[AU] In Danmachi with A Jujutsu Kaisen System (rewrite)

The sun had reached around 3 PM, or 15:00, before I even realized it. The sun hung high in the sky on its descent, its golden rays casting long, wavering shadows through the dense forest canopy. The air was warm but carried a crisp breeze, rustling the leaves overhead. My bare feet pressed against the uneven dirt path, dust clinging to my soles with each step.

I was stressed and the surrounding nature was helping me keep calm. I wasn't foolish enough to trust this group, and you wouldn't believe it, but I actually trusted this goddess more than the others.

The reasoning? I could sense her intent far better. I assumed that because of the stark difference between our energy types, I could feel her shifts more clearly. It was just a theory, but judging by the fact that I could barely sense the humans at all, I was confident it held weight.

If I had to compare it… the humans were like a faint, strange smell in the air—noticeable, but subtle. Artemis, on the other hand, was like stepping into fresh air and suddenly inhaling the stench of rotting garbage.

'I probably could have come up with a better analogy.'

"Enkidu."

"Huh?" Artemis suddenly spoke up.

"How are you doing that?"

I looked at her, confused. "Doing what?"

"You don't know?"

I shook my head. Completely clueless.

"Every time I look at you now, I see a projection of a shrine appearing. But a few hours ago, it wasn't there."

I didn't respond immediately, instead reasoning through it in my head.

'Is it because I'm so stressed? And a shrine… there's only one shrine she could be talking about.'

A strange set of circumstances, but I thought I had an answer.

"I think it's probably because I'm on guard."

"Why? I doubt anyone is going to attack us."

'I swear, if all gods and goddesses are this stupid, I'm going to lose it.'

"Yeah, I doubt that too, but I'm not talking about other people."

"You mean us, then?"

"Ding ding ding!"

"Tch. Why be annoying about it?"

"I have to reward a good student!"

"I am literally ages older than you..."

"Doesn't mean you can't be a student, old hag."

"Don't call me old, bastard!" She clicked her tongue in aggravation or maybe it was annoyance. Either way it didn't matter to me!

"You were the one who said you were old, not me." I shrugged nonchalantly and continued walking.

I wanted to practice with Cursed Energy, but doing so around these people didn't seem like the best idea.

'What can I even do?'

By the time the sun had dipped to around 6 PM, or 18:00, I was still walking, bored out of my mind alongside this group.

[Sub-Quest: Protect Artemis]

Reward: 10 Cursed Coins and a random skill from the Sukuna skill tree.

As soon as I read the prompt, I lunged at Artemis, forcing her to the ground just as the arrow's heat brushed past us.

"W-What are you doing, scum bastard?!" Artemis freaked out, her body tensing under me.

"Protecting you. Shut up."

SWOOM~!

A loud crack pierced the ground behind me. Fortunately, the arrow didn't explode and was just a normal arrow with a fire attribute.

"And here I thought I could have succeeded with just that!" A masculine voice called out, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps.

'What kind of mask is that?' The guy and his group were all wearing strange black masks. I couldn't even begin to describe the peculiarity of them. However, there was something resonating with me; the masks seemed to radiate negative energy, and my Cursed Energy was naturally drawing that energy toward me.

'Whatever those masks are, my C.E. (Cursed Energy) seems to be better.'

"Strange..." Artemis's voice came from below, reminding me that I was still on top of her. There was no awkwardness or anything, we both just stared at the weirdos in front of us.

"What's strange?"

"Those masks seem to bow down to your so-called Cursed Energy."

"Only reason I can think of is that my energy is purer."

"If that's the case, then I might have to keep you on a leash. If I let you out of my sight, who knows what damage you'll cause!"

"Totally~, so how do you want to handle this?" I playfully scoffed at her. I felt like this was the perfect opportunity to see how things operated in this world.

"Rethusa, take charge. I'll keep an eye on this scum to my left."

"Woman... it's Enkidu! Why are you being so fucking annoying?"

"Shut up. I don't like you, so I'll call you whatever I want."

"Okay then, whore."

"You truly have no shame, do you?" Artemis huffed, crossing her arms.

Shrugging my shoulders, I watched the unfolding battle in front of us. In my opinion, it wasn't really fair.

20 members of Artemis's group vs. 8 of these black-masked guys. 

Speaking of these masked guys, besides their masks the clothes they were felt normal enough. Normal for killing someone, weaponry, armor, and a pouch with some other stuff I'd assume. 

Still...

'It should be easy!'