Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

Mei stood shoulder to shoulder with Daiki.

His attention was fixed on the comatose patient in the hospital room, while her focus remained entirely on his movements.

The Cursed Energy emanating from his body resembled Sukuna's, enough to make anyone uneasy. It measured roughly equivalent to three of Sukuna's Fingers.

To Mei, this level of power wasn't particularly impressive — she was, after all, among the elite Grade 1 Sorcerers. Yet the mere presence of Sukuna's Cursed Energy was unfathomable.

More striking was how Daiki's gentle demeanor contrasted sharply with the mad King of Curses.

This contradiction left her uncertain.

"My name is Daiki, Daiki Tsukasa, by the way." He turned to face her, shifting his attention from the room.

"Mei Mei." She noted his solemn smile — as if he were naturally cheerful but subduing it for the somber occasion.

Out of respect for both his power and his introduction, she nodded to him.

"I'm sorry about your brother. My girlfriend told me about the situation."

"Ah, yes..." Mei responded hesitantly, studying his expression, "You seem... familiar with this kind of situation."

Daiki's smile faltered momentarily, a shadow crossing his eyes.

"Let's say I have some experience with loss." He said softly, his gaze returning to the patient, "But each case is unique, isn't it?"

Something in his tone sent a chill through Mei. Beyond his Cursed Energy, something deeper and more unsettling lay beneath.

After a few moments of silence, Daiki spoke again.

"I won't delay much longer. You must already know about my status. I can release him from this suffering, if you'll allow me."

Her gaze darted between Daiki and her comatose brother, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on her shoulders.

"And what exactly does this... process entail?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Daiki's expression remained unchanged, but there was a subtle shift in the Cursed Energy around him.

"It's quick. Painless. I simply... collect what remains of his essence. His soul, if you will."

The clinical detachment in his voice sent a chill down Mei's spine. Though she had dealt with many Cursed Spirits and Sorcerers before, something about this man's casual approach to soul manipulation felt fundamentally wrong.

"And what happens to the soul afterward?" The question escaped her lips before she could stop herself.

A ghost of a smile played across Daiki's features, "That's not something you need to concern yourself with."

Mei's muscles tensed instantly.

Such disregard for life was exactly what she'd expect from Sukuna.

"Is this really necessary? Since he's going to die anyway, there's no need to rush it by a few days."

As the words fell, crows descended near Nakano Hospital. Through the window glass, their flapping shadows danced against the panes.

"I'm not as cynical as you might think. And I'm not forcing you, Miss Mei." Daiki paused, his tone growing solemn, "I am like you. I conduct my life through the opportunities that present themselves."

The way he spoke about this... it was unfortunate, but it aligned perfectly with her own nature.

If she were on a paid mission to eliminate a dying cursed child, she wouldn't have hesitated. This conversation wouldn't even be happening.

And that was what prompted her next words.

"If you want it, then take it." Mei gave a dry smile.

After all, he was only her brother in name — there was no need for excessive concern. It wouldn't be worth risking her life for someone already dying.

Besides, she had unfinished business with her real estate and money in Tokyo.

"Once again, I am sorry about this."

Daiki activated his Ghost Hand. The imperceptible hands drew out the soul of the comatose patient, Ui Ui.

Beep—

The heart monitor's fluctuating line went flat.

Witnessing this, Mei fought the urge to flee through the window. She hadn't even seen how he'd done it.

Could he take her life with such ease?

۞ Devour Spirit! ۞

Daiki raised his palm, summoning a terrifying vortex. The soul, held by the Ghost Hand, swirled into it like smoke.

In moments, it crystallized into a clear Spirit Sphere and desappeared in his Collection Space.

『You have collected a Ui Ui's Soul!』

『Reward: Innate Cursed Technique — Spatial Transference!』

The Spatial Transference technique enables instant teleportation. By placing spatial markers, the user can transfer directly between points. Its range spans the globe and can transport multiple targets at once. It even allows the exchange of souls between bodies.

This ranks among the most powerful spatial abilities.

Combined with Mei's Black Bird Manipulation, it would be devastating.

With multiple crows, one could teleport endlessly across the battlefield — unless, of course, all the birds were eliminated at once.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Sharp applause rang from the corridor's end.

Suguru Geto approached, loose sleeves swaying, his eyes narrowed in a smile.

"As expected of the newly appointed Special Grade Sorcerer. These soul manipulation techniques far surpass ordinary Sorcerers." Watching Daiki's display had clearly unsettled Suguru.

Even he couldn't perceive the Ghost Hand's movements.

