Chapter 055 ⤞ Demon Slayer Mark Training

Early morning.

Sunlight streams directly into the room. Adam's room boasts the best location, allowing him to bask in the warm sun first thing in the morning.

The morning is the foundation of the day — there's no time for laziness. Gently pushing away Aqua, whom he was embracing, Adam rises to begin his daily morning training.

He steps into the courtyard, inhaling the fresh air. Taking his stance, he practices the breathing techniques he has mastered: Water Breathing, Thunder Breathing, Sun Breathing. He honed each breathing style's sword forms to maintain peak condition and keep his skills sharp.

A week has flown by since moving into this suburban mansion.

Rumors swirl that one of the Demon King Army's Eight Generals, the Dullahan, has occupied a nearby castle. The kingdom has urgently dispatched high-level Adventurers to subjugate it. This situation has caused a sharp decline in quests at the Adventurers' Guild, with most adventurers quietly holing up at home.

Consequently, the team members haven't gathered for any quests this week. They haven't been idle, though.

Since that night, Darkness has largely returned to her usual self, albeit still shy and often speechless around Adam. Her perverted tendencies have noticeably subdued.

It's an adjustment for everyone.

Adam, too, feels the awkwardness. Yet, maintaining a calm demeanor, he interacts with her naturally, preserving the stability of their relationship.

Currently, Darkness is honing her explosive power in the suburbs, departing early each morning and returning in the evening. Megumin accompanies her as the protected party, while Aqua lazily remains at home to keep Adam company.

As for Kazuma, the NEET otaku has temporarily joined another party specializing in dungeon exploration. He claims it's to gain more adventure experience, but it's obvious to all that his true objective is Chris, the Thief girl in that party.

Indeed, she's the goddess Eris, masquerading as an ordinary Thief under the name Chris.

Adam refrains from exposing this directly, merely advising Kazuma to avoid creepy behavior and maintain appropriate boundaries to prevent offending others.

Over the past few days, he has been researching the Demon Slayer Mark. Recognizing his recent laziness, he's decided it's time to enhance his strength. Currently, activating the Mark seems the most suitable training method for him.

The Demon Slayer Mark is a special state from " Demon Slayer ". Its activation requires a heart rate exceeding 200 beats per minute and a body temperature above 39 degrees Celsius.

Those who activate the Demon Slayer Mark experience a short-term boost in all physical abilities—not just speed and strength, but even recovery. In this state, sword skills and overall strength double, far surpassing normal levels.

However, such power comes at a price.

Except for Yoriichi Tsugikuni, no one who activated the Demon Slayer Mark lived past twenty-five! The Mark's immense power seems to consume life force, as if unleashing all the power meant for after age 25, the years would shrink at once.

In short: it's life-consuming.

Gon would find this familiar territory!

Yoriichi, chosen by fate, lived past 80 with the Demon Slayer Mark constantly activated. Gon was saved by Killua's sister Alluka, using "her" Nen ability〚Wish Granting〛.

So what does Adam have? Do you even need to ask?

He has Aqua!

As a goddess, she possesses the〘Resurrection — Goddess Privilege〙skill. He can be revived indefinitely, so naturally, there's nothing to fear!

Moreover, having just turned 20 a few days ago, Adam has five years until he turns 25. That's ample time! He's confident that in five years, traversing countless worlds, he'll find a solution.

{T/N: Happy Birthday to the MC!}

Even if he doesn't, the reward from the Supreme God of Gods could be his safety net, right? What's that? The reward can only be obtained by defeating the Demon King?

Surely not. After all, who believes a transmigrator can't defeat a mere Demon King?

With these thoughts, Adam, now worry-free, began his Demon Slayer Mark training using the Sun Breathing technique.

Sun Breathing is the original breathing technique, and since Yoriichi could naturally activate the Demon Slayer Mark, the technique he created must have some compatibility.

