The wind howled louder than usual that evening.
Rin sat on the porch, sharpening a wooden blade while Nezuko braided a wreath of mountain flowers beside him. Her laughter echoed across the empty clearing. It was peaceful. Too peaceful.
Tanjiro walked up carrying a basket of charcoal. "You're really good with your hands, Rin-san. I thought you were a swordsman."
"I am," Rin said. He held up the wooden blade. "But even a sword needs a purpose. Sometimes, that purpose is carving toys. Sometimes… it's cutting things apart."
Tanjiro tilted his head, half curious, half confused.
Nezuko handed Rin her finished wreath. He placed it on his head without hesitation and gave her an exaggerated bow.
"Princess Nezuko, I am now your loyal knight," he said.
She giggled uncontrollably.
Tanjiro chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know, I was worried at first. About you being alone up here."
Rin looked at him sideways. "Still worried?"
"No," Tanjiro said honestly. "I think you're probably the safest person I know."
[Omniversal Chat Group – Activity Log]
[Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach) has joined the chat.][Shinobu Kocho (Demon Slayer) has joined the chat.][Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan) has joined the chat.]
Ichigo: …Another weird chat group. This better not be some Quincy prank.Levi: Who added me? I don't have time for kids with god complexes.Shinobu: Oh my, this is fascinating. Multiple worlds? I'd love to dissect this… concept.
Gojo: Everyone say hi to the new kids. Don't scare them too much.
Rin: Don't mind the chaos. I'm just here braiding flower crowns and hiding dragon claws.Shinobu: Hm. You speak like a man with something to hide.
Esdeath: I like him more already. The sharp ones are always fun to break.Mob: …He feels strong. I can sense it through the chat.
[Mission Alert: A demon has entered the southern ridge near your location.]
Objective: Intercept before it reaches the village.Optional: Protect without revealing your full power.Reward: Skill Upgrade Token x1
Rin rose from the porch and set the wooden blade down.
"Hey, Tanjiro."
"Yeah?"
"Keep Nezuko inside tonight. And... sharpen your blade."
Tanjiro blinked. "Why? Is something wrong?"
Rin smiled, but his eyes told a different story. Cold. Focused.
"The mountain's about to bleed."
Deep in the Forest...
The demon moved fast—spindly limbs, jagged mouth. It howled into the trees, sniffing for human scent.
Then it stopped.
Someone stood in its path. Barefoot. Calm.
Rin cracked his neck.
"You took one step too far."
The demon lunged—fast. But Rin didn't move. His hand glowed faintly with a golden mark as heat burst around him.
Then—silence.
The demon's upper body collapsed, already severed. No blade. No scream. Just the scent of burned flesh and scorched leaves.
Rin looked at the fading corpse. His eyes were cold, but his voice stayed light.
"You don't get second chances in this world."
[Mission Complete.][Reward Earned: Skill Upgrade Token x1][Affinity with Kamado Siblings Increased.]
Later that night, Tanjiro found Rin seated calmly by the fire, no sign of battle on him.
"Did you... hear that scream earlier?"
Rin glanced up. "Just the wind."
Tanjiro didn't question it further. Nezuko offered Rin another wreath.
He wore it proudly.