A world of black, bizarre and colorful.
In that instant, Gyutaro seemed to see many things.
He saw himself as a child, born at the very bottom of the pleasure district, ostracized for his ugliness, because, in the pleasure district, beauty was everything.
So, everyone thought his mere existence was a costly burden, even his mother.
Until Daki was born, then she was called Ume.
Ume, even as a child, possessed beauty that could rival adults. Proud of this, Gyutaro gradually lost his inferiority complex and thus found a foothold in the pleasure district.
Everything was heading in a good direction. Gyutaro firmly believed his sister would become a courtesan, and they would have a good life.
Then, they would always be together.
Forever and ever…
But, when his sister was thirteen, in defiance, she had stabbed out a samurai’s eye with her hairpin. He, in turn, had set her ablaze, leaving her a charred husk, barely alive.
In that moment, Gyutaro felt the sky collapse.
A cold night, snow falling.
His spirit on the verge of breaking, he roared with grief and rage, a cry from the depths of his unjust heart.
Why?
Why was fate always so unfair?
Hatred piqued the interest of a demon. The then Upper Rank Six brought them before the Demon King, and they received the Demon King’s blood.
Many years later…
Upper Rank Six became two individuals, one named Gyutaro, the other Daki.
His sister became a courtesan.
They were still together.
Alas, now they were about to die.
In a daze, Gyutaro saw that beautiful girl, running towards him, tears streaming down her face.
At least, they were still together.
…
“You have successfully defeated Upper Rank Six of the Twelve Kizuki. Received mission rewards: Random Blood Demon Art of Upper Rank Six x1, Random Blood Demon Art of Upper Rank Six x1, Shard of Godstone x15.”
Byakuya stood amidst the ruins, a light screen appearing before his eyes.
The final hidden mission was complete.
Simultaneously, Byakuya understood why there were two identical rewards instead of a “x2”.
It was because one reward was for a random Blood Demon Art of Gyutaro, and the other was for a random Blood Demon Art of Daki.
Ultimately, Byakuya received two Blood Demon Arts: Daki’s Eight-Layered Obi Slash, and Gyutaro’s Bloodthirsty Leap.
However, neither held any significance for Byakuya. If he wasn’t going to become a demon, he couldn’t use Blood Demon Arts anyway.
But they could be traded. Still, Blood Demon Arts were relatively difficult to trade, after all, not everyone was willing to become a demon.
Fortunately, Byakuya also had the Sound Breathing, and an advanced version at that. Combined with the Blood Demon Arts, he wondered if he could trade for another black item.
With this thought, Byakuya left the ruins.
As expected, Tengen Uzui would soon appear with the Demon Slayer Corps. His part was over; he had completed his mission, and now it was the Demon Slayer Corps’ story.
Soon, Byakuya disappeared at the end of the street.
The inn where he was staying was far away and undamaged by the battle. Byakuya, deftly avoiding everyone, climbed through the window and into the room, sprawling on the floor like a starfish.
“So tired!”
Byakuya was confident in his ability to defeat an Upper Rank demon, especially with the Aries Cloth and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
But he was still exhausted. Gyutaro was not as easy to deal with as he had imagined.
Perhaps, dealing with a higher-numbered Upper Rank demon would have been easier. After all, Gyutaro and Daki’s twin abilities were truly troublesome. Without unraveling their secret, it was impossible to kill them both.
As Byakuya mused, a sound rang out.
“Bloru bloru, bloru bloru bloru, bloru bloru…”
From Byakuya’s body, the Steel Slime condensed into a Den Den Mushi, and its ringing call began.
“Hmm? Gao Ming, that guy, is he that impatient?”
Byakuya glanced at the Den Den Mushi, then froze. The Den Den Mushi that appeared was not Gao Ming’s, but Jin Sha’s.
Byakuya casually answered, “Hello?”
From the Den Den Mushi came Jin Sha’s weak voice, “Hello, Byakuya, I’m dying.”
Byakuya blinked and said, “Ah?”
Jin Sha said again, “I’m severely wounded, I might die.”
Byakuya paused, then said indifferently, “Oh.”
Jin Sha asked, “You won’t save me, will you?”
Byakuya replied, “That depends on what price you’re willing to pay for me to save you.”
In other words, without any benefit…
Then, Jin Sha’s life or death had nothing to do with Byakuya.
Having cooperated before meant nothing. Byakuya only acted if there was a benefit; if not, it was none of his concern, and he wouldn’t waste his time on matters unrelated to him.
“That’s exactly something you would say, so devoid of human warmth…” Jin Sha coughed violently mid-sentence, and after a while, continued, “I really want to give anything to beg you to save me, but I think it’s no use. I’m really dying, you won’t make it in time.”
Byakuya thought for a moment, “Considering we know each other, there’s some sentiment. What do you plan to engrave on your tombstone? I can do it for you.”
“I’d rather you not consider that sentiment.” Jin Sha coughed violently again, then said, “I’ve sent something to you via Pelipper express.”
Byakuya asked, confused, “Hmm?”
Jin Sha said, “Your objective is definitely the central tower, definitely to leave this place, right? After all, you’re so strong.”
Byakuya nodded, “Yes.”
Jin Sha continued, “Then, do you know? You don’t actually need to go to the central area to have a chance to speak directly with a god.”
“Oh?”
Byakuya showed a flicker of interest. This was something he genuinely didn’t know, not even in his previous life.
Jin Sha explained, “Some forbidden zones, or hidden missions might feature gods. These gods were originally deities from various worlds. You should know that some worlds truly have gods.”
Byakuya nodded, “Right, worlds with mythic civilizations.”
Jin Sha said, “But gods cannot bring their divine essence into the world battlefield, as they are all gods. Therefore, gods in the world battlefield will take on the roles of the original gods.
Byakuya suddenly understood, “So, if I find these kinds of forbidden zones or hidden missions, I’ll have a chance to speak directly with a god?”
“Yes, however, chosen ones from worlds with mythic civilizations are very rare, and these kinds of forbidden zones and hidden missions are naturally even rarer.” Jin Sha gasped, “But I found one, and what I sent you is related to it.”
Byakuya was silent for a moment, then asked, “What do you need me to do?”
Jin Sha replied, “Liu Shiyue, the vice-leader of the Hidden Dragon Society.”
“Hmm, I understand.” Byakuya stated, “He will die.”
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came Jin Sha’s laughter, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Byakuya said, “Now that I’ve received the item, fulfilling the agreement is what I should do.”
Jin Sha was silent for a moment, then said, “Goodbye.”
Byakuya replied, “Goodbye.”
…