~# Keep the chapters coming — Support with Power Stones!
<><><><><><><><>
Butterfly Mansion
"He's completely exhausted. After reviving Lady Ruka, he didn't rest properly for days. Then fighting Shinjuro-san drained the last of his energy. He needs extensive recovery time."
After examining Kaidō, Shinobu reported the situation to everyone.
Hearing this, they all sighed with relief.
"Look at you... couldn't go easier on him?? If something happens to this child, don't expect to see me again!" Ruka grabbed Shinjuro's ear, twisting it.
"Ow ow ow! Dear, I'm sorry! Please, not so hard—everyone's watching! Kyojuro, Senjuro, help me!"
But Kyojuro and Senjuro pretended not to hear, turning to Shinobu instead. "In that case, let young Kaidō rest. I'll patrol his territory temporarily."
"I'll help too! I'll bring him snacks to help him recover faster." Senjuro added.
Shinobu nodded, then addressed Shinjuro. "Shinjuro-san, though you're the former Flame Hashira, I must say this: Kaidō-kun paid an enormous price to revive my sister. Then he revived Lady Ruka. Plus, he's activated his Demon Slayer Mark. You know what that means. He did all this hoping you'd return."
"Sigh... this is my fault. But I won't resume the Flame Hashira position—that belongs to my son, Kyojuro. However, I will return to train other Corps members." Seeing Ruka reaching for his ear again, Shinjuro quickly finished his statement.
"Good. As long as you understand." Ruka walked to Kaidō's bedside, gently stroking his face.
"This child must have suffered so much when he was younger. Shinobu-san, please take good care of Kaidō. I have much to discuss with my family. I'll visit him in a few days."
"Don't worry—I will."
"Kyojuro, Senjuro, let's go home. Let Kaidō rest. We'll visit in a few days. And you, Shinjuro—you owe me a full explanation!"
"Yes, Mother." Kyojuro and Senjuro replied in unison.
"Of course, Ruka! Hahaha!"
"Well then, we'll take our leave as well. Shinobu, we're entrusting Kaidō to you."
"Yes, Master."
————————
Butterfly Mansion
"Shinobu-nee, I'm begging you—please let me go on missions! I've been resting for three days already! I'm completely fine! Please, please!" Kaidō pressed his palms together pleadingly.
"Absolutely not! I need to verify you've fully recovered first. Otherwise I won't feel comfortable letting you go. The Master, Lady Ruka, and my sister all entrusted me with taking care of you!"
"But look—I was just exhausted, not injured! I'm totally fine!"
"I'm the doctor here, so I make the calls. If I say you haven't recovered, then you haven't!"
"Shinobu-nee, gentler, gentler! Can't we talk this out? Ow!" Shinobu had grabbed his ear and was twisting it mercilessly.
Ever since Kanae's revival, Shinobu had dropped her facade and returned to her true, lively self. Which was exactly what Kaidō had wanted all along.
"Oh my! The Butterfly Mansion is so lively today!"
"Sister."
"Kanae-nee!"
"What are you two doing? This looks fun!"
"Kanae-nee, I want to go on missions! Please!"
"Permission granted!"
"But Sister—"
"It's fine, don't worry, Shinobu!"
"However, Kaidō-kun, if you want to go on missions, you need to agree to one condition."
"What condition?"
"No more of that! You need to think about yourself for once, understand?"
"Alright, Kanae-nee. I promise!"
————————
"CAW CAW! East-southeast! East-southeast! Suspected demon sighting!" Kuroha perched on Kaidō's shoulder.
"Sigh... feels like so much has happened lately. Whatever—forget it. Time to catch some demons and blow off steam!"
[Host, are you certain it's 'blowing off steam' and not 'psychological warfare'?]
'Not my fault those demons have such fragile mental defenses.'
'System, what would happen if I used the Heart of Revival on Yoriichi Tsugikuni?'
[Host, I advise against such unrealistic fantasies. Even if revival were possible, the cost would be astronomical. Yoriichi lived during the Sengoku period. Reviving him would be pure delusion.]
'But hypothetically, what would it cost?'
[Analyzing... Analysis complete! Revival cost: Heart of Revival x10, 100% Interdimensional Energy, Host must sacrifice 300 years of lifespan.]
'Yeah, never mind. Reviving Yoriichi really is pure fantasy! Three hundred years of my life? Hard pass!'
————————
That Night—Nishino Village
'Hm? Where's that smell of blood coming from?' The moment he entered the village, a faint metallic scent hit his nostrils. Not overpowering, but definitely there. Following the trail, he arrived at the mountain behind the village.
'The smell's getting stronger here. Something's definitely nearby.' He lowered his fox mask, drew his greatsword, and began searching the area.
After a brief search, he found the source—a cave entrance.
'The blood's coming from in there. The demon must be hiding inside.'
Staring into the pitch-black interior, Kaidō opened the System Lifestyle Shop, purchased a hand lantern, and ventured into the darkness.
