Sol Mirek leaned quietly against the rock wall, his thoughts drifting far away. The reason he had come to this world was simple. He wanted the power of Muzan Kibutsuji. His own defenses were still far too fragile, easily broken when it mattered most.
He needed stronger abilities, especially ones that could keep him alive.
In the distance, Tanjiro's voice echoed faintly through the cave as he softly told Nezuko stories about their family.
About an hour later, Tanjiro finally stepped out of the cave with Nezuko secured inside a bamboo basket. The outside of the basket was wrapped carefully in cloth, thick enough to shield her from sunlight.
"Mr. Sol, can we leave now?" Tanjiro asked. His tone sounded much lighter than before.
Sol nodded. "Let's head to Mt. Sagiri."
The two began walking along the mountain path. Tanjiro adjusted the bamboo basket from time to time, making sure Nezuko remained covered from the sun.
Sol walked ahead at a relaxed pace. Occasionally he slowed down and waited for Tanjiro to catch up.
After a while, Tanjiro spoke again.
"Mr. Sol, earlier you said you wanted to eat Muzan?"
Sol did not turn around. "Yeah."
Tanjiro hesitated. "But... why eat him? Aren't demons the only ones who eat people?"
Sol stopped walking and glanced back at him.
"His cells are unusual. They might be useful to me."
Tanjiro nodded slowly, only half understanding. Even though he could not grasp Sol's exact goal, he had already decided that this strange young man stood on humanity's side.
"Is Muzan really that strong?" Tanjiro asked.
Sol thought for a moment before answering.
"In this world, he's definitely one of the strongest."
Tanjiro clenched his fists.
"Then I have to become stronger!"
Sol looked at Tanjiro's determined eyes and saw something familiar. It reminded him of his own past, that same stubborn desire to grow stronger. The difference was that Tanjiro carried a resolve to protect someone important, no matter the cost.
"You will," Sol said calmly.
The sun slowly set, and night descended over the mountains.
Tanjiro removed Nezuko from the bamboo basket. Under the pale moonlight, the three of them eventually arrived in front of a quiet Buddhist temple.
"There is a temple ahead. I see lights inside, so someone must be there," Tanjiro said while glancing at Nezuko and Sol.
"Let's go," Sol replied with a nod.
If he remembered correctly, a demon lived inside. It would make good practice for Tanjiro.
Tanjiro suddenly stopped walking.
His nose twitched and his expression changed instantly.
"I smell blood..."
He looked toward the temple with concern.
"The mountain paths here are dangerous. Maybe someone got hurt?"
Just as Tanjiro was about to rush forward, Sol grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.
"Everyone inside is already dead," Sol said calmly. "Only a demon remains. This is a good chance for real combat."
"A demon!"
Tanjiro's body stiffened immediately. He instinctively moved to shield Nezuko behind him.
"Relax," Sol said.
"If things get dangerous, I'll step in. You and Nezuko can handle this."
He gave Tanjiro a light pat on the shoulder.
The three approached the temple entrance.
Tanjiro took a deep breath and gripped the axe tightly in his hand. Nezuko stood behind him, ready to face the demon alongside her brother.
Sol simply stood to the side with his arms crossed, watching quietly as moonlight stretched his shadow across the ground.
A disgusting chewing sound came from inside the temple.
Tanjiro slowly pushed the door open.
Inside, a twisted demon crouched over several corpses, devouring them. When it sensed the presence of living humans, it abruptly lifted its head. Blood and scraps of flesh still clung to the corners of its mouth.
"What the hell? This is my territory!" the demon snarled, veins bulging on its forehead.
"If you ruin my meal, I won't forgive you!"
Nezuko's eyes widened when she saw the corpses scattered across the floor. Drool slipped from the corner of her mouth through the bamboo muzzle. She stood frozen in place.
The demon licked the blood from its fingers and slowly stood up.
"Strange... are you humans?" it asked.
Tanjiro gripped his axe tightly. His hands trembled slightly, but his eyes remained firm.
"W-why do you eat people?"
The demon's face twisted into a grotesque smile.
"Because humans are food, little brat. Isn't it natural for predators to eat their prey?"
Sol stood quietly to the side, observing everything.
Even though Tanjiro was afraid, his stance never wavered as he shielded Nezuko behind him.
The candlelight inside the temple flickered and went out.
The demon moved.
It lunged at Tanjiro with terrifying speed.
Tanjiro instinctively raised his axe to block. The impact was overwhelming and forced him several steps backward.
A loud crash echoed through the temple.
The demon tried to drive its claws into Tanjiro's neck, but Tanjiro swung his axe desperately toward the demon's head.
The demon jumped back to avoid the strike, though the blade still cut across its neck. Blood sprayed from the wound.
"Hah, using an axe? Not bad," the demon said while touching the injury.
"But wounds like this heal instantly."
As it spoke, the gash in its neck quickly closed.
"See? The bleeding stopped."
It proudly showed off its regeneration.
Meanwhile, Nezuko still stood near the entrance of the temple. Her gaze remained locked on the corpses scattered across the floor. Drool continued dripping from her mouth.
For demons, humans were the most tempting food.
Tanjiro's pupils shrank when he noticed her condition.
Nezuko's fangs had extended beyond the bamboo muzzle. Her body leaned slightly forward as if drawn toward the corpses.
"Nezuko! Don't look over there!" Tanjiro shouted in panic.
The moment his attention shifted, the demon seized the opportunity.
It leaped forward and slammed Tanjiro onto the floor. One hand pinned Tanjiro's axe arm while the other grabbed his throat.
"So fast... and so strong!"
Tanjiro tried to pull the demon's hand away with his free arm, but it would not move even an inch.
"I won't fall for that trick again," the demon said with a cruel grin.
"Now let me snap your neck."
Sol still did not move. He calmly observed the situation.
He noticed Nezuko's fingernails digging deep into her own skin. She was using pain to resist her demonic instincts.
Just as Tanjiro struggled against the demon, Nezuko suddenly moved.
Her pupils narrowed into sharp, catlike slits.
She launched forward.
Her slender body exploded with surprising strength as she delivered a powerful kick that sent the demon's head flying straight into a nearby tree.
Sol raised an eyebrow slightly.
Even while starving, Nezuko still chose to protect her brother instead of feeding. Seeing the battle between her human heart and demonic instincts firsthand felt very different.
Even after its head had been kicked off, the demon's body still moved.
The headless torso staggered up and charged toward Tanjiro and Nezuko.
"Alright, show is over," Sol said casually.
His figure flashed forward in an instant.
He appeared in front of the demon's body and flicked his finger.
The headless body instantly exploded into a spray of blood that scattered through the air.
The demon's severed head, which had just grown two arms in an attempt to crawl away, collapsed heavily onto the ground after the shockwave.
Sol walked over and lightly patted Tanjiro's shoulder.
"Go on," he said calmly.
"Finish him."
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