Chapter 94 — Upper Rank Three: Akaza!
Night had fallen, and the forest was wrapped in darkness.
The trees surrounding the area weren't particularly tall—most were newly planted in recent years. Clearly, this place had been prepared specifically for outdoor activities.
"So… what is it you wanted to talk about?"
"I know you're not an ordinary person," Hikigaya Hachiman began, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "And I'm not interested in whatever strange mess you're tangled up in. I don't care. After all, I'm just rotting garbage pretending to be human."
"You haven't changed at all, Hikigaya Hachiman. Always belittling yourself with such conviction."
"But even trash like me has something worth protecting." His eyes sharpened. "Like you said before—we're friends. So whatever it is you're involved in, I don't want it to reach Komachi. Not even a single hair on her head."
For once, Hachiman's tone carried no sarcasm or cynicism. It was raw and real.
It was hard to believe this was the same man who usually avoided every problem, who preferred to drift through life like a ghost—keeping to himself, ignoring the world.
But tonight, he stood his ground, facing Yukinoshita Akira with the kind of resolve only a brother could have.
"A truly devoted older brother," Akira said softly.
"No need to flatter me. Just give me an answer."
"Very well, Hikigaya. Since you've come this far, I'm sure you've already started to suspect something. If you're worried about Komachi being in danger… then learn the strength to protect her with your own hands."
"What?"
The sudden shift in tone caught Hachiman completely off guard.
"Listen carefully, Hikigaya. In this world… there exist beings far beyond humans. They prey upon mankind as food, wielding power that no ordinary person could ever hope to match."
"They… feed on humans?"
Hachiman's eyes widened. The words sounded absurd, yet something deep in his instincts told him this was no joke.
Were these creatures what people once called demons or monsters in old folklore?
"Demons," Akira said quietly. "They were once human—but have turned into something else entirely. In the modern world, they hide in the shadows, disguised by convenience and ignorance. Many of those 'accidents,' suicides, and disappearances you hear about… are their work."
"This… you're joking, right? Demons—"
"Enough, Hikigaya. You know I don't joke about things like this."
Akira's gaze was piercing, unwavering.
And in that moment, images flashed through Hachiman's mind—blood-stained swords, monstrous silhouettes, and Akira's blade cutting through them under the moonlight.
If those were demons… then everything he'd said was true.
"…Why tell me this? I'm just a loser with dead fish eyes. I'm not some hero or chosen one. I can't do anything."
"You can," Akira replied. "I can teach you the art to kill demons. Give you a blade forged to slay them."
"What's the catch?"
"There is none."
"That's impossible. Nobody gives something for free."
"Because we're friends. And because… you want to protect your sister, don't you?"
"Tch… you always bring up Komachi."
He tried to sound annoyed, but the moment her name was mentioned, Hachiman couldn't hide the flicker of emotion in his eyes.
"To be honest, I have my own reasons," Akira admitted. "Right now, as far as I know, I'm the only human capable of killing demons. I've shared fragments of the technique with others, but it's still not enough."
"So you're choosing me… to inherit that power?"
"You could say that. I'm not asking for anything in return. My only reason… is that I don't want you to become another casualty."
"Hah… how noble of you, Yukinoshita Akira."
"Noble? No. I've never considered myself a good person," Akira said, his tone flat. "I'm selfish. If something doesn't concern me directly… I couldn't care less how many people die."
Hachiman fell silent.
Somewhere deep within him, something stirred.
Every man—no matter how cynical—harbors a quiet fascination with the unknown. And Hikigaya Hachiman was no exception.
Even if his chuunibyou phase had long passed, he was still a high schooler at heart.
(Author's note: Yes, even the great Hachiman-sensei once went through a chuunibyou phase~)
The faint snap of a branch echoed through the darkness.
A moment later, a calm male voice spoke.
"So you're the only human swordsman left who can use Breathing Techniques, huh? Perfect. If I kill you—and erase everyone connected to you—there will be no Demon Slayers left in this world."
From the shadows of the trees, a figure stepped forward.
His steps were light, deliberate, confident.
As he emerged into the moonlight, his features came into view—short pink hair, golden eyes, pale skin that looked almost lifeless, and a body covered in deep blue tattoo-like markings that coiled across his muscles like curses.
His nails were crimson, his outfit a dark mix of red and purple. Around his ankles hung a string of prayer beads.
And within his eyes, two words gleamed unmistakably:
Upper Rank — Three.
Upper Rank Three — Demon of Combat, Akaza.
A demon who lived by one absolute creed: Strength is everything.
He sought strong opponents to fight and despised the weak. In fact, he loathed weakness itself.
But despite his obsession, Akaza had one unbreakable rule—he never harmed or devoured women.
He only fed on humans when driven to starvation. Even so, for centuries, his position as Upper Rank Three had never been challenged.
Had he been willing to consume more humans, his power might have reached even greater heights—perhaps even surpassing Upper Rank Two, Dōma.
'W–What is this…? My body… it's trembling… every cell feels like it's screaming… my legs—won't move…'
'Just seeing him… it's enough to paralyze me… Is this the kind of monster Yukinoshita Akira fights?'
Hachiman could barely stay upright.
As an ordinary human, without any spiritual training or Breathing mastery, standing before Akaza was like facing a natural disaster. The difference between them was beyond comprehension—like the gap between earth and sky.
"…Oi."
Akira sighed, his tone half-irritated, half-exhausted.
"What's with this place lately? First Lower Rank Five, then Upper Rank Four… and now you—Upper Rank Three. Is this your training ground or something?"
Three demons in a single day—two of them Upper Ranks.
It was becoming a little too troublesome.
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