The so-called Reverse Cursed Technique is a sophisticated form of cursed energy manipulation.
Cursed energy itself is negative energy; while it can strengthen the physical body, it cannot regenerate it. Therefore, by operating negative cursed energy in a multiplicative fashion—negative times negative becomes positive—one converts negative cursed energy into positive energy. This achieves the effect of rapidly regenerating injured limbs.
It could be said that once one masters this, as long as they aren't killed in a single strike and their cursed energy isn't exhausted, they are an almost immortal existence.
Furthermore, this operation is not limited only to oneself. Satoru Gojo was well aware of just how massive an increase this technique provided for him.
However, now was not the time to dwell on that. There was a "protagonist" over there waiting for him to explore.
Satoru Gojo walked toward the youth in the tracksuit.
"Hey, newbie. Why are you standing there like a fool? Scared witless by this place?" Satoru Gojo spoke with a hint of mockery and a smile.
But before he could finish his sentence, he saw the youth suddenly clench his fists, pulling them tightly to his sides. Ignoring the flow of people in the plaza, the boy shouted in excitement:
"Is this the so-called Otherworld Summoning?!"
Along with the youth's sudden shout, the surrounding people instinctively looked toward him. Seeing a oddly dressed boy shouting excitedly, both humans and demi-humans alike unanimously increased their distance from him. They looked at him as normal people would look at a madman on the street.
Clap, clap, clap!
As the crowd moved away, a round of crisp applause rang out.
"Not bad, kid. You've got quite the spirit!" Satoru Gojo clapped, speaking to Natsuki Subaru with a grin.
"Eh?"
Natsuki Subaru didn't feel much about his own actions or the reaction of the crowd. He only froze when he saw the handsome figure in the slim-fit uniform, white hair, and sunglasses walking toward him.
"Wait."
"Your... your outfit." Natsuki Subaru scrutinized Satoru Gojo's appearance, sounding uncertain. "Your getup is way too out of place, isn't it? Sunglasses and white hair... Don't tell me you were summoned to another world too?"
"You've got a good eye." Satoru Gojo reached up and pushed his sunglasses higher, his ice-blue eyes—the pride of the Gojo Clan—shimmering in the sunlight. His tone was casual and frank. "Satoru Gojo. Just like you, an outsider who accidentally stumbled into this strange world."
"Ooh!!!"
"Just as I thought from light novels! We're heroes, teammates who are going to save this world from a Demon King, right?!"
Having just crossed over and immediately encountering someone of the same status, Natsuki Subaru was quite agitated.
"Well, if you want to put it that way, it's not entirely wrong. But to be more accurate..."
A hint of amusement danced in the eyes behind Satoru Gojo's sunglasses as he spoke. "You are here to assist me."
"Assist?" Natsuki Subaru blinked.
"Yes, assist." Satoru Gojo pointed at himself. "Protagonist." Then he pointed at Natsuki Subaru. "Supporting character. You can pretty much understand it like that."
"I'm the supporting character?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why do you think I'd be here waiting for you?" Satoru Gojo's tone was certain and seemingly very sincere.
"So that's how it is."
Although he wasn't the protagonist, this was still another world, far from the dull and tedious modern life. Even being a supporting character was very interesting. Under Satoru Gojo's explanation, Natsuki Subaru didn't dwell on the issue of identity and quickly accepted the setting.
"Right, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Natsuki Subaru, seventeen years old. What do we do now? Keep waiting for other teammates, or go hunt monsters and level up?"
Seeing Natsuki Subaru's enthusiastic look, Satoru Gojo rubbed his chin and suddenly leaned in close to him.
"What is it?" Satoru Gojo's sudden proximity made Natsuki Subaru lean back slightly. At such close range, Natsuki Subaru could clearly see those blue eyes, more beautiful than jewels, from the edge of the sunglasses.
"As my partner, did you feel anything different when you crossed over? For example, a skill panel appearing in your head, or superpowers like being able to make things appear out of thin air?" Satoru Gojo slung an arm around Natsuki Subaru's shoulder, looking very familiar.
"A panel? Superpowers?" Natsuki Subaru closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, but found nothing. He could only shake his head with a face full of disappointment. "Doesn't seem like I have any."
"What about physical strength? Did you get stronger or faster?"
Natsuki Subaru swung his arms and made some gestures, then said dejectedly: "Doesn't seem like that either."
"I see." Satoru Gojo nodded thoughtfully, then patted his shoulder to console him. "It's okay. Maybe you just haven't discovered it yet, or the trigger conditions haven't been met."
"True, that's also possible."
"Let's go!"
"Where to? Are we starting our thrilling adventure? Are we taking low-level quests to grind experience and gold for equipment? I'm pretty confident in my grip strength!"
"Of course not. To celebrate your arrival, we're going to eat sweets!"
Satoru Gojo spoke with a grin. Amidst Natsuki Subaru's bewildered expression, he led him toward the distance with an arm still around his shoulder.
Before long, the two appeared at the cake shop where Satoru Gojo had spent his money yesterday. At a small table in the shop, a portion of berry cake was placed in front of each of them.
"Go ahead and try it. The cake here tastes pretty good."
"Oh, okay." Natsuki Subaru took a small spoon, scooped a piece of cake, and stuffed it into his mouth. His expression was a bit odd.
Even though he had crossed over and there was nothing he couldn't accept... this development was just a bit too different from what he had imagined. It wasn't like this in light novels.
Satoru Gojo saw Natsuki Subaru's distracted look and chuckled.
"Subaru—it's fine to call you that, right?"
"Of course."
"So, were you in school before you crossed to this world?"
Natsuki Subaru hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "No, for certain reasons, I took a leave of absence from high school and stayed home."
"Then we're quite similar," Satoru Gojo, who was a student at Tokyo Jujutsu High, laughed. "I was in Tokyo before. Where were you?"