The dark, chilly evening crowds populated the city, seemingly oblivious to the hideous creature slithering across the pavement. Its blood-red body was freakishly long, comparable to that of a snake. A multitude of murderous mouths covered the monster's flesh — their teeth as black as charcoal. It lacked eyes, but four twitching ears could be seen where its face was supposed to be. The apparition phased through every footstep unknowingly landing upon it, leaving it undisturbed.
Yukari waited by a traffic light, blankly staring at the creature lurking on the other side of the road. He needed an explanation — it was all the teenager could think about. There had been no trace of the shadow arms that had saved his life two days prior, although Yukari theorised that the paranormal occurrence may be related to emotions somehow. The internet proved futile in his search for answers, and the ancient books belonging to the local library did not seem to help, either. Despite this, the boy's luck would soon change.
The forceful stomp of a black boot snapped the monster in half. Its body withered away instantaneously. Yukari blinked. His vision shifted from the boot to the long black hair of a mysterious young man, who continued walking as if nothing had happened. The teenager stepped forward while scanning the traffic light beside him. To his dismay, it displayed the colour red. Adrenaline filled the boy's veins as he desperately tried to keep sight of the man.
The light turned green. Yukari sprinted in the stranger's direction, watching as he disappeared behind a corner. Determined, the teenager kept running. He saw the man up ahead and stopped to catch his breath. The boy figured it would be better to wait until fewer people were around before asking any questions.
Now walking, Yukari followed the stranger. A few minutes passed, and once on an empty street, the man paused and took out a phone from his pocket — subsequently dialling an unknown number.
"The curse user was present in the area. Yes. I managed to trace his residuals, but failed to locate him. I'll inform the others soon. Please come pick me up. I've sent you the address already. Thank you."
The stranger's voice was rather deep, yet retained a calm and elegant tone. He ended the phone call and turned his head, noticing the teenager.
Yukari made eye contact while remaining expressionless. "You can see those monsters too, can't you?"
The man nodded. "Yes. I presume you are referring to curses."
"Curses?" Replied the teenager, confused.
"That's right. My name is Shinji Miyogusa, and I'm a Jujutsu Sorcerer."
Shinji looked about eighteen years old. He had black shoulder-length hair and murky green eyes. Furthermore, the man wore a long-sleeved collared black shirt, along with a brown leather apron reaching down to his waist. Shinji's trousers were grey, lacking vibrancy. He also bore heavy black boots, which contributed to his tall stature. Fastened to the sorcerer's left hip was an eerie plague doctor mask made of wood, matching the colour of his hair.
"I'm Yukari Tsumeyami... I don't get it. What are you talking about?"
An ominous breeze swept past the teenager. Wordlessly, he waited for an answer.
"Every day, the negative emotions that leak out of humans gather together like sediment, forming malevolent entities called curses." Shinji's speech ceased momentarily. "Formally referred to as cursed spirits, these monsters often attack humans — devouring them in order to become stronger. Others have a more subtle approach, cursing unsuspecting victims to death and gaining power during the process. It is considered lucky for a person to die a normal death after encountering a curse."
The boy stared at the man lifelessly, letting his words sink in.
"Nonetheless, individuals known as Jujutsu Sorcerers utilise the negative, cursed energy inside their own bodies to exorcise these creatures. The only way to defeat a curse is with another curse, as they are immune to physical attacks and standard weaponry."
The monster that attacked me... was a cursed spirit?
Yukari's eyes widened. "Two days ago, I was almost killed by a curse. It was about to eat me when a pair of giant arms came out of nowhere and saved my life." The teenager stepped towards the sorcerer. They were now a little more than a metre apart. "I want to know what those arms were... and why I'm still alive today."
Shinji thought for several seconds.
"It is possible that someone witnessed the event and saved you," he responded at last. "However, I personally believe that those arms were a manifestation of your cursed energy. Most sorcerers are born with innate talent, allowing them to use cursed techniques — unique skills and abilities fuelled entirely by cursed energy. For example..."
The man retrieved a small handful of rosemary from one of the zippable pockets stitched onto his apron and held it in front of himself. He then clicked the fingers on his left hand; the rosemary vanished in the blink of an eye. Five large needles of dark-green light materialised around the sorcerer, floating in place. Moments later, they dissipated into nothingness.
