Why does the world show a health bar? !

**Messenger Crows**, also known as **Kasugai Crows**, are one of the standard equipment for Demon Slayers, alongside the Nichirin Blade and the uniform. Li Mo prefers to call them "messenger crows" because the other name is too cumbersome to remember unless someone explains it. Otherwise, he might just call them "crows"—after all, they're entirely black, so they might as well be a type of crow.

After becoming a Demon Slayer, aside from the standard Nichirin Blade and uniform, the Kasugai Crow is also part of the essential trio.

When Li Mo revealed the crimson color of his Nichirin Blade, Haganezuka's dissatisfaction completely vanished. His eyes focused on the blade, and he praised, "What a beautiful color!"

But along with the blade came a pitch-black Kasugai Crow.

The crow, which had been slacking off for a long time, appeared before Li Mo and Makomo. It opened its beak and, ignoring the presence of others, croaked, "Swordsman Li Mo, southern town, hunt demons."

It was brief and to the point.

Yes, the Kasugai Crows assigned to Demon Slayers can talk. Li Mo's crow isn't a mute sparrow... though a sparrow wouldn't be bad either, since sparrows and crows are close relatives!

"It seems I need to pack up and head out alone," Li Mo said, emphasizing the word "alone." Makomo's crow hadn't appeared yet. If they were assigned the same mission, the crows should have arrived together.

Unless, of course, his crow was just faster.

As it turned out, Li Mo's guess was correct.

Makomo's crow arrived late. Compared to Li Mo's crow, which was aloof and concise, this one was much more talkative. It described how people in the southern town had been disappearing continuously, leading to the suspicion of a demon's presence.

"It looks like I'll be going with you," Makomo said to Li Mo.

"Together it is," Li Mo replied.

After bidding farewell to Urokodaki and thanking the swordsmiths for their efforts, the two packed their belongings and left.

They couldn't personally say goodbye to Giyu and Sabito, so they asked Urokodaki to relay their departure to the two boys. It was regrettable not to say goodbye in person, but considering Sabito's reaction the last time they left for the "Final Selection," it was better to leave early.

"Makomo, isn't it strange that even crows have personalities?" Li Mo teased the crow on his shoulder.

Through some interaction, Li Mo realized that his crow wasn't being concise on purpose—it was just too fast, which made it hard for it to speak properly.

What a unique crow.

"Mm."

"Don't be so cold. Let's chat. It's going to be a long journey."

According to Makomo's crow, even if they didn't eat, drink, or rest, it would take a full day to reach their destination. That approach was clearly impractical.

Makomo ignored Li Mo and took off the mask hanging from her head, placing it over her face.

She clearly didn't want to talk. Had he upset her again? There was no reason for that. Maybe she had been deep in thought and he interrupted her?

That was a possibility. Li Mo knew how annoying it was to have his thoughts interrupted. He'd get angry but then remind himself not to lose his temper.

Better think about something else.

The option to return home was now right in front of him, but Li Mo didn't choose to leave immediately. The main reason was that he hadn't been in that world for long and didn't feel much attachment to it. Sure, Yukinoshita-san was cute, but Makomo wasn't any less charming. There was also the older-sister type, Kanae Kocho. And, well, there was the potential of Shinobu Kocho in the future.

Okay, maybe the last one was a bit of a stretch. Li Mo didn't want to end up eating pork cutlet rice at the police station.

Of course, the main reason Li Mo chose to stay was that the so-called "main world" was peaceful and stable, with no monsters for him to fight. In contrast, the world of *Demon Slayer* was full of demons, and fighting them would allow him to level up.

Wouldn't it be better to level up a few more times and see how things go?

As for the issue of time flow, he'd figure that out later. Maybe he'd already been missing for a long time in that world.

Who knows when the system will be repaired enough to give me that information.

By now, the system was mostly repaired. What was the repair related to? He wasn't entirely sure. Was it tied to his life level? Or the passage of time? Either way, it was good that it was fixed.

"Li Mo..."

Just as Li Mo was lost in his thoughts, trying to convince himself, Makomo called his name.

"What is it, Makomo? Are you scared about the mission? This is your first real battle, not like the playfighting on Mount Fujikasane. Don't worry, I'll be right in front," Li Mo said.

"No, it's not that. I just wanted to say... never mind."

Makomo wanted to argue but, after some thought, decided against it.

She realized that what she wanted to ask was unlucky. Why was she wondering how Li Mo and Urokodaki would feel if she were to die? Why even entertain such a thought?

But why assume that?

She started speaking and then stopped. Wasn't that just teasing? How could she do something so sneaky? Makomo, you've changed.

After thinking it over, Li Mo could only complain in his heart. Maybe he was the one who taught her that.

Li Mo thought for a moment and brought up a new topic: "Makomo, did many of Urokodaki's previous students fall during the 'Final Selection'?"

"Yes. I overheard it after I came to Urokodaki-sensei. It seems someone from the Kakushi told him that the mortality rate was higher compared to other trainers."

No wonder Urokodaki later said he didn't want Tanjiro to take the "Final Selection." Was it because the high mortality rate made him doubt his teaching abilities? In reality, it was all because of the Hand Demon. Li Mo knew he had killed that demon with a single strike, but for new recruits, the Hand Demon was beyond their capabilities. Sabito, once he grew stronger, could handle it, but according to the original timeline, that kid saved too many people, leaving him weakened.

Fortunately, that future wouldn't come to pass. Li Mo, worried about a second Hand Demon appearing, had thoroughly cleansed Mount Fujikasane. If anyone could find even a single demon there now, he'd eat his hat.

"Don't worry, things will get better. Giyu and Sabito will definitely pass the 'Final Selection.' If they don't, I'll beat Sabito half to death."

Makomo said, "Those who fail the 'Final Selection' are fed to the demons."

"Then we'll teach Giyu and Sabito to retreat early if necessary. Even if they become Kakushi, it's better than losing their lives," Li Mo said.

The surroundings of Mount Fujikasane are covered in wisteria flowers that bloom year-round, so descending the mountain would be safe. The only condition is that the person must have the ability to escape from the demons' pursuit.

Makomo thought about Li Mo's training for Sabito and Giyu. Aside from basic wrestling practice, where he would engage with them, most of the training was just him beating them up.

"That's right, just like Makomo is thinking. To fight, you must first learn to take a hit."

"When facing a demon's strength, dodging is the top priority," Makomo said, having witnessed the power of demons. On Mount Fujikasane, there were many tree stumps with rough cuts, all caused by the demons' fists and feet.

—Only a few were the result of battles between swordsmen and demons.

How many times could a human's flesh and blood withstand such attacks?

"Makomo, do you know how I defeated demons without a Nichirin Blade? The second one doesn't count—it was already crippled by Mr. Himejima, and it used poison. The first one, I fought it head-on and was sent flying several times. I used a special technique to dissipate the force. If you can master this technique, you'll be fine."

Recalling that night, Li Mo felt a tightness in his chest. If it weren't for the "Force Redirection" technique, which completely neutralized the impact, he wouldn't have walked away with only minor injuries.

From behind her mask, Makomo delivered a critical blow: "But you don't know how to teach it."

"True... I don't."

How did he learn "Force Redirection"? He went to sleep, had a dream, and woke up knowing it. That's how it felt now, but how long had it taken in the dream? A day, a month, a year? He had no idea!

All he remembered was waking up and knowing it. From this perspective, the system was quite useful.

Using it was no problem, but teaching it? That was a different story.

After that, the journey continued in silence.