A Bizarre Adventure That Begins in Jujutsu Kaisen

"Lord Theo, are you serious? So many people?" Miki Riku was starting to lose her composure. "...Never mind, I think I'll pass."

Dio explained:

"When I say 'go together,' I don't mean everyone goes together. It means we split into two groups."

Once we have captured two top-tier cursed spirits, or when we are tired from the journey and need to rest, we will return to rotate – those who did not go in the previous batch can then take over the journey.

Their first goal was India, where they would obtain the legendary "Ganesha" (elephant god) before heading towards Europe.

The first stop is set in Austria and Hungary; if there are no successes, then the journey will proceed to Germany and Switzerland.

According to legend, werewolves may appear in France, Serbia, Bohemia, and Hungary; while vampires may appear in Germany, Austria, and Romania.

These countries are not entirely adjacent, so we will explore them sequentially based on proximity.

"According to historical records, Sigismund, the 15th-century King of Hungary and later the Holy Roman Emperor of the Germanic dynasty, urged the Church to formally recognize the existence of werewolves at the Council of 1414."

Laru pops up to provide background information.

"When I was a child, my parents told me stories about werewolves abducting children at night. There is indeed a relatively high probability of werewolf-type cursed spirits appearing in Hungary."

"You know so much? In that case, you go this time, and I'll go next time." Miguel raised an eyebrow at Laru.

"Okay." Laru crossed his thumb and forefinger to form a heart shape.

On the other side, the two sisters stared at their "love rival," Manami, and said in unison:

"Nanako and Mimiko—"

"They will only act together."

"Do you want to go to India?" Xia Youjie gently stroked the tops of the two girls' heads.

"I don't want to." ×2

"Oh, so in the end it was the four of us men—plus Manami—who came along?" Riku smiled wryly.

"Is there something wrong with it?" Manami gave a gentle "death smile".

"Hahaha—there's nothing wrong with it." Riju let out a mechanical laugh.

After a short rest overnight, the group set off for Tokyo Narita Airport the next morning.

After a seven-and-a-half-hour flight, the plane landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport at dusk.

Dio looked down through the porthole. The setting sun painted the Delhi skyline with a gradient of molten gold and dark purple, and the silhouettes of ancient minarets and modern glass curtain walls intertwined in the twilight.

"India is a living fossil of spiritualism. Its legends span thousands of years of history, and with a population of over a billion, every river, every temple, and even every alleyway in the city may be home to high-level spiritual beings."

Xia Youjie said in a low voice in the immigration queue.

"According to the theories of the sorcery world, imaginary vengeful spirits born from legendary figures, or conceptual sorcerous spirits originating from negative emotions, include:"

Vampires, werewolves, capitalism, stock market, gambling, typhoons, going to work, going to school, poverty, nuclear power, love, guns, war, plague, death, famine...

All of these possess the potential to nurture a top-tier cursed spirit.

So, we might encounter some unexpected "surprises" along the way.

I believe that if a curse of 'poverty' truly exists, India is certainly a possible habitat.

This time, he changed out of his signature five-striped robe.

Considering India's hot and humid climate and poor sanitation, he chose the black straight-leg trousers and loose-fitting lantern pants that he had preferred during his college years, with his long hair loosely tied up at the back of his head.

He seemed much more relaxed and casual.

"So it seems we'll reap quite a harvest?" Theo asked.

"I hope so. Provided the local sorcery community doesn't interfere..." Xia Youjie narrowed his eyes slightly, "I wonder what their skill level is like."

Outside the airport, a wave of heat, carrying with it the scents of spices, exhaust fumes, and unidentified flowers, hits you in the face.

Laru skillfully flagged down two yellow Ambassador taxis.

These car models, designed in the 1950s, are still mainstream on the streets of Delhi, like moving time capsules, stubbornly carrying the rhythm of bygone days.

"Let's settle into the hotel first, then try some authentic local cuisine?"

Lalu opened the passenger door, turned around, and smiled.

"I know there's a century-old butter chicken restaurant near Connaught Place that I've heard people rave about before, but I've never had the chance to come to India. Shall we try it later?"

