Having witnessed Raiden's strength, Genya dared not act recklessly again. He stood aside, his tension and suppressed frustration clear for all to see.
"Now, Swordsmen, please select your tamahagane," Hinaki announced, revealing more than a dozen stones on the table.
The candidates stepped forward, carefully examining each piece. After all, these stones would forge their future weapons, so scrutiny was essential.
While they hesitated, Raiden walked calmly to the table and casually picked up a piece. The others stared in disbelief. The stone looked ordinary, as if chosen at random. Didn't he need to consider its quality?
Seeing their bewildered expressions, Raiden simply shrugged. Differences among tamahagane existed, but they were minor. With sufficient strength, even a sword forged from the lowest-grade stone could still cut through demons.
Encouraged, Zenitsu selected a slightly larger stone, still unsure but trusting Raiden's judgment.
Once everyone had chosen, the selection concluded. Raiden and Zenitsu were assigned a nearby residence. Wisteria flowers bloomed around the property, while Demon Slayer Corps members patrolled the area, ensuring their safety.
Upon reaching their quarters, Zenitsu finally relaxed, his nerves finally easing after days of tension. Raiden, lying back with his hands behind his head, contemplated the future.
Passing the selection officially made him a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Missions would follow, demanding he slay demons. Yet Raiden's true goal in joining was not slaughter but friendship. Meeting powerful Pillars or demons on routine missions was rare; he would have to create the opportunities himself.
After the selection, Tanjiro would face two formidable demons: Kibutsuji Muzan and Tamayo.
Muzan's strength was unmatched at this stage. Befriending him would yield incredible rewards, but the risks were equally extreme. Despite Raiden's growing power, he was nothing before Muzan. One strike could end him instantly. Muzan had appeared to leverage Miss Li's network to investigate the blue spider lily. To avoid revealing his identity, he had not killed Tanjiro—Raiden saw this as the perfect opportunity to make contact. By approaching strategically, he could earn Muzan's recognition without a fight.
Tamayo, on the other hand, intrigued Raiden with her Blood Demon Arts: the Bewitching Scent of Visual Dreams, capable of controlling people, and the Daytime Demon Scent, which forced secrets from her targets. Yet she was cautious. Befriending her would require Tanjiro as an intermediary.
Fifteen days later, Raiden finally received his nichirin blade and his first mission via his Kasugai Crow: a demon in Naraku Town to the north, notorious for devouring human hearts. Thirteen people had already vanished or died.
Raiden gripped his new golden nichirin blade, glancing at Zenitsu, who looked numb. Zenitsu had also been assigned to the same mission. He would soon confront those foul demons again.
Night had fallen when they arrived. The townspeople moved quickly, anxious to retreat indoors, leaving Raiden and Zenitsu alone on the empty streets.
"Raiden, where do we find the demon?" Zenitsu asked nervously, breaking the silence.
"Go straight, wait for it to appear," Raiden replied. The Line of Seizing had a limited range, and Naraku Town was not small. They needed the demon to make a move.
Minutes passed. Then Raiden's nose twitched. He dashed toward a dim alley.
"Huh?" Zenitsu barely had time to react before Raiden disappeared from sight.
"A Kinoe-ranked demon," Raiden murmured, frowning at the overwhelming stench, even stronger than the Hand Demon's. The foul odor marked an invisible line through the air.
Raiden turned several corners before stopping in front of a courtyard gate. The demon's scent came from inside.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the night. Raiden leapt into the courtyard. A man crawled frantically out, while behind him, an old woman with bright red lipstick advanced. She cornered him.
The man's terror was so intense that he could not make a sound. Raiden studied the old woman. If not for the pungent stench that betrayed her demon nature, she could have passed for an ordinary elderly woman.
Sound-Eating Demon
Race: Demon
Rank: Kinoe
Aptitude: Low
Talent: Medium
Innate Skill: None
Skills: Blood Demon Art: Sound Eating (Proficient), Blood Demon Art: Slaughter (Proficient), Sound Blade (Proficient), Breath Control (Mastered)
As the man sank into despair, the old woman suddenly turned her head sharply.
Before she could fully react, a golden light streaked past the man, blasting her into a courtyard wall and leaving a large hole. Remarkably, the impact made no sound—the area seemed muted.
The man stared in shock at the old woman, then at the figure before him: Raiden, long blade in hand, golden hair flowing lightly. He had intentionally not drawn his sword fully, cautious of killing her in one strike.
The old woman struggled to rise, glaring with hatred. She raised a hand, sending an invisible wave of air at Raiden.
"Still not giving up," Raiden muttered.
Then dazzling golden arcs of light erupted around him. As they moved, the man's previously lost hearing returned, along with the violent crash of the environment.
Raiden held the old woman by the front, utterly dominating her. Her body was scorched, hands hanging limply.
"Old hag, how about we become friends?" Raiden asked, lightly prodding her with his scabbard.