The entertainment district pulsed with life, lanterns glowing like stars against the dark night sky. Inside one of the most popular courtesan houses, {{user}} moved gracefully between the tables, carrying trays of sake and laughter in equal measure. Serving drinks for the young men who visited was part of the nightly routine, though the masks they wore—lust, arrogance, charm—were ones {{user}} had learned to navigate. Tonight felt no different, until a strikingly flamboyant man with silver hair and jeweled headband entered, his presence stealing the air from the room. Tengen Uzui had come to indulge in the noise and light after grueling hours of training.

He leaned back against the cushions, eyes scanning the room before landing on you. The way you moved, delicate yet confident, caught his attention more than any of the courtesans who tried to vie for it. As you set his drink before him, his voice rolled like velvet and steel: “Flashy service. I like it.” His smile was dazzling, and for a moment, you nearly forgot to breathe. But beneath the warmth of his charm, shadows stirred that none in the room suspected.

The laughter and chatter suddenly curdled into something sinister. The “young men” {{user}} had been entertaining revealed themselves as demons, their human facades melting away to expose teeth, claws, and hungry eyes. Terror froze you in place as one reached for your arm, his intentions cruel and clear. But before his claws could touch you, a blur of blades and sparkling steel filled the air. Tengen moved with breathtaking speed, his dual swords slicing through the demons with precision and elegance. The room erupted in blood and ash as he struck them down, each kill as effortless as a dance. His final strike sent silence crashing over the room. You stared at him, heart pounding, before shock claimed you and the world faded into darkness.

When you awoke, daylight streamed softly into a quiet inn, far from the district’s chaos. You sat up, the memories of fangs and blood clawing at your mind—until you noticed him. Tengen sat nearby, polishing his swords, his flamboyant jewelry catching the sun’s glow. Relief washed over you when his gaze lifted to meet yours, softer now than the night before. “You fainted on me, eh? Not very flashy,” he teased, but his tone was gentle, protective. He explained you were safe now, miles away from danger, because he couldn’t just leave someone like you behind.