Chapter 2: Demon Slayer World. Dark Alloy Weapons. Xiao Yue: Master Is Such a Big Dummy!

“T0, scan this world and find out where we are.” After changing clothes, Zero had his petite doll-like robot check their location.

“Understood, Master. Scanning initiated… Scan complete.”

“Master, we are in a dimensional world—the Demon Slayer World—a realm overrun by demons. The place we are currently in is a small country called Nihon.”

“Nihon? Why does that sound so familiar? Why can’t I remember? A world overrun by demons… T0, is this world dangerous?”

“Master, it’s not much for you, but due to dimensional suppression, many of our items cannot be used in this world!”

“I see.”

“I’m sorry, Master. Due to dimensional suppression, I can only obtain this much information.” T0 spoke dejectedly.

“It’s fine. You’ve done well!” Zero held T0 in his hands and stroked her head.

“By the way, T0, I’ll give you a name.”

“Yes, Master! What name will you give me?” T0 knelt on Zero’s palm, her large, sparkling eyes fixed on him with eager anticipation.

“Luo Li said my old name was Bai Yue, but I’ve forgotten much. So I’ll call you Xiao Yue.”

“Yay! I have a name now—I’m Xiao Yue, hehehe! So happy!” Xiao Yue floated up and circled Zero joyfully.

“Alright, Xiao Yue. Let’s find a place to rest and gather information about this Demon Slayer dimension—we need to plan ahead.”

“Okay~” Xiao Yue replied, then settled onto Zero’s shoulder.

…

Zero and Xiao Yue walked along a rural path; their unusual appearances drew stares from passersby.

Especially Xiao Yue—her tiny frame perched on Zero’s shoulder left others bewildered.

Zero himself was no less striking: dressed in a white shirt and black coat, black leggings beneath a leather skirt, and black semi-metallic knee-high boots. His white hair and blood-red eyes framed an exquisite face, leaving onlookers stunned.

“Master, why are they all staring at us?”

“Because we’re not from this world. It’s natural they don’t understand us.”

“Oh.”

Just then, a man in samurai attire blocked their path. “Hand over all your money!”

“What’s he saying?”

“Master, he’s speaking Nihon’s language. You can activate your language translation function.”

“I see. Activate language translation!”

Instantly, a Bluetooth-like single-lens translator appeared on Zero’s left ear, translating speech. His words were transmitted via radio waves into the samurai’s mind, appearing to the man as perfectly natural Nihonese.

Samurai: “Hand over all your money.”

“Uh, Xiao Yue, am I being robbed?”

“Yes, Master. But this guy seems a bit dim-witted, hehe.” Xiao Yue sat on Zero’s shoulder, legs dangling, grinning.

“Fine. I’ll do as he says.”

Zero pointed at the samurai. “You. Hand over your money, and I’ll overlook what you just said to me.”

“Nani━Σ(?Д?|||)━, kid, I’m the one who’s… Pu ～” The samurai’s words were cut short as Zero kicked him squarely in the stomach, sending him flying.

“Kid, I’m far older than you. How dare you call me ‘kid’? You’re asking for death!”

“Master, you do look a bit like a schoolboy right now.”

“Uh… I guess you’re right.”

Zero walked up to the samurai.

“Hand over your money, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise… heh heh!” Zero clenched his fist, producing a crisp cracking sound.

“I… I… I’ll give it! My lord… I… I’m sorry! Please spare me!” The samurai, gritting his teeth against the pain, pulled a pouch of coins from his robes and handed it to Zero.

“Good. Go.”

“Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!” The samurai fled without waiting, ignoring his stomach wound, terrified Zero might change his mind.

“Over a thousand yen. Not bad. Xiao Yue, can you find the nearest town? We need to rest.”

“Let me check… Found it, Master. About fifteen li from here is a small town.”

“Then let’s go. We’ll gather more information about this world—and if possible, look for a way back.”

“Master, shouldn’t you pick a name for yourself here? What if someone asks?”

“A name? I’ll use my designation—Zero.”

“Master, you’re awfully casual about naming yourself.”

“It’s just my own name. Besides, we’re only passing through this world. We’ll leave someday.”

…

Three days later.

Since arriving in town and checking into a small inn, Zero had begun gathering all available information about the Demon Slayer World.

