However, this was not the time to think about other matters.
The most urgent problem was finding a doctor.
The two girls who had been injured earlier weren't in immediate danger, but their wounds couldn't be left untreated for long.
Fortunately, the temple was not far from the nearest clinic. With Gyoumei's powerful legs, he could make the trip very quickly.
The only unfortunate one was the doctor he brought back.
From the way the man's legs trembled as soon as he stepped onto the ground, it was clear that the ride had been anything but smooth.
Thanks to the doctor's strong sense of professional ethics, however, he quickly regained his composure and began treating the two girls.
Fortunately, the wooden splinters that had pierced their arms and thighs had not hit any vital organs. Treating this kind of penetrating injury wasn't particularly difficult.
The biggest problem was the era they lived in.
Medical sterilization techniques were still very primitive. Whether the wounds would later become infected depended largely on luck.
The two girls had long since fainted, so the treatment proceeded smoothly without any complications.
Afterward, the doctor briefly treated the wounds on Gyoumei's body, as well as the injury on Kanzaki Kumo's temple—the one caused when Kaigaku smashed him with the incense burner.
The moment he finished collecting his payment, the doctor immediately left.
Almost ran, in fact.
Watching the man hurry away as if fleeing for his life, Kanzaki Kumo muttered to himself,
"Just how badly did Gyoumei scare him…? Did he get dragged out of bed in the middle of the night or something?"
In truth, Kanzaki Kumo had misunderstood.
Although Gyoumei had been desperate to save the children, he certainly wouldn't break into someone's home and drag a doctor out of bed.
The real reason the doctor fled so quickly was simple.
He had been terrified by what he saw.
One wall of the building had been almost completely destroyed.
Not far from the entrance was a pit nearly a foot deep in the ground. The shape of a human body could vaguely be seen within it.
And the blind monk who had carried him here was covered in blood.
No one knew what kind of terrifying battle had taken place there.
If not for the fact that the injured children were too pitiful to abandon—and his conscience as a doctor wouldn't allow him to leave patients untreated—he would have run away the moment he arrived.
---
Just as the doctor left, government guards finally arrived.
The battle between Gyoumei and the demon had lasted from midnight until dawn. Such a massive commotion had naturally alerted nearby residents, who reported it to the authorities.
What greeted the officials was a chaotic scene.
Three injured children.
A tall, blind monk with several wounds of his own.
A group of frightened kids huddled together.
And a house in complete disarray.
Looking at the suspicious human-shaped crater in the ground and the injured Gyoumei, it was obvious that the blind monk had fought a fierce battle with some intruder.
After hearing the children's testimony that Gyoumei had been protecting them, the officials decided not to cause trouble for a man who clearly looked extremely dangerous to provoke.
However, the children's claim that "the monster disappeared when the sun came up" was dismissed as imagination born from fear.
Since Gyoumei himself was blind, his testimony was considered unreliable as well.
In the end, the officials closed the case hastily.
Their official conclusion:
A criminal had broken in during the night, attacked the temple, and was driven away by the monk.
Although Kanzaki Kumo very much wanted to complain about the incompetence of this world's authorities, at least Gyoumei hadn't been falsely imprisoned like in the original story.
So he didn't say anything.
Instead, he became curious.
If Gyoumei never went to prison…
How would the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps recruit this future powerhouse?
As for why Kanzaki Kumo was certain the Demon Slayer Corps would hear about this incident—
It was because the figure he had glimpsed earlier outside the temple was someone he recognized.
---
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters — Ubuyashiki Estate
A man wearing a bright yellow checkered haori was currently giving his report.
He was the current Sound Hashira, a user of Thunder Breathing—
Kuwajima Jigorō.
Although somewhat short in stature, he was the fastest swordsman currently serving in the Demon Slayer Corps.
The Corps was severely understaffed.
While there were barely enough low-rank demon slayers, only two Hashira-level fighters remained.
Himself…
And the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro.
The previous Water Hashira, Urokodaki Sakonji, had retired a year ago after suffering yet another serious injury. Due to his age and accumulated internal damage, he had become a trainer instead.
