Right?
9: Chapter 9: You Don’t Want Your Identity Exposed…
Right?
Suguru Geto fell silent for a moment.
He already understood.
Ronova had no intention of cooperating with him.
Fortunately…
He still had another card to play.
Looking at Ronova, who was pretending not to understand his intentions, Geto smiled faintly.
“Miss Ronova…” “You wouldn’t want the higher-ups at Jujutsu Headquarters to discover where you’re living, would you?” “You certainly don’t want them learning your true identity.” Ronova froze.
She had expected persuasion.
She had expected manipulation.
She had not expected blackmail.
…Seriously?
You’re really going to threaten me?
For a moment, she couldn’t believe someone could say such shameless words with such a gentle smile.
Unfortunately…
The threat worked.
Because she truly couldn’t afford to have her identity exposed.
The greatest advantage of being the Curse Spirit born from humanity’s fear of death…
Was her limitless potential.
The greatest disadvantage…
Was that everyone else knew it too.
Anyone who understood what she represented would reach the same conclusion.
She must never be allowed to mature.
Countless people would want her dead before she ever reached her full strength.
Even Gojo Satoru had initially considered exorcising her.
If the entire jujutsu world learned the truth…
She would become the common enemy of both sorcerers and curse users alike.
Just imagining being hunted simultaneously by Gojo Satoru…
Yuta Okkotsu…
And countless elite sorcerers…
Made her scalp tingle.
Seeing the change in her expression…
Geto knew his gamble had paid off.
Who said threats couldn’t move people’s hearts?
Ronova slowly looked back at him.
The playful smile had completely disappeared.
Her golden eyes became frighteningly calm.
She was calculating.
Could she kill him…
Right here?
Geto naturally sensed the killing intent radiating from her.
Even he couldn’t deny feeling a trace of pressure.
When Ronova stopped joking…
She was genuinely intimidating.
Still…
He remained composed.
No matter how extraordinary her innate technique was…
She had only existed for a short time.
There was no way she had already grown strong enough to defeat him.
He was certain of that.
If she chose to compromise instead…
Then everything would proceed according to his plan.
After all…
Geto understood one thing better than most.
Nothing was uglier than the human heart.
Once Ronova witnessed humanity’s cruelty…
Its greed.
Its hypocrisy.
Its hatred.
He believed she would naturally come to despise humans.
After all…
Cursed spirits were born from humanity’s negative emotions.
Why would they ever love the species that created them?
In Geto’s eyes…
Ronova was no exception.
She simply hadn’t awakened that hatred yet because Gojo Satoru had sheltered her from the uglier parts of the world.
With enough guidance…
She would inevitably stand beside him.
Of course…
That assumption rested on one critical misunderstanding.
Geto didn’t know…
That beneath Ronova’s appearance as a cursed spirit…
Lived the soul of someone who had once been human.
Had he known…
He might never have attempted such psychological manipulation.
Unfortunately for him…
He remained completely unaware.
Silence filled the room.
Finally…
Ronova let out a slow breath.
The cold killing intent in her eyes vanished.
Replacing it…
Was a gentle smile.
“So…” “How exactly are we supposed to cooperate?” Internally…
She wanted nothing more than to punch him.
Unfortunately…
Reality was cruel.
She wasn’t strong enough.
Not yet.
Sometimes…
Compromise was simply the smarter option.
Besides…
Working with Geto for the time being wasn’t necessarily a disaster.
She didn’t actually need to support his ideals.
She only needed to become stronger.
Everything else could wait.
Seeing her attitude soften…
Geto smiled.
Although…
He couldn’t help finding the situation a little amusing.
This Death Curse Spirit was unexpectedly shameless.
She also possessed remarkably high intelligence.
Most cursed spirits weren’t particularly clever.
Even the Disaster Curses had been manipulated by Kenjaku without fully realizing it.
Ronova, however…
Was completely different.
Perhaps…
That was simply another characteristic of a curse born from death itself.
After a long discussion…
The two finally reached an agreement.
Geto would help Ronova grow stronger.
He would deliberately bring her to places where powerful beings were likely to die.
Sorcerers.
Curse users.
Cursed spirits.
The stronger the individual whose death she witnessed…
The greater the increase in her cursed energy.
In return…
Geto asked only one thing.
“When necessary…” “I want your assistance.” Especially…
If Gojo Satoru ever interfered with his plans.
Ronova silently nodded.
She had no better option.
The truth was…
The status of cursed spirits in the jujutsu world was miserable.
Sorcerers hunted them.
Curse users exploited them.
Even powerful cursed spirits were viewed as disposable tools.
If Ronova wanted to change that…
There was only one solution.
Become strong enough that nobody could ignore her.
Until then…
She could only endure.
“So…” “What are you doing?” After reaching their agreement, Geto watched Ronova begin stuffing clothes, electronics, and anything valuable she owned into a travel bag.
He looked puzzled.
Ronova blinked.
“Aren’t I leaving with you?” “I’m packing.” “These things cost money.” Geto stared at her for several seconds before rubbing his forehead.
“…No.” “You’ll stay here.” “I’ll contact you whenever I need you.” “If you suddenly disappear…” “Gojo Satoru will turn the entire country upside down looking for you.” That was precisely why Geto had visited while Shoko was away.
Drawing as little attention as possible was essential.
Keeping Ronova where she was also offered another advantage.
She remained close to Gojo.
Meaning…
She could observe him.
Information was invaluable.
Know your enemy…
And victory became much easier.
Ronova immediately understood.
“So…” “You want me to spy on Gojo?” She folded her arms.
Looking thoroughly offended.
“You know…” “Gojo Satoru is my benefactor.” “He even bought me dinner.” Geto narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
For someone claiming to have principles…
She certainly hadn’t shown many so far.
Then Ronova smiled.
“What I mean is…” “You’ll have to pay more.” “…” Geto was silent.
After several seconds…
He calmly took out a bank card and placed it on the table.
“There’s fifty million yen in this account.” “Use it however you like.” Ronova stared at the card.
Then slowly looked back at Geto.
Her opinion of him immediately improved.
As expected of a cult leader…
He’s ridiculously rich.
Thinking about it…
It made perfect sense.
Geto’s religious organization accepted enormous donations from its followers every year.
Money was probably the thing he lacked the least.
At that moment…
Ronova suddenly felt that being temporarily employed by the world’s most dangerous curse user…
Had surprisingly good benefits.