Demon Slayer World · Before Sunrise
Takumi gently grasped Kanae Kocho's trembling hand and helped her up.
Warmth spread from his palm, dispelling the cold despair clinging to her body moments ago.
"You're safe now," Takumi said softly.
Kanae's heart pounded. The young man's gentle smile, calm voice, and impossible strength made it difficult for her to process everything.
A moment ago—she had been ready to die.
A moment ago—an Upper Rank demon stood before her.
A moment ago—she had given up.
But now…
The demon was gone.
And the stranger before her felt like a miracle.
A Future That Should Have Ended Tonight
Kanae leaned lightly against the courtyard wall, still weak from blood loss though healing rapidly from Takumi's Finality-infused energy.
She looked at him with curiosity, awe, and perhaps… a hint of fear.
"You truly… aren't a god?" she asked again.
Takumi laughed awkwardly.
"Nope. Definitely not. At most… a tourist from far away."
System: Host, that's the worst explanation I've heard in 10,000 worlds.
Takumi ignored the System.
He crouched slightly to meet Kanae's gaze.
"Are you hurt anywhere else?"
Kanae blinked. "Ah—no. In fact… I feel strangely energized…"
"That's good." He stood and patted his clothes. "Now we just need to make sure no fragments of that demon remain."
Kanae's eyes widened.
"He… he's truly gone?"
"Yep." Takumi pointed at the crater Douma's body had been smashed into. "Directly evaporated. I made sure."
Kanae exhaled slowly.
Her knees wobbled.
Takumi caught her gently.
"Whoa there. Don't push yourself."
Kanae's face flushed slightly.
New Mission Triggered
A soft system chime rang in Takumi's mind.
[Mission Update: Upper Rank Two eliminated far ahead of timeline. Demon activity in this region decreasing. Kanae Kocho's death prevented.]
[Main Mission Progress: 12%]
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"Twelve percent already, huh? Not bad."
System: Host annihilated a major antagonist. Progress is expected.
Takumi smiled faintly.
Saving one life in this world had already altered countless threads of fate.
And this was exactly why Dimensional City existed.
Meeting Shinobu Early
Suddenly—rustling.
Takumi and Kanae both turned.
From between the trees, a petite girl sprinted through the gate.
Short hair. Butterfly-themed haori. Fierce purple eyes.
Takumi froze.
"…Is that—"
Kanae's eyes widened.
"Shinobu?!"
The girl saw the crater, the blood-stained courtyard—
—and her sister leaning against a stranger.
"T-TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF MY SISTER!!"
She unsheathed her blade.
Takumi, startled, held up both hands.
"W-Wait! This is a misunderstanding!"
Kanae hurriedly stepped forward.
"Shinobu! Stop! He saved me!"
Shinobu froze mid-step.
"Saved… you?"
Her fierce expression softened only slightly before returning to suspicion.
Kanae explained everything briefly.
Shinobu stared at Takumi.
At his calm demeanor.
At the pulverized earth where Douma vanished.
"…You defeated him?" she asked quietly.
Takumi rubbed his neck.
"Uh, yeah. Kinda smashed him with a… large finger."
Shinobu blinked.
Kanae smiled kindly. "He means a technique."
"Oh. I see." Shinobu sheathed her blade. "Thank you… stranger."
Takumi, thinking: "Did she just thank me while still threatening me with her eyes?"
A Dangerous Invitation
Kanae bowed.
"Sir, would you accompany us to the Butterfly Mansion? I owe you my life… and we must tend to your wounds as well."
Takumi blinked.
"My wounds?"
Shinobu pointed at his arm.
A small cut.
Barely a scratch.
Takumi stared.
"…This is from a tree branch."
Shinobu narrowed her eyes.
"A wound is a wound."
Takumi raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. I'll come."
But there was another reason.
He needed to understand this world better—to prepare for larger threats.
And…
He needed to anchor Dimensional City's influence.
Dimensional Link Established
As Takumi walked beside the Kocho sisters, the System suddenly chimed.
[Dimensional Anchor Point Found: Butterfly Mansion Territory]
[Would Host like to deploy a Sub-District Node here?]
Takumi's eyes sparkled.
"A node? Here?"
System: Correct. This location holds major influence in timeline stability.
System: A Sub-District Node integrates Dimensional City infrastructure—stealthily.
Meaning:
Technological support
Medical enhancements
Dimensional communication
Emergency summoning
Without disrupting this world's natural laws.
Takumi thought quickly.
"…Deploy it quietly."
[Acknowledged. Sub-District Node initializing…]
Far away, unseen by anyone—tiny silver motes descended from the sky, embedding themselves into the earth.
A hidden silver formation spread beneath the Butterfly Mansion.
[Node Established | Dimensional City Influence: +4%]
Takumi smiled.
"With this… I can protect them even when I'm gone."
Butterfly Mansion – First Impression
When Takumi arrived with the sisters, the Butterfly Mansion lit up.
Little girls—Aoi, Kiyo, Sumi, Naho—ran out.
"Lady Kanae!"
"Lady Kanae, you're alive!"
Kanae smiled warmly.
"Yes, everyone… I'm home."
Behind her, Takumi stood awkwardly.
Shinobu introduced him reluctantly.
"This is… Takumi. He saved Sister's life."
The girls all turned.
Sumi tilted her head. "So handsome…"
Aoi frowned. "Suspicious."
Naho whispered, "Is he a Hashira?"
Takumi raised both hands.
"I am neither suspicious nor a Hashira. Just passing by."
Shinobu muttered, "Suspicious people always say that."
Takumi sighed.
Rimuru would be laughing at him right now.
Medical Check – Butterfly Style
Kanae guided him to a room.
"Sit, please. Let me repay you at least with medical care."
Takumi sat.
Shinobu approached with disinfectant and bandages.
"You have a cut."
"It's tiny—"
"No talking."
She disinfected the wound with the seriousness of a surgeon.
Takumi winced.
"That stings!"
Shinobu smiled sweetly.
"That means it's working."
Takumi: Is she healing me or torturing me?!
Kanae giggled softly.
Shinobu's sharp eyes softened at her sister's laughter.
For a moment—the sisters looked peaceful.
Alive.
Safe.
Takumi felt satisfaction in his chest.
This… was why he came.
A New Path Opens
Kanae finished checking him.
"Your body is in perfect condition. But I still want you to stay here for the day."
Takumi blinked.
"Why?"
"So I can thank you properly," Kanae smiled.
Shinobu added, "And I want to observe you. You're definitely not normal."
Takumi held back a sigh.
"Sure. I'll stay."
The System chimed.
[Objective Update: Gain trust of Butterfly Mansion – 30%]
[Next Mission Branch Available: Save Shinobu & Kanae's Parents (Past Anchor Point)]
Takumi's eyes widened.
"…Save their parents too?"
The System pulsed.
[Dimensional City exists to rewrite regrets.]
Takumi clenched his fist.
"Then I'll save them all."
He looked toward Kanae and Shinobu.
Under this dawn sky, two sisters who were destined for tragedy…
He would change everything.
"Dimensional City will protect this world."
And Takumi smiled.
Soft.
Determined.
Full of purpose.
The Butterfly Mansion's future had just shifted forever.
And this was only the beginning.