After the battle became one-sided...
Not only Xia Xi, who was fighting, but even the Nine Hashira standing guard around them noticed something was wrong with Muzan's condition.
He had not only begun panting heavily like a human.
His movements were also starting to slow.
And, at some point...
Dense old blade wounds had gradually surfaced all over the Demon King as he struggled to survive.
Like a spiderweb.
They covered his entire body.
After all, Xia Xi was currently using his fists to fight a battle of attrition against the Demon King.
Logically, there should not have been any such cuts from a blade.
But everyone soon realized what they were.
After all, the story of [Yoriichi Repels the Demon King] was common knowledge in the Demon Slayer Corps by now.
Those scars...
Were clearly the old wounds that the legendary Sword Saint had left on the Demon King's body all those years ago.
Xia Xi, who already held the upper hand...
Suddenly remembered one of the Demon King's traits.
[Scorching Bone]
Deep within old wounds, the power of flame remained unextinguished. Whenever a powerful foe's blade approached, the embers reignited, scorching bone and burning flesh.
Effect: When stamina was low during combat, triggered additional burn damage and disrupted movement and healing.
Then he gave Muzan a mocking sneer. "Oh? So you like getting tattoos, too."
"Why do they look so much like blade wounds?"
"Don't tell me... Red Heaven Venerable personally tattooed them on you back then?"
His expression darkening further, Muzan no longer wanted to answer Xia Xi.
He already felt utterly exhausted, especially now that this centuries-old ailment had flared up again.
Facing Xia Xi's attacks...
He was struggling just to stay alive.
The poison the Demon Slayer Corps had used, the stamina consumed by his