The Gap x Collecting Corpses

After hesitating for only a moment, Oboro heard footsteps behind him.

Chiyoko and Rina followed.

After all, they had grown up with this body since childhood, and they had nowhere to go if they left rashly.

In this world, identity is still quite important.

Following him, at least you'll have no worries about food and clothing, and you'll have an official background... Putting that aside, it's very difficult for ordinary people to survive in this environment.

Oboro was simply giving them a choice, out of emotional consideration.

The two maids, one on the left and one on the right, remained silent and did not ask any questions.

In the world of Demon Slayer, the representative elements of its power system, setting aside the demons themselves and focusing solely on the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, are the Demon Slayer Mark, the Transparent World, and the Red Blade. Oboro had already witnessed Shijing and Tanjuro's performance; their breathing techniques had indeed changed... but it was merely an enhancement of their mobility and abilities through Breath Control Technique —simply put, a slight attribute boost. There hadn't been any major changes... training, of course, takes time.

The Breathing Technique he taught Ubuyashiki Kuno, if mastered... could easily lead to the activation of the Demon Slayer Mark. As for whether one could unlock the Transparent World, that would depend on individual comprehension and destiny.

The refinement of Breathing Technique, integrating the breathing methods of this world, from low to high, should amplify the body's temporary attributes, with effects stronger than ordinary breathing methods. Then, it strengthens specific body parts, enabling them to develop and possess a certain ability.

Next comes mastering the circulation of internal energy and tempering the five internal organs. Once you reach this stage, you can basically unlock the Demon Slayer Mark... In the eyes of swordsmen in this world, this means breaking through the shackles of the physical body and unleashing unparalleled energy.

Symptoms include elevated body temperature and rapid, irregular pulse.

An even more advanced state is the simultaneous circulation of multiple microcosmic orbits within the body via the meridians. At this stage, not only the physical body is stimulated, but also the spirit and will. Personal perception is amplified infinitely, making it incredibly easy to enter the Transparent World.

It's also easy to turn the Nichirin Sword into Red Blade.

The most extreme level is like that of Long, whose internal energy can circulate freely in all meridians. The Great Circulation does not exist in a certain form or route, but rather takes the body as a furnace. His physical body is the complete Great Circulation. The circulation of energy is not limited to meridians, but also includes blood vessels, acupoints, etc. The phenomenon that is manifested is that his body temperature is frighteningly high, and the heat emitted is like a cloud covering his body.

In general, the level of mastery of Breathing Technique is divided into these five levels. Judging from the performance of the Water Pillar and the Flame Pillar in their battle, the current Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, after a period of study and training, should have only entered the first level.

After all, they haven't been learning for very long, and their speed is already based on their mastery of breathing techniques.

As for Long, he cultivated his breathing techniques in the Hunter x Hunter World. The Hunter x Hunter World has more abundant resources, a different environment, and a more advanced power system. Coupled with his own talent, he broke through to the fifth realm in just over ten years.

This would be far from possible in Demon Slayer.

Apart from Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was chosen by the world as a seed, it is impossible for anyone else to cultivate to such a profound level.

Because... this world, whether in terms of resources or external factors and environment, lacks the 'soil' for nurturing a power system.

It's already quite good that they were able to open up the Demon Slayer Mark.

Those who can amplify their five senses to the point of having Transparent World are extremely rare.

However, through generations of inheritance and the passage of time, there should be breakthroughs in this situation in later generations.

Perhaps by Tanjiro's generation, there will be quite a few Pillar-level swordsmen who have awakened their Demon Slayer Mark and mastered the Transparent World... This is the fruit that grows after the seed hatches.

Besides the iconic Red Blade, the so-called "Demon Slayer Mark transformation" and Transparent World in Demon Slayer are actually quite common in Nen in the Hunter x Hunter World. This is because Hunter x Hunter Nen are too complex, which leads to a higher level of combat in the Hunter x Hunter World, requiring more "information" to consider, more strategies to deal with, and greater demands on "brain capacity".

In essence, the Transparent World is a realm of perception so refined that one can observe the physical dynamics of a target and react at supersonic speeds. This world represents the highest level of perception.

However, in the Hunter x Hunter, for true powerhouses, this is actually just a required course in 'information capture'. Putting aside others, people like Hisoka Biscuit can be observed and judged by the slightest movement of their bodies, even if they are intentionally concealed. They have an incredible ability to judge the numerical values of their enemies' physical attributes, and they also have the ability to judge the variability of Nen and the direction of their enemies' thoughts.

They're not even in the same league.

The Nen and breathing techniques is immediately apparent from their very inception.

The former is too complicated.

