The lanterns of the Entertainment District flickered violently, shadows elongating unnaturally as a palpable tension filled the streets. Karina and Tanjiro moved in cautious tandem, their prior coordination now instinctual, yet even their combined awareness could not fully counter the overwhelming presence that descended upon them.
From above, a crimson ripple spread across the rooftops—Daki's full power awakening. Her form shifted, elegant yet terrifying, radiating an aura that distorted the very air around her. The subtle manipulations of illusions from before were nothing compared to this tangible force. The Upper Rank demon had decided to step fully into the battlefield.
Karina sensed it immediately. The residual pressure from her illusions now multiplied into a force that threatened to overwhelm even her refined Arcane perception. Her violet eyes narrowed, hands tightening around her blade. This is no longer reconnaissance… this is a declaration of war.
Daki's voice carried through the streets, melodic and deadly. "You move well together," she purred, almost casually. "But let's see how well you survive against true power."
With a fluid motion, Daki leaped from the rooftops, her movements faster than thought, her crimson kimono blending with the night like molten fire. The air itself seemed to warp as she landed, and in that instant, the minor demons previously scattered reformed into lethal extensions of her will, swarming with precision.
Karina reacted instantly. Arcane Breathing – Mirage Blade, she whispered, slicing through the minor demons in a blur of illusory arcs. Yet even as each threat fell, Daki advanced, her speed and power far beyond anything Karina had encountered in minor confrontations.
A sudden strike—direct, unyielding—hit Karina's shoulder. She staggered, blade raising just in time to deflect the follow-up. Pain flared sharply, burning deep into her flesh, yet her posture remained unbroken. Her eyes met Daki's for the briefest moment, reading amusement, predation, and undeniable recognition of Karina's skill.
Tanjiro moved to support her, launching Water Breathing attacks in a seamless flow, yet Daki's movements intercepted, her reflexes honed over centuries. The combination of her speed and the coordinated minor demons kept both slayers constantly on guard, forcing them into a defensive rhythm.
Karina's thoughts sharpened with every heartbeat. Observation. Anticipation. Execution. She analyzed Daki's strikes, every subtle motion, every shift in energy. Then, with a calculated flick of her wrist, she unleashed a sequence of Mirage Blade arcs, each strike precise yet deceptive, cutting through both minor demons and creating openings against Daki herself.
Yet even as she adapted, Daki's full form revealed layers of power previously concealed. The air vibrated, reality itself seeming to twist under the Upper Rank's presence. A single swipe of Daki's arm sent Karina skidding backward, the edge of her blade catching only air. Pain flared along her ribs, sharp and deep, yet she rose without hesitation, her breathing steady despite the wound.
"You are persistent," Daki murmured, her voice carrying both amusement and challenge. "But persistence alone will not defeat me."
Karina's violet eyes glimmered. Then precision must suffice. She shifted stance subtly, preparing for the counterattack that could turn this confrontation in her favor. Every muscle, every thought, every calculation was honed to the singular goal of survival and advantage.
Above them, the district seemed to hold its breath, aware in some primal sense that forces beyond comprehension were clashing in its heart. The fight had escalated from reconnaissance and minor skirmishes to a direct confrontation with a fully awakened Upper Rank demon. Karina's skill, perception, and resilience were being tested as never before, each strike and movement potentially decisive.
And yet, despite the deep wound burning into her side, Karina's stance remained unbroken, her mind sharp, her violet eyes reflecting the unwavering resolve that had carried her across continents and through battles that would have shattered lesser slayers.
This was no longer a minor encounter. This was the awakening of a predator—and Karina, the foreign variable, would meet it head-on.