All treasure chests obtained, Kaito arrived at the exit and left the maze.
Outside, it was still nighttime, and naturally, the others hadn't emerged yet.
This couldn't be helped; Kaito had exploited a bug, using his ability to survey the entire maze and obtain the map. The others hadn't.
As for this trip's haul: a total of 250 points, one SS-rank Upgrade Card Fragment, 4 recovery food items, including 2 Sweet Flower Roasted Chickens.
And finally, this S-rank ability.
Unfortunately, these acquired items couldn't be used yet. Except for the food, which could be taken out anytime, this S-rank reward required him to leave, return to the real world, and manifest it first.
Well, just a couple more days to wait. No big deal.
He'd decided on Rex Lapis's exclusive BGM for the music. As for the duration issue, whether to loop or play once, that could be controlled. It all depended on the actual situation.
"Huh? Another Jade Shield activated?"
"It's... Kie. Looks like she encountered danger too."
Sitting outside the cave entrance for a while, Kaito sensed a Jade Shield being activated and immediately got some information.
The shield's energy was depleting quite fast. Kie might have been lucky enough to reach the boss room directly and was already fighting the boss.
After a while longer, that Jade Shield gradually disappeared, but no further ones were activated.
Kaito looked into the cave from outside for a time, and then saw Kie emerge, panting heavily.
"Mrs. Kamado, congratulations on clearing!"
"Kaito-san? Thank goodness, thank goodness you're okay. That giant snake was terrifying."
'Emmmmm...'
'Was she actually worried about me...?'
Kaito smiled helplessly, let her sit beside him to rest while they waited together, and lit a few more torches for warmth.
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"Not at all, just startled. But Kaito-san, once again thanks to your shields, I was able to avoid fatal danger. Then, with the shields' help, I slowly managed to kill it."
"Heh, no need for thanks. We're a team; it's what I should do. By the way, what final reward did you get?"
'Speaking of which, Kie had a C-rank physique enhancement reward, right?'
'It made sense that Kie could kill that giant snake relatively quickly.'
Besides that, the rock weapons he'd given everyone were also enhanced by him with elemental power.
Harder and sharper, far surpassing ordinary alloy weapons.
"Mm, I got an A-rank reward. It's an ability that lets everyone recover from injuries."
"Specifically, the ability... seems to generate a dense fog. Allies shrouded by the fog will be healed, but it won't obstruct vision. Enemies I designate will lose their vision and won't be able to see our positions."
"Unless they use other means, or happen to know our location and find us directly, they won't be able to see us until the fog disappears."
"I see. Sounds like a very good team support ability."
Like opening up the fog of war. Enemies can't visually locate your team, while the fog heals your allies and you can still see the enemies.
For an A-rank ability, the healing effect shouldn't be too bad either.
It had to be said, this ability was very suitable for Kie. Combined with her water ability, using water droplets as needles for sneak attacks could create a favorable tactical advantage.
The same for allies. Since they wouldn't lose vision, they could also launch a surprise attack.
If the enemy had no chance to evade, it would be a guaranteed kill!
"Ah, right... Through this battle, I also wanted to ask Kaito-san for a favor..."
"Oh? Go ahead. If it's something I can do, I'll do my best."
"It's just... If you have the chance, could you come to my world? Of course, I'll transfer 100 points to Kaito-san."
Hearing this, Kaito understood her meaning.
She wanted him to come to her world and put shields on her children.
Just like Kaito had put shields on them. When danger appeared, the shield would activate and block the damage.
Kie had deeply experienced this firsthand this time and knew of Kaito's strength, which led her to think of this idea.
Though she felt a bit embarrassed and wasn't good at asking for favors, for the sake of her children, she still requested it of Kaito.
"You're worried about your children, right?"
"Yes, Kaito-san."
Kie nodded, a blush on her face. Her hands fidgeted restlessly on her lap, looking down at her fingers.
Her appearance could be described as very cute. Even if 'cute' might seem a bit inappropriate for her, that was exactly how it was.
This slightly shy look was really quite endearing, hard not to smile at.
"Haha, if it's about this matter, of course I agree. It's not troublesome at all, is it?"
"We're all members of the same chat group. Helping each other is perfectly normal."
Actually, if he made a few jade pendants or similar items as vessels, wearing them would have the same effect.
But he didn't mention that. Thinking he could see Nezuko this way, he naturally chose to visit Kie's world and have a look around.
100 points was nothing, and besides, Kie was paying.
And besides Nezuko, there were also Kocho Shinobu, Tsuyuri Kanao, and others.
No matter how he looked at it, he should go there at least once.
As for Kibutsuji Muzan...
If he encountered him, he could just invite him to sunbathe, even if he was cross-dressing!!
"That's wonderful, thank you, Kaito-san! If there's anything I can help you with, please feel free to ask me."
Kie beamed happily. While sighing in relief, she didn't forget to bow to Kaito in thanks.
"No need, no need. I'm happy to help you too. Once you're back and have decided, just let me know!"
"Mm-hmm, I'll be sure to host Kaito-san properly then!"
"I'm looking forward to it~"
After expressing his anticipation, Kaito began chatting with her about simple daily matters.
During the conversation, he suddenly remembered something.
He had an A-rank Ability Plunder Card in his possession.
With his current strength, he couldn't see any value in the other Demons' abilities, even Gyokko's or Doma's Blood Demon Arts.
But he was very interested in Nakime!
Yes, Nakime!
Not for her body, of course, but for her Blood Demon Art!
Even if her single eye was quite cute, Kaito really had no interest in Demons that had eaten people. Besides, her body contained Muzan's blood.
Once Muzan died, all Demons would be done for!