Not far from the village, in the thick of the darkening forest, a demon lurked, his eyes gleaming with hunger.
He had been wandering the region for weeks now, preying on small, isolated villages like this one.
It was the perfect hunting ground—distant enough from the main towns that the Demon Slayers took time to arrive, and by the time they did, he was long gone, leaving behind a trail of blood and broken families.
He had fed well over the past month, killing families in their sleep, savoring the terror in their eyes before he consumed them.
The younger, inexperienced Demon Slayers who had been sent after him were no match for his speed and strength, and their blood had only fueled his growing power.
As the sun dipped lower and the shadows stretched long across the forest floor, the demon's thoughts turned toward his next meal.
"His predatory instincts had become sharper, more attuned to the vulnerability of humans—especially those who thought they were safe in their quiet homes."
He approached the edge of Takahiro's village, his keen eyes spotting a small house with a well-kept farm.
The house was simple but decorated with care—flowers bloomed in the small garden, and the walls were sturdy, the roof well-maintained. "It reminded him of the life he had once envied, the life he had been denied."
Before he had become a demon, he had been nothing—a poor, jealous man who had watched others live their lives happily while he wasted away in bitterness.
His transformation had come after he discovered his unrequited love had married another. In his rage, he had wandered into the forest, where an Upper Moon demon had found him and offered him the power to take what he wanted. And, take he did.
Now, looking at this house, a familiar jealousy flared within him. He hated these simple, happy lives.
He hated the peace and contentment these people lived with, while his heart had been filled with nothing but rage. He would take it from them, just as he had taken it from so many others.
His nostrils flared as he caught the scent of human life inside the house. "The comforting smell of food cooking in a pot wafted toward him—curry, rich and hearty—and beneath that, the unmistakable scent of warm flesh."
A wicked grin spread across the demon's face as he licked his lips. His hunger deepened, his bloodlust intensifying as he imagined tearing into the flesh of whoever lived inside that house.
The warmth of the hearth inside contrasted sharply with the cold hunger gnawing at him.
He moved silently, a shadow in the deepening twilight, his footsteps making no sound as he crept closer.
Through the window, he could see an old woman sitting near the hearth, her back bent over a sewing project. The firelight flickered across her wrinkled face as she hummed softly to herself.
Ume sat peacefully, unaware of the predator that lurked just beyond her door.
The demon paused, savoring the scene. There was something in the way she tended to her home, something in the way the house was so carefully maintained, that stirred an old, bitter memory within him.
Once, before his transformation, he had yearned for such a life—a family, a home filled with warmth and love. But that life had never been his, and now, he despised those who lived it.
He hated them for their peace, for their happiness. And so, he would take it from them.
The night had fallen fully now, the village swallowed by silence. Fear had spread through the region after the news of a family found slaughtered in a neighboring village.
No one ventured out after dark anymore, and the streets were deserted. The perfect time for a demon to strike.
The demon stepped forward, reaching the door of Ume's house, his eyes gleaming with malice.
He could feel the warmth of the home, the quiet joy that filled it, and it sickened him. The scent of the curry filled his nose, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of fear just beginning to take hold in the air.
He raised a hand and knocked on the door, his voice smooth and deceptively kind as he called out, "Excuse me, ma'am. Could I trouble you for some help?"
Inside, Ume paused, her brow furrowing in confusion. She hadn't expected visitors this late, and the voice didn't sound familiar. She stood up slowly, walking toward the door.
"Who's there?" she asked cautiously.
The demon took a step back from the door, positioning himself just out of the firelight. "Just a traveler," he said, his voice low and pleasant. "I was wondering if you might spare a bite of food. I've been walking for so long."
Ume hesitated. It was not her way to turn anyone away, but something about the voice sent a chill down her spine. She opened the door just a crack, peeking out.
"The demon smiled as he saw the doubt flicker across her face."
"I don't usually open my door at night," Ume said carefully, her instincts warning her to be cautious.
"Oh, of course," the demon replied, his tone still polite, though his patience was wearing thin. "I wouldn't want to intrude." He took another step closer to the door. "But I've been walking for so long..."
Ume's heart skipped a beat as she caught a glimpse of his eyes—sharp, glowing with something unnatural. Fear gripped her, but it was already too late.
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