The faint moonlight struggled to penetrate the ink-black night sky, barely outlining vague silhouettes.
In this vast wilderness, an agile figure darted back and forth, the orange-red flames emanating from his body dancing with his movements like a phoenix in flight.
Kyojuro swung his blade in an upward arc, flames severing the Demon's torso. With a swift horizontal shift, he executed Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing fire—successfully beheading his target.
Sheathing his sword, he turned to help a fallen swordsman to his feet. His hearty laughter left a deep impression on Murata.
This guy reminds me of the examiner... so warm.
"You're Murata, right? Keep striving!"
"Off to slay more Demons, hahaha!"
Kyojuro patted Murata's shoulder and left with booming laughter.
Unlike other swordsmen, Kyojuro grew more exhilarated with each battle. Demon slaying was far more thrilling than Tendo had described.
Soon, Kyojuro locked onto another target. After brief exchanges, the outmatched Demon fled at lightning speed.
What's wrong with this year's humans? Did they all take performance enhancers?
First that insane kid with the snake around his neck, now this laughing madman.
Blood Demon Art: Earth Escape.
"A Demon with Blood Demon Art! How impressive!"
"Hahaha!" Kyojuro's eyes sparkled as if seeing a delicious meal, giving chase—though he ultimately lost his prey.
Too terrified to attempt an ambush, the Earth Demon hid deep in the woods where complex terrain provided cover, swearing never to encounter that laughing human again.
Late at night, the dense forest was eerily still. Without any wind, the leaves trembled inexplicably.
Moonlight filtered through swaying branches like shattered silver plates, casting mottled shadows on the ground.Amid the play of light and shadow lay a protruding stone, upon which rested a small bottle. It was a chibi version of Tendo making a funny face, its cap open, the scent of blood wafting through the air.
Suddenly, the ground bulged outward, and the Earth Demon leaped up from beneath, drool dripping from its mouth.
It took a deep breath of the air, its greedy eyes gleaming with excitement. Every cell in its body was craving, for that was Rare Blood.
"Hahaha!"
"Rare Blood! So there's Rare Blood among these human brats. What incredible luck!"
Greed clouded Earth Demon's vision as it reached out toward the blood vial.
"Huh?"
"Wait... why would Rare Blood just be left here for no reason?"
Finally, a shred of reason returned. Anyone who wasn't an idiot could tell this was a trap.
But it was too late. Four crimson-gold sword flashes streaked through the air, and Earth Demon's limbs went flying as it collapsed.
Having been constantly on the run, Earth Demon had exhausted too much stamina, drastically reducing its regeneration ability. Its limbs could only regrow slowly.
"Tch tch tch!"
"Another one that's not Hand Demon? Unbelievable bad luck!"
Tendo squatted beside Earth Demon, utterly dejected. He strongly suspected Hand Demon's hatred for Sakonji Urokodaki outweighed even the temptation of Rare Blood.
You had to admit, that guy's hatred ran deep—deep and unwavering.
Over the past few hours, Tendo had already killed six demons through this baiting tactic. This was the seventh, yet still not the one he wanted.
"Hey," he knocked on Earth Demon's skull, "ever seen a demon covered in hands?"
Earth Demon looked defiant, turning its head away arrogantly:
"Go ahead and kill me if you dare, you stupid human brat!"
"Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you!"
"Oh?" Tendo's eyes lit up at those words—so it did know.
He waved the Rare Blood in front of Earth Demon, tempting: "Tell me, and I'll let you drink it!"
"You think I'm an idiot?"
No sooner had Earth Demon spoken than Tendo poured an entire vial of blood into its mouth.
Earth Demon: "???"
Is he stupid, or am I stupid?
It didn't understand, but it wasn't complaining.
You know what? You're actually kinda nice!
"How was it?" Tendo asked with a grin. "Tasty?"
"Want more?"
"Yes yes yes!" Having tasted the sweetness, Earth Demon nodded obediently while secretly plotting Tendo's demise.
It felt an endless surge of power, its confidence multiplying a hundredfold.
The skies cleared, the rain stopped—it felt invincible again.
"Ahahaha! Stupid human, DIE!"
In an instant, Earth Demon's limbs fully regenerated as it launched a hand chop straight for Tendo's head.
Tendo swiftly retreated, expression unchanged, looking completely in control.
"Tch!"
"Not bad at dodging!"
"Next time you're dead!"
"I'm terrifyingly strong now!"
"Hahaha!"
Earth Demon's grin turned savage as it glared coldly at Tendo, infuriated by his expression.
"Oooh!" Tendo clapped with exaggerated enthusiasm. "So scary!"
"I'm sooo frightened!"
Earth Demon's face twisted with rage at the mockery, teeth gritting as it swore to tear this human to pieces.
"I'll slaughter you!"
Earth Style activated as it attempted to ambush Tendo from behind.
The moment it emerged from the ground was when it should have stayed buried.
Dozens of razor-sharp sword flashes sliced through the air, far outpacing its regeneration speed. Earth Demon collapsed like a severed kite string, blood gushing endlessly.
"Ready to talk now?"
"I'm trading Rare Blood for information. Swordsmen as generous as me are rare these days."Thus, Tendo fed the Earth Demon his blood, causing it to grow limbs—only for them to be severed, regrow, and be severed again...
After such "amicable" negotiations between the man and the demon, the Earth Demon tearfully agreed to cooperate.
"You're insane! Stay the hell away from me, you lunatic!" it shrieked hysterically, its curses quickly devolving into desperate pleas. "Just kill me already!"
"I... want... to die!"
"Tell me what I need to know, and I'll grant you a quick death. Next life, try not to be a demon, alright?" Tendo spread his hands, feigning innocence.
"Though, I must say, I preferred your rebellious attitude at the start. Come on, let's have a heart-to-heart."
Tendo wore a gentle smile, but to the Earth Demon, it was the most terrifying grin in existence.
A devil!
This human was an absolute devil!
"Th-that demon you're asking about... it's searching for someone wearing a fox mask!" the Earth Demon stammered out useless information, nearly driving Tendo mad—he already knew all this.
"And?" The smile froze on Tendo's face, and the Earth Demon felt its blood turn to ice.
This human was terrifying!
Someone save me!
"B-bro, don't... don't be angry! I also know where it usually hides!" The Earth Demon had been lurking in Fujikasane Mountain for quite a while, though its weak Blood Demon Art only allowed it to burrow a dozen meters underground.
"Spit it out!"
"My patience is wearing thin. I gave you my blood—you'd better earn it."
"Y-yes, yes! That demon usually hides—"