NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55: Dream Ape
In Jujutsu Kaisen, few people are willing to face the danger of a domain head-on. Typically, one would use a domain to counter another domain or rely on the "Simple Domain" technique from the New Shadow Style.
However, Ryuji could do neither. Still, it didn't matter overpowering the domain with sheer force was also a viable strategy!
"Crack! Crack!"
Under the overwhelming force of divine power, the space around them began to distort, twisting and collapsing.
"Bang!"
The domain shattered completely, and the surrounding space gradually returned to normal. The car had already come to a stop.
"What just happened?"
Haruno was still in shock, staring at the familiar streets outside. The entire experience felt surreal, as if it had been nothing more than a dream.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, a dark shadow leapt in front of the car. It bared its teeth at both Ryuji and Haruno through the front window, roaring angrily.
"A... monkey?"
Haruno was startled. The creature did indeed resemble a monkey, which left her utterly confused.
"So, it's a Dream Ape."
The moment Ryuji laid eyes on it, he understood everything. The Dream Ape was a creature from urban legends, capable of dragging people into their dreams.
"Humans!"
The Dream Ape's voice seethed with hatred. It lunged straight through the car window, rushing at Ryuji.
"Bang!"
Ryuji calmly extended his hand and grabbed the Dream Ape mid-air. He had encountered many strange beings before, but this was the first time he had come across something this small.
"Target successfully identified: Dream Ape! Golden entry has been triggered. Would you like to load it?"
Ryuji smirked. "So, even urban legends can trigger the golden entry? This is going to be fun."
"You—"
The Dream Ape tried to speak, but Ryuji cut it off.
"Soul Devouring!"
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Several chains shot out, wrapping around the Dream Ape. It didn't even have time to react before being devoured.
"Not bad!" Ryuji said with satisfaction. "That filled me up a bit. Seems like this Dream Ape is fairly powerful. I wouldn't mind encountering more of them in the future."
Turning to look at Haruno, who was completely stunned, Ryuji smiled.
"Now that that's dealt with, let's get back on the road."
They were still in a desolate suburban area, far from the city.
"You... you're the sorcerer that Yukino met?"
"I suppose so," Ryuji replied casually.
Haruno fell silent. So, she had misunderstood everything. Her sister probably sought Ryuji out because he was a sorcerer, not for any other reason she had imagined.
"But isn't it said that most sorcerers come from prestigious bloodlines? What a lie!" she thought angrily. However, she quickly composed herself, flashing Ryuji a dazzling smile.
"Actually, there's been a bit of a misunderstanding. I didn't mean anything by what I said earlier!"
She didn't want her family to provoke a powerful sorcerer because of her actions.
Ryuji, however, didn't seem to mind at all. He looked at her bright smile and found it somewhat amusing.
"If I said I was angry, what would you do?" he asked, his eyes glinting with interest.
"Well... what do you want?" Haruno asked, her voice slightly shaky. After all that had just happened, she still hadn't fully recovered, feeling a lingering sense of unease.
"Me?" Ryuji then leaned in close to her ear, whispering something softly.
Haruno's face flushed red, but despite the embarrassment, she nodded in response to Ryuji's suggestion.
"I understand..."
The car was parked on the side, and at this time of day, few people drove by.
Not long after, the car door swung open. Haruno staggered out, grabbing a half-finished bottle of water from the car. If she could, she would've preferred to brush her teeth immediately.
Ryuji, looking quite satisfied, stepped out of the passenger seat as well.
"Good work. I look forward to seeing you again."
After saying that, Ryuji used his Third Dimension ability, twisting space around himself until he vanished.
"Damn it!" Haruno cursed softly. She had no desire for a "next time." Still, the way Ryuji left made it clear to her that he was indeed a formidable sorcerer.
"Hah!"
After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, Haruno finally composed herself. She wanted to let out her frustrations, but seeing as no one was around, she simply got back into the car and left.
Now that she knew monsters truly existed, the last thing she wanted was to stay out here alone any longer.
---
At home, Miko greeted Ryuji with a bright smile as soon as he walked in.
"Ryuji! Dinner's ready!"
Her tone was filled with joy, unaware that he had just dealt with something strange.
"Everything alright?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Nothing to worry about, just a small issue,"Ryuji reassured her with a casual smile.
Strictly speaking, the problem he had dealt with was indeed a bit peculiar, but it wasn't anything serious.
After dinner, Ryuji accompanied Miko until she fell asleep. Once she was resting peacefully, he finally had the chance to open his character template and check his recent gains.
"I wonder what kind of entry I triggered this time."
The purple entry from Haruno and the golden entry from the Dream Ape both intrigued him. He was particularly curious about the latter's potential.
"Let's check Haruno's first."
"Purple Entry: Disguise."
This ability allowed the user to mask their true emotions, making it difficult for others to read them. It fit Haruno's personality perfectly.
Ryuji chuckled. "Decompose it."
It wasn't an entry he found particularly useful. Hopefully, the Dream Ape's ability would be more worthwhile.
"Golden Entry: Dreamwalker."
This one surprised him.
"The power to enter dreams?"
According to the description, the Dreamwalker ability didn't just allow him to enter someone's dreams it also enabled him to create and control the dream itself. Ryuji could craft any dream he wanted for the other person, manipulating them completely within the dreamscape.