Chapter 75: First meeting with Tanjiro
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"Then, next…"
Aoki grabbed the board and threw it hard.
The board spun and flew quickly down the mountain. Just as it was about to fall off the cliff, a figure suddenly walked out of the void and grabbed it.
Aoki pondered slightly, then threw the board again.
After repeating the experiment several times, he had a basic understanding of the "space imprint shuttle."
Firstly, the consumption of a "space imprint shuttle" is roughly equivalent to that of a short-distance "space shuttle." This consumption is constant and unaffected by distance.
Secondly, a "space imprint shuttle" also has a startup time, which is essentially the same as a "space shuttle."
Finally, using a "space imprint shuttle" does not impact the space imprint itself.
In other words, as long as the space mark is not destroyed, it can be used indefinitely and is not a consumable.
For short distances, the consumption of a "space imprint shuttle" and a "space shuttle" are similar.
However, due to the limitations of the carrier, the "space imprint shuttle" is not as fast or flexible as the "space shuttle."
In combat, the latter is still the preferred option.
However, their functions differ.
The "space shuttle" is akin to a flash step, while the "space imprint shuttle" is more like teleportation.
Each has its irreplaceable role.
"Next, it's time to verify my guess!"
Aoki picked up a stone from the ground, flicked his wrist, and the board and stone flew out one after the other. The speed and power of the latter far exceeded the former.
Boom!
The two collided, the board shattered, and the silver runes dissipated.
Aoki's figure appeared nearby, a bit of joy in his eyes.
"Success!"
The space mark was destroyed, and he immediately sensed the change, successfully completing the transmission before the space mark completely collapsed.
In this way, he could not only actively support but also respond to calls for help.
The utility of the "space imprint shuttle" had greatly increased.
However, he had to be careful not to let the enemy exploit this.
Looking at the sawdust on the ground, Aoki showed a hint of pain on his face.
This was the first space mark he had successfully made after nearly two days and nights of effort.
He had used several liters of blood alone.
"There's still time, let's make two more!"
Aoki picked up another board, scratched his fingers, and got busy again.
As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning.
After the first successful attempt, the rest went much smoother.
Before dawn, Aoki successfully made three space marks.
He also spent some time practicing how to perceive spatial imprints.
He threw the three spatial imprints into different places, then sensed and identified the coordinates from all directions.
After becoming more proficient with fixed coordinates, he also tried moving coordinates.
The specific method involved placing spatial imprints on animals.
One night passed, and many animals on Kumotori Mountain were subjected to his experiments.
After the first ray of sunlight rose in the morning, Aoki put away the space marks, put on his sunshade hat, and headed to Tanjiro's house again.
…
Tanjiro got up as soon as it was light.
Burning charcoal is hard work.
You need to cut firewood, clean up the kiln, organize wood, and sort charcoal, among other tasks.
Even with the unexpected fortune, he couldn't afford to be lazy.
"Brother!" Nezuko walked out of the room with sleepy eyes. "I'm here to help, too."
Tanjiro smiled. "Nezuko, you can sleep a little longer, I can do it myself!"
"No need! Just in time to help my brother while Rokuta is still asleep… Huh? Mr. Aomura!" Nezuko suddenly showed a surprised expression mid-sentence.
"Mr. Aomura?"
Of course, Tanjiro would not forget this name and quickly turned his head to look.
A tall young man wearing a bamboo hat was slowly walking towards them.
Tanjiro sniffed subconsciously, a look of confusion on his face.
What a strange smell!
Strange, weird, heavy.
Kind of like a bear he'd encountered before.
Thicker, but less dangerous.
In short, it didn't smell like a human at all.
Now he was very sure he had never met Mr. Aomura; otherwise, he would have remembered such a strange smell.
Nezuko skipped over and looked up at Aoki, with a pure and innocent smile on her face. "Here you are, Mr. Aomura."
"Miss Nezuko!"
Aoki patted her head and looked forward.
A young man with dark red hair, red eyes, and a scar on his left forehead stood not far away, exuding a simple and gentle temperament.
Kamado Tanjiro!
After coming to this world for so long, he finally met the protagonist of this era.
However, the protagonist Tanjiro had a tough life.
His entire family was killed, and Nezuko, the only survivor, only returned to human form after enduring many hardships.
Tanjiro himself came close to death many times, ending up blind in one eye, with a broken arm, and could only live to be 25 years old.
Of course, most of the important people in this world had miserable lives.
Seriously speaking, Tanjiro's situation was relatively good.
Tanjiro walked towards Aoki and bowed slightly. "Hello, Mr. Aomura, I am Tanjiro."
"Nice to meet you, Tanjiro!" Aoki said.
Tanjiro was the real hero.
Kind, gentle, honest, and considerate, a bit like Kanae.
"Mr. Aomura, please come with me," Tanjiro said.
Although Mr. Aomura's smell was strange, it exuded a friendly aura and made people feel at ease.
They went into the room and just sat down when Kie came out with a package in her hand.
"Mr. Aomura, please accept this."
Aoki did not take it and asked, "Madam, Tanjiro, can you tell me about the Dance of the Fire God?"
Tanjiro quickly said, "Of course, Mr. Aomura. If you want to learn Kagura, I'd be very happy. However, the Dance of the Fire God is very complicated."
Aoki said, "During the study period, I will pay you separately, so you don't have to worry about life."
"No, no, no!"
Tanjiro waved his hands repeatedly. "That's not what I meant, and Mr. Aomura has already given enough."
Kie put the package on the table. "Yes, Mr. Aomura, we have taken what we need. Please take back the rest!"
Aoki said, "Madam, Tanjiro, whether it is the Dance of the Fire God or the blue spider lily, they are far more precious than you think. This money is just a token of my gratitude. In fact, it is far less than their value."
He turned to Tanjiro with a smile. "I didn't lie, did I?"
Tanjiro's eyes widened slightly, and he did not sense any deceit.
Aoki pushed the package back. "So, take it. If you don't accept the money, I will feel embarrassed to ask for your teachings. I spent a lot of effort finding this place. Madam."
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