[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on acquiring [Primeval Spirit Sword] × 1!]
[Primeval Spirit Sword]: Grows with its master. This is the System's destined flying sword for the Host. Hurry and give it a name.
"I'm sorry, System! I might have spoken a little too harshly before!"
Looking at the spirit sword that had appeared in his hand, Kaito knew at first glance that it was no ordinary blade. One side of the sword was engraved with the sun, moon, and stars, while the other depicted mountains, rivers, and vegetation. One side of the hilt showed techniques of farming and animal husbandry, and the other detailed strategies for unifying the four seas. The more Kaito looked at it, the more familiar it seemed.
"Wait, isn't this the Xuanyuan Sword? System, what is going on here?"
[Ding! Of course it has to look good. Being strong is temporary, but being handsome is for life! Does Host not like it?]
"Hehe, of course I like it!"
Looking at the Xuanyuan Sword-style spirit sword in his hand, Kaito felt genuinely delighted.
"I'll call you Tenkuu. Later, when you take on a human form, you can change it to a name you prefer!"
"Tenkuu! You must remember, in cultivation, always play it safe. Constantly seeking battle will only land you in some villain's soul collection one day!"
The Tenkuu Sword's blade trembled slightly, as if accepting the name.
"This cultivator has decided to play it safe and develop slowly. As everyone knows, there are only four realms in cultivation."
"They are the Ant Realm, the Junior Realm, the Daoist Realm, and the Senior Realm. Since I have no powerful background, entering the Junior Realm is out of the question. The Daoist Realm doesn't suit me either, so I can only strive toward the Senior Realm!"
Just as Kaito was firm in his path of caution, a System notification rang out:
[Ding! The [Dimensional Gate] has completed its initial charging. Does Host wish to anchor world coordinates?]
Kaito was stunned. He had acquired the [Dimensional Gate] many days ago and it had been completely silent since. He had assumed it would take far longer to charge, yet here it was, ready.
"System, after anchoring the world coordinates, can I choose not to travel there?"
[Ding! Whether or not to travel to a world is entirely up to the Host!]
"Good. If it opens to a dangerous world and forces me to teleport there, it would be game over."
"System, open the [Dimensional Gate]!"
[Ding! Anchoring world coordinates…]
[Ding! World coordinates successfully anchored! Based on the Host's memory, the anchored world is the world of Demon Slayer. Does Host wish to begin traversal?]
"Not yet!"
Kaito breathed a quiet sigh of relief upon hearing the result.
"Good! It's not a dangerous world. I wonder if I can travel back to the time when Kanae Kocho was still alive!"
When he had watched the anime, he had found the ending far too tragic, with precious few survivors after the final battle. Even Tanjiro wouldn't live much longer after it all. Now, with a chance to change Demon Slayer's ending, Kaito declared to himself, 'I love turning misfortune around.'
"Hmm… I'll find Rimuru first. If I suddenly disappear, she'll worry herself sick."
Kaito walked out of the thatched hut into the open space outside and found Rimuru's round body perched atop a wooden stake, addressing the Goblins and Direwolves gathered below:
"Um, from now on, please form teams and live together!"
The Goblins and Direwolves below didn't seem to fully grasp what "forming teams" meant, so Rimuru could only elaborate further.
"That's how it is. From now on, you must help one another and live in peace, understood?!"
"Yes × n"
"Woof × n"
Seeing the monsters below respond, Rimuru sighed softly.
"Let's leave it at that for now!"
"So, regarding the most important matters of food, shelter, and safety, I want to establish teams for finding food, building houses, and strengthening the village's defences. First…"
Looking at the red-bandana Goblin standing before her, Rimuru suddenly fell into thought.
'Oh, what was his name again? Does he even have a name?'
Rimuru looked up and asked the Goblin Village Chief, who was leaning on his staff nearby:
"By the way, what are all your names?"
The Goblin Village Chief quickly and respectfully replied:
"Ordinary monsters do not have names, as we can communicate without them."
"Is that so? But names would make things far more convenient. I would like to name you all — is that alright?"
Hearing this, the Goblins and Direwolves didn't react much at first, but a thought had already formed in Kaito's mind.
