The appearance of a Demon is related, to some extent, to its own evolution. Some Demons look no different from their human forms. Demons like Mizuki, Daki, Nezuko, Douma, and Akaza fall into this category, essentially looking identical to their human selves.
The appearance of some Demons changes slightly from their human form, such as Kokushibou. While he can still be recognized by his outline, that face no longer belongs to a human.
Then there are Demons whose appearance is completely different from their human form, such as the Hand Demon Tanjirou encountered during the Final Selection. They no longer bear any resemblance to a human.
The forms of Demons are varied, mostly related to the abilities of their Blood Demon Art. While becoming a Demon doesn't guarantee ugliness, there is at least a 99% chance of it.
Although, for Kokushibou, appearance anxiety isn't really a thing; living contentedly with six eyes is proof enough of that.
For him, as long as he can become stronger, mere appearance means nothing.
But upon seeing Mizuki's appearance after Demonization, Kokushibou couldn't help but be surprised.
Because it was too sacred.
Perhaps it was because she had never eaten a human and didn't carry much of a Demon's aura, or perhaps it was due to her appearance itself.
If Kokushibou were to describe it, he would feel as if he were seeing an Immortal Deity who had taken human form in a novel.
"What's wrong? Seeing how beautiful I am, are you experiencing appearance anxiety?" Mizuki gently exhaled a puff of white air. Though it was the middle of summer, it felt like deep winter.
"It can't be helped. When the two of us stand together, it's obvious who has the higher standard of beauty."
Kokushibou's mouth curled slightly: "The fact that your attitude is quite terrible is exactly the same as before."
This was one of the few times Kokushibou could feel an emotion called human.
That last trace of humanity named Michikatsu had vanished with Mizuki's death all those years ago. Since then, only the malevolent Demon named Kokushibou remained in this world.
Kokushibou had already regretted not staying by Mizuki's side to wait for her Demonization to complete back then. Now that he could hear his younger sister's nagging again, any verbal attack was truly insignificant compared to just seeing her and talking to her.
Mizuki lowered her eyes. Had she really pushed him too far before?
This guy seemed to have developed some immunity to her trash talk.
Tsk.
The ability to communicate with Kokushibou in a relaxed manner wasn't just because Mizuki had reconciled with herself; it also contained the intention of using trash talk to affect Kokushibou's mentality.
Sure enough, must it ultimately rely on raw strength?
"Also..."
Kokushibou's sudden opening made Mizuki cast him a confused glance.
Kokushibou said with a serious expression: "When I was fourteen, I was already taking over family matters."
"!"
For a moment, Mizuki's mind went blank.
Who was this person in front of her? Was he still her old-fashioned, ancient brother?
Where was she? What was she supposed to do? Was this still the Swordsmith Village?
"Pfft..." Mizuki couldn't help but burst into laughter, lowering her head and shaking her shoulders slightly.
Kokushibou was slightly stunned. Did he say something wrong?
But... Mizuki actually laughed?
It wasn't a fake smile; it was real laughter.
Yes, even a creature like a Demon will still laugh when they can't hold it back.
Mizuki composed herself, her expression struggling to stay serious: "You... you haven't been thinking about how to refute me this whole time, have you?"
It gave her the feeling that two children had argued and one lost. After going home, they suddenly remembered the perfect comeback in the middle of the night and texted it over.
This perfectly matched her perception of the ancient fossil.
Ah, the pleasure of crushing someone in an argument was truly exhilarating.
Kokushibou frowned: "I wasn't wrong. You were the one playing in the mud back then."
He had almost forgotten his memories from the past, even the faces of his wife and children.
He spent some effort recalling it, and he could guarantee this point.
"Bullshit, back then I was clearly practicing..." Mizuki retorted subconsciously, her expression changing slightly as she stopped the rest of her sentence.
What was she doing... None of this mattered, right?
Mizuki's golden eyes narrowed slightly. As she took her stance, fine blue veins surfaced along her fair arms, and veins also popped out on the back of the hand gripping the Nichirin Blade. A faint sound of bones being compressed could be heard.
Kokushibou, sensing her abnormality, frowned.
Was she trying to... A streak of crimson appeared on the snow-white blade, starting from the Tsuba. The bright red slowly spread to the tip, turning the entire blade scorching red.
scarlet blade, activated.
The scorching hot blade seemed to warp the air, and a sizzling sound, like charcoal grilling, could be heard.
Kokushibou's eyelid twitched violently.
He really wanted to ask: Are you insane?
It was fine that you were using a Nichirin Blade, after all, that thing is only a major threat to a Demon when cutting off their head.
But you're activating a scarlet blade?
The scarlet blade has a restraining effect on him, but you are also a Demon.
This act is no different from dancing on a knife's edge. Are you really going to wound the enemy a thousand times while damaging yourself eight hundred?
But unfortunately, as an ancient fossil, Kokushibou wouldn't come up with a retort like that.
Mizuki exhaled a long breath. The activation of Demonization and the scarlet blade led to a double acceleration of stamina consumption.
Activating the scarlet blade while in Demonization state was not an easy task for her. If it weren't for her own insufficient inherent conditions, Mizuki had planned to find a sinister... ah, no, find a suitable moment when Kokushibou was unprepared during the fight, instantly activate the scarlet blade, and stab him.
However, instant activation of the scarlet blade was Yoriichi's skill. Her wind-up was a bit long, and if she didn't stack buffs before the fight, it might be difficult to activate during combat.
The palms of her hands were throbbing painfully now.
Kokushibou didn't know if Mizuki was afraid of the scarlet blade, but now it was his turn to sweat profusely.
The stagnant atmosphere grew several degrees heavier.
Kokushibou took a deep breath. With the scarlet blade activated, his previously calm mood instantly became tense.
Time to get serious.
Their eyes met, and the same thought arose simultaneously in their minds. Then... they both vanished from the spot in unison.
CLANG!!!
The cry of emptiness, having undergone its Second Evolution and sprouted small branches from its blade, emitted a mournful creaking sound. The flesh-like blade struggled to writhe, attempting to use its powerful regeneration ability to neutralize the scarlet blade's restraint.
Even someone as strong as Kokushibou, whose weapon was forged from his own flesh and blood, often found it difficult to parry a Nichirin Blade, having to rely on the gap in strength to compensate for the weapon's disadvantage.
And as for the scarlet blade, which activated the sun's energy hidden within the Nichirin Blade, its intensity goes without saying.
Moreover, Mizuki was not an opponent lacking in strength.
With just a collision, the cry of emptiness struggled to maintain its blade form, forced to use its regeneration ability to neutralize the effects brought by the scarlet blade.
This meant that during the battle, Kokushibou would have to divert some of his energy to maintain the use of the cry of emptiness.
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