Demon Slayer: Upper 0 seems to be a waste

Ghosts often have unique mindsets. In other words, most of them are not quite normal.

Desire, longing, expectation, longing, all the beautiful aspirations for the future, those things that support people to continue living.

It gradually loses its shape over the long years. As it gets closer to its goal, it gradually forgets the location of its starting point and no longer remembers the scenery it saw along the way.

That heart, that body's longings, the things it couldn't forget even when it was so close to death. After escaping death, it was difficult to find the corresponding images.

Something that was once so concrete, so unforgettable, enough to support humanity in transcending life and death and breaking through boundaries, has now become blurred, and no clear details can be seen anymore.

The wish has since become an obsession.

Having lost its roots and origins, only a shattered, empty shell remains. No one but the person himself can truly understand the longing so deeply engraved in his bones, so imprinted into his flesh and blood.

This is undoubtedly a good thing.

Even if it can't remember the past, can't remember the reason, it never stops. The blood flowing in its veins, the instinct retained in its body, will make the ghost continue to move forward, gradually approaching its so-called goal.

Abandon everything and continue to move towards that empty destination.

Therefore, such ghosts are usually not too weak.

This is the important reason why Muzan can tolerate a Douma and a Hantengu.

Their outstanding performance in dealing with ghost hunters allowed Muzan to be appropriately magnanimous and tolerate their character flaws alone, which would have given them a failing grade.

----

In terms of tolerance, Lin Guang's progress is better than he expected, or even better than him.

Douma is undoubtedly a chatterbox, and every time you meet him, his mouth makes it hard for people to be happy.

And Rinko went from being cold at first, to complaining during their meetings, to now being able to listen to Douma's every word calmly. It was only a dozen years ago.

Hantengu is also a nagging guy, and most of his nagging comes from his imaginary enemies. It is not certain who is more annoying between him and Douma.

Rinkou can get along with them all harmoniously. This is indeed not easy. Akaza and Douma's recent relationship is the most obvious negative example, which is a common situation among demons.

Although letting Rinko try to get along with other ghosts to improve his character and thereby try to stimulate his talent was just a rough idea, in fact, Rinko's performance was completely worthy of a reward.

------

"Although I'm not very good at body shaping, the pot is pretty good."

When Lin Guang observed the pot that was almost as big as him, Akaza was next to him, the pink head supported by one hand, and the whole ghost maintained a rare state of complete relaxation. He crossed his legs and relieved himself, supporting himself only by the interaction between his bones. The free hand was resting on his knee and tapping it repeatedly.

As he said this, Akaza slowly and firmly raised one eyebrow, expressing the purest doubt and questioning with the simplest body language.

Rinko noticed the change in Akaza's expression.

"What are you talking about?" Although the words were not uttered, they rang clearly in Lin Guang's ears.

Akaza didn't understand, didn't comprehend, and didn't approve.

But he soon understood, because Rinko himself was as outrageous as his words.

The boy changed from sitting to kneeling, and his hands changed from stroking the bottle to supporting the mouth of the pot. While Akaza was wondering what Rinkou was daydreaming about, the boy did not hesitate, firmly and resolutely, and put his head into the bottle.

"Boom."

There was a dull thud. As expected, the first thing to hit the bottom was the head, which was filled with something unknown.

Akaza clearly saw the leg that had not yet entered straighten up for a moment, and after a shallow breath, the foot followed in.

After a slight shake, the pot returned to normal, no different from when it was first placed there.

"So, when you say 'doing pretty well', you mean you found a new nest."

The hand that was originally supported on the knee was stretched out and paused before grabbing the mouth of the pot. Akaza tilted his head, turned the stretched hand over, half-clenched it, pushed out the joint, and knocked it three times rhythmically, gently tapping the body of the pot.

The 'new owner' of the pot stretched out his hand from the mouth of the pot, groping around trying to find a foothold, but the smooth bottle body could not provide a suitable foothold.