The deeper he went, the stronger the scent became. Then he heard strange echoes from the cave's depths—the unmistakable sound of chewing.
After several minutes, he reached the end. A female demon crouched over a corpse, feeding. Sensing someone behind her, she immediately went on guard and whirled around, revealing her face.
Small frame. Shoulder-length white hair. Two thick red lines symmetrically painted on each side of her face. Two small spiral horns protruding from her forehead. Red fur-collared kimono. Red irises with white pupils. The kanji for Lower Four carved into her left eye.
"Lower Rank Four—Mukago."
"How—how do you know my name?? Are you a Demon Slayer?" Mukago shrieked.
"Whatever! Even if you're a Demon Slayer, as long as you're not a Hashira, I can devour you! Blood Demon Art: Vine Manipulation!"
Dozens of vines erupted from all directions, binding Kaidō completely.
"You're so weak! I was worried for nothing!" Mukago approached confidently and removed his fox mask. Seeing his face, she found him unexpectedly adorable and couldn't resist pinching his cheek.
"You're so cute! I almost don't want to eat you! Hey, hey—why don't you become a demon instead? I'm so lonely by myself. You can keep me company!" She kept squeezing his face.
In reality, Mukago had been standing frozen in place ever since she'd turned around. The instant she'd spun to face him, Kaidō had activated Demonic Eye, trapping her in an illusion.
The system chimed in his mind.
[Host, now that she can't move, shouldn't you do something? She may be a demon, but she's pretty cute. (◕‿◕✿)]
'You're absolutely right. I should do something—otherwise I'd be wasting Demonic Eye. Hehe!'
[So you're going to...]
'You thinking what I'm thinking?'
[Who could refuse such adorable demon?]
'My thoughts exactly!'
Kaidō slowly approached Mukago. Still trapped in the illusion, she believed she'd successfully bound him. He reached out and gently touched her face. "You're a pitiful girl. But if I don't do something now, I'd be letting myself down. So... sorry about this!"
He retrieved a Collection Card from his system inventory—a previous reward that could transform any Lower Rank demon into a card. Placing it on Mukago's forehead, light flashed. She transformed into a card, which he promptly stored in his inventory.
'System, why do I get the feeling some people thought I was about to do that to Mukago?'
[Indeed! (◠‿◠✿)]
————————
Seeing Kaidō emerge from the cave, Kuroha flew over and landed on his shoulder.
"The demon here's been eliminated. It was a Lower Rank."
"Understood! CAW!" Kuroha flapped his wings and flew toward Corps Headquarters. Kaidō shrugged—let the crow announce it. Didn't matter to him.
He pulled out the Collection Card to examine the captured Mukago. The instant he saw the image on the card, several veins popped on his forehead.
'SYSTEM! EXPLAIN THIS RIGHT NOW! Did you do this on purpose?? Why does Mukago's expression look so—'
[Rest assured, Host. The system is functioning normally. This is simply how Mukago appears.]
'Like hell I believe you! This system was definitely a pervert system in a past life!'
The card showed Mukago with her mouth open, tongue out, panting, face flushed red, hands positioned suggestively on her chest.
"Is this system even remotely appropriate??" Kaidō rubbed his forehead helplessly before storing the card back in his inventory.
Over the following days, Kaidō patrolled his territory. Any demon he found got strung up and beaten. Demons that ran got decapitated immediately. His zone had become eerily peaceful.
————————
"So many wisteria trees here. Perfect—I haven't slept properly in days. I'll nap here for a bit and patrol again tonight." He yawned, sitting down with his back against a wisteria tree for a quick rest. Kuroha nestled in his lap.
Creak.
A door carved with wisteria patterns opened at the tree's center. An elderly woman emerged with a broom, sweeping the entrance. Noticing Kaidō resting under the tree, she returned inside, fetched a blanket, and draped it over him. Then she stood nearby, watching over him until he woke.
Perhaps the motion of covering him disturbed his sleep. Kaidō's eyes opened. Seeing the elderly woman, he relaxed—her kimono bore the wisteria crest marking her as part of a Wisteria Crest House.
"Sorry for startling you, ma'am."
"Honored Demon Slayer, please come inside and rest properly."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
————————
"I've prepared a meal for you. Please follow me."
"Thank you—I haven't eaten much these past few days while fighting."
"You're too kind. This is my duty."
The meal was generous: a bowl of white rice, fried shrimp tempura, and a large bowl of miso soup.
"Please enjoy your meal. I'll wait outside. Call if you need anything."
"Thank you."
After eating, he took a bath.
"Honored Slayer, I've left clean clothes by the door. Your uniform will be ready tonight." The elderly woman called from outside the bathroom.
"Thank you very much."
That Night
After resting all day, Kaidō changed into his freshly washed uniform, strapped on his greatsword, and adjusted his mask. At the Wisteria House entrance, the old woman struck two flints, creating sparks before him.
Kaidō thanked her and waved goodbye.
"May fortune favor you in battle."
<><><><><><><><>
~# 18 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~# Every 200 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~# Add to Library!