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In the rural fields, as dusk approached, farmers laboring in the fields were shouldering their tools, preparing to head home.
"What's that?"
A middle-aged farmer stood by his field, looking toward a stranger who had suddenly appeared in his line of sight.
On the narrow path between the fields, a figure dressed in stark contrast to the surroundings was walking unhurriedly.
It was a tall, slender young man with long black hair.
He wore an elegant white hunting robe with wide sleeves, holding what appeared to be a worn blade in his hand.
Noticing the farmer's gaze, the young man turned his head, a smile spreading across his face as he called out, "Good day. Is that Mount Natagumo up ahead?"
"G-Good day, sir..." The farmer cautiously glanced at the blade in the young man's hand, stammering, "Y-Yes, that mountain ahead is Mount Natagumo."
"Is that so? Thank you." Kaito nodded politely and continued walking forward.
"Sir!" The farmer suddenly shouted after him.
"It's getting dark soon. You'd best not set foot on that mountain at night!"
Kaito paused, turning back to raise the blade in his hand with a smile. "Thank you for the warning, but no need to worry—I have more than enough means to protect myself."
"Even if you're a samurai, it's dangerous," the farmer said anxiously, fear etched on his face.
Swallowing hard, he lowered his voice. "That mountain has been overrun by demons for the past two years. They say it's a group of spider demons! They've eaten plenty of people already. Everyone now calls it Spider Mountain."
Seeing Kaito maintain his smile, as if unconvinced, the farmer hurried to his side and whispered, "I once saw them by chance at the foot of the mountain—a horde of crawling human-headed spiders."
As if recalling a terrifying image, he shuddered involuntarily.
"If you have business there, go during the day," he urged. "Those who went up the mountain in daylight and left before nightfall all returned safely."
"I understand," Kaito said, suddenly patting the farmer's shoulder.
"Thank you again for the warning."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Wait, sir…"
The farmer tried to persuade him further, but then he felt a warm current flow from where the young man had touched his shoulder. His body, exhausted from a full day of farm work, suddenly felt warm and refreshed, all fatigue swept away.
"This… this is…"
His eyes widened in shock. Turning to look again, the young man's figure was already far off.
His steps seemed unhurried, yet he covered a great distance in an instant.
"Could… could I have met a god…?"
The farmer muttered in awe, unable to stop himself from kneeling toward the distant figure.
Sensing the farmer's actions from afar, Kaito only curved his lips into a faint smile, not pausing his steps.
He looked up at the lush, forested mountain ahead.
The information about demons lurking here had come from the underworld.
It was said that a shinigami passing through the mortal world had once encountered this place, where the strongest demon was named Rui, ranked as Lower Moon Five among the Twelve Kizuki.
Even with Muzan pulling back his forces, this Lower Moon demon had remained entrenched on this mountain, continuing his activities.
Kaito even found it somewhat suspicious.
"Let's go take a look," he said, standing at the mountain's entrance, glancing at the old blade in his hand.
"For awakening this blade, Lower Moon Five should suffice."
He stepped forward, entering the dim forest.
The narrow mountain path was flanked by dense trees, the fading sunlight blocked by thick foliage, leaving the forest in near darkness.
A faint spiritual light flickered in Kaito's eyes as he moved effortlessly through the woods.
As he advanced, he released his senses.
A vast wave of spiritual energy emanated from him, his perception expanding rapidly.
Soon, a large portion of the mountain was within his sensory range.
He turned sharply toward a specific direction in the mountain, suddenly accelerating with silent speed.
Crossing a mountain stream, Kaito stopped and looked up at the treetops.
Massive white cocoons, each the size of a person, hung from tough spider threads, densely scattered throughout the forest.
'No survivors?' Kaito frowned, sensing that the cocoons contained only corroded remains.
He shook his head and continued moving swiftly and silently.
Passing through the forest, a dilapidated mansion came into view in the distance.
"Playing house?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow, sensing the state of the demons inside.
At that moment, a group of demons—varying in size but all bearing spider-like traits—sat in the worn-out hall of the mansion. Each had a small table before them with empty bowls, pretending to eat while addressing each other as family, like children playing house.
"..."
In Kaito's perception, only Lower Moon Five, posing as the youngest son in this "family," was invested in the game. The others were trembling, terrified of this Lower Moon demon yet forced to play along with his childish charade.
Kaito leaped lightly, vaulting over several trees before landing soundlessly on the roof of the haunted mansion.
A bored expression crossed his face as he hung the old blade at his waist and formed hand seals.
"Bind!"
"What is this?!"
"Daddy! Mommy!!"
"Dodge it!"
Panicked shouts erupted from the demons inside the house below.
"Can't break free! Rui, save us!!"
"Who the hell is this?!"
Finally, the furious voice of Lower Moon Five, Rui, rang out.
Kaito floated down from the roof, pushed open the mansion's door, and stepped inside.
At this moment, every demon in the room was tightly bound by spiritual energy chains, writhing in futile struggle.
"What a disappointment," Kaito said, his pristine white robes untouched by dust as he stepped into the filthy, dilapidated hall. His gaze swept over the easily subdued demons before locking precisely onto the boy-like demon with hair styled like spider legs.
"To think that, among the Twelve Kizuki, a Lower Moon's strength is so much weaker than an Upper Moon's."
"Who are you?" Rui, who appeared as a boy of twelve or thirteen, looked up at Kaito, his eyes devoid of any fear.
"Oh? You don't know me?" Kaito said, a playful smile spreading across his face at Rui's reaction.
"It seems Muzan has abandoned you, Lower Moon Five, Rui."
*****
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