The bronze gate in his mind suddenly vibrated, erupting with brilliant light.
[Key Character Detected: Daki (Upper Rank Six)]
[Disguised Identity: Oiran Warabihime]
[Current Favorability: 8 (Regarded as Food/Plaything)]
[Strategy Progress: 0%]
[Copyable Ability: Blood Demon Art: Ribbon Manipulation (Unlocks at 50% Favorability)]
[Note: Two-in-one demon; the elder brother, Gyutaro, is hidden within the hairpins.]
Favorability 50 Unlocks: Blood Demon Art: Ribbon Manipulation (Basic);
Favorability 100 Unlocks: Permanent Passive - Eerie Charm (+30)]
[Warning: Target danger level is extremely high. Please devise a survival strategy immediately.]
[host detected in an extremely dangerous situation. Distributing Newbie Gift Pack in advance.]
[Please select one Talent Enhancement:]
[1. Alluring Gaze: Enhances the attractiveness of your eyes and increases persuasiveness.]
[2. Exceptional Aura: Strengthens the aura of a superior, instilling awe in demons.]
[3. Graceful Form: Optimizes posture and enhances external charm.]
[4. Breath of Equality: Demons no longer view you as mere food, while you still maintain enticing traits (Rare Option).]
Tsukuyomi Naraku hardly hesitated.
"Option 4! Option 4!"
In this world where demons eat humans, nothing was more important than "not being treated as food."
[Selection Confirmed: Talent 'Breath of Equality' merging...]
A warm current spread from his chest to his entire body. Tsukuyomi Naraku felt a subtle change—not external, but a certain adjustment to his inner temperament.
He looked at Daki and found that the annoyance in her eyes had faded slightly, replaced by a sense of confusion.
"You..." Daki frowned slightly, her finger pressing gently against Tsukuyomi Naraku's chest. "You are quite bold, however..."
Her fingertip exerted a bit of force, and Tsukuyomi Naraku felt a sharp sting.
"However, This Servant is in a good mood today, so I won't hold it against you for now." She suddenly laughed again, but there was little warmth in that smile. "After all, it is the first time This Servant has met someone as interesting as Naraku-dono."
She emphasized the word "interesting."
Tsukuyomi Naraku forced himself to calm down.
He knew he had to say something, or he really might become a meal on her plate.
"Please forgive me, My Lady," he said, trying his best to make his voice sound steady. "It is truly because My Lady is too beautiful that I'm could not help but be captivated."
[Daki's Favorability: -2 (Current: 6)]
Damn, it can actually decrease? I overdid the flattery.
Tsukuyomi Naraku quickly adjusted his strategy.
According to the original story, Daki and Gyutaro were severely bullied because of their low birth and ugly appearance, so they might have a special resonance with those who are "discriminated against."
He took a deep breath, a hint of bitterness appearing in his eyes. "Actually... I'm was not trying to be frivolous just now, I was simply reminded of some past events."
"Oh?" Daki raised an eyebrow, seemingly gaining a bit of interest. "What events?"
"Does My Lady know that I'm comes from the Tsukuyomi Family of Kanto?"
Tsukuyomi Naraku began Weaving a lie, combining the memory fragments of his original body with some of his own experiences. "For generations, my family served as generals, passing down the martial arts. My father was a famous local samurai, and my elder brothers were all highly skilled in martial arts..."
He deliberately paused to observe Daki's reaction.
The playfulness in her eyes faded a bit, replaced by a touch of focus.
"But I'm..." Tsukuyomi Naraku gave a bitter smile. "Since childhood, I was physically weak and disliked martial arts. Instead, I preferred reading, writing, and the arts. What my father detested even more was my appearance..."
He touched his own face.
In his previous life, his father really did run a martial arts hall, while he disliked practicing and instead loved drawing and Teamfight Tactics. The original body was indeed handsome, even somewhat feminine. These words were seven parts true and three parts false, and when spoken, they flowed with genuine emotion.
"My father often said my face was 'neither man nor woman' and that I disgraced the samurai family name. My brothers also mocked me, saying I didn't deserve to be a son of the Tsukuyomi Family." Tsukuyomi Naraku's voice grew low, carrying a real sense of loss.
"Once, I tried to learn swordsmanship but clumsily fell to the ground. My father said in front of all the guests: 'You might as well become a geisha; at least that face could earn some money.'"
This was something Tsukuyomi Naraku had made up on the spot, but he said it so naturally as if it were truly a personal experience.
Daki's expression changed noticeably.
The coldness in her eyes thawed slightly, replaced by a complex emotion—resonance.
[Daki's Favorability: +10 (Current: 16)]
[Hint: Triggered resonance point 'Experience of being discriminated against.' Favorability significantly increased.]
Tsukuyomi Naraku felt a surge of joy and continued: "So when I saw someone like My Lady... someone so beautiful yet in a place like this, I'm felt a shared experience. People always judge by appearances and status, never knowing that everyone has their own hardships and helplessness."
He deliberately left the phrase "in a place like this" vague, referring both to Daki's identity in the brothel and subtly hinting at her situation as a demon.
Daki fell silent.
She sat up, her kimono sliding off her shoulder, but she didn't care at all, only staring at Tsukuyomi Naraku.
"Are you saying..." Her voice was very soft. "That you understand This Servant's situation?"
"I wouldn't dare say I fully understand," Tsukuyomi Naraku said cautiously, glancing involuntarily at the fallen clothing. "But at least I know that beauty can sometimes be a curse. People only see the surface, but they don't see the internal pain and struggle."
These words struck almost directly at the deepest part of Daki's heart.
As the daughter of a former courtesan, she had been pursued for her beauty, but also envied and bullied because of it.
After becoming a demon, although she gained power, that feeling of being "objectified" never disappeared—in Lord Muzan's eyes, she was also just a tool.
[Daki's Favorability: +8 (Current: 24)]