In the boundless darkness, beneath a faint golden book that slowly rotated.
Araki's body was undergoing earth-shaking changes.
Nourished and transformed by Demon Blood, his bones became harder, his muscles stronger, his fascia more elastic, and his skin tougher.
Most importantly, he had inherited none of a demon's weaknesses.
There were no debuffs like fear of sunlight or bloodlust.
That was only natural. Tanjiro himself was not afraid of sunlight, and Nezuko did not need to drink blood.
Feeling that the commotion within his body had mostly subsided, Araki rose to his feet and tried taking a few steps forward.
"Not bad. Very steady. I didn't end up in that awkward situation where a strengthened body couldn't control its own strength, making even ordinary walking turn into hopping around."
He nodded and muttered softly to himself.
"Next, it's time to test my newly acquired abilities."
This time was different from before. What he had gained in the past had mostly been inheritances of experience and knowledge, at most accompanied by a little muscle memory. The physical boosts had not been all that great.
But this time, even his species had undergone a fundamental change.
"Water Release!"
Araki raised a hand and condensed a Water Mirror before him.
Of course, this Water Mirror was not that Water Mirror. It had nothing to do with Karatachi Yagura's ninjutsu that could reflect and rebound an enemy's techniques; it was merely an ordinary mirror.
"Mm..."
He lifted the mirror to face level and saw his reflection upon its rippling surface.
"There doesn't seem to be any major change in appearance..."
Looking at his still refined face, Araki nodded in satisfaction.
His looks had not declined, which let him breathe a small sigh of relief.
"Hm? No, that's not right!"
He focused intently on his