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From the moment Shizuka Marikawa agreed to be taken out of Tokoname City, their fates were already completely intertwined, with no other options.
Last night was a bit too much; Shizuka Marikawa had clearly overestimated her strengthened body. Lying on the bed with sleepy eyes, Kisaragi Rin used the Golden Light Technique to rub her lower abdomen, which made her feel a bit more comfortable.
Under Shinobu Kocho's strange gaze, Kisaragi Rin entrusted Shizuka Marikawa to her, then prepared to head to Mount Natagumo.
...
Two Kasugai Crows flew to Kisaragi Rin's shoulders, one on the left and one on the right. One was aloof, and the other's eyes clearly showed a lack of intelligence.
That's right, the other one was reconstructed from Banana's body.
However, it now had a new name: Buna.
Because he learned it only had a number, Kisaragi Rin gave it a more formal name.
Banana.
Short for Buna. Although a bit hasty, Banana didn't know the origin of the name and was quite excited about it.
Ever since it learned that it could leave the Workshop by changing its appearance, it replicated Black Sun's form and transformed into this state.
It was already one-eyed as a Banana, and remained one-eyed as a crow, which happened to be symmetrical with Black Sun.
However, its feathers had a metallic sheen, and its eyes were dull and foolish, making it easy to distinguish.
At this moment, it was chattering incessantly, trying to communicate with Black Sun.
"Hello."
"Do you need treatment for your one eye?"
"According to a crow's physiology, having only one eye would affect its vision."
"Darwin Workshop has extensive experience in body repair; I can help you fix it."
"Hello."
"Why don't you speak?"
"Can't you speak?"
Black Sun was so annoyed by it that it flapped its wings and flew into the sky.
Watching Black Sun leave, Buna paused for a moment, then turned its gaze to Kisaragi Rin. Before it could speak, Kisaragi Rin warned it.
"If you dare to speak to me, I'll throw you back into the Workshop."
He didn't know why only this thing was left in the Workshop.
The first time he released it, Kisaragi Rin was a little worried that it would say, "You finally fell for it."
He didn't expect a Tang Monk to come out instead of a demon monkey.
Pinching Spider Demon's cute little face, Kisaragi Rin felt greatly relieved.
At least his own creations didn't turn out like that.
Catching squirrels, wild boars, and birds, Kisaragi Rin continuously experimented with these creatures on the road to understand the nature of the Workshop's changes.
The thought of Komuro Takashi also developing feelings for him made Kisaragi Rin feel disgusted.
It's worth mentioning that when Kisaragi Rin checked, he found that Black Sun was also a female crow.
Gender, species, extent of modification by the Workshop...
Controlling these variables, Kisaragi Rin obtained the experimental results.
The Workshop not listing these consequences before modification proved that this was not brainwashing, but a natural affection of creations for their creator.
This affection would vary based on different thoughts.
Female creatures generally leaned towards dependence, while male creatures would be more inclined towards reverence.
Of course, male homosexuals were different; Kisaragi Rin knew without guessing that it would never be reverence, but rather blasphemy.
Moreover, not just any degree could produce this special reaction; it had to be greatly influenced by the Workshop.
For example, Shizuka Marikawa, a normal person, received Veronica's enhancement within the Workshop, and Spider Demon transcended the limits of a demon by being resurrected from death within the Workshop.
Only this level could give birth to aptitude.
Ordinary grafting abilities and extraction abilities would not bring about change. Giving that wild boar an intelligence mutation simply changed it from wanting to ram Kisaragi Rin to wanting to ram Kisaragi Rin while cursing.
What was half good and half bad had completely turned into good news.
This made Kisaragi Rin breathe a sigh of relief; his planned matters would not be affected by the Workshop.
...
After two days of fermentation, the common people of Mount Natagumo had already learned of Lower Moon Five's death.
Just as they were preparing to let loose, embrace freedom, and incidentally burn, kill, and plunder, they encountered the Lower Moons who had been transferred here.
Present-day Mount Natagumo was exceptionally desolate; if it was in its twilight years before, it was now close to death.
