"It's you guys. The Demon Slayers!" The Demon snarled while its bulbous eye looked around in vigilance and fear. After seeing no more demon slayers, it relaxed a little.
At the same time, Ryou took a clear look at the demon. It bore characteristics reminiscent of frog — Bulbous eyes, gaping maw lined with rows of jagged teeth, web limbs, and mottled green skin with a sickly sheen.
"Why do you guys always interrupt me during my snack time?" The Frog Demon nearly roared.
'It seems like it killed a Demon Slayer before.' Ryou mused. Observing the child's unconscious state, he speculated, 'He's unconscious. There's a possibility it can do poison! I have to be careful!'
Still cautious, the Frog Demon didn't confront him head-on. It leaped to a nearby tree with surprising agility, using its webbed feet and powerful legs.
Using the trees as a springboard, it leaped from one to another, increasing its speed until it became nothing more than a blur.
As if sensing an opportunity, the demon lunged at him with uncanny swiftness. When it drew near, the Frog Demon's elongated tongue shot out like a striking serpent, aiming to ensnare Ryou with its sticky tongue liquid.
'Slash!'
But, Ryou reacted swiftly as his Nichirin blade flashed through the air at lightning speed, slicing the demon's elongated tongue into multiple pieces before it could strike him.
The severed parts of the tongue turned into fly ash before it could touch the ground.
Unfazed by the failed attack, the Frog Demon advanced toward Ryou with outstretched claw-like hands which glistened in a sickly green sheen.
Its eyes flashed of craftiness as if it foresaw Ryou fall to the ground. Because its greatest advantage is its poisonous body, just skin contact or scratch is enough to stun anyone for a day.
The Last Demon Slayer that came looking for him fell victim to this very trick. 'Hehehehe...The last demon slayer was very tasty. Let's see how this one tastes.'
After savoring the last one, it even took a liking to the flesh of Demon Slayers. It's tasty, and filled with abundant life energy far surpassing that of ordinary prey.
But, its plan didn't go through as Ryou dodged to the side with a graceful sidestep avoiding the claw hands with ease.
Allowing the demon to get past him, Ryou slashed his sword with precise accuracy. Shing! The Demon's head fell to the ground with a thud.
'How? Aren't demons supposed to be stronger than the Demon Slayers?'
Its eyes were full of confusion as it watched its body turn into fly ash before its head disintegrated completely.
'+2 Demon Points' The system updated his demon points.
Ryou found the demon slightly stronger than ordinary demons with special abilities granted by its frog form.
'It seems like only demons with Blood Demon Arts or Lower Moon would pose a threat to me.' He mused.
Resting the unconscious child over a tree, he tried to wake him up but to no avail.
Ryou doesn't know whether the frog demon's poison merely induces unconsciousness or poses a lethal threat to humans, so he asks his Kasugai crow 'Kuro' to find nearby Kakushi.
After an hour, two Kakushi, one male and one female, came to the aid. As usual, their identities remained concealed.
They swiftly attended to the child before voicing their opinion. "The child is just unconscious. The poison is not lethal to humans; it only has a knocking and paralyzing effect."
"Good. Deliver the child to their family."
"No problem, it's our job. As always, thanks for slaying the demons!" Saying the words, the Kakushi swiftly left the area carrying the unconscious child with them.
"Ryou! Ryou! Your next mission awaits. Head northeast! A demon has been spotted there!" His Kasugai Crow, Kuro, delivered the message, urging him to walk.
"Come on, that soon. Give me some time to rest. I have been traveling for a day without any rest." Ryou complained but still began to walk in the direction.
As he walked, Ryou checked his status panel:
[~ Name: Ryou
Physique: Nature [Intermediate - 3%]
Skill: Nature Breathing - Intermediate [16/50], Tekkai - Advanced [0/25], Sharingan [Not upgradeable]
Demon Points: 2 ~]
He saved the demon points he earned without using them, planning to utilize them later on.
--
Meanwhile, the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps were summoned for the semi-annual meeting with Ubuyashiki. The meeting was scheduled to take place in a week.
Currently, the Demon Slayer Corps is extremely short of manpower, particularly among the Hashira, with only seven active members remaining.
To make the situation worse, the Flame Hashira recently retired, leaving a significant void in the ranks of Hashira.
--
A Week passed by,
The Hashiras were gathered at a mansion situated in a remote location, far from the human population.
When Kanae arrived at the location, she found three Hashiras already present: Stone Hashira Gyomei, Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, and Wind Hashira Sanemi.
The Stone Pillar, Himejima Gyomei had a strong and burly body. His appearance may even scar wild animals to turn tails and run. He was the strongest person within the Demon Slayer Corps. In addition to his extraordinary strength, he had also been in the corps the longest.
It was Gyomei who had saved her and Shinobu from the clutches of a demon. Since that day, their lives had taken a drastic turn and it was them who chose this path.
"It's been some time, Himejima-san," Kanae greeted warmly, her voice steady and gentle.
"Kanae... you haven't changed a bit!" Himejima Gyomei replied. Kanae's voice remains the same as he heard a few years back. 'Even after becoming a Hashira, her compassionate nature towards demons remains unchanged. How pitiful!'
"Uzui-san, Sanemi-san..." She greeted the other two.
"Hello Kocho, I heard you encountered an upper moon. Is the demon strong? You should have killed it in a flamboyant manner." Uzui stated in a flashy manner.
"Snort... encountering an Upper Moon is a rare chance. If we killed it, it would weaken the demons to some extent. Why don't such things happen to me?" Sanemi grumbled, stomping his foot in frustration.
--
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