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THE MOON shone brightly, casting pale silver light through the dense canopy. Dead leaves crunched beneath footsteps as an ancient being wandered through the dark forest. She carried no blade-only a wand, delicately held in her right hand.

A demon had been stalking the (H/C)-haired woman from the shadows. It growled lowly, fangs bared in hunger, its glowing eyes filled with bloodlust. she appeared harmless, unarmed in the demon's eyes-a perfect, defenseless prey.

With a final rustle, it sprang from the bushes to strike.

But before its claws could brush against even a strand of her hair, its hand ignited in flames. the creature screeched, eyes widening in confusion and pain.

It hurts! why... why am I burning-

Before the thought could finish, she turned her head slowly. her hair flowed like silk in the moonlight, casting a soft glow against her pale, ethereal skin. her face showed no emotion-only stillness, like time itself had stopped.

For a brief moment, the demon stared at her in awe.

A goddess...?

She smirked faintly.

"Have a sweet death," she whispered, her voice soft, almost sorrowful.

Though reduced to ash, the demon's eyes remained open-staring, widened not in fear, but admiration. dying by her hand... it wasn't so bad. the burning was only temporary. what followed was peace.

"Arigatou...

megami-sama..."

She stood still, expression unchanged. Quietly, she crouched, gathering the charred fragments of the demon's kimono. Then, she buried them beneath the earth with her own hands.

"poor soul," she murmured.

It was a routine encounter. She had slain countless demons, saved many lives. for someone who had lived a thousand years, this kind of tragedy had long become ordinary.

with silent steps, the immortal woman continued on her path-toward the demon slayer corps.