According to reports from him and Xiao Yue, this world was overrun by demons that emerged each night to prey on humans.

The creator of these demons was the progenitor demon, Kibutsuji Muzan, a demon who had lived for a thousand years.

He had also gathered fragments of information on why Muzan created so many demons: to find a plant called the Blue Higanbana.

Through Xiao Yue’s analysis, he learned this flower could transform Muzan into an ultimate being immune to sunlight.

Muzan also had twelve direct subordinates known as the Twelve Kizuki, though their exact power levels remained unknown.

In three days, only this much had been gathered—not much. He also learned of an organization opposing demons: the Demon Slayer Corps, though details were still being collected.

“Huh. This world’s more complicated than I thought. Kibutsuji Muzan… interesting.” Zero mused.

“Master, what are you thinking about?” Xiao Yue asked, noticing him staring blankly out the window.

Zero: “Nothing. Xiao Yue, do you know how long I’ve lived?”

Xiao Yue: “I’m not sure. I only know that since you created me, you’ve been with me for eleven centuries, then slept for another two.”

“But Luo Li told me that before you created me, you lived alone for twelve centuries. Except when taking missions, you always fought alone.”

“Master, I’ll always be with you from now on. Don’t carry so much alone anymore, okay? I’m your family too—I’ll share your burdens.”

Zero turned to look at Xiao Yue. For the first time, she had voiced her true feelings. He cupped her in his hands, gently stroking her cheek with his finger, and smiled. “You little one, I’ve never seen you express yourself like this. Thank you, Xiao Yue.”

“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy,” Xiao Yue replied, wrapping her tiny hands around his finger.

“By the way, Xiao Yue, even with dimensional suppression, some weapons should still work, right? Which ones can I use?”

“Master, I’ve already checked. Most dark matter weapons are unusable, but you created some dark alloy weapons during your downtime that still function here. I’ve listed them all—I’m sending them now.”

Zero’s translator lens received Xiao Yue’s list and reviewed it: Nanospace, two medical pods, eight cross-shaped dark alloy floating cannons, dark alloy Gatling gun, dark alloy annihilation sniper, quantum dual pistols, dark alloy paralysis gun, dark alloy Type-4, light-energy flyer, twenty destroyer micro-drones, dark alloy armor, quantum shield.

Hundreds of thousands of energy crystals, one massive dark alloy battle mecha, and a large portion of daily supplies and clothing.

Nanospace: A storage space of tens of thousands of cubic meters, crafted by Zero over ten years.

Medical pod: A small air chamber that heals injuries. Place the wounded inside, insert an energy crystal, and as long as they’re alive, recovery is rapid.

Dark alloy cross floating cannon (dual mode): A cross-shaped cannon of dark red and black. Effective at range and close combat. Insert energy crystals to activate ultra-defense mode or long-range attack mode. Second mode converts to machine gun mode!

Dark alloy Gatling gun: A high-firepower cannon. Insert energy crystals for sustained fire. One crystal provides three minutes of firepower.

Dark alloy annihilation sniper: Possesses immense penetration. On impact, it triggers a massive explosion, inflicting unimaginable damage.

Dark alloy annihilation sniper

Quantum dual pistols: Fire quantum bullets by absorbing ambient quantum particles. Insert energy crystals to make bullets emit a shockwave that disrupts bodily functions.

Quantum dual pistols

Dark alloy paralysis gun: Upon firing with an energy crystal, it delivers an electric current that paralyzes the target’s nervous system.

Dark alloy paralysis gun

Dark alloy Type-4: Equipped with four dark alloy tachi blades. Each blade is sharp enough to cleave through the hardest xuantie metal. Insert energy crystals to activate solar-level heat or freezing capabilities.

Light-energy flyer: Features black-and-white dark alloy wings. Powered by sunlight or energy crystals for sustained flight.

Destroyer micro-drone: Only palm-sized. After inserting an energy crystal, it fires high-explosive rounds with considerable power.

Dark alloy armor: When equipped, greatly enhances combat power and offers ultra-strong defense. If damaged, insert energy crystals for automatic repair.

[Dark alloy armor]—drawing is crude, apologies.

Quantum shield: Insert energy crystals to generate a three-meter-radius shield. More crystals = stronger defense.

