Lower Rank Four, Zero Yu Zi

After Tsugikuni Kuuga passed through the layers of thick fog, he found exactly what he expected: a two-meter-tall demon choking a young girl, while she struggled desperately.

Tsugikuni Kuuga drew his blade and leaped into the air. The demon's black hand was severed by Sun-Breathing: Tenth Form - Brilliant Grace Light, and Tsugikuni Kuuga caught the girl in his arms.

The black demon stared at its severed arm in terror. It would not grow back. There was something strange about that brat's swordsmanship.

Tsugikuni Kuuga looked down and saw that the girl's top had nearly been torn apart. The impressive sight beneath made the old man blush. Without another word, Tsugikuni Kuuga took off his outer garment, draped it over the girl, and set her aside.

As for his Haori, Tsugikuni Kuuga would not take it off even if he died, so he could only remove his outer garment.

What Tsugikuni Kuuga did not notice was the sly smile that flickered across the girl's lips, completely devoid of the terror she had shown moments ago.

Tsugikuni Kuuga turned toward the black demon before him, but what puzzled him was the fear in its eyes.

Had I become so powerful that merely standing here could intimidate a demon? As expected of me.

But the black demon was not afraid of Tsugikuni Kuuga. Its gaze had remained fixed on the girl from earlier. Curious, Tsugikuni Kuuga turned around and found the girl still sobbing and trembling, clearly frightened out of her wits.

Once Tsugikuni Kuuga turned away, the girl nodded. Upon receiving the signal, the black demon immediately fled. Tsugikuni Kuuga did not let it get away, using Sun-Breathing: Fourth Form - Mirage Sun Rainbow to increase his speed.

After closing in on the black demon, he used Sun-Breathing Third Form - Setting Sun Transformation. The flaming horizontal slash severed the demon's neck.

However, cracks appeared in Tsugikuni Kuuga's blade. It had originally been a training sword, and he had used it to cut down who knew how many demons, so it was beginning to give out.

Tsugikuni Kuuga was puzzled as to why the demon had not resisted at all. How strange.

Tsugikuni Kuuga warily scanned his surroundings as he walked toward the white-haired girl.

"Miss, are you all right?" Tsugikuni Kuuga asked.

"I'm fine. Thank you, benefactor, for saving my life!"

As she spoke, the girl rose from the ground. The garment Tsugikuni Kuuga had covered her with slipped down, instantly revealing her fair skin, along with the heaving curves on her chest.

"Miss, you—"

Tsugikuni Kuuga pointed at her, then consciously turned around. Was this not blatant temptation? He did not even know what to say.

"Benefactor, I'm dressed now. You can turn around!"

Only after hearing the girl did Tsugikuni Kuuga turn back. Suddenly, she stumbled and fell. Tsugikuni Kuuga moved to catch her.

A soft sensation spread through Tsugikuni Kuuga's palm—the distinctive softness of the girl's body. Yet not only did she fail to get up, she pressed herself hard into Tsugikuni Kuuga's embrace.

Tsugikuni Kuuga shoved her away. This girl was far too forward. Something was definitely wrong here.

In the deep mountains, with thick fog all around, a helpless young woman had appeared. What exactly was she doing here? It was truly strange. Tsugikuni Kuuga was now deeply suspicious of her.

Suddenly, the girl grabbed Tsugikuni Kuuga's arm and forcefully pressed it against her chest.

Tsugikuni Kuuga hurriedly pulled his arm free. "Miss, please have some self-respect!"

At Tsugikuni Kuuga's words, a trace of disdain flickered across the white-haired girl's lips before she began to cry pitifully.

As she cried, she said, "My parents were killed by monsters. I'm the only one left in this world. I have no way to repay you, so I can only offer myself to you, benefactor!"

After saying that, she cried even harder, looking every bit like a pitiful girl whose family had been destroyed.

Seeing that she was like some of the families harmed by demons, Tsugikuni Kuuga's heart softened somewhat.

"Forget offering yourself to me. I already have someone I like. I'll take you somewhere safe, and you can find a way to make a living for yourself."

"Am I not pretty enough?"

As she spoke, the girl began taking off her clothes. Tsugikuni Kuuga hurriedly stopped her. Why did this girl strip at the slightest disagreement?

"Miss, please stop doing this. You're making things very difficult for me," Tsugikuni Kuuga said helplessly.

"By the way, what is your name?"

"My name is Zero Yu."

Zero Yu... why did that sound so familiar? Tsugikuni Kuuga seemed to have a strong impression of the name, but he could not recall why.

"I'm Tsugikuni Kuuga. Come with me. It's too dangerous here!"

Zero Yu said nothing more and followed Tsugikuni Kuuga. After the two had walked for a while, Zero Yu spoke again.

"Benefactor, do you really not want to marry me? I truly wish to repay you. If you want, we can consummate our marriage right now!"

"Uh! Miss, calm down. I'm not the kind of person who takes advantage of someone in a vulnerable position."

"Are you sure? Don't you want to thoroughly ravish my body?" Zero Yu suddenly began panting heavily.

Tsugikuni Kuuga broke out in a cold sweat. Had he run into a yandere? This was not looking good!

"I truly do not. Please have some self-respect!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said sternly.

"Is that so? Then die, you hypocritical human!" Zero Yu shouted.

Then the nails on Zero Yu's right hand rapidly lengthened. Her delicate palm instantly turned into a deadly blade. Since Tsugikuni Kuuga had relaxed somewhat, he did not fully react to her attack.

Zero Yu's right hand pierced straight through Tsugikuni Kuuga's shoulder. Tsugikuni Kuuga realized that she was a demon. So that black demon had indeed been afraid of her!

Enduring the pain, Tsugikuni Kuuga drew his Nichirin Blade and slashed behind him, but Zero Yu dodged. She followed up with a kick at Tsugikuni Kuuga, sending him flying into a tree with a heavy crash.

Damn! How could a little girl be this strong? It hurts like hell. Tsugikuni Kuuga slowly got to his feet. Five holes had appeared in his right shoulder, and Fresh Blood had already stained half his clothes red.

Tsugikuni Kuuga hurriedly placed his left hand over his shoulder. As the Tai Chi healing technique activated, his wound began to stop bleeding.

But his opponent clearly had no intention of giving him a chance to catch his breath. She kicked at him again. Fortunately, Tsugikuni Kuuga dodged in time, or he would have ended up like the tree.

The tree she struck was cleanly sheared in half. Not even a chainsaw used for felling trees was this fierce.

When Tsugikuni Kuuga raised his head, Zero Yu, having returned to her true form, stood before him. She had white hair, a pair of horns on her forehead, red sclera, purple pupils, and symmetrical red lines across her face.

None of that was the most eye-catching feature. What drew the most attention was her right eye, where the words "Lower Four" were clearly engraved.

"Brat, I am Lower Rank Four, Zero Yu Zi. Since you do not wish to marry me, I shall eat you instead!"

Zero Yu Zi licked the corner of her lips, revealing a sinister smile.