Phaethon's gaze settled on the figure lying motionless before him.
Kanae Kocho, the former Flower Hashira from the Demon Slayer world, was now on the brink of death.
Her signature butterfly-wing patterned haori was torn and bloodstained. Blood trickled continuously from the corner of her mouth, and her breath was faint—like a candle flickering in the wind.
If no action was taken, this beautiful flower would soon wither and fade.
Phaethon's eyes showed no emotional fluctuation. As someone who had lived three lifetimes, he wasn't easily shaken by such sights.
But he had no intention of letting her die, either.
After all, this woman from another world might be his greatest hope to form a Familia and escape his current deadlock.
With a thought, the Primordial Light System deep within his soul responded.
"Light of Healing."
This was another ability awakened alongside Light from Another World.
True to its name, it possessed powerful restorative capabilities.
Even a minuscule amount of energy could pull someone back from death's edge.
Without hesitation, Phaethon activated the ability on Kanae.
In the next instant, a warm, gentle golden light appeared from nowhere, flowing over Kanae like a calm stream and enveloping her entirely.
Bathed in that divine light, her hideous wounds began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye, and her pale complexion gradually regained color.
In the depths of her unconscious mind, Kanae felt as though she were basking in the gentle sun of early spring.
A sensation of indescribable warmth and peace surrounded her, banishing the chill and pain of death.
As the light faded and healing was complete—
Kanae's long eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Is this… the afterlife?"
She murmured in confusion, her voice still weak.
But instead of the dark and terrifying hell she imagined, she saw a modest wooden room—
And standing before her, a gray-haired young man who radiated an aura of calm and security.
"You're awake? Seems you've made a full recovery."
Phaethon's voice was gentle and steady, immediately drawing Kanae's full attention.
To her senses, this young man felt like light itself.
Just looking at him instilled a deep inner peace, as though all chaos and storm could be stilled in his presence.
She quickly realized the comforting light she had felt while unconscious must have come from this mysterious being.
"Was it… you who saved me?"
She asked instinctively, a note of uncertainty and sincere gratitude in her tone.
Phaethon nodded slightly, confirming her suspicion.
"Yes. You were a heartbeat away from death."
Kanae's eyes flickered with a trace of fear at his words.
Then she looked at Phaethon with growing curiosity and asked cautiously, "May I ask who you are?"
"I am Phaethon," he replied calmly. "Currently, I am a God of Light from a distant realm."
He briefly introduced the place they were in:
"This is the Labyrinth City, Orario—a place where gods and their Familias coexist."
"Gods…?"
Kanae was stunned, disbelief shining in her beautiful eyes.
"But… in my world, I've never heard of gods truly existing…"
Phaethon smiled knowingly and shook his head.
"You're not wrong. In your original world, no deities ever descended."
He paused, then added more firmly, "But this place is different. Because… this is no longer your world."
Kanae's expression turned visibly unsettled—confused and struggling to accept the truth.
Phaethon didn't explain further. He simply said gently, "See for yourself. Come with me."
He turned and walked toward the door. Though Kanae was full of doubt, she instinctively followed him.
When they stepped outside and onto the street, the sight before her shattered her understanding of reality.
The towering white Babel Tower pierced the skies, and the streets bustled with adventurers in a variety of gear.
Short-statured dwarves, long-eared elves, and beastkin with tails and ears brushed past them.
It was a scene straight out of fantasy—yet strikingly, undeniably real.
Kanae stood frozen, her mind blank from the sensory overload.
"Snap out of it."
Phaethon gently patted her head, motioning her to return inside.
Like a puppet with its strings pulled, Kanae numbly followed him back, overwhelmed by the sheer cognitive dissonance.
Only after quite some time did she find her voice again, trembling as she asked:
"Lord… why was I brought to this… other world?"
Phaethon smiled warmly.
"It was I. Using the power of the Light from Another World, I brought you here from the brink of death."
He looked at her, his tone probing.
"I brought you here on my own. Are you angry?"
Kanae gently shook her head, her face filled with genuine gratitude.
"No… I'm not angry. On the contrary, I'm deeply thankful, Lord God. If not for you, I would've surely died in that battle…"
As she spoke, her beautiful eyes darkened with sorrow.
"It's just… this probably means I'll never return to my world again… never get to look after my little sister…"
Hearing her mention her sister, Phaethon's smile took on a mysterious edge.
"Who says you can't return to your world?"
He watched as Kanae's eyes lit up instantly and continued:
"As long as I wish it, I can send you back anytime."
"R-Really?"
Her voice cracked with excitement, almost begging him to send her back right then.
But Phaethon raised his hand and stopped her, shaking his head.
"Now's not the time."
Seeing her confusion, he clarified:
"With your current strength, even if you returned, you wouldn't be able to defeat the demon that left you so grievously wounded—would you?"
Kanae froze, stunned.
"You know about the demons? But you're from another world… how do you know about mine?"
Phaethon's mysterious smile deepened.
"I know everything."