Demon Slayer: Starting with the Great Swordmaster System, My Master Is Tsugikuni

The skin on his body had turned somewhat red, and wisps of steam evaporated from his pores.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest, as though it were about to burst.

His body temperature was rising, and his heartbeat was accelerating.

Noticing Scribe's abnormal state, a trace of confusion flashed through Kokushibo's eyes.

Back when he was human, he seemed to have experienced something similar.

Could it be...?

Suddenly, a thought surfaced in his mind.

Not good!

Stopping the release of his pressure, Kokushibo swung his blade.

Moon Breathing—Sixth Form—Long Night Solitary Moon—Unceasing

A dense, rapid barrage of slashes descended upon Scribe's position.

Countless Blade Winds tore through the ground, slicing it into fine fragments of dirt.

Dust billowed up, obscuring Scribe's figure.

Just as Kokushibo wondered whether Scribe had already died, a Flame Slash suddenly came flying toward him.

Then, Scribe appeared in midair and launched an attack.

Sun Breathing—Tenth Form—Radiant Heavenly Glow

From above, a spiraling Flame Slash crashed down upon Kokushibo.

The blade wreathed in blazing flames also slashed without hesitation at his neck.

I can't dodge it!

Instantly judging that he could not evade it, Kokushibo had no choice but to use a defensive technique.

Moon Breathing—Fifth Form—Moon Prowess Vortex

As he spun, a massive vortex-like Blade Wind appeared around Kokushibo.

The enormous Blade Wind collided with the Flame Slash, producing a piercing explosive roar.

Not only that, but the impact of the collision also blasted the dust several meters into the air.

In the distance, Muzan stood quietly atop a tree, watching the direction of the town.

After the explosive roar and the dust cloud, a cold smile appeared on his lips.

Looks like it's almost over.

Crash, crash~

Fragments of houses blasted into the air by the explosion fell everywhere, making it nearly impossible to see what was happening at the center.

Only when the night wind swept past did it carry the dust away into the distance.

"You really did awaken."

There was a hint of amazement on Kokushibo's face, but his condition was far from good.

His left arm had been severed at the shoulder, and the right half of his face was completely gone.

There were three huge holes between his chest and abdomen, and his body was covered in scorch marks.

Across from him, Scribe had undergone the same change.

His upper body was bare, with several thumb-thick black-red lines winding out from his heart and extending all the way to his face.

On his right forehead was a dark mark resembling a claw.

Scribe had awakened his scar!

Chapter 40: An Unexpected Ending, the Terrified Demon Slayer Corps

Detected that the host has awakened a scar through his own efforts. Issuing a special reward.

Congratulations, host. You have obtained a special constitution: Rare Blood.

Rare Blood: A demon's favorite. Consuming one portion of high-grade Rare Blood can provide nourishment equivalent to fifty, or even one hundred, people.

In addition, Rare Blood can increase the host's physical abilities.

Current level: Low-grade Rare Blood.

Effect: On top of the original foundation, additionally increases physical qualities equivalent to five ordinary adult men.

Just as Scribe marveled at the special effects brought by Rare Blood, the system's voice sounded in his mind again.

The host's current scar is a Temporary Scar and will disappear after lasting for a period of time.

Current effect: Doubles the host's physical qualities.

Letting out a long breath, Scribe now understood what a Temporary Scar meant.

Unlike the permanent scars of the Tsugikuni brothers, Scribe's current scar was more like the scars awakened by the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps several centuries later.

It manifested during battle, but remained hidden in ordinary times.

No matter what, the appearance of the mark had greatly enhanced Scribe.

Coupled with the boost from Rare Blood, his strength was now completely different from before.

Feeling the power within his body, Scribe gripped his Nichirin Blade and pointed its tip at Kokushibo.

Let us continue.

By then, Kokushibo had also regenerated his injuries.

Taking it all in, Scribe sighed softly to himself.

Without striking a demon's vital point, killing one was truly far too difficult.

Yet in a demon's eyes, the human body was riddled with weaknesses.

Forming another bone blade, Kokushibo seemed unwilling to give up.

