Aoyama subtly shifted his body, placing himself between Nezuko and the approaching threat.
Just in case.
Nezuko, still holding the goldfish bag, looked delighted. Even if she hadn't caught it entirely by herself, she had contributed—and that was enough.
"Let's go further up," Aoyama said gently, taking her hand.
As they walked, he casually glanced back from the corner of his eye.
A woman in a dark indigo yukata followed at a distance, carrying a matching handbag.
Just one glance—
And her beauty was unforgettable.
They hadn't seen her anywhere earlier in the festival.
Nezuko suddenly stiffened.
She turned her head, scanning her surroundings.
She sensed it too.
Aoyama's lips curved slightly.
Good. Even among this crowd, she remained vigilant.
They reached a hillside behind the shrine grounds.
From here, they could overlook the entire festival.
It was the perfect spot to watch the fireworks at ten o'clock.
Behind them—
Rustle.
The sound of footsteps crushing fallen leaves.
Aoyama turned around slowly, amusement flickering in his gaze as he looked at the woman in the indigo yukata.
"Oh my," she smiled sweetly. "I'm not disturbing you, am I?"
Her feet never stopped moving.
"From here, the fireworks must look beautiful, right?"
She turned her head toward him and smiled.
It was a mesmerizing smile.
"Mm!"
Nezuko stepped forward slightly, her eyes blazing with hostility.
She wasn't human.
She was a demon.
Aoyama lifted his hand and waved it lightly in front of his nose.
"You reek of Muzan."
Not just her own demon scent—
But Muzan's blood.
Fresh.
She had met him recently.
The woman's expression flickered with fear when she heard the name spoken so casually.
Then it vanished.
In her mind, Muzan's command echoed over and over:
Bring back his head. Bring back his head. Bring back his head.
That was her mission.
Her pupils turned blood-red.
Her teeth ground together with a chilling sound.
"Ahhh—!"
Her body twisted violently.
Something bulged beneath her skin—
And then—
Rip.
A black mass burst out.
Another head.
A long, grotesque neck extended nearly two meters, ending in the face of the same beautiful woman.
No matter how beautiful the face—
The sight was horrifying.
Aoyama's mouth twitched.
Among all the demons Muzan had produced—
This one was… particularly ridiculous.
"I'll give you a chance," Aoyama said calmly. "Take me to Muzan. I'll spare your life."
He deliberately said take.
Not tell.
He understood the curse in Muzan's blood.
The elongated head swayed midair, then suddenly lunged—
Not at him—
But at Nezuko.
She had followed them long enough to notice.
The girl was his weakness.
If she pressured Nezuko, she might create an opening.
Aoyama's eyes darkened.
Wrong move.
His blade flashed.
The two-meter neck was severed instantly.
The head hit the ground.
The woman burst into manic laughter.
From her torso—
Two new heads erupted.
Blood Demon Art — Infinite Growth.
Any damage inflicted upon her regenerated as +1.
Cut one head—
She grew two.
The more she was injured—
The stronger she became.
Even her combat power multiplied.
Aoyama narrowed his eyes.
Interesting.
Two heads attacked simultaneously.
He wrapped an arm around Nezuko and leapt onto a tree branch.
Without pause—
He set her down and launched himself downward.
His blade aimed at her main body—
Clang!
Her arm intercepted the strike.
The limb fell—
And instantly—
Two arms regenerated.
Now he understood.
Unless he cut her true head—
Every other wound only empowered her.
A head shot toward Nezuko in the tree.
Aoyama sliced it apart midair.
As the new heads began regenerating—
He moved.
Total Concentration Breathing.
Light Breathing — First Form: Flash.
His body became a streak of light.
He closed the distance in an instant.
In his vision—
The Line of Opening appeared.
The blade glinted coldly.
One clean arc—
All heads were severed simultaneously.
Among them—
Her true head.
"Ahhh—!"
The head screamed on the ground.
Aoyama sheathed his sword slowly.
"For one second," he said coldly, "while regenerating, your body cannot move. Nor can you control the other heads."
Tears streamed from her eyes.
Memories resurfaced.
She hadn't chosen this.
She had been forced.
Her body began crumbling into ash.
"Ding! Host has slain a demon. Reward: Vision Enhancement +10. Random Reward: 1 Regeneration Potion."
Regeneration Potion:
Grants temporary demon-like regeneration. Rapid healing from injuries for a short duration.
Aoyama stepped beneath the tree and opened his arms.
Nezuko jumped down into his embrace.
Her arms wrapped around his neck.
The goldfish in the water bag still swam peacefully.
He glanced at the fading ashes.
If a demon tried to speak Muzan's secrets—
The curse in their blood would kill them instantly.
Muzan's control ran that deep.
The fireworks hadn't begun yet.
But the night—
Had already exploded.
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