Ultimate Man [JJK X SOL]: Loading Golden Entries at The Start

"Let's just take things as they are!"

Since Ai didn't want to elaborate, Ryuji decided not to press further.

He leaned back, satisfied. After all, he was the one benefiting from the situation, so there was no loss on his end.

"…"

Ai fell silent, looking at Ryuji with a hesitant expression. No matter how things had unfolded, this was the first man she'd had such close, personal contact with.

After a long pause, she finally whispered, "My parents are being threatened."

Ryuji didn't respond, simply watching Ai as she knelt before him, waiting for her to continue.

Understanding his silence as a prompt, Ai began to explain. She recounted the story of Oko Shinomiya—the person who had essentially handed her over to be a spy, placing her under constant pressure and control. Ai didn't know if she could fully trust Ryuji, but what choice did she have? If she didn't trust him, was she doomed to remain a pawn her entire life?

If she gave in once, there would be a second and third time. Ai didn't want to keep living like that.

"I see," Ryuji replied, nodding thoughtfully after hearing her story.

In truth, he'd already known from watching the anime that Ai was sent by Oko to monitor Kaguya. The glittering facade of the powerful Shinomiya family clearly hid a darker, more ruthless side.

Only the heartless could survive in such elite circles; any softness had long been weeded out.

Ai lowered her head, silent.

Ryuji reached over, gently lifting her chin. "So, what do you want? Revenge? Or do you want to break free from Oko's control?"

Ai looked into Ryuji's eyes, sensing a strength and confidence within him. But his question left her uncertain, her expression confused.

"It seems you don't even know what you want," he commented. "After all, you're still just a girl, barely older than Kaguya. Maybe you're smarter and more mature, but deep down…"

Ryuji released her chin and leaned back with a casual shrug. "I'm not going to do anything for you."

Ai opened her mouth to protest, but she realized she didn't even know what to ask for. After all, Ryuji had no real reason to help her. She felt a pang of bitterness at the thought.

"But," he continued, his tone softening."

"I'll give you the power to change your own fate."

"…?"

Ai blinked, not entirely understanding what he meant. Before she could question him further, Ryuji raised his hand and touched her forehead.

In an instant, Ai felt an unfamiliar energy coursing through her body—a strange, intense sensation that made her feel stronger.

"This is cursed energy," he explained. "Get familiar with this feeling, but remember, I won't help you manifest it again in the future."

"Cursed energy?" Ai's eyes widened. She knew what cursed energy was and what it represented. Somehow, she had just become… a sorcerer?

How could that be possible?

Ryuji withdrew his hand, and Ai could still feel the newfound power pulsing within her. It was no illusion—she really had gained cursed energy.

"Isn't it said that ordinary people aren't capable of becoming sorcerers?"

The Shinomiya family had done their research after discovering the existence of cursed energy, even buying up various methods for sensing it. But no matter what they tried, it never worked. They didn't have the talent, so they couldn't learn it.

Ai had tried before, but it had been hopeless. So why could she do it now?

"It's because of my technique," Ryuji said calmly.

"Your… technique?"

Seeing her confusion, he decided to explain a bit. "Every sorcerer can awaken a unique technique, like a special ability. My technique allows me to give ordinary people the chance to become sorcerers."

The intricate details weren't necessary to go into, and frankly, he doubted she'd understand all of it anyway.

"…!"

Ai was sharp enough to grasp the significance immediately. If word got out about Ryuji's ability, he would have a target on his back. After all, in a world like theirs, who wouldn't want the chance to wield cursed energy?

"I understand," she said seriously. "I won't tell anyone about this."

Ryuji chuckled, reaching out to lift her chin again. "You're smarter than I thought. Good. Intelligence will keep you alive."

Suddenly, a notification appeared in his vision.

"Target contacted: Ai Hayasaka. Golden Entry unlocked. Do you wish to load it?"

An entry? Had she also awakened a technique?

As Ryuji wondered about this unexpected development, Ai murmured, "I… I feel like I have some kind of new ability."

She raised her hands, and with a look of concentration, a small knife materialized between her palms.

"Cursed Construct?"

Ryuji was genuinely surprised. Awakening a technique was supposed to be incredibly difficult for someone who had gained cursed energy later in life. Yet here she was, already capable of creating objects.

Could it be because she was a heroine and had some kind of protagonist's aura?

As Ai held up the knife, her expression paled, and her strength faded. Just as she was about to collapse, Ryuji caught her, using his RCT to restore her energy.

Although her strength returned, Ai didn't make any move to get up from his embrace. She leaned into him, comfortable and at ease.

Ryuji didn't mind at all.

