Chapter 113- Fourth Floor: Conclusion

'Haah...haa...' The battle against the Upper Moon came to an end as I panted while holding my knees.

My body had the bare minimum of Cursed Energy and using Reverse Cursed Energy was more torturous than the wound itself. However, if not for that, I might have already died back then when Akaza hit right at my heart region.

The Upper Moon carried explosive strength and speed. I have no hesitation in accepting that I underestimated my opponent and paid the price for it.

Although my neck was now healed and all my wounds were already patching up on their own, I still was feeling extremely exhausted and trembling in pain. My consciousness was on the verge of disconnecting as I blankly stared at the ground.

"Here..." Raising my head I found a leather container being held toward me.

The amber-red eyes of Elder Kamado were looking in my direction with genuine concern filled in them.

I struggled to extend my hand, but somehow grasped the container and sat down on the ground with my legs extended.

Taking off the lid I asked in a hoarse voice, "Is everyone safe?" Since I have some time remaining before my return becomes inevitable, I decided to take some rest here.

Tanjiro looked a little sad before he looked toward his left and said, "Although Rengoku-san is searching for any survivor, it is most unlikely he would find anyone."

The grief leaking from his voice—the sadness his eyes contained made me surprised. Those people were nothing but strangers to this guy yet from his face it seemed it was all on Tanjiro to protect them.

'Truly...he has a very pure soul...'

I glanced toward the train and found Inouske also helping the Flame Pillar to remove the debris and find anyone alive. Zenitsu was hugging the wooden box even though he was deep asleep. The desire to protect Nezuko seems to be his highest priority even in his slumber.

"Anno...are you a demon hunter like us perhaps?" Hearing Tanjiro's words I refocused on him before shaking my head.

"I know it would sound ridiculous but I am a warrior lost in time and wandering across worlds to maintain the balance." I chuckled near the end since although I wasn't entirely wrong about being a warrior and such, it doesn't change the fact that I sounded a little childish there.

Tanjiro looked at me with slight fascination before he mumbled, "That explains why your sword skills were so different than anyone whom I have seen until now. Ah, what about your neck? Is it okay now?"

I nodded before handing him the water pouch back.

I soon got back on my feet with Tanjiro's help and we both stood in silence while looking at the rising sun.

I decided to leave now since answering the Flame Pillar about my origin and such seemed a hassle.

Just before I was about to step into the portal and disappear I placed my hand on Tanjiro's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Tanjiro-kun...crying over your family's death wouldn't cause anyone to feel burdened. Hiding your pain will only hinder your path to your destination, remember that."

Tanjiro's eyes widened upon hearing my words. Forget about the fact that I know his name and that his family is dead, the very truth that Tanjiro has yet to cry over his family's death and was hiding his sorrow from others was something only he knew.

When Kyojuro died in the real timeline, Tanjiro cried like never before. His heart wept in that moment and the sorrow he had been carrying ever since he lost his family caught up to him in that moment. But now that I have changed the canon event, I encouraged Tanjiro to let go of his restraints and be more open about his feelings.

Having a smile adorning my face, I faded into thin air before Tanjiro could have said anything.

The fourth floor finally concluded.

******

[Third Person POV:]

'Haah....it was more tiring than I thought...' While resting on the bed after he returned to the white room, Haru couldn't help muttering inwardly.

He had a change of clothes waiting for him in the room but he didn't care about it for now and laid flat on the comfortable bed.

"System...how many hours do I get before my next mission?"Haru asked while ignoring the details of the next floor altogether.

The system opened the specific screen which showed the remaining time:

[Preparation time: 12 hours]

Haru wasn't surprised to see that much time for the preparation as he slowly mumbled with his eyes already closed,

"Wake me up in ten hours."

[Commad accepted!]

[Alarm: 9 hours 59 minutes]

******

It has been over four days since Haru went into slumber.

Since no doctors or healers had any idea how to cure Haru, nor did the elixir Jin-Woo used on him seem to be working, Haru's mother requested to take her son back home.

It was given that Jinah was staying beside him most of the time as such her parents have also begun living in the same house so they could look after their daughter.

The number of dungeon appearances has decreased a lot these days, yet to maintain peace across the globe Jin-Woo has been venturing a lot these days. Although he wouldn't have bothered with other countries in the past, he feels now responsible for everyone's safety, now that Haru isn't around.

Currently sitting in the room where Haru lay on his bed, Jinah softly combed his hair while allowing his head to rest on her lap.

The look of love and warmth radiating from her eyes could melt any heart—however, only those who know Jinah closely could see the grief and pain she was hiding.

Amidst the peaceful silence, someone knocked on the door before Jinah said, "Come in."

Jinah sensed the identity of the girl standing on the other side, that's why she didn't hesitate to allow her to come in.

And as she thought, once the door opened, the face of a young blond hunter appeared.

Cha Hae-In was wearing her hunter uniform which indicated that she must have been involved in a raid recently. However, the lack of any blood and wounds on her shows how easily she must have defeated her adversaries.

"How have you been, Unnie? Umm...can you take the chair from there?" Jinah has interacted enough with Hae-In to call her informally.

Cha Hae-In nodded before she took the chair resting beside the study table and sat while facing the younger girl.

"So, was there something you wanted to talk about?" Although Cha Hae-In had visited Haru before once as well, Jinah knew that the S-rank Hunter didn't have the time to come and meet people on random occasions.

In response, Cha seemed a little hesitant but she didn't hold it in for long and slowly uttered,

"I ...wanted to apologize."

Jinah raised her brows as she asked, "Why? Is it that you blame yourself for what happened with Haru?"

Cha Hae-In nodded without a second thought as her gaze fell toward the ground.

The guilt of being nothing but a dead weight to Haru in their last excursion was weighing on her shoulders up to this date. Despite holding the highest ranking and being hailed as one of the strongest sword users, all she did was leave everything to Haru.

Jinah sighed before she asked, "Unnie, you also can be a little dunce at times it seems."

Cha Hae-In blinked in a little embarrassment before she looked up and was met with the defeated gaze of the younger one.

Jinah lowered her gaze at her sleeping lover before he caressed his head and spoke in a warm tone, "There are things in this world which cannot be controlled as we desire. Just like this person, I love so much. That's why you shouldn't put yourself under pressure."

Meeting Cha's astonished gaze Jinah continued, "I might sound foolish but even in this situation I don't feel helpless or defeated. After all, I trust in Haru and the feelings I have for him. And I know, just to see me again, he will fight even the death itself."

That proud smile. That gaze which beheld nothing but confidence. That demeanor which oozed with comfort...Cha Hae-In wondered whether she could ever muster such a temperament as this young girl.

'Is this how being in love seems like?' Cha Hae-In couldn't help asking herself as she saw the young girl in front, softly smiling at her lover.

******

A/N:- Drop a comment.