The Swamp Demon

Time ticked by, and soon night fell.

Following behind Lin Guang and Tanjiro, Kazumi kept wondering just what those creatures they had mentioned were.

"Senior Lin Guang, I've found a new scent here!"

Tanjiro's words broke Kazumi's train of thought as he came running over.

Hearing Tanjiro, Lin Guang knew the demon would strike soon.

Suddenly, Tanjiro jerked his head up. "Senior Lin Guang! The scent's getting stronger! The demon's appeared!"

"Take the lead! Let's go!"

"Yes!"

Tanjiro and Lin Guang broke into a run, passing an intersection in the blink of an eye.

The sudden change left Kazumi bewildered, but their exchange reminded him of a story he had heard. Could it be?! Are the stories about demons and the Demon Slayer Corps all true?

Soon, Lin Guang and Tanjiro reached an alley.

"It's here! Right here!" Tanjiro scanned the surrounding walls, drew his Nichirin Blade, and gripped it tightly.

Lin Guang did not interrupt him, letting Tanjiro focus on locating the demon.

Following the scent, Tanjiro found the spot where it was strongest and drove his blade hard into the ground.

"Argh!"

A cry of pain rang out. Dirt burst from the ground, revealing a pool of pitch-black water, and a girl in a green kimono floated to the surface.

The instant the girl surfaced, Lin Guang pulled her out of the water, but the hem of her clothes was still torn.

"Tanjiro, well done!" Even after rescuing the girl, Lin Guang did not forget to praise him.

Seeing that the girl was unharmed, Tanjiro knew they had arrived in time, and a smile spread across his face.

A hand emerged from the black water, still clutching a scrap torn from the girl's clothes during the tug-of-war with Lin Guang.

Then a demon wearing tight-fitting mesh clothes rose headfirst from the black water on the ground. He had red eyes and three sharp horns growing from his forehead.

A Special Ability Demon! Tanjiro was startled as he looked at the demon, whose upper body alone protruded from the ground. He had never expected to encounter a Special Ability Demon on his very first mission.

"Where are the girls you abducted?!" Tanjiro demanded.

The wound Tanjiro had cut into the half-emerged Swamp Demon's arm gradually healed, and he angrily ground his teeth with a loud, chattering sound.

"And there are two more things I need to ask you!"

Tanjiro was about to question him, but the Swamp Demon ground his teeth more and more violently before diving straight into the black water.

Kazumi, who had finally caught up, also saw the half-emerged Swamp Demon. Shock filled his face. "That thing..."

"That's right. That thing is a demon," Lin Guang said.

"I never thought something like that really existed. Satoko couldn't have..." Kazumi looked at Lin Guang in fear.

Instead of answering, Lin Guang handed the girl in his arms to Kazumi. "Mr. Kazumi, please hold this girl and stand off to the side. We'll protect you."

Kazumi took the girl from Lin Guang and stood a short distance away.

Seeing Lin Guang beside Kazumi, Tanjiro stopped worrying about their safety.

He began focusing entirely on the demon before him.

He can probably emerge from anywhere on the ground or the walls. He might even appear out of thin air.

But this demon can't hide his scent, even while he's lurking out of sight!

I have to get him to tell me about Muzan Kibutsuji, and how to turn Nezuko back into a human!

Tanjiro followed the Swamp Demon's scent and located him.

"Water Breathing! Fifth Form..."

Just as Tanjiro was about to strike, three black shapes appeared on the ground. Three Swamp Demons rose from below, identical except for the number of horns on their foreheads.

"Three demons!"

Tanjiro ducked and leaped away, evading the three Swamp Demons' attacks.

But the three Swamp Demons had no intention of letting him escape.

Just then, Lin Guang struck.

"Ice Breathing! First Form! Ice Blade Slash!"

The white blade swept past, snowflakes trailing behind its tip, and severed the arms the three Swamp Demons had stretched toward Tanjiro.

With their arms cut off, the three Swamp Demons immediately retreated into the black water and vanished without a trace.

Seeing Lin Guang's back, Tanjiro cried out joyfully, "Senior Lin Guang!"

"Tanjiro, have you forgotten what I told you on Mount Fujikasane?" Lin Guang asked calmly. "Why are you still being so rash?"

"I'm sorry. I acted rashly, Senior Lin Guang," Tanjiro said in shame.

"I know you desperately want to turn your sister back into a human," Lin Guang said slowly. "But I want you to focus entirely on the fight when you're facing a demon. Watch carefully how I do it. For now, go protect Mr. Kazumi and the girl."

"Yes, I understand, Senior Lin Guang!"

Holding his Nichirin Blade, Tanjiro stood beside Kazumi and kept watch for the Swamp Demons.

Lin Guang stood in the middle of the alley, Nichirin Blade in hand, sensing the moisture around him.

Thanks to the Ice-Ice Fruit, I can sense the moisture in the air. That means wherever the moisture is heavier is where the Swamp Demons will appear.

"Found you!"