Chapter 24: The Final Test

"From now on, it's up to you. Let's see if you can elevate what I've taught you to a new level."

"Your senior brother Haru doesn't need much explanation. His talent is even higher than yours and Giyu's. If he hadn't been waiting for you, he would have already become a powerful member of the Demon Slayer Corps, just like Giyu."

"As for whether you can participate in the final selection of the Demon Slayer Corps, that still depends on the final test."

—"Follow me!"

After saying this, Urokodaki quickly disappeared without a sound.

"Let's go!" Haru called to Tanjiro, immediately following Urokodaki.

Tanjiro hurried to catch up, and the three of them—Urokodaki in the lead, Haru second, and Tanjiro last—headed towards their destination.

Eventually, Urokodaki brought them to a more open area on Mt. Sagiri, where, after a year, the snow began to fall once again.

In the clearing stood a massive circular stone, tied with thick hemp ropes, clearly dragged there by Urokodaki himself.

"Tanjiro~ If you can break this giant stone, I will allow you and Haru to participate in the final selection of the Demon Slayer Corps," Urokodaki instructed.

With that, he quietly left again.

Tanjiro called after him, but Urokodaki was already gone, and his voice went unanswered.

Staring at the giant stone in front of him, Tanjiro began to doubt. Could his sword really break such a massive stone?

Thinking about it, Tanjiro turned to Haru and asked, "Haru-senpai, can you break this giant stone?"

Haru nodded slightly and replied calmly, "I can."

"Really? Haru-senpai! Could you demonstrate for me?" Tanjiro was eager to see how Haru could break the stone.

"No." Haru immediately refused, without a second thought.

"Why?" Tanjiro was puzzled.

"This is the final test Urokodaki gave you, so I can't demonstrate it," Haru explained.

Besides that reason, Haru also refrained from demonstrating because there was only one such giant stone, and if he broke it, it would be hard to find an identical one to give Tanjiro for his test.

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, this was Tanjiro's final test, and Haru didn't want to interfere too much.

"Use your brain and think carefully about what Urokodaki said. Don't fail to do it for the rest of your life!"

With that, Haru turned and walked away.

"Haru-senpai!" Tanjiro called out, feeling lost.

Soon, Tanjiro was left alone on Mt. Sagiri, the cold winter wind and falling snow drifting quietly through the mountain.

The surrounding silence made Tanjiro reflect, as Haru's and Urokodaki's words echoed in his mind.

"Elevate? Does everything I've learned so far only scratch the surface, not the essence?" Tanjiro thought to himself.

With these thoughts, Tanjiro swung his sword and struck the giant stone. The blade clashed with the rock, making a loud metallic sound.

The shock of the impact sent a jolt through Tanjiro's entire body, leaving him numb.

Another six months passed. During this time, without Urokodaki's guidance, Tanjiro spent each day repeating his previous training and attempting to break the stone.

Haru would occasionally duel with Tanjiro, but each time, Tanjiro lost miserably.

"Haru-senpai, am I really useless? Six months have passed, and I still haven't broken the stone..."