Tanjiro struggled onward alone through the dark forest. The air was thick with an ominous smell, a mixture of blood and some peculiar fragrance.
His heart remained on edge. He worried both about Inosuke, who had charged alone toward unknown danger, and Sasuke, who had likewise headed alone toward the source of the greatest danger-even though that black-haired boy was inhumanly strong.
"Grrr..." The hunger in his stomach left him a little dizzy. They had not had a moment's rest since entering this mountain.
Tanjiro took out the rice balls the old woman had given them before they left. He was just about to eat one to replenish his strength when hurried footsteps suddenly came from the woods beside him: "Rustle, rustle, rustle-"
Tanjiro's heart tightened, and he immediately gripped the hilt of the already broken Nichirin Blade on his back.
"Hahahaha! Found you! Gonpachiro!" With a wild laugh, a figure burst out of the bushes-it was Inosuke.
He looked somewhat worse for wear, but was unusually excited. "You're too slow! I've already taken out a bunch of small fry!" As he spoke, he waved his two blades about as if showing off.
Seeing Inosuke safe and sound, Tanjiro finally breathed a sigh of relief and offered him the rice ball in his hand. "Inosuke, you must be hungry too. Have something to eat first."
Inosuke froze for a moment at the sight of the rice ball, then snatched it away. "Hmph! At least you know what's good for you!" He did not take off his mask, only pushed it up to expose his mouth, then began wolfing down the food. The sight brought a faint smile to Tanjiro's face.
But that brief peace was utterly shattered by a tremendous crash. Boom-!
As though something unimaginably heavy had fallen from