Between the Darkness and Light | Satoru Gojo x OC

- Chapter 22: All Hell Breaks Loose -

We continue to walk. I look up at Panda to see Maki and Megumi are unconscious now, presumably from exhaustion. Luckily, I happen to be in slightly better shape somehow.

The ground is rugged and uneven, making it slightly difficult to keep balance. Maybe it's not even the ground. Maybe it's just the nerves. How could something like a barrier of all things keep out Gojo? Wasn't he the strongest? If they want to keep him out, what does that mean for us?

Minutes pass before Panda glances over his shoulder at me.

"So," he says, finally breaking the silence. "You're pretty strong for a first year."

I blink at him, a little taken aback by the sudden acknowledgment. "You...you think so...?" I respond, sounding a bit more meek than I intended.

"You don't have to sound so surprised. You've clearly got a handle on your techniques pretty well." Panda chuckles. "Though...I can't help but wonder..."

I cock my head at him questioningly.

"Wonder what?"

Panda shakes his head. "Never mind," he says. "Just curious, that's all."

I frown slightly, curious as to what Panda was gonna say. It's not like me to pry, but the curiosity is eating at me. But I know I won't get anything out of him, so I just shut my mouth.

We walk in silence for a few more minutes, my eyes drifting over to Megumi and Maki who are still draped over Panda's shoulders. I'm glad they're okay. I look down at my own body, my clothing torn and littered with gashes and cuts, some of them still bleeding bright red. It's all numb right now, though I know I'll probably feel those wounds later on.

"Why don't you learn reverse cursed technique?" Panda suddenly asks out of nowhere.

I blink at him. "Huh?"

He looks at me with a curious expression. "Reverse cursed technique. You tried learning it yet?"

I look at him with a bit of a baffled expression. "Reverse...cursed technique? Uh...what is that?" I ask, a little embarrassed to not know something I probably should already know.

"Ah, I didn't think so anyways. You're still a newbie, after all," Panda says with a chuckle. "Reverse cursed technique allows the user to heal themselves quickly. It's not easy to learn though, and I only know like four people who are capable of doing it. But honestly, you being a special grade and all, I figured it would be a piece of cake for you."

I sigh. "I still don't know what a special grade is..."

Panda turns around with a bewildered look on his face. "Huh? Satoru never told you about the grading system?"

I shake my head. "N-no...I don't think so at least."

Why do I feel like there's a lot that Gojo hasn't told me...?

"Huh, that's strange," Panda says. "Well, I suppose I can tell you about it."

He pauses for a moment before continuing. "The grading system is used to classify jujutsu sorcerers and, in turn, curses, based on how strong they are. We rank them from grade 4 to special grade."

"Special grade is the highest ranking. They've got the most potential to cause a lot of damage, especially when their cursed energy is at max output. Special grade sorcerers are basically the strongest of all the jujutsu sorcerers. Then there's special grade curses which are like the worst curses, the most difficult to exorcise. You with me so far?"

I nod, absorbing the information. "Uh-huh."

"Good," Panda continues, "Then there are grade 1 and semi-grade 1 jujutsu sorcerers, grade 2 and semi-grade 2, then grade 3, all the way to grade 4—which are the weakest. The weaker the grade, the less cursed energy they have. And the same goes for curses."