The sun had barely risen over the jagged skyline of the Entertainment District when Karina arrived at the Corps' temporary command post, a sprawling residence converted into a tactical hub for the investigation. Lanterns still swayed gently, casting elongated shadows across the polished wooden floors, while scrolls and maps cluttered tables as though the room itself were bracing for battle.
Tengen Uzui stood at the center, arms crossed over his broad chest, twin swords gleaming faintly in the dim light. His presence dominated the space without ceremony; every corner seemed to bend subtly toward him, acknowledging authority. Karina paused just beyond the threshold, her violet eyes calmly assessing the room.
"Ah, so this is the outsider," Tengen muttered, a mixture of amusement and disbelief in his tone. "I wasn't expecting someone like… you."
Karina stepped forward, her boots making almost no sound on the polished wood, a testament to her disciplined gait. "Your mission briefing requested my presence," she said evenly. "I am here to assist, as instructed by the Corps' higher command." Her voice, foreign yet precise, carried clarity and authority—no hint of hesitation.
Tengen's sharp gaze swept her from head to toe, scanning the subtle aura that radiated from her, the barely perceptible hum of arcane energy vibrating around her. "Assist, yes… but you need to understand one thing. The Entertainment District is not a place for diplomacy or careful observation. It's chaos, blood, and deception. I lead this mission. You follow orders. Capiche?"
"I understand," Karina replied, her tone neutral but firm. "I follow procedure, not ego."
A subtle stir ran through the room. Tanjiro, standing quietly near the map-laden table, studied Karina with evident interest. There was something in her presence—a weight, an undercurrent of pain—that seemed to resonate with his own empathy, though he could not yet define it. Inosuke snorted, glancing between her and Tengen, clearly irritated by the tension in the air.
Tengen's gaze hardened. "Good. Then let's review. Multiple disappearances in this sector. Upper Rank demons Daki and Gyutaro are suspected. Their patterns are familiar but cunning. This district's architecture, its crowds, its shadows—all are extensions of their control. Any misstep could cost lives."
Karina stepped closer to the table, her fingers brushing the edges of the maps as if reading the subtle lines of energy that only she could perceive. "I will note that the high-end establishments are most vulnerable," she observed, her tone clinical yet assertive. "Patterns indicate that the demons favor locations with minimal exits and maximum crowd density. Their feeding is ritualistic, predictable once understood."
Tengen's eyes narrowed, impressed despite himself. "Interesting. And your—methods? Your techniques are unknown to us, I assume."
"Arcane Breathing," Karina stated simply. "Forms adaptable, precise, and capable of neutralizing both illusions and lethal attacks. I do not act recklessly. I strike where necessary and withdraw when required." Her words carried weight; there was no arrogance, only the calm confidence of someone who had faced death countless times and survived.
Shinobu Kocho, seated at a corner desk, raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Arcane Breathing… I have heard whispers of such methods. Foreign, rare, and unpredictable. The Corps will need detailed observation on your physiological responses, especially if combat against Upper Rank demons escalates."
Karina inclined her head. "Understood. Observation can be conducted without interruption to ongoing operations. I will cooperate as instructed."
Tengen's fingers drummed against the table, a mix of frustration and curiosity in his movements. "You speak well, and your aura… it's intense. But this district is unforgiving. Don't think your tricks will impress the demons—they've survived centuries by preying on the inexperienced. We need results, not displays."
"I am aware," Karina replied without flinching. "I am not here to impress. I am here to eliminate threats and gather intelligence on the primary target, Muzan. Everything else is secondary."
A tense silence followed. Tanjiro's gaze lingered on her, sensing the hidden layers of trauma, experience, and discipline beneath the composed exterior. Inosuke shifted impatiently, muttering under his breath, but even he could sense the danger radiating from Karina. She was no ordinary slayer—this much was certain.
Tengen's smirk returned, sharp and calculating. "Fine. You're here. You fight alongside us. But let me make it clear—this is my battlefield. Step out of line, and I will remind you why you were never expected here."
Karina inclined her head once more, acknowledging the challenge without any hint of fear. "I will act within operational parameters. But understand this, Tengen Uzui: any underestimation of my abilities will be your liability, not mine."
The room seemed to shift subtly, the weight of her presence pressing into the air. The mission briefing continued, yet a quiet undercurrent had been set in motion. Alliances, tensions, and the unspoken recognition of skill now hung between the two warriors. Karina had arrived, and the Entertainment District would not remain the same.
Outside, the morning sun pierced through lingering fog, illuminating the rooftops and alleyways where shadows moved in patient anticipation. Karina's violet eyes scanned the cityscape, every detail etched into memory. This was not a land she knew, but her instincts required no familiarity—she could read danger, deception, and energy with precision.
The mission had begun. And the variable had entered the field.