Dawn rose over the Swordsmith Village, washing away the blood-soaked night. Smoke drifted from destroyed houses, and villagers picked up debris while thanking the gods for surviving. Most of them didn't know it wasn't a god who saved them — it was a man from another world.
Sung Jin-Woo walked beside Mitsuri through the shattered clearing. Beru had returned to the shadow dimension since there were no enemies left; his last words echoed proudly:
"CALL ME WHEN YOU DESIRE SLAUGHTER AGAIN, MY LIEGE!"
Mitsuri bowed shyly."U-Um… thank you again for saving me earlier…"
Jin-Woo nodded calmly. "Anyone would've done the same."
(Everyone definitely would not have done the same, but Mitsuri didn't correct him.)
Suddenly—
"MITSSSURI-SAAN!!"
Tanjiro came sprinting down the steps, covered in soot and dust but smiling brightly. Behind him were Genya, Muichiro, and Nezuko — all alive. Villagers gasped in shock.
The first to react was Mitsuri. She rushed forward and practically tackled Genya and Muichiro with a hug.
"You're alive!!! I was so scared I'd lose you both!!"
Genya's face turned bright red, mumbling something between shock and embarrassment.Muichiro blinked, confused as always, quietly accepting the hug.
Before Mitsuri could continue—
A soft voice rose.
"…Good morning."
Nezuko smiled — in full sunlight.
Mitsuri froze in disbelief.Then choked.Then SCREAMED.
"AAAAAAHHHHH NEZUKO YOU'RE ALIVE IN THE SUN?! THAT'S AMAZING!!"
She immediately hugged Nezuko with so much love that she lifted her off the ground and spun her like a plush toy. Nezuko giggled, kicking her feet.
Tanjiro wiped tears from his eyes — happiness overwhelming him.
Jin-Woo watched silently, mesmerized.A demon… smiling in sunlight…?
Suddenly the System window appeared.
[ System Observed: Sun-Resistant Demon Detected ]
Subject: Nezuko Kamado
Status: Demon
Weakness to Sunlight: Nullified
Note:
The moment Hunter Sung Jin-Woo entered this world,
Subject's physiology underwent spontaneous evolution.
Jin-Woo's eyes widened.My arrival changed her body? What does that mean?
The System continued:
Resulting Trait:
— Lord of Solar Immunity
(Absorbs sunlight instead of burning)
He closed the panel before anyone noticed, but his heart raced.
What kind of power awakened inside her… because of me?
Before Jin-Woo could ask questions, a furious scream echoed across the village.
"YOUUU!!!!"
Haganezuka — the masked swordsmith — came sprinting toward Tanjiro with the rage of a thousand storms. Tears of blood ran down his face.
"You used MY UNSHARPENED MASTERPIECE AS A CLUB?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY HOURS THAT BLADE TOOK ME TO COMPLETE?!"
Tanjiro panicked instantly."I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE — WE WERE DYING!! PLEASE DON'T BE MAD!!!"
Kotetsu and Tecchin from the village joined the chase, even angrier.
WAIT!!!! LET HIM LEAVE!!!!!
Tanjiro ran for his life while Mitsuri, Genya, and Muichiro collapsed laughing.
Jin-Woo, however, saw a masked man holding a weapon and sprinting toward Tanjiro with killing intent.
The ground cracked under Jin-Woo's step as he moved.
He raised his hand — Ruler's Authority activating.
Invisible force wrapped around Haganezuka's throat and wrist. His sword froze in midair before swinging at Tanjiro.
Jin-Woo stepped forward, eyes turning sharp:
"Are you trying to kill him?"
Haganezuka gasped — unable to move.
Kotetsu screamed, "NO WAIT — HE'S NOT TRYING TO KILL TANJIRO — HE'S JUST BEING EMOTIONAL AGAIN!"
Tanjiro flailed his arms desperately, rushing between them.
"JINWOO-SAN STOP PLEASE!!! HE'S NOT DANGEROUS — HE JUST TAKES HIS SWORD-WORK VERY VERY SERIOUSLY!!"
Jin-Woo blinked.
He was… angry? Not murderous?
He released the Ruler's Hand immediately. Haganezuka collapsed, gasping for air — only to stand and continue screaming at Tanjiro like nothing happened.
Jin-Woo stared blankly.
"This world is… confusing."
Mitsuri laughed."You'll get used to it!"
Celebration of Survival
By evening, the entire village held a celebration. Lanterns glowed along the river, children handed flowers to Tanjiro, Genya, Mitsuri, and Muichiro.
But the most honored names were two:
Tanjiro Kamado — who killed the main body of HantenguSung Jin-Woo — who defeated Zohakuten and saved the village
Even though Jin-Woo stood in the back with arms folded, villagers kept bowing to him with tears of gratitude.
Tanjiro leaned toward Mitsuri and whispered:
"I don't think Sung Jin-Woo likes attention…"
Mitsuri smiled softly."He doesn't fight for praise. He fights because someone needs protecting."
Tanjiro nodded — like he understood perfectly.
Music filled the night. Happiness warmed the hearts of everyone.
Everyone… except Jin-Woo.
He kept feeling someone's presence — watching — hunting.
Like something deep and ancient was sniffing the edges of the world, searching for a target.
Nezuko danced happily near the lanterns, laughing for the first time in ages. When she came near, Jin-Woo gently tapped her shoulder.
"Nezuko, can we talk?"
She turned, smiling innocently.
But the moment Jin-Woo touched her —
The world dissolved into black and red.A massive white demon face appeared — eyes like bleeding stars.
A deep voice slithered into Jin-Woo's mind:
"Give her to me."
Jin-Woo froze."Who are you?"
"The one who will claim her.The one destined to consume the sun."
Behind the monstrous voice, a silhouette appeared — tall, elegant, and horrible. His aura stank of authority and malice.
Jin-Woo saw only one thing clearly:
His hunger for Nezuko.
"She belongs to me."
The world snapped back.
Nezuko tilted her head, confused.
"Jinwoo-san… are you okay?"
Jin-Woo forced a smile, though sweat ran down his back.
"I'm fine. Nothing at all."
But his mind spun.
Something is coming for Nezuko.Someone wants her power.Someone more dangerous than demons, dragons, or monarchs I've faced before.
And then Jin-Ah's voice echoed in his memory again:
"Rengoku protects everyone… even when he's hurting."
Jin-Woo clenched his fist.
Whatever that thing was… it wants her.Then protecting this world isn't just about fighting demons.It's about keeping nezuko safe.
He looked out at the horizon.
"I'll protect the Hashiras… and above all— the demon who conquered the sun."