The dried-up well appeared deep from above, but Tong Gu lightly tapped the inner wall with his Nichirin blade, using the vibrations to gauge the depth. Confident in his assessment, he gripped the long sword tightly and leaped down.
The man-eating demon, dressed in bloodstained white robes, saw the towering swordsman daringly jump into the well. Her heart leapt with glee.
Clinging to the well's wall like a gecko, she twisted and lunged toward Tong Gu. Her gaping maw, stretched unnaturally wide with hunger, revealed rows of sharp teeth, still flecked with bits of flesh.
"Haha! Even carrying a sword that long, you had the nerve to jump in? You're even dumber than the others from the village!"
Under the moonlight, Tong Gu spotted the dark figure charging at him from the wall. His Nichirin blade rose instinctively, blocking her hardened claws with a deft motion.
The demoness, unaccustomed to being thwarted—her claws had always torn open her victims with ease—hissed in frustration and struck at his face.
Tong Gu remained unfazed. He adjusted his grip slightly, and the long, slender blade stood like an impenetrable barrier before him, deflecting her attack yet again.
This demoness, even in her human days, was ill-tempered. She had once pushed her husband into this very well over a trivial quarrel, killing him. Kibutsuji Muzan, passing through, had noticed her malevolence and transformed her into a demon, amplifying her violent tendencies. Furious at her failure, she screeched in rage.
At that moment, the two landed at the well's base. Tong Gu's foot crushed a skeleton, causing him to momentarily lose balance. Seizing the opportunity, the demon pounced on him.
The demoness, with her voluptuous figure, could have presented a seductive scene, but Tong Gu only felt the foul stench emanating from her. Summoning his strength, he shoved her off.
The demoness, mid-attack, felt a tremendous force from Tong Gu's arms. She was hurled like a ragdoll into the opposite wall of the well, crashing into it with a bone-jarring thud.
The impact left her stunned, a sharp pain radiating through her back. She stared in disbelief—how could a human possess such strength?
Seeing Tong Gu raise his imposing black blade, panic surged within her. But the well was narrow, scarcely over a meter wide, and the blade scraped the walls as he maneuvered. The demoness's panic transformed into malicious glee.
"Can't swing that thing here, can you? Idiot!"
Tong Gu shifted his breathing, his pulse quickening as blood surged through his veins. His muscles bulged, and his body thrummed with power.
"Tang Bamboo!"
The black blade flashed through the air like a shadow. The demoness felt a chilling sensation on her back. Then, to her horror, the well itself seemed to tilt, as if cleaved in two.
She clawed desperately at the wall, but a sudden lightness swept over her. Her vision twisted, and she screamed as she realized she was splitting apart—her body had been halved down the center.
The two halves of her body trembled as she tried to reassemble them, but a sharp pain at her neck ended all consciousness.
Tong Gu bent his knees and pushed off the well floor, leaping effortlessly back to the surface. Enhanced by the Earth Breathing, his physical capabilities bordered on the superhuman. Even so, he remained alert—his enemies were far from ordinary humans.
Behind him, the well collapsed with a deafening roar.
Under the darkened sky, the black-clad swordsman sheathed his blade and silently left the town. Perhaps in time, the innkeeper and other villagers would realize the well posed no danger and return to their peaceful lives.
Demon Slayers, in this world, were akin to patches on a torn fabric—silently erasing the tragedies woven by Kibutsuji Muzan.
[Trial Mission 1: Survive for 3 Months (45/91 Days)]
[Trial Mission 2: Kill at Least One Demon (Completion: 315%)]
Tong Gu sighed. The completion rate for regular demons barely moved the needle now—it was no longer worth the effort.
"Ah, it's got to be one of the Twelve Kizuki."
With that thought, Tong Gu set his sights on the Entertainment District. Among the Twelve Kizuki, only Rui on Mount Natagumo and Daki in the Entertainment District had known, fixed locations. Given the potential ripple effects of killing Rui—one of the Lower Ranks—and the greater reward from an Upper Rank demon, Tong Gu decided on Daki as his target.
The destruction of a Lower Rank demon often spurred Muzan to escalate events, but changes among the Upper Ranks were far less likely. Even Muzan wouldn't dare risk killing an Upper Rank just to hasten the final battle. The rewards for defeating Daki, the Upper Rank Six, would undoubtedly surpass those for killing Rui.
---
After several days of travel and inquiries, Tong Gu approached a small town less than a hundred miles from the Entertainment District. He decided to rest for the night and conserve his energy for the hunt.
This picturesque town, nestled between forested hills and a gentle river, exuded tranquility. Vibrant red-leafed trees adorned every doorway, their beauty enhanced by the glow of the setting sun.
Tong Gu felt himself relax slightly. As he strolled through the town, he noticed an unusual cheerfulness among the residents—smiles adorned every face, as if the entire town was celebrating.
Occasionally, he passed groups of men drinking by the riverside, their laughter carefree.
"Such a rare sight in this world," Tong Gu thought, a faint smile crossing his lips.
At a small roadside shop, a tiny girl in a pink and white dress was diligently wiping down tables. Tong Gu stepped inside and sat at the freshly cleaned table.
The girl, unfazed by the towering stranger, sized him up and said, "You're so tall, mister!"
Tong Gu's face darkened at the lack of decorum, but before he could respond, the girl continued, "Since you're so tall, can you get the little ball stuck in that tree for me?"
Turning to look, Tong Gu saw a colorful ball caught in a crooked tree by the riverside.
When they reached the tree, Tong Gu was about to jump and grab the ball when he felt a tug on his pants.
The little girl frowned and said firmly, "Nanae can get it herself—she just needs… just needs… a little help."
Sighing, Tong Gu crouched down. "Nanae, isn't it? Aren't you worried I might kidnap you?"
Perched on his shoulders, Nanae laughed gleefully as she grabbed the ball. "Nope! If Nanae disappeared, the whole town would go crazy looking for me!"
Tong Gu set the doll-like girl down gently, amused by her confidence.
Back at the shop, Nanae shouted, "We've got a customer!"
From behind the counter, an older girl in a blue kimono lifted her head groggily. She had a delicate, sleepy charm.
Nanae, dissatisfied with her sister's lack of urgency, began calling, "Father! Mother!"
Before she could continue, her sister rushed over, covering Nanae's mouth with an odd look of fear.
Tong Gu's brows furrowed at the strange behavior. Just as he was about to speak, a door in the back opened.
A mature woman emerged, her shoulder bare as she lazily adjusted her robe. Behind her trailed a sallow-faced man, retying his belt with a sheepish expression.
Upon seeing Tong Gu, their eyes lit up with an inexplicable glint—one that made Tong Gu uneasy, as though he were being appraised like a piece of merchandise.
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