Cold Cry unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it to Noe. She accepted it happily and took a few small sips.
"There are two reasons why I don't want to join them," he said calmly. "First, we're about to face life-and-death situations. If I don't get involved with them, I won't form attachments—so when something unexpected happens, I can make rational decisions without being swayed by emotions."
He paused, his gaze steady.
"Second, the difference in strength is too great. To put it bluntly… they're too weak. Staying with them would only slow me down. I won't entrust my life to others. The strong rely on themselves; only the weak depend on others."
Noe nodded thoughtfully. "I understand now. First, you don't trust them. Second, you think they're too weak. Right?"
She looked rather proud of her conclusion—but her eyes soon drifted toward the meat-and-vegetable patties beside her.
Judging from her expression, she still wasn't full.
In just a short time, she had already eaten five patties, while Cold Cry hadn't even finished one.
They were both teenagers. Normally, Cold Cry could eat at most two. Yet this girl had eaten five and still seemed hungry.
Just how big is her appetite?
"Still not full?" he asked, pushing the bag toward her. "If you're hungry, eat as much as you want."
Noe's eyes lit up. She swallowed, glanced at the patties, then at him, clearly tempted. But in the end, she shook her head.
"N-No… I'm full."
"There's no need to be shy," Cold Cry said flatly. "Eat while you can. Once the fighting starts, these probably won't be edible tomorrow."
"Really?"
He nodded.
"In that case… I won't hold back."
Noe immediately grabbed another patty and began eating again, her face full of satisfaction, as if she hadn't eaten in days.
Cold Cry watched in stunned silence.
So that's the reason…
"Why can you eat so much?" he finally asked.
Noe's cheeks were stuffed, and she clutched another patty protectively, her gaze fixed on it like a small animal guarding its food.
For a moment, Cold Cry had the absurd thought—
If I tried to take it, would she bite me?
"I'm not looking down on you," he added. "I'm just curious."
"It's okay," Noe mumbled after swallowing. She took a sip of water and continued, her tone becoming more serious.
"I don't want to eat this much either… but if I don't, I'll collapse. I won't even be able to move."
Seeing his doubtful expression, she quickly insisted, "It's true! It's because of my family's special constitution."
Cold Cry's attention sharpened.
"The women in my family have muscle density several times higher than normal people," she explained. "Our strength is also much greater. Even our breathing and body temperature are different. To maintain that, we have to consume a lot of food."
Cold Cry recalled their earlier contact—her breathing had indeed been faster than normal. At first, he had assumed it was due to a Breathing Technique from the Demon Slayer Corps, but now it seemed otherwise.
"My muscle density is six times that of an average person," Noe continued, lowering her voice. "My sister's is eight times… To support that kind of body, our heart and lungs are also… different."
She hesitated, then glanced down at her chest, her face reddening slightly, before giving him an embarrassed look.
Cold Cry immediately understood.
Still, her earlier statement lingered in his mind.
Six times…?
That meant her raw physical strength alone far exceeded ordinary people. And her sister—eight times—was even more monstrous.
Why would someone like that even need a Breathing Technique? It was practically a natural advantage.
No wonder she dared to come alone to Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane.
And perhaps… this was also the source of her insecurity.
To ordinary people, she would appear abnormal—like a monster. Being avoided and isolated would be inevitable.
It was no surprise she longed so desperately to be accepted.
Cold Cry exhaled quietly.
She just hasn't met the right people yet.
Before long, most of the patties were gone, yet Noe still looked like she could eat more.
She wiped her hands and gave him an embarrassed smile.
"When I tried to work, people didn't want me because I ate too much," she said softly. "At home, I felt too ashamed to eat freely. I heard my sister works for the Demon Slayer Corps, so I came to find her… hoping she could help me get a job."
She hesitated.
"But when I got here, I didn't dare to see her. I was afraid she'd scold me. So I snuck out… and came here to apply instead."
Cold Cry didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
This girl had entered the Final Selection—where survival itself was uncertain—just to find a job and have enough to eat.
It was absurd.
And strangely… endearing.
"You said your sister is in the Demon Slayer Corps," he said. "What's her name? I might be able to ask around."
"No, no!" Noe waved her hands quickly. "I know where she lives. I just… don't dare to see her."
Cold Cry nodded and let it go.
By now, night had fully fallen.
Cold moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the forest. Mount Fujikasane had fallen into a deathly silence—no insects, no birds, nothing.
Only an oppressive stillness.
Everyone could feel it.
Something was wrong.
Noe stiffened, her large eyes fixed on the dark forest below. It felt like a gateway to hell itself.
Faint rustling sounds echoed in the distance. Branches snapped. The noise grew closer—like a rising tide.
Cold Cry placed a hand on her shoulder.
She flinched, turning quickly to look at him.
"Are you afraid?" he asked.
Noe froze, then forced a trembling smile. "A… a little. But I'll protect you."
Cold Cry flicked her forehead lightly.
The simple action snapped her out of her fear.
Bathed in moonlight, his expression looked calm—almost unreal.
Noe stared at him, momentarily dazed.
"There's another reason I didn't join them," he said.
"What is it?"
He looked toward the forest, eyes sharp.
"The more people there are… the easier it is to become a target."
At that moment—
A piercing scream echoed across Mount Fujikasane.
The Final Selection had begun.
And with it—
The night banquet of demons.