Chapter Ten: Choosing Sides

When Chu Fan opened his eyes once more, he found himself standing in the midst of a forest. Evening was drawing near, and the lingering rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow across the earth.

[Language of this world acquired automatically.]

[Main quest issued.]

[Choose a Faction] Select between the demon and human factions.

[Choosing the demon faction will turn you into a demon. At the conclusion of this derived world, your demonic bloodline will be evaluated and converted based on the amount of Muzan Kibutsuji's blood you have received and your personal growth.]

[The Chosen One task will activate once you have selected your faction.]

Upon seeing this option, Chu Fan carefully weighed the pros and cons.

Demon or human—the Chosen Paradise listed the demon faction first and clearly outlined its benefits, indicating a subtle encouragement to side with the demons.

Chu Fan was well aware that becoming a demon came with many advantages. Even if his strength was lacking, demonic regeneration and the ability to rapidly grow stronger by consuming blood were enticing. As long as he remained cautious and avoided crossing paths with the Pillars, he need not face overwhelming foes.

Yet, a significant drawback was the necessity of submitting to Muzan Kibutsuji’s will. A single misstep could incur Muzan’s wrath and result in immediate abandonment or death. To gain higher evaluations and more of Muzan’s blood, one would inevitably have to deal with an unpredictable superior.

Moreover, while demons possessed terrifying regenerative abilities, they were compelled to hunt and devour humans and could only move freely at night. For the sake of survival, Chu Fan would not claim to be above killing, but the thought of gnawing on human flesh was still something he could not bring himself to do.

Having prepared himself before entering this world, Chu Fan was reluctant to entrust his life to the whims of another’s temper. In the end, he chose the human faction.

As his choice was made, Chosen Paradise confirmed:

[The Chosen One has selected the human faction.]

The quest interface shifted. The once-white text of the main quest was stained as though with fresh blood, turning a deep, ominous crimson within seconds.

Derived World: Demon Slayer
World Difficulty: LV.2

[World Overview] A land overrun by demons, where the struggle between demons and the Demon Slayer Corps rages.

[Main Quest] Survive

[Quest Difficulty] LV.14 Hell Level

[Quest Description] By choosing the human faction, you must be prepared to face the malice of humans who have become demons. The requirement: survive to the end while being hunted by demons and the Fated Ones.

[Kind Reminder] Flee with all your might and struggle to live. The quest ends when the Nine Pillars and the Child of the World have all perished.

[Main Quest] Eliminate Human Traitors

[Quest Difficulty] LV.6

Quest requirement: Successfully kill twelve Fated Ones.

[Chosen One Quest Issued]

[Light of Humanity]
In the face of overwhelming malice and adversity, aid the human faction and secure ultimate victory in the war between humans and demons.
Reward: S+ rating. (This quest is not mandatory.)
Side Quests: None at present.

Staring at the blood-red mission panel, Chu Fan was lost in thought.

He had noticed, from the moment the faction selection appeared, that Chosen Paradise gave precedence to the demon side, clearly favoring it. What surprised him, however, was just how many had chosen to become demons.

Now, Chu Fan realized he might have underestimated the pressure Chosen Paradise imposed on the Fated Ones. In such a perilous, battle-ridden world, survival was never guaranteed. Faced with higher odds of survival, most would naturally opt for the safer route.

Yet, with so many Fated Ones now demons, the human faction would inevitably face severe disadvantages. If his identity as a human was exposed, other Fated Ones could report him to Muzan Kibutsuji, prompting the Upper Moons to hunt him down.

Once this variable—his presence in the human faction—was eliminated, and with the demon side acquiring even more advantageous information, the fate awaiting the Demon Slayer Corps would be utter annihilation.

The main quest’s difficulty remained as daunting as ever, but Chu Fan harbored no regrets. Once a choice was made, there was no turning back. Besides, compared to his first trial in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, this quest did not seem quite as harrowing. At the very least, survival—even if it meant running and hiding—remained an option.

Perhaps this was Chosen Paradise offering a final sliver of hope to those who sided with humanity. Of course, eking out a meager existence in such fashion would yield pitifully poor ratings and rewards.

Still, having two main quests was an unexpected windfall. Chu Fan had not forgotten that the Devourer talent increased the devouring limit with each new main quest triggered. With two main quests, he could now consume up to ten points’ worth in the Demon Slayer world.

Suddenly, a figure dressed in black and wearing a mask stepped out before Chu Fan.

“Honored guest, welcome from afar. I am Koju, here to receive you. Please, follow me.”

Chu Fan glanced at the self-identified Koju, whose overall attributes hovered around five or six—little more than an ordinary person. Clearly, this was a guide.

He wasted no words, merely nodded, and followed.

Descending the mountain steps, Chu Fan soon encountered a sight quintessential to the Demon Slayer world: the wisteria flower. Deadly to demons, yet, regrettably, Chu Fan lacked any pharmaceutical expertise. If he had the skill, he could have harnessed it to more easily destroy his enemies.

“May I ask how I should address you, sir?” Koju inquired as she led the way, noting Chu Fan’s splendid attire, but no Nichirin Blade at his waist—a detail that puzzled her.

“Call me Phantom Feather,” Chu Fan replied after a moment’s thought, adopting an alias.

There was no way he would reveal his true name, so he casually gave himself a code name.

“Sir Phantom Feather, once you have chosen the material for your Nichirin Blade, I will escort you to your assigned quarters,” Koju said respectfully.

As Chu Fan continued down the mountain, he saw a torii gate ahead, beneath which several familiar figures stood.

If memory served, five people had passed the final selection this time.

One was a dignified young woman with obsidian hair, diamond-shaped highlights in her pink-violet eyes, cherry blossom lips, straight bangs, and a single side ponytail, clad in a pink kimono—Kanao Tsuyuri, the adoptive daughter of Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Pillar.

Another was a round-browed boy with short golden hair, dressed in a yellow haori adorned with triangles—Zenitsu Agatsuma, timid yet unexpectedly powerful when asleep.

A third was a plain-looking boy in blue, with bandages on his head and a few scratches on his face—Tanjiro Kamado, the so-called Child of the World and, owing to his hard head, nicknamed the Head Pillar.

As for the scarred boy, whose looks were far from handsome, Chu Fan recognized him but paid little attention.

The last, Inosuke Hashibira, the boar-headed youth, was conspicuously absent.

Chu Fan’s descent drew some attention—not due to his looks, but rather his attire. Dressed in a pristine, elegant white robe, his features obscured, and standing around 1.8 meters tall, he hardly resembled a peer. Moreover, he carried no blade at his waist and was accompanied by a member of the Demon Slayer Corps' logistics staff—clear signs that this newcomer was no ordinary individual.

“Are you afraid to show your face, dressed up like some kind of spirit?” Genya Shinazugawa, with a dark, spiky hairstyle and a scar running across his right cheek and nose, grumbled irritably upon seeing Chu Fan.

Chu Fan vanished from his spot in an instant, seizing Genya’s head and smashing it to the ground.

“Ugh!” Genya cried out in pain, blood streaming from his head.

Zenitsu’s eyes narrowed as he witnessed Chu Fan’s speed—so fast it was almost imperceptible.

“Ah! What do we do now…” Zenitsu began to panic.

Tanjiro, too, was shaken by the stranger’s display. This was someone whose strength far surpassed their own.

“Sir Phantom Feather, these will soon be members of the Demon Slayer Corps. Please, do not take offense,” Koju pleaded nervously at Chu Fan’s display.

Kanao Tsuyuri’s eyes flickered at the scene, but her expression remained unchanged.