'Here it comes. The naming spree! And it's going to drain her like a powerbank being emptied all at once!'
"Ah ah ah!!!"
The Goblins and Direwolves all let out loud cries of surprise, disbelief clear in every voice.
The Goblin Village Chief cautiously asked Rimuru:
"Ri… Rimuru-sama, a name, is it truly alright for us to receive one?"
Hearing the question, the clueless Rimuru responded blankly:
"Oh, Hmm!"
Upon hearing the clear answer, all the Goblins burst into cheers, dancing with joy. Even the Village Chief's frail old body was moving happily.
'Why are they so excited about receiving a name?'
Rimuru thought, unable to understand.
Just as Rimuru was about to begin naming, Kaito hurriedly stepped forward to stop her.
If she started now, she would be out of commission for several days. And if that happened, how would he tell her about leaving for a while?
"Rimuru, wait a moment!"
Kaito hurriedly interrupted her. Hearing his voice, Rimuru twisted her round body and looked back.
"Kai-chan, you're awake!"
"Yes. Are you about to name them?"
"Yes! It's very inconvenient without names, so I thought I'd give everyone one!"
Listening to Rimuru's innocent words, Kaito suppressed a smile and replied:
"That's great, but don't start just yet. I have something to tell you first."
"What is it, Kai-chan?"
"I might need to leave for a few days. While I'm gone, you'll have to rely on yourself."
"What?! Kai-chan, you're leaving?!"
Hearing that Kaito was leaving, Rimuru's heart skipped a beat, and an indescribable discomfort welled up inside her.
During this time, she had always been with Kaito. Eating together, sleeping together, talking together. She had long considered Kaito, who had also come from another world, her closest friend.
"I'm only leaving for a few days. I'll be back soon, so there's no need to worry!"
Noticing it was only for a few days, Rimuru couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Kai-chan, you scared me half to death!"
Kaito could feel that Rimuru had truly been startled. Thinking of this, he said with a smile:
"Hahaha, you scared yourself. You are my only friend in this strange new world. How could I possibly leave you for good?!"
"Hmph, you still scared me!"
Seeing Rimuru act a little pouty, Kaito laughed quietly and offered:
"Alright, alright, how about I bring you back a gift when I return?"
"Really?"
"Really!"
"Hmph, then I'll reluctantly forgive you!"
Rimuru's words carried just a hint of tsundere, and Kaito's tone couldn't help but carry a hint of fondness in return.
"Alright, alright. Thank you to our Rimuru-sama for forgiving this humble friend!"
Hearing that, Rimuru's round body flushed ever so slightly.
"So, Kai-chan, when are you leaving?"
"Right now!"
"So soon?! Then please be careful and take care of yourself!"
Hearing that Kaito was leaving immediately, Rimuru called out with worry.
Kaito patted Rimuru's small head gently, said nothing more, and turned to walk into the depths of the forest.
Watching his departing figure, Rimuru softly murmured:
"You must come back safely, Kai-chan."
Having composed herself, Rimuru turned back to the many monsters gathered before her and called out:
"Alright! Everyone line up. We will start with the Village Chief. Now, let me think… what was the name of your son who fell in battle?"
"Rigur."
"Rigur? Then you shall be called Rigurd."
The moment the name was spoken, a golden light erupted from the Village Chief's body.
"Thank you, Rimuru-sama! Rigurd is deeply grateful!"
The Village Chief excitedly bowed in gratitude.
"You will carry on your brother's name — you shall be called Rigur."
"You are Gobta."
"Gobchi."
"Gobzu."
"Gobzo."
Gob… Just as Rimuru transformed into a full-blown naming machine, Kaito arrived at his chosen spot deep in the forest.
"System, use the [Dimensional Gate] to begin traversal!"
[Ding! Opening [Dimensional Gate] for Host…]
A portal glowing with white light suddenly appeared before Kaito. Within it, countless worlds seemed to shimmer and shift like reflections on water.
"So this is the [Dimensional Gate]? Not bad at all."
Though he was still grumbling inwardly, his feet moved forward without hesitation. In an instant, Kaito's figure vanished into the light.