"No problem!" Miki Riku gave a thumbs up, deftly opened the back door, and ducked inside.

The engine emitted an old, rumbling sound as the vehicle moved ahead, slowly merging into the surging traffic outside the airport.

In a different country, even the rhythm of the air is completely different. Xia Youjie looked at the bustling street scene outside the airport and felt a moment of dazed melancholy.

"Xia You, what's with that expression?" Dio asked casually.

"It's nothing."

Xia Youjie snapped out of his daze and gently shook his head.

"Perhaps it's because I've gotten used to a life where I'm constantly on edge and using my brain a lot."

Completely relaxed like this, acting purely for 'tourism' and 'capturing cursed spirits'...

To be honest, I'm still getting used to it.

I can't help but think about what other problems await me.

"But unfortunately, it seems that all the problems have already been properly solved."

Theo's tone was relaxed.

"It's good to take a break. If you're constantly working non-stop, your health will eventually break down."

Taking one last look at the vibrant street scene, Xia You exclaimed, "Yes, let's go! It's been so long since I've had such a relaxing trip!"

At this moment, Manami gently took Xia Youjie's arm—in the past, he was usually the one to put his arm around her waist, but this time, she was the one who reached out first.

In fact, she had no interest in fighting to the death with the sorcery world—in fact, all the executives were gathered together because of "Xia Youjie," and ideals or principles were secondary.

Neither of them is young anymore.

Perhaps... this wonderful cross-border journey might offer a chance to settle some unresolved relationships?

"Those who don't have time for leisure will eventually have time to get sick. Don't forget you're young too."

After glancing at the two who were tacitly understanding each other, Dior commented and took the lead in sitting in the passenger seat of the taxi.

"Hehe, then I'll have to ask you to teach me properly." Xia You chuckled and pulled Manami into the back seat of the taxi.

Their hotel was located on the outskirts of Connaught Place, with a colonial-era exterior and barely adequate modern amenities.

The room assignments were simple: Natsumi and Manami shared a room ("to facilitate tactical discussions," Natsumi said), Riku and Laru shared a room, and Theo had a suite by himself—the window facing the circular garden in the center of the square.

After settling in, it was already 8 p.m., and the group walked to a restaurant near the hotel.

A large brass pot at the entrance churned with a thick, deep red sauce, its aroma domineeringly invading the entire street.

There were quite a few people, but the food was served relatively quickly after we were seated.

"Lord Theo, try this." Laru rolled up a piece of buttered chicken covered in sauce with a naan and handed it to Theo. "The essence of Indian cuisine lies in the balance of spices."

Theo took a bite, and the rich, creamy tomato base melted on his tongue, followed by distinct layers of turmeric, cumin, cloves, and cardamom...

Finally, a barely perceptible spiciness gently burns deep in the throat.

"It's really interesting," he commented. "The flavor isn't flat; it unfolds layer by layer. It's like... learning about spells from scratch."

Manami sipped her mango latte, glancing thoughtfully at her phone: "According to the Google Maps description, the chefs here are said to have served the Mughal court in the past."

"A royal chef?" Miki Riku picked up a piece of spiced grilled fish, half believing and half doubting.

"It really is quite delicious," Xia Youjie said, rolling up a piece of flatbread. "Even if they're exaggerating, it doesn't matter."

"However, there's the issue of hygiene—" Riju had just glanced at the kitchen out of curiosity, and when he came back and looked at the food on the table, his expression was inevitably complicated.

"I brought a lot of gastrointestinal medicine."

Manami herself actually eats very little, only taking a small bite of each dish.

"Don't forget about the reversal spell. So don't worry, you won't die from it."

"I...you...I..."

Miki Riku opened his mouth, but the sound got stuck in his throat. After a long while, he waved his hand in frustration, his expression almost distorted under the bandages.

"Hey! That's not what I meant!"

The thought of the gruesome scenes of mukbang streamers turning into "Splatoons" that he had seen on YouTube made him feel as if he were wearing a mask of pain, and his shoulders slumped down involuntarily.