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

Ryuji now possessed two open domains:

The Malevolent Shrine and the Food Space.

But against this type of domain, using the Food Space didn't feel appropriate. It didn't suit the situation.

That left only one choice.

"Domain Expansion—Malevolent Shrine!"

As Ryuji's voice fell, a shrine burst forth from the ground behind him, imposing and serene.

"Hmm?"

The familiar aura of the Domain instantly reached Sukuna, making him aware of something.

He grinned.@@novelbin@@

"There's no mistaking it. That's my domain's aura!"

As the creator of the domain, there was no way Sukuna could be wrong about it.

Now, with its presence here, there was only one explanation:

That person is here!

"Interesting."

Sukuna smirked. This was the perfect opportunity to properly assess the one who had claimed his domain for their own.

---

Meanwhile, Yuji, Nobara, and Maki, who had been weighed down by the oppressive loneliness moments ago, suddenly felt a shift.

Their surroundings brightened as the darkness gave way to daylight. The stifling loneliness that had gnawed at their hearts vanished like smoke.

"What just happened?"

They all looked around, confused by the abrupt change.

"Hey! Long time no see!"

A voice interrupted their thoughts, and they turned to see Ryuji standing nearby. He didn't seem surprised by their presence and greeted them with an easy smile.

"Ryuji!"

Maki was the first to react, recognition flashing in her eyes. They had met before, and she hadn't forgotten him. She had been impressed by him back then—and seeing him again now was a shock.

"What happened? Weren't you missing?"

Yuji and Nobara finally snapped out of their confusion as well. Nobara immediately rushed over and hugged Maki tightly.

"Thank god! I thought something had happened to you!"

"It's all fine now," Maki reassured her, gently patting Nobara's back to calm her down.

"What was that just now? It felt like we were stuck for half a month!" Yuji scratched his head, glancing between Nobara, Maki, and finally Ryuji, looking for answers.

At the same time, Sukuna, residing within Yuji, focused all his attention on Ryuji, silently observing him.

"In fact," Ryuji began calmly, "Gojo contacted me three days ago after your disappearance. I came as soon as I could. Three days passed outside while you were in here. It seems the flow of time in this domain differs from the outside world."

Yuji and the others listened carefully.

Ryuji's explanation was straightforward, and while the concept of time distortion wasn't entirely unfamiliar, it still left them a bit unsettled.

"So, that's it…" Yuji murmured as he scratched the back of his head.

He let out a sigh of relief. "I really thought I was gonna die in there."

Even someone as upbeat as Yuji had struggled against the corrosive effects of the loneliness. It had been unbearable.

With their minds now clear, the trio began noticing their surroundings more carefully.

"What about them?" Yuji asked, pointing to the fallen figures scattered around the area.

It wasn't just the three of them who had been trapped in this space, there were other humans as well. Unlike sorcerers, however, these ordinary people hadn't been able to endure. Some had collapsed on the ground, lifeless. Others had resorted to more tragic ends—hanging themselves or succumbing to starvation. The loneliness had consumed them.

"They're… all dead."

Nobara and Maki moved quickly to check the bodies, but their worst fears were confirmed. These people were long gone.

"Damn that cursed spirit!" Nobara clenched her fists, her voice trembling with fury.

Maki shared her anger, though she stayed silent.

Ryuji, however, remained composed. Anger alone wouldn't solve anything.

Instead, he scanned the area.

The domain had already been neutralized by his Demon-Subduing Chef. But since this was the cursed spirit's domain, it couldn't be far away.

"It's coming," Ryuji said quietly, narrowing his eyes.

"Disperse!"

With a quick motion, he activated his cursed speech.

Invisible cursed energy rippled outward, and in the distance, several dark streaks of cursed energy flying toward them dissolved into nothing under Ryuji's influence.

"!"

The sudden action snapped Maki and the others out of their shock. They quickly shifted their focus, now fully on guard.

"Incredible!" Maki exclaimed, recognizing the technique.

Although she'd seen Ryuji's abilities before through a live broadcast, witnessing them in person was an entirely different experience.

Ryuji glanced around, his expression calm. "Not coming out yet? Or are you just some coward who hides behind sneak attacks?"

The air around them grew heavier, and an eerie silence fell.

Then, a strange, forlorn voice echoed in their ears.

"Loneliness… Loneliness… All humans are destined to be alone…"

The cursed spirit emerged. It looked grotesque—its body like pitch-black sludge, slimy and shapeless, like mud dredged from a sewer.

It crawled forward slowly, its form barely two or three meters tall.

"So, it really is loneliness," Ryuji muttered, his suspicion confirmed. The spirit was born from humanity's collective fear of isolation.

"That's right," the spirit answered, its voice rising. "I am a special grade cursed spirit born from the human fear of loneliness! All things—everything in this world—will ultimately end in loneliness!"

Its voice grew louder, more fervent as it spoke.

"Damn it, this thing…" Maki clenched her fists, seething with anger.

Nobara gritted her teeth, her fury mirroring Maki's. Knowing that this creature had trapped them for so long only made them angrier.

But before either of them could act, Ryuji stepped forward, his voice steady.

"Leave it to me."