Chapter 48: Parting Again

The tense atmosphere suddenly relaxed.

Tanjiro had successfully decapitated the Hand Demon, and to Haru, this outcome was entirely expected.

Haru had confidence in both Tanjiro's abilities and his own Demon-Slaying Blade. The previous breakage of Tanjiro's Nichirin blade was solely because the blade itself lacked the necessary strength—not due to any mistake on Tanjiro's part.

If the Hand Demon hadn't consumed a large number of its own kind to gain strength, Tanjiro's initial strike would have definitely severed its neck. After all, Tanjiro had cut through massive rocks before, and even if the Hand Demon had reinforced its neck, it was nowhere near as tough as the rock.

The Hand Demon's severed head showed an expression of unwillingness and anger.

"Damn it~ Damn it~ Damn it~ My body is being destroyed bit by bit... I won't accept this!"

With the fatal blow, the Hand Demon's enormous body began to slowly collapse and vanish.

After decapitating the Hand Demon, Tanjiro's expression softened again.

The sorrowful atmosphere in the air made Tanjiro sigh, "What a sad scent."

"God! Please, when this person is reborn, don't let them become a demon again. I beg you!"

Tanjiro stood in front of the vanishing body of the Hand Demon, holding one of its last struggling, dissipating hands and praying.

Once Tanjiro finished his prayer, the Hand Demon's body and head completely vanished from the world.

Haru silently watched Tanjiro's prayer for the demon's next life. He didn't want to comment much on Tanjiro's sentimental nature, as this was just part of who Tanjiro was.

After a brief rest, Haru's hands gradually loosened, and he walked over to Tanjiro, praising him, "Tanjiro~ well done!"

"Haru-senpai!" Tanjiro looked at Haru and called out, offering a faint smile, similar to Haru's own.

It seemed that after spending so much time with Haru, even his smile had become somewhat similar.

"Your sword, Haru-senpai!" Tanjiro returned the Demon-Slaying Blade to Haru.

Haru took the sword and said, "Tanjiro, your Nichirin blade broke. Stay in a safe place from now on, and leave the rest to me!"

"Haru-senpai, are you going to hunt demons?" Tanjiro asked.

Haru nodded. Even though the strongest demon on Mount Fujikasane, the Hand Demon, had been dealt with, Haru's mission wasn't over. There were still many demons that had fled earlier, waiting for him to clean up.

"Don't worry! I've taken care of the strongest demon on Mount Fujikasane. The weaker ones won't be able to threaten me!" Haru continued.

"Then I'll wait for you to return!" Tanjiro didn't interfere with Haru's decision, nor did he choose to accompany him. His Nichirin blade was already damaged.

If Tanjiro's blade hadn't been broken, he might have chosen to join Haru in hunting demons.

Without his Nichirin blade, no matter how strong Tanjiro was, he couldn't harm the demons. Even if he followed Haru, he would be of no help.

Soon, Haru and Tanjiro parted ways again. Haru used the remaining time and followed the small map's directions to continue his cleanup task.