In an exquisitely decorated yet excessively dim room, scattered candles flickered with faint light, barely illuminating the space.
Creak—
The sound of a wooden door opening echoed as a graceful figure slowly entered.
The perspective shifted as she moved, watching her sit elegantly before an ornate vanity.
In the clear silver mirror, illuminated by candlelight, a face of breathtaking beauty appeared—one that could topple cities and kingdoms.
Yet, for some reason, her slender eyebrows and sharp, pale green eyes radiated an intense, oppressive aura.
Whooosssshh— The chilling wind outside howled ominously.
At that moment, a faint but distinct crack reached the beauty's ears.
Swish!!
The pupils in her pale green eyes instantly narrowed vertically, like a beast ready to strike, as an overwhelmingly terrifying presence erupted.
From the dark corner of the room, a hoarse, aged, and grating voice rasped:
"Eeeeeek, D-Daki, long time no see... about, about a hundred and thirteen years, right? Sss—such an unlucky number... how terrifying!"
A grotesquely deformed and hideous Demon crawled out from the shadows, twisting its gnarled fingers while whimpering annoyingly.
"Hantengu! Who allowed you to barge into my room, you ugly wretch? Get out!!!"
The beauty known as Daki shrieked furiously.
"Eek!! Don't yell at me, so scary~~" Upper Rank Four, Hantengu, curled into a trembling ball under Daki's roar.
"Get out!"
Swish!!
A long, sinuous shadow lashed out toward Hantengu with lethal precision.
Thud!!
A gray-skinned claw firmly grasped a segment of colorful fabric.
From the shadows beneath Hantengu, another figure slowly emerged.
Ordinary pointed horns, unremarkable fangs—only the characters for "Upper Rank" and "Six" in its eye sockets stood out conspicuously.
"Daki-sama, please calm down. We are here under Muzan-sama's orders to find you."
Daki's pale green eyes flickered slightly as she asked disdainfully.
"And who are you supposed to be? Upper Rank Six in your eyes? Are you challenging me to a Blood Battle for my position?"
Kamaro quickly released the silk ribbon in his hand, forcing a smile as he said.
"No, no, no! My lady, how could I dare? I am merely the newly promoted Upper Rank Six, while you, Daki-sama, are naturally the superior—Upper Rank Five."
As he spoke, a small test tube appeared in Kamaro's hand, its contents a sinister crimson blood that seemed to emit an eerie glow.
"It's Muzan-sama's!"
The moment she saw the test tube, Daki's beautiful face lit up with excitement.
Impatiently, she flicked her fingers, and the silk ribbon Kamaro had just held suddenly came to life, coiling up nimbly before snatching the tube from his grasp.
A moment later.
Whoosh!!
Her pale green eyes snapped open once more, the kanji for "Upper Moon" and "Five" clearly visible in her irises.
"Hehehe..."
Watching as Daki absorbed Muzan-sama's blood, Kamaro lowered his head and let out a low chuckle.
Behind him, Hantengu remained curled up in a trembling ball, muttering "scary, scary" over and over.
But just as Kamaro thought they could finally have a proper discussion, Daki's exquisite robes suddenly burst apart, and countless serpentine ribbons surged forth like a tidal wave, lashing towards Kamaro and Hantengu.
"What?!" A flicker of shock crossed Nise's face.
The next moment—BOOM!!
"What's going on? What happened in Warabihime's room?"
The sudden explosion startled the most renowned brothel in the Red-light district, Kyogoku House.
Instantly, the servants and madams were all alarmed, their uneasy gazes turning toward the top floor where the courtesan Warabihime resided.
However, intimidated by her usual cold demeanor, none dared to barge upstairs.
******
Meanwhile, in a deserted alley of the Red-light district...
BAM!!
Upper Rank Six—Kamaro—glared at his severed right hand before lifting his head to face the two—no, three—figures standing off in the distance.
One of Upper Rank Four Hantengu's clones, Sekido, glared furiously at Daki.
Beside him stood another clone, Karaku, a playful grin on his face as he rested a hand on the folding fan at his waist.
And standing before them, one hand on her hip and a scowl on her face, was Upper Rank Five—Daki, clad in a scandalously revealing outfit that drew all eyes.
"Infuriating! Daki! Do you know nothing of hierarchy? How dare you attack me?!" Sekido's eyes burned with rage as he snarled.
Karaku tilted his head while grinning.
"What a bold little girl. Heh, you're just a weakling but have such a temper—your brother must have his hands full, huh?"
"Piss off! I just can't stand that ugly thing Hantengu stepping into my room! And I don't need to work with freaks like you. I'll carry out Muzan-sama's orders myself—no interference from you!" Daki shouted.
"Arrogant fool!" Sekido roared.
"Conceited brat..." Karaku's smile faded slightly.
In an instant, lightning crackled around Sekido's staff, while Karaku's hand tightened around his folding fan.
And behind Daki, the shadows began to writhe ominously.
"Oh no~" Kamaro sighed helplessly at the tense scene before him.
These Upper Moons were truly bizarre—was this Daki out of her mind?
As the lowest-ranked Upper Moon who had just absorbed a bit of Muzan's blood, how dare she act so arrogantly?
Where was the composure and dignity befitting a century-old Upper Moon?
She was nothing but a spoiled brat.
Though internally criticizing, Kamaro couldn't just stand by and watch Upper Rank Four and Upper Rank Five fight, especially since they had official duties to attend to.
Thus, his familiar cheerful grin reappeared as he swiftly positioned himself between the two—no, three—Demons.
"Daki-sama, Sekido-sama, and Karaku-sama, please calm down. Allow me to say this isn't the time for infighting. Muzan-sama's orders take precedence—"
"Shut up! Who asked for your ugly mug to butt in? If that freak Gyokko died, so be it, but how did some random brat like you even become an Upper Moon? Know your place!"
Kamaro's smile vanished, veins faintly bulging on his forehead.
Alright, this Daki really needed to be taught a lesson.
How the hell did she even become an Upper Moon?
Soon, the figure slowly emerging from behind Daki answered his question.
A twisted, elongated form slithered out from the tattoos on Daki's body, accompanied by a languid yet doting voice.
"There, there~ My silly little sister, don't be angry. I know those disgusting humans must have offended you today. Don't worry, Onii-chan will slaughter every last one of those fools. Dont be angry anymore, okay~? We still have to heed Muzan-sama's commands~"
"This guy... He's the real Upper Moon here," Kamaro muttered, frowning at the new figure behind Daki.
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