บท 5: Terrifying Power

Unlike with grass, Ryosuke felt the emotions and sensations of the animal more keenly.

The cat continued to struggle, and Ryosuke could sense its fear and confusion.

Cautiously, he tried to manipulate the first glow.

Immediately, the animal reacted, its paws stiffening for a moment before falling limply. Ryosuke had altered the cat's muscle structure, temporarily disconnecting its muscles without causing harm. Fascinated, he eased his grip, watching the feline, which could no longer move as if its limbs were unresponsive.

"Interesting…"

He then shifted his focus to the third glow, that of the cat's spirit. Slowly, he pushed some of his cursed energy into the spirit's glow. He expected resistance, but he was surprised by how easily he could alter the animal's consciousness. Instantly, the cat stopped struggling. Its eyes, once filled with panic, became suddenly vacant, as if it were in a trance. Ryosuke had just disconnected the animal from its survival instincts.

"I can manipulate its consciousness… or at least put it on pause."

But the most intriguing was the second glow, that of the soul. Ryosuke knew that touching the soul was much more complex and risky. However, driven by an irrepressible curiosity, he decided to try.

This time, the reaction was immediate and violent. The cat's soul seemed to react like a wild beast, pushing Ryosuke's energy away with unexpected force. A wave of sensations flooded over him: the animal's deep fear and, more surprisingly, a fragment of memories.

Ryosuke briefly felt blurry images—memories of the cat—flickering through his mind. He saw streets he had never walked, encounters with other stray cats, and the gnawing sensation of hunger that tormented the animal. There was a complexity he had not anticipated.

"The soul… it's more than I thought. It has its own memory, its own identity," he murmured, impressed.

Suddenly, he released his grip on the soul, frightened by what he had just touched. The cat regained its senses in an instant, and as soon as it sensed the slightest opportunity, it leaped from Ryosuke's arms and darted away into the alley, disappearing into the darkness.

Ryosuke stood still for a few moments, his mind swirling with all the new information he had just discovered. He ran a hand through his hair, a tight smile on his lips.

"It's… it's really terrifying," he said aloud this time.

But what he had learned today was essential. He now had confirmation that he could manipulate not only bodies but also minds and souls. This opened up infinite possibilities… but also terrifying ones.

Ryosuke looked at his trembling hands. He lingered for a moment, his eyes fixed on the spot where the animal had vanished. He was relieved not to have killed it, but the power of his ability still frightened him.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and resumed walking, his heart still heavy. He had achieved what he wanted: a better understanding of his power. But he also knew he had much left to learn.

The Cursed Spirit Parade was approaching; by then, Gojo Satoru would have a formidable rival.

---

Ryosuke returned home as night began to fall. The streetlights dimly illuminated the roads, and the air had turned cooler. He gently pushed open the front door, careful not to make too much noise.

The house was quiet, almost peaceful. His mother, as always, was in the kitchen, probably tidying up after dinner.

"Did you have fun?" she asked without looking up from the sink.

Ryosuke smirked, recalling his recent "tests."

"Yeah, it was nice," he replied. "By the way, I have a little gift for Sayuri. Where is she?"

His mother turned to him, slightly surprised. "Sayuri? She's already in bed… It's barely 10 o'clock. What did you bring her?"

Feigning innocence, Ryosuke plunged his hand into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a small gray kitten. The animal opened its big round eyes and mewed softly.

"I found it in an abandoned box," Ryosuke explained, presenting the kitten to his mother. "I remembered Sayuri wanted a cat for a while, so I thought she'd like it."

His mother looked at him in disbelief, alternating her gaze between her son and the kitten. "You… brought home a cat? You? But you don't like animals!"

Ryosuke shrugged, appearing nonchalant. "It's not that I don't like animals; I just don't enjoy taking care of them. But Sayuri is different. I thought she'd be happy, so here it is."

His mother hesitated, watching the kitten begin to curl up in Ryosuke's arms, purring softly. "I don't know… You know that taking care of a pet is a big responsibility, right?"

Ryosuke nodded confidently. "I know. That's why I'll help her. I promise to make sure she takes care of it. And if it doesn't work out… I'll take it back to where I found it."

She fixed him with a long look, then sighed. "It's rare for you to insist so much on something, especially for your sister. I thought you just bickered."

Ryosuke raised an eyebrow, a sly smile forming. "Oh, I still hate her… but in a good way."

TO BE CONTINUED!

Next Chapter: Go to Next Level