Chapter 23: An accord

That demon could temporarily be called the Silent Demon. Its Blood Demon Art allowed it to create a barrier that isolated all sound within it. It was thanks to this ability that it managed to escape from Gyomei Himejima's grasp, evading capture for several days.

It was first discovered when it and two other demons were fighting over a child with rare blood. Gyomei killed the other two demons and severely injured this one, but it managed to escape. Its Blood Demon Art isolated sound and maintained a certain range, making it difficult for Gyomei, who was blind, to detect it. Additionally, it had some knowledge of pharmacology, allowing it to mask its scent. In its previous killings, it often poisoned its victims before feeding.

Because of all this, Gyomei found it somewhat troublesome to deal with. It wasn't until later, with the support of the "Kakushi," that things began to improve.

When they arrived near the village, Gyomei and the others were led up the mountain by the demon. Coincidentally, there was another demon on the mountain, responsible for the recent disappearances. Using the mountain demon, the Silent Demon led them in circles for quite some time, keeping them occupied on the mountain while it descended to the village to feed and then escape. If not for the chance encounter with Li Mo, the village would have suffered significant casualties tonight.

Gyomei and the others had actually remained on the mountain tonight. At that time, the mountain demon had already been killed, and they believed the Silent Demon was still there, so they continued their search. But Gyomei and the others knew the Silent Demon was weak and needed to feed—villagers were its best target. Before going up the mountain, Gyomei had made an agreement with the village chief: if something happened in the village, the chief would light up the village and light a bonfire. They would come down immediately. When Shinobu approached the chief, he sent the signal.

Thus, Gyomei arrived late.

...

After learning the full story from Gyomei, many of Li Mo's doubts were resolved. The Silent Demon had tried to provoke him with words during their fight, hoping he would give up and wait for death. But its tactics were too weak, likely because it didn't use them often.

"Phew—"

In any case, it was over.

In the original world, Kanae and Shinobu survived because of Gyomei, right? That man naturally inspired a sense of security just by being present.

"Two meters and twenty centimeters tall. Damn. How can someone in Japan grow that tall?"

Gyomei Himejima was a giant among giants. Li Mo had to look up to meet his gaze. In front of him, Li Mo felt like a child. If even such a figure couldn't inspire security, then no one could.

What man wouldn't want to be that tall? Even the legendary warrior Guan Yu, a "nine-foot-tall man," was only about two meters and ten centimeters.

Li Mo didn't want to dwell on the issue of height anymore. It made him feel endlessly defeated.

Under the moonlight, in the corner of the courtyard by the well, he removed the bandages wrapped around his body and touched the wound on his back.

No scar, no blood, no trace of injury.

—Completely unharmed.

He drew a bucket of water from the well and, using the water's surface, opened the system panel. Under the "Level Up" option, his life level was now "LV2," and his health bar showed 100%!.(MISSING)

He had leveled up.

The increase in life level came with a full restoration of health. Such a classic game mechanic.

Li Mo sighed. This was a good thing. In fact, after the Silent Demon was killed by Gyomei, Li Mo had leveled up and regained sensation. But he had let the "Kakushi" fuss over him for a few minutes. Then, using Kanae's treatment as an excuse, he had brushed it off.

Leveling up didn't bring any attribute improvements. It only gave him a free attribute point, which left him feeling somewhat disappointed.

In fact, he had noticed that through training, the six attributes could also improve. For example, his constitution had increased by one point after several months of training.

So, he decided to save the attribute point for now. He would use it later when his training hit a plateau.

Wasn't the whole point of having a system to level up lazily? Why did he still have to work hard? It really was a shoddy thing.

"Mr. Li?"

At this moment, Li Mo heard a woman's voice. Turning around, he saw Kanae Kocho.

"Miss Kanae? Do you need something?" Li Mo asked expressionlessly, putting his clothes back on.

"Has the wound on your back healed?"

"It has." Li Mo looked down at the scattered bandages at his feet, still stained with his blood.

Most likely, Kanae had seen his back.

Kanae said, "I see… Mr. Li's body is truly extraordinary, healing so quickly. But I understand. Just don't let others find out."

"I know. This is a secret between you and me."

"Shall we pinky swear?"

"Sure, why not?"

Under the watchful eyes of the Pinky Swear God, the pact to keep the secret was sealed.

Then, Kanae clasped her hands behind her back and said, "Mr. Li, today feels like a dream."

"Sleep on it, and everything will pass."

"Mr. Li, I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Will you support me?" Kanae asked, looking at the moon.

Li Mo asked, "Why?"

"I just think that, at this very moment, there might be others suffering from demons elsewhere. It makes me sad, both for the victims and the demons." Kanae explained.

She was a sensitive and gentle person. Such people often empathized with others' struggles and forgave their mistakes.

She was a good person.

Good people were most vulnerable.

"Miss Kanae, to demons, humans are just food. Fighting them is very dangerous. I don't recommend a woman like you joining the Demon Slayer Corps. Compared to men, women are generally weaker."

Kanae said, "Sigh~~~ I thought you'd support me."

Li Mo said, "Someone like you should find a good husband and settle down. Isn't being a Yamato Nadeshiko better?"

In the original story, Kanae had joined the Demon Slayer Corps, becoming a Pillar, only to die at the hands of Upper Moon Two.

"Mr. Li, you're really joking. Someone like me, getting married? Forget it. But if I could see Shinobu get married in my lifetime, that would be enough."

"Her choice would likely be the same as yours."

Kanae lowered her head, then smiled proudly, "She's my sister, after all. Mr. Li, you'll join the Demon Slayer Corps too, right?"

"Of course. A genius like me not joining would be a loss for the Demon Slayer Corps."

"How narcissistic, Mr. Li. But I don't dislike it." Kanae said, "Then, please wait for me in the Demon Slayer Corps. How about that?"

"Fighting side by side in the future? But I'd rather make the Demon Slayer Corps obsolete before that day comes."

If all demons were killed, the Demon Slayer Corps would no longer be necessary. Just as in the original timeline, after Muzan Kibutsuji's death, the Demon Slayer Corps was disbanded by the Ubuyashiki family.

Kanae said, "I'll cheer for you, Mr. Li. But I think that's quite difficult."

"I'll wait for you all."

"Then it's a promise."

Kanae extended her pinky finger.

Under the moonlight, Li Mo and the girl made another promise.