Ren extended his hand toward the boy below. "Blood Demon Art: Crimson Crow Dominion!"
Countless crows surged from his hand, a relentless tide of blood-red wings engulfing the boy. His rigid body could muster no defense. When the crows dispersed, only two gnawed skeletons remained.
The surge of power from devouring flesh coursed through Ren. He gazed at his hand.
This power was undeniable.
He was no longer the man he once was. Now, he was a demon—a malevolent force under Muzan Kibutsuji's command.
After Muzan transformed Ren into a demon that day, he vanished. Ren's body, altered by the fusion with a Kasugai Crow during his transformation, developed a Blood Demon Art tied to crows.
Ren cared little for these changes. All that mattered was freedom from his looming mortality.
Now, he had endless time to pursue his desires.
"Sound Hashira, you're next," he vowed.
…
Ren walked alone through the bustling, crowded streets.
A pitch-black cloak, blending seamlessly with the night, concealed his face and form.
Even amidst the hurried passersby, no one noticed a demon prowling among them.
Ren wandered aimlessly until he stopped abruptly before a sushi shop, as if spellbound, his eyes fixed on the interior.
The shop's owner, a young girl, noticed Ren lingering at the entrance. Mistaking his hesitation for shyness or lack of coin, she placed a small plate of sushi before him.
"Want to try some?" she said softly. "It's okay if you don't have money."
Her words snapped Ren from his daze. He murmured a quiet thanks and stepped inside.
He chose a secluded corner and had barely settled when two figures entered.
A closer look revealed they wore the unmistakable uniforms of the Demon Slayer Corps.
They plopped down at a table beside Ren, ordered sushi, and began eating heartily, chatting loudly, oblivious to the demon sitting mere feet away.
Ren sat silently, listening to their conversation.
"Two more people went missing near Chirin Mountain."
"I know. This demon we're hunting might be a real monster."
"My master's on his way. For now, we're just scouting, looking for clues."
"Is Lord Sound Hashira coming?"
"Yeah, he'll arrive in about two days."
"…"
They finished their meal, paid, and left.
Ren stood, leaving a word of thanks for the shop's owner, and followed them.
When the girl cleaned his table, she found an untouched plate of sushi. Thinking it wasn't to his taste, she then spotted coins beneath the plate—exactly the price of the meal.
On the street, the two Corps members walked ahead, Ren trailing at a distance of a few dozen meters.
They continued, one behind the other, until they reached a deserted alley, starkly quiet compared to the lively street before. Not a soul was in sight.
The two Corps boys stopped.
"I noticed you back at the shop," one said, turning slowly, their gazes calm but cold. "Too many people there to act, but you dared to follow us. Gotta say, you're one bold demon."
"This saves us the trouble of worrying about hurting civilians."
They drew their Nichirin Blades, staring at Ren.
These weren't naive rookies. Their earlier behavior was a ruse—a fishing expedition to lure Ren.
The bait was taken, and they dropped their facade.
"I see," Ren said. "The Corps has raised some sharp kids these days."
"Enough talk!"
The boys didn't give Ren a chance to speak further, charging at him in unison.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
"Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Slash!"
A tempest of wind and searing lightning flanked Ren. He raised his palm to block, but it was severed instantly.
Forced to retreat, he found the two sticking to him like hounds.
These Corps members were among the best of their generation. One was the Sound Hashira's tsuguko, the other equally formidable.
Their keen instincts, honed through countless demon battles, had spotted Ren the moment they entered the shop.
Together, they'd slain many demons, driven by ambition and courage. Knowing the Sound Hashira would arrive in two days, they still risked luring Ren out, confident in their ability to defeat him.
And the battle unfolded as they'd hoped.
This demon was stronger than any they'd faced, but after two hours of grueling combat, the Wind Breathing user, at the cost of an arm, finally beheaded the demon.
Panting, the boys sighed in relief.
They were spent, unable to fight further. Had they failed to kill the demon, they'd have been next.
"Sho, your arm!" the Sound Hashira's tsuguko said, guilt-ridden, rushing to his side. "It's my fault. If not for me, you wouldn't have—"
"It's fine," Sho forced a smile. "Killing this demon was worth it."
As they spoke, a presence descended behind them.
"Impressive."
A ghostly voice echoed, sending chills down their spines. They turned stiffly.
The demon, whose head they'd severed, stood unscathed, watching them calmly.
"What a thrilling battle," Ren said, turning to Sho. "Especially you, the one-armed kid."
He glanced at the tsuguko. "As for you, you're just like your master—trash, as a swordsman and a person."