Adam's chest heaved greatly, like a rapidly pulled bellows.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Heart rate 80 bpm, body temperature 36.3°C Heart rate 110 bpm, body temperature 36.9°C Heart rate 150 bpm, body temperature 37.7°C

The process continued to intensify.

The air around him growed increasingly hot, the temperature rising rapidly. The lush green grass beneath his feet gradually turned yellow.

Unconsciously, Adam channeled his mana to accelerate his heartbeat and body temperature, hastening the activation of the Demon Slayer Mark.

Pop!

With a soft sound, his clothes begin to self-combust.

Bright red, flame-like patterns emerged across large areas of his body, starting from the upper left of his forehead and extending down to his right leg. They covered most of his body, except for the right side of his face.

These fierce flame patterns, rather than appearing ferocious, exude a sense of solemn and majestic dignity.

〖〚Demon Slayer Mark — Mana Enhanced Version〛Acquired!〗

The related skill materializes on his adventure card, confirming he has officially mastered the Demon Slayer Mark.

"So this is the Demon Slayer Mark…"

In this moment, the world he perceived becomed more vibrant. Colors growed more vivid and distinct, and previously overlooked details flood back into his consciousness.

He feels incredible — extraordinarily so!

Despite his heart rate exceeding 200 bpm and his body temperature surpassing 39°C, Adam feels he's in the best state since his transmigration! The effects of the mana-enhanced Demon Slayer Mark prove unexpectedly powerful.

It imbues Adam with a sense of omnipotence!

Of course, it's merely an illusion.

He grasped his Nichirin Blade and once again practiced the Sun Breathing technique. The difference is stark — like night and day.

Gone is the awkward feeling of constraint, replaced by a sense of effortless freedom. His power is greatly amplified, leaving him deeply fascinated.

Most crucially, with Mana's support, Adam sensed his life force depleting at a much slower rate. This revelation suggested he might live beyond 25, even disregarding the Demon Slayer Mark's effects!

After a brief surge of excitement, he felt a slight fatigue. Though enhanced, it's still his first time activating the Mark, and like many "firsts", it's over quickly. He's no exception.

He steadies his breathing, deactivates the Demon Slayer Mark, and returns to normal. Fatigue sets in.

This initial activation was somewhat uncontrolled, accidentally incinerating his clothes. He's confident it won't happen in subsequent activations.

After a short rest to regain his strength, Adam reactivated the Demon Slayer Mark. With his newfound experience, this second activation proved smoother and more enduring. Such is the nature of the Mark — it improves with practice.

The bright red patterns reappeared, now enveloping his entire back and spreading across a large portion of his body. He focused on gathering the inadvertently released mana, concentrating the energy within him, primed to burst forth with even greater intensity.

Activating the Demon Slayer Mark for the second time, Adam resumed practicing the Sun Breathing technique, now with considerably more power than before!

"Not bad. A few more times and I'll be able to apply it perfectly in real combat." He mused, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

At that moment, Aqua burst out from the mansion, shouting at him.

"Adam, what are you doing? Have you been infected by Darkness, exposing yourself in the courtyard?!" Then, noticing the flame patterns on his back, she exclaimed, "You've been possessed by a Fire Demon, haven't you? That must be it!"

"No, it's not like that—" Adam began, waving his hands frantically, but Aqua was clearly the type whose body moved faster than her brain.

She charged straight towards him, yelling, "Damn demon, give Adam back!"

◈ God Blow ◈

Adam took the punch head-on — without stepping back even half a step.

Her skills only had a super strong effect on undead, with no damage to humans. For him, her attack was just like a normal hit. As for a Priest's normal attack, well, one could imagine...

Aqua, who had just punched his chest, stood there frozen.

"I... I made a mistake..."

"Aqua, could you bring me some clothes?" Adam asked calmly.

Realizing her error, her eyes immediately welled up with tears, but he didn't blame her. After all, Aqua was just worried about him.

"Yes! I'll go right away!" She hurried back to the mansion.

Another fun day was about to begin.

✧✧✧

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