"My cursed technique is called Apothecary. It works by using herbs and spices to manipulate cursed energy in various ways, making it extremely versatile."
The boy nodded, somewhat astonished. "Hold on. I don't understand why I've never been able to see curses until after I was attacked by one. It doesn't make any sense."
"Regular humans are generally unable to see or perceive cursed spirits, as they do not have enough cursed energy to do so. It is due to this reason that the existence of curses has been kept secret from non-sorcerers for a very long time." Shinji's tone grew more serious. "However, when a person is at risk of being killed by a cursed spirit, they usually gain the ability to see it in that life or death scenario. The danger of dying increases the victim's cursed energy temporarily, making curses appear visible to them."
Yukari narrowed his eyes. "But why can I still see curses today?"
"Since it is created from negative emotions, simply knowing about the existence of cursed spirits can heighten a person's natural levels of cursed energy. Therefore, they retain the ability to see curses," explained the man. "If you truly do possess a cursed technique, it is logical to assume that your near-death experience caused your ability to inadvertently activate — exorcising the curse and saving your life."
The sorcerer crossed his arms and sighed.
"At least, that's my theory."
The teenager stared at his hands, holding them with the palms facing him.
I... have a cursed technique?
He shifted his gaze back to Shinji, unsure of what to say.
"I have an idea," announced the man. "Try activating your technique. Focus on how you felt when you were attacked by that curse, and visualise your cursed energy manifesting in the form of those arms."
The boy nodded and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he attempted to concentrate on the emotions he felt during his encounter with the cursed spirit. Fifteen seconds passed. Yukari reopened his eyes and frowned.
"It didn't work," he stated coldly.
The sorcerer took a moment to think.
"Perhaps you need to use an anchor," he suggested. "Many sorcerers connect their techniques to specific gestures — such as hand movements — to channel their cursed energy more effectively."
Shinji pressed his palms together.
"While not always necessary, anchors are a fundamental part of utilising Jujutsu. They can be customised based on personal preference, but must be practical for use in combat situations."
The teenager inspected his hands, eventually choosing to clasp them together with the fingers interlaced.
"That should work," stated the man. "Now, focus on activating your cursed technique."
Once again, the boy closed his eyes and slowed his breathing rate. He remembered the event. The shock. The fear. The hopelessness. Yukari imagined his cursed energy gradually accumulating to create two phantom arms composed of shadows.
A thin, tar-like substance began to engulf the teenager's hands.
The sorcerer's eyes widened.
His cursed energy...!
On the floor beside the boy appeared a dark puddle; its outline had an irregular flux. A slender arm of black colouration erupted from the darkness, standing two metres tall. Residing upon it was a clawed hand slightly larger than a human head — clearly capable of lacerating flesh with ease.
Yukari glanced at the apparition in awe. Before he could blink, the phantom arm and dark puddle spontaneously faded out of existence.
Woah.
The teenager examined his hands, yet no sight of sorcery remained. A slight smile spread across his lips. "That's... pretty cool."
Shinji furrowed his eyebrows.
"Is... s-something wrong?" asked the boy — his brief joy immediately extinguished.
The man blinked before shaking his head. "Don't worry, I was just surprised; it is very rare for a person to be born with a cursed technique, and those who are, typically inherit it as a result of their lineage — although I can't say I've ever seen this ability previously."
Car headlights lit up the background, seizing the sorcerer's attention. The vehicle decelerated as it approached him, coming to a complete stop once nearby. Shinji waved at the car, signalling the driver to wait.
"There is a school known as Jujutsu High, where young sorcerers learn to fight curses and cultivate their own power." The man opened the car door and retrieved a small piece of paper as well as a pen. He scribbled a phone number and handed it to Yukari.
"We're constantly seeking out talented candidates. It's a dangerous job, but do consider joining."
The sorcerer entered the vehicle and bid the teenager farewell before slamming the door shut. The car sped away without wasting any time, abandoning the boy.
Yukari went home with a renewed sense of hope that night. The morning after, he stuffed whatever belongings he had into a plastic convenience store bag and left his apartment.
A handwritten note remained on the kitchen table.
"I've found a place where I belong. Don't bother searching for me."
- Signed, Yukari Tsumeyami.