The night hung over the Entertainment District like a velvet curtain, pierced only by the flickering lanterns swaying over narrow streets. The air was thick with anticipation, a mix of perfume, smoke, and the faint metallic tang of old blood. Karina moved through the shadows, silent and deliberate, her violet eyes scanning every movement, every shift in energy, every tremor of intent that marked the presence of a demon.
She was on her way to rendezvous with Tanjiro, who had insisted on meeting her in a quieter part of the district, away from the crowds that masked danger with illusion. Their first encounter had been brief, formal, but Tanjiro's instincts had already recognized her as a unique force—a slayer whose aura spoke of precision, trauma, and power beyond the ordinary.
The alley was narrow, lined with wooden walls glistening from the evening mist. Karina stepped into the dim light, her form emerging like a shadow woven with intent. Tanjiro turned sharply at the sound of her boots, relief and cautious curiosity mingling in his gaze.
"Karina," he called softly, keeping his voice low, "you're here. I… I wanted to check if you're alright after last night."
"I am unharmed," she replied evenly, her eyes scanning the rooftops and shadows above. "But danger is present. I can sense it." Her voice was calm, detached, yet carried the weight of experience.
Before Tanjiro could respond, a sudden disturbance erupted from the corner of the alley. A minor demon, grotesque and feral, lunged at a passing merchant. Its claws gleamed under the lantern light, aiming for the throat. Karina's hand moved instinctively to her hilt, her posture fluid, controlled.
Arcane Breathing – First Form: Mirage Blade, she whispered under her breath.
The blade flashed, slicing the air in a precise arc. The demon froze for an instant, caught in the illusion of multiple blades converging from impossible angles, before collapsing silently to the ground. Tanjiro's eyes widened. The technique had not just struck the demon; it had disoriented its perception, creating a mirage of attacks it could neither predict nor evade.
"You—your style…" Tanjiro breathed, stepping closer. "It's incredible. I've never seen anything like it."
Karina turned her violet gaze on him briefly, her expression neutral. "It is not about spectacle. It is efficiency. Observation, anticipation, and execution. That is the difference between survival and failure."
A second demon emerged, its form larger, its movements more deliberate, sensing the energy of the foreign slayer. Karina did not hesitate. She shifted stance, her movements almost imperceptible in their speed, and the Mirage Blade manifested again—an illusionary duplication of steel slicing from multiple angles. The demon's attacks faltered, its perception of reality fractured, and it fell before it could reach Tanjiro.
Tanjiro, recovering his composure, nodded with respect. "We can fight together. I can cover the human targets, you…" His voice trailed off as he realized Karina's skill far exceeded the normal slayer's capacity.
Karina's eyes flicked toward the rooftops, sensing a subtle movement. The presence of Daki lingered, faint but unmistakable. The Upper Rank demon was observing from above, measuring, calculating. Karina's first skirmish was over, but the real challenge loomed just out of sight.
"We're not just dealing with minor demons," Tanjiro said quietly, stepping to her side. "Daki and Gyutaro—they're planning something. And they know we're here."
"I am aware," Karina replied, her tone steady. "I can feel their attention. They are cautious, yet curious. They underestimate the foreign factor, as most do."
A distant scream echoed through the alleyways, the sound sharp and urgent. Karina's senses sharpened instantly, picking up the faintest traces of poisoned intent lingering in the air. Her Arcane Breathing hummed faintly along her nerves, every muscle poised, every thought directed toward the preservation of life and the elimination of threat.
"Stay close," she instructed Tanjiro, her voice calm but commanding. "I can handle the immediate threat, but coordination is required. One wrong step, and the illusion becomes real for us both."
Tanjiro nodded, placing his trust in her instinct and skill. Together, they moved through the streets, a silent, coordinated force. Karina's Mirage Blade became not just a weapon but a signal—a warning to the minor demons that this district was no longer a safe haven for predators.
Above them, Daki's eyes glinted like molten rubies. She sensed the anomaly in motion, the foreign slayer whose presence fractured expectation and challenged dominance. Karina's first display of combat prowess in the district had not gone unnoticed.
The night stretched on, filled with anticipation and silent calculations. Every alley, every shadow, every whisper of movement became part of Karina's awareness. She was no longer just an observer; she was a presence that would alter the rhythm of the district.
And as the mist rolled through the streets, carrying the faint scent of blood and fear, Karina knew one thing with certainty: the first skirmishes were only the beginning. The real test of skill, strategy, and survival awaited in the deeper shadows, where the Upper Rank demons moved unseen, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Karina's violet eyes glowed faintly in the lantern light. She was ready.