[Ding! Please watch the demonstration.]
A translucent system panel unfolded before Alex's eyes.
Then, as if the system had prepared a sales pitch in advance, a video began to play.
On the screen appeared an AK-47.
At first glance, it was indeed an AK-47.
But the longer Alex looked, the more wrong it felt. Strange patterns were carved across the body of the gun, winding over the barrel and stock like ancient runes. The tal had a faint, ominous sheen, giving the weapon a mysterious air that did not belong to any ordinary firearm.
The video began.
The AK-47 unleashed a storm of gunfire.
There was no pause. No recoil worth ntioning. No reloading. No hesitation.
The demon standing opposite it was shredded on the spot, its flesh blasted apart until its body resembled diced at. Worse still, the injuries did not heal. The demon struggled for a few seconds before collapsing into ash.
The screen shifted.
After further adjustnt, a single shot from the weapon erupted with the force of a grenade, blasting the target area apart in a violent burst.
Alex watched in silence.
After the video ended, he asked the most important question.
"Does this thing not need magazines?"
[Ding! Since this weapon consus Demon Power, there is no need to reload. Each shot consus Demon Power. The minimum consumption is one point of Demon Power per shot, while the maximum consumption is one hundred points.]
[The amount of Demon Power consud determines the destructive force of each bullet.]
Alex fell silent again.
There was no denying it.
The gun was strong.
Absurdly strong, even.
But…
It did not match his image at all.
He was a Demonic Sword now.
A proper Demonic Sword.
What kind of respectable Demonic Sword whipped out a rifle to mow down demons?
That was not mysterious. That was not elegant. That was not even pretending to care about style.
It was outrageous.
Unless there was no other choice, it was better not to use it.
After all, dignity still mattered.
Probably.
Setting aside the suspicious firearm, Alex turned his attention to the Ability Enhancent Card. After a brief mont of thought, he made his choice.
"Enhance Perception."
[Ding! Ability Enhancent Card consud successfully.]
[Platinum-grade Ability: Perception.]
[Effect: The host can precisely perceive targets within a thousand-ter radius, accurately distinguish the strength, characteristics, and differences of each aura.]
The mont the notification ended, Alex felt the change.
His awareness spread outward like ripples across still water.
The range of his Perception had expanded dramatically. More importantly, the information it provided was no longer vague.
Before, he could only sense the approximate presence of life and strength.
Now, every aura had texture.
Humans, demons, animals—each one felt different.
Even among humans, every presence carried subtle distinctions. Once he rembered a person's aura, he could identify them again at once.
This was useful.
Very useful.
With Perception enhanced to this degree, Mount Natagumo no longer seed quite as dangerous.
If sothing was wrong, he would sense it first.
And if he sensed sothing they could not handle, they could run.
This mission could beco a chance to pressure Tanjiro again.
Without the Hinokami Kagura, Tanjiro's growth was still too slow.
…
Just as Alex had expected, after a full month of rest and training, the Kasugai Crow finally returned.
It flew in through the window and landed on Tanjiro's hand, flapping its wings as it opened its beak.
"North-northeast! North-northeast! Your next destination is north-northeast! All three of you are to go to Mount Natagumo!"
"A new mission?"
Tanjiro's expression imdiately turned serious.
At his waist, Alex spoke through Asuramaru.
"This mission is very likely a trap set by Muzan. If I tell you to run, do not hesitate."
Tanjiro nodded solemnly.
"I understand. Thank you for worrying about , Asuramaru."
"Who said I was worried about you?" Alex snapped. "I just don't want you dying too early. I'm still looking forward to your revenge."
Tanjiro smiled.
"Asuramaru, you always say things like that to hide how you really feel. I understand. Being alone, not being needed by anyone… it must be painful. That's why you always—"
"Enough nonsense."
The sword fell silent.
Tanjiro gave a helpless little smile.
After that, the three of them changed into their Demon Slayer Corps uniforms, took up their Nichirin swords, and prepared to depart.
Before leaving, they went to bid farewell to the old woman of the wisteria mansion.
She saw them off with the sa gentle expression, and Tanjiro bowed to her with deep gratitude before the group hurried toward Mount Natagumo.
…
At that sa ti, within the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, candlelight flickered inside a quiet chamber.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat at the head of the room.
The curse had already taken much from him. His eyes were blind, and the upper half of his face was marred by grotesque scars. Even so, dressed in his pure white kimono, he carried a presence that was gentle, calm, and almost strangely comforting.
Before him, kneeling in two rows, were the current Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Kagaya spoke in a soft voice.
