Black Iron Treasure Chest

Lin Guang stood to one side without a word, calmly watching everything Tanjiro did.

Tanjiro continued, "Tell me what you know about Muzan Kibutsuji."

At the sound of that name, the One-Eyed Swamp Demon's expression changed drastically. Cold sweat broke out all over his body, and he began trembling uncontrollably.

Seeing the One-Eyed Swamp Demon's reaction, Tanjiro found it strange.

"Talk!" Tanjiro demanded, pointing his sword at the One-Eyed Swamp Demon.

"I... I don't dare say it... I don't dare say it..." The One-Eyed Swamp Demon kept repeating the same words as though he had gone mad.

Watching the deranged One-Eyed Swamp Demon, Tanjiro's keen nose picked up the bone-deep terror radiating from him.

Suddenly, the One-Eyed Swamp Demon lunged at Tanjiro.

A white flash of steel swept past, severing the One-Eyed Swamp Demon's head.

As the ashes scattered, a black iron Treasure Chest appeared before Lin Guang, and the system's voice sounded right on cue.

[Ding! Host has slain the Special Ability Demon-Swamp Demon. One Black Iron Treasure Chest dropped.]

Lin Guang casually picked up the Treasure Chest that no one else could see, then said, "Muzan Kibutsuji probably used some method to stop them from mentioning his name. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been this terrified."

"So don't worry. Someday, we'll find a way to turn Nezuko back into a human."

Lin Guang's reassurance put Tanjiro somewhat at ease. "I know, Senior Lin Guang. I won't give up."

Afterward, Tanjiro and Lin Guang went over to Kazumi.

Kazumi sat on the ground, utterly heartbroken, while the girl lay propped against the wall where he had placed her.

Tanjiro crouched down and asked, "Mr. Kazumi, are you all right?"

Kazumi looked up at Tanjiro and demanded, "I lost my fiancée! Do you think I could possibly be all right?!"

Despite his reaction, Tanjiro stayed and continued, "Mr. Kazumi, no matter how much you lose, you have to keep living. No matter how many setbacks you suffer..."

Kazumi suddenly grabbed Tanjiro by the collar.

"You're just a kid! What could you possibly understand?!"

Tanjiro wasn't angry. Instead, he gently held the hand gripping his collar and looked at Kazumi with a tender smile.

In that moment, Kazumi seemed to understand Tanjiro's expression. His grip on Tanjiro's collar gradually loosened. "I'm sorry. I just..."

"It's all right," Tanjiro said gently.

Just then, Lin Guang walked up to Kazumi and placed a bundle wrapped in torn cloth in his hands.

"I tore this off that demon when I killed him. I believe some of Miss Satoko's belongings should be inside. Keep it safe."

Kazumi took the bundle and spread it open in front of him. When he saw the bow-shaped hairpin, he burst into sobs.

"Tanjiro, let's go," Lin Guang said.

"Okay."

The sun slowly rose, and Lin Guang and Tanjiro walked away toward it.

Watching their retreating backs, Kazumi suddenly came to his senses and shouted after Tanjiro, "I'm sorry! What I said earlier was awful! Please forgive me! I'm so sorry!"

Hearing him, Tanjiro stopped and turned around, waving goodbye to Kazumi one last time. "Mr. Kazumi, please take care of that young woman!"

With that, Tanjiro hurried after Lin Guang.

Lin Guang and Tanjiro walked along a narrow street through town. Through this battle, Tanjiro had witnessed the suffering Muzan Kibutsuji inflicted on humanity. From that moment on, he would fight Muzan Kibutsuji not merely for revenge, but for humanity's sake.

The two found somewhere to rest and left their plans for the following day.

Lin Guang immersed his consciousness in the system.

"System, open the chest."

[Ding! Host currently possesses one Black Iron Treasure Chest. Open it?]

"Open it!"

In Lin Guang's mind, the Black Iron Treasure Chest slowly opened. A blue eye flew out and entered his body.

[Ding! Black Iron Treasure Chest opened. Congratulations, host, on obtaining the Spirit Eye.]

[Spirit Eye: The lowest-tier supernatural eye. Grants powerful dynamic vision, making everything appear to move at half speed, as well as the ability to see ghosts and other invisible things.]

"Holy crap! This is what came out of a Black Iron Treasure Chest?!" Lin Guang exclaimed in amazement.

Although the system called it the lowest-tier supernatural eye, it was incredibly useful to Lin Guang.

Lin Guang opened his eyes. With a thought, both of his black eyes turned blue.

Through Lin Guang's eyes, leaves fell from the trees at an incredibly slow pace. He could even make out their veins.

"Good stuff. Now, alongside Tanjiro's sense of smell, Zenitsu Agatsuma's hearing, Boar's Head's perception, Genya's stomach, and Kanao's eyes, I've got a special ability of my own."

"And mine even seems more powerful than theirs."

Lin Guang looked at Tanjiro, who was sleeping soundly beside him. Several translucent figures stood guard around him.

Early the next morning, a Kasugai Crow from the Demon Slayer Corps landed on Lin Guang's shoulder and said, "Next is Asakusa in Tokyo Prefecture. Rumor has it that a demon is lurking there."