Parting Ways

Lin Guang did not have Tanjiro's keen sense of smell, but he had been keeping his guard up against any attacks that might come from underground.

With a bang, more than a dozen hands burst out of the ground, but Lin Guang was already prepared.

"Water Breathing! Third Form! Flowing Dance!"

Using his footwork, Lin Guang dodged and slashed, his movements flowing seamlessly like those of a dancer on the battlefield.

Tanjiro returned to Lin Guang's side, admiration written all over his face. "That was amazing, Senior Lin Guang."

"It's nothing. As long as you're prepared beforehand, it's easy enough to do." Lin Guang's voice was calm, as though he had done something trivial.

The Hand Demon stared fixedly at Lin Guang, his enormous body trembling slightly. Whether from excitement or anger, it was impossible to tell.

"Heh heh, that look... you're just like Urokodaki back then! Brat! You're more than just Urokodaki's student, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Lin Guang said softly, "You're right. I'm an orphan Grandpa Urokodaki adopted. Those students of his you ate were all my closest childhood friends."

Lin Guang's words made the Hand Demon even more excited.

"Urokodaki actually let a child he raised for over ten years come to the final selection? I wonder what expression he'll make when he finds out neither of you came back. Heh heh heh!"

The Hand Demon's words left Tanjiro shaken. What kind of pain have Mr. Urokodaki, Senior Lin Guang, and the others endured? How can they still be so calm...?

No, I can smell anger coming from Senior Lin Guang. But why...?

Lin Guang placed his hand on his sword, and the temperature around him gradually dropped. Even Tanjiro felt a chill.

Lin Guang said solemnly, "We'll pass the final selection and return safe and sound."

Tanjiro heard Lin Guang's words,

The Hand Demon burst into laughter at Lin Guang's words. "Ha ha ha! That's never going to happen, because I'm going to eat you both!"

The instant he finished speaking, dozens of arms shot out of the Hand Demon's body toward Lin Guang and Tanjiro.

The arms came at them from every direction, sealing off every escape route.

Lin Guang and Tanjiro used their Breathing Styles at the same time.

"Water Breathing! Third Form! Flowing Dance!"

They kept severing the oncoming arms, rapidly closing in on the Hand Demon.

Suddenly, Tanjiro caught the Hand Demon's scent coming from underground again.

"Water Breathing! Eighth Form! Waterfall Basin!"

Tanjiro's blade cleaved like a heavy sword, cutting through every attack coming from the ground.

Just then, Tanjiro shouted, "Senior Lin Guang!"

Seeing Tanjiro crouched on the ground, Lin Guang instantly understood what he meant.

Lin Guang planted a foot on Tanjiro's back and leaped into the air. Now within arm's reach of the Hand Demon, he could see a flicker of fear in his eyes.

"Since you're a demon Grandpa Urokodaki captured and brought here, I'll end all of this with Water Breathing!"

Lin Guang parted his lips slightly and drew in a breath. Blue ripples shimmered along his blade.

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

Watching the masked Lin Guang descend from above, the Hand Demon seemed to see the shadow of the man he hated most.

"Urokodaki!"

In a spray of water, Lin Guang's blade cleanly severed the Hand Demon's head.

Lin Guang landed on the ground and slowly sheathed his sword.

"It's over."

The Hand Demon's head separated from his torso and tumbled to the ground, his face filled with resentment and rage.

"Damn it... damn it... my body's crumbling and disappearing. I can't stop it. I can't accept this!"

Tanjiro walked over and watched the Hand Demon's body slowly dissolve. Of his dozens of hands, only one remained, still struggling, unwilling to disappear.

"What a sad scent."

Tanjiro took that hand. As though sensing his kindness, it gently clasped his.

Tanjiro raised a hand to his forehead. "God! Please, when this man is reborn, don't let him become a demon."

Only after Tanjiro finished praying did the Hand Demon's body and head vanish completely from the world.

Lin Guang heard the familiar voice again.

[Host has slain one Hand Demon. Drops: 5 Wooden Treasure Chests.]

Lin Guang put away all the treasure chests and looked toward Mount Sagiri in the distance.

"Everyone, we won. You can rest easy now. We'll come back, just as we promised."

Then Lin Guang praised Tanjiro. "Tanjiro, well done!"

"Bai Yu!" Tanjiro looked at Lin Guang.

Lin Guang changed his tone. "But you still lost your composure a little. No matter what demon we face, we have to keep our emotions in check. We can't let demons get to us, or we'll easily find ourselves in danger."

"I understand. I'll be careful," Tanjiro assured Lin Guang.

Lin Guang nodded. "In that case, let's split up."

"Why?" Tanjiro looked at Lin Guang in confusion.

"I believe you're strong enough to survive here on your own. After all, we've already dealt with the strongest demon here." Lin Guang patted Tanjiro on the shoulder.

"Besides, I have other things to do. I'm sure you have things you need to do too, right?"