At the heart of the violent storm, a shadow flew backward but quickly regained balance, kicking forcefully off the ground to rush straight back into the center of the chaos.
Whoosh—!
The astonishing speed transformed Shirou into a streak of light, flashing like lightning, hurtling directly toward Mukago's neck.
The peaceful village rested quietly, a small stream winding down from distant mountains like a tiny silver galaxy encircling the fields, bestowing an aura of tranquility to the area.
But this peace wouldn't last for long.
Swish—!
"[Sword Breathing—Thunder Form: Thunderclap and Flash]!"
A brilliant golden streak flashed madly across the fields, relentlessly pursuing Mukago no matter how she teleported. Shirou instantly caught up every time, stubbornly clinging to her position.
Is he insane?!
Mukago could only teleport short distances at a time due to Shirou's desperate, suicidal pursuit. Her focus completely disrupted, she forgot defense, forgot counterattacks, forced into constant evasive jumps by Shirou's relentless assault.
The roles had reversed.
Shirou had turned from prey to hunter in an instant.
Thunder echoed through the sky, illuminating the darkness.
Yet Shirou felt his legs gradually grow heavy.
Constant rapid movement exacted a heavy price, steadily numbing his limbs.
He knew he couldn't stop. If he paused even for a moment, his ability to attack would vanish completely.
Clearly, Mukago couldn't continuously abuse her Blood Demon Art without intervals. Each teleport and attack had a brief delay—less due to the Art itself, and more because she required moments of thought.
She could instantly teleport dozens of meters—but rapid, precise, consecutive teleportation around Shirou required swift mental calculations beyond her capability. Unlike simply teleporting straight distances to flee, rapid successive teleports with precision attacks demanded extraordinary reflexes.
In gaming terms, it was akin to flashing dozens of times around an enemy hero within three seconds, accurately auto-attacking each time—a feat requiring both superhuman reaction and attack speed.
Mukago simply lacked the necessary "hardware."
Thus, she was trapped in Shirou's unyielding assault.
While Mukago struggled in panic, Shirou steadily adapted to her teleportation speed and predicted her movements.
Now!
With a sharp whistle slicing through the air, Shirou's crimson blade crashed down like a meteor, burning fiercely through the atmosphere. The blazing heat radiating from the blade caused the surrounding air itself to ripple in terror.
Mukago's pupils shrank to pinpoints, reflecting the fierce blaze of Shirou's Nichirin blade.
"[Sword Breathing—Water Form: Water Surface Slash]!"
Shirou unleashed this form derived from Water Breathing. When projecting Tanjirou's blade, he'd sensed another breathing style hidden beneath Tanjirou's Water Breathing—something unique and powerful.
This strike lasted less than a second, a mere blink of an eye.
In an instant, half of Mukago's body was sliced away.
Only then did Mukago finally comprehend this man's terrifying strength.
How could this be? How can I be defeated by you?!
Had she not instinctively activated her Blood Demon Art at the last moment, that single strike would have severed her head clean off!
A sudden urge to escape gripped her—she knew continuing this fight would only lead to her death.
Shaken by this realization, Mukago unconsciously retreated.
Yet a chill running down her spine immediately froze her thoughts of escape.
If Lord Muzan discovered she'd fled from a mere Demon Slayer, she knew she wouldn't survive their next encounter. The instant she faced Muzan again would mark her execution.
She had no choice. She must prove her worth!
At that moment, Mukago's body rapidly regenerated, a terrifying aura erupting from her restored form.
Birds sleeping in distant trees were jolted awake by the overwhelming force radiating from her.
The violent energy shattered the already broken ground further, sending debris flying.
Mukago stomped her foot into the earth, launching forward like a black shadow, finally matching Shirou's speed and appearing right before him.
She realized that relying solely on teleportation couldn't harm Shirou while he kept moving. Merely teleporting beside him was useless; Shirou could instantly evade and counterattack.
But Mukago's strength wasn't just her Blood Demon Art.
As a Lower Moon, her innate physical prowess vastly exceeded ordinary demons.
This speed surpassed any demon Shirou had previously faced.
Not just slightly—it was far greater.
At the crucial moment, Shirou tightened his expression and swiftly raised his blade to block the incoming strike.
A dark meteor collided directly with Shirou's Nichirin blade.
BOOM—!
An impact a hundred times louder than a colossal bell resounded, sending shockwaves spiraling outward in every direction.
Shirou felt an immense, unstoppable force smash against his blade, as if an entire mountain had pressed down upon him. His hands instantly went numb, his body trembling violently as he was hurled backward.
Barely steadying himself mid-air, Shirou planted his feet hard on the ground.
Crack—!
The earth fractured severely beneath his feet.
His Nichirin blade flew out of his hands from the tremendous impact.
Seeing Shirou disarmed, Mukago's smile reappeared triumphantly.
Without your sword, you're defenseless!
Instantly, she reappeared behind Shirou, dark claws piercing toward his head like beams of shadow slicing through space.
This attack would decide everything!
Splurt—!
A tearing sound echoed clearly, accompanied by a spray of crimson blood.
Splat—!
Mukago felt something cool splash onto her cheek, an unknown liquid dripping down her face, thick with the smell of blood.
A liquid smelling like blood?
Blood was the only possibility Mukago could imagine.
But did I even wound him...?
Her pupils slowly shrank to pinpoints, her mind turning blank as though she were a rusted machine. She slowly turned her head toward the source beside her.
Drip… drip…
Dark red blood poured continuously onto the ground, originating from a headless body that stood quietly beside her.
"…!"
When?
When had he launched the attack?
When had he cut off my head?
When had he summoned that weapon?
But none of those answers mattered now.
Mukago's consciousness rapidly faded. Within seconds, beneath the pale moonlight, her body disintegrated into ashes.
"[Sword Breathing, Wing Form: Featherfall]."
As the silvery-white feather-like slash faded from Mukago's decapitated form, Shirou quietly named the technique.
This form was Shirou's own innovation—drawing inspiration from Wind Breathing, incorporating aspects of Beast Breathing. It represented yet another personal evolution of his own breathing style.
"Cough!"
Seeing Mukago reduced to ashes, Shirou slowly sank into a half-kneeling position.
At this moment, his legs had completely lost all sensation.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause echoed from the darkness nearby.
"A truly splendid battle, wouldn't you say?"
A voice, both masculine and feminine at once, approached slowly. Before Shirou could react, a mysterious figure wearing an elegant kimono appeared directly in front of him.
"You know," the stranger spoke softly, "why not become a demon yourself?"