The courtyard fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the drip of water in a bamboo tube.
The Hashira, initially stunned by the crater from the high-explosive grenade, reeling from the mental shock of Shiraki's "heavy firepower suppression," froze in a state of complete stasis.
"A-A thousand!?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya felt like a small boat in a raging sea, facing an unprecedented storm.
Even his calm, gentle nature couldn't suppress the urge to curse.
You call this "a little bit"!?
"Yes, due to certain special reasons, large-scale transport isn't possible. I can only get a thousand more." Shiraki answered, sounding slightly disappointed.
If the space hub's passage had no size limit, he could arm the Corps into a division with modern weapons!
Demons?
The times have changed!
The Hashira gaped, while Ubuyashiki's shock morphed into a tsunami of ecstatic joy.
From a millennium of Ubuyashiki clan knowledge, no ordinary Hashira could defeat an Upper Rank.
Unless a Hashira awakened the Demon Slayer Mark from Sengoku-era records, they might stand a chance.
But now, things were different!
With these terrifying "high-explosive grenades," even unmarked Hashira could slay Upper Ranks!
From that blast's power, even Muzan likely couldn't withstand a direct hit.
Demons' terror lay in their super-regeneration. Their defense was stronger than humans' but paled compared to ghouls from another show.
And these were Honkai world grenades!
"A thousand, a thousand…!"
From hell to heaven in an instant, Ubuyashiki couldn't contain his excitement, his eyes blazing with a startling light!
The Hashira shared his fervor, except Kanae, who wore a faint, serene smile.
"Ahem, even without grenades, we could kill Muzan, provided we find him."
Shiraki coughed twice, drawing attention.
The Holy Angel's power was a true dimensional strike in this world, more terrifying than even Tsugikuni Yoriichi's!
"So, we need to discuss how to lure out Muzan Kibutsuji!"
Shiraki picked up his cup. Kanae, smiling gently, refilled his tea. The blue-haired girl glided lightly to stand behind him.
Reverie first pulled a tablet from her backpack, handing it to Shiraki, then placed her soft, pale hands on his shoulders, gently massaging.
"I'll share the intel we have with the Corps."
Under astonished gazes, Shiraki leisurely tapped the tablet, opening a file named Demon Slayer.
It contained days of Reverie's compiled data on Demon Slayer: all Twelve Kizuki, their names, ages, experiences, and Blood Demon Arts from the anime and manga.
Even Upper Rank One Kokushibo's Moon Breathing forms were detailed.
Of course, it included ample info on the final boss, Muzan.
The Corps members were utterly numb, their faces like they'd seen Muzan himself!
Ubuyashiki began questioning reality.
The Ubuyashiki clan led the Corps against Muzan for a millennium, gathering scant valuable intel, but Shiraki…
If he weren't Kanae's husband, Ubuyashiki might've thought he was a demon.
No!
Even an Upper Rank couldn't have such detailed info on Muzan, right?
Though last night's "battle" barely required effort, Shiraki, used to a comfy bed and restful life, felt a twinge of fatigue from the all-nighter.
This historic Hashira meeting paused at dawn. Shiraki, Kanae, and Reverie returned to the Butterfly Mansion to rest before resuming.
The only noteworthy incident was when Kanae prepared bedding on the tatami, and Reverie playfully tackled her, rolling on the floor.
Their fair faces flushed faintly, their full, firm chests pressed against each other. A few centimeters lower, and their heads might've met those glossy red lips.
This scene was caught by Shinobu, who'd rushed over upon hearing the meeting ended.
"Sorry, my bad!"
The door slammed shut, halting Kanae and Reverie's tussle. Before the door blocked his view, Shiraki caught Shinobu's gaze—tender, pitying, and grateful.
Tilting his head in confusion, wanting to toss out a question mark, Shiraki was baffled by his sister's odd look.
Propping his chin, he pondered but found no answer.
So, he relaxed, rolling on the tatami, arms outstretched, pulling the girls' lithe, graceful waists close, their jade-smooth touch exquisite.
Sleep!
Ahem, don't get the wrong idea—just plain sleeping.
Having felt Reverie and Kiana's shared sensations through memory sync, Kanae was eager to try it herself, but she wasn't in a rush.
It was herself, after all!
No need for courtesy or haste. Whenever she wanted, Shiraki would oblige, and vice versa.
Both were tired now, so that matter could wait for tomorrow night~!
Savoring emperor-like cuddles, wrapped in soft, fragrant warmth, Shiraki drifted into dreams.
…
Honkai World.
Bright sunlight flooded in like a tide, illuminating the dim room.
Kiana's sleep posture was wild, a thin sheet draped over her, outlining her slender, curvaceous waist and hips—perfection.
Barely cracking an eye, she saw an unfamiliar ceiling, sat up, and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Processing Upper Rank Two's corpse last night kept her up until the wee hours.
"Phew~ Yawn~~!"
Stretching hard, flaunting her maturing figure, Kiana donned a white-and-black hoodie with pink accents and a black pleated skirt.
Barefoot, she padded to the window, yanked the curtains open, yawning as she shuffled to the bathroom.
