Time to hunt

The trek took them along rugged mountain paths...

Fortunately, after his training on Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro's stamina was far beyond what it had once been. Even carrying his pack, he showed no sign of fatigue.

Kirishima Bupai was even more at ease, his hands tucked into his trench coat pockets.

His steps seemed slow, yet he always kept pace beside Tanjiro without hurrying.

His slicked-back silver-white hair glimmered in the sunlight, drawing repeated glances from the occasional villagers they passed along the way.

"We're almost there."

Tanjiro gazed at the mountain ahead, shrouded in a sea of purple flowers, and took a deep breath.

A faint floral fragrance filled the air, fresh and bracing, lifting his spirits.

Kirishima Bupai looked up...

Partway up the mountain, a winding staircase stretched upward, both sides covered in faintly glowing wisteria.

Petals drifted down on the breeze like purple snowflakes, enveloping the entire area in a dreamlike atmosphere.

"Tch, they've dressed it up like a wedding venue." Kirishima Bupai curled his lip, his tone tinged with disdain. "It's nothing special."

Tanjiro disagreed. He found the sea of wisteria breathtakingly beautiful.

Thinking of how wisteria repelled demons made him feel especially reassured. "The wisteria here is so lush. With it here, it should keep plenty of demons out."

The two climbed the stairs, the stone slabs beneath their feet worn smooth by time.

The wisteria on either side grew so thickly that it almost blocked out the sky.

Petals fell onto their shoulders and into their hair, carrying a refreshing fragrance.

At the top of the stairs, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a broad platform.

The wisteria around the platform bloomed even more profusely, almost forming a purple barrier.

Directly ahead stood a red-painted wooden sign bearing large black characters: "Mount Fujikasane Final Selection."

More than twenty people had already gathered on the platform. Most carried packs like Tanjiro, their eyes filled with nervousness and anticipation.

They did not speak to one another, merely standing in silence amid a somewhat somber atmosphere.

Tanjiro found a corner to stand in and began regulating his breathing.

He could sense that quite a few among them were formidable fighters, giving off faint killing intent.

Kirishima Bupai, meanwhile, found a clean rock to sit on and watched them in utter boredom.

Some rested with their eyes closed, some wiped down their weapons, and others nervously wrung their hands.

To him, most of these people were weaklings who were not worth mentioning.

As the sun climbed higher and the appointed time arrived, soft footsteps sounded at the platform's entrance.

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw two girls slowly approaching.

One had short black hair, and the other had short white hair.

Both had rare purple eyes, their gazes calm and indifferent, and wore matching uniforms.

"Welcome to the Mount Fujikasane Final Selection."

The girl with short black hair spoke, her voice clear but devoid of warmth.

"We are in charge of this selection!"

The girl with short white hair nodded and added, "Next, I will explain the rules."

She paused, sweeping her gaze over everyone present.

"The area behind you is the Inner Side of Mount Fujikasane. No fewer than several hundred demons are confined there."

"These demons were all captured in the past. The wisteria keeps them within this area, preventing them from leaving."

"The test begins now," the black-haired girl continued, still smiling. "All you need to do is survive within this area for seven days!"

"After seven days, anyone who makes it back here alive will have passed the test and officially become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps."

The rules were simple and clear, yet carried a heavy weight.

Several hundred demons and seven days-this was undoubtedly a test of life and death.

The atmosphere grew even more somber. Some people's faces turned pale, and their bodies even began to tremble slightly.

But no one chose to back down. After all, everyone who had made it this far had come determined to join the Demon Slayer Corps, even at the cost of their lives.

"Then, let the test begin."

As the white-haired girl finished speaking, a large gate at the rear of the platform slowly opened, revealing the pitch-black mountain forest beyond.

Everyone took a deep breath, drew their weapons, and resolutely entered that unknown territory.

"Awakened! Time to hunt!"

Kirishima Bupai suddenly stood up and shouted something that left everyone baffled.

He flexed his wrists, an excited smile appearing on his face, as though he were about to attend a feast.

Tanjiro froze for a moment and looked at him in confusion. "Mr. Bupai, what did you say?"

But just as he finished speaking, Kirishima Bupai became a black blur and instantly vanished beyond the gate.

Only a casual remark remained, echoing through the air. "Tanjiro, do your best! It's only seven days. See you then."

Looking in the direction Kirishima Bupai had disappeared, Tanjiro initially panicked, his heart clenching.

In this unfamiliar and dangerous place, he instinctively wanted to follow that powerful figure, seeking a little sense of security.

But he soon took several deep breaths and steadied himself.

He could not always rely on Kirishima Bupai. He had to pass the test through his own strength, prove how much he had grown, and live up to Mr. Urokodaki's and Kirishima Bupai's teachings.

I can do this!

Tanjiro tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade and walked through the gate with determination in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Kirishima Bupai had already ventured deep into the Inner Side of Mount Fujikasane.

The moment he entered, a thick smell of blood hit him, mingled with a nauseating stench of decay.

Several hideous demons caught the scent of a living human and immediately lunged from the shadows, opening their gaping maws to reveal sharp fangs.

"Perfect timing."

A cold glint flashed in Kirishima Bupai's eyes as his Nichirin Blade instantly left its sheath.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several cold flashes swept past. Amid piercing screams, the demons' heads fell to the ground, and their bodies swiftly turned to drifting ash and vanished.

[Ding! Killed one Common Demon. Gained 50 points. Current total points: 150.]

[Ding! Killed one Common Demon. Gained 50 points. Current total points: 200.]

[Ding! Killed one Common Demon. Gained 50 points. Current total points: 250.]

As the system notifications rang out one after another in his mind, a satisfied smile curled Kirishima Bupai's lips.

These low-level demons might have been pathetically weak, but their numbers made them perfect for farming points.

He lingered no longer, darting through the mountain forest like lightning.

Wherever he passed, demons lost their heads. Screams rose one after another, only to quickly fall silent.

Whoosh!

Another demon was cleaved in two and turned to drifting ash.