After a few quick strokes, a drawing appeared on the paper.
It was a simple layout of Youshui Town.
"I think there's more than one demon in this town."
As he spoke, Scribe drew a circle on the paper.
It was precisely where he had encountered the Tentacle Demon.
"These demons are different from the ones before. They seem to be acting in an organized manner, and there are even demons specifically responsible for rescue operations."
"The most important point is that if there were only a few, or a dozen or so, there would have been no need for them to kill so many humans at once."
"Judging from how they took away those corpses, it was as if they were providing food for other demons."
Hearing this, Yoriichi understood what Scribe meant.
According to Scribe's theory, the entire town was a living food supply station for these demons.
Some of the demons hid among the humans, disguising themselves and running inns and similar establishments.
After attracting human travelers, they would kill them.
They would eat a small portion of the corpses directly, while most of the bodies would be transported out of town to feed the demons hiding outside it.
As for where the demons were hiding, it was most likely in this mountain.
Scribe circled the mountain beside Youshui on the paper and slowly spoke.
"Demons are very particular about the freshness of their food. After killing humans, they must eat within a short period of time."
"In that case, the only place capable of hiding a large number of demons without being discovered by humans is this mountain."
Yoriichi nodded, agreeing with Scribe's assessment.
Just as the two were about to discuss what to do next, a miserable human scream suddenly rang out from outside the window.
It was followed by another roar.
Two, three, four...
Though they were still somewhat indistinct, Scribe heard dozens of different roars.
Had all the demons moved out at once?
Instantly judging the situation, Scribe hurried to the window and looked outside.
The once prosperous and bustling town had become a living hell.
The laughing townsfolk fled in every direction, trying to escape the demons' attacks and feeding.
From shadowy corners, a large hand or tentacle would occasionally emerge.
After dragging despairing humans into the darkness, the sound of flesh being chewed would follow.
Human corpses were everywhere, and so were demons feeding on them.
There were no fewer than twenty demons within Scribe's field of vision alone.
His right hand tightened around his sword hilt instinctively. Even Scribe was seeing such a scene for the first time.
"Are you afraid?"
Yoriichi walked to his disciple's side, taking in the tragedy outside. Yet his voice remained as calm as ever.
"No. The moment I set foot on the path of a Demon Slayer, I threw away the word 'fear.'"
Seeing the resolute expression on Scribe's face, Yoriichi felt somewhat relieved.
For a Demon Slayer, fear was the greatest taboo.
The moment fear arose in battle, it was practically a death sentence.
But now, it seemed Scribe had already overcome that problem.
"Let's go."
Strapping his sword to his waist, Tsugikuni Yoriichi shattered the window and leaped down.
The hunt had begun.
Drawing his Nichirin Blade, Scribe jumped down as well.
His target was a demon below!
Feeling someone above him, the demon instinctively looked up.
A dark figure grew larger and larger in his crimson pupils.
Sun Breathing: Tenth Form: Radiant Heavenly Glow
Descending from the sky, Scribe unleashed a spiraling slash shaped like flame.
Blazing flames as scorching as the sun coiled around the blade as it came down viciously on the demon's head.
Before the demon could react, his head exploded.
Like a watermelon smashed apart by a club.
Demons eliminated: 2. Remaining demons: 98. Progress: 2/100.
"Why two?"
Just as Scribe wondered why the display counted two, Yoriichi walked over.
Turning his head, Scribe saw a demon's corpse slowly dissolving beside him.
So this was what they meant by a team mission.
Scribe had initially worried that demons fleeing might cause the mission to fail.
Now, it seemed his concern had been unnecessary.
With Tsugikuni Yoriichi fighting alongside him, how could he possibly fail?
"I'll hunt demons over there."
Tsugikuni Yoriichi pointed west as he spoke.
"If you encounter danger, prioritize your life above all else. Don't act rashly."
Only after seeing Scribe nod did Yoriichi leave with peace of mind.
At the same time, Scribe ran eastward.
He had not gone far when a demon sprang out from a blackened corner.
Its thick right hand swung forward with a fierce rush of wind, aiming to pierce Scribe through the chest.
"Let me see your heart!"
Its blood-covered face twisted viciously. The demon seemed already to be imagining the feast to come.
But he had clearly chosen the wrong opponent.
Scribe raised the Nichirin Blade over his head, then brought it down in a fierce slash.
In an instant, a flaming sword aura more than two meters long burst forth and shot forward.
The demon's thick right hand was like paper before the sword aura, easily sliced apart.
Scribe stamped his right foot against the ground, and his figure vanished from its spot in an instant.
Without hesitation, he swept his blade across the demon's neck, its terrified face reflected in Scribe's eyes.
It seemed not to understand why this human was so different from the ones before.
"I won't accept this..."
Leaving behind those meaningless words, the demon's head dissolved into the air.
Demon eliminated: 1. Remaining demons: 93. Progress: 7/100.
The system's voice sounded in his mind again, and Scribe was somewhat surprised.
In such a short time, Yoriichi had already eliminated another four demons.
Looks like I need to pick up the pace.
A feeling of unwillingness to lose rose from the depths of his heart, and Scribe ran toward another area.
Progress: 13/100. Progress: 21/100. Progress: 49/100.
With Scribe and Yoriichi working together, more than half the demons in town were quickly eliminated.
Naturally, they also saved quite a few people in the process.
Scribe turned to look at the dozens of survivors following behind him, and his head began to ache.
Why couldn't they understand? Staying by his side was clearly the most dangerous option.
Instead of remaining in the areas that had already been cleared, they insisted on following him to look for demons.
Did his face really have the words "follow me" written on it?
Another slash fell, killing a burrowing demon that had just leaped out of the ground.
Demon eliminated: 1. Remaining demons: 27. Progress: 73/100.
With the mission nearly complete, Scribe began considering where to hunt demons next.
At that moment, cries of alarm suddenly came from behind him.
The once level ground suddenly split open, revealing a huge hole with a radius of five meters.
Before the survivors behind Scribe could react, they fell into the hole like dumplings being dropped into a pot.
Only a few who had been moving more slowly escaped falling in.
"Help! Save us!"
"Someone, please! I don't want to die yet!"
After falling into the pit and recovering their senses, they began crying out loudly for help.
Just as Scribe was about to go over, a series of heavy thudding sounds suddenly rang out.
It was like an elephant running across the plains, making even the scattered stones on the ground bounce slightly.
A bad premonition rose in Scribe's heart, and he looked toward the source of the sound.
As the footsteps drew nearer and nearer, a figure appeared at the edge of the houses.
It was the Meat Mountain Demon from before.
"Oh? There's so much food here."
Its bloated head emerged from the darkness, and an excited smile appeared on the Meat Mountain Demon's face.
Drool dripped from the corners of its mouth, filling the air with a foul stench.
"I can have a proper feast."
A thick, fleshy hand reached out toward the people in the pit.
The already terrified survivors became even more frantic upon seeing the Meat Mountain Demon.
Their taut nerves snapped in an instant. One after another, they stood there blankly, unable to say a word.
Sun Breathing: Ninth Form: Setting Sun Turn
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