Chapter 27: A Sudden Scent
To let Nezuko see the city's prosperity, Tanjiro had let her out of her wooden box early.
Now Tanjiro was holding Nezuko's hand as they took in the night view of the city.
However, Nezuko seemed not to have rested enough and kept her eyes closed, swaying slightly as she walked.
After recovering from his initial shock, Tanjiro looked at Hakuya. Seeing his senior's calm expression, he asked curiously, "Hakuya-senpai, why aren't you surprised at all? This is my first time in such a prosperous city! Even at night, the streets are so brightly lit, and it feels even more lively than daytime."
"There's nothing to be surprised about. You won't be amazed once you've seen it enough times," Hakuya replied casually.
Hearing this, Tanjiro assumed Hakuya had lived in a city before. "So, Hakuya-senpai, you used to live in a bustling place like this?"
This time, Hakuya simply nodded. "Let's patrol for a while longer, then find somewhere to eat."
Later, Hakuya and Tanjiro came across a yatai—a mobile food cart—set up under a streetlight on a quiet side street. Near the cart were benches where customers could sit and eat.
It was probably past the dinner rush, so no customers were present. Only the bald owner sat on a bench, puffing comfortably on his pipe.
Because the city was so vast, Hakuya and Tanjiro had only searched a small area. Furthermore, the dense population made it difficult for Tanjiro's nose to detect a demon's scent among the overwhelming mixture of smells.
After their search proved fruitless, Hakuya and Tanjiro decided to grab something to eat and resume their hunt tomorrow.
"Excuse me, two bowls of udon, please," Tanjiro said to the bald owner, looking somewhat tired.
"Ah, right away! Just a moment!" The owner quickly put away his pipe and stood up to prepare the noodles.
Hakuya, Tanjiro, and Nezuko sat down on the bench.
As soon as they were seated, Nezuko leaned against Tanjiro's shoulder, bringing a smile to his tired face.
"This is my first time in a place like this. There are so many people! In the end, I didn't find any clues at all!" Tanjiro's expression darkened again as he spoke quietly to Hakuya.
"The city is large and crowded, and scents are easily masked. It's normal not to find anything right away," Hakuya responded.
Soon, the bald owner had prepared two steaming bowls of udon and placed them on the cart's serving window.
"Your udon is ready! Please enjoy!" the owner called out to them.
Hakuya and Tanjiro picked up their bowls, ready to enjoy their meal.
At that moment, Tanjiro's expression suddenly changed drastically. The bowl of udon in his hand began to slip from his grasp.
Fortunately, Hakuya reacted quickly and caught the bowl before it could hit the ground.
"Tanjiro, what's wrong?" Hakuya asked urgently.
"I smell it—that scent!" After those words, Tanjiro shot to his feet and ran toward the city center.
Hakuya quickly placed both bowls back on the cart, then said to the confused owner, "We'll be back for the noodles soon! Please watch this girl for us—we'll return shortly!"
With that, Hakuya took off after Tanjiro.
The bewildered owner watched them disappear into the distance. He puffed on his pipe helplessly and sighed, "I really don't understand young people these days! What could be so urgent? Did they spot their money falling out of their pockets?"
"Why is this scent here? It's the same smell from home—the one who turned Nezuko into a demon! Muzan Kibutsuji!" Tanjiro weaved through dark alleyways, and when he emerged, he found himself in the crowded night market.
Hakuya followed closely behind, unaware that Tanjiro had detected Muzan Kibutsuji's scent. He only knew his junior had picked up on a demon.
Tanjiro pushed through the dense crowd, finally placing his hand on the shoulder of a man wearing a Western suit and gentleman's hat.
"This is him—the source of that scent!"
The gentleman had neatly parted black hair and looked like a wealthy young man.
He turned his head in confusion when Tanjiro touched his shoulder.
Hakuya arrived at Tanjiro's side just in time. Seeing that Tanjiro had focused on a single individual, Hakuya was somewhat puzzled but remained vigilant.
Could this person be a demon? When did demons start looking so perfectly human? Or was he simply carrying a demon's scent on him?
If Hakuya hadn't feared causing a panic and drawing unnecessary attention, he would have already verified the truth.
Standing behind Tanjiro, Hakuya couldn't see that his junior's expression had become extremely contorted and fierce. However, he could sense Tanjiro's intense murderous intent, which puzzled him greatly.
Even when facing the demon with the water-based Blood Demon Art, Tanjiro hadn't shown such killing intent! Even if this wealthy young man was a demon, why was Tanjiro displaying such unusually strong hostility? It was completely unlike him!
Just as Hakuya was about to ask Tanjiro what was going on, Tanjiro suddenly began to draw his Nichirin blade several inches from its sheath.
At that moment, a little girl's voice rang out. "Daddy, who is this man?"
A little girl, about five or six years old, peeked out from in front of the gentleman and looked at Tanjiro with innocent curiosity.
Tanjiro froze, his face filled with disbelief.
"It's alright, dear. Don't worry! Perhaps this young man has mistaken me for someone else," the gentleman explained gently to his daughter.
"Tanjiro, what's wrong?" Hakuya asked, placing a hand on Tanjiro's shoulder.
Tanjiro stood completely stunned, oblivious to Hakuya's question.
"This man—this creature—he's actually disguised as a human! He has a family!" Tanjiro's voice trembled with shock and horror.
"Excuse me, is there something I can help you with? You seem quite distressed," the gentleman asked Tanjiro politely.
Tanjiro didn't respond. Seeing that he was being ignored, the gentleman looked at Hakuya instead. "Is he your friend? If so, I'd suggest taking him to see a doctor."
"Since you're concerned enough to suggest that, you must be a decent person. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to take my friend to a doctor. Perhaps you could spare some for the consultation fee?" Hakuya replied smoothly.
The gentleman was caught off guard by Hakuya's audacious response. He hadn't expected to be manipulated so blatantly. A faint, cold smile crossed his face.
Just then, a beautiful young woman in Western dress approached. "Dear, is everything alright?"
"Mama!" the little girl in the gentleman's arms called out to the woman.
Seeing this seemingly tender family scene, Tanjiro trembled in disbelief. He couldn't accept that these innocent humans—this mother and daughter—were in the company of a demon.
"Don't they know? That man with them is a demon! He devours people!"
"Do you know this person?" the beautiful woman asked her husband.
"No, I don't know him at all. He must have me confused with someone else," the gentleman answered his wife. As he spoke, he suddenly struck a passing couple in the crowded street.
Both Hakuya and Tanjiro noticed the gentleman's movement and immediately knew something terrible was about to happen. However, his strike was too fast. The couple happened to pass right by him at that exact moment, and the distance was too close—Hakuya and Tanjiro had no time to intervene.
Within seconds, the couple began transforming into demons.
Hakuya's eyes widened with shock and anger as he stared at the gentleman.
Now Hakuya finally understood why Tanjiro had displayed such overwhelming murderous intent. This gentleman was the Demon King himself—Muzan Kibutsuji!
"Damn it," Hakuya cursed internally. Just as he was about to draw his blade and attack Muzan, the Demon King seemed to sense his intention. He looked directly at Hakuya and said calmly, "Oh my, something seems to be happening over there."
Glaring at Muzan Kibutsuji, Hakuya knew he was being provoked.
Taking a breath to compose himself, Hakuya realized he wasn't certain he could defeat Muzan right now—nor was this the right time to try. His primary mission was to turn Nezuko back into a human. Even if he somehow killed Muzan now, it wouldn't necessarily help achieve that goal.
Meanwhile, the newly transformed demons lunged at the night market crowd, attacking anyone within reach.
Tanjiro finally moved, rushing forward. As he ran, he ripped off his checkered haori and quickly rolled it into a ball.
"Stop!"
Tanjiro threw himself at the male demon who was about to bite a screaming bystander. He shoved the wadded cloth into the demon's mouth, preventing it from closing its jaws.
Then Tanjiro pinned the male demon to the ground.
"It has the power to transform humans into demons—this must be the same creature that turned Nezuko!" Tanjiro muttered as he struggled to restrain the thrashing demon.
"Hakuya-senpai! I can only control one by myself! I need help!" Tanjiro shouted.
Hakuya shot Muzan Kibutsuji a look that clearly said, "I won't forget this." Then, ignoring the Demon King completely, he rushed toward the demonized woman who was attacking another group of civilians.
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