Another Strange Woman

At eight in the morning, two young girls in purple kimonos appeared in the square.

One had white hair, the other black. Their bobbed hair covered their cheeks, and at their temples, each wore a wisteria hairpin.

They were the youngest children of the Ubuyashiki family. Their father, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, was currently the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. They had been ordered by their father to oversee the selection process on Mount Fujikasane.

The two girls walked across the square and straight to the entrance of Mount Fujikasane. They turned and scanned the crowd.

The noisy square fell silent instantly.

White-haired girl: "Thank you all for coming to participate in the final selection assessment for the Demon Slayer Corps."

Black-haired girl: "Behind us is the entrance to Mount Fujikasane. Demons captured by the Demon Slayer Corps are imprisoned on Mount Fujikasane."

White-haired girl: "The demons cannot leave this place because wisteria, which they hate, is planted all the way up to the halfway point."

Black-haired girl: "As long as you survive in the mountain for seven days, you will be considered to have passed the Demon Slayer Corps assessment."

White-haired girl: "Seven days later, at the same time and same place, we will issue new members with identification, uniforms, and materials for crafting Nichirin Blades."

Black-haired girl: "Death or fleeing into the wisteria forest will both be considered failure to pass the assessment."

White-haired girl: "For those who die, the Ubuyashiki family will provide financial compensation. Those who flee will never be employed."

"We wish you all good luck."

The two little girls bowed to the crowd in the square, then retreated to the sides of the mountain path, one on the left and one on the right, offering a semi-bow of respect to the climbers.

The Ubuyashiki clan was, after all, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Even their youngest children could show such humility and respect to those participating in the selection. It was no wonder the Ubuyashiki clan had been able to lead the Demon Slayer Corps for nearly a thousand years.

Kimura was the first to lead his team of dozens of people, advancing majestically along the stone steps towards the mountain. Han Zhiqi and Kanroji Noe remained at the very back.

As they passed the pair of young girls, Kanroji Noe specifically bowed to them in return.

They continued like this until they reached the halfway point of the mountain. The bluestone-paved mountain path abruptly ended, and from there on, it became a dirt path and a wild trail covered by weeds.

A wide, bare clearing blocked their path. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the canopy overhead, falling onto the ground. It was like a boundary line between life and death.

Crossing it meant entering dense forests filled with the threat of death. Of course, if one were fortunate enough to survive, it would bring immense glory to their family and themselves.

In an era rampant with demons, everyone took pride in joining the Demon Slayer Corps.

It was daytime, and apart from the depths of the impenetrable forest, demons dared not appear wantonly. Night was the truly dangerous time.

It was clear that everyone understood this. Therefore, many treated the clearing before them as a temporary resting point, including Kimura's team.

Because if they went forward into the forest, no one knew if there would be such a safe place. If they encountered a demon immediately upon entering the forest, the selection might end before it even truly began. Staying here at least guaranteed safety for the entire day. Thus, many were unwilling to take the risk.

At this moment, Kimura stood before this motley crew, utilizing his leadership skills.

"Everyone, let's take a temporary break here to rest. There's sunlight here, and demons won't dare approach. Only by replenishing our spirits and strength can we face the dangers ahead."

"Yes, yes."

"Captain Kimura is right."

The crowd echoed his words, each finding a comfortable spot to rest. Some took out water from their backpacks and drank.

Kimura sat next to Eimi on a smooth stone platform not far from the team.

Eimi looked dejected, seemingly still upset about what had happened earlier.

Not long after, a white figure appeared at the corner of the staircase. Everyone then realized that after all this time, they had forgotten about this person's existence.

Han Zhiqi's expression remained indifferent. While others looked like they were facing a great enemy, filled with trepidation, he seemed to be out for a leisurely stroll.

He walked into the crowd with an unhurried gait, as if oblivious to the people and things around him. He passed through the seated crowd, followed a secluded dirt path, and with everyone's astonished gaze, he confidently walked into the forest.

Behind him followed the timid girl in pink.

Kanroji Noe seemed unable to bear the stares of those around her, keeping her head down. Her timid demeanor was almost repulsive, yet these two walked together.

"See, I told you she doesn't need your pity. If she were truly afraid, she wouldn't have followed us up here," Kimura said, looking at the strange pairing of white and pink ahead. He was convinced his previous actions were correct.

Hearing Kimura's words, Eimi also felt relieved.

The forest was quiet, so quiet it was unsettling. A damp, musty smell permeated the air. A yellowed leaf fluttered down and landed on a pile of leaves, making a faint rustling sound.

Two people walked unhurriedly along a path covered by weeds.

One was a handsome young man in white, the other a cute girl in pink. The girl looked as if she had done something wrong, her head constantly bowed as she followed behind the young man.

These two were Han Zhiqi and Kanroji Noe.

After descending a gentle slope, they arrived at a straight path.

Han Zhiqi could no longer suppress his inner frustration and abruptly stopped. Before he could turn around, Kanroji Noe, unable to dodge in time, ran straight into his back.

Besides the impact on his forehead, he also felt two soft touches.

A strange sensation arose in Han Zhiqi's cold heart. He turned around, looking at Kanroji Noe with a hint of anger, but his gaze inadvertently fell upon her ample chest.

He was both angry and flustered, his cheeks involuntarily heating up. He quickly looked up, shifting his gaze elsewhere.

He couldn't understand how a girl of seventeen or eighteen could have developed so much.

Fortunately, Kanroji Noe kept her head down and didn't notice his embarrassment.

Han Zhiqi took a deep breath, suppressing his flustered heart, and asked in his usual indifferent tone, "Why are you following me?"

Kanroji Noe was startled, her body trembling uncontrollably. Even when Han Zhiqi questioned her, she still didn't dare to look up, stammering, "I... I don't know who to be with? He... they don't want to be with me."

They don't want to be with you? And I want to be with you?

Why are all women so troublesome?

"We're participating in the Demon Slayer Corps selection, not making friends. Why do we have to stick together?"

"So you're saying you're willing to be friends with me?" Kanroji Noe suddenly looked up, clasping her hands together with an excited expression.

She lunged forward so suddenly that she almost hit Han Zhiqi's chin. Fortunately, he dodged in time and narrowly escaped.

However, this woman's train of thought still made him dumbfounded. How peculiar did one have to be to connect this to making friends? Couldn't she tell he was indirectly rejecting her?

Besides, the words "make friends" were just something he said casually; it wasn't even a proper excuse.