Sudden Encounter with a Demon

Yuko was defeated.

She wasn't a genius like Yoriichi, born with transparent markings, nor had she undergone systematic training like Kokushibo.

As a girl, it was impossible for her to get her father's permission to let her wield swords and knives.

A large amount of her time was consumed by playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, leaving her with little free time.

Her training in swordsmanship was merely a trial-and-error exercise; a fake technique facing a real one, it was no surprise she was quickly defeated.

Kokushibo didn't hurt her, but instead tied her up.

She cursed, "Kokushibo! You remember this! You'd better not let me find a chance to escape!"

"Call me Older Brother," Kokushibo corrected Yuko's address indifferently, showing no intention of backing down.

Kokushibo brought her back to her room and had people guard her strictly.

Yuko still wanted to find a chance to escape, but she didn't expect that the next day Kokushibo would put on armor and bring a group of people, intending to send her to the Shogun's residence.

Yuko was put into a palanquin. The palanquins of this Warring States period were similar to... Yuko found it difficult to speak of it; she thought it was something like... a dog cage or a pig cage.

The carrying poles were on top, and below was a small box-like square where people sat.

She didn't understand why it could be designed so bizarrely, like carrying a pig cage.

Are the powerful figures here all a bit crazy?

Yuko resisted fiercely, but was still escorted onto the palanquin by Kokushibo as if she were a criminal.

"Tsugikuni Kokushibo! This is selling your sister! I strongly condemn you from the high ground of humanitarianism!"

Yuko cursed loudly, but no matter how nonsensically she ranted, Kokushibo remained unmoved.

On one hand, he couldn't understand Yuko's nonsensical curses.

On the other hand, to Kokushibo, marrying the Shogun's son was Yuko's fortune, something countless people couldn't even dare to dream of.

He felt no guilt about selling his sister.

Yuko realized she couldn't wake him up, so she leaned back in the palanquin and closed her eyes to rest, waiting for a chance to escape.

Travel was very inconvenient in ancient times; one could barely travel a few miles in a day through the mountains and forests.

As dusk fell, Kokushibo raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.

"Let's set up camp here."

"Yes."

The subordinates sprang into action, quickly setting up a bonfire.

Kokushibo brought dried rations to the palanquin.

"Eat something."

Yuko resentfully took the rations, "Sour grape! You remember this!"

Kokushibo found this sister always strange, saying things he didn't understand.

With no intention of engaging her, and seeing Yuko wasn't planning to starve herself for attention, Kokushibo stopped overthinking.

The ropes on Yuko's hands were tied loosely, not hindering her from eating.

She looked at the dark clouds obscuring the moon in the sky, silently praying.

Scumbag boss, scumbag boss. It's nighttime, come out and bask in the moonlight.

Yuko's prayer seemed to be answered. Suddenly, a figure flashed through the woods, lunging at a subordinate with extreme speed, dragging him into the other side of the forest.

"Ah~"

A scream was accompanied by the sound of bones crushing and swallowing.

Only then did Kokushibo suddenly react.

"Enemy attack!"

Everyone drew their long swords, scanning their surroundings vigilantly.

Cold sweat trickled down Yuko's forehead.

You actually came! With this commotion, it can't be a wild beast!

"Hee hee hee~" A chilling laugh echoed from the darkness.

Kokushibo raised a torch with one hand, extending it towards the source of the sound, while gripping his katana with the other.

However, just as he was on guard, ready to strike at any moment, the firelight illuminated...

A form that absolutely did not belong to a human.

What is this thing!

Kokushibo's eyes narrowed sharply.

Although the battle between demons and humans is the main theme of Demon Slayer, demons were not common even when the main story began.

At least less likely than getting into a car accident while traveling in modern times.

Therefore, even Tsugikuni Michikatsu had never truly encountered one, only hearing about them in storybooks and folk tales.

He always thought they were fake.

Until now.

The demon, whose body was covered in horns, had a smear of bright red blood on its lips. It was holding the arm of one of his subordinates in its hand, tearing at it and chewing as if leisurely eating chicken wings.

A chill ran down everyone's spines, and some even found their legs trembling.

This was a primal fear etched into their instincts.

Michikatsu roared, "Don't be intimidated by the enemy!"

"Putting on a show!"

With that, he drew his long sword and took the initiative to attack.

However, the demon seemed to know to pick on the weaker ones, retreating and hiding in the darkness.

Then...

Screams erupted one after another. Michikatsu frantically swung his torch, trying to see the enemy's movements.

The darkness was a huge disadvantage for humans, and the demon's speed was incredible. Michikatsu could only hear the screams of his subordinates and see limbs flying through the air.

This was no ordinary demon.

Yuko broke out in a cold sweat. While the demon's attention wasn't on her, she quickly picked up a katana that had fallen nearby and cut the ropes binding her hands and feet.

On the other side, only Michikatsu remained, struggling to hold on against the demon, the only survivor of the dozens-strong team.

This demon's strength was extraordinary; it had likely consumed many people.

But under Michikatsu's skilled swordsmanship, its arm was quickly severed.

However, before Michikatsu could relax, the demon's arm slowly regenerated.

Michikatsu's eyes narrowed. With lightning-fast reflexes, he followed up with another strike, severing the demon's head.

Just as Michikatsu breathed a sigh of relief, he was met with a situation he couldn't comprehend. The demon reached out with both hands, caught its own head, and reattached it.

Michikatsu's breath hitched, his pupils dilating violently.

The demon seemed pleased with his reaction, letting out a defiant laugh and charging at Michikatsu.

After breaking free, Yuko looked at the distant battle, a sense of hesitation rising within her.

She didn't know if she had changed the plot, but if Michikatsu could die here, it might be a good thing for him... and for others.

But...

"Tsk..."

Yuko clicked her tongue in annoyance and charged forward with the katana.

After all, he was her "cheap" older brother; she couldn't be that heartless.

Besides, in the current situation, if Michikatsu died, she would likely not escape either.

Trying to outrun a demon in the dark was akin to seeking death.

In the moment Michikatsu was stunned by the demon's decapitation-defying survival, the demon had already reached him. Its claws, like sharp talons, were about to slice through Michikatsu's body.

Yuko dashed forward, stabbing the demon's wrist with her sword and pinning it to a tree. She shouted, "It won't die even if its head is cut off! We need to pin it down until the sun rises!"

Hearing Yuko's words, the demon's ferocity was somewhat ignited. The fingernails on its other hand extended like claws, swiping towards her.

Michikatsu also snapped back to attention at Yuko's voice. With quick reflexes, he used his sword to pin its other wrist. The three of them—two siblings and a demon—were locked in a stalemate.

Yuko's arm trembled with the demon's violent movements; her strength was too little.

Veins bulged on the demon's cheeks as it grinned at the siblings. "Blood Demon Art..."

Almost simultaneously, the demon's body suddenly emitted a red glow.

Michikatsu frowned, a bad premonition rising within him.

Yuko's pupils contracted sharply. "Quick..."

BOOM!

A massive shockwave sent the siblings flying backward, crashing under a tree.

Yuko quickly got up, baring her teeth. "Big Brother, your armor is so hard."

It made her back hurt terribly.

Michikatsu grunted, ignoring her. Someone's weight was entirely pressing down on him.