He casually explained, "Cursed Construct is a technique that lets you create anything by using cursed energy. Your cursed energy is weak for now, so making a knife is about your limit. But once you grow stronger, you'll be able to create almost anything."

Of course, it wasn't that simple. Advanced creations required an understanding of the object's structure. A knife was easy, but something like a plane or a tank would require precise knowledge of every part.

Fortunately, Ai was intelligent. She could probably learn to create complex objects if she put her mind to it.

Ryuji recalled two other known users of the construction technique: Maki Zenin's twin sister, Mai Zenin, whose ability was limited to making bullets due to the twin curse, and a sorcerer from a thousand years ago, an infatuated admirer of Sukuna, the king of curses.

He didn't expect Ai to awaken such a rare ability.

Just as Ryuji was about to check if the golden entry he unlocked from Ai was indeed this construction technique, he suddenly felt Ai's small hand moving restlessly.

"…?"

He looked down, only to see Ai smiling playfully up at him.

"We still have a bit of a drive left. Would it be alright if we… went further?"

If her approach before had been calculated, now it was genuine. Ai simply wanted to offer herself to him, purely because the man in front of her was Ryuji.

"Alright," he replied with a smile.

Reject her? Of course not. Ryuji was never one to refuse such a gift.

Half an hour later, the car rolled to a stop.

Ryuji stepped out, closing the door behind him, and noticed the female driver's surprised expression.

Wasn't Hayasaka Ai supposed to be with him? Why wasn't she getting out of the car?

"She's a bit tired and needs some rest," he explained smoothly.

"I understand." The driver nodded knowingly. She didn't ask further, choosing to stay outside to ensure they wouldn't be disturbed.

Ryuji smiled, appreciating her discretion. The people in the Shinomiya family were well-trained, after all.

He glanced toward the mansion in the distance, then walked leisurely toward it.

"Golden Entry: Cursed Construct!"

Only then did Ryuji have a chance to examine the entry he'd unlocked. Just as he'd expected, it was the construction technique.

"Load it."

Construction was a versatile ability, something he could see himself using often. It was well worth keeping around.

"[Talent entry system]

Host: Ryuji Hoshino

Bloodline: Human

Loaded entries: Soul Devouring [Red], Yin-Yang Eyes [Gold], Presence Concealment [Gold],Tranquility [Gold], Reverse Cursed Technique [Gold], Monster Attracting Physique [Gold], Third Dimension, Dreamwalker [Gold], Physical Strengthening [Gold], Cursed Speech [Gold], Shadow Manipulation [Gold], Malevolent Shrine [Gold], Blackbird Manipulation [Gold], Idle Transfiguration [Gold], Anti-Gravity System [Gold], Horizon of the Captivating Skandha [Gold], Binding Technique [Gold], Curse Script [Gold], Ink Incarnation [Gold], Infinite Void [Gold], Cursed Construct [Gold], Iron Fist [Purple], Combat Intuition [Purple].

Points: 80,120!"

"Not bad," Ryuji mused, pleased with his character panel.

After a brief glance, he closed the menu.

As he approached the manor, he noticed the security around the estate. There would be no foolish misunderstandings here—Ryuji was, after all, the main guest of the evening, invited by Gan'an Shinomiya himself.

"Mr. Ryuji!"

The security guards recognized him immediately, bowing in respect.

They all bowed and greeted him with respect.

Ryuji just nodded slightly and continued toward the entrance of the mansion.

Inside, the banquet was already lively, despite the main guests not having arrived yet. The hall was filled with affluent guests, some engaging in polite conversation, while others tried to make new connections.

Those from smaller families were especially eager to curry favor, keenly aware of how alliances could shift fortunes.

"I didn't expect our Yukinoshita family to be so popular," Haruno commented with a smirk as she looked at a business card someone had handed her.

She understood why, though. Ever since her younger sister Yukino had become a sorcerer, people suddenly treated the Yukinoshita family with newfound respect.

Their family's business had also seen smoother operations as a result. Obstacles that had once caused them endless trouble now seemed to disappear on their own, thanks to Yukino's reputation.

"This is only natural," said Fumino, their mother, who was attending the event in place of Yukino, who had opted to stay home, disliking such gatherings.

Fumino carried herself with an air of arrogance, basking in the prestige Yukino's powers had brought them.

"Our Yukinoshita family has finally risen to prominence."

"Don't forget, Mom," Haruno teased with a laugh, "Yukino's relationship with you isn't exactly warm."

"…"

Fumino's self-satisfied expression faltered, but she quickly regained her composure. "No matter what, I am still her mother."

***

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