Haku, investigating the murder scene, was startled by the sudden attack!
It wasn't that he hadn't been vigilant—on the contrary, being in an unfamiliar world, especially at the site of a demon's recent kill, he had maintained a high level of alertness, noticing the attackers from both sides the moment they emerged.
However, his mind had been primed for enemies like the demonized Hashiras he had fought before or high-ranking 'Upper String' demons. When he realized the attacks from both sides were slow and posed no real threat, he found himself momentarily unsure of the situation.
Whoosh.
With a backward leap, Haku effortlessly dodged the attacks from both sides.
Upon landing, he slipped his right hand into his shinobi pouch while preparing to form hand seals with his left, his gaze sweeping over the attackers before scanning the surroundings with his peripheral vision to check for other hidden enemies.
At that moment, one of the attackers asked, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
After confirming no one else was lying in ambush, Haku sized up the two assailants.
Both wore black uniforms, clearly part of some organization, and held long swords, their expressions appearing even more nervous than Haku's.
Haku's mind raced, and he spoke sternly, "I'm a security officer from the police station. We've received reports of numerous missing persons in Kurotsuchi Town, so I'm here to investigate! Who are you two, and why are you at the crime scene?"
"Security officer?!" The attacker was taken aback, then gave a wry smile. "You must be new. The police station has never bothered with missing persons cases around here."
The other remained wary. "That movement just now…"
"I've trained in martial arts since I was young!" Haku paused, then said sternly, "You're armed and present at a murder scene. I have reason to suspect you're involved in this killing. Drop your weapons and come with me to the station!"
The attackers revealed their identities: "We're members of the Demon Slayer Corps. The culprit just now wasn't human—it was a demon!"
"A demon!?"
Haku feigned surprise, though inwardly he was thrilled.
He hadn't expected to find a lead so easily, and his interest in the 'Demon Slayer Corps' was piqued.
Seeing that Haku seemed unaware of demons, one Corps member said, "Didn't your superiors tell you? That's odd. With demons being so active lately, the police station should…"
Before the Corps member could finish, a black shadow suddenly darted out from the corner, reeking of blood and lunging toward him.
Undoubtedly.
This shadow, radiating a thick stench of blood, was the demon that had just committed the murder!
The two Demon Slayer Corps members reacted quickly, swinging their swords to engage the demon in combat.
Haku didn't act recklessly, instead stepping back slightly to observe the fight closely.
After some observation, he frowned slightly.
The level of both sides in the battle was somewhat beyond his expectations!
He had assumed the Demon Slayer world, as the demons' stronghold, would be a perilous place, so he had come prepared for a life-or-death mission.
But he never imagined that the first demon he encountered in this world would be so mediocre—downright pathetic, even.
Compared to the demonized swordsmen or 'Upper String' demons that invaded the shinobi world, this demon was far inferior, even to the ordinary demons that had crossed over!
Of course.
Haku didn't know that the demons capable of invading the shinobi world were carefully selected by the mysterious figure, all at least mid-to-high tier among demons.
Moreover, demons in the shinobi world could absorb chakra by consuming its inhabitants, significantly boosting their abilities. Thus, the demons that invaded the shinobi world were not only inherently strong but also enhanced by chakra in every way.
In contrast, the demons in the Demon Slayer world were of varying quality.
But this wasn't what baffled Haku the most. What truly left him speechless was that the two self-proclaimed Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen couldn't even defeat such a mediocre demon, their situation growing increasingly dire.
"This is the Demon Slayer Corps…"
Haku suppressed the urge to scoff, preparing to intervene at a critical moment.
Demons were nearly impossible to negotiate with, but the two Corps members were clearly communicative, so he couldn't just watch them die at the demon's hands.
As the demon knocked a Nichirin Blade from one Corps member's hand and raised its claws to deliver a killing blow, Haku's form flickered. He caught the flying Nichirin Blade and, with a single slash—
Whoosh.
A flash of cold light, and the demon's ferocious expression froze. Before it could turn to see Haku behind it, its head slid off its shoulders.
Haku asked, "This is the demon you were talking about?"
The shaken Corps member scrambled to his feet, staring in disbelief at Haku, who had effortlessly slain the demon. "H-How did you do that?"
Haku mimed a slashing motion. "I just swung, and it died."
The other Corps member asked, "What's your name?"
"Kori (ice)!"
Haku replied casually.
The Corps member said earnestly, "Kori, join the Demon Slayer Corps! We desperately need talent like you!"
The other added, "The world is crawling with demons like the one you just killed. We're severely short-handed, and soon, things might spiral out of control!"
Haku probed, "What exactly is the Demon Slayer Corps?"
One Corps member replied, "The world isn't what it seems. Join the Demon Slayer Corps, and you'll learn the truth!"
"The truth of the world…" Haku feigned hesitation, then returned the Nichirin Blade to its owner. "Alright, if it's about fighting man-eating monsters like that, I'm willing to join you!"
Overjoyed, the Corps member exclaimed, "The old man will be thrilled!"
Haku looked puzzled. "Old man?"
"You'll understand when you get to Mount Sagiri!" The Corps member paused, then continued, "But I must warn you, after that incident, the Demon Slayer Corps is heavily weakened and struggling to hold on. Joining us now means you'll likely die at a demon's hands!"
Haku responded, "If I don't join you, will I be safe from demons?"
The two Corps members froze, then smiled. "You're a unique one. Perhaps you'll become a Hashira-like existence someday!"