Why does the world show a health bar? !

Demons are born from humans. Even Muzan-sama, before becoming a demon, lived as a human for a long time. And demons often retain memories of their human lives.

For example, Kokushibo, Upper Moon One, could never forget his younger brother from his human days. He even carried his brother's flute with him. Even Douma, whom I despise, still remembers the scene from his human childhood when his mother killed his father.

But only I... can't remember my human past.

Why have I forgotten?

Memories flow backward in time. The life of the demon named Akaza is so monotonous. Most of it is spent training, honing techniques, and strengthening the body. Repetitive, dull, and tasteless. Only when fighting strong opponents does the world gain a splash of color.

Suddenly, I realize why I speak so little when with fellow demons, yet so much when fighting humans. When interacting with humans, I become like Douma, chattering incessantly.

The wheel of memory turns and turns, indifferent to Akaza's thoughts. Time gradually approaches the moment when Akaza became a demon. And then, it stops...

It seems that from the moment of his birth, Akaza was turned into a demon by Muzan.

But... Li Mo said that demons are born from humans, and as a martial artist, there must be a starting point. Akaza's memories lack the "starting point" of his human life. So, I need to go further back. But what if the wheel won't turn?

The world begins to darken. Akaza comes to his senses. His head has already been severed by the Nichirin Blade.

I'm going to die...

Akaza feels only calm. There's no fear of death...

Suddenly, it feels like that is my true归宿. On the way to hell, I should be able to meet someone who knows me.

Ah, I remember now.

"Komaeda."

That was my human name.

My starting point—

As a child, I stole to help my sick father. To avoid being beaten to death, I chose to train. That was my starting point.

As an apprentice, I trained hard to inherit my master's legacy. That was my starting point.

Before Akaza's eyes, the figures of two men appear. One is thin, the other strong, but both are smiling. Even though their faces are blurry, Akaza can tell they are smiling.

Is that all there is to my starting point?

No, no, I've forgotten something very, very important.

What is it?

Akaza's head lies on the ground. The part of his neck has already turned to ash.

Faintly, he sees the figure of a woman.

Ah—he remembers now. The girl's face is so clear.

That was my starting point, my lover, my one and only...

"Koyuki..."

I'm coming to find you. Can you forgive me?

...

...

Li Mo watches as Akaza's head turns to ash. Just moments ago, when he heard Akaza still able to speak, he was utterly shocked and instinctively swung his blade again.

He was afraid that Akaza might surpass the limits of a demon at the last moment, surviving even after being decapitated by the Nichirin Blade.

False alarm.

Akaza's health bar didn't lock at the end. It disappeared completely before Li Mo's eyes, meaning Akaza was truly dead.

Looking down at the syringe in his hand, filled with blood drawn from Akaza, he glances around and tentatively asks, "Is Chachamaru here?"

No response... The cute cat didn't appear.

Then, Li Mo begins to ponder the two words Akaza uttered at the end.

"Koyuki, who is that?"

The soft, content expression on Akaza's face at the end flashes in his memory. That expression...

Was she your lover?

Demons, how detestable, how pitiful.

Li Mo deeply understands that those who are pitiable often have their own sorrows.

May you find redemption before the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.

"Junior! How are you? Wait, your abdomen..."

Rengoku Shinjuro, struggling to stand, approaches Li Mo. As the dust settles, the first thing he sees is the fist-sized hole in Li Mo's abdomen.

Blood flows freely, yet Li Mo's expression seems relaxed.

"Don't worry, the bleeding isn't severe. I've temporarily clamped the blood vessels with my muscles... Ugh."

As he speaks, Li Mo spits out a mouthful of blood. Pain spreads throughout his body.

Is this the adrenaline wearing off?

"Junior, hold on. The Kasugai Crow says reinforcements are coming soon," Shinjuro's voice trembles. Li Mo's face turns pale, and the situation suddenly becomes dire.

The system interface opens before Li Mo. The health bar in his veins is steadily dropping. During the earlier fight, Li Mo relied on his physical body to battle the demon, using "Dispelling Force" to offload most of the impact. But the accumulated damage has already caused severe injuries, not to mention the final punch.

Opening the level section, after killing Akaza, the experience bar has jumped significantly. It seems that killing one more demon would level him up, restoring him to full health.

But...

The eastern sky is already turning pale. It's unlikely any demon would appear at this time.

"Mr. Rengoku, there are some things I need you to convey to the Master."

Without waiting for Shinjuro's response, Li Mo continues, "In the future, the Demon Slayer Corps will get better and better. Please ask the Master to forgive my temporary departure."

Shinjuro's expression is serious. He doesn't want to miss a single syllable.

Because the one who should have suffered such injuries is himself.

Rengoku Shinjuro, the current "Flame Pillar," is so weak that he needed a junior to fight in his place.

As a "Pillar," this is a grave dereliction of duty. He should have died on the battlefield like his predecessors.

"Mr. Rengoku, don't grieve. I'm not going to die immediately," Li Mo smiles, glancing at his health bar. Hmm, it's dropping slowly. There's still plenty of time.

The experience bar is almost full. After returning, leveling up through mission rewards should restore him to full health. Surely the experience won't be too little?

I didn't expect to leave in such a way. Suddenly, it feels... a bit embarrassing.

Li Mo thinks for a moment. What else does he need to say?

It feels like there's so much to say. Ah... Tanjiro and the others.

He speaks up, "Mr. Rengoku, I hope you can ask the Master to help cover up the traces of my life before joining the Demon Slayer Corps."

"I will."

Shinjuro feels that Li Mo is comforting him, but at this moment, he can only suppress the grief in his heart.

Li Mo pauses, then says, "Oh, and this vial of blood. Please deliver it to Kocho Kanae. She's in Tokyo now."

"No need, I've already arrived. Li-san."

Under the night sky, a girl arrives with the wind, coming to the side of the two.