Evening · Unnamed Outskirts
A quiet, empty stretch of land—no towns, no villages, no travelers—was slowly becoming alive with noise as hundreds of feet marched across it.
"Do you really think Kibutsuji Muzan is hiding out here?"
"Lord Takumi guided us here personally. Obviously he knows! Didn't you see the Pillars? None of them complained!"
"Right… right! I was just overthinking it!"
Hundreds of Demon Slayer Corps members followed Takumi across the barren land. Though the surroundings were desolate, everyone bristled with anticipation.
But Takumi?
He didn't pay any attention to the murmurs behind him.
If it weren't for the Pillars begging to come, he would've killed Muzan alone and returned quickly.
It's been so long… Rimuru must be awake by now.
Goblin Village should've started its foundation stage by now. The Civilization System will need me back soon.
He smirked.
"I wonder what Rimuru is doing now…"
Slime World · Night · Dwarf Kingdom · Elf Bar
Rimuru Tempest was… living her best life.
Kajin, wearing his signature construction helmet, slammed a mug of beer on the counter.
"Wahahaha! I still can't believe it! The sword I forged with all my soul and sweat—instantly mass-produced!!"
Rimuru, materialized in her small humanoid form with a brainwave pad accessory, held up her drink while being hugged by a golden-haired elf lady.
"That's because your prototype was great, Kajin. I only analyzed it with Analyze & Assess and replicated it using magic ore blocks."
Kajin choked.
"You say that like it's easy!"
The elves giggled as they poured Rimuru another drink.
The dog author commented from the void: Weren't you a girl in your past life?
Rimuru: None of your business ￣ω￣ =
Kajin slammed down another mug. "Next time, I'll forge something so incredible that even you can't replicate it, Lord Rimuru!"
Rimuru grinned. "Bet. Cheers! Bartender, another!"
The gorgeous, slender elf bartender swayed over.
"Oh my, Slime-sama… can you even taste alcohol? (⌒_⌒;)"
Rimuru raised her materialized hand proudly. "Taste? No. But being served by a beautiful lady turns everything into gourmet!"
The bartender beamed.
Rimuru: "Ahhh… heaven! Another round!"
Takumi (from afar): Drinking in an elf bar, hugged by beauties… Rimuru, you traitor. You left me behind!!
Demon Slayer World · Back to Takumi
Takumi's divine sense scanned all of Japan.
And finally—
He found it.
"This is the location."
Rengoku stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Lord Takumi, is Muzan truly here? It's… empty."
"Of course it's empty. Muzan is inside a different dimension. You can't see it from the outside."
The Hashira froze.
"A… DIFFERENT DIMENSION?!"
"No wonder we never found him—!"
"A Blood Demon Art that opens a different dimension—terrifying!"
Only Kanae, who always paid attention to Takumi, noticed the shift in his energy.
"Lord Takumi… what are you doing?"
Takumi held his blade, Linglong, in his right hand.
He didn't answer.
He channeled Finality energy into the sword.
And lightly drew a horizontal line in front of him.
ZRRRRRRRRRIP—
Reality itself split apart.
A ten-meter-wide rift carved open, revealing everything inside the Infinity Castle.
Ancient wooden halls.
Tiered pagodas.
Shifting architecture.
Shadows crawling like living things.
Everyone froze.
"Is… is that Muzan's lair?!"
"Lord Takumi sliced space open… just like that…"
"The final battle… it's finally here!!"
Inside Infinity Castle
Nakime, mid-performance on her biwa, jolted to her feet.
Her eyes widened.
"The barrier… has been broken? Wh–Who could—"
Muzan opened his eyes irritably.
"Nakime. Why are you panicking?"
Nakime immediately knelt.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Muzan! But—the Infinity Castle's barrier has been cut open! Someone has intruded!!"
Muzan's wine cup slipped from his hand.
"Cut… open?! That's impossible!!"
His mind raced.
"Who could do this? The Demon Slayer Corps doesn't have this kind of power—"
He froze.
A memory flashed.
A young man who radiated unbearable pressure.
A young man who slaughtered Douma like cutting a vegetable.
A young man whose eyes shone with golden Finality.
"No… it can't be him—!!"
Panic surged.
"Nakime! Summon the Upper Ranks! Kill the intruders!!"
"As you command!!"
But he was too late.
Because the moment Muzan tried to move—
A voice thundered through the entirety of Infinity Castle.
A voice that shook every demon to their core.
"MUZAN!!! COME OUT AND GET SOME SUN!!!"
Silence.
Then chaos.
"WHO—WHO DARES SAY THAT?!"
"We're doomed! Lord Muzan will kill us!"
"I don't want to die yet—I only ate two humans today!!"
The Upper Ranks assembled.
A six-eyed demon stepped forward.
His presence silenced all the lower demons instantly.
"All of you… mind your tongues."
Upper Rank One.
Kokushibo.
His hand slid to his katana.
Nakime's voice echoed in his mind.
"Lord Kokushibo, Lord Muzan commands—all Twelve Kizuki must eliminate the intruders!"
Kokushibo's killing intent surged.
"Intruders… prepare to bleed."
Outside the Rift
Takumi stepped forward.
His golden eyes shone like miniature suns.
He raised Linglong.
"Everyone… prepare yourselves."
Beside him, the Hashira unsheathed their swords.
Rengoku shouted, "SET YOUR HEART ABLAZE!!"
Sanemi snarled, "I'll tear Muzan into pieces!!"
Mitsuri bounced, "Let's do our best everyone!!!"
Kanae smiled warmly. "Lord Takumi… we follow your lead."
Takumi exhaled.
The war that would shape Dimensional City…
Begins now.