This was a demon's regenerative ability—an overwhelming power utterly beyond human comparison.

"Scribe, join me—"

Before he could finish, a Nichirin Blade was already closing in on his neck.

Alarmed, Kokushibo leaped backward and evaded the slash.

With his strike missing, a trace of disappointment flashed through Scribe's eyes.

It seemed Kokushibo truly would not be so easy to kill.

Fourth Form: Mirage Sun Rainbow

Fifth Form: Fire Train

With his feet planted on the ground, Scribe closed in on Kokushibo amid the illusions created by flames.

He then flipped through the air and brought down a powerful vertical slash toward Kokushibo's shoulder.

Moon Breathing, Third Form: Disgusted Moon, Erosion

Swinging his bone blade in successive slashes, Kokushibo filled the air with countless crescent moon blades.

He then unleashed two Blade Winds to meet Scribe's attack.

The terrifying collision triggered another explosion, blasting Scribe and Kokushibo apart.

Rising from the ruins, Scribe prepared to attack again.

Unexpectedly, Kokushibo simply stood where he was.

"What is it?"

As though speaking to empty air, Kokushibo's face showed a trace of confusion.

"I understand. I'll come over right away."

A hint of respect appeared on Kokushibo's face as he turned around directly.

"It seems our battle will have to wait until next time."

"I'll be ready anytime."

Sheathing his blade, Scribe showed not the slightest hint of fear.

He knew very well that Kokushibo had just been speaking with Muzan.

Though he did not know why Muzan had summoned Kokushibo back at this moment, it had undoubtedly bought him time.

After Kokushibo left, Scribe immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Even with his current strength, facing Kokushibo was still somewhat beyond him.

The mark on his skin gradually faded, and a wave of weakness washed over him.

It felt as though a thousand mountains had been strapped to his back, while crushing fatigue flooded his mind.

His eyelids felt as if heavy weights were dragging them down, and he could not stop them from closing.

In the moment before Scribe lost consciousness, he saw a group of people dressed in black.

Behind them was a large character: "Hidden."

Vaguely, Scribe felt as though many voices were sounding around him.

Though he could not hear them clearly, he still remembered a few words.

"With injuries this severe, can he really survive?"

"It's a miracle. His body is healing far faster than an ordinary person's!"

"This is so strange. It's already been a week—why hasn't he woken up yet?"

"Have you heard? Mr. Yoriichi's older brother seems to have become a demon."

Upon hearing that last sentence, the half-conscious Scribe remembered that he had to spread the news of Tsugikuni Iwashiro becoming a demon.

He abruptly opened his eyes, only to find himself staring at the ceiling.

He was awake—he was awake!

The attendant responsible for watching over Mister Scribe spotted him awake and leapt up from his chair in delight.

Hiss—so painful.

Simply sitting up in bed was enough to make Mister Scribe suck in a sharp breath.

Just as he was about to get out of bed, Ubuyashiki Waya's voice sounded from outside the door.

"Mister Scribe, are you awake?"

"I'm awake. Please come in."

Pushing open the door, Waya entered with his mother, Mengyin.

Before they could exchange more than a few words of concern, Mister Scribe hurriedly told them about Tsugikuni Iwashiro becoming a demon.

"There's no need, Mister Scribe. The Demon Slayer Corps already knows."

Waya waved a hand, a trace of sorrow appearing on his face.

From Waya, Mister Scribe learned that it was already the tenth day since he had fallen unconscious.

Three days earlier, the demonized Tsugikuni Iwashiro had struck, slaughtering dozens of Demon Slayer Corps Swordsmen and allowing the sole survivor to bring back his message.

Now, the entire Demon Slayer Corps had fallen into panic.

Setting aside the fact that Tsugikuni Iwashiro, formerly the second strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps, had become a demon, his relationship with Yoriichi alone was enough to make everyone uneasy.

Even Iwashiro, the elder brother, had chosen to become a demon. Would Yoriichi, the younger brother, also betray humanity for an endless lifespan?

Even taking ten thousand steps back, even if Yoriichi would not, could he truly raise his blade against his own brother?

After listening to Waya, Mister Scribe lowered his head, his expression darkening.