Sol Mirek stood at the center of the ruined battlefield, calm and composed as he looked over Muzan and the battered demons struggling to hold themselves together.
"That's enough for today," he said lightly.
Muzan forced himself upright, his body still unstable. "Thank you… Ancestor, for your guidance."
Sol turned toward the exit, hands in his pockets. "Remember this. Real strength isn't built on shortcuts. It comes from taking one step at a time. Everything I have now came from my own effort."
There was not a trace of guilt in his voice.
When he returned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, he found the Pillars following the basic training he had suggested. Sanemi Shinazugawa was doing push-ups, sweat pouring down his face. Shinobu Kocho practiced her sword swings with steady precision. Even Uzui Tengen, who usually carried himself with elegance, was running laps.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki greeted Sol with a gentle smile. "Mr. Mirek, your advice has proven very effective."
Sol gave a small shrug. "Let's see if they can keep it up."
Days passed like this. Under Sol's brutal "training," Muzan and the Upper Rank demons improved rapidly. At the same time, the Demon Slayer Corps continued pushing past their limits through relentless basic drills.
One week later, under the cover of night, Sol stood once again in the ruins. He watched with quiet satisfaction as Muzan and the Upper Ranks struggled to regenerate their bodies.
Their strength had clearly increased. More importantly, his Asura Mode had finally evolved.
A faint smile touched his lips. Now he could start collecting the abilities he had set his eyes on.
"Ancestor…" Muzan knelt on one knee as soon as he could stabilize himself, his voice filled with reverence. "Have we improved?"
Sol tilted his head slightly. "Not bad. At least now you can make me use a bit more effort."
Kokushibo's six eyes opened wide, veins visible. "All thanks to your guidance. In a single week, we have surpassed decades of effort."
Doma emerged from a pool of blood, his usual false smile in place. "Your punches are getting heavier, aren't they?"
Sol ignored the praise and walked up to Muzan.
"Muzan, how long have you wanted the Blue Spider Lily?"
Muzan's body trembled, his eyes burning with obsession. "A thousand years… a full thousand years."
"Good," Sol replied. "Get ready. When it blooms, I'll give it to you."
The words hit like thunder.
Every Upper Rank demon looked up, stunned.
"R-really?" Hantengu stammered, unable to hide his shock.
Muzan's entire body shook. "Ancestor… are you saying…"
Sol met his gaze and nodded. "Prepare yourselves."
Muzan immediately lowered himself to the ground. "We will prove our worth!"
"Good," Sol said with a satisfied smile. "See you tomorrow."
His figure vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a group of exhilarated demons.
Back at headquarters, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was waiting in the courtyard.
"You seem pleased, Mr. Mirek. Is your plan nearing completion?"
Sol sat casually on the veranda. "Muzan and his demons are improving fast."
Kagaya nodded. "Your training must be quite effective."
Sol chuckled. "They can survive a few more hits now."
Shinobu approached, carrying a pot of freshly brewed tea. "Please, have some."
Her movements were graceful, but Sol noticed the slight tremor in her fingers.
"Thanks," he said, accepting the cup. Then he glanced at her. "You look tense."
Her smile flickered for a moment before returning. "Just tired from training."
Sol took a sip and looked across the courtyard at Sanemi, who was still pushing himself hard. "Everyone's motivated."
"Their strength has improved," Kagaya said softly.
"It's still not enough," Sol replied calmly. "At their current level, they wouldn't even touch Muzan."
Shinobu's expression tightened. "He's really that strong?"
"Stronger than you think," Sol said. Then he paused, watching her reaction. "But in front of me, he doesn't even get to stand."
Kagaya cleared his throat. "About the Blue Spider Lily…"
"It should bloom soon," Sol said, cutting him off. "Once it does, Muzan and his demons will consume it."
Shinobu hesitated. "You're really going to let him conquer sunlight?"
Sol didn't answer directly. Instead, he smiled faintly.
"Imagine a monster hiding in darkness for a thousand years finally stepping into the sun… only to realize he still can't escape me."
Shinobu's grip on the teapot tightened.
In that moment, she understood.
This wasn't just about defeating Muzan. Sol wanted him to experience absolute despair.
His calm smile felt unsettling.
Kagaya nodded slowly. "I see. That is far more cruel than simply killing him."
"Cruel?" Sol's smile sharpened slightly. "Against monsters, you use their own methods."
More than a month later, in the height of summer, Sol stood in a quiet mountain valley.
Blue Spider Lilies bloomed all around him, glowing faintly under the sunlight.
He bent down, plucked one, and turned it between his fingers.
"It's finally time," he murmured.
For over a month, he had kept Muzan waiting.
Now, everything would fall into place.
Once Muzan and the others consumed the flower, Sol would trap them inside the Infinity Castle and use them as his personal training tools.
And maybe, just maybe, he could take them even further.
A faint, amused smile crossed his face.
Things were about to get interesting.
^_________^
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