Kibutsuji Muzan suddenly realized—he could no longer remain in hiding. Hope now stood right before him, within reach. No matter the cost, he couldn't let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
"Tamayo... sunlight... demons."
The excitement in Kibutsuji Muzan's eyes grew wilder by the second. In his mind, he had already envisioned the perfect version of himself—standing tall beneath the sun, unchained by weakness or fear.
"M-Muzan-sama..."
Daki shivered uncontrollably at his side. She could sense it—Muzan's unstable emotions were on the verge of exploding. She wasn't sure whether what she had done today was right or a terrible mistake.
"You've done well, Daki."
To her surprise, Muzan's cold gaze turned toward her with an air of recognition. At this moment, he felt Daki was more useful than any Upper Rank demon he'd ever created. After all, this vital piece of information had come from her.
"From now on, you don't need to return to the Entertainment District. Stay in the Infinity Castle. I have plans for you."
Muzan had made his decision. If he was going to seize Tamayo, then there was no reason to risk letting one of his few reliable forces stray too far. The Infinity Castle was his dominion. With Nakime's Blood Demon Art enhancing its layout and his own power amplified within it, Muzan had full confidence in achieving his goal.
"Nakime."
At his call, the silent biwa-playing demon appeared beside him. Muzan extended his hand and gave her more of his blood. It was not a reward, but an investment—for more absolute control over the Infinity Castle.
"Thank you, my lord."
Nakime bowed her head as the effects of the blood coursed through her. Her aura intensified, and faint numbers flickered within her eyes—proof of her evolution under Muzan's influence.
"Summon all the demons. Bring them back to the castle."
As Muzan issued this order, his figure faded into the shadows. He was preparing—crafting the perfect strategy for his final conquest.
As for the lesser demons? Let them roam. Let them stir chaos within the Demon Slayer Corps. Once he devoured Tamayo, everything else would be irrelevant.
Cold-blooded and indifferent, Kibutsuji Muzan had never cared about the lives of the demons he created. In the past, they had been mere tools in his hunt for the Blue Spider Lily. Now? The same. If they could buy him time or serve as bait, so be it.
"Immortality... wait for me. I am coming."
Just as Yohan and Tamayo had predicted, Muzan's desire could no longer be restrained. The final battle was drawing near.
….
"Report!"
"Master Ubuyashiki! We've received word from the remaining Demon Slayer Corps stationed outside—many demons have vanished!"
This urgent report came with a letter. Although most of the Corps had been recalled to headquarters for intensive emergency training, a few scouts still roamed the land, gathering intelligence. It was thanks to them that headquarters remained updated.
"It seems the plan worked."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled faintly, the timing aligning perfectly with Yohan and Tamayo's recent return. According to Yohan, Daki had witnessed Tamayo walking freely under sunlight with her own eyes. That fact alone would undoubtedly make its way to Kibutsuji Muzan.
And now the demons were disappearing—being gathered, most likely. Muzan was preparing to move.
"He took the bait."
Yohan's calm voice carried no triumph, just certainty. To him, Muzan's reaction was entirely predictable. The demon lord was cold, calculating, and arrogant. A trap laid in plain sight—the kind Muzan would walk into, thinking he could bend it to his will.
"Then, Master Ubuyashiki, it is time for the headquarters to remain on full alert."
"I understand, Yohan-kun."
Yohan, along with Shinobu Kocho and others, had already taken up residence at headquarters. Tamayo remained here too. Since she was Muzan's target, the one most capable of protecting her—was Yohan himself.
Moreover, Ubuyashiki had chosen this very place as the battleground. Yohan had no objections. After all, he didn't want the Butterfly Mansion reduced to rubble. If that happened, where would he even live afterward?
All non-combat personnel had already been evacuated in advance. What remained at Demon Slayer headquarters were the elite, the warriors prepared for a final, desperate clash. The intelligence and medical teams were stationed at the Butterfly Mansion, now serving as the strategic command center.
"Master... are you truly sure about this?"
Gyomei Himejima once again raised the question everyone feared to ask.
Ubuyashiki's curse had left his body frail, nearing the end of its time. His presence on the battlefield would offer no strength—only a liability. Every member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Yohan included, held him in the highest respect. None of them wanted to see him risk his life.
"Do not speak of this again, Himejima. I must stay."
Ubuyashiki's voice was resolute. He didn't stay out of a desire to see Muzan die. He had long since accepted his own fate. He simply wished to stand face-to-face with the very demon who had taken so much—from his family, and from the Corps.
This was his pride. His will. His final defiance.
"Don't worry, Master."
Unlike the others, Yohan did not try to dissuade him. He understood. Just like Muzan, when a man's lifelong goal was finally within reach, he would never choose to walk away.
In that sense—they were the same.
Besides, with Yohan present, how much destruction could Kibutsuji Muzan really cause?
Still, to prepare for the worst, Yohan had made backup plans to protect Ubuyashiki from unexpected death. After coming so far, if they could avoid unnecessary sacrifices, they would.
Everything was moving like clockwork—each side, demon and human alike, preparing for the final showdown.
And then… silence.
It was as if demons and the Demon Slayer Corps had both vanished from the world.
But all knew—this was merely the calm before the storm.
The final battle was coming.
[Ding!]
[Final Mission: Showdown with Kibutsuji Muzan]
[Mission Reward: Unknown]
[Congratulations to the host for unlocking the final mission of the Demon Slayer world. The system sincerely wishes you success!]
The mechanical voice, long dormant, returned once more. But this time, it seemed to carry a strange warmth—almost like a farewell.
Ever since Yohan had reached the level of a dragon, the system had fallen silent. He knew then that he had surpassed this world's limits.
The world of Demon Slayer was small. It made sense.
Still, he hadn't expected his journey to be nearing its end.
But even if the demons were soon to vanish completely, Yohan's journey with Mitsuri and the others was only just beginning.
A quiet life... was already calling his name.
And honestly? That didn't sound so bad.
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