'I can't mess this up. The mission has to go perfectly. Our team would benefit massively from a high-tier reward in this world, like a powerful demon art or breathing style. It would greatly improve our chances in the upcoming guild war,' Mark thought as he waited alone in a wooden room for Ubuyashiki to enter.
Mark was a team captain on the third level of Reincarnation Paradise. He and his comrades were members of the Phoenix Guild, belonging to a powerful fire goddess. Their guild had agreed to a guild war with another formidable guild. To prepare and strengthen her warriors, the goddess had purchased a private pass to a lower-tier world like *Demon Slayer*. She invested from her Origin funds to ensure her warriors returned stronger. The *Demon Slayer* world was considered a low-tier one for warriors of Mark's calibre, which is why the goddess expected them to return with the best this world had to offer. For her warriors, this was hardly a challenge.
Mark sat in silence for four minutes until he heard footsteps approaching the room. The wooden door opened, and Ubuyashiki entered, followed by his wife. They seated themselves opposite Mark.
"Lord Ubuyashiki, I apologise for intruding upon your residence without notice," Mark said respectfully.
"May I call you by your name?" Ubuyashiki asked, and Mark nodded in agreement. "Mark, I've been told by my Hashira that you have come with crucial information regarding our enemies."
"That is correct," Mark confirmed. "My team discovered valuable intel from a demon we recently slew. The information revealed a plan and a date for an attack on your headquarters. The intel included a detailed map of your location, including routes frequently used by members of your corps."
Ubuyashiki frowned at the mention of his residence being exposed to demons.
"If what you say is true, this is indeed a dire situation for us," Ubuyashiki replied calmly. "However, I must ask, where do you come from, and why are you hunting demons in Japan?"
Mark smiled before responding, "Lord Ubuyashiki, the demon scourge did not strike only Japan. My homeland also suffered under the reign of a high-level demon who spread the demon plague, forming his own army. That army took my family from me. After surviving the massacre as a young child, I joined my country's Demon Slayer Corps. Through countless sacrifices and brutal battles, we finally succeeded in defeating the demon leader. Afterward, my comrades and I came to Japan to assist in your fight against the demons, hoping to rid the world of their evil. We encountered the demon with this information only hours after arriving."
Mark stood up and bowed slightly, his voice firm with resolve. "Lord Ubuyashiki, please allow my team and me to join your fight. I have dedicated my life to hunting demons, and I will continue to do so until the day I die."
Ubuyashiki smiled warmly at Mark's impassioned plea. "Mark, it brings me great joy to see warriors such as yourself willing to risk your lives for humanity. I happily welcome you into our Demon Slayer Corps," Ubuyashiki said, still smiling.
Mark nodded as Ubuyashiki left the room with his wife. When the door closed behind them, Mark adjusted his glasses and smirked. 'That was too easy. I'm really good at this sort of thing, huh?' he thought proudly as he made his way to the mansion that was currently home to his team.
"How did it go?" Julia asked as Mark set down his case and sat on the floor of the mansion's main room.
Mark removed his glasses and began cleaning them. "What do you think, Julia? Do you doubt me now?" he said with a smile before putting his glasses back on.
"Zach should have returned by now," Mark commented, glancing out toward the garden.
"I guess he's really enjoying his time at the entertainment district," Mark added with a mocking tone.
At the mention of Zach's activities, Julia's expression darkened. Her hands clenched tightly in anger. "That pig!" she spat before storming off to her room.
Mark watched the fiery woman leave, amused. He continued gazing at the beautiful moon hanging over the *Demon Slayer* world. 'I'll do anything to make sure they survive the guild war,' he thought grimly. 'Those bastards at the higher level declared the war without even considering who our opponents are at our level. And I've heard that the Stone Demon has a technique from a cultivation world that makes him nearly indestructible at our rank. Damn it.'
High above the forest surrounding the headquarters, a silver eagle circled in the sky, its keen eyes suddenly locking onto a massive figure running through the trees at incredible speed. The figure was heading straight for the headquarters. The eagle trailed the figure, noting the foreigner's unusual clothing and realising that he, too, was one of the people Ali warned about.
The bird continued its pursuit until the man abruptly stopped, turning his gaze skyward. To the eagle's surprise, he had noticed it. What terrified the eagle even more were his eyes—not human, but more like those of a beast. His irises were bright yellow with round black pupils, resembling the eyes of a wolf.
Startled, the silver eagle flew deeper into the forest, away from Zach. It had only experienced this level of fear once before in its life.
Zach watched the strange bird flee, then resumed running until he was stopped by a Kakushi at the entrance to the headquarters. After verifying his identity with Mark, Zach was allowed inside and directed to the mansion where his team was staying.
As Zach entered, he found Mark and the twins sitting at the table, drinking tea. Julia stood off to the side, arms crossed, glaring at Zach. "Hey, Julia," Zach said awkwardly as he approached her slowly.
Julia exploded, punching him hard in the stomach with her supernatural strength. "Ow! That hurts!" Zach whined, clutching his stomach.
"You deserve it, you pig! What took you so long to deliver a simple message? Did you enjoy yourself too much, you bastard?" Julia yelled angrily.
"Stop it," Mark commanded loudly, halting their antics. Both Zach and Julia turned to look at him. "Zach, did you deliver the message to Daki?" Mark asked. Zach nodded in confirmation.
"Good. Everyone, be prepared. Expect the fighting to start soon. In the meantime, I want you all to train hard. Remember, the guild war won't spare those who are unprepared." Mark's tone was firm and commanding as he stood up and walked into the garden, leaving the others behind.
Julia berated Zach for another half hour before finally giving up and retreating to her room. The twins, thoroughly entertained, left as well. Zach, feeling exhausted, stepped outside to join Mark, who was gazing at the moon.
"You need to relax a bit, Mark. The others can sense how tense you are about the guild war," Zach said, placing a reassuring hand on Mark's shoulder. "But don't worry. You've got me, haven't you?"
Mark glanced at him. "I can't help it, Zach. We're in a tough spot," he sighed, moving Zach's hand aside. "And Zach, you should respond to Julia's feelings. You don't want to end up in a situation where you regret not acting. Nothing hurts more than regret."
"I don't know," Zach admitted. "I want to, but I feel like I'm not good enough for her."
Mark smirked and turned to leave for his room but left Zach with one final thought. "That's for her to decide, not you."
Far away, at the edge of the forest where it met a massive cliff, a silver eagle perched on the arm of a man with a perfect physique and a strikingly handsome face. His deep black eyes scanned the horizon.
"Another one has joined," the silver eagle reported. "He noticed me in the air. His eyes—they weren't human. They were more like those of a beast."
"I see," Ali responded, gazing up at the wall. The stone surface was riddled with deep gashes and massive holes, marks that could only have been made by someone with monstrous strength.
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