Cool water splashed on her face, snapping her awake.
Just a quick rinse, no cleanser—her cute, radiant cheeks were whiter than fresh snow.
Tying her snowy hair into a ponytail, Kiana gazed at the white-haired girl in the mirror.
"I'm so cute~!"
Shiraki was indeed narcissistic~!
The girl playfully swayed, her ponytail rippling like a slender stream.
Satisfied, Kiana nodded, humming a tune as she left the Anti-Entropy room.
"When the moon's out, I bask in moonlight; when the sun's up, I soak in sunlight~!"
"Say, if I went back to Earth, I could totally steal Tao Dian-sensei's (Kiana's VA) job!"
The thought popped into Kiana's head.
"Later, if I've got time, I could visit her on Earth. Once we figure out cross-world travel, I'll take Bronya to meet Aunt Chen. Two sub-five-foot shrimps meeting—should be fun!"
"What do you think, Sirin?" In the sunlight, Kiana's dreamy gold-blue heterochromatic eyes sparkled.
"You're awfully optimistic. Stabilize Himeko-sensei's condition first, then worry about that."
Sirin's queenly tone held no cold arrogance.
"Right! With the Upper Rank demon as a sample, we should manage a recovery serum…"
Chatting nonsense was the best stress relief. Kiana bantered with her other self, strolling through the base.
Crossing a long corridor, she hit the elevator button, reaching the underground lab's door. Kiana knocked politely.
No answer. Blinking, she Duang—slapped the door open and strutted in.
"Hey, hey, hey~! Dr. Einstein, Dr. Tesla, how's it going?"
Amid tables packed with awe-inspiring scientific gear, Kiana spotted two steaming buckets of instant noodle broth.
Two figures in white lab coats stood at a workbench. The red lobster-head was tinkering, while the blue bird's-nest-head clutched a densely scribbled notebook.
Kiana slept late, but these two pulled an all-nighter.
With a "demon" specimen before them, how could scientists sleep?
"Kiana? You're here."
Her loud call yanked them from hyper-focused work. Tesla, buzzing with excitement, grabbed Kiana.
"This is *** insane! Where did your boyfriend find this creature?"
"Its physical strength is weaker than a C-rank Valkyrie, but its regeneration is outright freakish! Especially the special blood in its brain—so *** absurd!"
It was a scientist's thrill at the unknown.
"It deactivates completely in sunlight, feeds only on specific proteins and carbs…" Einstein adjusted her glasses. "To normal humans, it's indeed dangerous."
"So, can you use demon blood to make a recovery serum?"
Kiana hadn't explained demons in detail—these findings were from one night's research.
"Well…" Tesla and Einstein exchanged looks, sheepishly scratching their heads.
"We can try, but biology isn't our forte, especially since demons aren't tied to Honkai. Pure biology takes time…"
"Got it." Kiana gestured. Himeko-sensei's condition couldn't wait!
Hoping to save effort, it seemed she'd need to visit Elysian Realm.
Not disturbing the research-frenzied doctors, Kiana left to find Mei.
Weak from the Conquest Gem's removal and yesterday's mental strain, Mei was still asleep.
Kiana ate breakfast alone.
That morning, Theresa and Bronya brought the Jizo Mitama from St. Freya.
"Huh? Kiana, where's your boyfriend?" Theresa looked around, not spotting Shiraki.
"Him? He's got other stuff to do, off for a bit. Big Sis, just hand me the Jizo Mitama."
Kiana grinned, taking the God Key from Theresa, examining it closely.
It was a sleek black-red tachi, its sheath adorned with intricate patterns. The pitch-black body had blood-red accents at the hilt, as if steeped in blood.
Its appearance alone radiated an ominous aura.
The Honkai energy it held was vast and chillingly cold.
Perhaps this was why Theresa was uneasy?
"So, Kiana, where's World Serpent's HQ?" Mei's eyes flickered with complexity at Shiraki's mention, quickly fading.
"Uh… I don't know." Kiana blinked, sticking out her tongue playfully.
"Still an idiot, huh," Bronya quipped.
"Bronya, you're the idiot! I may not know where Elysian Realm is, but I never said I couldn't get there." Kiana huffed, hands on hips.
"!?"
Feeling the stares, Kiana raised her chin proudly. "Just get someone to take me, duh~!"
"Jizo Mitama…"
Kiana gripped the hilt confidently, her lips curling, arm raised dashingly.
She unsheathed the red-black tachi, ominous red-black light flowing over the blade, as if sentient.
Under her gold-blue gaze, the light invaded Hyperion, slipping into the internet's digital sea via comms.
It left a message in the vast digital ocean.
[Gray Serpent, I'm the Herrscher of the Void, Sirin. I'm not dead, just sleeping. Now I'm awake. Gather my four cores, and I'll rule the world. Send the Desire Gem to Hyperion, help me revive, and I'll mark a big merit for you, aiding you to overthrow Kevin and become World Serpent's lord.]
"Done. Now, wait for delivery!"
Sheathing the blade, Kiana clapped her hands lightly.