"Surging Dead Sea Army!"

  Ryuji didn't bother answering the lonely cursed spirit's frantic question.

  Bang!

  The previously calm o surface within his domain exploded.

  From the water emerged tless cursed fish, their forms brimming with cursed energy. They surged upward, rushing toward the lonely cursed spirit in an overwhelming wave.

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  In just a few moments, the lonely cursed spirit was pletely engulfed by the swarm of cursed fish.

  "Well, that was easier than expected," Ryuji remarked casually, watg as the cursed spirit was devoured by the fish.

  With his current strength, even top-tier special-grade cursed spirits posed little challenge.

  "Soul Dev."

  Not wasting the opportunity, Ryuji activated his spell. Though the lonely cursed spirit was moments away from death, it was still a special-grade spirit, its power wouldn't go to waste.

  A rift in space opened, and the remains of the cursed spirit were dragged into the void.

  "Ahhh."

  Ryuji let out a satisfied sigh, patting his stomach pyfully.

  "Not bad."

  The fight had proven fruitful. Beyoing a special-grade spirit, there were other rewards as well.

  "Target firmed: Lonely Cursed Spirit!

  Goldery triggered. Do you wish to load it?"

  A notification fshed through his mind, and Ryuji couldn't help but smile to himself.

  He hadn't been expeg this oute, but the success of his test left him feeling pleased. If there weren't so many people around, he would have checked the details of the entry immediately.

  Being a goldery, it was uo be anything useless. After all, it came from a special-grade cursed spirit.

  "That was amazing!"

  Maki who had seen Ryuji's strength before, remained calm. She had expected him to be powerful, so the dispy didn't shock her as much.

  Oher hand, Yuji and Nobara were pletely awestruck.

  This was their first time seeing Ryuji fight in person. They had only heard stories or seen live broadcasts of his abilities before. Watg him annihite the cursed spirit that had trapped them for so lohem stunned.

  "That domain was beautiful! I've never seen anything like it before," Nobara ehinking about the expansive oiain Ryuji had dispyed earlier.

  "Yes! Absolutely!" Yuji agreed enthusiastically, nodding.

  But then, as if something clicked in his mind, Yuji turo Nobara with a puzzled look.

  "Wait, Nobara… have you actually seen anyone else's domain before?"

  While Ryuji's domain was indeed impressive, Yuji couldn't help but realize that Nobara didn't have mupare it to.

  "It's none of your business!" Nobara snapped, gring at him. She had no iion of letting him ruin her moment of admiration.

  "Uh…"

  Yuji scratched his head, thhly fused about what he'd said to upset her.

  "Ryuji-san, thank you for everything!"

  Maki stepped fripping her on tightly. Her usually posed demeanor faltered slightly, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks.

  "Hey! Maki-senpai, what's going on with you?"

  Even someone as dense as Yuji could tell something was different about her. Maki, who was normally tough and aloof, now seemed flustered.

  "What is this? Is she… shy?" Yuji thought to himself, stunned.

  "Shut up!"

  Nobara, more perceptive than Yuji, immediately stepped in, pung him squarely on the head.

  "Idiot! Stop ruining the moment," she muttered under her breath. While she didn't kly when Maki's feelings for Ryuji had developed, she was more than willing to lend her friend a hand.

  "Ugh… what did I do?" Yuji mumbled, rubbing the spot where he'd been hit.

  Nobara didn't waste time expining. She raised her fist again and gave Yuji a sharp look, daring him to say anything else.

  "..."

  Sighing i, Yuji decided to stay quiet.

  Maki opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Ryuji gave her a warm smile and waved it off.

  "No need for formalities. Just call me Ryuji. Fet about all the 'San.' nonsense," he said casually.

  Ryuji had always been impressed with Maki's potential as the sed geion of Heavenly Restri User. To him, there was no need for excessive politeness between them.

  "...Okay!"

  Maki's face lit up with surprise and relief. Ryuji's words reassured her, he didn't dislike her and en to talking with her.

  Enced, she was about to tihe versation, but a sudden voiterrupted.

  "Are you Ryuji?"

  The voice was deep and chilling.

  "Pah!"

  Yuji's hand shot up as he spped the side of his face, trying to stop the mouth that had suddenly appeared there.

  "Don't talk!" Yuji whispered urgently, attempting to suppress Sukuna's interference.

  Unfortunately, while Yuji could prevent Sukuna from taking full trol of his body, he couldn't stop the King of Curses from speaking.

  A new mouth opened on the back of Yuji's hand, and Sukuna's voice rang out clearly.

  "The first domain you used was the Malevolent Shrine, wasn't it?"

  Though phrased as a question, Sukuna's tone was fident.

  He khe truth. After all, it was his own domain. There was no mistaking its aura.

  ***

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