Akaza offered a helping hand, and the boy gave it a few tentative grasps, perhaps trying to confirm whether the hand was secure enough. Once he'd confirmed that the hand was indeed more secure than the bottle itself, he accepted the help. Their bent fingers interlocked, forming a firm point, a grip transmitting from their fingertips. Akaza watched calmly as the arm carried a head and half a body out of the pot, and then another hand emerged, bracing itself against the mouth, attempting to push itself out.

However, Akaza was not disappointed by the fact that Tsubo lost his balance due to the shift of the center of gravity. After Rinkou exerted force again, he successfully touched the floor with the boy.

"It's too early."

Looking at the boy who fell to the ground, Akaza finally couldn't help laughing out loud, and the boy who was being laughed at just slowly added a sentence and pushed himself up from the ground.

-

Rinko and Akaza were living a peaceful life here, while Hantengu was trembling in fear.

Ever since Rinko was handed over to him, Muzan would suddenly call him over to take a look, ask about his recent achievements and check on the child's growth progress.

However, such random summoning will increase the chance of encountering a demon who is also looking for Muzan. Douma is not interested in him and has no grudge against him, and Rinko can handle that guy on his own.

But Akaza was different. Hantengou clearly remembered that in order to get Rinkou to eat more, Cola and Soraki had once criticized Akaza as a negative example. If Rinkou accidentally said something wrong, his head would definitely be crushed on the ground today.

But why does he always run into these guys every time he comes here?

Lingguang is indeed an unfortunate child.

For a long time, the dog couldn't help muttering in his heart.

----

----

"Ah, ah, I'm so sorry. I'm late again. Rinko-chan didn't even wait for me to start playing with Akaza-dono. I'm so sad."

Everything changes from harmony and beauty to tension, and all it takes is the entry of the fourth person.

Douma's voice came from far away and gradually got closer. The three people present felt a chill on their backs. One hand was placed on Akaza's shoulder, and the other hand holding a folding fan fell on Rinkou's shoulder, an overly intimate gesture.

Hantengou hid in the corner as quickly as possible, trying to avoid any possible fight.

"boom."

The sound was loud, and Lin Guang was not surprised. Blood splattered half of his face.

"Don't put your hands on me."

All Akaza needed to go from relaxed to tense was a living Douma, and his good mood just now disappeared in an instant.

"Ahh, Akaza-dono, that's a beautiful punch."

The broken half of his face recovered completely in a few seconds, and he had already put some distance between himself and Akaza before he could throw his next punch.

Once again, it was unclear whether Rinko was forced into the battle or the focus of the battle, but was taken away by Douma.

"Hey, Rinko-chan, you really won't come with me? Compared to running around outside, I think my place is the most comfortable. And Gyuutarou is already an Upper Six, so you can go to Yukuoku if you want."

Douma never seems to know what disappointment is, and therefore never gets hurt. This invitation isn't the first time, but Rinko's decision to stay or go doesn't depend on his personal opinion. Doesn't Douma know this?

After the body was lifted up, those eyes moved from out of sight to the center. Douma's face occupied the entire field of vision, forcibly pulling back Rinko's thoughts that had slipped away.

"Yeah. I'll still follow Hantengou."

Rinkou answered quickly, his tone firm.

"Hey - why is that? Hantengou can't take good care of Rinko, right? You look thinner -"

The boy is still small. He is not thin, but not fat either. He looks the same as I remember him. He still looks like a little doll when I pick him up.

But there seems to be some difference, what is it? Douma asked himself.

He held Rinkou closer.

Is it those eyes? The boy's eyes can now be hidden, and now he looks like an ordinary human being in front of him; is it this face? The expression on his face is more vivid, and even without expression he no longer looks like a little wooden man; or is it the tempting smell emitted by the flesh and blood that is more nutritious than that of a woman? He seems to smell more delicious.

"Rinko, a little, a little stronger than before."

The distance was closing silently, the tip of the nose was pressed against the side of the neck, and before the fangs were exposed, Douma's mouth was covered. It was a small hand that could be bitten off easily, but Douma thought it was novel, so he just allowed himself to be stopped.

"Dōma-sama. You will be punished for this."

It was Douma who was late, but Rinko felt that what was really late was Douma's brain and his self-control.