Following Black Sun's guidance in the sky, Kisaragi Rin found Murata the swordsman stationed at Mount Natagumo.
In danger, Murata the swordsman remained as graceful as ever. Not only was he unharmed, his middle-parted hair wasn't even disheveled.
If it weren't for him being the "Luck Pillar," Kisaragi Rin would have strongly suspected he had defected.
Beside Murata was another blond swordsman, who had already drawn his sword vigilantly and was looking this way.
Kisaragi Rin raised an eyebrow in surprise, revealing himself inside the house.
"Long time no see."
Murata, who was wondering why Zenitsu Agatsuma had drawn his sword, jolted, only then realizing there was an extra person in the room.
He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing his face, and asked in a low voice, "Didn't you go to learn Breathing Styles? Why would the Demon Slayer Corps send you?"
Confirming it was someone he knew, Zenitsu Agatsuma also put down his sword and stood quietly to the side.
"We'll talk about that later. Which Lower Moon have you seen come to Mount Natagumo?"
Getting to the point, Murata explained responsibly, "It's a demon with some cross-shaped scars on its forehead. According to information from other swordsmen, it should be Lower Moon Four."
Kisaragi Rin gave Murata a strange look, then silently opened his Heavenly Eye.
"So, now there's good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear?"
Murata asked with some bewilderment, "What... bad news?"
"The bad news is that demon is called Wakuraba, a ninja. Your reconnaissance has probably been discovered, and he's currently fishing, waiting until night to make his move."
Kisaragi Rin activated his divine sense to scan the surroundings, and soon smiled, having already located Wakuraba.
He pointed at Spider Demon, and several spider silks spread out of the house under Kisaragi Rin's guidance.
"Then what's the good news? Has a Pillar from the Demon Slayer Corps also arrived?"
Seeing that Kisaragi Rin wasn't nervous, Murata also relaxed.
"The good news is, the Demon King really didn't kill all the Lower Moons, so no need to worry about not getting enough paradise coins."
"Huh?"
Murata didn't understand what Kisaragi Rin meant until Kisaragi Rin opened the door and walked straight to another residence.
Motioning for the two of them to stay outside the door to block the sunlight, Kisaragi Rin then opened the door. White spider silk filled the place, and in the center was the evil demon, impaled by spider silk and suspended in mid-air.
What was written in its eyes was!
"Lower Moon Four!"
Zenitsu Agatsuma muttered.
"Who are you!"
Wakuraba asked in shock and anger.
In just a few seconds, he had already been controlled by the sudden spider silk, completely unable to use his proud speed.
"Who else came to Mount Natagumo?"
Kisaragi Rin asked Wakuraba, receiving a look as if he were an idiot.
Kisaragi Rin felt nothing; the Golden Light Technique gathered in his hand, extending to Wakuraba's body, making a corrosive sound.
"Then I'll rephrase the question. Do you have any enemies? Your relationships among demons don't seem very good."
It had to be said, Wakuraba indeed had demons he hated. He glanced at his own predicament and chuckled, "Daki and Enmu."
Kisaragi Rin pondered, "So, that means there's at least one more Upper Moon, right?"
Without further conversation, Kisaragi Rin casually severed Wakuraba's neck and brought him into the Workshop.
[You killed Lower Moon Four]
[You obtained Lower Moon Four - Wakuraba's treasure chest]
[Your Twelve Kizuki mission completion has increased]
"How did Mr. Kisaragi Rin guess that?"
Murata, on the side, was both shocked by Kisaragi Rin's strength and confused by his judgment.
"It's normal for someone to be willing to drag a few enemies down with them before dying, but I'm also his enemy. There must be a trap targeting me. Above Daki, it can only be a stronger Upper Moon."
Looking at Murata's admiring gaze, Kisaragi Rin thought of something else and added to the two, "Of course, the intelligence of demons doesn't seem very high. It's also possible that I overestimated him; maybe he didn't even think of setting a trap for me and just simply named the demons he hated."
"But whether there is or not, we must be prepared for it..."
Kisaragi Rin stroked Spider Demon, also pondering, "Upper Moon One is unlikely. Muzan must be probing now."
"If there really is one, who could it be?"
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