Chapter 8: Persimmons and Udon Noodles
Several days later.
Night had fallen deep, and a small campfire crackled beneath a rocky cliff.
The two had just finished another battle. Blood still stained their clothes as they took a moment to rest, wipe down their blades, and tend to minor wounds.
After nearly ten encounters with demons, Kucha Natsumi's Wind Breathing was on the verge of reaching Level 3.
He still had several Achievement Points in reserve.
It was time.
Wasting thirty percent efficiency didn't matter anymore.
While Yukizou Shiko focused on grilling fish nearby—completely unaware of what was happening—Kucha summoned the system panel.
"Alright," he muttered.
"Time to cash in the results of my hard work."
Add point.
An Achievement Point, condensed from countless hours of combat and training, flowed into the Wind Breathing panel. In an instant, it transformed into a scorching current that surged through his body, driving the experience bar sharply upward.
All that effort—compressed into tangible growth.
[Wind Breathing LV.2 → LV.3]
[Basic Understanding → Proficient]
[Progress: 13 / 2000 (+325)]
[Ability Level: 37 → 54]
Body: 17 → 26
Technique: 9 → 15
Mind: 11 → 13
[Sword Mastery Improved]
[New Character Skill Unlocked: Total Concentration]
Total Concentration:
Forcibly inhales a massive amount of oxygen, temporarily enhancing cardiopulmonary function and allowing the body to unleash power beyond human limits.
"Oh?"
Kucha's eyes lit up.
A derivative skill at Level 3?
He scanned the description again—and instantly understood.
That's basically Gear Second.
A classic burst-type ability.
At the same time, he quickly deduced the experience curve:
LV.1 → 500 EXP
LV.2 → 1,000 EXP
LV.3 → 2,000 EXP
If the pattern continued, the requirements would double each level.
Which meant that reaching Level 10 would require roughly 500,000 EXP.
Converted into Achievement Points?
About 1,600 points.
And that was just for one breathing technique.
If he relied purely on daily practice, the test server would probably shut down before he finished leveling.
The conclusion was obvious.
Finding a breathing technique with higher compatibility mattered far more than brute-force grinding.
Every ten percent increase in compatibility would save dozens of Achievement Points later on.
If possible, learning multiple breathing techniques was the optimal path—investing small amounts to gain attribute feedback across different systems.
As for Total Concentration, based on his gaming experience, this was only the beginning.
Higher breathing levels would certainly unlock more terrifying abilities.
While Kucha was deep in thought, Shiko quietly handed him a grilled fish.
"Kucha-kun," she said softly,
"I don't really understand what you were thinking about just now… but you felt different."
"Stronger, maybe?"
After several days of fighting side by side, Shiko's mental state had grown noticeably steadier—though her timid nature hadn't completely faded.
"It's from the recent battles," Kucha replied honestly.
"My breathing technique and sword skills improved. I just broke through."
Her intuition was sharp.
Maybe skill breakthroughs really do trigger hidden dialogue flags, he thought.
She tilted her head slightly, resting her chin on her hand.
"Kucha-kun… why did you join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
The firelight painted a soft glow across her youthful face.
"Me?"
Kucha took a bite of fish, chewing slowly. It was overcooked, unseasoned, and slightly bitter.
I really should've cooked it myself.
"Probably to kill all the demons," he said casually.
"Or at least the strongest one."
Shiko blinked.
"Kill… all of them?"
Her gaze lowered, emotions flickering beneath her calm tone.
"That's amazing. Someone as talented as you… might actually be able to do it."
"And you?" Kucha asked, hunger returning.
"Why did you join? You seemed pretty nervous at first."
Her expression darkened.
"How could I not be?"
"But even if I wasn't ready, I had to come."
"My family… and my younger sister… were all killed by demons."
"I want revenge."
At the word sister, Kucha paused.
He remembered his character's background template.
It was the same.
But he also realized—this story wasn't unique.
Survivors of demon attacks.
Broken families.
People charging toward monsters with fragile human bodies.
A cliché.
But one that never lost its power.
Kucha didn't skip the dialogue this time.
"You'll do it," he said quietly.
"You'll take revenge."
"And even if you can't…"
"That's fine."
"Because after you fall, more swordsmen will rise."
"And even if they all fail—"
He smiled.
A confident, unwavering smile.
"I'll finish it."
Shiko looked up, stunned.
Her eyes warmed.
"Th-thank you… Kucha-kun."
"Before that," he added lightly,
"try to take revenge yourself."
"To challenge gods, Buddhas, and demons with a human body."
"That's humanity's war song."
She nodded solemnly.
"I will."
"We'll see," Kucha replied.
The campfire burned quietly between them.
Shiko poked the embers with a stick, sparks drifting upward.
"After we pass the selection," she whispered,
"I want to eat a bowl of hot udon noodles."
"With two soft-boiled eggs."
"Want to join?"
Kucha imagined it for a moment—then shook his head.
"No. Let's eat grilled meat instead."
He'd already discovered that tastier food leveled his Cooking skill faster.
She laughed softly.
"Then grilled meat first."
"I'll go if you treat."
"Deal."
Just as the warmth settled in, distant howls and clashing steel echoed through the forest.
Both of them fell silent.
Shiko tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes sharpening.
"Looks like break time's over."
Kucha stood, rolling his shoulders.
"Let's go."
"Time to farm experience."
She didn't fully understand the words—but she understood the intent.
"Don't forget our promise," she said.
"If you do," Kucha replied, "I'll treat you to udon."
"And two soft-boiled eggs!"