7 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Doma's face held its usual flawless smile, but in the wake of having devoured the elder sister of the girl before him, that smile exuded a chilling malevolence. He walked toward the terrified girl with an elegance that resembled dancing atop a pool of blood.

"Oh?" he murmured, tilting his head slightly as though sensing something. His pupils shifted, seemingly focusing on nothing in particular. "Someone's coming?"

It happened in an instant. A figure as graceful as a butterfly burst through the shattered wooden door with a whirlwind, rescuing the nearly unconscious, terror-stricken girl from under Doma's very nose.

Kanae gently set the girl down, her movements reminiscent of the man who had once saved her and her sister. Now, no matter whether the enemy was a lower rank demon or the formidable Upper Rank Two standing before her, she resolved to fight as Haruto once had.

Taking a deep breath, Kanae gripped her Nichirin blade tightly, her pink eyes flashing with steely determination.

Doma, however, made no immediate move to attack. Instead, his gaze lingered on Kanae's face, his expression brightening into one of almost childlike delight.

"A girl… and such a lovely one at that. Beautiful, fragrant, and appetizing~" he cooed, his voice laced with mockery.

"Such a delicacy should be enjoyed on an empty stomach, but I've already eaten tonight…" He tapped his chin thoughtfully, as though genuinely conflicted. "Ah, I know. Let's play a little game to work up an appetite~"

Doma's innocent grin could almost be mistaken for divine, were it not for the blood smeared at the corners of his lips.

Kanae clenched her teeth and launched herself forward with a single, precise step.

"Flower Breathing: Fourth Form – Crimson Hanagoromo!"

Her blade moved like a blooming flower, scattering countless petals in its wake. The pink arc of light slashed upward in two rapid strikes, aimed squarely at the seemingly unguarded Doma.

"Beautiful technique," Doma commented, his smile unwavering. With a flick of his wrist, a gleaming metal war fan unfolded in his hand, effortlessly deflecting Kanae's attack. "But far too weak."

Leaping forward, he slashed horizontally with the fan, its edge colliding with Kanae's blade and forcing her to retreat several steps. A sinking feeling settled in her chest.

This demon… his power was beyond anything she could have imagined! He hadn't even used his Blood Demon Art, yet he easily parried her strikes with brute strength alone. Could she really defeat such an opponent?

"Oh, don't glare at me like that," Doma chided, his tone mockingly sweet. "Becoming one with me inside my belly is an honor—a reward, even. Come, stand up and show me how different a Demon Slayer's flesh is from that of other girls."

This demon… irredeemable!

Bloodshot veins climbed the whites of Kanae's eyes as she steadied her breath, raising her blade once more.

"Flower Breathing: Fifth Form – Peonies of Futility!"

A rapid flurry of nine strikes darted forward from the petals, each one targeting the same precise point. The assault was as swift as it was relentless.

"Nine strikes… not bad," Doma mused, sidestepping effortlessly. His war fan flashed, intercepting each strike. "But still not enough to sever my neck."

He closed the distance in a heartbeat, his fan slicing across Kanae's abdomen. Blood splattered, staining her butterfly-patterned haori a deep crimson.

Kanae gritted her teeth, stifling a cry as she spun in midair, reversing her blade.

"Flower Breathing: Sixth Form – Whirling Peach!"

But it was futile. Every technique she unleashed seemed powerless against him. Not even his Blood Demon Art had been provoked! The searing pain in her abdomen made it clear—her stomach had likely been slashed open. She pressed a hand against the wound to prevent her organs from spilling out.

There was no way to win. Her breathing techniques couldn't even faze him. The gap between a Hashira and an Upper Rank demon was this insurmountable?

Doma, far from pressing his advantage, seemed content to watch her struggle in agony.

"Ah, your expression is so familiar," he said, spreading his arms theatrically. "It's the same look my worshippers used to give me. Those poor, suffering women prayed to me, hoping to reach paradise through their god of bliss."

He chuckled, his tone darkening. "But there is no god of bliss. Heaven and hell are mere fantasies conjured by fragile human minds. I am the only one who can grant eternal happiness… by consuming them, body and soul."

Reaching toward her, he added with a grin, "So, my dear, why not let me devour you cleanly? It's a most joyous fate…"

"Joyous—my ass!"

A voice rang out, distant at first but rapidly approaching. Like a meteor streaking through the night, it slashed downward with blinding speed.

"Star Breathing: First Form – Nighttime Shine!"

The strike was so swift that Doma barely had time to react. A thin line of blood appeared on his cheek as he leapt back, startled.

A white-haired swordsman, cloaked in the wind, had finally arrived after an arduous day's pursuit. His blade shimmered under the moonlight as he pulled Kanae close and retreated to a safer distance.

Kanae's breath was ragged. Haruto, upon seeing the blood staining her haori, felt a surge of panic.

"Kanae!" he called, his voice tight with concern.

She managed a weak, pale smile. "I'm fine… Haruto. Please, focus on the fight…"

Fine? There was nothing fine about her condition! Suppressing his anger, Haruto turned his glare toward Doma.

"Oh? Another one?" Doma tilted his head, puzzled. "If you're just as weak, why bother? Let me kill you quickly to spare you any unnecessary pain."

The night wind brushed Haruto's hair, revealing his taut expression. Doma blinked in surprise.

"Wait… you're a boy? How disappointing. If you were a girl, I would've savored every last bit of you." He sighed wistfully. "Such a waste…"

"You sick bastard!" Haruto growled, tossing aside his scabbard. Raising his blade, he unleashed his most powerful technique.

"Star Breathing: Ninth Form – Haze of Burning Star!"

Star-like sparks illuminated the air as a radiant full moon rose above Doma's head. The Nichirin blade arced through the night sky, its brilliance aimed directly at the demon.

For the first time, Doma's smile faltered. He finally felt threatened. His war fan spun in defense, scattering icy lotus blossoms into the air.

"Fwoosh!"

Fine ice powder erupted from the fan, engulfing Haruto in a shimmering cloud. The celestial moon shattered as Haruto leapt back, coughing violently. Just a single speck of the frozen dust had infiltrated his lungs, tearing through his body like a frost-laden dagger.

"Oh dear," Doma said, his grin returning, brighter than ever. The bloodline on his cheek had already vanished. "It seems you've inhaled a bit of my blood. How unfortunate for you~"