The so-called Reversed Cursed Technique is a form of Cursed Energy manipulation.
Cursed Energy itself is negative power; it can strengthen the body but cannot regenerate it. Therefore, by multiplying negative Cursed Energy with itself—since a negative times a negative equals a positive—one transforms negative Cursed Energy into positive energy. This allows for the rapid regeneration of injured limbs.
One could say that once you master this, as long as you aren't killed in a single blow and your Cursed Energy hasn't run out, you are virtually immortal. Furthermore, this operation isn't limited solely to oneself.
Satoru Gojo knew very well just how massive an upgrade this technique was for him. However, now was not the time to dwell on it. There was still a "protagonist" over there waiting for him to explore.
Satoru stepped toward the boy in the tracksuit.
"Hey, newbie. What are you standing there like an idiot for? Scared witless by this place...?"
Satoru spoke with a teasing lilt, a grin on his face. But before he could finish his sentence, he saw the boy suddenly clench his fists, pulling them back to his waist with a surge of force.
Ignoring the fact that he was in a crowded plaza with people coming and going, the boy shouted in excitement:
"Could this be the legendary 'Summoned to Another World' trope?!"
With the boy's sudden outburst, the surrounding people instinctively turned to look at him. Seeing this strangely dressed teenager yelling in excitement, both humans and demi-humans alike took a few steps back in a display of silent coordination. It was the same look normal people gave a madman on the street.
Clap, clap, clap!
Amidst the retreating crowd, a round of crisp applause rang out.
"Not bad, kid! You've certainly got spirit!" Satoru Gojo said, clapping and smiling at Subaru Natsuki.
"Eh?"
Subaru didn't seem to feel much about his own actions or the reactions of those around him. However, he froze when he saw the handsome figure in the stylish, well-fitted uniform, white hair, and sunglasses walking toward him.
"Wait... your... your outfit." Subaru looked Satoru up and down, speaking with uncertainty. "Isn't that outfit a bit too out of place?"
"Sunglasses and white hair... Don't tell me you were summoned to another world too?!"
"You've got a decent eye." Satoru pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose, his icy blue eyes shimmering in the sunlight. His tone was casual and frank. "Satoru Gojo. Just like you, an outsider who accidentally stumbled into this weird world."
"Ooh!!!"
"Just like the light novels said!"
"We're the heroes, the teammates who are going to save this world from the Demon King, right?!"
Having just crossed over and immediately running into someone of the same status, Subaru was quite emotional.
"Well, if you want to put it that way, I guess it works. But to be more accurate..." Satoru's eyes held a hint of a smile behind his shades as he continued, "You're here to assist me."
"Assist?" Subaru blinked.
"That's right. Assist." Satoru pointed a finger at himself. "Protagonist." Then he pointed at Subaru. "Supporting character. You can pretty much understand it like that."
"I'm a supporting character?"
"Of course~ Why else would you think I was here waiting for you?" Satoru spoke with a tone of absolute certainty, looking extremely sincere.
"So that's how it is."
Even though he wasn't the protagonist, this was still another world—not a dull, boring modern life. Even being a supporting character would be plenty of fun. Under Satoru's persuasive rhetoric, Subaru didn't dwell on the issue of status and quickly accepted the "setting."
"Right, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Subaru Natsuki, seventeen years old. What are we doing now? Are we staying here to wait for other teammates, or are we going to grind mobs to level up or something?"
Seeing Subaru's enthusiastic look, Satoru rubbed his chin and suddenly leaned in close to him.
"Wh-What is it?" Subaru tilted his head back slightly at the sudden proximity. At such close range, he could clearly see those blue eyes—more beautiful than any jewel—peeking 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 maybe some superpower where you can make things appear out of thin air?" Satoru threw an arm around Subaru's shoulder, acting very familiar.
"A panel? Superpowers?" Subaru closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, but came up with nothing. He could only shake his head in disappointment. "Doesn't seem like I have anything."
"What about physical strength? Did it get a huge boost, or did you get faster?"
Subaru swung his arms, testing his muscles, and then said dejectedly: "Doesn't seem like that either."
"I see." Satoru nodded thoughtfully, then patted his shoulder to comfort him. "No worries. Maybe you just haven't discovered it yet, or you haven't triggered the conditions."
"Yeah, you're right!"
"Let's go!"
"Where to? Are we starting our thrilling adventure? Are we taking low-level quests to farm EXP and gold for gear? I'm actually pretty confident in my grip strength!"
"Of course not. To celebrate your arrival, we're going to eat dessert!"
Satoru spoke with a beaming smile, and amidst Subaru's bewildered expression, he steered him by the shoulder toward the distance.
Before long, the two appeared at the cake shop Satoru had frequented yesterday. At a small table in the shop, a berry cake was placed in front of each of them.
"Hurry up and try it. The cakes here are great."
"Oh, okay." Subaru took a small spoon, scooped up a piece of cake, and stuffed it into his mouth. His expression was a bit odd.
Sure, he had crossed worlds, so there was nothing he couldn't accept. But... this development was just way too different from what he had imagined. Light novels weren't supposed to be like this.
Satoru watched Subaru's distracted look and said with a light laugh, "Subaru—it's okay if I call you that, right?"
"Of course."
"By the way, were you still in school before you crossed to this world?"
Subaru hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No. For some reasons, I took a leave of absence from high school and stayed at home."
"Then we're pretty much the same," said Satoru Gojo, who was still technically a student at Jujutsu High, with a smile. "I was in Tokyo before. Where were you...?"