A strange and ethereal energy slowly awakened within Lucas' body.
It was delicate like silk, yet sturdy like steel wire, extending slowly through his senses. Before he knew it, something had changed—his sense of smell exploded in clarity.
The once subtle, nearly invisible scents lingering in the air now bloomed into vivid, colored trails in his mind. These scents weren't just smells anymore—they were pathways, lines of information that wove together into a massive, intricate network of data inside his consciousness.
He could immediately distinguish Zenitsu's scent, the foul odor of a demon, and even the gentle fragrance of nearby grass and trees. Each individual aroma carved its own line on the network, forming a dense sensory map of his surroundings.
Lucas' awareness drifted along those threads, beginning to understand what each one truly represented.
Every scent wasn't just a physical presence—it was linked to emotion. Some carried fear. Others anger. A few, surprise.
His consciousness deepened as he immersed himself in this strange new sensory world. Gradually, Lucas felt his brain adapt, quickly becoming faster at interpreting the data his nose provided. Scents turned to emotions. Emotions turned to meaning.
Even stranger, as he followed these lines further, faint whispers echoed within them—tiny voices associated with every trace. For Lucas, it was a completely unfamiliar experience. One that reshaped how he viewed the world.
When the integration process finally ended, Lucas slowly opened his eyes.
The forest looked the same as before. But now, it felt different. His view of the world had evolved—colors remained, but layered over them were trails of emotion. The sights were now accompanied by invisible scents and feelings, forming a richer, deeper perception of reality.
The Slit Line hadn't just granted him a new ability. It had rewritten how he interacted with the world.
But before Lucas could fully enjoy this newfound power, a vile stench slammed into his nose.
He winced.
Previously, he had to get close to a demon to detect its foul odor. Now, with his heightened sense of smell, the disgusting scent overwhelmed him even from a distance. It was so strong, he nearly gagged.
Suddenly, from behind a tree to his left, a gray-skinned demon leapt out, crawling on all fours.
At the same time, a brilliant golden light streaked through the air.
"Huh? Is that… my body?"
The demon's head flew off its shoulders, confusion flashing across its mind as it saw its own torso beneath it. That single thought—so odd and disconnected—was its last.
Its consciousness vanished.
The foul scent began to fade, replaced by a soft, floral fragrance. Lucas turned his head and saw Kanao standing silently behind where the demon had once been, her blade still unsheathed.
She didn't say a word. Her eyes, usually emotionless, showed a flicker of surprise.
The crawling demon hadn't been particularly strong, but it was fast. Kanao had chased it for a while without managing to finish it off. But this stranger—Lucas—had ended it with a single flash of light.
Lucas smiled faintly at her. Truthfully, he hadn't even noticed she was chasing the demon. He had just acted instinctively because he couldn't tolerate the demon's overpowering stench anymore.
Kanao remained expressionless, silently turning away without acknowledging the smile. Then she leapt into the forest, disappearing into the thick trees without a word.
Lucas shrugged. Kanao's distant and indifferent personality made it hard to approach her.
Now that the situation had calmed, it was time to check on Tanjiro.
Lucas flared his nostrils slightly.
Back when he first met Tanjiro, he had memorized his scent. And now, with his enhanced perception, that scent stood out clearly. It was like a beacon among the noise of the forest.
He turned and dashed off in the direction opposite from where Kanao had gone.
"Lucas, where are we going?" Zenitsu asked behind him, puzzled by the sudden movement.
"To make friends," Lucas replied casually with a grin.
After all, Tanjiro's biggest enemy on Mount Fujikasane was the infamous Hand Demon.
But Lucas wasn't going there to help Tanjiro defeat it. He had another reason—he wanted to see whether the Hand Demon had a special ability. Something unique. If it possessed a Blood Demon Art, perhaps it could become a worthy friend.
After all, Lucas' power came from making friends. And if a demon had a Blood Demon Art, and became his friend, Lucas would also gain access to that power through the system.
Lucas leapt swiftly through the trees, sensing Tanjiro's scent becoming stronger and stronger. But another odor soon mixed in—a foul, overwhelming stench. Far worse than the bone demon or crawling demon he'd encountered earlier.
It had to be the Hand Demon.
"Has the battle already started?" Lucas frowned, suppressing his nausea as he moved closer.
Just then—
Bang!
Lucas arrived just in time to witness Tanjiro slam his forehead into the Hand Demon's enormous, grotesque arm, forcing it backward.
