Demon Slayer: Upper 0 seems to be a waste

The world is really strange, Rinko has always thought so.

But in reality, there are many things in this world that Tanjiro cannot understand or accept.

Why can ghosts live like this? They casually extinguish life, erasing all possibilities, causing so many innocent people to die, so many families to be torn apart, so many victims to suffer the shadows for a long time, and so many families that could have continued to live happily ever after becoming nothing but illusions, with only cold corpses and bloodstains on the ground as their last words.

But why do the murderers who caused all this, the culprits hiding in the darkness, those evil spirits, those guys, live like this, as if they've done nothing wrong, without being punished or bearing the consequences? Why is it that only the victims remember the pain forever? Why do these murderers just continue to commit violence without any scruples?

Why do creatures like ghosts exist?

I only wanted to let my family have a better holiday, so I went down the mountain. But why is it that when I came back, only my sister's body was still warm? Why did my sister become a ghost? Why did she have to endure the feeling of hunger and all that harm?

Why would someone as good as Sarutobi die on the mountain?

Why would someone as good as Mr. Ubuyashiki suffer from numerous illnesses?

Why is it always the kind-hearted and better people who suffer more pain? Why is it always those who have already lost something who desperately try to protect more people?

Why do the weak become victims, the innocent become sacrifices, and the pitiful become perpetrators?

Ultimately, it's all Muzan's fault. If it weren't for his existence, there wouldn't be so many demons, and so many people wouldn't have died. So many people died because of him, yet he remained unharmed, continuing to live disguised as a human.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

But why did Rinko also become a perpetrator? Why did Rinko also become a murderer?

Why was Rinko there when the Ubuyashiki mansion exploded? Why was Rinko right next to Muzan and Tamayo?

Why would the boy so easily say that he killed so many people? Why would he really kill so many people and not care at all?

Ghosts are truly terrifying beings.

It is a terrifying creature, a creature that humans cannot understand. Just a few days ago, Rinko was still the child everyone knew, gentle and polite to everyone, participating in training and helping so many people. But why, in just a few short days, has Rinko become like this?

Was it all a pretense? Is this just a last resort?

"Why insult those who sacrificed their lives? Why say things like they should have died long ago? Why say that death is death? Why think that their deaths were meaningless?"

He couldn't help but ask that question.

A brief silence descends upon this unique space, a space filled with ghosts, like an endless road, like a maze with no end in sight. Ghosts are everywhere, danger is everywhere, and the buildings keep extending. Without the guidance of the crows, it would be easy to lose one's way.

Such a narrow space, so small yet so long, a corridor with no end in sight, not knowing which door opens to mark the true end, yet all around are walls and floors, forming a narrow area.

Such silence is rare here. After arriving, it's noisy and chaotic, with the sounds of demons, buildings, and crows everywhere. During battles, it's so loud that your ears feel like they're going to explode. But at this moment, Tanjiro can only hear his own breathing, which is rough, heavy, and rapid.

Rinko's attack was precise and ruthless, using all her strength. Tanjiro could clearly feel it. This attack was different from any of the previous ones. Even though he reacted quickly, he still felt as if his bones were about to break the moment they made contact, and his fingers gripping the hilt of the sword were trembling.

With the blade against the floor, one hand gripping the handle, and the other hand bracing against the bottom of the handle, the knife becomes a support for the body.

Even so, at this moment, compared to fear, panic, surprise, and shock, there was more anger. Rinko's words, those irresponsible words, those insulting words, those insults to the people lying on the ground, and her description of Mr. Ubuyashiki.

That's too much, that's too much.

Why would someone say something like that?

Why can you say such things?

Tanjiro gripped his sword tightly, exhaled deeply, and straightened his body, his waist still slightly bent, but his feet firmly planted on the ground.

"Why do you think their deaths were meaningless...?"

No one's death is meaningless, especially the one who killed them; they have the least right to say such a thing.

Tanjiro's voice trembled slightly, not from fear, but from anger.

"And what about you, Tanjiro?"

The boy spoke in his usual gentle voice, his flat tone devoid of any emotion, as if no one could truly touch his heart, no one could truly make him care.

"Why do you care about their deaths? Why are you so angry about the deaths of people you don't even know?"

Why wouldn't you care if someone you don't know died? Why wouldn't you be angry if someone you don't know died? They are all human beings, all people who have been working hard, all people who sacrificed themselves to protect others. They are worthy of admiration in themselves. Why can Rinko say such things?

"Why is it that after killing Rui, he can still stand in front of me with his belongings?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The atmosphere seemed a little different, but Rinko couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

"Back then, I didn't know that Rei was Rinko's friend..."

The voice was very soft, calm, and gentle. Rinko tilted his head slightly, his leg, which was about to take a step, stopped there, waiting for the next sentence.

"Even if I knew, even if everything could happen again, I would still raise my sword against Rui! He is a demon who has killed too many people, hurt so many Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen, hurt Nezuko, and even tried to take her away from me. As a Lower Rank Demon, I will never forgive Rui!"

After a brief silence came Tanjiro's voice, so firm that it almost confused Rinko.

"If they are demons, does Tanjiro have to kill them all?"

"Yes!"

"Then why didn't Tanjiro kill me?"

As Tanjiro straightened up again after the blade was lifted from the ground and the hilt was gripped, the earring made a soft clinking sound.

"Because I used to think you were the same as Nezuko, and I thought Rinko was different. I thought that even though she was a demon, she could control herself, and wouldn't hurt others, eat people, or kill people. But I was wrong, Rinko. I don't understand why you did this, but what you did is unforgivable. The people you killed and the mistakes you made will not be forgiven."

With the blade pointed at him, Tanjiro had a brief respite, recovering from the impact and regaining his footing. He was able to grip his sword again and resume his fighting ability.

"So we're not friends anymore, right?"

“We used to be friends, and I will never forget those days, but from the moment you chose to kill instead of protect, I will raise my knife against you to protect more people.”

This is a contradictory statement.

At least that's the case for Rinko.

Humans are truly strange creatures. It's not just that they're strange or complex; perhaps "arrogant" would be a more accurate description.

They seemed to have decided for themselves what should and shouldn't live. Just like Tanjiro at this moment, they hadn't confronted each other like this before because Tanjiro felt he should live, but now Tanjiro raised his blade because the other party believed he shouldn't live anymore.

But in reality, Rinko is just Rinko. She was like that before, and she is like that now. She has always been just Rinko. She doesn't like eating people, she likes human food, and she likes making friends, but it seems that she has never truly gained a friend.

Despite her lack of understanding of this world, Rinko continues to explore it.

"If you can do it, then try it. Cut off my neck, just like you did to Daki. This time, no one will come to your aid."