Chapter 302: A demon worth millions of points

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A few minutes later...

'Bang, bang, bang!' 

Three dull thuds sounded in succession. Tanjiro swiftly drew his sword and impaled the three demons, one after another, using his scabbard. With a forceful push, he drove the scabbard deep into the wall, ensuring the demons were suspended mid-air, unable to touch the ground or any surface.

After securing everything, Tanjiro shouted toward the sky, "Sir Enel, I've finished. We can proceed with the transaction!"

Although Enel hadn't shown himself throughout the battle, Tanjiro knew he was watching from somewhere nearby.

As expected...

A bright flash of lightning suddenly lit up the night sky. In the blink of an eye, Enel appeared before Tanjiro, moving so fast it seemed like teleportation.

"Hey~" Enel greeted with a casual wave, clearly satisfied.

They were old acquaintances by now, so without unnecessary pleasantries, Enel activated the trading system in Tanjiro's mind with a simple gesture.

Both of them, familiar with the process, moved efficiently. The three snarling, defeated demons hanging from the scabbard dissolved into ashes and vanished into the night.

Tanjiro glanced at the Rotom screen on his phone and gasped, "1,800 points?!"

He stared at the display in disbelief. This Rotom phone was a gift from Enel when Tanjiro's transaction points had first reached 2,000. After using it for half a month, Tanjiro had become quite adept at handling this mystical Pokémon tool.

"These demons really are something else... One is worth the points of six demons from Mount Fujiseiyama," Tanjiro murmured.

"With this many points, I'll be able to bring someone back soon... Mom, my sister, my brothers..."

Tanjiro's voice trailed off, growing softer and tinged with sorrow. He let the Rotom phone float beside him as his eyes glistened with grief—far from the triumphant expression of someone who just won a battle.

He knew better than anyone...

The reason these demons were worth more than those in Mount Fujikasane was because they had consumed ten, maybe dozens, more human lives.

The weight of that realization pressed down on Tanjiro like a heavy burden.

Suddenly, a large hand gently rested on his shoulder.

"There's no need to blame yourself, Tanjiro," Enel said, trying to console him. "The song of humanity is a hymn to suffering."

"In any world, there will always be those who fall into despair. Your only duty... is to wield your blade, and with the flames of your Larvesta, obliterate every injustice you encounter."

"You need power, Tanjiro."

Enel's Rotom tablet floated in front of him, displaying three potential upgrades for Tanjiro: [Armament Haki], [Observation Haki], and [Navy Six Techniques].

It wasn't that Enel didn't want Tanjiro to save up points to revive his loved ones. But after witnessing the Blood Demon Arts', Enel felt that Tanjiro needed to master a broader range of powers.

After all, had it not been for Larvesta's flames disrupting the demons' Blood Demon Arts, they would've easily continued merging with the ground and walls. Even with Tanjiro's current strength, he might not have been able to defeat them so easily.

This was just a beginner mission assigned by the Demon Slayer Corps to a new recruit.

Considering the vast range of Devil Fruit abilities in the pirate world, Enel believed that Blood Demon Art in this world would also possess a confusing variety of powers.

If Tanjiro encountered such strong demons on a novice mission, Enel was sure he would have plenty of opportunities to earn points in the future.

The only condition was...

He had to survive those battles.

After hearing Enel's advice, Tanjiro hesitated only briefly before agreeing. He used the 1,800 points he had just earned to purchase the two types of Haki and the Navy Six Techniques.

The night passed in silence.

---

The next morning...

Tanjiro had just woken up at a village inn and hadn't yet planned his next move when his personal crow flew through the window.

It screeched in its usual high-pitched, officious tone, "Demon slayer Tanjiro Kamado, proceed to Asakusa, Tokyo, immediately and hunt down the demons terrorizing the area!"

"Huh? So soon?" 

Tanjiro, still groggy, was startled awake by the sudden news. 

He hadn't expected to face another demon so quickly, but at the same time, he wasn't hesitant. The thought of confronting more demons now filled him with anticipation.

After all, defeating demons meant growing stronger, reviving his family, and returning Nezuko to her human form...

Without delay, Tanjiro packed his belongings and set out for Asakusa, Tokyo, following the directions given by his crow.

High in the sky…

Enel rode upon a thundercloud using Thundurus ability, following Tanjiro from above. As he gazed ahead in the direction Tanjiro was heading, a smile crept across his face.

"Though my Observation Haki hasn't fully recovered yet, I can sense a strong concentration of the world's original power up ahead…"

"It seems it won't be long before Tanjiro sets out on his own path."

"In that case…" Enel mused, "I should start thinking about finding a new trading partner."

Having spent some time in this world, Enel was finally ready to begin his dimensional trading in earnest.

---

Several days passed quickly, fueled by Tanjiro's excitement.

When Tanjiro finally arrived in Tokyo, his reaction was just like in the original story—an expression of wonder.

But this time, due to Enel's influence, the timeline had slightly shifted.

Tanjiro didn't catch the scent of Muzan Kibutsuji, as he had in the original series. Instead, he sensed the presence of two other demons.

---

"Who are you?!"

Yushiro's pale face turned even paler as he glared at the young man who had suddenly appeared in the courtyard. His expression soured when he spotted the nichirin blade in Tanjiro's hand, clearly disgusted by its presence.

Tanjiro, just as surprised, stared back. "Huh?"

He had followed the scent and the presence of something ominous, unknowingly passing through an illusory wooden fence to arrive in this beautiful courtyard.

"What is this place…?" Tanjiro muttered, his hand brushing against the hilt of his blade.

Despite the fact that the silver-haired boy in front of him reeked of demon scent, Tanjiro didn't feel any hostility rising within him.

