( The development of the few chapters are rushed. The reason is I wanted to end this verse and move unto the next one. This verse will end at 13 or 14. )
Tanjiro, observing the scene, allowed a smile to cross his face as he glanced at the notification from the system.
[ You have saved two participants... You have been awarded 2,000 SP ]
Saving the two Demon Slayers earned Tanjiro 2,000 System Points, which he was grateful for. Despite his already formidable strength, he knew he would soon be traveling to another world.
After introducing himself, the two new allies, still on high alert, continued to listen to Kagaya's speech. Kagaya's speech was a stirring call to action against the demons.
Kenji Rengoku, the flame breathing user, introduced himself with a serious demeanor. "I am Kenji Rengoku, a Flame Breathing user." His serious nature was a stark contrast to Rengoku Kyojuro's cheerful and confident personality.
Saito Ryo, the Wind Breathing user, offered a more relaxed introduction. "I am Saito Ryo, a Wind Breathing user. Nice to meet you." He bowed his head and sheathed his sword. His cheerful demeanor was tempered by the tension of the selection.
The selection process was a serious test of their worthiness to become Demon Slayers and enter the ranks. The ranking system within the Demon Slayer Corps is as follows, from lowest to highest: Mizunoto → Mizunoe → Kanoto → Kanoe → Tsuchinoto → Tsuchinoe → Hinoto → Hinoe → Kinoto → Kinoe.
Kinoe is indeed the highest ranking within the Demon Slayer Corps. However, there is an even higher rank, the Hashira, which is reserved for the elite pillars of each breathing style. Achieving this rank requires exceptional skill and dedication, typically demonstrated through the relentless killing of demons.
Tanjiro, eager to improve his ranking, set out immediately to hunt demons in Mount Fujikasane. Observing the crows flying high, he realized the Corps was aware of his impressive capabilities, hinting at a guaranteed promotion.
"Well, I gotta go and save the others. Goodbye, I hope to see you soon," he said before setting off in search of more demons.
As Tanjiro departed, Kenji Rengoku and Saito Ryo were left stunned by his display of strength and speed, which far surpassed their own. Their awe was palpable, and whether they would meet Tanjiro again was left to fate.
Over the next nine days, Tanjiro continued his relentless hunt. On the tenth day, he finally encountered the Hand Demon and swiftly defeated him, completing his mission.
Tanjiro's surprise was palpable as he encountered this new demon, a sight wholly unfamiliar from the original lore.
The demon had white hair and black horns, a stark contrast to any demon Tanjiro had previously faced.
Its grotesque transformation into a winged abomination, reminiscent of a curse mark, was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The blue sparks crackling around its body only heightened its sinister presence.
The demon's ecstasy over consuming another demon and its chilling, razor-sharp smile added to its nightmarish aura.
The raw, murderous intent radiating from it was overwhelming, making Tanjiro feel an intense nausea.
It was clear to him that this entity was a far greater threat than Muzan himself, and the urgency to neutralize this abomination became paramount.
With no time to waste, Tanjiro readied himself for battle. He knew this demon posed an existential threat, one that even the mightiest demons couldn't contend with. His resolve hardened as he prepared to face this formidable foe head-on.
Tanjiro's slash with the Sun Breathing's First Form, Dance, was met with the demon's eerie and unsettling calm. Despite the force of his attack, the demon's black blood oozed from the wound and sizzled upon contact with the ground, turning it black. This demonic substance seemed almost otherworldly, adding to the dark aura of the creature.
The demon's eyes, with their red pupils and black sclera, fixed on Tanjiro with a mix of curiosity and malice. The words that came from the demon's mouth were laced with a chilling resonance, implying a deep, unsettling knowledge of the world and its inhabitants.
Tanjiro could feel a surge of emotion, an instinctual recognition that made this confrontation feel intensely personal. The demon's ability to block his attack with its bare hand, despite the Sun Breathing's formidable power, suggested a level of strength and resilience far beyond any he had previously encountered.
Tanjiro's resolve only strengthened. This demon's strength and its unsettling presence were a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation. He knew he needed to use every ounce of his skill and power to defeat this abomination. Gathering his focus and channeling all his energy, he prepared for his next move, determined to protect the world from this sinister force.
