"Why? Why couldn't we kill him?"
The woman who had stood beside Muzan collapsed to the ground, letting out a wail as her taut emotions shattered.
"We were so close—just one step away from killing him! He's even overcome the weakness of his neck!?"
Tamayo sobbed, gnashing her teeth. "You cursed beast, why won't you just die?"
Her words stunned Yoriichi Tsugikuni, causing him to hesitate before striking her down.
Both Yoriichi and Ren saw the raw hatred for Muzan Kibutsuji in her eyes.
Tamayo ignored the two swordsmen, sitting limply, her gaze vacant, as if all hope in the world had vanished.
"Damn it, so close!"
Ren pounded his fists into the ground, his eyes brimming with frustration and guilt. "Just a little more, and I could've killed him!"
Yoriichi placed a hand on Ren's shoulder. "Don't lose heart. He escaped, but we'll find him again."
"It's no use," Tamayo said, her voice heavy with despair. "Muzan Kibutsuji is too cautious. Since you failed to kill him, he won't show himself again until you're both dead."
Her words plunged Ren, already wracked with guilt, into deeper anguish.
He raised his trembling head. "Master… if I hadn't suggested we split up today, could we have killed Muzan?"
"Ren!"
Yoriichi's sharp shout snapped a flicker of clarity back into Ren's crimson eyes.
Yoriichi turned to Tamayo. "You know Muzan well. Can you tell us what you know about him?"
He saw undeniable hatred in her eyes—impossible to fake.
Perhaps witnessing Yoriichi and Ren's strength gave Tamayo a glimmer of hope for her elusive dream of killing Muzan. At Yoriichi's request, she revealed everything she knew about him.
But for Ren, learning of Muzan's caution—that he might not reappear until both he and Yoriichi were dead—brought total despair.
It would've been easier if there'd been no hope at all. But to have come so close to killing Muzan, only to fail, was unbearable.
Ren bowed his head, his world sinking into darkness, the last ray of light fading.
"Ren!"
In a daze, he heard his master's cry, then lost all consciousness.
His injuries were too severe. To kill Muzan, he'd pushed his body beyond its limits, heedless of the cost. But he was only human, frail compared to a demon's monstrous healing. A single wound could be fatal.
His body had reached its breaking point. Only his resolve to kill Muzan had kept him going, but with that hope shattered, his spirit, like a taut string, finally snapped.
…
"Brother, you're awake!"
Ren opened his eyes to find himself back home, Chitoshi sitting beside him, full of concern.
He tried to speak, but his throat was painfully hoarse.
"Brother, water!"
Chitoshi quickly brought a cup.
Ren reached for it, but his arm lacked strength, trembling as water spilled.
"Brother, let me help!"
Chitoshi took the cup, guiding it to Ren's lips.
Ren stared at his wrist, murmuring, "Why?"
Why couldn't his body even hold a cup?
"Brother, your injuries are too severe," Chitoshi said, lips pursed. Then, forcing a casual tone, he added, "The doctor said you might never wield a blade again. But it's okay—I'm grown now. I can take care of you."
Ren barely heard the rest, the earlier words echoing in his mind.
Never wield a blade?
The simple words struck like a thunderbolt.
He'd suspected it, but facing the reality brought crushing grief.
"Chitoshi, where's Master?"
"Lord Yoriichi…"
Chitoshi hesitated, as if hiding something.
Ren pressed, "What's wrong with Master?"
From Chitoshi, Ren learned what had happened while he was unconscious. The Demon Slayer Corps had been turned upside down.
Yoriichi's brother, Michikatsu Tsugikuni, had attacked the Corps' headquarters as a demon, killed the Master, and fled with his head.
As Michikatsu's brother, Yoriichi was now facing trial at the headquarters.
Hearing this, Ren ignored his injuries, slipped on his shoes, and ran out.
"Brother!" Chitoshi called, but Ren couldn't stop to explain.
Clenching his teeth, he pictured Yoriichi's gentle face, unable to bear the thought of him being condemned by others.
He shoved open the gate and rushed toward the headquarters. Passersby turned at the sound, their gazes falling on Ren.
Recognizing him, their eyes held a strange look.
Once, they'd looked at him with awe. Now, Ren sensed disgust, as if he'd betrayed them.
But he'd done nothing wrong!
Corps members parted as Ren approached, as if nearness to him would taint them.
People pointed and whispered.
"That's him, right?"
"Yeah, that's him. You're new, so you wouldn't know—he's Yoriichi Tsugikuni's disciple. They're in it together. They say he let Muzan escape!"
"How's someone like that still in the Corps?"
"Hmph, who knows? He should die with Yoriichi!"
Ren stopped, turning to the speaker. "What did you just say?"
Silence fell. Those who'd spoken lowered their heads, avoiding his gaze.
Ren wouldn't harm ordinary people. He gave them a cold glance and walked away.
His fists clenched, his heart far from the calm he projected.
If everyone on the street was talking, the news had spread completely.
What had his master done to deserve their slander?
And what was that about him letting Muzan Kibutsuji escape?