With a serene smile on his face, Doma parried Kanae's attacks effortlessly.
Suddenly, Kanae Kocho took a deep breath.
"Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peonies of Futility."
A series of rapid thrusts followed, her blade striking gracefully from multiple angles at once. The sudden assault caught Doma by surprise. Cuts opened across several parts of his body.
"Blood Demon Art: Scattering Lotus."
With a flick of his hand, multiple ice lotuses burst outward toward Kanae. They exploded midair, sending razor-sharp shards flying in all directions.
"Flower Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirling Peach."
Kanae spun gracefully, her blade forming a circular defense that shredded the frozen petals. Still, a few shards slipped through, grazing her cheek and leg.
Doma's wounds had already healed.
"My, my… pretty lady sure has some great moves. I wonder how good you will taste."
Kanae smiled calmly.
"The only thing you will taste tonight is my sword."
They continued exchanging blows — steel flashing against shimmering ice.
"Pretty lady sure has a sharp tongue. Kanae Kocho, was it? We really have a great night ahead of us."
His smile widened.
"Let's make this battle more fun, shall we? Blood Demon Art: Freezing Clouds."
A cold mist spread from his body in every direction, the air itself turning deadly. The moment Kanae inhaled, her lungs burned.
Freezing air… the longer this continues, the more damage my lungs will take. I won't be able to use my breathing techniques.
"Oh? You realized what it does pretty fast. As expected of a Hashira," Doma hummed. "But it's only the beginning, you know."
"Blood Demon Art: Crystal Divine Child."
Two small children made of ice manifested at his sides.
"These little children can use my Blood Demon Art as well. Let's see how you deal with it."
One child fired frozen lotuses toward her. The other launched wintry icicles at high speed.
Though shaken internally, Kanae remained calm on the outside.
"Flower Breathing, Second Form: Honorable Shadow Plum."
She deflected the attacks gracefully and moved in a nimble, agile motion toward one of the divine children.
"Don't forget that I am still here, pretty lady."
An icicle shot toward her from behind. Kanae barely dodged. The crystal tore across her shoulder, ripping her uniform as blood gushed out.
Doma's gentle smile never faded.
"Oh, what soft, tender flesh you have there. You will be fun to play with. We are going to spend a happy night together, Kanae-chan."
[KANAE POV]
As blood flowed from her shoulder, she shuddered internally.
Is this the strength of an Upper Moon demon? He's simply toying with me…
Is this why no Upper Moon has died in a hundred years?
If I die here… I hope Shinobu lives a happy life. I hope she doesn't get too sad.
Thinking of her little sister brought a faint smile to her lips.
But Doma's voice echoed again in her ears.
Something inside her composure cracked.
If I want even a chance to win… I'll have to use that.
She steadied her sword and took a deep breath.
"Flower Breathing, Seventh Form—"
"I would advise not to use that."
A deep voice sounded beside her.
In the next instant, Doma was sent flying, crashing through multiple walls as his clones shattered into fragments.
Kanae blinked.
A tall man stood before her. Dark black hair. Black eyes with a faint hint of purple. He wore unfamiliar clothing, and his build was muscular and firm.
When she saw his face clearly, she blushed slightly.
So handsome…
at this moment kanae's heart was beating abnormally fast
[THIRD PERSON]
Watching Doma use clones and Freezing Clouds, Sung Jinwoo thought:
So this is how it really went. Kanae survived until morning in the original timeline. I thought she endured through sheer strength… but it looks like Doma simply enjoyed toying with her until sunrise.
He had been observing, considering ending Doma with a single strike. But seeing Kanae prepare Vermilion Eyes — a move that could cost her eyesight —
I can't have her ruin those pretty eyes.
"Stealth."
"Dash."
In a single breath, he moved behind Doma.
The demon didn't notice.
But suddenly, Doma felt a chill crawl down his spine.
"I would advise not to use that."
The next moment, a devastating force crashed into his back, sending him flying. His Blood Demon Art was interrupted, and his clones disintegrated.
When Doma regained his footing, he was already healing — and smiling even wider.
Jinwoo walked toward him calmly. Without looking back, he tossed Kanae a few bandages.
"You're a doctor, right? You know how to use them."
Doma tilted his head.
"May I have the honor of knowing your name, mister?"
"I don't need to tell my name to a coward who fights girls instead of having a man-to-man fight."
"Oho? Do we have another Akaza here? Funny — calling me a coward when you are the one who attacked from behind."
Jinwoo smiled faintly.
"Well, you're right in a way. But I was saving a damsel in distress, you know. So it's not cowardice — it's heroism."
Doma laughed lightly.
"How cruel~ Calling me a coward when you hide your own name? My, my… heroes these days are so shy."
He raised his fan, covering part of his face.
"A man who strikes from behind to save a lady… how romantic. I do hope you'll keep that same confidence for the rest of the night."
Though he smiled, his thoughts were uneasy.
This man is strong… too strong. That punch… and the way he hides his presence so completely that even I didn't notice. Perhaps only Muzan-sama could defeat him. How interesting… I wonder how his blood would taste.
"You don't smell human. Nor demon. What even are you, mister hero?"
Jinwoo smiled faintly.
"Neither human nor demon. So what am I? Maybe you could tell me."
Doma's eyes brightened.
"You don't carry a demonic scent. Nor human fear. Perhaps you are something in between."
"But does it really matter?" Jinwoo replied calmly. "Human, demon, hero, monster."
Doma chuckled.
"Well, it matters to others. Though I suppose those words mean nothing to you… just as they mean nothing to me."
Jinwoo's expression turned indifferent.
"Enough talk. We're here to fight."
"Oh really?" Doma grinned. "I thought we were having a moral debate."
He slashed his fan through the air.
"Blood Demon Art: Frozen Lotus.Cold Ice Princess."
Large ice flowers bloomed in front of him, releasing slicing attacks toward Jinwoo. Two female constructs of ice manifested beside him and charged forward.
"Let's have more fun, shall we?"
[STATUS
SUNG JIN WOO
LEVEL: 26
STRENGTH: 60
STAMINA:49
AGILITY:50
INTELLIGENCE:36
PERCEPTION:48
MANA: 800/1160
ABILITY POINTS: 6]
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