Invisible ripples surged within the black dog maw—BANG! Its claws dug into the ground, followed by a thunderous "AOOOOO!!!".
'Blood Demon Art: Shadow Wolf Howl!'
WHOOM!!
A nearly tangible wolf roar erupted from the black dog throat, distorting the very air. The oncoming shadows disintegrated instantly upon contact with the howl.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The silver mirrors surrounding the demon Ginkan fractured with countless fissures and its chest exploded violently, flesh and blood scattering everywhere.
"H-how... how is this possible?!" Ginkan collapsed to its knees, its grotesque mouth muttering in disbelief.
But the moment the howl ended, an emerald-green Nichirin Blade sliced toward its neck at blinding speed.
"Forest Breathing, First Form: Iron Birch Slash!"
CLANG!!
A piercing metallic clash rang out as an expressionless shadow wielding an identical Nichirin Blade blocked Shinichi with the same technique.
"Gahk—cough! Useless! Under my Blood Demon Art: Demon Mirror, no matter how strong you are, you can't defeat yourself!" Ginkan spat blood, sneering.
Shinichi felt the identical force transmitted through his blade—the shadow indeed possessed the same strength as him.
Yet the weaker shadows had already vanished, proving this demon's power had limits.
"Oh? Then can this fake do... this?" Shinichi smirked coldly.
Instantly, his peach-colored right eye ignited, shifting visibly into a crimson hue.
His composed features twisted slightly with ferocity as two sharp fangs protruded unconsciously from his lips.
The mockery on Ginkan face vanished, replaced by boundless terror and confusion.
"Y-you! You're also—!"
Before it could finish, Shinichi—fangs bared—let out a guttural snarl.
"Blood Demon Art: Raging Blood!!"
Boiling blood surged beneath his skin, flooding every vein and muscle. The hand gripping his Nichirin Blade bulged with veins, his strength multiplying severalfold in an instant.
"DIE!!"
"NOOO—!!"
CRACK!! BOOM!!
The silver mirror, riddled with fractures, shattered completely.
Amid Ginkan desperate, fear-laden scream, the emerald blade flashed—SCHLICK!, A silver head soared into the air.
Shinichi cast a frigid glance at the twitching body.
"Trash."
Striding toward the severed head—still frozen in horror—he raised his Nichirin Blade.
"Wait! No! You're one of us too! I can sense it! You're a demon! Why?! Why do this?! We're the same!!" Ginkan howled its final, furious plea.
Shinichi demonic traits faded gradually as he casually retrieved two wisteria pills from his pocket and swallowed them.
His crimson eye softened back to peach.
"No. I'm nothing like you wretched things. I'm Shinichi—the demon-slaying swordsman, Shinichi!"
SCHLICK!
The razor-sharp Nichirin Blade plunged into Ginkan skull.
A slender vine coiled along the blade, burrowing deep.
"Blood Demon Art: Life Drain!"
A crushing suction devoured Ginkan vitality.
With one last agonized roar, its head crumbled to ash.
Shinichi eyes reflected the life of Ginkan—or more accurately, it wasn't the original Ginkan but a descendant of the mirror craftsman Ginkan.
A good-for-nothing rogue who, upon stumbling a family letter passed down through generations, learned of his ancestor identity.
With shameless audacity, he sought out the Teranishi Village and the Komiyai family, attempting to reclaim the mirror-forging techniques passed down by Ginkan.
But why would the Komiyai family entertain a sudden rogue?
So, the scheming rogue set his sights on the youngest child of the Komiyai family, Komiyai Eiki, deceiving the innocent boy with lies. He obtained the mirror-forging techniques passed down by the Komiyai family and a small silver mirror from their ancestors.
But before the rogue could revel in his success, that very night, the unlucky fellow encountered a gang of bandits.
Not only was he robbed of his last penny, but his throat was also slit by a sharp blade.
In his dying moments, the rogue seemed to touch something smooth—perhaps a pair of leather shoes? And a deep voice whispered in his ear.
"How ugly. A struggling insect in its last breath. The resentment in your eyes intrigues me, but I dislike such unsightly eyes."
That very night, a demon was born.
The eyes despised by "that man" were replaced with a pair of silver mirrors.
This demon, with its hazy memories, took on the name of its ancestor and targeted the humans of Teranishi Village. In just a year, it brutally slaughtered and devoured over a dozen children...
"The tragedy of humanity" Shinichi murmured softly as he sheathed his Nichirin Blade.
It was unclear whether he was lamenting the despicable nature of the demon Ginkan or the greed of the villagers. In Ginkan memories, he had seen some villagers even willingly offering their children as tribute in exchange for those exquisite silver mirrors.
Meanwhile, the owners of the pairs of eyes hidden in the shadows observed and whispered among themselves.
"Ginkan-sama is dead? Killed by that outsider?"
"It seems so! Does that mean our children are safe now?"
"But... won't we have no more silver mirrors to sell?"
At these words, the villagers fell into a heavy silence.
Shinichi paid no mind to these scheming villagers. He raised his hand and beckoned in a certain direction.
Soon, a black dog, as large as a calf, dashed toward him with lightning speed, as if its feet were electrified.
"Arf arf!"
The excited dog let out two howls before its body began to transform.
Its robust frame shrank, soon turning into a chubby, round ball. Its long snout shortened into the signature "smiling face" of a Shiba Inu. Maru-ni, now picked up by his master, yipped excitedly.
Shinichi ruffled Maru-ni head, sensing the proud emotions transmitted through their mental link.
"Good job, Maru-ni. You didn't let me down. Tomorrow, I'll reward you with extra food—no more dieting" he praised.
While praising Maru-ni, Shinichi noticed the tattered silver mirror Maru-ni had brought.
His brow furrowed.
Why hadn't this mirror disappeared along with Ginkan? Even stranger, he sensed a faint trace of life emanating from it.
Could it be...?
Shinichi set Maru-ni down and picked up the silver mirror from the ground.
Staring at the crack on its surface, he pondered for a moment.
Then, extending a finger, the nail at its tip suddenly began to darken and elongate, swiftly forming a sharp black claw.
Without hesitation, he drove the claw into the crack.
In the darkness of night, a blinding flash of light erupted.
Shinichi felt his vision blur momentarily and when it cleared, two unconscious adults and a small unconscious girl had materialized before him.
Observing the Demon Slayer Corps uniforms on the two figures and the faint traces of life within them, Shinichi was stunned.
"They're... still alive?"
He had assumed these swordsmen had long met their demise.
Though not particularly fond of the Demon Slayer Corps, Shinichi had no intention of watching their life force continue to drain.
Drawing his Nichirin Blade, its sharp edge effortlessly made small incisions on their bodies. "Forest Breathing, Second Form: Willow of Life!"
Illusory willow branches brimming with life force swiftly emerged from the wounds, channeling vast amounts of vitality into their bodies and nourishing their forms.
Soon, one of the Demon Slayers showed signs of movement.
His tightly shut eyelids trembled slightly before slowly opening, revealing dark eyes filled with confusion.