Chapter 269: The Girls are Disappearing
The next day, Liam rose and began practicing swordsmanship with Tanjiro and Sakonji Urokodaki. The breathing methods Liam had used in the past were all derivatives of his Secret Sword Art and Extreme Ghost Sword Art. That kind of imitation, based purely on memory, could at best replicate the motions and visual effects of the moves. Now, he had the chance to learn the original Water Breathing, and he was filled with anticipation.
Sakonji Urokodaki, however, was reeling. His swordsman's intuition told him that Liam was an incredibly powerful being. Why would someone already so strong need to learn Water Breathing?
"Liam, are you certain you want to learn Water Breathing? Even though you are already so powerful?"
Liam nodded. "Yes. If you are willing to teach me, I would be most grateful."
As a trainer, Sakonji Urokodaki could use his keen sense of smell to determine if a person was trustworthy. Clearly, this young man, Liam, was neither a demon nor a villain. In that case, it was a wonderful thing for such a person to learn Water Breathing. If it increased the chances of killing demons, or even eradicating them entirely, he didn't mind training a few more.
"Very well. I will demonstrate the forms completely one time."
After watching Sakonji Urokodaki's demonstration and listening to his explanations of the key movements and breathing methods, Liam immediately performed the entire sequence himself.
In a single pass, Liam perfectly demonstrated the Water Breathing. Relying purely on his physical prowess to execute the forms, he created an intense illusion that stunned both Tanjiro and Urokodaki. It was as if a real, rushing waterfall was flowing from his blade, cascading in all directions.
Tanjiro's jaw dropped. Urokodaki was so shocked his hand almost lost its grip.
"This level of talent for the sword is simply... monstrous."
Tanjiro thought about his own experience; it had taken him a full year and a half of study. And now, Liam had surpassed him after seeing it only once. Such talent was unheard of.
Liam sensed the flow of the Water Breathing. "Is just maintaining the breath during the attack... missing something? Is there a further step?"
Urokodaki nodded. "There is. It is called Total Concentration: Constant. You maintain the breathing method at all times. This allows your body to continuously receive its enhancing effects."
Liam was clearly interested and began to ask for the details of this training. Urokodaki, seeing such a humble and eager genius, naturally held nothing back. Tanjiro stood beside Liam, diligently learning as well. Through Urokodaki's explanation, Liam's understanding of Water Breathing clearly rose to another level.
After Urokodaki left, Liam looked at Tanjiro.
"Tanjiro, I have a favor to ask. I want to learn the Hinokami Kagura. As a trade, I can teach you some of my swordsmanship."
"The Hinokami Kagura? Huh? But that's just a ritual dance passed down in my family."
Tanjiro had no idea why Liam would be interested in just a dance. He didn't ask how he knew about it; he simply began to perform the movements.
Liam memorized the entire dance, then looked at Tanjiro. "Have you ever considered, Tanjiro, that the Hinokami Kagura is actually the Sun Breathing?"
Tanjiro froze again, utterly floored by one revelation after another from Liam. This mysterious, handsome young man... how did he know so much?
"What? How could I not know?"
Breathing techniques themselves didn't actually produce elemental effects. Rather, they enhanced the user's physical abilities, and the more skilled the swordsman, the more their techniques could create vivid illusions in the minds of those watching. Furthermore, using a breathing technique did indeed generate sword qi. The destructive power of that qi, however, depended entirely on the user's own strength.
"In exchange," Liam continued, "I will now demonstrate the Secret Sword Art, along with its corresponding breathing method."
Tanjiro hadn't expected anything in return, but Liam didn't give him a chance to refuse.
"Secret Sword Art? Mr. Liam, does this technique have something to do with demons?"
"Not with demons, no. But it is related to an Oni God."
Liam removed his glove and pushed up his sleeve, revealing his pale Demon Hand. Black veins were faintly visible on the back of his hand. The deathly white limb gave off the feeling of being dead, and the dark veins reminded Tanjiro of chains binding a vengeful spirit.
