"Something's off, very off!"
Yuki circled around Jinsuke's body, sizing him up from every angle. From time to time, she even reached out to poke and pinch here and there, trying to figure out what exactly was going on.
His Heavenly Restriction might really reject cursed energy, but this kind of reaction was way too exaggerated, wasn't it?
She was a special grade sorcerer, after all — someone strong enough to shake entire nations — yet she had been pushed back. Sure, she had been a bit careless, but the fact remained: this power was overwhelming.
"Enough. You should give it up already." Pulling his clothes back on, Jinsuke didn't bother to explain further.
"Don't forget to transfer the money to my card. You know the number."
Hearing that, Yuki puffed her cheeks in irritation.
"Got it! But can't you at least not be so money-hungry all the time?"
"Eh, don't slander me. I'm not interested in money itself — I just enjoy the process of earning it. Besides, everything I make is honest, hard-earned cash. How can you call that greedy?"
Jinsuke immediately shot down her accusation.
It was only when he was broke that he bothered to think about making money. Like now — for the past few weeks, he'd blown his savings gambling "just for fun," and now he didn't even have enough left to buy a plane ticket back home.
Most of the time, he lived a laid-back, drifting life: either flat on his back doing nothing, wandering across different countries, or "diligently" honing his blood-and-flesh strength.
"Really, there's just no dealing with you." Yuki rubbed her forehead helplessly. Despite being older than her, sometimes he acted even more childish—spouting nonsense without a care.
"So, what's your plan next? Keep mooching off women?" She folded her arms, scrutinizing him.
"Uh..."
"Well, that was the plan... but if you're willing to spot me some cash right now, I could just head back to Japan instead."
Originally, he had intended to find another rich lady to squeeze some pocket money from, then head home. But now that Yuki had run into him, why not just hit her up directly? Faster that way.
"Really? What's with the sudden urge to go back?" She eyed him with some suspicion. She knew full well — this guy had been away for seven or eight years. She honestly thought he'd never return.
Jinsuke's lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes softening slightly.
"Well, no matter what, I still have an brother there, don't I?"
Of course, aside from his brother, he probably had two nieces waiting for him now too. If he didn't go back soon, people might start expecting him to babysit. And that was absolutely out of the question. No way was he becoming anyone's nanny.
"So it's not all about money with you, huh? Fine. I'll cover your travel expenses." Yuki nodded.
"But since you're heading back, about this apartment..."
She blinked playfully, gesturing at the place. She hadn't found a new place to stay yet.
At that, Jinsuke's mouth twitched. As expected, this woman would never let go of any chance to freeload.
He grabbed the keys off the table and tossed them to her. "Here. Take it."
"But let me be clear—it's not mine. Whenever the actual owner decides to come back, that's on your luck."
The apartment belonged to some foreigner who had gone abroad for work. That was the only reason Jinsuke had it all to himself.
Yuki gave an "OK" gesture with her hand. It was fine—she'd only stay a few days anyway before moving on. No way the owner would come back right then, right?
With his decision made, Jinsuke kept his evening meal simple. Naturally, Yuki managed to freeload yet another dinner.
The next morning, Jinsuke did something rare: he got up early to catch a flight.
"You're heading back? Be careful on the way." Yuki stood in the doorway in silk pajamas, still half-asleep as she waved him off.
Putting aside all the times she had been scammed out of money, the two of them were, in their own way, close friends.
Jinsuke glanced at her casually. "Not bad figure."
Tossing that comment, he pushed the door open and left.
Hearing that, Yuki instantly woke up more, instinctively straightening her posture. She muttered under her breath, "At least his eyes work... shame his brain doesn't."
What a blockhead. Her signals couldn't have been any clearer — just short of outright saying it — yet he never picked up on them.
Wasn't the idea of living off her not appealing at all?
If Jinsuke had known her thoughts, he'd only have one reply: sorry, but he only freeloaded off rich, beautiful women. Three requirements — rich, beautiful, refined. All must be met.
Sure, Yuki ticked off two boxes. But... she was just too broke.
...
Meanwhile, at the Zenin Clan.
An old man sat cross-legged in a wide, empty room. On the wall behind him, the character for "Zen" loomed large.
Outside, a group of clan members was conducting tests on the younger generation, measuring their cursed energy and techniques.
"Exorcise it." The examiner held out a low-grade cursed spirit toward a little girl in front of him.
"N-no, I don't want to, I'm scared..." The girl shrank back, clutching tightly at her mother's leg, eyes full of fear.
She wanted to fight her fear, but her body just wouldn't obey. In the end, she buried her face in her mother's thigh and shut her eyes tight.
Seeing this, the adults nearby frowned coldly, though they said nothing. At least the girl could see curses—that much was something.
As a child of the Zenin Clan's bloodline, anyone with cursed energy was highly likely to awaken a technique. It was only a matter of strength or weakness.
"Mai, don't be afraid. Mommy's right here." The woman gently comforted her daughter, Mai Zenin.
"That's enough for today's test." The examiner withdrew the cursed spirit, ready to end things.
"Wait—Maki hasn't been tested yet!" The woman called out quickly, desperate to win her elder daughter even a small chance.
"She? Hahahahaha!" Laughter erupted instantly among the surrounding clan members.
"Someone with cursed energy so weak she can't even see curses thinks she'll awaken a technique?"
"Don't waste our time. Honestly, sister-in-law, you should just drive her out of the clan. Without cursed energy, she's nothing but a useless burden."
The woman's expression turned helpless. In this family where cursed energy and techniques were everything, failing to display talent meant nothing but scorn.
And to have no cursed energy at all—that was like committing the greatest taboo.
But her daughter was just a child...
Standing beside her mother, Maki hung her head, fists clenched tight in her sleeves. Her hair hid her eyes, leaving her thoughts unreadable.
"Oh? So having no cursed energy makes someone trash, huh?"
A tall figure suddenly appeared beside the clan member who had just mocked Maki, one hand dropping heavily onto the man's shoulder. His dead-fish eyes looked down coldly at him.
"Y-you... why are you here?!" Turning and seeing that unforgettable face, those emotionless eyes, the man felt crushing pressure descend on him. His voice trembled.
"Jinsuke!?"
All around, clan members tensed up instantly, moving into battle stances.
This man standing before them dragged their memories back to that bloody Zenin Clan tragedy from eight years ago...