This Innate Technique was unlike anything known before — completely distinct from Ryōmen Sukuna's powers.

Suguru found one small comfort: Daiki's total Cursed Energy remained modest.

'Only three Sukuna Fingers' worth... He may be Special Grade now, but I still have the upper hand!' Reassured, he strode forward with casual confidence.

"People from the hospital are coming, I'll go drive them away." Sensing trouble, Mei decided to make a quick exit.

Neither man paid attention to her.

After she left, Suguru opened his loose sleeves, revealing six of Sukuna's Fingers that the Star Religious Group had collected.

"You must be collecting these as well, right? Our Star Religious Group spent considerable time gathering them. I'll give you all of them, with one condition — you must consume every finger!" He shook his sleeves with a persuasive tone.

Though uncertain how Daiki had reached this level, Suguru was confident in the thousand-year-old King of Curses. Consuming all the fingers at once would surely overwhelm him.

Once Sukuna's consciousness awakened, the massacre could begin. Even if it didn't, he could still overpower Daiki.

"Hand them over." Daiki said firmly, extending his hand.

Suguru smiled and tossed them over.

Acquiring six of Sukuna's Fingers so effortlessly left Daiki stunned. His own careful collection paled in comparison to having them simply handed to him.

He raised his hand, and all six of Sukuna's Fingers vanished in an instant.

Suguru's eyes narrowed, his warm smile turning cold. He hadn't invested all that effort collecting Sukuna's Fingers just to see them wasted!

This man might be formidable, but did he think he would be such easy prey?

『Detected host collecting Special-Grade Cursed Object — Sukuna's Finger!』

『Reward: Special Grade Sealing Technique!』

『Detected host collecting Special-Grade Cursed Object — Sukuna's Finger!』

『Reward: Cursed Tool Crafting Method!』

『Detected host collecting Special-Grade Cursed Object — Sukuna's Finger!』

『Reward: Innate Cursed Technique — Spiderweb!』

『Detected host collecting Special-Grade Cursed Object — Sukuna's Finger!』

『Reward: Innate Cursed Technique — Divine Flame!』

『Detected host collecting Special-Grade Cursed Object — Sukuna's Finger!』

『Reward: Cursed Technique — Black Flash!』

『Detected host collecting Special-Grade Cursed Object — Sukuna's Finger!』

『Reward: Cursed Energy Burst Enhancement!』

The six consecutive mechanical voices filled Daiki with a sense of newfound wealth.

These rewards granted him mastery over Sukuna's Divine Flame and Spiderweb techniques, along with the modern Cursed Technique Black Flash. His Cursed Energy also gained enhanced explosive power.

'Special Grade Sealing Technique... Cursed Tool Crafting Method... These collection rewards have far exceeded my expectations. By the system's rules, gathering all twenty fingers should yield a bond reward.'

The Yukishita family's three consecutive bond rewards had yielded the top-tier dual cultivation Yin Yang Primordial Method.

Surely the King of Curses' twenty consecutive bond rewards would be no less impressive?

A smile curved on his lips.

Unaware of Daiki's thoughts, Suguru's anger began to rise.

"Tsukasa, what of our agreement to consume them? Is our friendship truly so meaningless?" His smile remained sincere, but his tone turned ice-cold.

The four thousand Cursed Spirits under his Cursed Spirit Manipulation weren't mere decoration.

Though he hadn't mastered Domain Expansion, he had perfected Maximum Technique.

Maximum Technique occurs when a Sorcerer develops their Innate Technique to its absolute limit. These specialized methods rival ordinary Domains in power.

"Oh, I'd almost forgotten about you." Daiki scratched his head with feigned concern.

Suguru's eyes narrowed, interpreting this as pure arrogance!

Did he truly believe mastering Domain Expansion made him untouchable?

But before he could speak, his smile vanished, replaced by utter disbelief and shock.

Mei, who had reached the hospital entrance and was about to hail a taxi, froze in terror.

In an instant, terrifying Cursed Energy — matching Sukuna at his peak — erupted skyward like a pillar of light!

While ordinary people remained oblivious, Sorcerers felt their hearts stop as the suffocating pressure washed over them. Mei turned her head stiffly, her eyes wide with terror.

This was no ordinary display — the Cursed Energy matched Sukuna at his peak, further amplified by the power of nine collected fingers.

Even if the King of Curses himself were to be reborn, his total Cursed Energy couldn't match Daiki's current level.

Yet a fully conscious Sukuna would be the true nightmare.

If Daiki managed to collect the fingers quickly enough, leaving Sukuna with just one finger upon awakening — one could only imagine this demon king's reaction.

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T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!

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