"An Oni God?"
"Yes. An Oni God from the underworld."
Tanjiro didn't know how to respond. His nose told him that Liam was a man who had lived through countless battles, a man who walked with death.
"Don't get distracted, Tanjiro." Liam picked up his sword with his right hand and began to demonstrate the Secret Sword Art. "You can teach this sword art to anyone you deem worthy."
"Huh? Is that really okay?" Tanjiro was floored by Liam's generosity.
Liam nodded. "I admire most of the people in the Demon Slayer Corps. You are all genuinely risking your lives to fight man-eating demons. If my sword art can help you, then that is enough."
The members of the Demon Slayer Corps were, for the most part, positive and virtuous swordsmen. Even if there were a few bad apples, they were just unpleasant personalities. At least in the grand scheme of things, their life's goal was to slay demons.
After learning both the Sun Breathing and Water Breathing, Liam spent the rest of his time sensing the world. As his Sword Soul template improved, his comprehension of swordsmanship deepened. He had a premonition that to advance further, he needed another breakthrough in his state of being. And to achieve that, he would start by comprehending the world itself.
That night, Nezuko Kamado ran out of her room. She sat right in front of Liam, her curious, wide eyes staring at the handsome young man who was meditating with his eyes closed. To satisfy her curiosity, she reached out and poked his cheek.
Liam opened his eyes and gently caught her finger. "Is it time to eat? Let's go."
Nezuko nodded. The two returned to the room, where a bountiful dinner was on the table: fish, rice, mushrooms, and pork.
Tanjiro looked at Liam curiously. "Mr. Liam, I only ever see you meditating. Don't you need to practice your sword skills?"
Sakonji Urokodaki also looked over.
Liam put down his chopsticks. "At my current stage, my mastery of sword techniques is already sufficient. What is more important now is to hone my sword intent, cultivate my spirit, and comprehend the heavens and the earth."
If anyone else had said this, Tanjiro would have thought they were just bragging. But coming from Liam, he believed it. The memory of Liam shouting a single word and scaring a demon to death was still fresh in his mind. He was just too strong. Compared to Liam, Tanjiro felt like he wasn't even the same species.
"Ah, that was a foolish question. I was there, I saw you scare a demon to death."
"What? You can scare a demon to death?" Sakonji Urokodaki sputtered, spitting out a mouthful of rice. "Tanjiro, why did you leave that part of the story out?"
Tanjiro smiled sheepishly. "I wasn't sure if Mr. Liam would be comfortable with me talking about it."
Liam glanced at the three of them. "Nezuko, Mr. Urokodaki, would you like to experience this ability that can scare someone to death? Don't worry, it won't hurt you."
Urokodaki's interest was piqued. "I've never heard of such a thing. I must certainly try it!"
Nezuko's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously. She hated demons. If there was a move that could scare them to death, she had to see it.
Liam took a deep breath. In the next instant, his entire aura changed. It was as if he went from an ordinary person to a prehistoric leviathan. An aura was a real thing.
Sword intent radiated from Liam's entire body. After being heavily dampened, it expanded outward in all directions. It was like an invisible sphere had appeared inside him, a sphere that instantly ballooned outward. Nezuko, Tanjiro, and Urokodaki felt a sharp prick in their minds, and then the discomfort was gone.
"That's the absolute weakest level," Liam explained. "Any stronger, and it would have actually hurt you."
Urokodaki clenched his fists, shaking with excitement. "Incredible! Truly incredible! So the human spirit really can harm others! Liam, what is this ability? Can you explain it?"
"Sword Intent. The principle is to use one's own spiritual pressure to attack the enemy's spirit." It was the same concept as in a life-or-death melee, using one's movements, voice, and gaze to overwhelm an opponent.
Tanjiro and the others just looked at each other, feeling as if Liam had already reached a legendary realm unattainable by ordinary people.