Even Kuwajima himself was beginning to struggle with intense combat because of his age.
Among the current Hashira, only Rengoku Shinjuro remained in his physical prime.
After receiving reports of a demon sighting, Kuwajima had rushed to the scene immediately.
Even so, he arrived just as dawn broke.
He personally witnessed the demon disintegrating beneath Gyoumei's fists.
Shocked by the blind monk's overwhelming strength—despite having no formal training—Kuwajima immediately returned to headquarters to report the discovery.
Such talent was exactly what the Demon Slayer Corps desperately needed.
"I understand…"
The man sitting opposite him spoke gently.
"To suppress a demon with bare hands and fight it until sunrise…"
"Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Kuwajima."
"You may rest now. I will handle the rest."
The speaker was Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the current head of the Ubuyashiki Family and the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.
His voice was soft and calm.
Even while clearly pleased, his tone remained composed, carrying the dignity of a true leader.
"Yes, Master."
Kuwajima bowed before leaving.
After he departed, Kagaya slowly stood.
Beside him stood his wife, Ubuyashiki Amane.
"Mr. Kuwajima has discovered a child with extraordinary potential," Kagaya said, unable to hide a hint of excitement.
"You intend to invite him personally?" Amane asked gently.
"Of course."
"If someone like that receives proper training, he could quickly become a new Hashira."
"He is exactly the kind of talent the Demon Slayer Corps needs right now."
Kagaya paused before continuing.
"Besides…"
"The children who witnessed the demon must also be properly taken care of."
The Ubuyashiki family didn't only lead the fight against demons.
They also used their influence to suppress information about demons from spreading to the public.
Because if the powerful elite of society learned that becoming a demon granted immortality—with the only weakness being sunlight—
Kagaya didn't dare imagine what would happen.
Would those people hesitate because demons must eat humans?
Of course not.
Even now, there were already people who treated human life as entertainment—watching bloody combat for amusement.
If such people gained the power of demons…
The consequences would be catastrophic.
---
Soon afterward, the government guards who had investigated the temple were summoned by their superior.
He said only one sentence.
"Not a single word about what you saw today is to leave this room."
"Not even to me."
"Otherwise… we will all die."
Then he dismissed them.
Over the next few days, every member of that guard squad died while on duty under various circumstances.
No one paid attention.
After all, the deaths of low-ranking officers meant nothing to anyone except their families.
---
That same afternoon, the temple's head priest and two monks finally returned.
Following behind them was a young man with a gentle smile and an unmistakable aura of nobility.
Kanzaki Kumo recognized him instantly.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
The man's face matched perfectly with the one in his memories.
Watching Kagaya chat happily with the head priest—and seeing the priest's respectful attitude—Kanzaki Kumo quickly guessed the plan.
Kagaya would first gather information about Gyoumei through the priest.
Then he would persuade him to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
The presence of demon-repelling incense at the temple already proved the head priest knew something about demons.
He simply hadn't shared that knowledge with the others.
And a small rural temple could hardly refuse the powerful Ubuyashiki family, whose wealth rivaled that of entire nations.
"Head Priest."
Hearing the familiar voice, Gyoumei stepped forward to greet him.
"Yes, Gyoumei."
"I heard you fought a monster last night to protect the children."
"You did well."
"That creature was a demon—a man-eating monster that ordinary people cannot easily kill."
The elderly priest's voice was slightly hoarse, but still warm.
"I don't know much about demons myself."
"But Mr. Ubuyashiki here does."
"He would like to speak with you."
"Please take him to the quiet room and host him properly."
It seemed they had already discussed this on the way back.
Gyoumei soon led Kagaya away for a private conversation.
However, Kanzaki Kumo noticed something interesting.
The head priest quietly walked off in the opposite direction.
At his age, he had no interest in learning more about demons.
For someone who only wished to live out the rest of his life peacefully, knowing how to avoid demons was enough.
Knowing more would only disturb that peace.
Kanzaki Kumo, however, thought the opposite.
Watching Gyoumei lead Kagaya away, he immediately followed them.
Since he had been reborn into this world…
He might as well do something meaningful.
Save some good people.
And change a few tragedies along the way.