14 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

After spending a good half-month in the Swordsmith Village, Haganezuka Hotaru finally came down from the mountain, carrying Haruto's new sword.

The burly swordsmith looked as intimidating as ever—one hand gripping a freshly forged Nichirin blade, the other clutching his personal kitchen knife, which he wielded like a weapon. His booming voice echoed through the air.

"If you dare to—"

"I understand! Haganezuka-san!" Haruto interrupted with a grin, slipping a handful of leftover Mitarashi dango, pilfered from the village kitchen, into the swordsmith's hand. This successfully placated him and secured the new blade.

If this were a game, a notification might have popped up:

"Obtained: Nichirin Blade x1."

Equipped with his new sword, Haruto soon received another mission. As if on cue, the skies above the peaceful village erupted with the urgent call of the crows.

"Ambush! Ambush! The Butterfly Estate rescue team has been attacked by a member of the Twelve Kizuki en route to the Suzuku region!"

Haruto's brows furrowed. He returned to his room, bid farewell to Gotoge, and donned his haori. Patting Kotetsu on the shoulder, he said, "Kotetsu, let's talk about that mechanical doll project after I get back."

Kotetsu nodded firmly. "Haruto, make sure to slay plenty of demons!"

"That's the plan. With my blade, I'll take down every demon in my path!" Haganezuka added with a mouthful of the last dango. "But if you dare mistreat my craftsmanship, I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth!"

"Uh…" Haruto's face fell.

Why is he cursing me with a debuff right before I head out?

Clutching his sword tightly, Haruto couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. Fighting with a cursed blade might complicate things…

As the white-haired swordsman disappeared down the mountain path, Haganezuka turned toward Kotetsu, adjusting the eerie fireman mask on his face.

"By the way, what's this about a mechanical doll?"

...

Half an Hour Earlier

At the rear of the rescue team from the Butterfly Estate, Shinobu Kocho walked silently, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword. Despite her calm demeanor, unease churned in her chest as she glanced at the group of medics and aides traveling with her.

It was daytime, but the sky was heavily overcast, a thick layer of clouds blocking out the sun. The dense forest along the path cast deep shadows, making her nerves hum with anticipation of trouble.

But they couldn't turn back.

Reports had come in about Demon Slayer Corps members ambushed in Suzuku, their status unknown. Upon hearing this, the hidden scouts immediately alerted the Butterfly Estate. Given the proximity, Kanae decided that Shinobu, along with a team of aides and a group of lower-ranked swordsmen, would lead the rescue mission.

Among the team was Genya, who had been studying pharmacology at the estate. Although not yet a full-fledged member of the Corps, he volunteered to assist, eager to prove himself.

"What's wrong?" Genya asked, noticing her eyes scanning their surroundings.

"It feels… off." Shinobu's voice was soft but sharp as she tilted her head upward. "For a forest this dense, isn't it a little too quiet?"

Genya stopped walking, tilting his head to listen. The usual sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, or buzzing insects were absent. Aside from the team's footsteps and murmured conversations, the woods were unnervingly silent.

"You're right," he said, his expression growing serious.

From farther back, Kaichiro Kumeno, one of the hidden scouts, gave Shinobu a subtle nod of agreement.

"Let's move faster," Shinobu called out, her voice carrying a note of urgency. "We need to clear this forest as quickly as possible!"

But before her words could fully settle, a soft, melodic laugh echoed through the trees.

"You noticed?"

Shinobu froze, her gaze snapping upward toward the treetops.

There, perched on a thick branch amidst the dense canopy, sat a graceful figure clad in a white kimono adorned with leaf patterns. Her serene smile and the smooth fall of her jet-black hair gave her an otherworldly beauty, but Shinobu's trained eyes immediately caught the kanji etched in her light brown irises:

Lower Rank Three.

The figure floated gracefully to the ground, her wooden sandals making a faint ding as they touched the earth. She clasped her hands within her kimono sleeves and smiled warmly at the group.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Kyouka," she said in a voice as smooth as silk.

Her gentle demeanor could have charmed even the most stoic hearts—if not for the ominous energy she radiated.

A Twelve Kizuki…?!

The tension was palpable as the Demon Slayer team sprang into action. Shinobu surged forward to confront Kyouka, flanked by the more experienced swordsmen, creating a barrier between her and the rest of the team.

Genya took a defensive stance at the rear, one hand gripping his double-barrel shotgun, the other clutching a vial of medicine tucked into his pocket—a precautionary gift from Tamayo before the mission.

The hidden aides dispersed like startled birds, retreating into the forest under Kumeno's direction.

Kyouka, however, paid them no mind. Her attention was entirely on the girls carrying medical supplies.

"Doctors, are you? How lovely," she said, her tone genuinely admiring. "I, too, was once a healer. But while you mend flesh and bone, I…" She raised a delicate hand, holding a small bell that jingled softly. "…heal hearts."

Blood Demon Art: Resonance of the Soul.

Shinobu's head throbbed as an inexplicable fear clawed at her chest. Panic and self-doubt swirled in her mind, nearly causing her grip on her sword to falter.

Wait. Fear?

Why would I feel fear toward a demon?

She bit her lip hard, grounding herself as a surge of anger replaced the intrusive emotion.

Fear? No.

Since the moment my parents were taken from me, the only thing I've ever felt toward demons… is rage.

Kyouka's smile faltered, her eyes scanning the group. None of them seemed paralyzed by fear, not even the brash boy with the mohawk, whose burning gaze radiated fury and defiance.

"Interesting," she mused. "You deny your fear? Such stubborn hearts." She fixed her gaze on Shinobu, her voice softening to a whisper. "Why deceive yourself so?"

Shinobu's chest tightened. Can she… read my mind?

"Yes," Kyouka said, as though reading the thought itself. "Unlike demons, whose desires and thoughts are tangled and murky, human hearts are so wonderfully transparent." She chuckled lightly, her tone almost tender. "Allow me to ease your suffering."

She turned her attention to Genya, spreading her arms in a gesture of welcome.

"Ask your question, child. Share your troubles. Let me guide you to clarity and peace, so you may cross the Sanzu River with ease."

Genya's lips curled into a snarl, his grip on his shotgun tightening until his knuckles turned white.

"So, here's my question…" His voice dripped with venom.

"What's faster—blowing your brains out or smashing that stupid little bell into pieces?"

Kyouka's serene smile vanished, her expression hardening as she met his fiery gaze.

"…Patient," she said coldly, "is that truly your question?"

"Damn right it is!" Genya barked, raising his shotgun with a savage grin.

"This is Genya's answer!"