weeks of sweat and blood.
If he'd known earlier, why waste time training? Just go curse-hunting—this world was never short on monsters anyway.
"Looks like it's time to… adjust my plans."
The scripture's hidden ability was unexpected, but finding out now wasn't too late.
He'd originally thought to wait until Megumi entered Jujutsu High before occasionally dropping by as a part-time instructor. But now? Looked like he'd need to keep closer ties with the school, gather information on strong cursed spirits, and farm them to boost his progress.
"A single apology won't cut it."
Getō Suguru's sudden voice snapped Shinsuke out of his thoughts.
Lifting his gaze, Shinsuke's eyes gleamed. Hiss—wait a second. This kid's walking around with a whole collection of cursed spirits, isn't he?
Should he…?
His stare shifted, tinged with a hint of hunger.
Getō suddenly felt a chill crawl down his spine.
What was that look? Why did it feel like prey being sized up? Must be his imagination…
"You're a non-sorcerer too, aren't you?"
Getō narrowed his eyes, studying Shinsuke.
For the sake of his ideals, he intended to eradicate every non-sorcerer alive—even his own parents weren't an exception.
And this man in front of him? A non-sorcerer as well.
"Of course. Not just a non-sorcerer—I'm a non-sorcerer without even a drop of cursed energy. Getō-boy, I'm one of the very targets you want to wipe out.
So… how about it? Want to kill me right here?"
Shinsuke's grin stretched wide, his expression oddly exhilarated. He looked at Getō as if he were a delicious cake on a silver platter.
Surely this guy had some high-grade curses tucked away.
If Shinsuke killed him, would those spirits go berserk? Then he could really test this new cheat's mechanics.
"Getō! You're not seriously thinking of attacking us, are you!?"
Riko shouted, stepping forward. She truly didn't want her friend to stray further down this twisted path.
At her words, the dangerous glint in Getō's eyes dimmed. His playful, carefree mask slipped back on.
"Relax, it's a joke. How could I attack you guys? I just hate those monkey-like non-sorcerers, that's all."
With a dismissive wave, Getō turned and walked away. He didn't pick a fight with Shinsuke.
Yes, the man was a non-sorcerer—but clearly not an ordinary one.
More importantly, Shinsuke didn't threaten his plan, and Getō wasn't entirely confident he could win against him either.
"Getō!"
Riko called after him as his figure disappeared into the darkness. But it was useless—his mind was already set on a lonely path.
"…What a shame."
Shinsuke yawned, bored now.
His gaze fell on the dozens of low-grade curses still lingering, unsure what to do. With one casual motion, he swung Playful Cloud.
The staff tore the air apart with a deafening sonic boom, the shockwave obliterating the ground before him.
Every cursed spirit—second through fourth grade—was pulverized into dust in an instant.
Not even time to feel pain.
Yet, this time, the scripture inside him remained silent.
As if such weaklings weren't even worth noticing.
"So it only works on higher grades, huh?"
He muttered under his breath. He'd assumed all curses counted, but apparently, only semi–special grade or above qualified.
That meant viable targets weren't many… he'd still need to keep up training.
"Gulp."
"Uncle, wasn't that… a bit much?"
Riko's eyes softened as she looked at the countless spirits wiped out in a blink. She almost pitied them.
Nanami, meanwhile, stood frozen in awe at Shinsuke's overwhelming power.
No wonder this man was their instructor—his strength more than justified it.
Shinsuke shot Riko a sidelong glance. "What, would you rather I let you take them home as pets?"
"..."
That wasn't what she meant! She'd just thought keeping a few alive might give them more practice.
This uncle—always pretending not to care, but his actions said otherwise.
Once the mission wrapped up, Shinsuke headed home, leaving the formalities of reporting to Riko and Nanami.
Not long after, his account received a hefty transfer.
A fat paycheck, a new function unlocked, and his progress boosted—this trip was anything but wasted.
Seems Jujutsu High isn't completely useless after all.
Time slipped by, the sweltering summer fading away.
On the streets, people now shuffled about in heavy winter coats.
In the courtyard, Zen'in Shinsuke kept up his daily training, his body practically turning into a steam engine.
Amid the heavy snowfall, he stood bare-chested, muscles flexing with explosive power. His entire frame radiated heat like a blazing furnace, steam curling off him as though he were some immortal ascending through mist.
"It's so warm standing next to cousin."
Zen'in Mai, bundled in a thick winter coat and scarf, her little face red from the cold, looked like a round, puffy dumpling. She pressed herself close to Shinsuke, happily soaking in the waves of heat rolling off him—better than any heater.
In contrast, Maki, wearing only thin loose clothes, swung her staff tirelessly in the snow, sweat steaming off her body.
"..."
Watching Mai's blissful expression, Shinsuke couldn't help but reach down and pinch her flushed cheek hard.
He sighed inwardly. These twin sisters really were two extremes.
One timid, one fearless.
One lazy to the bone, the other daring enough to challenge fate.
Still, even the timid one was starting to show some courage now.
"Ow, ow—cousin, that hurts!"
Mai puffed out her cheeks, glaring up at him, tears welling in her big round eyes like pearls about to tumble out.
Shinsuke ignored her sulking. Instead, he walked into the house, fetched two red envelopes, and crouched down to hand one over.
"Here. One for each of you sisters. Tomorrow don't come here—I've got something to take care of."
His breath came out as white mist in the frosty air. It was New Year again.
No matter how much he resisted his clan's ways, some things were carved into his bones. Preparing red packets for children was tradition.
It wasn't much money, but the gesture was what mattered.
"Wow! Red packets! Cousin, you're the best!"
Mai instantly abandoned her tears, snatching the envelope with a honey-sweet smile.
"Mua~"
She pecked his cheek with a quick kiss before dashing off toward Maki, who was still training.
"Look, sis! Cousin gave us red packets!"
"This girl…" Shinsuke shook his head, a helpless smile tugging at his lips. She was growing more unruly by the day.
Maki paused mid-swing, glanced at her sister's beaming face, then at the red packet now in her hand. She turned to Shinsuke, bowing slightly.
"Thank you, Master."
"I've told you already—you're not qualified to be my disciple yet."
Shinsuke let out another sigh. Mai, at least, acted like a normal girl—spoiled, clingy, but endearing.
Maki, though… she was stubborn as a mule. Once she set her mind to something, nothing could sway her.
"Hmph. Sooner or later, I will be."
Maki muttered under her breath, clutching the red packet tightly before resuming her drills.
Shinsuke could only shake his head.
He was more tolerant with cute kids than he'd admit. But if it were some bratty nuisance pestering him every day, he'd have turned them into a human spinning top long ago.