Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

Dissatisfied with the possibility of becoming the top courtesan.

This was the reason Kocho Shinobu came up with for the man standing before her.

But Li Mo was not thinking along those lines.

"This place is too dangerous."

"Li-san, in situations like this, a simple 'yes' or 'no' will suffice. Any other response is just evasion."

Kocho Shinobu smiled as she spoke.

Then, she was flicked on the forehead.

Kocho Shinobu looked at Li-san, smiled at him, and said, "Evasion may be shameful, but it's useful."

It seemed she wouldn't get an answer. Couldn't he be a little more honest at a time like this? My dear Li-san?

"Meeting again after so many years, and it's like this? I think it could have been more romantic."

"Shinobu-san, don't you think the word 'romantic' is a bit extravagant for a swordsman?"

Extravagant—

For a swordsman, simply seeing the sun rise the next day is the greatest blessing. It's like someone who is starving—their first thought is to fill their stomach, and only then do they consider other needs.

Swordsmen are all like that.

Kocho Shinobu suppressed her smile and lowered her head. "You're right…"

"But now that I'm back, it's okay to think about it a little. Here, Shinobu-san, light this." Li Mo took out something resembling a thin stick.

Kocho Shinobu smelled the scent of fire on it.

"What is this?" she asked.

"A sparkler," Li Mo said, handing her a match.

Matches already existed in this era, so Kocho Shinobu wasn't unfamiliar with them.

She didn't immediately take the match. Instead, she looked down at the bustling streets below the rooftop. It was already late, and while the streets weren't as crowded as before, there were still people coming and going.

No one noticed that someone was drinking up here.

"Is this really okay?"

A sparkler, as the name suggested, was related to fireworks. And fireworks… were always loud.

Li Mo paused. Seeing is believing.

A barrier began to glow. Ever since he arrived and sensed Kocho Shinobu's presence, he had set up a barrier around the entire establishment, creating a small, isolated space.

The glow was something Li Mo intentionally let Kocho Shinobu see. Only she could see it. This was easy to achieve—mysticism didn't follow the rules of logic.

Seeing the faint green film enveloping the entire shop, Kocho Shinobu didn't know what it was, but she chose to trust him.

Taking the match, Kocho Shinobu lit the sparkler. Tiny sparks began to fly, and a small firework appeared before her.

It was beautiful.

Kocho Shinobu was mesmerized.

She hadn't seen something so beautiful in a long time. Ever since Li Mo saved her that year, it seemed like she had been far removed from such romantic things.

Kocho Shinobu's primary identity was the "Flower Pillar" of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Her other identities didn't need to be mentioned.

As a woman, she couldn't resist the allure of something as beautiful as fireworks. Only when the sparks faded and darkness returned did she snap out of it and say, "Li-san, you're really something, carrying around things like this to charm people."

The young woman pouted. Even with makeup on her face, the youthful vitality of a young woman was still captivating.

Li Mo shrugged, took a sip of sake, and said, "Let's talk business now."

"Business at a time like this?" Kocho Shinobu muttered but didn't press further.

However, she quickly adjusted her mindset and said, "Li-san, you probably know why I'm here in the Red Light District, right?"

The two hadn't even caught up much, yet their interaction felt as natural as ever, without any sense of estrangement despite the years apart.

Li Mo replied, "The Twelve Kizuki, right?"

"Exactly."

"Why you? What about the other Pillars?"

"Everyone has their own missions. After all the calculations, I was the most convenient. Oh, Miss Makomo was willing to come, but considering her speed in providing support, it was better for me to come."

Makomo was known for her speed. She had even created her own Breathing Style, which was most suited to her.

She was the best choice for rapid support.

"Is she in Tokyo?"

"No, she went to Kyoto. There were reports of a Twelve Kizuki there. Right now, I'm the only Pillar in Tokyo."

"I see."

Makomo left Tokyo after Kocho Shinobu arrived in the Red Light District. If she hadn't left, the two of them could have worked together—one inside, one outside—and stood a chance against an Upper Rank.

At least against Upper Rank Six, they could have fought.

Thoughts flashed through Li Mo's mind, and he said, "Tell me about the situation here. The Twelve Kizuki in this area is an Upper Rank."

"Oh."

"Shinobu-san, 'oh' my foot. Upper Ranks are extremely dangerous. You'd be facing a near-certain death going up against one alone," Li Mo said, exasperated.

"Why?" Kocho Shinobu widened her eyes.

They sparkled like a curious student's.

Li Mo explained, "Upper Rank Six consists of two entities. To kill them, you need to cut off both their heads at the same time."

Kocho Shinobu understood why Li-san said she'd be facing near-certain death.

She only had one Nichirin Blade and was alone.

Even with some peripheral support from other swordsmen, in a battle against an Upper Rank, ordinary swordsmen were practically useless.

The gap in strength was the cruelest reality of this world.

Kocho Shinobu said, "But now, Li-san is here, right?"

She smiled.

Li Mo would take care of all the trouble.

Li Mo lowered his gaze and said, "I've already located where that Upper Rank is."

"Where?"

In response to her question, Li Mo pointed in a direction.

Kocho Shinobu knew exactly what was in that direction. If Li Mo hadn't come here tonight, she would have gone there to investigate.

Kyogoku House.

Like Tokito House, it was one of the establishments in this Red Light District.

The top courtesan there was a woman with a terrible personality. She was the complete opposite of someone like Koinatsu.

But there was no denying her beauty.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have become the top courtesan.

"How did you find her, Li-san?" Kocho Shinobu asked.

It was just a question.

Kocho Shinobu never thought to doubt him.

After so many years apart, this old friend of hers seemed to have become even more formidable. There was an almost otherworldly aura about him.

Onmyodo.

Did such magic really exist? If so, why hadn't any Onmyoji gone after the Demon King, the progenitor of all demons?

"Onmyodo, a life-sensing type. The life force of a demon is much greater than that of an ordinary person. If an ordinary person's life force is like the glow of a firefly, then an Upper Rank's life force is like a lightbulb."

The contrast made the difference even more apparent.

Li Mo had sensed the presence of Upper Rank Six as soon as he entered the Red Light District. That life force was too dazzling—so dazzling that Li Mo almost drew his sword to kill her on the spot.

"I could go and ambush her right now."

"Isn't that too reckless?"

"To me, the Twelve Kizuki are all the same."

Kocho Shinobu understood Li Mo's reasoning. Upper Ranks and Lower Ranks were all the same in his eyes.

"Can we delay a bit?"

Li Mo responded, "I understand. Going in now might be too hasty. I'll go rescue the hostages first."

Upper Rank Six, Daki, had a habit of hoarding "food."

Those people might still be saveable.

"Li-san."

"Yes?"

"Are you still human?"

"Probably not anymore, right?"