The streets of the Entertainment District lay in eerie silence. The crimson forms of Daki and Gyutaro, decapitated, were now still, but the battle's toll was far from over. Karina staggered slightly, the venom still coursing through her veins, sharp and insidious. Every movement throbbed with the remnants of Gyutaro's poisoned blood, a lethal toxin that had been embedded deep within her system before his final retreat.
She took a shallow breath, Mirage Blade arcs flickering faintly as she tried to maintain control. Her vision wavered slightly, the edges of reality warping under the influence of the poison. Her body, normally a paragon of precision and discipline, trembled in ways that no Arcane Breathing could fully stabilize.
Tengen's eyes narrowed sharply as he noticed the subtle falter in her stance. "Karina!" he barked, rushing to her side. His hand hovered near her, prepared to intervene with both force and protective strategy.
Tanjiro and Inosuke immediately moved closer as well, forming a protective perimeter. Tanjiro's Water Breathing flowed defensively, each strike creating barriers and arcs to shield Karina from any residual threats. Inosuke's wild, feral movements scanned the rooftops, the alleys, every potential danger.
Karina's violet eyes met Tengen's, steady yet strained. "I… can still manage," she murmured, voice faint but resolute. Her hands gripped the blade with deliberate control, Mirage Blade arcs faintly shimmering around her.
Tengen shook his head, a rare expression of concern crossing his usually composed features. "No. This is not just exhaustion. The poison—he left it inside you deliberately. You need help now." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Shinobu arrived moments later, moving with her usual calm efficiency, her medical expertise immediately assessing the situation. "This is no ordinary venom," she said quietly, her eyes scanning Karina. "The poison is fast-acting and systemic. Without treatment, it could be fatal."
Karina's breath hitched slightly as the severity sank in. Her body remained under control, but the venom was a reminder of vulnerability—a stark contrast to the overwhelming precision and dominance she had displayed moments ago. For the first time since the European mission, she felt a crack in her impenetrable composure.
Tanjiro stepped closer, voice low but insistent. "You've faced impossible odds before. You survived them. You will survive this too." His presence was steady, a grounding force in the storm of venom coursing through her.
Tengen moved decisively, positioning himself to shield both Karina and the approaching Shinobu. "Then we act. We neutralize the poison. You focus on staying conscious." His hands, trained for both combat and protection, were ready for any interference, while his gaze never left Karina.
Shinobu's movements were precise, injecting antidotes and applying her medical knowledge to counteract Gyutaro's venom. Karina's body trembled under the systemic effects, yet her violet eyes remained alert, unwavering in their focus even through pain. The poison was lethal, but her mastery and the support of allies gave her a lifeline.
As the treatment began to stabilize her condition, Karina's gaze swept across Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Tengen. Gratitude and resolve intertwined silently—she was not just a variable on the battlefield; she was a part of a force greater than herself. Yet even in recovery, the reminder remained: the war was far from over, and the shadow of Muzan had already begun to stretch toward her.
The night held a fragile calm, but the tension was palpable. Karina's poison had been countered—for now—but the stakes had been raised. She had survived the immediate threat, yet the consequences of Gyutaro's final act were a stark warning: even victory carried danger, and the next battle would demand even more of her resolve and power.