The Demon Slayer Mark's side effects! Was Su Chen not afraid?

Only after hearing Lady Amane's words did everyone understand what the Demon Slayer Mark truly meant for them.

Lady Amane looked at Su Chen and bowed to him. "Please, Lord Su Chen, tell everyone the conditions for awakening the Demon Slayer Mark."

Su Chen was somewhat surprised by Lady Amane's bow. He had not expected her to be so reasonable.

Since Su Chen had already promised Kagaya Ubuyashiki, he had no intention of holding anything back.

A moment later, Su Chen stood up. "Then let me explain."

Su Chen then repeated what he had said on Mount Natagumo in detail, incorporating information from the original story as well.

It could be said that he had given a thorough explanation of the Demon Slayer Mark.

[You are explaining the Demon Slayer Mark. During your explanation, you gain new insights, further deepening your understanding of the Demon Slayer Mark.]

[Your Demon Slayer Mark has reached the stage of Thought-Activated Manifestation.]

[Your Demon Slayer Mark has evolved. Your physical capabilities have been greatly enhanced.]

Su Chen froze, not expecting this unexpected gain.

As he felt a change within his body, the Demon Slayer Mark on him soon began spreading farther.

The black Auspicious Cloud Pattern resembled grotesque tadpoles as it rapidly spread down his neck toward his body. Within moments, the mark covered his entire body.

The next moment, with a single thought from Su Chen, the markings silently vanished again.

The sight profoundly shocked every Hashira present. Without Lady Amane's earlier warning, they might all have thought that eerie display was a Blood Demon Art.

"So this is the Demon Slayer Mark. It really does look very similar to a demon's markings," one Hashira could not help remarking. It was his first time seeing anything so eerie on a human.

The other Hashira were pondering the information in Su Chen's explanation.

"A heart rate over two hundred, and a body temperature of thirty-nine degrees?"

As a doctor, Shinobu Kocho was the first to raise a question. "Can you even move in that condition? That's a matter of life and death."

"Yes." Su Chen nodded. "That's the key to the selection process. That demon pushed me to the brink of death, and that was why I awakened it."

"If you want to try, whether you live or die will depend on your resolve."

The Hashira fell silent.

They had all heard the implication behind Su Chen's words.

Su Chen had awakened his Demon Slayer Mark only after facing life and death. His resolve was no less than that of anyone present.

"Isn't that pretty easy to achieve?" Shinazugawa nodded thoughtfully, feeling that there did not seem to be anything difficult about it.

But the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, retorted, "I really don't know what's going on in that simple mind of yours, thinking something like this would be easy."

Shinazugawa snapped, "What did you say?"

"He's right," Su Chen picked up where Giyu Tomioka had left off. "Your mind really is pretty simple."

"You brat!" The veins on Shinazugawa's forehead bulged. He was clearly genuinely angry.

"Please quiet down, my lords."

Lady Amane's words quieted the atmosphere once again, but what she said next undoubtedly sounded another warning for everyone.

"The Demon Slayer Mark also has corresponding side effects."

Obanai asked in confusion, "What are they?"

Lady Amane hesitated as she answered, "It's..."

"It draws on your lifespan in advance, because no one who activates the Demon Slayer Mark lives past twenty-five." Su Chen had no intention of hiding it from them. Everyone present was a Hashira; none of them feared death.

Even so, those words instantly froze the expressions of the Hashira present.

Such severe side effects shocked them all.

At the same time, they were curious about how Su Chen could say those words without any reaction.

Su Chen had already awakened his Demon Slayer Mark, which meant he was already destined not to live past twenty-five.

Was he not afraid?

"As long as we can defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, what does such a small price matter?"

"If even the side effects are this powerful, just how flamboyant will I be once I awaken my Demon Slayer Mark? I can hardly wait!"

The Flame Hashira and the Sound Hashira were the first to react. Rather than shrinking back, they were delighted that they might also obtain such powerful strength.

Su Chen could not help being moved by this. Although he knew the original story well, the Hashira's resolve still touched him.

A moment later, the other Hashira all looked relieved.

Since the Demon Slayer Mark was so powerful, it was only natural for it to have such brutal side effects.

Then what came next was a race to see who could activate their Demon Slayer Mark first.

The Hashira all turned their gazes toward Su Chen, their bright eyes completely different from before.

Since Su Chen had already awakened his Demon Slayer Mark, whoever got Su Chen would have the head start!

Su Chen was now no different from a highly coveted treasure.

"In that case, I'll take Su Chen home with me," the Flame Hashira said with a hearty laugh.

"No, it has to be me. I have three wives at home. We can definitely show Mr. Su Chen proper hospitality." Tengen Uzui rushed straight up to Su Chen with a flamboyant flourish.

The Mist Hashira stopped him. "I think Su Chen and I are about the same age. Surely Su Chen would like me better."

"Why don't you come to my house instead? I have cream cake."

The Love Hashira, who had remained silent until now, spoke with a blush, looking very eager for Su Chen's reply.

Seeing this, Obanai Iguro's expression darkened. "Come to my place. I can discipline Su Chen properly!"

Only Shinazugawa looked displeased.

He still felt that Su Chen's awakening of the Demon Slayer Mark must have been an accident. Besides, the man looked as though he had probably never even held a Nichirin Blade. How could he possibly be as impressive as Lady Amane made him out to be?

Unless Su Chen defeated him, he could not acknowledge him at all.

At that thought, Shinazugawa spoke up. "Although everyone thinks the Demon Slayer Mark is powerful, that doesn't mean Su Chen has the strength to become a Hashira. This brat has probably never even held a sword, has he?"

Shinazugawa's words immediately brought everyone to their senses.

They had nearly forgotten Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words.

A moment later, Shinazugawa knelt on one knee before Kagaya Ubuyashiki. "Master, I acknowledge Su Chen's talent, but I don't believe he should be given a Hashira position!"

"For all these years, the Demon Slayer Corps has always put strength and contributions first. If Su Chen can become a Hashira just by awakening the Demon Slayer Mark, that would betray the resolve of all those ordinary swordsmen!"

"Does Su Chen have the resolve to slay demons?"

Su Chen narrowed his eyes.

Of course, he knew this was simply Shinazugawa's nature, but anyone would feel bad being looked down on like this!

It seemed he would have to teach him a proper lesson.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki said, "Since Sanemi does not agree with my decision, Su Chen and Sanemi will have a match in two months. If Sanemi still cannot acknowledge Su Chen then, Su Chen will take the selection examination."

"I refuse," Su Chen suddenly said.