Under the moonlight.
The demon's face came into Teiichi's view.
He was a gaunt figure dressed in a blue-green kimono, simple and old-fashioned. However, a slash from his exchange with Teiichi had left the front of his kimono spattered with blood, making it especially conspicuous in the moonlight.
The demon had thick black hair, cropped short and neat, giving him a fierce look. Several intersecting scars marked his forehead and both cheeks like a warrior's medals. His ears were unusually narrow and pointed, each adorned with two gold earrings that gleamed enticingly in the moonlight.
Yet what drew the most attention was neither his clothing nor his scars, but the mysterious characters engraved in his pupils.
The characters "Lower Three" were deeply engraved in his left pupil, while "Three" was engraved in his right.
"Lower Rank Three-Wakuraba?"
Looking at the demon before him, Teiichi murmured to himself.
"Oh? You actually know my name?"
Wakuraba seemed somewhat surprised that Teiichi recognized his name. He nodded slightly, the wound on his chest rapidly healing in the moonlight as though he had never been injured. He raised his head, his eyes showing a hint of amusement and curiosity, as though he had taken a keen interest in the Demon Slayer before him.
After hearing Wakuraba's question, Teiichi did not distract himself by answering. He gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly, taking stock of his body's current condition.
A Lower Rank? I might really be in trouble this time!
Tightening his grip on his Nichirin Blade, Teiichi lowered his stance slightly, like a cheetah poised to hunt, ready to attack at any moment.
Inhale.
Teiichi drew a deep breath, as though trying to suck all the surrounding air into his lungs. He employed Wind Breathing, and the wind around his body began to spin rapidly, forming a powerful force.
"Wind Breathing, Seventh Form: Gale, Sudden Gusts!"
With a furious roar, Teiichi vanished from where he stood.
The raging wind surged, taking the shape of a green tengu that lunged at Wakuraba with overwhelming force.
Wakuraba sneered and easily dodged Teiichi's attack with a flicker of movement. His fingers clawed at the air, turning into sharp demonic talons as he swiped at Teiichi.
Teiichi turned nimbly, swiftly bringing his Nichirin Blade back in front of him to block Wakuraba's claws. He felt the chill and sharpness transmitted through them, but instead of retreating, he swiftly changed direction and continued his fierce assault on Wakuraba.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The two traded blows across the battlefield, each collision producing a deafening crash.
Teiichi constantly varied his attacks, trying to find an opening in Wakuraba's defenses. Wakuraba, meanwhile, relied on his powerful physique and extensive combat experience to handle Teiichi's attacks with ease.
During one fierce exchange, Teiichi finally caught a tiny opening in Wakuraba's defenses.
He seized the opportunity immediately, his figure flickering as he appeared behind Wakuraba in an instant. His Nichirin Blade shone brilliantly as he brought it down toward Wakuraba's back with overwhelming force.
However, Wakuraba reacted extremely quickly. He spun around and blocked Teiichi's attack with his claws. The two were once again locked in fierce combat.
Their figures darted across the battlefield, each collision seeming ready to tear apart the air around them.
A long time passed.
After one fierce collision, Teiichi leaped backward instead of continuing his attack.
"Huff... puff..."
"Huff... puff..."
Teiichi stood panting heavily, his chest heaving violently. His sword-bearing arms looked exceptionally pale in the moonlight and trembled slightly, as though conveying his exhaustion.
His gaze remained resolute, fixed firmly on Wakuraba a short distance away.
The human and the demon stared at each other through the unbroken curtain of rain.
What should I do? This illness is affecting my body far too badly.
Normally, I could cut down a Lower Rank with a single strike.
But.
Now.
If my weapon weren't so heavy, generating far more force with each swing than an ordinary Nichirin Blade, I might not even be able to hold my own against Wakuraba with an ordinary Nichirin Blade.
What should I do? What should I do?
The illness had even dulled Teiichi's mind. He stood there thinking for a long time but could not come up with any solution.
"Hey, Demon Slayer!"
Wakuraba's shout struck suddenly like a cold wind, breaking through Teiichi's heavy contemplation. He looked up to see Wakuraba standing a short distance away, amusement gleaming in his red pupils as he watched him like a cat toying with a mouse.
"You're a Hashira, aren't you?"
There was a hint of mockery in Wakuraba's tone. Though he was asking a question, his eyes already revealed unquestioning certainty.
Among the many members of the Demon Slayer Corps, only Hashira Rank members could possess such strength. He believed his judgment could not be wrong.
Teiichi shook his head slightly, trying to deny Wakuraba's guess. But Wakuraba remained unmoved and continued in an almost provocative tone:
"Don't bother denying it. How could an ordinary member of the Demon Slayer Corps be as strong as you? You know, ever since you were buried, I've come to use my Blood Demon Art on you two nights in a row. Even an ox would've collapsed by now, let alone a human!"
"So, your..."
"Cough, cough..."
"Your Blood Demon Art can make people sick?"
Teiichi asked between heavy breaths, his voice somewhat weak and powerless.
Hearing Teiichi's question, Wakuraba smiled smugly, as though he had found something to boast about:
"That's right. Well? Pretty impressive, isn't it!"
"I named my Blood Demon Art-Pestilence Erosion. What do you think? Nice name, isn't it?"
"My Blood Demon Art is especially effective against humans! After all, humans can't detect it! Once someone is affected by my Blood Demon Art, their body gradually deteriorates. As long as I keep using it on them, even if they receive treatment, their recovery can't keep up with how much I worsen their illness. In the end, all they can do is wait to die!"
At this point, Wakuraba clicked his tongue and continued:
"The only drawback is that my Blood Demon Art isn't much use against demons. Demons regenerate a little too well. My Blood Demon Art can't erode them as quickly as they recover, so I still have to hone my hands, or I wouldn't be able to compete with the other Lower Ranks.
"Hmph, during a Rank Replacement Blood Battle, compared to other demons, it's practically like I don't have a Blood Demon Art at all. It's so unfair. Demons should be forbidden from using Blood Demon Arts during a Rank Replacement Blood Battle!
"Well, it doesn't really make much difference, though. Because of your Demon Slayer Corps, other demons can't eat humans as freely as they want, so their strength grows relatively slowly.
"But I'm different. I can make humans look like they died naturally of illness, then dig them up and eat them after they're buried."
"Heh heh heh..."
"I almost never get discovered!!"