The rain had begun to fall lightly over the Entertainment District, the droplets scattering across shattered lanterns and glistening cobblestones, mingling with blood and Arcane energy that lingered in the night. Karina lay on a raised platform, pale but conscious, her violet eyes flickering with the weight of venom coursing through her veins. Each breath was shallow, deliberate, yet she refused to surrender to weakness.
Shinobu moved swiftly and precisely, her movements fluid as she assessed the toxin. "The venom is unlike any I've encountered," she murmured, voice calm but laced with concern. Her fingers traced subtle pulses along Karina's body, sensing the systemic effects and the peculiar resilience her physiology displayed. "Your body… it doesn't metabolize poison like an ordinary human. It's… non-standard. Extraordinary."
Tengen knelt beside her, hand steady on her shoulder, his presence both protective and commanding. "What does that mean?" he asked, eyes narrowing with a mixture of curiosity and guarded concern.
Shinobu's expression was thoughtful. "It means she can endure things that would fell a normal slayer. But it also complicates treatment. Standard antidotes only stabilize part of the effect. Her body requires precise calibration—too little, and the venom spreads; too much, and we risk overwhelming her system."
Tanjiro crouched nearby, watching Karina's chest rise and fall with careful attention. "She's stronger than we imagined… even under poison, she fought perfectly," he whispered, awe mingled with worry. "But… can she survive?"
Karina's violet eyes met his, steady despite the faint tremor in her limbs. "I will survive… if I must," she murmured. Her voice was faint but resolute, a reflection of her discipline and indomitable will. Every instinct, every muscle, every Arcane rhythm in her body remained poised for action, even as the poison gnawed at her from within.
Shinobu's hands moved with methodical precision, crafting a custom sequence of injections and antidotal manipulations to counteract the venom. Each adjustment was minute, calculated to work with Karina's unusual physiology rather than against it. She glanced at Tengen, her expression serious. "This is delicate. One misstep, and she could die."
Tengen's jaw tightened, his protective instinct flaring. "Then we do not allow mistakes. I'll guard her, keep her safe. None will interfere." His voice carried both authority and a rare tenderness, a silent promise that he would not let her perish on his watch.
Inosuke prowled nearby, wild and tense, yet careful to avoid disrupting Shinobu's work. Tanjiro's Water Breathing formed a defensive perimeter, arcs of water shimmering faintly in the rain as a barrier against lingering threats. The coordination of the group reflected not just discipline, but trust—the recognition that Karina's survival now depended on the unity of allies as much as her own indomitable will.
Karina's breathing became steadier, faint Mirage Blade arcs flickering as she subtly tested her strength, the Arcane energy within her responding to both the poison and Shinobu's delicate intervention. Her violet eyes glimmered with quiet determination, a spark of the same intensity that had forced Gyutaro to retreat.
Shinobu finally leaned back slightly, evaluating the stabilized results. "She is… remarkable. The venom is slowed, her system stabilizing, but only temporarily. She has survived a lethal dose that would have killed most slayers instantly."
Tengen exhaled slowly, his hand remaining on her shoulder. "Then we buy time. She recovers fully, and the next threat… whoever it is, will not catch her unprepared."
Tanjiro's gaze softened, eyes reflecting admiration and concern. "She's… unlike anyone I've ever met. We can't afford to lose her."
Karina, though weakened, allowed a faint, resolute nod. I will endure. I will not falter. The variable is not finished yet. Even on the precipice of death, her mind and spirit remained unbroken—a silent promise that the coming battles would demand far more than any opponent could imagine.
The night remained tense but controlled, the fragile calm a temporary reprieve. Karina's body had survived the venom, her allies had secured her, and yet an ominous shadow loomed—their victory in the Entertainment District was only the beginning, and Muzan's awareness of this anomaly would soon tip the scales toward a far greater threat.