Yuji Itadori snapped his eyes open.
But instead of the ceiling above his bed, he saw an empty, familiar street.
The world was utterly silent. Commercial buildings stood in two neat rows. A pedestrian walkway stretched before them, and at the center lay a broad roadway. Yuji stood in the middle of it—right atop a crosswalk.
He flexed his fingers. Inhaled deeply. The air flowed cleanly into his lungs and left just as smoothly.
Whether it was his breathing or the strength in his limbs, everything felt real. So real that he couldn't tell if this was a dream or reality. If anything, it felt less like a dream—and more like he'd been physically transported.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Yuji muttered. "I actually reached Dream Migration in my sleep? What kind of mechanics is this?"
Though he was clearly talking to himself, a sweet, almost cheerful AI voice responded.
"This is a dream barrier constructed upon Japan's Great Barrier. Designed by a thousand-year Curse User, executed by Mahito—who possesses both the Six Eyes and Idle Transfiguration. Within this dream barrier, injuries will only leave phantom pain upon returning to reality. Death is the sole exception. However, death may be reversed using points. Please do not worry."
Yuji whipped around.
Floating beside his ear was a palm-sized golden cicada. The voice came from it.
It continued brightly, "This is Kogane, Unit 4528's personal assistant. Kogane provides full guidance and support within Dream Migration, including—but not limited to—purchasing weapons, healing, knowledge, wishes, and enemy intelligence.
"Master, Kogane recommends purchasing an Information Lock immediately. Otherwise, your data may be freely accessed by other Kogane units.
"Lastly, Master, do you like the name and appearance 'Kogane'? If not, you may spend Dream Migration points to customize both. Very affordable!"
Yuji's eye twitched.
Are you serious right now? What is this, some gacha game? Even the exclusive NPC sells skins? You think I haven't seen pay-to-win scams before?
He pointed at himself. "What's 4528? That my player ID?"
"It indicates you are the 4,528th sorcerer to enter," Kogane chirped. "If Master is a total novice, Kogane can provide a free explanation of basic Jujutsu Sorcerer knowledge."
"Four thousand five hundred twenty-eight…?" Yuji's voice sharpened.
"Yes, Master. Any further questions?"
Yuji's heart pounded.
Nearly five thousand sorcerers had entered—without even verifying the truth. Did none of them suspect this might be a scam orchestrated by the Lord of Cursed Spirits? If that being detonated this barrier right now, thousands of sorcerers' brains would flatline instantly.
Entering this game meant handing over your life.
Yuji had come prepared for that.
He'd thought he was one of a rare few reckless enough to gamble everything.
Turns out he was the hesitant one.
The others had already jumped in—and were enjoying it.
Are you kidding me? Is the Lord of Cursed Spirits really that trustworthy?
Yuji clenched his teeth. Even if Satoru Gojo announced a game like this to the Jujutsu world, there's no way this many people would flood in so fast.
Wait.
He pictured Gojo's usual grin.
…Okay, maybe Gojo-sensei's credibility really isn't that great.
Sorry, Sensei.
Yuji exhaled. "How do you earn points?"
"The simplest method," Kogane replied, "is refining your own Cursed Energy and allowing it to dissipate freely. The more CE you release, the more points you receive. However, this yields minimal returns.
"If Master possesses ambition, Kogane recommends direct combat with Cursed Spirits. Across the four major Dream Migration barriers, approximately ten million spirits wander. Slaying them grants points. The stronger the spirit, the higher the reward. No upper limit exists."
Yuji's pupils shrank.
"Ten million Curses? You're serious?"
"The figure was provided by the thousand-year Curse User Kenjaku. It includes Special Grade Cursed Spirits sealed throughout history. The number is accurate."
Ten million.
Yuji doubted he'd even met a million strangers in his life.
Ten million Curses was beyond absurd.
"Continue," he said hoarsely.
"Beyond free CE release and spirit extermination, combat itself generates points. In battle, a sorcerer's CE refinement and output rate drastically exceed normal levels—especially in sorcerer-versus-sorcerer combat.
"Death matches yield even more. At peak intensity, the points gained may equal—or exceed—the cost of resurrection.
"In other words, as long as you fight brutal death matches, dying can still be profitable. Surplus points may be used to purchase Cursed Tools, knowledge, even Innate Techniques. Grow stronger. Fight again. Earn points faster.
"Form a positive cycle. Challenge the Key Holders. Obtain the keys. Claim the Finite Infinity wish. Become a legend who reshapes the world."
Yuji understood.
This wasn't about passive farming.
This was a coliseum.
The more you kill, the stronger you become.
The closer you move toward the ultimate wish.
Everyone inside was a gladiator.
Yuji swore he could smell blood on the wind.
"What's a Key Holder?" he asked.
Kogane explained the four major barriers: Tokyo No. 1 Colony, Tokyo No. 2 Colony, Sendai Colony, and Sakurajima Colony.
The Key Holders were Tsumiki Fushiguro, Jogo, Hanami, and Dagon.
Defeat one to obtain a key. On December 24, 2018, all key holders would meet Mahito. Defeat Mahito to obtain the true Finite Infinity wish.
Yuji grasped the stages instantly.
Phase one: chaos. Kill, grow, consume.
Phase two: hunt the Key Holders.
Phase three: a final clash.
He exhaled.
"A month-long event… Guess I'd better go all out."
"Incorrect," Kogane replied sweetly. "Dream Migration will continue indefinitely. Mahito can resurrect via accumulated Cursed Energy. Even if he loses, he returns immediately. The barrier remains open. Points persist. Purchases remain accessible. Until the next competition cycle begins. Eternally."
Yuji froze.
So from the moment this began, the King of Curses was destined for godhood.
Humanity could only delay the inevitable.
That kind of future was suffocating.
…Then again.
If the alternative is living under Gojo-sensei's management forever…
Yuji relaxed.
"Fine. Let's get some points first. What can I buy?"
A tablet-like interface projected from Kogane's eyes.
Yuji scrolled.
Then saw it.
[Location of Ryomen Sukuna's Fingers — 200 Points]
"Sukuna's fingers are here?!"
The panel abruptly vanished.
A shrill siren erupted.
"Master! Incoming presence detected!"
A tidal wave of Cursed Energy surged closer.
A figure leapt from a rooftop.
BOOM!
The ground cratered.
From the dust emerged a hulking man.
"Jiro Awasaka," he said calmly.
A bear-like build. Shaved head. Eyes wide as a bull's.
"Came looking for Sukuna's finger. Didn't expect to hit the jackpot. The King of Curses' vessel… You're worth killing."
Kogane dissolved like smoke.
"First battle initiated. Kogane cannot interfere. Best of luck."
Yuji assumed his stance.
"Tokyo Jujutsu High. First-year.
Yuji Itadori."
Awasaka spread his arms like a predator.
"Grade 1 Sorcerer. Jiro Awasaka."
Yuji formed a hand sign.
"Then let's see how much I've grown.
Technique Release—"
"Slashing Technique—Cleave!"
Awasaka's pupils contracted.
[Author's Note: Yuji refers to Sukuna's technique as a slashing technique. The detailed explanation will come later. I have read the Shinjuku Showdown arc, don't worry.]