Why does the world show a health bar? !

Natagumo Mountain—this is a location that Li Mo remembers from the anime. It's similar to Mount Fujikasane, where the "Final Selection" is held, and Mount Sagiri, where he currently resides. These are places he knows from the anime.

Unfortunately, Li Mo only knows the name of the place. He has no idea where it is located.

Mr. Urokodaki also doesn't know the exact location of this place, but he is willing to help Li Mo inquire about it. The Demon Slayer Corps has its own intelligence network, and Mr. Urokodaki will likely use it to gather information.

While waiting for the news, Li Mo also waits for his Nichirin Blade to be completed.

Time passes slowly. During this period, Li Mo continues to train Sabito. This thirteen-year-old boy is full of energy and challenges Li Mo every day, only to be effortlessly defeated each time. The gap in their strength is like a chasm, and Sabito's challenges are more about courage than actual progress.

—Sabito hasn't even started the gourd-blowing training yet.

At the same time, Li Mo maintains correspondence with Kanae Kocho. He communicates with her more frequently than with her younger sister, Shinobu. The latter often writes in her letters, telling him not to waste her time and such.

But from Kanae's letters, Li Mo learns that Shinobu actually looks forward to his letters.

"A hot-tempered yet contradictory little girl."

In his eyes, Shinobu is indeed a little girl. This year, even Kanae is only thirteen years old. In terms of age, Makomo is a few years older than Kanae, not to mention Shinobu, who is only ten.

"Come to think of it, I don't even know how old Makomo is," Li Mo thought, putting down his pen.

He only knows that Makomo is younger than him, but he doesn't know her exact age. Moreover, Makomo's height is a bit of a sore topic. Half a year has passed, and both Sabito and Giyu have surpassed her in height. Li Mo suspects she might not grow any taller.

"Hey, Li Mo. Are you thinking something rude?"

"No, I'm not. Don't accuse me."

Makomo said, "Your reaction makes me even more suspicious. Never mind... come here quickly. The swordsmith delivering the Nichirin Blade has arrived."

About ten days have passed since the "Final Selection," and it's about time for the Nichirin Blade to be completed.

He follows Makomo outside. While still inside the house, he hears the sound of bells coming from outside. When they step out, they see two peculiar figures approaching from a distance.

One of them wears a wide-brimmed hat with wind chimes hanging from it, producing the bell sounds. The hat is pulled low, obscuring his face.

The other doesn't wear a hat, revealing short black hair. However, his face is covered with a mask. From a distance, the mask looks quite ugly.

Both of them carry something on their backs—long, rectangular objects wrapped in white cloth. If you've seen Western musical instruments, you might think they're carrying expensive instrument cases.

Li Mo guesses that these are cases designed to hold Nichirin Blades.

"I am Kozo Kanamori, the one who forged and brought the blade for Urokodaki Makomo," says the one without the hat.

"I am Haganezuka, the one who forged and brought the blade for Li Mo," says the one with the hat.

Li Mo and Makomo exchange a glance and each step forward to greet their respective swordsmiths. What follows is a verbal ordeal.

The raw materials for the Nichirin Blade are "Scarlet Ore" and "Scarlet Iron," collected from mountains closest to the sun. These materials are used to create iron that can absorb sunlight.

This is the explanation both swordsmiths provide, as they lecture their recipients on the origins of the Nichirin Blade.

"Even if you tell me all this, I don't understand it... and it's not really useful," Li Mo mutters.

The swordsmith with the ugly mask pays no attention to Li Mo's complaint and continues to elaborate on the story of the Nichirin Blade. It's as if he won't get to the main point until he finishes his tale.

Li Mo feels like the swordsmith is boasting. Look, the Nichirin Blade requires such a complex process. Being able to achieve this level of craftsmanship, doesn't that make me, the swordsmith, incredibly skilled?

Haganezuka, the swordsmith who forged Li Mo's Nichirin Blade, seems a bit self-centered. He's the type who gets lost in his own world.

In short, he doesn't listen to others.

In contrast, the swordsmith who forged Makomo's Nichirin Blade seems much more reliable. Although his mask is also ugly, at least his personality is more normal. Noticing the awkward atmosphere, he steps in to defuse the tension. "The Nichirin Blade is also known as the Color-Changing Blade. When someone picks up a Nichirin Blade, its color will change."

By this time, the scene has moved indoors. Kanamori sets down the wooden case he was carrying and opens it to reveal a sword inside.

Haganezuka also stops his rambling and performs a similar action, presenting the Nichirin Blade he forged.

"Please try it and see what color it becomes," Kanamori says gently.

Makomo draws the Nichirin Blade from its sheath. As she holds it in her hands, the blade begins to change color under the light. A bright sky blue gradually covers the blade.

"A bright sky blue—such a pleasing color," Kanamori praises.

Makomo says, "It's the same blue as the warding mask Mr. Urokodaki gave me."

She takes off the warding mask she's wearing and compares its patterns to the color of the Nichirin Blade.

They are identical.

"Now it's your turn," Haganezuka says, looking at Li Mo.

"Don't rush me."

Li Mo picks up the Nichirin Blade and draws it from its sheath. At first glance, he can tell that this blade is far superior to the one he used on Mount Fujikasane. It feels as if it was made specifically for him.

Then...

In his mind, the familiar sound of static buzzes. Following that, he hears a "ding," like the sound of a download completing. Immediately after, a screen that only Li Mo can see appears before him.

"Scenario: Demon Slayer... buzz..."

"Clear Condition: Defeat... buzz... Obtain unique... Nichirin Blade... buzz... Complete)"

"Mission... return... buzz... Settlement, receive... experience and additional rewards."

"Yes/No."

For a moment, Li Mo's expression and movements freeze, as if time itself has paused.

How strange, how terrifying! Has the sun risen from the west?

Even the system, which usually only appears when he looks at water, has suddenly popped up to remind him that he's completed a mission? Holy cow! Am I seeing a ghost?

Words cannot describe Li Mo's current feelings. There was a time when he racked his brains trying to figure out how to leave this world and return to his previous one. Although, in that modern world, he was still an outsider... but the skyscrapers, phones, and computers gave him a sense of familiarity. In this Meiji-era world, everything feels so foreign.

Over time, Li Mo had become more laid-back. He focused on the goals he had set for himself. When he thought about it, his initial goal was to return home.

And now, after all this time, this broken system finally provides him with a way back.

But...

Could you be any later? Seriously.

"Hey, hey! Why are you just standing there? Do you look down on the blade I made for you?!"

Haganezuka, seeing Li Mo frozen in place, speaks with displeasure. If not for Kanamori holding him back, he might have lunged forward.

"No, I'm very satisfied with this Nichirin Blade."

The sound of his own voice brings Li Mo back to reality. He closes the system interface with a thought, and the crimson color of the blade reflects in his eyes.

His Nichirin Blade.

It is crimson red.