Chapter 117: The Bet
The next second, his consciousness abruptly shifted. The ramen shop, the steam, and the clamor instantly vanished, replaced by a familiar, quiet space.
Divine Tree Space.
The towering Divine Tree was lush with branches and leaves, faint Cursed Energy shimmering on its verdant foliage, its roots deeply entrenched and intertwined in the void of darkness.
The layout of the space was identical to before, save for a figure in the corner.
The Special Grade imaginary Cursed Spirit Tamamo-no-Mae was curled up there, weak Cursed Energy swirling around her, clearly still adapting to this new environment.
On the thickest branch of the Divine Tree, layers of golden glowing vines were wrapped, tightly encasing a massive chrysalis. Black Cursed Energy patterns flickered across the chrysalis's surface from time to time, and one could faintly sense the terrifying power suppressed within.
Inside, sealed away, was Ryomen Sukuna.
Rin's consciousness floated in mid-air, his gaze calmly fixed on the chrysalis.
He could clearly feel Sukuna's Cursed Energy crashing against the vine seal like a tide.
Each impact caused the space to tremble slightly, yet it could never break through that seemingly soft, yet actually indestructible, barrier.
This was a seal he had laid down using his own Cursed Energy combined with the power of the Divine Tree, specifically to suppress Sukuna.
"Yo, finally willing to come in?"
Sukuna's voice echoed through the space, no longer directly entering his mind, but with a tangible penetrative force:
"Brat, this seal of yours is quite interesting, much more effective than the Jujutsu of those guys at Jujutsu High."
Rin didn't speak, merely gazing at the chrysalis.
He knew that Sukuna's provocations and temptations were nothing more than an attempt to enrage him, make him lose control, and thereby find an opportunity to break the seal.
But he wouldn't fall for it.
After the destruction of the Star Plasma Cult and his lonely awakening, he was no longer the youth who would be easily swayed by emotions.
Now, he only believed in power, only cared about how to become stronger. And Sukuna, while a threat, might also be an opportunity.
In the Divine Tree Space, silence descended once more.
Only the rustling of the Divine Tree's leaves and Sukuna's unwilling Cursed Energy impacts from within the chrysalis intertwined, forming a silent game of chess.
A few days ago.
In the Star Plasma Cult's storeroom, Cursed Tools and Cursed Objects were neatly arranged on shelves, emanating Cursed Energy fluctuations of varying strengths.
Rin and Miguel were bending over, organizing the innermost box. The moment the box opened, two dense, almost tangible black Cursed Energies rushed out, bringing a heart-pounding sense of oppression.
Inside lay two withered fingers, their knuckles covered in grotesque patterns. They were the special grade cursed objects of the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna.
One was brought back by Rin, the other was found by Geto Suguru years ago.
The power contained within these two fingers was enough to destroy heaven and earth.
Even Geto Suguru only dared to keep them securely stored with multiple layers of sealing Cursed Tools, never contemplating touching them. The fearsome reputation of the King of Curses was already etched into the bones of every Jujutsu Sorcerer—a terrifying existence that even the strongest had to be wary of.
"What? Are you insane?"
Miguel abruptly grabbed the two fingers. As his fingertips touched the withered skin, a chill crept up his spine. He looked at Rin in horror, his eyes wide and bloodshot:
"You're going to swallow this thing? Rin, do you even know what you're saying?!"
He practically roared, his voice filled with disbelief.
The Cursed Energy in the storeroom seemed to be agitated by his emotions, becoming even more restless.
Rin, however, was exceptionally calm. He stood still, his gaze fixed on the fingers in Miguel's hand, without the slightest waver.
He offered no superfluous explanations, merely conveying his attitude clearly with his eyes—he was serious, not joking.
Miguel looked at him in this state, his heart anxious and flustered, his tone softening as he earnestly persuaded:
"Rin, I know you're desperate to get stronger after Geto Suguru left.
But even as a foreigner, I've heard of the King of Curses' reputation!"
"Even when Geto Suguru was at his most insane and desperate for power, he didn't dare touch the power within these. And you're going to swallow two at once?"
His voice trembled:
"If anything goes wrong, you'll be devoured by Sukuna's consciousness. Then both of us, and even the entire Star Plasma Cult, will be destroyed by you, out of control! Do you understand?"
Rin slowly nodded, indicating that he understood.
Of course, he was aware of the risks; he knew better than anyone how powerful Sukuna's consciousness was.
But the more powerful the strength, the more worth the risk.
He had already lost his "home," lost his former warmth, and could no longer lose the opportunity to become stronger.
Seeing that Rin still hadn't changed his mind, Miguel completely despaired.
He knew Rin's character too well; once he made up his mind, he would never easily turn back.
The fact that Rin was willing to tell him about this, instead of acting alone after he left, was already the greatest honesty.
"You…"
Miguel opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately it only turned into a helpless sigh.
Only then did Rin speak, his voice calm yet with an undeniable firmness:
"Don't worry, I have it under control.
With my current Cursed Energy intensity, suppressing two of sukunas fingers is absolutely no problem."
What's more, he still had the Divine Tree Space.
"Absolutely?"
Miguel was still uneasy:
"There's no such thing as absolute in this kind of thing! What if…"
"No what-ifs."
Rin interrupted him, picking up a short sword from the shelf. It was Geto Suguru's collection; the blade gleamed coldly, inscribed with intricate Cursed Runes, a true special grade cursed tool.
He handed the short sword to Miguel:
"If anything goes wrong with me, if my consciousness is eroded by Sukuna, you use this sword to cut off my head directly."
Miguel's grip on the short sword tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white.
He looked at Rin's calm face as if looking at a madman:
"You want me to cut off your head? Rin, do you even know what you're saying?!"
"I know."
There was no fear in Rin's eyes:
"Rather than being controlled by Sukuna and becoming a monster that destroys everything, it's better to die cleanly. And I trust you, Miguel, you'll make the right choice."
Miguel looked at him, a mix of emotions in his heart.
He knew Rin was right; once Sukuna possessed Rin's body, given that guy's personality, he would be the first to die.
Even with the black rope cursed tool, there would be no escape.
But how could he possibly bring himself to personally cut off Rin's head?
Finally, Miguel gritted his teeth and nodded.
He chose to believe Rin, to believe that this youth, who always created miracles, would not truly let himself reach that point.
The two went to the training ground. Miguel retrieved a roll of sealing bandages covered in Cursed Runes from the storeroom.
This was a Cursed Tool Geto Suguru specifically used to restrain powerful Cursed Spirits.
He carefully bound Rin to a specially made Cursed Tool chair, wrapping the bandages layer by layer. With each wrap, he chanted a strengthening incantation until Rin was tightly bound, unable to even move his fingers.
"Are you ready?"
Miguel held the short sword, standing before Rin, his palms slick with cold sweat.
Rin nodded, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and circulated his Cursed Energy to its peak. The Divine Tree Space also quietly unfolded in his consciousness, ready to seal at any moment.
Miguel looked at him, silently reciting prayers, then slowly picked up one of sukunas fingers and carefully brought it to Rin's mouth.
Rin's lips parted slightly. As the cold, withered finger touched his tongue, a violent black Cursed Energy instantly erupted, surging into his body like a volcanic eruption.
The air in the training ground instantly solidified. Black Cursed Energy patterns spread across Rin's skin, his body began to tremble uncontrollably, and fine cold sweat seeped from his forehead.
Miguel's hand gripping the short sword instantly tensed, his eyes fixed on Rin, his heart almost leaping out of his throat.
A life-or-death bet had just begun.
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