Heading south

When Shiratori Gotsu opened his eyes again, he was back in that cramped rental apartment, reclining against the sofa as usual.

He rubbed his head and sat up straight, scanning his familiar surroundings. He couldn't help muttering:

"Tch... was it a dream?"

"It wasn't a dream, host."

A distinctly robotic voice came from beside him.

"Huh?" Shiratori Gotsu turned to look.

A "person" who seemed to be made entirely of pure silvery-white light sat quietly beside him.

It had no facial features, only two blue dots of light where its eyes should have been. All in all, it barely had a human shape to begin with.

"Is that a person?"

The words escaped Shiratori Gotsu before he could stop himself.

"How rude. That's your reaction to seeing me for the first time?"

The "little silver person" folded its arms. Its voice still sounded thoroughly robotic, but there was clear displeasure in its tone.

"Wait... that voice..."

Shiratori Gotsu suddenly realized who it was and immediately broke into his trademark cheeky grin:

"So it's the system. No wonder you look like that. Congratulations on finally looking vaguely human!"

As he spoke, he raised a hand to pat the system on the shoulder, only for it to pass right through.

"I don't have a physical body. Don't bother."

The system explained before Shiratori Gotsu could voice his confusion.

"Aw, no fun."

Shiratori Gotsu curled his lip and settled back into his original reclining position:

"So, what exactly is going on?"

"Am I dead? Is this round over? Is this the system space?"

The system fell silent for several seconds before speaking in a slightly exasperated tone:

"Who gave you permission to hit me with three rapid-fire questions?"

Shiratori Gotsu replied without thinking, "Can't you just hit me with three rapid-fire answers?"

"Is that the same thing?"

Shiratori Gotsu suddenly perked up. "Then what do you want to do, system?"

The system: "Ask them all again!"

Shiratori Gotsu: "...?"

"Forget it." Before Shiratori Gotsu could respond, the system waved a hand as if swatting a fly. "I won't stoop to arguing with an unlucky host like you."

"You're not dead yet."

"As for whether this round is over, either outcome is possible."

"This isn't the system space. It's your Innate Domain, host. Only here can I talk to you face-to-face in this form."

Seeing the half-comprehending look on Shiratori Gotsu's face, the system continued its explanation:

"Simply put, you're in a deep coma right now, even very close to brain death."

"Before you kissed the ground, you restored your Cursed Energy with a Binding Vow and used it to protect your brain, heart, and other vital areas at the last moment."

"But your physique and Cursed Energy efficiency are both terrible, and you acted in a hurry, on top of landing basically headfirst..."

"Even though Ryu Ishigori used Frosting Blast on you the very next second, it only just kept you alive."

"I see..." Shiratori Gotsu rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Oh, right. Say, can I look at my panel now? I haven't checked it since I officially transmigrated."

The system replied without hesitation:

"Of course. You can check it anytime. Just say 'view panel.'"

"What?!" Shiratori Gotsu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Seriously? I can check it anytime?"

"I'm your system. Of course you can use all the basic functions whenever you want. Isn't that a given?"

At that, a note of puzzlement crept into the system's voice. "Don't tell me you thought you couldn't check it after leaving the system space?"

"Come to think of it... you really have only called on me once or twice."

Hearing that, Shiratori Gotsu couldn't contain himself:

"...Why didn't you tell me I could check it sooner?!"

The system shrugged, the two blue dots where its eyes should have been glancing away.

"My mistake. I actually naively believed you weren't so stupid that you needed me to remind you of everything, host."

Shiratori Gotsu looked annoyed, but ultimately said nothing more.

He waved a hand. "Tch... forget it. A decent person doesn't fight with a system. View panel!"

The long-unseen translucent screen appeared before him again:

[Name: Shiratori Gotsu]

[Total Cursed Energy: D - ordinary Grade 3 Jujutsu Sorcerer]

[Cursed Energy manipulation: A - ordinary Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer]

[Cursed Energy efficiency: B - ordinary Grade 2 Jujutsu Sorcerer]

[Cursed Energy output: S - standard Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer]

[Hand-to-hand combat: A - ordinary Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer]

[Physique: C - ordinary person]

[Talent: A - ordinary Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer]

[Advanced techniques: Cursed Tool crafting, Reverse Cursed Technique, Domain Expansion, Hollow Wicker Basket]

[Current time: Shinjuku Showdown]

[Current location: Jujutsu High]

[Cursed Technique: Fate Track Binding Curse]

"Oh? My Cursed Energy manipulation and hand-to-hand combat are already at Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer level? Hard work really does pay off!"

Shiratori Gotsu was very satisfied with his progress.

Then he looked at the system and asked again:

"So, is the challenge over?"

"I told you, either outcome is possible. What matters is what you choose, host."

A trace of indefinable teasing entered the thoroughly robotic voice:

"If you want to become a new version of yourself, go north. If you want to find your old self, go south."

"You're a literary plagiarist too, system! You just took something iivv wrote in a manga and used it yourself."

After teasing the system a little to match the mood, Shiratori Gotsu's lips curved upward.

"You said I was only 'close' to brain death, right...? In other words, that means this round isn't over at all!"

"In that case, I'm going south!"

The scene around them gradually became shrouded in a hazy white light.

"After all," he said, flashing the system a radiant smile, "I still have to dance on Sukuna's grave~"