For the next few weeks, my life intertwined with that of the Kamado family. Every day, the system provided quests that, though seemingly trivial, allowed me to further embed myself in their routines. Whether it was helping Tanjiro sell coal in the village, playing with the younger children, or assisting Kie Kamado with household chores, each task came with a reward. It wasn't just about gaining the affection of the Kamado family, but also slight increases in my strength and a growing familiarity with the way of the sword. It felt natural, as if I belonged here, even though a constant reminder gnawed at the back of my mind: this happiness wouldn't last forever.
**[December 14th, Year 1913]**
That night, a special occasion marked the quiet mountainside. The air was crisp, the sky darkened early, and the Kamado family gathered in the clearing outside their house. Fire illuminated the circle they had formed, flickering against the backdrop of snow-capped trees. Tanjiro stood at the center, wearing a ceremonial shrine-like outfit, the kind passed down through generations. He moved deliberately, rhythmically, as the fire danced around him.
"The Dance of the Fire God," I whispered under my breath, unable to tear my eyes away from his fluid movements.
Each step he took seemed to make the flames bend toward him, as if he were commanding them. His motions were precise, his breathing steady—perfectly timed with the rise and fall of the fire. The longer I watched, the more mesmerized I became. Snowflakes began to drift lazily from the sky, adding an ethereal touch to the scene. In the middle of that snowy night, Tanjiro looked like something otherworldly, something powerful.
Nezuko, who sat beside me, turned and smiled softly. "Happy birthday, Kuro-kun~" she said, her voice as gentle as the snow falling around us.
I blinked, caught off guard by her words. My birthday. I hadn't even realized it. "Thank you, Nezuko." I returned her smile and patted her head, feeling warmth spread through me. Yet, even as I smiled, a dark thought lurked in the back of my mind.
'This family… they're going to die soon.' My gaze shifted back to Tanjiro, who was still dancing in the firelight. 'I'm 13 now, the same age Tanjiro was before everything fell apart. I give this family one month, maybe less, before they're wiped out.'
My heart clenched at the thought, but I kept my expression neutral. There was nothing I could do to stop the impending tragedy, I couldn't change the fate that awaited them. But that didn't mean I couldn't prepare.
Turning back to Nezuko, I asked, "Do you know the dance, Nezuko?"
She followed my gaze to her brother and shook her head. "Only the head of the family learns the Dance of the Fire God. It's passed from father to son. Daughters aren't taught the technique."
"I see," I murmured, standing up from my spot. An idea sparked in my mind—one I couldn't ignore.
Without a second thought, I walked toward Tanjiro, unbuttoning my shirt and tossing it onto the snow behind me. My body was already used to grueling training and hardships. If I could replicate Tanjiro's movements, even without the proper technique, I could push myself further. I positioned myself a few paces away from him and began to mimic his movements.
At first, my movements were clumsy—my limbs not used to the intricate steps of the dance. But with every swing and shift of my body, I started to understand the flow of it. My muscles, though aching from previous training, fell into a rhythm. I focused intensely, breathing as Tanjiro did, feeling the energy surge through me. My chest burned as if I were inhaling smoke from burning coal, but I pushed through the pain. It didn't matter. The discomfort was temporary, but what I could gain from this—that was lasting.
With each cycle of the dance, I could feel something shifting within me. My strength increased slightly, the sharpness of my reflexes improving. But when I lost focus for just a moment, that fleeting power slipped away. Gritting my teeth, I repeated the movements again, forcing my mind to focus. I needed to master it, to make it my own. As I regained concentration, I felt a surge of energy return to me, and my eyes gleamed with determination.
The Kamado family watched in awe. They hadn't expected me to pick up the dance so quickly, nor had they imagined that I could mimic Tanjiro's breathing technique with such precision. Sweat began to bead on my forehead as I pushed myself harder, my muscles screaming for rest, but I ignored the pain.
The children—Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru, and Rokuta—stood together, their mouths open in amazement.
"Big Brother Kuro is amazing," they said in unison, their voices filled with admiration.
Kie Kamado, watching from the sidelines, placed a hand gently on her face. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she observed the two of us—Tanjiro, the rightful heir to their family's legacy, and me, a mysterious outsider who had somehow become an integral part of their lives.
"Yes, Kuro-kun is truly amazing," she said quietly, her voice tinged with pride.
Despite the praise, I barely registered their words. I was too focused, too determined. Sweat dripped down my temples, my breath ragged, but I couldn't stop now. My body was starting to move on its own, each step flowing into the next with ease. The more I mimicked the dance, the more natural it felt. My chest still burned with each breath, but that pain was quickly becoming a familiar sensation. It was as though my body was adapting to it, learning to endure the fire inside me.
I glanced at Tanjiro, who smiled at me from beneath his mask. He didn't seem to mind that I was copying their family's traditional dance. In fact, he looked… proud.
'Not enough,' I thought to myself as I performed the dance once more. 'I need more.'
The need for power clawed at me, a deep hunger that I couldn't ignore. The Kamado family might not understand why I was pushing myself so hard, but they didn't have to. The journey I took had changed, my mission. If I was going to protect them, to become strong enough to face the threats that loomed over us, then I couldn't afford to stop now.
As I pushed my body to its limits, I could feel the Kamado family's eyes on me. They were witnessing something incredible—the strength, determination, and raw potential that I had worked so hard to cultivate. But for me, it wasn't enough.
"Not enough…" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the crackling fire.
My muscles screamed for rest, my body shaking with exhaustion, but I refused to stop. I couldn't stop. The sweat poured from my body, soaking the ground beneath me as I continued to mimic the Dance of the Fire God.
In that moment, the Kamado family saw me for what I truly was—not just a guest in their home, but a force to be reckoned with. They looked at me with awe, admiration, and a sense of pride, as if I were one of their own. But inside, I knew the truth. I was preparing for something far greater than they could understand.
And with every movement, every breath, I was getting closer to the strength I needed.
[DING!]
[New Skill Achived]
.
.
.
[Sun Breathing] [Level: 1]