CHAPTER 24: MEI MEI vs KENJAKU

The wind howled outside the shrine as cursed energy crackled like thunder within.

Mei Mei stood firm, her long braid swinging with the force of her cursed energy. Across from her, Kenjaku's lazy grin remained, as though he saw the entire battle as a passing amusement.

"Ui Ui," Mei Mei said, not turning her head. "You are not to lift a finger."

Her brother hesitated. "But—"

"No," she interrupted. "Your job is to watch. And when the time comes—run."

Ui Ui clenched his fists in frustration but obeyed, slowly retreating behind the shattered altar near the shrine's wall.

Mei Mei charged.

With a cry, she launched herself at Kenjaku, her axe glowing with cursed technique enhancement. Her strikes were precise—each swing threatening to split the air itself. Kenjaku blocked the first, dodged the second, parried the third with one hand and responded with a barrage of talismans that exploded midair.

But Mei Mei was relentless.

She leapt through the fire, slamming her axe down and clipping Kenjaku's shoulder. Blood splattered.

Kenjaku clicked his tongue, his eyes narrowing. "You've improved. But you still can't win."

He raised his hand—dozens of shikigami surged forward from talismans stitched into his robe.

Mei Mei spun, cleaving through the cursed spirits one after another, sweat trickling down her temple. Her body ached. Her breath was heavy. But she held her ground.

She had to.

"I will end this here," she hissed.

Kenjaku laughed. "That's what the weak always say."

From behind the carnage, Ui Ui had begun stepping back slowly toward the exit—just as his sister had ordered.

Kenjaku, eyes flicking toward him, raised his arm.

"Ah—how touching."

A cursed spear formed in his palm, its shaft jagged and pulsing with malevolent energy. He hurled it, curving it unnaturally mid-flight—aimed directly at Ui Ui.

Time slowed.

Ui Ui turned.

His pupils shrank.

And just as the spear was about to impale him—

SHHHK!

Mei Mei moved faster than thought.

She stood in front of Ui Ui, arms spread, chest open.

The cursed spear pierced through her armor, sinking into her chest with a sickening crunch.

"ONII-CHAN…!" Ui Ui gasped in horror, catching her as her knees buckled.

Blood dripped down the edge of her mouth, her face pale, her breath shallow.

"I… told you… to leave…" she whispered.

Kenjaku lowered his arm, expression unreadable.

"I suppose I should feel bad," he said. "But I don't."

Ui Ui stared at him—haunted, trembling, tears falling onto his sister's bloodied clothes.

Mei Mei didn't scream.

She just looked at her brother and smiled faintly.

"Run…"