Chapter:48 The Shrine(2/?)

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SUPRISE! 

This is a bit sudden but I might just be able to post a couple of chapters in between, like whenever I get the chance to do so.

Anyway, I was thinking... should I add a Vol.0 Chapter regarding the anime I have incorporated into this world?

***

Renko watched as the battle progressed, well... a massacre would be a better description for what unfolded before her eyes. 

Gojo overpowered and outsmarted the curse spirits, appearing and disappearing amid the hoard, decapitating or simply destroying the curse spirits with a wave of her hand. The cursed spirits, though armed with cursed tools, were no match for someone as overpowered as Gojo.

As their numbers dwindled, Renko's attention was drawn to one especially large and repulsive spirit. It stood towering amongst its brethren, wielding a massive wooden club that excluded a menacing aura. 

"That one's different,"

Gojo muttered under her breath.

Renko squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look at the formidable spirit.

'Observe'

[Lv. 78, Oni Brute, Commander of the Cursed Legion]

[HP: 20,000/20,000]

'Oni Brute? Cursed Legion?'

Renko's eyes widened as she read the information on the interface, the spirit was by far the strongest one she had ever seen and its curse energy was a level above its peers and most likely was a Grade two or Grade one cursed spirit.

However, Gojo wasn't the least bothered by its sudden appearance, in fact, she stared at it in interest, something akin to a child's interest in a new toy.

The Oni Brute swung its massive club, emitting a powerful shockwave that sent smaller curse spirits flying. The atmosphere around it crackled with intense curse energy, and the ground trembled with each step it took.

Gojo, still maintaining her casual demeanor, faced the Oni Brute with a smirk.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a big one."

Renko, though impressed by Gojo's confidence, couldn't help but feel pity for the large curse spirit. 

'Well, it is Lv.78 vs Lv1069 so there isn't much hope for that Oni.' 

Without wasting any time, the Oni Brute charged at Gojo, swinging its massive club with immense force. Gojo, however, effortlessly caught it in with one hand and smashed the other fist into the spirit's waist. 

There was silence, and then there was a deafening explosion as the Oni's torso was blown to bits. The flesh and blood sprinkled across the clearing before dissolving into fine particles of curse energy.

'One hit!'

Gojo dusted off her hands, completely unfazed by the death of the Semi Grade 2 curse spirit, she grinned and waved at Renko.

Renko, on the other hand, had an indifferent look on her face but on the inside her eyes widened in awe of the white-haired woman's powers. The Oni Brute, a tough opponent that even a ten of her couldn't beat, was ripped apart with such ease.

"Alright, Kono-chan, that should take care of the big one. Now, why don't you come over here, I have a gift for you."

Renko cautiously walked out of the barrier, her eyes still fixed on the spot where the grade two curse spirit once stood. It only furthered her guess that this seeming airhead of a woman was, in truth, an 'unreasonably' strong airhead.

Gojo pointed her hand at a cursed spirit that seemed to have survived her massacre, although it was missing all its limbs.

"You said the requirement for increasing your curse energy was to deal the finishing blow right? Well, try that on this one."

Renko glanced at the maimed cursed spirit, frowning at its state. 

The curse spirit was one of the Oni, its arms and legs had been brutally ripped off and its jaw was dislocated badly.

'Observe'

[Lv.49, Spirit of Violence, Subordinate of the Oni Yokai]

[HP: 750/5,000]

 'A semi-grade two curse spirit?'

It would have taken weeks, if not months, for her to be able to exorcise a spirit at this level. But since Gojo incapacitated it, her job became much easier. Still, she wasn't a big fan of freebies, they always had a string attached to them.

"Go on, Kono-chan. Finish it off,"

Gojo encouraged, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

Renko hesitated for a moment and then turned towards Gojo,

"What do you want in exchange?"

Gojo was startled by her question, she tilted her head before chuckling,

"In exchange? How about you buy me dinner tonight? I'm craving something spicy, and you're treating."

Renko blinked, caught off guard by the request. It wasn't exactly what she anticipated, she was getting a chance to increase her curse energy with almost no effort on her part, dinner was the last compensation she could have thought of."

"You sure?"

Gojo chuckled, patting her on the back,

"Sure, why not? Not like it's of any use to me."