Time passed quickly. Several days later, the swordsmith delivered their Nichirin Blades. Liam drew his. The silver-white body of the blade instantly turned jet-black. The more one looked at this black, the more ominous it felt.
"Black, huh?" Liam mused, examining the blade. The color matched the veins on his Demon Hand. Currently, he had two skills available through his hand: Oni Slash and Blade Soul Kazan. One was a release of Oni Power for melee or ranged attacks, the other was a buff to increase his and his allies' Strength and Intelligence.
A black crow flew into the room, landing in front of them. "Liam, Tanjiro, I have orders to relay. Proceed to the town in the northwest. Young girls are disappearing there. Find the demon lurking there and eliminate it..."
With their objective set, Liam, Tanjiro, and Nezuko immediately departed. Nezuko was hidden in the box on Tanjiro's back. Because she was a demon, she could freely change her body size, and the box was specially made so she could travel safely inside it even during the day.
Thanks to Urokodaki's explanations, Liam was now familiar with the properties of the Nichirin Blade and the Demon Slayer uniform. The uniform was made of a special fiber that was lightweight, breathable, and resistant to water and fire. Even the teeth and claws of an average demon couldn't tear it. The Nichirin Blade was forged from Tamahagane—Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore—mined from the mountain closest to the sun. It would also change color depending on its wielder.
Before long, the three arrived at the town the crow had mentioned. Walking through the streets, Liam noticed that the residents all looked unsettled. He listened in on the conversations around him.
Two women were chatting. "It's just terrifying at night now. Another young girl was taken after dark."
"When is this going to end? Look, that's Kazumi. I heard his fiancée, Satoko, was the one taken."
Liam and Tanjiro both looked toward the young man they mentioned. It was Kazumi. He looked dazed, almost floating as he walked.
Tanjiro looked at Liam. "Mr. Liam, should we go ask him?"
Liam nodded. "Let's go. He should have some clues."
The two of them stopped Kazumi. "Mr. Kazumi, can you tell us in detail what happened?"
More than one girl had already vanished from the town, and Kazumi never thought that he and she would become victims too. Now that someone was offering to help, even if the hope was faint, he had to try.
"Yes, yes. Please, follow me!"
They all went to the spot where Satoko had disappeared. Kazumi began to explain: "Satoko vanished right here. I know you probably won't believe me..."
Tanjiro looked at him earnestly. "I believe you! I believe you completely!" He then got down on the ground with the wooden box still on his back and began sniffing. His sense of smell was incredibly sharp. Because of it, he quickly picked up the scent of the demon in the surrounding area. There really was a demon here.
Tanjiro was now crawling on all fours, sniffing the ground as he went. This strange behavior certainly attracted the attention of passersby, but finding the demon was more important, so he ignored their stares. Liam and Kazumi followed behind him.
Darkness fell. Tanjiro looked at Kazumi. "I've picked up a new scent... I've found some clues."
Kazumi had been ready to give up, but he was deeply moved by Tanjiro's persistence.
As the sky turned completely black, Liam and the others stopped.
Liam coughed. "Be careful. They're here."
Tanjiro immediately stopped. A black shadow suddenly appeared on the ground. A hand shot out from the shadow, grasping at Tanjiro's ankle.
Liam, his hand already on his Nichirin Blade, swung instantly. A slash of sword qi, imbued with Water Breathing, severed the demon's arm. The dismembered hand fell back into the shadow, as if it had dropped into water, sending up splashes of black shadow and even the sound of splashing liquid.
"You bastards! Die!"
Three demonic figures simultaneously rose from the shadow on the ground. Three identical demons. They all attacked Liam, Tanjiro, and Kazumi at the same time.
"There are three of them?"
Tanjiro was completely shocked, but he immediately prepared to counterattack. Liam also moved in an instant, his blade striking out at all three emerging demons. Three streaks of sword qi flew...