Chapter 177: After I Die

Ryuji wasn't the type to jump into something for free. If no benefits were mentioned, it was hard for him to agree.

So, when Arisu added her family's offer, Ryuji smiled knowingly.

"You should've just said that earlier!" he said with a hint of amusement.

If she'd been upfront, he wouldn't have had to question her motives.

Arisu, however, just smiled politely, clearly unfazed. She didn't really believe that Ryuji was interested in her family's offer.

Given his strength and status, there were plenty of powerful families who would likely line up to do him favors. Even if the Sakayanagi family offered their help, they'd probably never make it to the top of the list.

"Thank you, Ryuji-san," Arisu said politely before providing him with Shouko's home address.

"Don't worry," Ryuji replied calmly.

After hanging up the phone, Arisu turned to the Nishimiya family, who were staring at her with hopeful yet anxious expressions.

"Relax," she reassured them, waving her hand lightly.

"If even this man can't solve the problem, then I doubt anyone in this world can."

Her confidence in Ryuji was unwavering. Even people outside the world of sorcery knew his reputation. He was widely regarded as the strongest sorcerer alive.

If this was beyond him, then no one else could help them. At least, that was Arisu's belief.

"..."

The Nishimiya family remained silent, processing her words.

They didn't know much about sorcerers or curses. To them, these were distant, almost mythical things. They had always thought that if anything strange ever happened, the best solution was to stay away from it.

But now, something horrifying had entered their lives, and they were powerless to stop it.

Just as the room fell into an uneasy silence, a voice suddenly broke through.

"I didn't know Miss Sakayanagi had such faith in me," Ryuji said, his tone light and amused.

"???"

The unexpected voice startled everyone. They glanced around, confused. They could hear him, but they couldn't see him.

Before they could fully react, the air in the center of the living room began to twist and distort.

As the distortion grew, Ryuji's figure slowly emerged from the swirling space.

This was his spatial movement technique, something he rarely used.

"W-What is this?"

"Ah!"

The strange and sudden appearance made the Nishimiya family jump back in fright. Even Yuzuru, who tried to stay strong, clutched her sister's arm nervously.

Kamuro, too, was visibly startled. She wasn't used to seeing something so bizarre up close.

As for Arisu, she managed to keep her composure, though her eyes betrayed her surprise.

"You really live up to your reputation, Ryuji-san," she remarked with a small smile.

Given everything she'd heard about him, this kind of display wasn't entirely unexpected. If anything, it only reinforced her confidence in him.

"So, who's the one dealing with the curse?" Ryuji asked casually, glancing around the room.

It didn't take long for his eyes to land on Shouko. Her timid and delicate demeanor stood out immediately.

"Oh… the aura of a cursed spirit. A curse, huh?" he murmured, narrowing his eyes slightly as he sensed the lingering energy around her.

"Please!"

Before Ryuji could say anything else, Yaeko suddenly dropped to her knees in front of him, her head bowed deeply.

"Please save my daughter!" she begged, her voice trembling.

The strong, cold demeanor she usually carried had completely crumbled. Now, she was just a desperate mother pleading for her child's life.

"Mom!"

Yuzuru's eyes widened in shock at the sight of her mother kneeling. After a brief pause, she rushed forward and knelt beside her.

Shouko, unable to speak, followed suit. She knelt quietly, her face full of sorrow as she looked up at Ryuji.

"Please save my sister! I'll do anything you ask!" Yuzuru pleaded earnestly.

Ryuji sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"What do you think I'm here for?" he said lightly, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation.

Even if they hadn't said anything, he had already decided to act. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come in the first place.

"The cursed energy surrounding her is growing stronger," Ryuji noted, turning back to Shouko. "If this really is Sadako's curse, then the outbreak is probably just a few days away."

Shouko nodded obediently, silently confirming his words.

"Alright, then tell me everything that happened," Ryuji said, sitting cross-legged on the floor.

On the phone, Arisu had given him only a brief summary of the situation. Now, he wanted the full story.

Yaeko and Yuzuru still didn't fully understand what was happening, but Arisu had a clearer picture.

"I'll explain," Arisu offered, stepping forward.

She could tell from Ryuji's relaxed demeanor that this wasn't a particularly difficult situation for him. That realization put her at ease.

Arisu began recounting everything she knew about Shouko's curse, how it started, what had happened at school, and the cruel actions of her classmates.

After listening for more than ten minutes, Ryuji nodded thoughtfully.

"I see," he said, his expression calm. "It's really stupid, isn't it?"

The Nishimiya family froze, startled by his blunt remark.

"To think she was framed and cursed by others, yet still tried to handle it all herself," Ryuji continued.

"Her plan to make herself the final victim, breaking the curse that way… it's so naive. If it were me, I wouldn't care what happened after I was gone. If I died, the rest of the world could drown for all I care."

***

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