Chapter 54: Fierce Battle

[10 points of Abyss Power consumed. Basic Detection activated. The following information has been obtained]

Name: Mei / Daki (Twelve Kizuki · Upper Moon Six)

Strength: 19

Agility: 21

Stamina: 20

Intelligence: 11

Charisma: 4

Skill 1: Demon Bloodline LV24 (Passive): Strength +8, Stamina +10, Agility +10. Body gains Intermediate Immortality. Holy damage deals double damage. Cannot be exposed to sunlight; sunlight deals 40% True Damage per second.

Skill 2: Blood Demon Art · Obi (Active): Able to differentiate ribbon-shaped clones from the body, but the original body's strength is weakened during the duration. Duration: 30 minutes.

Skill 3: Blood Demon Art · Hardening (Active): Increases the hardness of the manifested ribbons; the effectiveness increases with the caster's Intelligence.

Skill 4: Blood Demon Art · Eightfold Obi Slash (Active): An area-of-effect attack where eight ribbons intersect to cut. Each attack deals damage equal to: Enemy Strength * 1.5 + Agility * 0.6.

Skill 5: Twins · Liberation (Active): When Daki is in danger, she can summon Gyutaro from within her body to fight.

Skill 6: Two as One (Passive): Only complete death can be achieved by killing both Daki and Gyutaro simultaneously.

Skill 7: Softening ·??:?????

Skill 8:???????

After reading Daki's detailed profile, a moment of realization surged in Lin Yi's heart.

He finally understood why, for over a hundred years, the Demon Slayer Corps had never made any substantial progress when facing the Upper Moons.

Whether in terms of attributes or skills, there existed an insurmountable chasm between the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps and the Upper Moons.

Unless they could, as in the original story, wait for Tanjiro to awaken his Mark and bring brand-new power to the Hashira, they simply could not contend with the Upper Moons using only the Breathing Styles they currently possessed.

Shinobu Kocho inconspicuously tucked her hands into the wide sleeves of her kimono, silently sprinkling specialized medicinal powder onto the ground.

Daki paid no mind to Shinobu's small movements. The irritation on her face became increasingly obvious, and the ribbons surrounding her body began to writhe restlessly, mirroring her emotions and conveying her inner dissatisfaction and agitation.

Daki's gaze drifted between Shinobu and Lin Yi, waiting for a response, but both remained silent.

This disregard pushed Daki's patience to its limit. She decided she would wait no longer and prepared to capture them both for interrogation.

With a sudden sweep of her arm, a ribbon behind her shot toward the two like an arrow released from a bow.

Lin Yi and Shinobu made their judgment almost simultaneously, their figures flashing as they vacated their original positions.

The ribbon carried immense impact, but it struck only empty air, hitting the spot where they had just been standing.

With a loud crash, the originally hard bluestone slabs instantly shattered into several pieces under the impact of the ribbon, sending fragments flying in all directions.

"Alright, just leave her to me."

In Lin Yi's eyes, Daki was no longer a terrifying demon that struck fear into hearts, but rather a massive source of World Essence and treasure chests—a vital resource to help Black and White Rose advance.

After killing three members of the Twelve Kizuki, the Essence of Death contained within Lin Yi's Black Rose had surged to 75%, leaving him only one step away from advancement.

Daki's appearance was undoubtedly a generous gift delivered straight to him.

Shinobu seemed to want to say something more, but looking into Lin Yi's eyes, she ultimately said nothing, quietly retreating to the side and leaving the battlefield to Lin Yi and Daki.

"Oh? You want to duel me one-on-one?" A playful smile appeared on Daki's face, her tone laced with contempt and provocation.

Despite having become a demon, Daki did not loathe the tropes found in storybooks.

To Daki, this duel with Lin Yi felt more like a game she could fully immerse herself in and enjoy.

"Demon Slayer, Medic."

"Upper Moon Six, Daki."

As Lin Yi and Daki exchanged their names, even the chirping of the insects in the surroundings seemed to dim due to the murderous atmosphere.

A mysterious killing intent permeated the air, creeping silently into every corner of the mansion like a cold mist. Even Shinobu, standing on the periphery of the battle, could feel the bone-chilling cold.

Suddenly, their figures vanished almost at the same moment, reappearing in mid-air.

The ribbons in Daki's hands collided incessantly with the Black and White Rose sword in Lin Yi's hand. Every impact produced the clanging sound of metal on metal, and sparks flew through the night sky like brilliant, continuous fireworks.

Their figures crossed, dodged, and attacked in the air, moving at a speed that was dizzying to the eye.

Relying on exquisite swordsmanship and keen observation, Lin Yi neutralized Daki's attacks time and time again.

Daki was not to be outdone; she manipulated her ribbons with agility, sometimes flowing as softly as dancing silk, and at other times striking as fiercely as steel whips.

Lin Yi frowned slightly; this battle was much more difficult than he had anticipated.

The Black and White Rose, which had been invincible in the past, actually seemed somewhat strained when facing Daki's ribbons.

Every time their weapons collided, he had to exert more strength just to cut through the ribbons.

Little did he know, Daki's heart was also filled with shock.

Her ribbons, bolstered by her Blood Demon Art, possessed a toughness that could rival steel.

The fact that Lin Yi could cut through them so easily instilled a sense of wariness and caution in her toward him.

Daki gave a light snort, and as her hands danced, she summoned an even denser array of ribbons.

Under the moonlight, these ribbons looked like long serpents, tightly winding around the surface of Daki's body.

They moved in sync with her actions, not only enhancing her defense but also not hindering her movements in combat in the slightest.

Daki's arm suddenly lashed out, sending a ribbon whipping toward Lin Yi like a long scourge.

The ribbon approached Lin Yi with a whistling sound of rushing wind.

Lin Yi's eyes sharpened, and he met the attack with the Black and White Rose.

With a loud *clang*, several fragments of the severed ribbons drifted slowly from the air like autumn leaves.

Daki didn't even spare a glance at the falling fragments. She smiled faintly, and new ribbons surged from behind her, once again wrapping around her body.

Daki no longer held anything back, exerting her Blood Demon Art to its full extent. Countless ribbons converged behind her, forming a sea of ribbons that blotted out the sky.

The entire sky seemed to be obscured by these ribbons, exuding an aura of grim slaughter.

With a sharp cry from Daki, dozens of ribbons shot toward Lin Yi like lethal arrows.

These ribbons moved with extreme speed and carried immense power, as if they intended to tear the very air apart.

(End of Chapter)