"Mm... We should be awake now."
Tetsu no Sosuke said, "That means their world must be wavering too. But as long as we keep holding hands, our minds will remain connected in the Spiritual World, keeping the link intact. Once we let go, though, that link will shatter. I don't know what will happen then. What worries me is that he's been standing there this whole time without trying to stop us."
Clap, clap, clap!
Applause rang out, and the figure beneath the shadows slowly stepped forward.
"As expected of the Hammer Pillar."
Under the moonlight, he revealed himself. One eye was bloodred and bleeding, so he kept it shut. His other eye gazed at Tetsu no Sosuke with admiration. The character for "One" was written in it.
"Upper Moon One?"
Tetsu no Sosuke sighed. "You may not be the strongest Upper Moon One I've ever met, but you're certainly the most terrifying."
"Praise from the Hammer Pillar is a delight."
Upper Moon One smiled. "I always knew that if anything went wrong in the Spiritual World, you would be the first to notice. That's why I focused so much of my attention on you. Even so, you found a way out."
"I knew this might happen, but now that it has, I still find it a shame."
He smiled. "After you woke up, I wondered whether you'd let go at once and come kill me, leaving these three Demon Hunters trapped in an endless cycle within the Spiritual World."
"But... you didn't."
"You realized in an instant what might happen if you let go. Frightening... What told you? Was it only because I didn't stop you? Why didn't you assume you'd wounded me so badly that I couldn't?"
"Because... you weren't afraid."
Tetsu no Sosuke sighed. "You're weak, but