From Demon Slayer to the Multiverse: The Ultimate Exploiter

As night deepened, Tong Gu remained seated cross-legged in his room, eyes closed, with his shallow blade resting in his hands.

This wasn't traditional sword meditation. In fact, with his energy attribute at zero, Tong Gu couldn't formally connect to his Zanpakutō in the conventional sense. His bond with the blade relied more on routine practice and observation, like caring for a cautious, unfamiliar beast.

Still, he found that this meditative state helped clear his mind, allowing him to examine himself more deeply. The ruthless brutality he displayed when killing "Mr. Li" had prompted Tong Gu to confront the truth about himself.

No, he was never a flawless paragon of righteousness. Despite how others admired him as a symbol of salvation, or even the moments when he became captivated by that image himself, Tong Gu understood—he had darkness within too. He had tried to embody the role that others saw, forcing himself closer to that ideal under their watchful gazes.

But no matter how disciplined he was, certain feelings lingered and built up over time.

In the Gantz world, during his confrontation with the Narurihyon, he had embraced a cruel ferocity that mirrored its savagery. Confronting scum like Li Yuanshan and Wu Guangzhi, who found pleasure in tormenting the weak, brought out an even darker violence in him.

These moments reminded Tong Gu that beneath his polished façade as the "Exploiter," lay a soul capable of both compassion and cruelty.

He empathized and acted with kindness when facing beauty and goodness. But in front of twisted filth, his loathing made him even more merciless than they were.

And when faced with near-certain death, a wild defiance surged within him—*If I perish, why should I care what happens to the world afterward?*

Understanding this, Tong Gu's lips curled into a faint smile. As he slowly opened his eyes and gazed at his reflection in the blade, there was a newfound clarity in his expression.

At last, he had reconciled with his soul.

A soft hum emanated from the shallow blade as if the weapon resonated with his enlightenment.

Knock, knock.

A gentle rapping came at the door. The woman outside did not enter but reported quietly, "Mr. Cao has appeared."

Tong Gu rose smoothly to his feet and opened the window, gazing at the radiant moonlight overhead. He smiled.

"A perfect night for killing."

---

Cao Qi disliked formal suits. Clad in a simple short-sleeved shirt, his upright features and jet-black hair made him appear at the peak of physical prowess.

He glanced at the moon shining overhead before turning his attention to the two Star Cultists leading the way.

"Summoning me at this late hour—does the Cult Master have urgent business?"

The guides, respectful and visibly nervous, exchanged glances before replying, "We're not sure. We were simply instructed to escort you here."

"I see."

This development was unusual. None of the strategies in their organization's playbook mentioned a scenario involving a midnight summons from Suguru Geto.

What had triggered this?

Had that fool Li done something reckless? No, he wasn't significant enough to attract Geto's attention.

The answer quickly crystallized in Cao Qi's mind. That young 18-year-old newcomer had made faster progress than expected, earning Geto's trust so soon. Impressive.

Without warning, a metallic tang filled the air. The two cultists sniffed and exchanged bewildered looks. The scent resembled…

Blood.

Squelch!

Cao Qi casually discarded two still-beating hearts as he turned toward the bridge where a lone figure awaited.

"It's you, then. The Exploiter. The latest S-rank."

Tong Gu observed the thick, blood-red curse energy surrounding Cao Qi—it was far more potent than anything Li Yuanshan had wielded.

This man was a true black iron-tier player.

Tong Gu didn't waste words. With a single gesture, Tamamo-no-Mae's twisted form rose from beneath the bridge, twin grotesque serpents lunging forward.

Cao Qi frowned, noting a system prompt before him:

[You have been identified as a hidden infiltrator within the Star Religious Group. Your reputation within the cult has been locked.]

What had this Exploiter done to earn Geto's complete trust?

The air thickened with a foul stench as the serpents' gaping maws exhaled black smoke that corroded the ground upon contact.

Cao Qi sneered, his hands enveloped in dense crimson energy. The blood on his hands evaporated, feeding the curse power that now clung to him like syrup.

"You think summoning a few curse spirits will kill me?" He scoffed. "I've killed Suguru Geto twice already!"

With a furious motion, Cao Qi became a crimson whirlwind, drilling through the snakes and dispersing the smoke.

Body Art: Piercing Fang!

In an instant, the whirlwind shredded the serpentine spirits and shot toward Tong Gu. The nauseating stench of blood grew stronger.

A deafening roar shook the ground as Tamamo-no-Mae's colossal fox form descended, her golden tails smashing the red tornado into the earth.

Boom!

Dust exploded into the air as Tamamo-no-Mae relentlessly pummeled the ground. Yet despite the onslaught, Cao Qi remained rooted in place, unmoving as a stone.

Sensing the futility, Tamamo-no-Mae leaped back, shaking her tails to dislodge clumps of curse-corroded fur.

As the dust settled, Cao Qi emerged—his upper body bare, muscles coiled with dark red energy. His expression was cold and unyielding.

"Don't underestimate me, Exploiter." He sneered. "A mere curse spirit—"

Step. Step.

Footsteps echoed a few meters behind him, halting Cao Qi mid-sentence. His body tensed as heat and a wave of dread surged up his spine.

"Human, were you about to insult curse spirits?"

A hunched figure clad in a patterned shirt emerged from the shadows, fiery curse energy emanating from his form.

Tong Gu smirked from afar.

"Let me teach you how to truly leverage power."

"You think ambushing Suguru Geto was impressive? Just wait until these monsters take the stage."

"Jogo—ahem, Lord Jogo—how about lending me a hand with this traitor?"

"We can't have turncoats running loose when we're trying to dismantle the sorcerer world, can we?"

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