"Ugh! Where is he?!"
Kochou Shinobu spun around, scanning the courtyard, her brows twitching in irritation. Moments ago, she had leaped at Takumi with all her might—only for him to vanish into thin air.
A voice whispered behind her.
"Where do you think I am… little bug?"
Shinobu's expression froze.
Oh no.
She covered her head out of instinct—
But Takumi was faster.
Thump!!!
"Ouch!!!! (That hurts!!) /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~"
Shinobu crouched down, clutching her head like a sulking child, trembling from the sting.
Takumi burst into roaring laughter.
"Hahaha! That'll teach you! Still dare to act arrogant in front of me?"
"Damn you!!!" Shinobu snapped back, eyes watery yet furious, "How are you so fast, you bad guy!"
Kanae, watching from the veranda, smiled helplessly.
Shinobu is always so emotional around Lord Takumi… she never acts like this with anyone else.
And then another realization hit her.
"Eh? Shinobu… don't tell me… you've fallen in love with Lord Takumi?" Kanae murmured, covering her mouth.
Because truthfully… Kanae herself had begun developing feelings for Takumi.
Ever since the day he saved her—standing like a divine figure, cloaked in the terrifying yet warm aura of Finality—her heart had quietly begun leaning toward him.
Kind to allies.
Cruel to enemies.
Strong enough to shake worlds.
And gentle enough to give Kanao a drink.
How could she not fall for him?
Meanwhile, Kanao—expressionless as always—sipped the can of leibi and whispered, "Delicious."
Two Days Later · Butterfly Mansion
Takumi sat on his futon, opening his system panel.
Takumi
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Realm: Nascent Soul Peak
Items: Dimensional Gate, Leibi ×3, Sofy ×1, Big Brother Phone ×1, Icha Icha Paradise ×1
Overall Evaluation: "You are a visible big shot, though you may still be stepped on accidentally."
Takumi groaned. "System, I feel unloved… the daily sign-ins are getting worse! What do I do with this 'Big Brother phone' when there's no signal!?"
System: Host, even without signal, you can use it as a mirror. Or an emotional support brick.
Takumi: "…"
He tossed the phone aside.
"And what's with this Icha Icha Paradise? Am I the kind of person who reads ero novels?!"
System: If you don't like it, I won't give you any more next time.
Takumi immediately clutched the book. "No no! It's great! You have great taste, System! Continue the good work!"
The System snorted.
Thinking about Shinobu's stats from earlier, Takumi smirked.
Kochou Shinobu
Loyalty: 91
Affection: 99
"That girl hides her feelings, but the numbers don't lie. I should bully her— affectionately—more often."
Just as he was fantasizing about teasing Shinobu—
Kanae called from outside.
"Lord Takumi! Master Ubuyashiki says the Demon Slayer Corps has fully assembled! They are waiting for you at headquarters!"
Takumi jumped to his feet.
"Finally! Let's go."
Farewell at the Butterfly Mansion
Everyone gathered at the entrance to see him off.
Shinobu stepped forward first.
"H-Hey! You big bad guy… you must come back safely! If you don't… I'll never forgive you!" Her cheeks puffed slightly.
Kanao bowed lightly. "Brother Takumi… be careful."
Even with her flat expression, Takumi sensed the warmth.
Aoi also stepped forward nervously. "Lord Takumi… I pray for your safe return. I—I'll prepare a feast when you come back!"
Takumi grinned confidently. "Relax. I'm way too handsome to die. You all wait for me here. Kanae, let's go."
"Yes, Lord Takumi!"
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters · The Final Assembly
Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood before the massive formation of Demon Slayer Corps members.
"Everyone! Today we will end centuries of hatred! We have endured endless sacrifice… without seeing hope!"
"But today! Under Lord Takumi's leadership… Kibutsuji Muzan will fall! And our future will change! Do you have confidence?!"
"OOOOHHH!!!" × hundreds
Takumi whistled quietly.
Seriously… Ubuyashiki is the perfect civil servant for my future Dimensional City.
Rimuru is cute but useless at paperwork. And I refuse to work 996 after transmigrating. I deserve a vacation lifestyle.
The cheering subsided, and Kagaya approached Takumi.
"Lord Takumi, do you have words for the Corps?"
Takumi stepped forward and raised his fist.
"I'll only say one thing—"
He let his Finality energy flare slightly, sending a wave of fearless determination into the crowd.
"This day next year… will be Muzan's death anniversary!!!"
"OOOOOOOHHHHH!!!"
"LONG LIVE LORD TAKUMI!!"
Takumi smirked.
Eye of Identification: Hashira Edition
He swept his gaze across the lineup.
Rengoku Kyoujurou
Loyalty: 92
Affection: 91
Strength: C-rank
Uzui Tengen
Loyalty: 91
Affection: 91
Tokito Muichiro
Loyalty: 92
Affection: 91
Tomioka Giyuu
Loyalty: 93
Affection: 90
Iguro Obanai
Loyalty: 93
Affection: 91
Kanroji Mitsuri
Loyalty: 93
Affection: 92
Shinazugawa Sanemi
Loyalty: 95
Affection: 93
Himejima Gyomei
Loyalty: 99
Affection: 97
Kanae Kocho
Loyalty: 99
Affection: 100
Even the mob slayers had loyalty scores in the 80s.
Then Takumi glanced at Kagaya.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki
Loyalty: 100
Affection: 100
Ability: Charisma
Takumi nearly fainted.
"Double 100!? Ubuyashiki, you're amazing! You're definitely getting a Minister position in Dimensional City!"
He raised his hand.
"Everyone—LET'S MOVE!!"
"OOOOHHHH!!!"
Infinity Castle
Deep inside the eerie, shifting halls of Infinity Castle, Kibutsuji Muzan sat cross-legged.
Suddenly—
His crimson eyes snapped open.
A cold sweat trickled down his cheek.
"This feeling… this overwhelming pressure… this Finality…"
"Who… is coming toward me?!"