"Hey! If you're not going to say anything, don't blame me for getting rough!" Yushiro's patience snapped, anger flaring in his heart as his illusionary spell was so easily broken.

Unable to stomach the humiliation, Yushiro pulled out a talisman from his pale fingers, preparing to attack Tanjiro.

Seeing this, Tanjiro's heart raced. He couldn't understand why, but he had no desire to kill this demon before him. Still, the unmistakable scent of a demon lingered in the air.

A fight seemed imminent.

But just then, a voice, soft and gentle as jade, echoed from the mansion behind Yushiro.

"Yushiro, don't be rash."

The tension immediately dissipated at the sound of that voice.

A woman with long black hair, dressed in a deep purple kimono and possessing soft pink eyes, stepped gracefully from the mansion. It was Tamayo, one of the few demons who had survived for centuries after suppressing her craving for human flesh.

"It's been over a hundred years since the Ubuyashiki clan last contacted me…" Tamayo said softly, her gaze settling on Tanjiro with warmth. "Young demon slayer, what brings you here?"

Under her calming gaze, Tanjiro's guard gradually lowered.

He hesitated for a moment before replying, "I was sent by the Demon Slayer Corps to hunt down demons in Asakusa, Tokyo…"

"But you two…"

Confusion clouded Tanjiro's eyes. His mission was to eliminate demons in Tokyo, and here he was, face to face with two demons. Yet, their presence felt... different.

"Could it be..."

A thought flashed through Tanjiro's mind.

Before he could say anything, Yushiro, who had been burning with jealousy at the interaction between Tanjiro and Tamayo, interjected angrily:

"The ones you're looking for are Yahaba and Susamaru! They're demons recently created by Muzan Kibutsuji."

"They've been causing all the chaos in Asakusa recently!" Yushiro spat.

"They've been operating in the alleys of the East Block. Go there if you want to find them!"

"Alright! I've told you everything you need to know, so don't bother us anymore!"

Without giving Tanjiro or Tamayo a chance to speak further, Yushiro blurted out all the information he had in one breath, his face stern as he made it clear that he wanted Tanjiro to leave.

"Huh…?" Tanjiro blinked, taken aback by Yushiro's abruptness.

Still, using his enhanced senses, Tanjiro could tell that Yushiro wasn't lying.

Smiling apologetically, he said, "Thank you for the information. I won't trouble you further."

With that, he turned and headed back the way he came.

Although the illusionary wall still stood before him, Tanjiro, now knowing the truth, stepped forward confidently without hesitation.

But just as he was about to disappear through the wall, Tanjiro suddenly stopped and turned back. His eyes, filled with determination, locked onto Yushiro and Tamayo.

"Please wait for me," he said earnestly. "Once I find a way to turn demons back into humans, I'll return for you."

Having witnessed Nezuko's struggle, Tanjiro understood just how difficult it was for a demon to hold on to their humanity. His heart overflowed with empathy, and he made a solemn promise—one he fully intended to keep.

Tamayo's eyes widened in surprise.

"This child…" she whispered, watching Tanjiro disappear from sight. 

For a moment, her thoughts flashed back to centuries ago, to someone she had met long ago—someone with the same determined look, red hair, and sun earrings.

The same man who had twice pushed Muzan Kibutsuji to the brink of defeat—Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

Unbidden, tears streamed down Tamayo's cheeks as she quietly whispered:

"I will wait for you."

Meanwhile, Yushiro looked on in bewilderment.

"Wait… Tamayo-sama, do you actually like this guy?!"

  ...

  ...

While Tanjiro was searching for traces of demons throughout the city, Enel, who had also arrived in Tokyo, wasn't idle either.

With his vast observation haki, Enel quickly identified all the strange occurrences in the city. Naturally, it didn't take long for him to locate the elusive figure of the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.

"Hiss~"

Using the system's ability to investigate Muzan, Enel drew in a sharp breath. Because under the system's analysis, Muzan contained an astonishing 100 million units of the world's origin power!

In other words…

If Enel could capture Muzan, he would immediately complete his internship mission for the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce and claim this world as his own!

All beings have desires.

Even Enel, who appeared indifferent and above desire in front of Tanjiro, harbored ambitions of his own. And right now, his goal was to secure a trade with the Demon King, Muzan.

"Hmm... his overall strength is about level 70."

"Not particularly strong."

"But given the unique nature and abilities of demons, capturing him won't be easy…"

"At the very least, I'd need more than 10 warriors at level 70 or above, or a single fighter at level 90 or higher…"

"Neither of those options seem easily achievable..."

A thousand thoughts raced through Enel's mind as he weighed his choices. Given the difficulty of both options, he began forming a plan.

---

That night...

Though Tokyo had not yet reached the height of modernity, it was still brightly lit, even at one in the morning.

In a dimly lit, secluded alley in Tokyo, a battle beyond the comprehension of ordinary people was unfolding.

"Damn it! Stop!"

"Larvesta! Bond Evolution!!!"

With a flash of sacred light, Tanjiro's once dark red hair turned into a fiery crimson.

Then…

A dark sheen spread across his Nichirin blade, and moments later, flames roared around him, swirling like a long dragon in the night.

Even the Larvesta beside him was covered in fiery ripples, its breath hissing as it exhaled sharply.

In an instant—bam!—Tanjiro, now enveloped in flames, vanished in a blur of red light.

However…

Even though he sped into the depths of the alley with remarkable swiftness, he was just a moment too late.

There, two grotesque demons stood, one of them clutching a young boy.

Before Tanjiro could act, the demon sank its teeth into the child's throat.

Blood sprayed into the air.

And with it…

An inferno of rage erupted in Tanjiro's eyes!