Renko eyes her suspiciously, wondering if this white-haired woman had some hidden agenda or motive that she didn't know of. However, Gojo looked far too goofy to be someone with a hidden agenda, so the offer was most likely genuine.

"Alright, dinner it is then,"

Renko agreed, still finding it hard to believe her luck.

She cautiously approached the maimed cursed spirit, her grip on the Cursed Bayonet tightening with each step. Renko took a deep breath before preparing to deliver the finishing blow and with a jerk of her hand, swung the weapon down on the cursed spirit's head.

*Squelch*

[Weak Spot Located]

[Critical Hit!]

[Damage: 20 + 3(15%) + 10(50%)]

[Curse Spirit of Mourning: -33 HP]

[HP: 717/5,000]

[Knife Mastery: +10 EXP]

[Ordinary Cursed Bayonet Durability: 9.5/10(-5)]

Forget about Gojo, even the cursed spirit was surprised by how absurdly... weak her attack was.

"Um... Kono-chan, you sure that's your best attack?"

Even the damned cursed spirit was staring at her with the same question written in its eyes.

Renko's face turned crimson from a mixture of embarrassment and frustration, she couldn't help it! The system quantified all her aspects, even the damage she dealt to others. 

"I... It's the effect of m... my innate technique, it quantifies all my aspects,"

Renko mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"Hmm,"

Gojo had a strange gleam on her face as if she found it fascinating,

"How does that work?"

Renko hesitated, she had already revealed a shit ton of details about her powers, and the system was one of the few things she still kept hidden. But considering Gojo's immense bust*COUGH* powers, it seemed reasonable to share a bit more about her own capabilities.

"It's a bit complicated, in a way, my ability acts just like a "Quantum Aspect Appraiser." 

Gojo tilted her head again,

"Quanto what?"

Renko sighed, remembering that this world was nearly two hundred years behind her previous ones. So it was quite obvious that some aspects might not have been coined as of yet.

"Basically, it quantifies various aspects of my existence and translates them into numerical values. This applies to physical attributes, skills, damage output, and even emotions. The result is, well, what you just saw, too much precision. My attack was calculated to deliver a measly amount of damage even though it should have killed it off."

Gojo's eyes sparkled with interest, and she leaned in,

"Really now? Sounds fascinating. So, it's like living a game with stats and numbers, right? Hey Kono-chan, what's my level?"

Renko couldn't help but chuckle at Gojo's playful curiosity.

"It's level 1069."

Gojo's eyebrows shot up in mock surprise,

*Whistle*

"Really? That sounds pretty high!"

Renko nodded,

"Yes it is, I am at level 5. The giant ogre's level was in the 70s and this one's around 50."

She kicked the mutilated curse spirit lying on the ground,

"An average human's usually around 4 to 5. Some might be higher but that depends on their job."

After finishing her explanation, she turned her attention back to the maimed cursed spirit that seemed to be staring at her in exasperation and boredom.

Renko took a moment to consider her next move. She had dealt a rather insignificant amount of damage with her initial strike, and she couldn't afford to underestimate the cursed spirit. Despite its weakened state, it was still a semi-grade two, and any complacency could lead to unexpected consequences.

Determined, Renko focused her energy and approached the spirit cautiously. The cursed spirit, with its disfigured limbs, tried to crawl away weakly. Renko, acknowledging its suffering, hesitated for a moment before delivering a swift and merciful strike to end its torment.

Or at least that's what she tried to do.

*Squelch*

[Weak Spot Located]

[Critical Hit!]

[Damage: 20 + 3(15%) + 10(50%)]

[Curse Spirit of Mourning: -33 HP]

[HP: 684/5,000]

[Knife Mastery(2)(195/200): +10 EXP]

[Ordinary Cursed Bayonet Durability: 9/10(-5)]

She turned to look at Gojo who was muttering something to herself,

"This might take a while."

"Huh? Oh! No worries, take your time. I am just gonna go explore the surrounding area to see if more curse spirits survived."

Renko nodded at Gojo's suggestion, not like she had anything to worry about, the white-haired woman had already taken care of all the cursed spirits in the vicinity. 

As Gojo strolled away, Renko decided to take a moment to collect her thoughts while continuously stabbing the spirit in the head. The only reason it was taking so long was because the Oni had a rather sturdy skin that made it hard for the blade to pierce through or pull out.

'Well, at least I am getting a power-up soon... maybe.'