The instant he came into contact with the information in the other man's cursed energy, Li Shunchen felt as though a truck had slammed head-on into his brain!
If analyzing Sato was a cup of water, and analyzing Yaga might be a river, then Satoru Gojo... was a bottomless ocean, violent and chaotic.
Even a shallow analysis produced such an enormous volume of information that it was like having all the information from an entire simulation poured into his head in a single instant.
And this was after he had gone through two simulations, greatly improving his brain's capacity to take in information.
It reminded Li Shunchen of the information about Satoru Gojo he had obtained during an earlier simulation. Limitless was the Gojo Clan's inherited cursed technique, but even someone who awakened and inherited it would struggle to use it without the aid of the Six Eyes.
Li Shunchen also remembered that an earlier notice from "Phantom Parade" had specifically warned him about this very situation.
But Li Shunchen refused to concede and stubbornly insisted on trying. He wanted to see just how great the gap was between himself and this so-called strongest.
He forced himself to analyze Satoru Gojo's cursed technique, but it ultimately ended in failure.
"Urgh..." Li Shunchen gave a muffled groan. Blood instantly streamed from both nostrils, his head hurt as though it would split apart, and he staggered back two steps, nearly falling.
"Pfft, hahahaha!" Seeing this, Satoru Gojo did not get angry. Instead, he burst out laughing, slapping his thigh and pointing at Li Shunchen. "So you can't do it after all? Looks like I'm still one of a kind!"
Satoru Gojo stepped forward to steady Li Shunchen and clapped him hard on the shoulder, nearly knocking him apart.
"But you actually tried to copy it just now? You've got guts!" The corners of Satoru Gojo's mouth lifted. "You're a little weak, but I like that look in your eyes. Welcome aboard, first-year transfer."
Watching the problem children descend into a commotion in an instant, Masamichi Yaga rubbed his temples helplessly.
"Li Shunchen, starting today, you're assigned to the first year. Shoko, take him to the dorms and help him settle in."
Li Shunchen wiped away his nosebleed and looked at the three schoolmates before him, who would one day shake the whole of Jujutsu Society.
"I look forward to studying with you all."
Tokyo Jujutsu High's dormitories were located on the mountain behind the school. The surroundings were quiet and secluded-or perhaps a little desolate.
The setting sun cast long shadows from the old wooden corridors, and the air was filled with the scent of mosquito coils and the damp smell peculiar to forests.
"The boys' dorm is over there. There are plenty of empty rooms, so just pick whichever one you like."
Shoko Ieiri walked ahead. Her usually languid steps carried a slight air of acceptance toward a kindred spirit after Li Shunchen's earlier takeover of Yaga's cursed corpse had impressed her, but that was all.
"Understood. Thank you, Ieiri."
Li Shunchen followed behind her, behaving in a way that left no room for fault.
His attention, however, was focused on the system panel before him that only he could see.
[Fate vortex detected: So-called schoolmates] Causal objective: Enter the social circle of this era's strongest. Within their souls' field of vision, leap from "nameless background figure" to "indispensable accomplice." Observation logic: By some means, you have become entangled with these three monstrous variables within Jujutsu High, the cage called "destiny." Gift of fate: Whenever the host gains the profound approval of one of these "observers of the era," their overflowing causal energy will provide you with an additional "causal observation opportunity" (attempts +1).
Seeing this reward, Li Shunchen narrowed his eyes slightly behind his glasses.
Sure enough, besides waiting for the cooldown and killing key enemies, forming bonds with key characters in the story could also earn him opportunities.
That made sense. In this world, connections were often more useful than cursed energy.
And during his more than two years as an Assistant Supervisor in the previous simulation, he had come to understand Shoko Ieiri all too well.
Compared with those two Special Grade freaks who were always going on about "yours truly" and "the greater good," Shoko was actually the easiest to understand.
She did not need him to be particularly strong or have lofty ideals. She only needed him to give her a little breathing room amid the unbearably dull autopsies and reports.
"Um... Ieiri."
Li Shunchen suddenly stopped, his voice carrying just the right hint of hesitation.
Shoko turned around, the beauty mark beneath her eye lending her a somewhat tired look. "What is it? Something else?"
Li Shunchen glanced around like a good student who did not want to break school rules, then lowered his voice to ask.
"Smoking... isn't banned in the dorms, is it?"
Shoko froze for a moment. She looked at the bespectacled boy before her, who appeared so refined and well-mannered, seemingly not expecting him to ask that question.
"Ha..." Shoko gave a short laugh and reached into her pocket, only to find nothing. "In principle, it is. Yaga will nag you about it. But... as long as you don't get caught, it doesn't count."
As she spoke, she clicked her tongue in irritation. Clearly, she had just run out of cigarettes.
Just then, a slender hand reached out in front of her, an unopened pack of cigarettes resting in its palm.
It was an imported brand that was difficult to find on the market, smooth yet strong. Most importantly-it was precisely the brand Li Shunchen had bought for her on countless errands as an Assistant Supervisor in the previous simulation.
In fact, Li Shunchen had prepared it before learning about the mission, because getting on good terms with Shoko had been part of his original plan. After all, throughout Jujutsu Society, people who could use Reverse Cursed Technique on others were as rare as giant pandas.
Even Satoru Gojo, who was called the strongest, could not use the Reverse Cursed Technique he had mastered on other people.
"I bought these at a duty-free shop on the way here. I was going to save them and smoke them over time."
Wearing the smile of someone who had found an accomplice, Li Shunchen deftly opened the packaging, gently shook out a cigarette, and offered it to her.
"Since you like them too, consider this pack a little introductory gift."
Shoko looked at the cigarette he offered, then at Li Shunchen. Her gaze changed from looking at "the new junior" to looking at "one of us."
Without standing on ceremony, she took it, put it between her lips, and leaned in slightly.
"Light."
Li Shunchen took out a lighter. The flame danced between them, illuminating Shoko's slightly surprised yet satisfied face.
She took a deep drag, and white smoke slowly spread through the corridor.
Shoko's tense shoulders relaxed.
"Whew... Nice taste, newbie."
Holding the cigarette between her fingers, she finally wore a genuine smile.
"Don't be so formal. It makes me sound old. Just call me Shoko."
"Sure, Shoko."
Li Shunchen took the opportunity to light one for himself as well, his movements far too practiced for a fifteen-year-old boy.
The two stood there in the corridor beneath the setting sun, puffing smoke.
They did not discuss the future of Jujutsu Society or the principles behind cursed techniques. It was simply an exchange of tobacco flavors.
Just then, the pleasant chime of a system notification rang out in Li Shunchen's mind.
[Mission complete.] [Congratulations on gaining Shoko Ieiri's approval (current relationship: smoking buddies).] [Reward issued: simulation attempts +1.]
Hearing the notification, Li Shunchen's fingers paused slightly around his cigarette, and he could not help feeling a little reflective.
That was far too easy.
Compared with those two strongest who wanted to tear a hole in the sky, winning over this future doctor had required nothing more than a pack of cigarettes that suited her tastes.
That was the power of information.
"Thanks, Li." Shoko waved the cigarette pack in her hand and turned toward the girls' dorm. "If you get hurt, come find me as long as you're not completely dead. For the cigarettes, I'll let you skip the line."
"Thanks in advance, then."
Watching her retreating figure, Li Shunchen adjusted his glasses. This was the result he had wanted.
With that promise, it was as though he had bought himself an extra, expensive personal accident insurance policy in this highly dangerous world.
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