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

"Oh my, Miss Warabihime, where are you planning to go? Could you tell me? May I accompany you?"

While the men were engaged in battle, the women had their own fight.

When Li Mo remained silent about Daki's escape, Kocho Kanae quietly took action.

Was it because Li-san lacked the ability to stop her?

That was unlikely. He was probably just giving her some space to act.

Wasn't this perfect?

"You! Don't get in my way!"

Daki could sense the terrifying aura of that man, but she didn't feel the same fear toward the woman before her.

Just a mere human.

"It seems I'm being underestimated... I'm sorry, but I'll try to kill you as gently as possible."

Kocho Kanae had a dream—to allow demons and humans to coexist peacefully.

She drew her Nichirin Blade.

...

...

The battle was almost without suspense. Daki and her brother, Gyutaro, shared the title of Upper Rank Six. But compared to Gyutaro, Daki was far too weak.

Any Pillar from this generation of the Demon Slayer Corps could have killed her.

"It's over, Kanae-san?"

"Yes, it's over. Li-san, by the way, was it your doing earlier? Daki's abilities didn't cause any damage to the surroundings."

"More or less."

Daki's abilities were well-suited for clearing out large numbers of enemies. Her body could transform into ribbons, and those ribbons could become razor-sharp blades capable of cutting through anything. Yet, despite their sharpness, they left no mark on the surroundings.

A force had protected everything.

Li Mo paused and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Li-san, don't think of me as too fragile. I've actually come to terms with it. I've spoken a lot with Miss Tamayo. I've come to understand the thoughts of demons. For them, many have forgotten their past memories. But at the moment of death, they experience a flashback, just like humans.

The beautiful memories of the past appear before their eyes, allowing them to face the underworld with their heads held high and meet the people they care about. That way, they can willingly descend into hell."

Tamayo.

A demon.

Li Mo knew of her. After Muzan Kibutsuji turned her into a demon, she killed her own child and her husband.

She had already resolved to die. The only thing keeping her alive was her desire to kill Muzan Kibutsuji. If Muzan were to die before her eyes, she would willingly expose herself to sunlight and embrace death.

"However, there's also a downside. That girl, in her final moments, was still calling out for her 'brother.' Ah, Li-san, why do you think she didn't feel any attachment to her life as a human?"

Kocho Kanad asked this as she reflected on her battle with Daki. She had realized that Daki was just a child who had never truly grown up.

Li Mo furrowed his brow and said, "Perhaps it's because being human was too painful for her. Becoming a demon might have been a choice, but they idealized that choice too much."

"I see."

In fact, understanding the past of Daki and Gyutaro made it clear that becoming demons might have been the best option for them.

—At the very least, they wouldn't have to suffer from hunger, right?

The conversation soon ended. Li Mo had another question for the young woman beside him.

"Now, let's talk about tomorrow. So... should we still proceed?"

Visiting the Red Light District as a guest.

Commonly known as "visiting the brothel."

Li Mo had never experienced such a thing. Despite his playful words, he was, in reality, a typical modern person. His practical experience and theoretical knowledge were inversely proportional.

Going to the Red Light District was too stimulating for him.

He had already seen Koinatsu, the top courtesan. She was indeed beautiful, but so what?

"Sigh, shouldn't we continue?"

"I thought tomorrow's plan was to lure out Upper Rank Six? But they're already dead."

"Li-san, we should see things through to the end, right? Besides, I made a promise to Koinatsu that I would redeem her after tomorrow," Kocho Kanae said.

Li Mo frowned. A woman redeeming a courtesan? His mind immediately went to the wrong place. Humans are like that—seeing a short sleeve makes them think of bare arms, then imagine the person without clothes, then think of sex, then promiscuity, and finally illegitimate children.

Human imagination in this regard is truly remarkable.

"Li-san, are you thinking something naughty?"

"No."

Perhaps Li Mo denied it too quickly, which piqued Kocho Kanae's interest. She stepped closer to him, her eyes wide as she observed him.

Growing impatient under her gaze, Li Mo spoke up, "Really, I'm not. On the contrary, Kanae-san, redeeming someone should be straightforward, right? As long as you have enough money, it's no problem at all. Why insist on following through with tomorrow's plan?

Unless..."

Li Mo turned the tables, suddenly realizing a possibility.

"Are you planning to take Koinatsu's place?"

He carefully examined Kocho Kanae. Today, she wasn't disguised as she had been the day before. Instead, she revealed her true appearance. Three years had been enough to transform the once slightly immature girl into a mature young woman.

"Not at all," Kocho Kanae replied with a smile.

Her answer was quick and firm, showing no hesitation.

Had he guessed wrong? But how else could he explain the insistence on continuing tomorrow's plan? Was it to find a good home for Koinatsu? Joking aside, the girl was still young and untouched. After redeeming her, the best outcome would be for her to marry into a respectable family.

As for the issue of her background... come on, the Ubuyashiki family had connections everywhere!

Smiling, Kocho Kanae quickly changed the subject. The two of them began chatting about Kocho Kanae.

"When Shinobu finds out you're back, it's going to be interesting. Li-san, let's tease her together then."

"You're her older sister. Is it really okay to do that?"

"Why not? Shinobu has become so boring lately. She's always smiling, and her inner thoughts never show on her face. I miss the old Shinobu, the one who would explode at the slightest provocation."

"Huh?"

Since when did Kanae have a mischievous side?

Wasn't she supposed to be the gentle older sister?

Wait, maybe those traits weren't mutually exclusive.

Li Mo fell into deep thought.

"Li-san, I didn't tell you yesterday. Shinobu and I adopted a little girl. We named her Tsuyuri Kanae. Unfortunately, the child doesn't like to talk. Do you think you could help her change?"

That night, the two of them talked much more than they had the previous night.

Perhaps it was because Upper Rank Six had already been defeated. Later, Li Mo took Kocho Kanae on a sweep through Tokyo, resulting in a large-scale extermination of demons in the city that night.

—All of this was accomplished while they continued their conversation.