Furthermore, after activating their Demon Slayer Mark, swordsmen in this world rarely live past twenty-five, because their bodies cannot withstand the damage that Breathing Techniques inflict on their flesh and blood; Yoriichi Tsugikuni is not included in this Yoriichi Tsugikuni. From this perspective, in terms of physical attributes, they cannot compare to those with Hunter x Hunter. Not to mention anything else, just the arrival of a calamity creature from the Dark Continent —not even a rule-based life form, but a transcendent life form—could potentially destroy the power system of the Demon Slayer world.

Therefore, the gap between high-level and low-level worlds is still too obvious.

This applies to all aspects; it is a complete and utter crushing defeat.

The breathing technique passed down by Oboro is a power that transcends mere breathing techniques. If those swordsmen comprehend it well, they might be able to break the curse of lifespan and live as long as Yoriichi Tsugikuni after activating their Demon Slayer Mark through breathing techniques.

Because the side effects of breathing exercises are far less than those of traditional breathing techniques.

As for the Demon Slayer Mark, the Transparent World, and even the Red Blade, these powers are all minor tricks for Oboro in his current state.

His ability to simply use breathing techniques, like the speed at which he instantly appeared in front of Mireimaru, leaving him unable to react, demonstrates a combat power that far surpasses the level of the Demon Slayer Mark and the Transparent World.

To be honest... a being from a high-level world like him descending into a low-level world is like a bug in the system.

"There's still plenty of time..."

Long smiled.

On the other side, a few hours after Shijing and Tanjuro left.

The other pillars who received the news then headed to Qinglin Town together.

The Upper Moon Five has appeared! This is an opportunity that the current Demon Slayer Corps hasn't encountered in a long time.

If they could kill the Upper Moon demon, it would not only boost the morale of the Demon Slayer Corps, but they might also be able to find out information about Muzan.

On an official road, Guangzhu Takemoto Sayuri eyebrows furrowed, ran quickly.

She was wearing a white gown and had a long braid tied behind her head.

Above them, a Kasugai Crow with iridescent, seven-colored feathers flew in the air, constantly calling out, "Qinglin Town! Upper Moon Five!"

Sayuri's expression was solemn. According to the message she received, Kawai Ichie and Rengoku Tenjuro were originally going to Qinglin Town to join forces to kill a demon. The reason that the two Pillars were able to mobilize them was because some of the Demon Slayer Corps members they had sent out beforehand had all died. Therefore, the target was very likely one of the Twelve Kizuki, the Lower Moon.

But to everyone's surprise, it was the upper moon!

The lord's intention is for the Pillars to go to Qinglin Town together and join forces, since even the Water Pillar and the Flame Pillar failed... at least four Pillars working together would be needed to have any chance of killing it.

However, the other pillars are at varying distances and cannot arrive in Qinglin Town at the same time. If they wait, the Upper Moon might escape.

She was relatively close by, so she rushed over immediately. Her idea was simple: as long as the demon didn't run away, she would try to hold it off and capture an Upper Moon demon. However, for the Demon Slayer Corps, such opportunities were rare and hard to come by.

However, judging from the letter brought by the Kasugai Crow, it seems that Shiwei and Tanjuro's survival is also related to one person...

No... it's a ghost too.

"It's about to dawn!"

Sayuri noticed a glimmer of light appearing on the horizon, and her eyes darted around anxiously.

He quickened his pace.

After a moment, the outline of the village finally came into view in the distance.

She rushed forward, pinpointed the location of the shrine, and immediately leaped onto a house, jumping from one building to another, while simultaneously drawing her slender, willow-branch-shaped Nichirin Sword from her waist.

The strong smell of blood caused her expression to change slightly.

As if facing a formidable enemy.

However, when she arrived at the scene, she was stunned.

Because a familiar figure had arrived before her.

He was facing away from her.

It was Owada, dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, Iron Pillar.

"It's already gone... I searched in the direction mentioned in the letter, but I didn't see the Upper Moon." Owada seemed to know that the visitor was Sayuri, and said in a deep voice.

He didn't turn around, but pointed to a pile of corpses at his feet. "The villagers were all killed. Judging from the wounds, they were killed with a weapon, but the weapon was not a blade. The way they were killed was exactly like a knife, but the wounds were not smooth. They were completely shattered by brute force and speed."

"It wasn't that ghost that did it."

Sayuri slowly approached and continued.

"That's right... The culprit should be the other demon mentioned in the letter... the one who just transformed into a demon by borrowing the blood of an Upper Moon demon."

Owada and Sayuri remained silent, lost in thought.

The scattered corpses and blood were particularly jarring.

This further fueled their desire to hunt demons.

Those guys... they all deserve to die!

Unforgivable!

"Gather! All pillars, gather!"

Just then, a black Karasu suddenly flew down to a branch on the side and cawed.

"Bury them all... give them a proper burial."

"Um."