The experience of being punished seemed to have been completely forgotten by this person.

"Xiao Linguang, are you worried about me? I'm so happy."

The covered mouth opened and closed, the sound was a little unclear, and cold air spread on the palm of his hand. Lin Guang didn't say yes or no, but he didn't move his hand away.

A familiar sound, a familiar scene, but this time it didn’t happen behind me but in front of me.

Just like Akaza once said, he was responsible for covering the mouth, and Akaza would smash the head.

And just as he thought, blood splattered all over his face.

------

"Isn't last time's punishment enough to teach you a lesson, Douma?"

Akaza didn't have time to retract his hand. Rinko only heard the sound of iron colliding as the long sword was unsheathed, and a hand broke away from its owner and fell to the ground.

Even the sound of blood splashing in water was a step slower.

"Akaza..."

No one noticed when Kokushibo came or how he appeared here. Rinko only vaguely saw the action of Kokushibo pressing the long sword when it was sheathed, but he didn't even have time to see what the sword looked like.

"The following...insubordination..."

"Ah——Lord Kokushibo, there's no need to be so angry..."

Douma was halfway through his words when Rinko looked at the newly grown head that was now rolling intact on the ground and blinked slowly.

"Ah?"

"Dōma..."

Rinkou was lifted up by a hand, which accurately grabbed the back of his collar and pulled it up, and his body was out of Douma's control.

"He refuses to change despite repeated warnings..."

So is it that the crime of insubordination is not as serious as the crime of failing to mend one's ways, or is it that Kokushibo actually doesn't like Douma that much?

Lin Guang's feet touched the ground again, and the blood on his face dripped onto the floor along the curve of his cheek. He wiped it off casually.

Mm, it's sticky, which is a feeling I don't like.

-

"Lord Muzan has arrived."

Mingnu's voice broke the deadlock.

There was a simultaneous thud, the sound of knees hitting the wooden floor, and Lingguang knelt down neatly on the side. In addition to the familiar group of people, he also saw some unfamiliar ghosts this time.

Looking up, he saw that they were stronger than the ghosts he occasionally saw, but not as strong as the upper ranks. Lin Guang tilted his head and leaned down slightly, and saw the words in the eyes of those ghosts.

Ah, it’s the waning moon.

"Rinko. Come here."

The boy's little movements were easily noticed. The group of ghosts kneeling on the ground had their own ulterior motives, but with just a cursory glance, Lin Guang could guess some of them. Some were gloating, some were slightly worried, and some were slightly dissatisfied.

But the boy who was called to stand up and walk over did not have his head crushed or his body exploded immediately. He wiped the blood off his face with his palm and his chin was tilted up.

Muzan met those eyes. The demon's vertical pupils were well hidden, which made Rinko, who already looked weak, behave like a child who was not in good health.

Lin Guang had also made some progress without his knowledge. He had practiced mimicry quite well, and Hantengou was also somewhat useful.

It would be more accurate to say that they were his clones rather than Bantian Gou. Although they made some noise, they were still somewhat useful.

"I've called you here for one reason: to formally introduce a new member. Some of you may have heard of him, some may not, but that's not important. But starting today, remember his name and appearance. No one is allowed to have any idea of him without my order."

The fingertips moved from the side of the face to the cheekbone, and there was a clear sound of something being stabbed. There was no cry of pain, no words, nothing, only the clear sound of blood dripping to the ground.

"He doesn't have to, and won't participate in the bloody battle for position exchange, so it won't affect your position. Rinko, hold your head up."

The boy raised his head obediently. It was the same sound as before, a sharp object piercing something. Only the smell and sound of blood dripping onto the ground were clearest.

"Please raise your heads and get to know each other."

Muzan's tone was very flat, so flat that it was indifferent. The boy turned around, and two clear bloodstains were left on his wiped face, just like the tears of blood shed by his eyes, and there were clear words written in those eyes.

Winding. Zero.

It seems that his position is higher than everyone else's, but he is not counted in the Twelve Ghost Months and is not allowed to participate in the bloody battle for position exchange. Whether this is an exaggeration or a derogation, no one knows and no one dares to speculate.