Kapitel 36: The End
"Did they escape?" Suguru Geto leaned against the corner of the wall. Seeing Sōjun Minamoto return, he quickly asked.
Sōjun nodded, then shook his head and asked back, "Shall I treat your injuries?"
Suguru let go of his worries and relaxed. Hearing this, he suddenly remembered something and quickly shook his head in refusal.
Sōjun didn't mind. He approached the barrier.
The barrier didn't allow for visibility inside or out.
When he dispelled the barrier, Riko Amanai was sitting on the ground with her knees hugged close, her chin buried, resembling a frightened little animal.
At the sound of movement, she snapped her head up and saw a pale, naked man with a white skeletal mask covering his face.
However, the familiar clothing style helped her recognize him immediately.
A bright smile appeared on her face as she got up and threw herself into his arms.
Moments ago, she had heard the loud commotion outside but couldn't see what was happening. After the noise ceased, the agonizing wait and uncertainty gnawed at her. The thought that others might have been hurt because of her filled her with unbearable guilt.
After pulling away from Sōjun, Riko noticed Suguru in the corner and immediately frowned.
Suguru pushed his bangs back and smiled. "I'm fine."
Footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Satoru Gojo and Miri Kuroi arrived soon after.
Sōjun dispelled his armor. His cursed energy slightly recovered, and his muscles softened as his facial mask dissolved. However, his pale complexion and lingering pain remained.
The group exchanged glances, and someone burst into laughter.
Though everyone except Riko was in rough shape, they were all alive.
What a relief. Truly worth celebrating.
"Did they escape?" Satoru suddenly asked.
Who knows?
"Hopefully, luck was on our side, and they're dead," Sōjun replied.
After all, he had cut Toji Fushiguro's head nearly in half and torn off his left arm. His attacks damaged even the soul. He couldn't imagine being unlucky enough for Toji to survive.
"It doesn't matter. I'll handle the rest," Satoru declared, his expression dazzling and eyes gleaming.
Suguru observed him for a moment, noting his blood-stained appearance and the dramatic wound on his neck. "I thought you were dead."
"I was close!" Satoru grinned, visibly exhilarated. "When my throat was pierced, I stopped counterattacking and focused entirely on Reverse Cursed Technique."
He turned to Sōjun and explained, "Cursed energy is a negative force—it can strengthen the body but not heal it. By multiplying negative energy, a positive effect is created. That's the essence of Reverse Cursed Technique."
His grin widened.
"This is the first time I've succeeded! In a life-or-death moment, I finally grasped the core of cursed energy!"
Satoru seemed to shed all burdens, floating lightly in the air with both feet off the ground. He spread his arms wide.
"This world feels so exhilarating. Right now, I only feel—"
"—Heaven and Earth, I alone reign supreme."
"…Huh?"
"…Huh?"
"Let's leave before we catch whatever he's got," Suguru muttered to the others.
Sōjun helped Suguru to his feet, and they headed for the surface together.
As they neared the exit, Sōjun suddenly paused.
"What's wrong?" the others asked.
He shook his head, continuing into the night.
Above, the full moon hung high in a starry sky, its gentle light bathing the earth.
Tomorrow, it would surely be a good day, he thought.
A voice had just asked him, "May I see you?"
…
The group headed toward Masamichi Yaga.
Among the Jujutsu High staff, Yaga was unanimously regarded as the most trustworthy.
While Master Tengen had not opposed Riko's departure, that didn't mean the higher-ups would remain passive. Though today was the optimal synchronization date, it wasn't the last one, leaving Riko in considerable danger.
Sōjun contacted Shiko Mishima, an internal ally stationed nearby, to provide assistance.
Along the way, they encountered numerous low-grade curses, the majority being fly-heads.
The fly-head hovering over Sōjun's head, as though invigorated, would dart toward others of its kind, devouring them without restraint.
Sōjun raised an eyebrow but allowed it to do as it pleased.
They successfully evaded everyone and safely delivered Riko to Yaga.
Seated in a circle, the group was joined by Mishima and Miri, who stood respectively behind Sōjun and Riko.
Riko fiddled with Satoru's sunglasses, giggling smugly. When no one paid her attention, she turned to Miri for validation.
"…"
"So, you brought her here?" Yaga asked, massaging his temples.
He had been locked in a strategic battle with unseen enemies, only to be handed this major headache by his apprentices. He could already picture his adversary rising from near defeat, kicking him into the dust.
"Hmm…" Yaga pondered briefly. "Jujutsu High is dangerous for her now, but the outside world is even more perilous with groups like the Time Vessel Association lurking. The safest place might ironically be the most dangerous one. Plus, with her under our watch, we can respond immediately to any issues. Very well. Riko and Miri will stay at Jujutsu High for now."
"As for where…"
Everyone simultaneously turned to Sōjun.
Sōjun, absorbed in observing the fly-head, noticed the sudden silence and lifted his gaze to meet theirs.
"?"
"Technically, we're all Jujutsu High personnel. You're the only one with 'temporary staff' written on your ID badge," Yaga remarked matter-of-factly.
"No way. Kids are troublesome." Sōjun immediately refused, which made Riko grind her teeth in frustration.
Turning away, Sōjun asked Mishima, "How about she stays at your place for now?"
Mishima locked eyes with him briefly before nodding. "Alright."
"The Time Vessel Association also needs to be dealt with, not to mention confirming Toji's condition…"
Sōjun trailed off, deep in thought.
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