Final Selection

After dinner.

"Lin Guang, Tanjiro, did you enjoy the hot pot?" Urokodaki asked as he sorted through some clothes.

"Your cooking has always been great, Grandpa Urokodaki," Lin Guang said.

"Yes! I haven't had anything that delicious in a long time," Tanjiro added.

"For children with healthy appetites like yours, the more you eat, the stronger you become, and your bodies grow along with that."

Urokodaki changed the subject. "But demons are the same. Remember, as a general rule, a demon's strength depends on how many people it has eaten."

Tanjiro looked puzzled. "They get stronger if they eat a lot?"

"That's right. Some gain strength, become able to transform their bodies, and even use supernatural arts." Sakonji Urokodaki took out two masks and handed one each to Lin Guang and Tanjiro.

"These are called Disaster-Repelling Masks. I've placed spells on them to protect you from calamity."

Lin Guang took the mask, seemingly thinking of what Urokodaki's former disciples had looked like before they entered the Final Selection.

I won't let that Hand Demon get away!

The next day.

Lin Guang and Tanjiro put on the clothes Sakonji Urokodaki had prepared for them, took their Nichirin Blades, and left.

As Urokodaki watched Lin Guang and Tanjiro depart, all he could do, despite his overwhelming worry, was silently pray for them.

That night, Lin Guang and Tanjiro arrived at the foot of Mount Fujikasane. Tanjiro put the Disaster-Repelling Mask Urokodaki had made on his head.

Lin Guang, however, covered his entire face with his mask. He did not particularly want anyone else to see what he looked like.

Following the only path up the mountain, they climbed the Bluestone Staircase and reached a clearing paved with bluestone.

Quite a few youths around Tanjiro's age were waiting in the clearing.

Lin Guang scanned the clearing and spotted several familiar faces.

Zenitsu Agatsuma, the Wind Hashira's younger brother Genya Shinazugawa, and Kanao are all here. As for Boar's Head, he probably went in already. Who knows when?

It looks like the world has started correcting itself because Tanjiro finished his training a year early.

Behind his mask, Lin Guang smiled faintly.

Just then, two little girls in purple kimonos appeared in the clearing, carrying lanterns. They also wore hair ornaments made of wisteria flowers.

The two little girls took turns addressing everyone gathered in the clearing for the selection.

"Thank you all for coming to the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection tonight."

"Here on Mount Fujikasane, we confine demons captured alive by Demon Slayers, but the demons cannot leave."

"That is because wisteria, which demons despise, blooms all year round from the foot of the mountain to its halfway point."

"Beyond this point, however, there is no more wisteria, and demons roam freely."

"To pass the Final Selection, you must survive in there for seven days."

"Now, we wish you a safe journey!"

Once the little girls finished explaining, everyone headed deeper into Mount Fujikasane, walking into the darkness where no wisteria bloomed.

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

Tanjiro nodded, then stepped into the darkness deep within Mount Fujikasane with Lin Guang.

After entering the depths of Mount Fujikasane, Lin Guang and Tanjiro ran through the mountain at a steady pace. A sharp gleam flashed in Lin Guang's eyes.

Treasure chests, here I come!

Unlike Lin Guang, Tanjiro was thinking about how to survive the seven days on Mount Fujikasane safely.

Suddenly, Tanjiro stopped and put his hand on his sword, shouting, "Lin Guang! I smell a demon nearby!"

"They're here already?" Lin Guang also put his hand on his sword and carefully watched for movement nearby.

The sound of running came from the woods. Suddenly, a demon with three horns on its head and bone spurs on both arms leaped out.

At the same time, a short-haired demon joined it in attacking Lin Guang and Tanjiro.

Lin Guang and Tanjiro drove the demons back with their swords, then stood back-to-back.

"Tanjiro, can you handle this?"

"I'm fine, Lin Guang!"

"Good! Then let's finish them in one go!"

The two demons were nearly crazed with hunger and cared about nothing else. They charged at Lin Guang and Tanjiro together.

"First come, first served!"

"It's been so long since I've eaten human flesh!"

Lin Guang parted his lips slightly and drew a breath.

"Water Breathing! Fourth Form! Striking Tide!"

Blue water surged along his blade, and Lin Guang sliced through the horned demon's neck.

At the same time, Tanjiro's voice reached Lin Guang's ears.

"Water Breathing! First Form! Water Surface Slash!"

Tanjiro severed the short-haired demon's neck as well.

Seeing this, Lin Guang felt a little regret, but it did not last long, because he heard the system's voice.

[Host has slain one common demon. One Wooden Treasure Chest dropped.]

As the demon's ashes dispersed, a wooden chest remained behind. Only Lin Guang could see it.

So killing demons really does make treasure chests drop. If I keep killing them, I'll eventually be able to take on even Muzan Kibutsuji.

And even though Tanjiro and I are together during the Final Selection, the demons he kills won't drop treasure chests for me. Looks like we'll have to split up later so I can get more chests.