Three days later, in the courtyard of the Wisteria Family House…
"Lucas! I want to duel you!"
Inosuke pointed dramatically at Rakugawa and shouted.
The veins on Lucas's forehead bulged. "My name is Lucas."
"Alright then, Luo An! I still want to duel you!"
Hearing yet another butchered name, Lucas took a deep breath and muttered to himself,
Don't get angry, don't get angry. No need to argue with a fool.
Inosuke hadn't managed to pronounce Lucas's name correctly once in the past three days of rest and treatment. What was even more frustrating was that each incorrect name was different.
Just as Lucas was about to brush Inosuke off casually, his ears twitched slightly. He turned his gaze toward the edge of the courtyard.
They're finally here.
During these three days, Zenitsu and the others had been recovering. Lucas hadn't received any new missions and had used this time to focus entirely on his training. Thanks to his exceptional aptitude, keen understanding, and the use of Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, his cultivation had progressed rapidly.
It had barely been any time since he broke through to the Geng level, yet he was already sensing the stirrings of another breakthrough. Originally, he had hoped to reach the "Already" level before heading to Nada Spider Mountain. But with the arrival of the crows, it seemed he was out of time.
No matter, Lucas thought. No amount of training can match the speed of making friends.
Nada Spider Mountain wasn't just another mission; it was a golden opportunity. Rui, one of the Lower Five Moons, was there, along with several demons bound to him through twisted, false familial ties. These were prime targets for Lucas's unique power of friendship.
And after this mission, he would encounter the Water Hashira and the Insect Hashira. While the Water Hashira wasn't likely to become friends with him immediately, the Insect Hashira might. Her gentle exterior hid a resolute heart. Lucas was confident she could at least agree to a verbal friendship.
"Northeast North, Northeast North—the direction of your next mission is Northeast North!"
A familiar, sharp crow cry echoed from the sky.
Lucas glanced up at the crow, then looked thoughtfully at Zhuya.
Just handing out the mission? No special instructions for me?
Have I not made my abilities clear enough?
He remembered when he used his Blood Demon Art—Red Purity Arrow—to teach Inosuke a lesson. He hadn't concealed the blood aura at all. If the crow couldn't detect it as a demon art, it would be laughable. In fact, the real purpose of displaying the Blood Demon Art then wasn't to reprimand Inosuke—it was to test Ubuyashiki Kagaya's attitude toward him.
Now, that attitude seemed to be one of quiet acceptance.
That's good, Lucas thought. At least I won't have to hide my blood demon powers from the Hashira anymore.
The four of them—Lucas, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke—bid farewell to the Wisteria family and headed toward Nada Spider Mountain.
Along the way, Inosuke wouldn't stop shouting about dueling Lucas. Only when they reached the base of the mountain did he finally quiet down.
Lucas glanced at Zenitsu, who was unusually solemn.
Though Zenitsu had grown since the Drum Mansion mission—managing to use Thunder Breathing, First Form, consciously to defeat a demon—this single experience hadn't been enough to completely reshape his personality.
"Shoichi told me that you're the strongest person he's ever met, Zenitsu."
Zenitsu blinked in surprise. Shoichi was the young boy he had protected during the Drum Mansion battle.
"Lucas, there's a smell of blood up ahead," Tanjiro suddenly said, his expression serious.
Whether it was due to Lucas's strength or his calm and assured demeanor, Tanjiro had developed a habit of relying on him in times of uncertainty.
"Let's move in," Lucas nodded.
The scent of blood most likely came from a Demon Slayer Corps member under the control of the demon playing Rui's "mother." In this mountain, Rui was the strongest of the five spider demons. The others had distinct abilities tied to their Blood Demon Arts:
The "Mother" demon could control people using spider threads.
The "Father" possessed immense strength and regenerative abilities.
The "Brother" used venom to transform others into spiders.
The "Sister" trapped victims in silk cocoons that dissolved them slowly.
Among them, only the father was completely irrational—making friendship impossible. The others, however, were viable candidates for Lucas's friendship strategy.
Of course, he wouldn't go looking for them individually. Opportunities would present themselves naturally.
"Save me… someone… please…"
As they arrived at a fork at the foot of the mountain, a Demon Slayer Corps member came stumbling out, terror etched across his face.
Tanjiro instinctively rushed forward to help, but the injured swordsman suddenly snapped upright, moving like a puppet. The next instant, he was yanked backward into the dark forest by an unseen force.
Lucas's eyes narrowed.
You dare pull someone away right in front of me?
Disrespectful.
"Zheng!"
A crisp blade sound cut through the air.
The spider threads snapped, and tiny spiders dropped from the controlled swordsman's body. The faint shimmer of the threads became visible as the moonlight reflected off them.
Only then did Tanjiro and the others realize what had happened.
Tanjiro hurried to catch the falling swordsman, while Zenitsu stood guard. Inosuke tilted his pig-headed mask, studying Lucas curiously.
That was insanely fast! I heard the cut but didn't see the blade. From this distance? How is that even possible?!
Lucas didn't take our duels seriously these past three days! I knew it!
"There are more team members inside… many of them… still trapped…"
The rescued Demon Slayer pointed toward the forest, trembling with fear.
Tanjiro knelt beside him. "Are there more demons in there? What exactly did you see?"
Lucas sighed. I should've known not to save this one. Total waste of time.
He already knew the layout of Nada Spider Mountain and the demons that resided in it. This unknown swordsman couldn't provide anything useful.
Thankfully, the swordsman's knowledge was limited, and Tanjiro wrapped up the questioning quickly.
After leaving the rescued member to rest safely at the mountain base, the four of them finally entered Spider Mountain.
"This spider web is disgusting…"
Zenitsu grumbled as he peeled sticky threads off his head.
"I'm so done with this!"
Twin jets of air burst from Inosuke's nostrils, the sign of his growing irritation.
Meanwhile, Lucas walked gracefully and untouched. His Gap Line, Echo Ear, and Spatial Perception abilities created a natural shield. No web could sneak up on him.
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