Entrapment

The faint moonlight could not pierce the pitch-black night sky, only vaguely outlining a few blurred shapes.

Across this vast wilderness, a nimble figure darted back and forth. Orange-red flames radiating from his body leaped with every movement, like a lively fire phoenix dancing through the air.

Kyojuro swung an upward arcing slash. Blazing flames cut through half the Demon's body, and he immediately turned his blade sideways. Flame Breathing First Form: Unknown Fire activated, and the beheading succeeded.

Sheathing his sword, he turned and pulled the fallen swordsman to his feet. His hearty laughter left a deep impression on Murata.

This guy was kind of like the examiner. So warm.

"You're Murata, right? Keep at it!"

"I'm off to slay Demons! Hahaha!"

Kyojuro patted Murata on the shoulder and departed with a laugh.

Unlike the other swordsmen, Kyojuro grew more excited the longer he fought. Slaying Demons was far more exhilarating than Hiruma had described.

Before long, Kyojuro spotted another target. After only a few brief exchanges, the Demon was defeated and fled at lightning speed.

It had no idea what was going on this year. Had all these human brats taken drugs?

They were absurdly fierce. It had just escaped from some crazy little brat with a snake around his neck, only to run into another lunatic who kept laughing.

Blood Demon Art: Earth Style.

"There are even Demons who can use Blood Demon Arts? That's amazing!"

"Hahaha!" Kyojuro's eyes shone as though he had spotted delicious food. He chased it all the way, but unfortunately, he lost it.

The Earth Style Demon did not even dare to launch a sneak attack. It hid in the forest, where the terrain was complicated and ideal for concealment. It swore it never wanted to see that laughing human again for the rest of its life.

Late at night, the depths of the dense forest were particularly still. There was not a breath of wind, yet the leaves swayed gently.

Moonlight filtered through the shifting branches like a shattered silver platter, scattering across the ground and forming patches of mottled light and shadow.

Within the light and shadow stood a protruding rock. A small bottle rested atop it, and Hiruma, wearing a goofy ghost face, crouched beside it. The bottle was open, and the scent of blood spread through the air.

Suddenly, a huge bulge rose from the ground, and the Earth Style Demon burst out from underground, drooling heavily.

It took a deep sniff of the air. Greed glinted in its eyes, and every cell in its body cried out in desire, because that was Rare Blood.

"Hahaha!"

"Rare Blood! So one of these human brats has Rare Blood! What incredible luck."

Greed blinded the Earth Style Demon, and it reached for the bottle of blood.

"Huh?"

"Wait, why would Rare Blood be left here for no reason?"

At last, the last trace of its reason returned. Anyone who was not an idiot could see that this was a trap.

But it was already too late. Four crimson-gold flashes of blade light swept past, sending the Earth Style Demon's limbs flying as it collapsed.

Having spent all its time desperately fleeing, the Earth Style Demon had exhausted too much stamina. Its regenerative ability had dropped drastically, and its limbs could only regrow slowly.

"Oh, come on!"

"Why isn't it the Hand Demon again? What rotten luck!"

Hiruma crouched beside the Earth Style Demon, utterly disappointed. He seriously suspected that the Hand Demon's hatred for Mr. Urokodaki outweighed even the temptation of Rare Blood.

It had to be said, that guy hated deeply and steadfastly.

Over the past few hours, Hiruma had already killed six Demons through entrapment. This was the seventh, yet he still had not hooked the Demon he wanted.

"Say, have you seen a Demon covered in hands?" He tapped the Earth Style Demon on the head and asked.

The Earth Style Demon looked unconvinced. It turned its head aside and said defiantly:

"Then kill me if you've got the guts, you stupid human brat!"

"Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you!"

"Oh?" Hiruma's eyes lit up at that. So it did know.

He picked up the Rare Blood and waved it before the Earth Style Demon, tempting it. "Tell me, and I'll let you drink it!"

"Do you take me for an idiot?"

Before the Earth Style Demon had even finished speaking, Hiruma poured a bottle of blood into its mouth.

Earth Style Demon: "???"

Was he the idiot, or was I?

It did not understand, but it liked this.

It had to admit, this human was surprisingly nice!

"How is it?" Hiruma asked with a smile. "Tasty?"

"Want more?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Having tasted the sweetness, the Earth Style Demon nodded obediently, though it was already plotting how to kill Hiruma.

It felt an endless stream of power welling up within it, and its confidence surged a hundredfold.

The sky had cleared, the rain had stopped, and it felt capable again.

"Ahahaha, stupid human, die!"

In an instant, the Earth Style Demon's limbs regrew. It chopped toward Hiruma's head with a hand blade.

He quickly retreated without changing expression, looking as though everything was under control.

"Tch!"

"You're pretty good at dodging, huh?"

"Next time, you're dead for sure!"

"I'm terrifyingly strong now!"

"Hahaha!"

The Earth Style Demon grinned viciously and glared coldly at Hiruma. That expression on his face irritated it immensely.

"Oh, oh, oh!" Hiruma laughed in an utterly perfunctory manner and clapped his hands. "So amazing!"

"I'm sooo scared!"

The moment those words came out, the Earth Style Demon's face turned green with rage. Gritting its teeth, it swore that it would tear this human into pieces.

"I'll kill you!"

Earth Style activated. It intended to sneak up behind Hiruma.

The instant it emerged from the earth was the instant it should have been buried in it.

Dozens of sharp blade flashes swept past, completely outpacing the recovery of its limbs. Like a kite with its string cut, the Earth Style Demon crashed to the ground as blood sprayed continuously.

"Can you talk now?"

"I'm trading Rare Blood for information. There aren't many swordsmen as conscientious as me."

So Hiruma fed the Earth Style Demon blood. Its limbs regrew, then were severed, then regrew again, then were severed again...

After one human and one Demon held a "friendly" negotiation, the Earth Style Demon tearfully agreed to cooperate.

"Madman! You madman, stay away from me!" it screamed hysterically. It began by cursing, then pleaded without end. "Just make it quick!"

"I... want... to die!"

"Tell me, and I'll make it quick. Don't become a Demon in your next life!" Hiruma spread his hands, wearing an innocent expression.

"Though I still liked how defiant you were at the start. Come on, let's have a heart-to-heart."

A gentle smile hung on Hiruma's face, but to the Earth Style Demon, it was the most terrifying smile in the world.

A devil!

This human was a complete and utter devil!

"The... Demon... you mentioned... it's looking for people wearing Fox Masks!" The Earth Style Demon stammered out a pile of nonsense, nearly making Hiruma die of anger. He already knew all that.

"What else?" The smile on his face froze, and the Earth Style Demon felt as though the blood in its body had frozen solid.

This human was so terrifying!

Someone, save me!

"Boss, please... please don't be angry. I also know where it usually hides!" The Earth Style Demon had stayed on Mount Fujikasane for quite some time, but unfortunately, its Blood Demon Art was too weak. It could only use Earth Style to flee a dozen meters or so.

"Spit it out!"

"My patience is limited. I gave you blood to drink, so you need to do some work!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"That Demon usually hides in..."