Lucas instinctively rubbed his own forehead. That headbutt was no joke—Tanjiro's natural skill with it was terrifying. And unteachable.
"Is that the swordsman who arrived last? He's so strong!" Zenitsu gasped beside him as he watched Tanjiro go toe-to-toe with the monstrous demon.
The Hand Demon reeked of rot and death, far more than the other demons. Yet Tanjiro was holding his own, slashing and evading without backing down.
Lucas quickly activated his system to analyze the Hand Demon.
> [Hand Demon]
[Race: Demon]
[Realm: Mizunoto]
[Comprehension: Lower-grade]
[Aptitude: Lower-grade]
[Talent: None]
[Skills: Ejecting Wrist (Proficient), Hand Cannon (Proficient)]
[...]
Lucas sighed in disappointment.
The Hand Demon didn't possess a Blood Demon Art—its abilities were simply enhanced techniques that developed after becoming a demon. Manipulating its limbs, regenerating hands, launching wrist attacks… all flashy, but nothing special.
That meant there was no reason to befriend it.
Not only would trying to make friends now be pointless, but if Lucas exposed himself, it could arouse Tanjiro's suspicion. That would only bring unnecessary trouble.
So, he stayed out of sight and watched the battle unfold.
"Total Concentration!"
"Water Breathing, First Form!"
"Water Surface Slash!"
Tanjiro's shout echoed as his blade surged with blue energy, cleaving cleanly through the Hand Demon's neck.
The demon's giant body began disintegrating into ash.
Tanjiro solemnly placed the demon's severed hand on its forehead—showing mercy and acknowledgment even in its final moments.
Lucas clicked his tongue softly.
He had always known Tanjiro was kind. But seeing that kindness in action—even toward a demon—was still moving.
Every demon Tanjiro killed… said the same thing.
They all said… he was gentle.
Lucas had seen enough. He turned away.
"Let's go."
Zenitsu blinked. "Weren't we going to make friends? Why are we leaving now?"
Lucas didn't answer. He just walked off into the woods again. Zenitsu, confused but loyal, hurried to follow.
After Lucas left, Tanjiro paused and sniffed the air.
"Just now… was that Mr. Lucas' scent?" he muttered.
He was sure he'd smelled Lucas. And something else—an unfamiliar, fleeting presence. Maybe it was just his imagination.
In the days that followed, Lucas thoroughly combed through Fujikasane Mountain.
Despite his efforts, he didn't find a single demon that had awakened a Blood Demon Art.
But one demon caught his attention.
> [Concealment Demon]
[Race: Demon]
[Realm: Kinoe]
[Comprehension: Lower-grade]
[Aptitude: Lower-grade]
[Talent: Concealment (Fades one's own aura and energy fluctuations)]
[Skills: Stealth (Proficient), Silent Step (Mastered)]
[...]
The Concealment Demon had barely sensed Lucas or Zenitsu's presence when a lightning bolt struck from their direction, and its world turned upside down.
It blacked out.
When its vision returned, it found itself pinned to the ground with a foot pressing firmly on its head.
"Want to be friends?" Lucas asked cheerfully.
The demon's muffled voice was hard to understand through the dirt, but its eyes widened in confusion.
Friends? Did he just say… friends?
Who made friends like this?
Stepping on someone's head while asking if they wanted to be friends?!
While the demon was still processing the absurd question, Lucas bent down, grabbing it by the head.
"If not… then die," Lucas said with a grin.
The Concealment Demon froze.
He was serious.
Whether it agreed or not—he was going to kill it.
"Be friends!" the demon mentally screamed and nodded furiously.
> [Ding!]
[Successfully added Concealment Demon as a friend]
[Detected Host and Concealment Demon's friendship level as 'Initial Acquaintance'—randomly obtaining one reward]
Just as the system's message popped up, Lucas' blade also came down.
The Concealment Demon died with its eyes wide in disbelief.
Was this guy insane?
Agree—die. Refuse—die.
Lucas exhaled and looked at the reward panel, a rare sense of anticipation fluttering in his chest.
This was the only demon with a talent he'd encountered on the entire mountain.
It was likely newly turned into a demon. If it had eaten a few more humans, it might've grown to rival the Hand Demon in strength.
Now, if the system gave him something like comprehension or aptitude as a reward, it would be a complete waste.
But then, the screen flashed:
> [Obtained Talent: Concealment]
[Do you wish to integrate now?]
[Yes]
Lucas grinned.
He was ready.
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