"I am truly glad that we can welco another biannual Hashira eting without any changes among our mbers."
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, lowered his head slightly. His white hair and scarred face gave him a fierce appearance, but his tone toward Kagaya was deeply respectful.
"Master, I am relieved to see your health remains stable. I sincerely pray it improves further."
The other Hashira remained silent, though their expressions varied.
A sudden Hashira eting would never be called without reason.
Kagaya seed to understand their thoughts. His gentle voice carried a rare solemnity.
"I apologize for summoning you all so abruptly. The matter is urgent, so I will not speak at length."
The Hashira straightened.
Kagaya continued.
"First, I must tell you this. A mber of the Demon Slayer Corps has encountered Muzan Kibutsuji."
The room changed.
The air itself seed to tighten.
Even among the Hashira, none could remain indifferent to that na.
Muzan Kibutsuji.
The progenitor of demons.
The source of their hatred.
The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, spoke first, his voice urgent.
"Master, who encountered Muzan? We must find him imdiately and obtain every detail he knows!"
The others clearly had questions as well, but Kagaya raised a hand gently, stopping them before they could speak over one another.
"The one who encountered Muzan Kibutsuji is nad Tanjiro Kamado. Muzan is currently sending demons after him. It may be to silence him, or there may be another reason."
Kagaya paused briefly.
"Additionally, his younger sister has beco a demon. But sothing unusual seems to have happened to her."
A sister who beca a demon.
The Hashira reacted at once, even if no one imdiately spoke.
For most of them, the answer was simple.
A demon should be killed.
But Kagaya's next words made it clear he did not share that conclusion.
"The recent abnormality at Mount Natagumo is very likely a trap set by Muzan Kibutsuji to target Tanjiro."
His voice remained warm, but the content of his words grew heavier.
"I want you to go there. First, to see whether we can turn this trap against Muzan. Second, and more importantly, to protect the Kamado siblings, as well as the Nichirin sword in Tanjiro's possession."
Several Hashira shifted.
Kagaya spoke clearly.
"I hope you understand this. The value of the latter may far exceed the forr."
Sanemi was the first to raise his head.
"Master, forgive , but I truly don't understand. Why should we place such importance on one boy and an insignificant Nichirin sword?"
For the first ti in a long while, a faint smile appeared on Kagaya's face.
"Because they will change the pattern that has remained unbroken for a thousand years."
His answer was gentle.
But there was no doubt in it.
The Hashira were stunned.
It was the first ti they had seen their Master place such high expectations on a single Demon Slayer.
One of them still could not help speaking up.
"But Master, your safety—"
"I hope you understand."
Kagaya's voice was still calm, but it carried a weight that allowed no refusal.
"Tanjiro Kamado's importance is above mine."
Silence fell over the chamber.
…
anwhile, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke were walking along a country road toward the northeast.
The scenery should have been peaceful.
Unfortunately, Zenitsu existed.
"Tanjirou," Zenitsu said for what had to be the twentieth ti, "can you let hold Asuramaru too?"
Tanjiro's mouth twitched.
"No."
Zenitsu's eyes darted toward the sword at Tanjiro's waist.
If he could not touch the real person's hand, then touching the sword should be close enough, right?
In a sense, that was practically the sa thing.
Zenitsu's eyes lit up.
I'm a genius.
Tanjiro seed to sense danger from his expression and beca even firr.
"Absolutely not."
Behind them, Inosuke could no longer stand it.
"You're disgusting, you know that?"
Zenitsu's face went red.
"What's disgusting about pursuing true love?!"
Tanjiro fell silent.
Inosuke fell silent.
Inside the sword, Alex was even more silent.
He could not believe that he, an upright and respectable young man, had sohow beco the target of a pervert.
Whatever strange path Zenitsu's mind was wandering down, Alex wanted no part of it.
Absolutely none.
But then, a wicked thought rose in him.
What kind of expression would Zenitsu make if he learned that Asuramaru was actually a man?
Just imagining it made Alex feel better.
Outside, Zenitsu suddenly shivered.
For so reason, he felt as if sothing terrifying was watching him.
At the front of the group, Tanjiro turned back and spoke seriously.
"Mount Natagumo may be a trap set by Muzan Kibutsuji. If sothing unexpected happens and we need to escape, both of you must stay close to ."
Inosuke snorted, but nodded.
Zenitsu swallowed hard and nodded as well.
After the attack by Kamanue, even he understood how important Tanjiro's warning was.
Especially Zenitsu.
If not for Nezuko and Asuramaru, he would never have gone to Mount Natagumo in the first place.
.....
[If you don't want to wait for the next update, read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.]
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