Fishing for Enforcement

The faint moonlight struggled to penetrate the ink-black night sky, only vaguely outlining blurred shapes.

In this vast, boundless wilderness, an agile figure darted back and forth. The orange-red flames emanating from him flickered with his movements, like a lively fire phoenix dancing gracefully in the air.

Kyojuro unleashed an upward arcing slash, the blazing flames piercing through half of the demon's body. He quickly shifted his blade horizontally, activating Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknown Fire, and successfully beheaded it.

Sheathing his sword, he turned and helped up the fallen swordsman. Murata was deeply impressed by his hearty laughter.

This guy is just like the proctors, so warm.

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

"I'm off to slay demons, hahaha!"

Kyojuro clapped Murata on the shoulder and laughed as he strode away.

Unlike the other swordsmen, Kyojuro became more excited the more he fought. Slaying demons was much more exhilarating than Hiruma had described.

Soon, Kyojuro set his sights on another target. After only a few exchanges, the demon was no match and fled at lightning speed.

What's with this year? Have all the human brats taken drugs?

They're so fierce. I just escaped from a crazy kid with a snake wrapped around his neck, and now I've run into another laughing lunatic.

Earth Style Blood Demon Art.

"Wow, a demon that uses Blood Demon Art! That's amazing!"

"Hahaha!" Kyojuro's eyes lit up as if he had spotted a delicacy. He pursued it relentlessly, but unfortunately, he lost track of it.

The Earth Style Demon didn't even dare to launch a sneak attack, fleeing into the forest. The terrain there was complex and suitable for hiding, and it vowed never to see that laughing human again as long as it lived.

In the dead of night, the depths of the dense forest were exceptionally quiet. Not a single breeze stirred, yet the leaves rustled gently.

Moonlight filtered through the swaying branches, like shattered silver plates scattered on the ground, forming patches of dappled light and shadow.

Amidst the light and shadow was a raised stone, upon which sat a small bottle. It was Hiruma, making a Q-like funny face, the bottle uncorked, and the scent of blood wafted out.

Suddenly, the ground bulged, and the Earth Style Demon leaped out from beneath, drooling.

It greedily inhaled the air, its eyes gleaming. Every cell in its body craved it, for it was Rare Blood.

"Hahaha!"

"Rare Blood! So there's Rare Blood among these human brats. How fortunate."

Greed blinded the Earth Style Demon's eyes, and it reached out for the bottle of blood.

"Huh?"

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

Finally, a sliver of reason returned. Anyone but an idiot could see this was a trap.

But it was too late. Four crimson-gold blade energies flashed, the Earth Style Demon's limbs flew in all directions, and it fell.

Having been constantly on the run, the Earth Style Demon had expended too much energy, and its recovery ability had been greatly reduced, causing its limbs to grow back slowly.

"Oh dear!"

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

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

He had to admit, that guy truly hated deeply and resolutely.

In the past few hours, Hiruma had killed six demons through sting operations; this was the seventh, but he still hadn't caught the demon he wanted.

"Say, have you seen a demon covered in hands?" he asked, tapping the Earth Style Demon's head.

The Earth Style Demon looked defiant, turning its head to the side and saying stubbornly:

"Kill me if you dare, you stupid human brat!"

"I won't tell you even if I know!"

"Oh?" Hearing this, Hiruma's eyes lit up. So it did know.

He picked up the Rare Blood and dangled it in front of the Earth Style Demon, tempting it: "Tell me, and you can drink it!"

"Do you think I'm an idiot?"

As soon as the Earth Style Demon finished speaking, Hiruma poured a bottle of blood into its mouth.

Earth Style Demon: "???"

Am I the idiot, or is it?

Though it didn't understand, it liked it.

You know, you're surprisingly nice!

"How is it?" Hiruma asked with a smile. "Does it taste good?"

"Do you want to drink more?"

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

It felt a continuous surge of power, its confidence increasing a hundredfold.

The sky cleared, the rain stopped, and it felt like it could do anything again.

"Ahahaha, you foolish humans, die!"

In an instant, the Earth Style Demon's limbs grew back, and it lunged with a Hand Blade aimed at Hiruma's head.

He quickly retreated, his expression unchanged, as if everything was under his control.

"Tch!"

"You're quite good at dodging, aren't you?"

"You're dead next time!"

"I'm terrifyingly strong now!"

"Hahaha!"

The Earth Style Demon grinned ferociously, staring coldly at Hiruma. The latter's expression greatly displeased it.

"Oh, oh, oh!" Hiruma smiled perfunctorily, clapping his hands. "So amazing!"

"I'm so scared!"

At his words, the Earth Style Demon's face turned green with rage. It gritted its teeth, vowing to tear this human to shreds.

"I'll kill you!"

It activated its Earth Style, intending to ambush Hiruma from behind.

The moment it emerged from the earth, it should have been buried again.

Dozens of sharp sword lights flashed, far exceeding the speed at which its limbs regenerated. The Earth Style Demon fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string, blood gushing out unstantly.

"Can you talk now?"

"I'll trade you some of my Rare Blood for information. There aren't many swordsmen as conscientious as I am."

So, Hiruma fed the Earth Style Demon blood. It grew limbs, only to have them severed, then grow again, only to be severed again...

Thus, after a "friendly" negotiation between man and demon, the Earth Style Demon tearfully agreed to cooperate.

"You lunatic, you're a lunatic, stay away from me!" it screamed hysterically, first spewing curses and then begging endlessly. "Just give me a quick death!"

"I, want, to, die!"

"Tell me, and I'll give you a quick death. Don't be a demon in your next life!" Hiruma shrugged, feigning innocence.

"Although, I actually prefer you when you were defiant at first. Come on, let's have an open conversation."

Hiruma wore a gentle smile, but to the Earth Style Demon, it was the most terrifying smile in the world.

A devil!

This human was a complete devil!

"The demon... you... mentioned, it... it's looking for someone wearing a Fox Mask!" the Earth Style Demon stammered out a lot of nonsense. Hiruma was almost driven to death, as he already knew all of it.

"Anything else?" The smile on his face froze. The Earth Style Demon felt as if its blood had turned to ice.

This human is so terrifying!

Someone save me!

"Brother, please... please don't be angry. I also know where it usually hides!" The Earth Style Demon had been on Mount Fujikasane for quite some time, but unfortunately, its Blood Demon Art was too weak; it could only burrow and run for about ten meters.

"Speak quickly!"

"My patience is limited. I've already given you all my blood, so you can't just not work!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"That demon usually hides in..."