Massive dark alloy battle mecha: A ten-meter-tall combat mecha with flowing black-and-red dark patterns across its surface. Carries two giant swords, boasting immense destructive power and defense. One hundred energy crystals allow thirty minutes of continuous operation.

[Massive dark alloy battle mecha]—modeled after Gundam. Don’t like it? Don’t comment.

“The battle mecha’s great, but it drains energy crystals too fast. I wish I hadn’t made it. Still, I’ll keep it—might need it later.”

“These weapons are enough. At least they’ll keep us safe until we leave this world. Thanks, Xiao Yue.”

“It’s nothing. Oh, Master, a small part of your left dark matter mechanical arm still functions here.”

“Hmm.”

“Um, Master, I…”

“What is it, Xiao Yue?”

“I…” Xiao Yue blushed, fidgeting, unable to speak.

“I… I want to take a bath.” She covered her face with both hands.

“Huh?! Why do you suddenly want to bathe?” Zero was curious. Though Xiao Yue was a robot, she embodied advanced technology—her appearance was 100% human-like, and her internal structure was indistinguishable from a real person.

“I don’t know why. Ever since arriving in this world, I’ve felt the need to bathe. Not doing so makes me uncomfortable.”

“You silly thing. Fine. Wait here—I’ll prepare something.” Zero chuckled, but complied with her request.

Soon, Zero carried a small basin of hot water upstairs, placed it on the table, and shut the door. From Nanospace, he retrieved several white cloths, arranging them around the basin to form a makeshift bathroom.

“Here’s a towel, and some clothes I made for you before. Use these. Bathe here.”

“Thank you, Master! Mwah~ You’re the best, hehe!” She kissed him, then flew toward the makeshift bathroom, shedding her clothes to prepare for her bath.

Zero touched his cheek where Xiao Yue had kissed him and smiled faintly. “This kid is really mischievous—no idea who she learned it from.” He sighed inwardly.

“Master.” Xiao Yue’s small head peeked out from behind the white cloth. “Master, no peeking!”

“Xiao Yue, I never planned to peek—but now you say that, I’m curious!”

Xiao Yue puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel stuffed with food. “No! Master, you can’t peek!”

“Fine, I won’t peek. I never intended to anyway.”

“And no silly stuff either!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll do whatever you say. Hurry up and wash. We have to return the basin to the landlady soon!”

“You big dummy, Master! I’m not talking to you! Nya-nya-nya!” Xiao Yue stuck out her tongue at Zero, then pulled her head back to prepare for her bath.

Soon after, Xiao Yue glimpsed through a gap in the cloth—Zero was truly just sitting by the window, staring blankly, lost in thought.

“Hmph. Luo Li was right—Master really is a big dummy, a big wooden head!” Xiao Yue grumbled inwardly.

After her bath, Xiao Yue put on the dress Zero had prepared for her—a light, sleeveless dress. Honestly, she looked even cuter in it.

“Xiao Yue, are you done?”

“Hmph!” Xiao Yue stood on the table, cheeks puffed, turning her head away, leaving only her profile facing Zero.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Yue? Why are you mad?”

“You’re a big dummy, a big dummy, a huge dummy, Master!”

“Oh? You dare insult me? Let me teach you a lesson! Giggity-giggity-giggity~” Zero held Xiao Yue in one hand and tickled her with the other.

“Hahaha! M-Master… stop… stop it… it’s too ticklish… hahaha… Xiao Yue’s sorry… Xiao Yue knows she’s wrong… too ticklish… hahaha…” Xiao Yue rolled uncontrollably on Zero’s palm, her dress riding up and revealing a glimpse of her undergarments.

Zero: “…”

Xiao Yue: “…”

“I’m sorry, Xiao Yue… I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s… it’s fine, Master… I don’t mind…”

The two fell into an awkward silence.

“Alright, you rest early. I’ll return the basin to the landlady. Tomorrow, we continue gathering information about this world.”

“Mmm…” Xiao Yue floated upward, gliding into the small bed Zero had prepared for her.

“Goodnight, Master.”

“Goodnight, Xiao Yue.”

…

Several days later, Zero and Xiao Yue left the small town and headed elsewhere to continue gathering information about this world.

As they passed through a village, night had fallen—but they encountered two “people.” More accurately, two ghosts.

