Daki's lips suddenly curled into a smile, different from her previous charming yet perfunctory one.
This time, the smile was much more genuine, and even the red patterns at the corners of her eyes softened a bit.
"Young Master Naraku is truly an interesting person." She raised her hand to caress his cheek. Her fingertips were cold, but her movements were gentle as her thumb brushed across his delicate skin. "But... you said your family was attacked by monsters?"
Tsukuyomi Naraku's heart tightened; he knew the real test had come.
This demon was clearly testing him. The fear from his original memories required no acting; he subconsciously gripped his sleeves, his brows furrowed, and his voice carried an undeniable pain:
"Yes... in a single night, they were all gone. My father, mother, brothers... I hid in the wardrobe and only saw dark shadows moving, hearing the crisp sound of bones being chewed..."
He paused intentionally, his voice trembling. "That sound... I won't be able to forget it for the rest of my life."
"Then you are quite lucky." Daki's fingers slid down slowly, stopping at his carotid artery. She pressed lightly with her fingertips, feeling the pulse thumping wildly beneath the skin.
Her tone betrayed no emotion, yet it sent a chill down Tsukuyomi Naraku's spine—this was a predator sizing up its prey, though now with a touch more amusement.
"Lucky indeed." He forced himself to stay calm, even tilting his head slightly to look directly into her eyes, his voice carrying a hint of self-mocking resolve.
"So I told I'm, since I survived, I must live well. Even if this world is full of danger, even if... it's full of man-eating demons."
The moment the word "demon" left his mouth, a strange light flashed in Daki's eyes, and the pressure of her fingertips faltered slightly.
"You believe in demons?"
"I saw them with my own eyes; I have no choice but to believe." Tsukuyomi Naraku's gaze was open, even carrying a bit of indifference as if he had seen through the world. "But sometimes I think, demons eat humans, but aren't humans also devouring each other? The powerful exploit the commoners, the strong bully the weak... in the end, it's just the law of the jungle."
These words clearly struck a chord with Daki.
As a demon, she was feared and loathed by humans, but she knew the filth and cruelty of the human world better than anyone.
[Dimensional Gate Prompt: Favorability +6. Current Favorability: 31 (Resonance established)]
[New Status Unlocked: 'Interesting Toy']
[Daki's Current Mindset: This human not only looks appetizing, but he also talks interestingly. Hmm... I'll keep him for a while to play with. It won't be too late to eat him once I'm bored.]
"Finally safe for now." Tsukuyomi Naraku breathed a sigh of relief internally, but on the surface, he maintained a look of melancholy. "It's just that the road ahead is vast and uncertain. I'm has nothing of value left; the only thing remaining is probably this face my father loathed the most."
He curled his lips in a self-deprecating smile. "It's truly ironic. Something that once brought me nothing but cold stares has now become my capital for survival."
Daki looked at him with a complex expression.
This human before her was indeed different from the others.
—There was a strange sense of contradiction about him: fragile yet not cowardly, handsome yet not flamboyant. Especially that "non-food" attraction, it made her feel both curious and unable to resist getting closer.
This contradictory feeling was something she had never experienced since becoming a demon.
"If..."
Daki spoke suddenly, her voice as soft as moonlight. "If This Servant could give you a chance to survive, or even... gain power, would you be willing?"
Tsukuyomi Naraku's heart pounded wildly.
He knew exactly what this implied—turning into a demon.
But he couldn't agree immediately; it would be too suspicious.
He feigned confusion and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Miss?"
"It's just a possibility." Daki didn't elaborate. She turned and walked to the window, the moonlight spilling over her, making her look as beautiful as a fragile bubble.
"Young Master Naraku, This Servant gives you a suggestion: there's no need to wander anymore." She looked back, her smile charming yet carrying an air of command. "Stay here in this house. This Servant will arrange a fine room for you. With This Servant looking after you, no one in Kyoto will dare touch you."
Tsukuyomi Naraku's heart stirred; the outside wasn't necessarily safer than here.
But on his face, he maintained a perfect amount of surprise, which then dissolved into a smile that went with the flow. "Oh? Then I'm is benefiting from Miss Warabihime's kindness. But wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"
"Trouble?"
Daki let out a soft laugh and walked up to him. She took out a silver hairpin from her sleeve, its head carved with an exquisite cherry blossom pattern.
She personally tucked the hairpin into his lapel, her fingertips inadvertently brushing across his chest. "Wear this. From now on, you are This Servant's person."
Her tone held a hint of possessiveness, yet she spoke as if treating a beloved toy. "Come to This Servant's room at this time tomorrow. Bring some interesting stories—This Servant loves hearing stories the most."
"As you wish." Tsukuyomi Naraku nodded, his tone carrying the casualness expected of a young master from a wealthy family, neither overly respectful nor showing any resistance.
He knew that this hairpin was both a protective talisman and a shackle. From then on, he was the demon's "private property," but at least he didn't have to worry about becoming a meal for the time being.
Just then, a maid entered and bowed. "Lady Daki, the room is ready. Shall I take Young Master Naraku there now?"
"Yes." Daki waved her hand, her gaze lingering on Tsukuyomi Naraku's face for a moment with a touch of amusement. "Go on, get some rest. Don't think about running away. Kyoto is vast, but you won't be able to escape."
Tsukuyomi Naraku followed the maid out of the room without looking back.
He could feel that gaze from behind, clinging to him like something physical.
—It was a predator's gaze upon its "toy," filled with interest, yet hiding the danger of devouring everything at any moment.
Stepping out of the main house, the Kyoto night enveloped the courtyard. Lanterns under the eaves swayed, casting mottled shadows.
Tsukuyomi Naraku took a deep breath. Besides the scent of rouge and powder, there was a faint, lingering smell of blood in the air.
He gripped the silver hairpin on his lapel. In his mind, the Bronze Gate floated quietly.
[Current Status:]
[host: Tsukuyomi Naraku]
[Talent: Breath of Equality (Beginner)]
[Skills: None]
[Target: Daki (Favorability 31/100)]
[Current Identity: Daki's "Toy" (Security Level: Low)]
[Survival Countdown: Unknown]
"Being kept by an Upper Rank Demon... this is truly unprecedented." Tsukuyomi Naraku complained internally, yet his steps didn't falter. "But it's fine. As long as I can survive, I don't mind being a toy or even a pet. Once I max out the favorability and unlock skills, I'll eventually walk tall in this Demon Slayer World."
The maid led him to an elegant room. The furnishings were exquisite, even more luxurious than the bedroom in his original memories.
"Young Master Naraku, you may command the servants if you have any needs." The maid bowed and withdrew, gently closing the door.
Tsukuyomi Naraku was left alone in the room.
He walked to the window, slid open the paper door, and gazed at the moonlight in the courtyard, his expression gradually becoming solemn.
"The first step is secure," he whispered to himself. "But this is just the beginning. Daki's favorability is only 31, Gyutaro is still watching from the shadows, and the Demon Slayer Corps might show up at any time..."
He rubbed his temples. "This Hell-mode dungeon is indeed not that easy to clear."