Two nights before Tanjiro and the others infiltrated the Entertainment District.
The madam of Kyogoku House died tragically in the night.
Her skull was shattered upon impact with the ground.
This "masterpiece" was the work of Warabihime Oiran.
The madam had discovered that Warabihime was not human.
For that reason alone, Warabihime threw her high into the air from the rooftop—
And the woman fell to her death.
Warabihime was the Oiran of Kyogoku House.
She was also Upper Rank Six — Daki.
"Ahhhhh!!! Someone's dead!"
"Someone fell from above! Who is it?!"
"T-This… this is the madam!!!"
"Hurry! Call the master!"
Listening to the commotion below, Daki felt even more pleased.
Her long legs wrapped in black stockings moved lightly as she walked across the rooftop.
Mitsu hadn't been a smart person.
Even if she discovered the truth, she shouldn't have spoken it aloud.
And she certainly shouldn't have tried to kill her with a knife.
Foolish people never understand how smart people survive.
Daki flipped gracefully off the rooftop.
She opened the window to her room and jumped inside.
Then—
She froze.
Inside the room sat a man wearing a suit.
A white fedora cast a shadow over half his face, hiding his appearance.
"How have you been lately?"
The man asked calmly.
"L-Lord Muzan!!!"
Daki immediately jumped down from the window and knelt on the floor.
She bowed her head deeply in reverence.
This time, Muzan Kibutsuji had appeared in the form of an adult man.
Muzan raised his head and looked at her with a satisfied smile.
"It seems you've eaten quite a few humans."
"You've grown stronger than before."
"Very good."
"Yes, my lord!"
Daki kept her forehead pressed to the ground.
Without his permission, she didn't dare raise her head.
"But don't grow careless."
"When things go too smoothly, that's when mistakes happen."
Muzan had come here personally to warn her.
He didn't want another failure like Akaza.
"I understand!"
Daki remained motionless.
Muzan stood up.
"Daki."
He stepped forward and lifted her chin with his hand.
"You are more beautiful than anyone."
"And very powerful."
"You've already killed seven Hashira."
"I look forward to your performance."
"Do not disappoint me."
Daki raised her beautiful face, her eyes trembling as she gazed at Muzan standing so close.
"You are a special demon."
"You will grow even stronger."
"And even more cruel."
The memory faded.
Daki came back to the present.
The child who had shouted at her earlier was now beaten half to death.
Everyone in the room trembled in fear.
No one dared intervene.
Lying on the floor, dressed as a girl, Zenitsu was completely unconscious.
He had followed the sound of crying into this room—
Only to encounter this demon.
Her strength was overwhelming.
And to avoid exposing himself, he hadn't fought seriously.
Daki looked down angrily at the unmoving figure.
"Don't touch me so casually, you insolent little brat!"
"It seems you need discipline."
"Some much harsher discipline."
Outside the room, the owner of Kyogoku House knelt in the hallway.
"Warabihime Oiran! Please… please stop!"
Sweat poured down his forehead.
"We're about to open for business soon!"
"I will properly discipline her myself!"
"Please stop—for my sake!"
He even bowed his head to the floor.
Daki's pupils shrank slightly.
Then she smiled sweetly and walked out of the room.
"Master, please raise your head."
"I should be the one apologizing."
"I was too harsh on the new girl."
Her gaze shifted to the unconscious Zenko lying on the floor.
A cold smile curled on her lips.
From the feeling of that strike earlier—
This brat might be from the Demon Slayer Corps.
He had used a defensive technique.
Daki's expression softened again.
"I've been troubled lately."
"Please arrange treatment for the new girl."
Zenitsu was carried out of the room.
Others entered to clean up the mess.
Daki sat before a bronze mirror, smiling faintly.
That child was definitely from the Demon Slayer Corps.
So they had taken the bait.
No matter who they sent—
She would slaughter them all and devour them.
Everything was ready.
The brothel prepared to open for the night.
In another room, the owner calculated the accounts.
A woman suddenly rushed in.
"Master! Something's wrong!"
"That girl called Zenko… she's gone!"
"I left the room for just a moment, and when I returned she had disappeared!"
The owner's expression changed dramatically.
Then he lowered his head.
He seemed to understand what had happened.
"Should we search for her?" the woman asked.
"No."
"That's enough."
"No need to look."
"She's been bought out."
"She ran away with a man."
"It has nothing to do with me."
"Anyway, she escaped. It's not my responsibility."
As he spoke, his hands trembled slightly while tapping the abacus.
The woman outside couldn't believe it.
A new girl who had just arrived—
Who hadn't even met a customer yet—
How could she have been "bought out" already?
"But Master—"
The owner suddenly exploded with rage.
"Can't you just shut up?!"
"Leave!"
He threw the abacus at her.
"Don't mention Zenko again!"
"And tell everyone else not to talk about it either!"
Just as Kyogoku House opened for business that night—
A wealthy guest arrived.
He tipped generously, handing out small pieces of gold to everyone he met.
That man was Aoyama Ren.
He had already inspected other brothels.
Kyogoku House definitely had a problem.
After all, a woman had died here two days earlier.
Something was wrong.
"Sir, you must be a new customer."
"What kind of girl do you prefer? I can recommend a few."
Aoyama pulled out a string of coins and placed them in the woman's hand.
"If I'm going to see someone…"
"I want to see the most beautiful one."
"I want to meet your Oiran."
As he spoke, his eyes swept across the entire establishment.
Everyone had come out to collect tips.
Everyone except Zenitsu.
A bad feeling rose in Aoyama 's heart.
Zenitsu had disappeared.
And Uzui's wife Makio had also disappeared from this very brothel.
The woman sensed he was wealthy and immediately called out loudly:
"Hurry! Someone go invite Warabihime Oiran!"
"Warabihime…"
Aoyama murmured softly.
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