" What are you? Are you Muzan? " Tanjiro questioned him, feeling a deep sense of unease. The demon before him exuded an aura so sinister that it seemed as if this being should never have existed. Although Tanjiro was familiar with the original Muzan, he couldn't tell if this was an alternate version or not.
"Muzan? What an interesting name... I shall take it for myself. I am now Muzan, and the Muzan you know no longer belongs to this world." Before Tanjiro could react, they were both teleported to stand before a demon with slit eyes like a cat, who was 5'10" tall and dressed in a black tuxedo and hat.
Before the demon could fully process what was happening, the entity that claimed to be Muzan opened its mouth wide and devoured the stunned original Muzan in a single gulp. The building trembled as if on the verge of collapse, but it quickly stabilized, as if nothing had happened.
After consuming the original Muzan, the new Muzan turned his gaze toward Tanjiro, sending a chilling coldness coursing through his core like a thunderbolt. Tanjiro was stunned, unable to comprehend the sudden change in his surroundings and the effortless annihilation of the original Muzan.
The new Muzan was a far more threatening presence, an anomaly that seemed to disrupt the balance between demons and humans—or perhaps something even more complex, as if the world itself was struggling to maintain equilibrium.
Tanjiro instinctively retreated ten meters and took his stance, preparing to strike at a moment's notice.
"What are you? What in the world did you just do?" Tanjiro demanded.
"Me? I don't know... All I know is that I have a mission... And that mission..." The demon's response was cut off as he suddenly charged at Tanjiro with a speed barely perceptible to the human eye.
Instinct kicked in, and Tanjiro managed to raise his sword just in time, bracing it with his hand. Despite his efforts, the force of the attack sent him flying backward, crashing through doors before he finally came to a halt.
The speed and power of the attack were overwhelming, leaving Tanjiro dazed. He realized that if he let this being continue unchecked, humanity would be doomed.
"That should be enough of an answer," the demon, now calling himself Muzan, said with a faint smile.
Even with his high constitution, Tanjiro felt as if he had been struck by a hundred bulls from the force of the attack.
' System, distribute all my points to strength, agility, dexterity, and constitution ' Tanjiro commanded mentally. As the points were allocated, he felt his body strengthen significantly, his 340 AP being evenly distributed, and his physical abilities enhanced manifold.
' Upgrade HCM to max ' he instructed next. Instantly, he experienced a profound transformation. The difference between HCM level 1 and its maximum was like comparing heaven and earth. His thought process accelerated dramatically, his mind became clearer, and his breathing fell into a serene, almost selfless state.
[ Status Titles: Protagonist Savior, God's favorite and most annoying person he met, Overly Good Person
Name: Tanjiro Kamado (Amon)
Species: Human
Level: 40
Strength: 64 -> 149
Dexterity: 62 -> 147
Agility: 70 -> 155
Constitution: 68 -> 153
Intelligence: 23
Wisdom: 21
Luck: Over 9000!
Charisma: 20
Remaining AP and UP: 0AP, 308UP
Abilities: Hyper Cognitive Mastery(Max)
Techniques:
Sun Breathing(Max)
Water Breathing(Max)
Wind Breathing(Lvl 1)
Stone Breathing(Lvl 1)
Thunder Breathing(Lvl 1)
Skills:
Share Link(Max)
Total Concentration - Constant(Max) Transcendent Swordsmanship(Max)
Shop:Superpowers/Perks/Abilities - Techniques - Bloodlines - Items
SP: 13,150]
Tanjiro also developed new forms for every breathing style he had mastered. Before he realized it, Muzan was already upon him. However, Tanjiro had prepared in advance, unleashing hundreds of consecutive attacks with his sword domain, amplifying his power to unprecedented levels.
Previously, he couldn't even scratch Muzan with his sword domain, but now he felt capable of defeating him in an instant.
Muzan's body was shredded into multiple pieces by Tanjiro's relentless assault, his black blood splattering everywhere. Yet, the wounds healed almost instantaneously, as if they had never existed.
"That was... not nice," Muzan remarked. Before Tanjiro could react, Muzan's strength surged, matching Tanjiro's newly acquired power.