“Master, be careful—they’re ghosts!” Xiao Yue warned.

“So these are ghosts?” Zero stared at the two demons before him.

One was a female ghost with two small horns on her forehead and shoulder-length silver-white hair.

Two thick red stripes marked each side of her face; she wore a red kimono, oddly cute, with the character “ Xiasi ” carved into her left eyeball.

The other was a male ghost with X-shaped markings on his forehead and both cheeks, long ears adorned with tiny earrings, and the character “ Xiacan ” carved into his left eye.

At that moment, they were devouring a corpse. When they looked up and saw a human standing before them, they grew alert. Recognizing he wasn’t from the Demon Slayer Corps, they sneered.

“Tch. Not from the Demon Slayer Corps? Then this’ll be easy. Kill him, eat him, and get out fast—the Demon Slayers will be coming.”

“But… if we fight him, I’m afraid…”

“Afraid of what? We’re Lower Moon Demons. Taking down an ordinary human? Child’s play. Yu Lingzi, you’re too timid. I don’t know how you even became a Lower Moon.”

“O-Okay…”

Zero saw them and immediately activated his analysis glasses to scan the two ghosts.

【Analyzing… Analysis successful】

【Lower Moon Four—Yu Lingzi, Lower Moon Demon of the Twelve, direct subordinate of Muzan Kibutsuji. Naturally timid, flees instantly upon encountering a Demon Slayer Corps Pillar. Blood Demon Art: Vine Manipulation, Puppetry, Underground Movement, Breath Concealment.】

【Lower Moon Three—Bing Ye, Lower Moon Demon of the Twelve, direct subordinate of Muzan Kibutsuji.】

【Formerly a ninja, he killed his own family members in life to survive. After death, Muzan granted him blood and turned him into a demon. Blood Demon Art: Withering, Maple Blade, Death Substitute Clone, Stealth.】

【Analysis Result: Can be killed only by decapitation with a Nichirin Blade forged from Sun-Absorbing Steel. Otherwise, decapitation with ordinary weapons allows instant regeneration.】

【Recommendation: Use the thermal energy generated by Dark Alloy Type IV infused with Energy Crystals to kill them. The thermal energy of Dark Alloy Type IV has the same effect as a Nichirin Blade.】

“Lower Moon Three—Bing Ye? Lower Moon Four—Yu Lingzi? Why do those names sound so familiar? Why do I feel like I’ve heard them before?”

“So you know us? Then you’ve died with purpose.”

“Master, watch out—something’s underground!”

As Bing Ye spoke, Yu Lingzi secretly manipulated vines from beneath the ground to strike Zero. Zero reacted instantly at Xiao Yue’s warning, leaping backward to evade.

“What is that tiny thing? No human aura… no demon aura!” Yu Lingzi said. Had it not been for that tiny thing’s warning, he would’ve caught him.

“You’re the tiny thing! Your whole family’s tiny things! I’m Master’s…”

“Xiao Yue, no need to explain. If they want to die, let them.”

“Yes, Master! Activating combat mode!” Xiao Yue’s eyes instantly changed—one red, one blue. The red eye analyzed combat patterns and tactics; the blue eye performed data analysis and scanning. A spherical energy shield formed around her body.

This was Zero’s design, meant to protect Xiao Yue from collateral attacks during battle.

“Whirrr… whirrr…” A swarm of miniature drones emerged from thin air—Zero’s Destroyer-class drones, released from his nanospace.

“Xiao Yue, I’ve transferred control of the drones to you. Deal with the female demon. I’ll handle the other one.”

“Understood, Master! Control received! Engaging combat. Target: Lower Moon Demon—Yu Lingzi.”

The Destroyers, under Xiao Yue’s command, surged toward Yu Lingzi.

“Dark Alloy Type IV!” Four black-and-red sheath boxes linked together flew from the nanospace and attached to Zero’s lower back. Beneath them, black hilts emerged. He drew one blade, inserted an Energy Crystal—the blade’s edge instantly blazed with brilliant red light.

“Little brat, now it’s just you and me!” Zero raised the blade, pointing it at Bing Ye.

The moment Bing Ye saw the blade’s red glow, sweat broke on his forehead. He felt the weapon’s lethal threat—a primal fear rose within him.

…