"Lord?!"
Kyogai's body shook violently as he stared at the figure standing before him, the upper half of that person concealed by shadow. His legs buckled on instinct, and he dropped to his knees in a deep bow toward Raiden.
His body trembled as his thoughts spiraled.
Why was Lord Muzan here?
He was so close. Just a little more. As long as he consumed that rare blood, he could reclaim his place among the Twelve Kizuki. He could once again receive Muzan's blood, his recognition, his favor.
Tanjiro, who was still adjusting to the constantly shifting room while searching for an opening, froze when he saw Kyogai suddenly kneel.
What just happened?
That demon… is terrified?
The fear pouring off Kyogai was overwhelming. Tanjiro had smelled terror many times before, but never anything this intense. It was raw, crushing, almost paralyzing.
What could possibly frighten a demon like this?
Is there another demon here, something even stronger?
Tanjiro's expression tightened. He was already barely holding his own. If another powerful demon appeared, he might not survive this room.
He inhaled deeply, searching for another demonic scent.
And froze.
This scent… isn't this Raiden's?
Tanjiro sniffed again, disbelief written all over his face. The source of Kyogai's fear was unmistakable.
Raiden.
Is he really that strong?
Strong enough to make a former Lower Rank demon collapse in fear?
Raiden stepped forward slowly.
Even he had not expected Kyogai's reaction to be this extreme.
At least the Gluttonous Demon had hesitated after seeing his face. Kyogai would not even lift his head.
Just how deeply was Muzan feared?
As Raiden approached, Kyogai's shaking worsened, his forehead nearly scraping the floor.
"Would you like to be my friend?" Raiden asked calmly.
The voice reached Kyogai's ears, and his heart lurched.
That voice… it's too young.
This isn't Lord Muzan.
Kyogai snapped his head up, staring at Raiden's unfamiliar face. Fear twisted instantly into rage. His hand slammed into the drum embedded in his chest.
Three claw-shaped shockwaves ripped through the wooden floor and tore straight toward Raiden.
"Raiden, watch out!"
Tanjiro shouted instinctively.
He had struggled for a long time before learning how Kyogai's drums worked. For someone encountering this demon for the first time, reacting properly would be extremely difficult.
But before Tanjiro could finish his warning, Raiden vanished.
The next moment, the drum demon was sent flying like a cannonball.
Tanjiro's eyes widened.
So fast… and so strong.
This was not even close to the same level.
Tanjiro had been completely suppressed by Kyogai's relentless attacks, barely able to counter. In front of Raiden, those same techniques looked almost childish.
Raiden crouched, one foot pressing Kyogai firmly into the floor.
"Now," he said calmly, "are you willing to be my friend?"
Kyogai stared up at him in horror.
How could his speed be this terrifying?
To Tanjiro, it may have looked like Raiden passed through the shockwaves. Kyogai knew better. Raiden had reached him before the attacks even fully formed.
The distance between them had been short, but this speed was beyond reason.
"Beast Breathing! Beast Breathing!"
A loud voice suddenly echoed from the corridor behind Raiden.
Before anyone could react, a crash rang out.
The wall behind Raiden exploded inward.
Inosuke Hashibira burst through, panting heavily as he scanned the room. The moment he spotted Kyogai pinned beneath Raiden's foot, his focus locked on instantly.
He lowered his stance and charged.
Raiden did not even turn around.
He extended his right hand casually.
"Don't interfere. I'm handling something."
Inosuke did not understand the words.
Then something slammed into his side.
He reacted instantly, twisting his body on instinct, but another invisible impact struck before he could evade.
The force carried him straight into the wall.
Even after impact, the pressure did not fade.
Raiden's Red Clean Arrow pinned Inosuke firmly in place, his body suspended against the wall no matter how violently he struggled.
Inosuke finally looked directly at Raiden.
It's him?
Was this done by him?
The crushing pressure on his chest made his eyes widen behind the mask.
What kind of attack was this? There was no killing intent, yet he was completely restrained.
Kyogai, lying beneath Raiden's foot, felt his thoughts go blank.
That technique… that was Blood Demon Art.
There was no mistaking it.
How could a human use Blood Demon Art?
The aura of blood surrounding Raiden was undeniable.
Only one being Kyogai knew could use Blood Demon Art while wielding Breathing Techniques.
Upper Rank One, Kokushibo.
But even Kokushibo radiated an unmistakable demonic presence.
This man did not.
What exactly… is he?
Raiden looked down at Kyogai.
"Back to my question," he said calmly. "Are you willing to be my friend?"
Kyogai swallowed hard.
"Yes."
[Ding]
[Successfully added former Lower Rank Six, Drum Demon Kyogai, as a friend.]
[Intimacy level, Initial Acquaintance.]
[Reward obtained.]
[Skill acquired, Demon Drum, Modified.]
[Fuse now?]
"No."
Not bad, Raiden thought. At least it was worth something.
He stepped back and lifted his foot from Kyogai.
Based on his experience with Red Clean Arrow, fusing Demon Drum would not cause actual drums to grow on his body. The ability would manifest differently.
Kyogai, relieved that Raiden had withdrawn, tried to move.
And froze.
He could not feel his body.
Slowly, horror set in as he realized his head had already been severed.
Inosuke stopped struggling.
When did that happen?
He had been watching the entire time.
When did Raiden draw his sword?
Inosuke stared at Raiden in stunned silence. He did not even notice when the pressure pinning him to the wall disappeared.
Every instinct he had honed in the mountains screamed a single truth.
This man was dangerous.
Terrifyingly so.
____
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