Chapter 51: The Recent Stress is Too Much
"Of course, you can."
Suguru Geto readily stood up and extended his right hand to shake Tatsuro's.
But Tatsuro was far from calm, urging inwardly, "Dog system, this already counts as engaging in combat! Didn't you see our hands are already clasped? Hurry up and settle the mission rewards, don't you dare renege!"
The blue system panel popped up.
[...]
[Mission complete. Mission rewards initiating distribution: 20 points, permanent 150 cursed energy bonus.]
[Distribution complete.]
[Congratulations to the host for successfully exploiting a system loophole. Reward: Permanent 50 cursed energy increase. Reward for the next mission will be reduced. Please keep up the good work.]
"..."
System, damn you!
Tatsuro was speechless. This dog of a system really wanted him dead. Although his heart was bleeding (metaphorically), at least this mission was completed. He'd deal with the next mission when it came. The urgent task now was how to chat with the person in front of him.
After all, Geto was Special Grade. If Tatsuro played this wrong, probably not even his ashes would remain. For now, he could only pretend not to know him to alleviate the awkwardness and seek a chance to survive.
Besides, he didn't really know the plot that well; he was just drawn to the characters in this manga.
His initial understanding of these characters came from watching a video of Gojo Satoru. That silver-white hair and unrestrained smile were truly eye-catching, especially the part where he pole danced.
And the comments in the video all echoed: Others cosplay the appearance, but you? You just copy-pasted him!
That's why he recognized Gojo Satoru at first glance right after transmigrating; the impression was too deep.
Then he started thinking about how to latch onto this powerful figure to survive a few more years.
But after getting the system, he focused more on how to out-grind and outcompete them more effectively.
He spoke: "Mr. Geto, are you very familiar with Gojo-sensei? Are you also a teacher at Jujutsu High?"
"Of course, we're familiar. However, I'm certainly not a teacher."
As Suguru Geto spoke, he put his right arm around Tatsuro's shoulder, pointed to the sky with his left hand, and continued, "With your talent, I believe you'll soon reach the rank of a first-grade sorcerer. When that time comes, you'll discover that non-sorcerers are just a bunch of damn monkeys. They will envy your great power and then ostracize you."
"..."
If Gojo Satoru knew I dared to think like this, he'd break my legs the next day.
Tatsuro forced himself to continue, "What Mr. Geto means is?"
"How about creating a world without non-sorcerers with me?"
"And... the process is...?"
"Of course, it's killing all the non-sorcerers. After all, that's the fastest and simplest method."
This conversation is going nowhere...
Why does it feel like the more secrets I know, the lower my chances of leaving here alive?
Although he didn't know what other transmigrators would think, he still had to try and struggle. Maybe he'd succeed?!
"Um... isn't this plan just a tiny bit crazy? I don't think ordinary people are as worthless as you say, Mr. Geto. But if that day really comes... I'll contact you then. How about we exchange phone numbers? My friends are waiting for me."
"Pfft! Hahaha."
Suguru Geto's laughter made Tatsuro feel quite panicked. After all, how could such an excuse possibly wor—
"Of course, we can. How interesting. Let's exchange numbers. After we're done, you should hurry back to your companions too. Don't keep them waiting."
As Suguru Geto spoke, he patted Tatsuro's messy black hair. He took out his phone from his pocket with his left hand and asked, "My number is... tell me yours."
Tatsuro quickly took out his phone from his pocket to save the number. After adding the contact, he recited his own number, "Mine is..."
After they both recorded the numbers, Suguru Geto patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, say hello to Gojo Satoru for me. And if anything troubles you, I'd be happy if you came to chat with me."
"Okay, goodbye, Mr. Geto."
Tatsuro finished speaking and trotted away, his resolve to become stronger hardening. Just talking to a powerful person was terrifying; he was afraid of saying the wrong word and being instantly killed.
Although Gojo Satoru usually had his back, he couldn't be around all the time!
And this stupid dog system, finding new ways to mess with him. Last time it was soloing a semi-first grade Cursed Spirit; luckily, that spirit only had immense cursed energy but lacked combat skills.
If it had been like the one he encountered this time, he might have abandoned the mission and asked Gojo Satoru to eliminate it.
Gotta go, gotta go. Double the training volume tomorrow.
He reached Shura, who was waiting in the shopping street, patted its head, and said, "Tomorrow, you double your training volume with me."
"Woof~?"
Shura looked utterly bewildered. What major issue does Master have now? Training is already tiring enough, and now it has to be doubled!!
Just as Shura was about to say something more, Tatsuro clamped its muzzle shut. "Alright, no complaining. It's decided. Let's go back."
"..."
He really expects a dog to act like a person... Shura thought, speechless but already accustomed to it. After all, its master was like this, occasionally having some 'great idea' and making Shura cooperate to test some so-called theoretical data.
The day after such tests, the entire training plan would always be changed.
"You took your time! We've been waiting in the car for ages." Okkotsu Yuta rolled down the window and shouted to the approaching Tatsuro.
"Salmon!" Inumaki Toge, sitting in the passenger seat, agreed.
"Sorry, sorry, my stomach was really hurting. Let's head back."
...
Back inside Jujutsu High.
Tatsuro briefly explained the situation to Gojo Satoru, then dragged his exhausted body back, deciding to take an afternoon nap first. Although the fight with the Cursed Spirit hadn't consumed much energy, talking with Suguru Geto had been incredibly stressful.
Training could wait until tomorrow. Today, he needed to reward himself properly for surviving the ordeal. He also needed to redesign Shura's training plan.
After all, Shura's combat power was formidable, but it was just too reckless. Although the original training method was all about being reckless, essentially making it a damage sponge.
But today, that idea changed.
He realized, what if Shura was both a troublemaker and incredibly skilled in combat? How disgusting would that be? When the enemy realizes they can't even outsmart a dog, he's already won.
"I should buy a copy of 'Sun Tzu's Art of War' online. As long as it thoroughly digests that book, its future will be limitless!"
Shura, beside him, felt a sudden chill. It didn't know why, but it sensed that its future self might experience a fate worse than death.
"Woof woo~ (Master, what are you planning?)"
"Nothing. I just think that as a first-time dog father, I should teach you how to read, so you can strive in society later on."
"Reading? Is that something to eat?"
"Uhh..." Tatsuro pondered for a moment, patted Shura's head, and continued, "Of course, it's food. Spiritual food. I believe you'll like it very much, Shura."
Hearing it was food, Shura felt much more at ease. After all, how could eating make its life worse than death!
It seems the recent training load has been a bit much, the stress is too high.