"Slaying the Hand Demon"
Seeing his attack so easily countered, the Hand Demon narrowed his eyes. On Mount Fujikasane, he was practically the king. Anyone who participated in the final selection and encountered him had virtually no chance of survival.
But this newcomer, Aoki, a disciple of Urokodaki, instilled a sense of unease he'd never felt before.
"This brat… is strange," the Hand Demon muttered, launching another ferocious attack. This time, he held nothing back. If he didn't use his full power, he might not survive.
Aoki didn't use a technique to counter this attack, instead relying on the Sharingan's exceptional perception to dodge each blow while closing the distance. However, as the distance shortened, the number of openings decreased, the sheer number of arms making it difficult to track them all.
He resorted to a technique once more.
"Breath of Devouring, Second Style: Voracious Blade!"
Black energy coated his Nichirin Sword. As dozens of arms lunged towards him, Aoki swung his sword, unleashing a black ring of energy that severed and scattered the arms.
Seeing his attacks thwarted so easily, a look of seriousness finally crossed the Hand Demon's face. But before he could prepare another attack, Aoki closed the distance, denying him the opportunity.
"Breath of Devouring, Third Style: Demonic Glow!"
Aoki didn't stop after severing the arms. He unleashed another technique, striking at the Hand Demon.
"Damn it!"
The Hand Demon saw Aoki's Nichirin Sword bearing down on him, but it was too late. Even raising his arms for defense proved futile.
Black energy enveloped the sword, accompanied by mournful wails. A long, dark shadow, with two white eyes, formed on the blade, resembling a demon.
With a single swing, the sword pierced the Hand Demon's arm, sliced across his neck, and exited through the other arm.
It was a complete annihilation. From the start, Aoki had been entirely defensive, yet his first offensive strike severed the Hand Demon's neck. The self-proclaimed strongest demon on Mount Fujikasane had been instantly killed.
The system's notification echoed in Aoki's mind.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, host, on killing a low-level demon. Combat power increased by 7 points!"
"Total combat power: 448 points!"
"Overall rating: Level Three!"
The Hand Demon's head rolled to the ground, his body dissolving into ash. His eyes reflected his disbelief and resentment.
"Impossible!"
He had planned to grow stronger, pass through the wisteria grove, and exact revenge on Urokodaki Sakonji. Instead, he died at the hands of one of Urokodaki's disciples.
"To see a demon slayer's face as my last sight… how ironic," the Hand Demon muttered, his vision blurring. He found himself in a world of absolute darkness.
"So dark… I remember fearing the dark. Someone used to hold my hand, illuminating the darkness… who was it?"
"Ah, I remember! My brother! Brother, where are you?"
He searched for his brother in the darkness, but found nothing. He longed for his brother's hand, his comforting presence, but couldn't reach him.
Then, memories from before and after he became a demon surfaced. He had killed his brother, succumbing to the demon's hunger for human flesh. His long existence as a demon had erased those memories, leaving him unable to even recall his brother's face.
Meanwhile, in the real world, Tanjiro, who had been observing the fight, sensed a wave of sadness emanating from the Hand Demon's dissipating body.
After a moment's hesitation, he approached the dissolving remains and gently took the Hand Demon's massive hand. He pressed the hand to his forehead.
"God, please bless him. May he be reborn as a human, never again a demon," he prayed silently. The Hand Demon's body vanished completely.
In the Hand Demon's dark world, a light suddenly appeared, illuminating his form. The darkness transformed into a familiar country lane, a figure with a lantern approaching.
It was his brother.
"Brother! Brother! Hold my hand!"
He was no longer a bloodthirsty demon, but the child who once needed his brother to overcome his fear of the dark.
"I can't help it. You're always so afraid of the dark," his brother said, taking his hand.
They walked towards a brightly lit house—their home.
Back in the real world, Tanjiro watched the Hand Demon's complete disintegration with sadness. A hand rested on his shoulder. It was Aoki.
"You're awfully kind. He was about to eat you, and now you're feeling sorry for him."
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
p@treon.com/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters