Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

He was a swordsman, and the other was just a smith—yet how was this gap supposed to be explained?

For a moment, he ground his teeth, unwilling to admit defeat. Clenching his jaw, he broke into a full sprint!

Two figures darted one after the other, and in less than an hour, they had already cleared the forest.

Suddenly, the view opened up. Beneath the starry night sky, a village appeared ahead.

But at this hour, all was silent, and the village lay in dead stillness.

Tetsu no Sosuke narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing it, yet he couldn't be sure if this was the place!

Based on what he knew, Kochou Kanae had encountered Doma while returning from a mission.

So, following her route, he should be able to find her.

But after running this far without seeing her, it was enough to suggest she had truly run into something that kept her tied up.

Otherwise, why had she promised to return before dusk, yet delayed until now without a trace?

His frantic mind raced to piece together information, and he took a step to dash off again.

Just then, a figure flickered, and Shinobu Kocho suddenly stood before him, arms spread wide, panting without a word.

After two ragged breaths, she said in utter exasperation, "You... huff... what are you running for?"

Tetsu no Sosuke asked gravely, "Do you know this village ahead?"

If not for needing to ask this question, he would have already skirted past her and bolted.

"A village?" Shinobu turned back. "We've run all the way here! We must have covered over a hundred miles, you idiot..."

"This village is off."

Tetsu no Sosuke cut her off. "Think carefully. If the Flower Pillar was only delayed by something trivial, we've already come this far out to meet her—why haven't we seen her? And now, if you know this village, tell me: does it only house one family?"

"Of course not... what are you getting at?"

Shinobu's expression shifted slightly.

"There's only one light in the village." Tetsu no Sosuke pointed. "I'm worried she might have run into danger she can't escape from."

"Demons!"

Shinobu's mind snapped back to calm. She looked back. "I've seen this village before. The lights at this hour are indeed different. Are you saying there's a demon in this village?"

"If I were you, I'd send an emergency signal right now, without wasting a second!"

After getting Shinobu's confirmation, Tetsu no Sosuke let out a huge sigh of relief—there was still time!

While Shinobu was stunned, he suddenly dashed forward.

Shinobu froze, then erupted in fury. "You know there's a demon and you're charging in? Are you insane? My sister is a powerful swordsman; a mere demon..."

She frowned, but after speaking, unease crept in.

If it were just an ordinary demon, would it have delayed her this long?

She didn't dare dwell on it, but she also didn't immediately follow Tetsu no Sosuke's advice to send a signal. With everything still unclear, she couldn't act on his word alone.

"Scout it out myself, confirm the situation, and if something's really wrong, call for backup!"

With that thought, she dashed after him, fuming inwardly: "He's just a smith—if he senses a demon here, why is he charging in so recklessly?"

Tetsu no Sosuke couldn't hear Shinobu's complaints. He had already entered the village.

The silent village seemed as if all its people had vanished.

The only light came from the largest building in the village, though he couldn't tell what it was used for.

The closer he got, the more a chill crept into his heart.

But instead of fear, Tetsu no Sosuke felt genuine relief.

The more likely he was to encounter terror, the closer he might be to Kochou Kanae.

In moments, he reached the building's entrance. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open.

Inside a vast hall, flames burned. A man sat on the floor, his face buried in a young woman's neck.

Startled by the door, he lifted his head slightly, a broad smile on his face, blood smeared across his mouth—a ghastly sight in the firelight.

"Oh, there's still someone alive? Sorry, sorry—I must have missed you."

The man spoke in an apologetic tone. "And so many guests tonight?"

But Tetsu no Sosuke was dumbfounded, because Kochou Kanae was... not there!

This... this was incredibly awkward!

The next second, Tetsu no Sosuke turned and ran—not back the way he came, but in a different direction.

If Shinobu ran into this guy, she'd be a goner too—he had to lure him away!

And once Shinobu saw this place, she'd understand and call for backup immediately.

As for himself... at this point, he couldn't worry about that!

But after a few steps, things got even more awkward.

Doma didn't give chase!

Was this bastard still savoring his meal?

Compared to that, a single man couldn't even hold his attention?

Faint footsteps could be heard—was Shinobu Kocho coming?

Damn it!

If she ran into him, she'd probably be killed in an instant, wouldn't she?

"No!"

He immediately turned back, reappearing at the entrance of that building.