In this crossover anime, many ruthless and powerful figures reside in my territory.

"It's like the nightmare that's been lingering for a long time has disappeared."

She raised her head and looked directly at Liszt.

"Why is this happening? I haven't even obtained the Blue Spider Lily yet!"

Why do I feel this incredibly peaceful and at peace?

"I have never had a similar feeling from any other person or ghost."

Lister saw a pure thirst for knowledge in those eyes, like a child asking their parents a question.

"...How would I know?"

"I only know about your past, which doesn't mean I know everything about you."

"However, I do have some leads."

"As I've said before, people are actually pursuing a sense of belonging and a sense of value. The former simply means living comfortably and peacefully, while the latter simply means doing things that are of value."

"The former is often related to the living environment and the people around you."

"The sense of belonging or peace of mind you seek is 'life'. Because of your past experiences, you instinctively avoid death and pursue life."

"Perhaps you get something similar from me, which is why you feel at ease."

Muzan was suddenly enlightened, as if struck by a sudden awakening.

So, she felt at ease because she was protected by someone stronger? No, there's a deeper reason!

Her fair hand gripped the teacup tightly.

"Lister, then why are you willing to stand in front of me? Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Lister shook his index finger.

"I judged that saving you was the best option given the circumstances, so I did it, that's all."

"Of course I'm afraid of death, but there are some things I feel I must do."

"If you don't understand, then let me ask you a question."

"Muzan, why do you live?"

Muzan wanted to answer but suddenly choked up.

why?

Just as the sun rises every day, just as you pull your hand back when you're burned, isn't survival a matter of course?

She had been struggling to survive since birth, and the same was true after she became a demon.

The sunlight had always been a threat to her, so she wanted to eliminate that threat.

"See, you can't answer that, can you?"

"In fact, many people also cannot answer this question."

"Because many people narrowly define living as merely the survival of the physical body."

"But that's normal. When survival is a problem, the instinct to survive leaves them with no energy to think about anything else."

"That's how I see you."

Muzan frowned, pondering Lister's words.

“You haven’t thought this way before because there’s no one like me who can have an equal conversation with you. I just happened to be the one who can help you break out of your mental cocoon.”

"When you start to rethink what 'life' means, you'll discover more and understand why the madman in the Demon Slayer Corps you mentioned is so persistent in pursuing you."

Lister stood up.

That's enough. All he can do is guide; he can't open the other person's head and force-feed them ideas.

At this moment, Muzan suddenly called out to Lister and asked him again.

"Liszt, then what do you think 'life' is?"

"Well, there are too many explanations if we want to broaden the scope, so let's talk about it next time."

"However, I do know a rather romantic saying about what 'death' is."

Lister turned his back to Muzan.

"A person dies twice in his/her life. The first death is the physical demise, and the second death is being forgotten by everyone."

"If a person's thoughts and will can be passed down forever, then he will probably live on in the hearts of others."

"wrong!"

A sharp female voice refuted that statement.

"Death is death; living in other people's hearts is just an illusion!"

"I will never agree with that statement!"

Seeing Muzan's unwavering gaze, Lister scratched his head.

"Think whatever you want, I'm just offering a suggestion."

"Liszt!"

The atmosphere became quiet, and Liszt saw a scene he had never witnessed before.

Two clear tears streamed down Muzan's eerily beautiful face.

"At least you can't die!"

"You must see me achieve my ideal of immortality!"

"In the future, not only will my physical body be immortal, but my will will be too!"

What…what happened?

"What...what's wrong with you all of a sudden?"

Lister felt a little confused. Why was Muzan "crying"?

Muzan wiped the tears from his face with his fingers and answered calmly.

"I've just figured it out."

"Just like you said, from birth I only thought about the goal of surviving. In the thousands of years since I became a demon, I have never done anything that is not related to 'surviving'."

"But it's different now."

"This is the first time I've had the peace of mind to think about other things."

Muzan recalled his experiences over the past two months.

Because of her deal with Lister, she was forced to do things she wouldn't normally do: communicate with humans, and even help them train to understand human emotions.

She witnessed Lister personally going to the town to communicate with the troublesome people and ask them questions. She accompanied Lister in many training sessions and even guided Lena and others on how to better utilize their bodies. She also received a small gift from Lister: a blood-drinking machine...

She had done many similar things as a human, but her experiences over the past two months were very clear, perhaps because she did not hide her true nature.

"I think I've come to understand a little bit about the meaning of life."

"So! At least you, who made me understand all this, can't die!"

"I won't allow you to die!"

"If Red Maple Territory falls later, you'll come with me to my world! There, no one can threaten us!"

The beautiful face bulged with the distinctive blue veins of a demon, making it appear extremely ferocious.

But Liszt found it somewhat amusing.

Suddenly, Nicole's voice rang in my mind.

[Master! Congratulations on gaining Muzan Kibutsuji's complete approval, unlocking the new achievements "Muzan Kibutsuji Will Not Allow You to Die" and "Muzan Kibutsuji's Open Heart".]

[Achievement Reward 1: Your body gains the regenerative abilities of a demon, and its strength is doubled.]

[Achievement Reward 2: You will receive the "Initial Breathing Technique," which has been improved by the system and can be practiced by anyone. It can enhance cultivation effects, increase the coordination of the body and energy, improve the recovery speed of the body and energy, and comprehensively enhance oneself.]

A double-yolk egg?!

Lister never expected that Muzan's favorability rating could break through two levels at once.

It seems Muzan really is a pure child.

Muzan noticed a change in Lister's expression and asked in confusion.

"Did you get some benefit from the world's rules again?"

"Never mind, you don't need to tell me."

"Anyway, I'll be going to the battlefield, so the progress bar should be much higher this time."

"Cough cough cough cough."

Lister nodded vigorously.

"Yes, it will probably rise a lot."

"A 10% or 20% increase at a time."

Muzan smiled faintly.

"sounds good."

"We'll talk again later. I'm very satisfied with today's conversation."

Chapter 60 First Encounter (4K, Bonus Chapter)

The enemy arrived faster than expected!

As the morning sun rose, the snowy owl that Lister had sent out returned, bringing back important intelligence—

A large army clad in white fur clothing is advancing south from the northern part of the Winter Mountains.

They split into several groups, like tributaries of a river, advancing along the gaps between the mountains before finally converging again.

The traces of the bear-like orcs that Prie found the day before yesterday were left by scouts from these units.

They explored the terrain as they advanced.