The next day.
A dispirited Zenitsu, accompanied by Lucas and under the watchful gaze of the Old Man, descended from Peach Mountain.
"Lucas… are we really going to take part in the Final Selection?" Zenitsu asked in a trembling voice, trailing behind him.
Neither of them had fully mastered Thunder Breathing. If they encountered a powerful demon during the selection, what would they do then?
Lucas replied casually, "What else can we do? Run off to another mountain and pretend it never happened?"
Zenitsu may have been cowardly during their usual training sessions—often screaming and running—but he wasn't the type to back down when it truly mattered. Especially not when it came to something the Old Man expected from him.
Sure enough, Zenitsu lowered his head, pausing before quietly shaking it.
His grandfather had paid off a massive debt for him and had been the only family Zenitsu had—aside from Lucas. Letting him down wasn't an option.
The two journeyed for almost an entire day.
By the time they reached their destination—Fujikasane Mountain—the sun had begun to set. The final rays of light dipped beneath the horizon, casting long shadows on the cobbled path leading up the mountain.
The plaza at the foot of the mountain was already crowded with many young swordsmen. All of them stood apart from each other, their expressions wary and guarded.
Zenitsu, overwhelmed by the grim atmosphere, froze in place.
Lucas, by contrast, appeared calm. His eyes casually swept across the others present.
The Final Selection wasn't something that worried Lucas. To him, it was just a necessary step—an official ceremony to obtain a nichirin blade and formally enter the Demon Slayer Corps.
He already had a blade, but it wasn't specially forged for slaying demons. Against weaker ones, it was enough. But if he were to encounter high-ranked demons, this weapon would quickly fall short.
To ensure his own survival in the future, a specially crafted nichirin blade was necessary.
That wasn't the only reason Lucas had come.
There was another, more personal goal: to make friends.
This selection would include four notable individuals—and one demon—he had marked as key targets.
Tanjiro Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, Kanao Tsuyuri, Genya Shinazugawa, and the infamous Hand Demon.
Tanjiro, the kind-hearted protagonist of this world, was someone Lucas especially wanted to connect with.
Making friends with Tanjiro would likely be easier than with the others, and Lucas suspected that befriending him would lead to valuable rewards.
But Tanjiro hadn't arrived yet.
Neither had Inosuke.
Kanao and Genya, however, were already standing nearby.
Kanao remained silent, her eyes focused only on the butterfly gently perched on her finger. Her presence was delicate and ethereal, almost like a ghost. She didn't look like someone easily approached.
Genya stood stiffly, a permanent scowl etched into his face. His aura screamed "keep away."
Though they didn't seem like friendly types, Lucas still activated his system to view their attribute panels.
---
[Name: Kanao Tsuyuri]
[Race: Human]
[Realm: Jin]
[Comprehension: Superior]
[Aptitude: Superior]
[Talent: Flexibility]
[Skills:]
Flower Breathing Second Form: Mikage Ume (Mastered)
Fourth Form: Kurenai Hanagoromo (Mastered)
Fifth Form: Peony of Futility (Mastered)
Sixth Form: Uzumaki Momochidori (Mastered)
Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion Eye (Beginner)
---
[Name: Genya Shinazugawa]
[Race: Human]
[Realm: Gui]
[Comprehension: Inferior]
[Aptitude: Inferior]
[Talent: Demon Transformation]
[Skills: Shotgun (Mastered)...]
---
Though Genya's stats were somewhat average compared to the other swordsmen, his talent—Demon Transformation—was extremely unique.
By devouring demons, he could absorb their regenerative abilities and even temporarily access their Blood Demon Art.
Lucas was impressed, but not tempted.
Devouring demons to gain power wasn't his style. If he wanted to learn a demon's abilities, he'd rather make friends with one—or force them to teach him.
That thought brought him to the most infamous creature on the mountain: The Hand Demon.
It was one of the oldest and most dangerous demons hiding in Fujikasane Mountain and one of Lucas's "friendship targets."
He was deeply curious to see how a demon's Blood Demon Art might be adapted or transferred to a human.
As he waited for Tanjiro's arrival, Lucas stood silently at the edge of the plaza.
Soon, the sound of steady footsteps echoed from the stone stairs behind him.
Lucas turned his head.
A familiar figure emerged from the shadows, walking calmly toward the group—Tanjiro Kamado.
His kind eyes glanced around, scanning the swordsmen.
---
[Name: Tanjiro Kamado]
[Race: Human]
[Realm: Gui]
[Comprehension: Superior]
[Aptitude: Superior]
[Talent: Slit Line, Headbutt]
[Skills:]
Water Breathing First Form: Water Surface Slash (Mastered)
Second Form: Water Wheel (Mastered)
Third Form: Flowing Dance (Mastered)
Fourth Form: Striking Tide (Mastered)
Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought (Mastered)
Sixth Form: Whirlpool (Mastered)
Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust (Mastered)
Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin (Mastered)
Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow (Mastered)
Tenth Form: Constant Flux (Beginner)
Transparent World (Incomplete) (Beginner)
---
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
Transparent World? At this stage?
He remembered Tanjiro only fully using it during his intense battle with Upper Moon Three—Akaza. So he must have only begun awakening it now, still at the beginner stage.
Noticing Lucas's gaze, Tanjiro turned and looked at him curiously.
Lucas smiled warmly.
With a system that rewarded him for making friends, befriending Tanjiro was top priority.
Tanjiro's response was immediate—a genuine, kind smile in return.
At that moment, two young girls stepped forward from beneath the wisteria tree—Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Ubuyashiki Nichika.
In perfect unison, they announced:
"Thank you all for coming to participate in tonight's Final Selection of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Taking turns, they explained the conditions: survive seven days on Fujikasane Mountain, where demons lurked and hunted.
After their instructions, the girls bowed and silently stepped back.
Without a word, the gathered swordsmen turned and began ascending the mountain.
Tanjiro moved with them.
Lucas took his chance.
Walking quickly to catch up, he tapped Tanjiro on the shoulder.
Tanjiro turned to face him, eyes wide in surprise.
"My name is Lucas," he said, extending a hand. "Can we be friends?"
For a moment, Tanjiro just stared at him.
Then he tilted his head, and his nose twitched slightly.
Lucas's scent was honest. His expression was open and friendly. His smile wasn't fake.
Tanjiro grinned and took Lucas's hand in a firm shake. "I'm Tanjiro Kamado. Let's look out for each other!"
---
[Ding!]
[Successfully added Tanjiro Kamado as a friend]
[Detected that Tanjiro Kamado's intimacy with the host is 'Initial Acquaintance']
[Random reward triggered]
[Talent Acquired: Slit Line]
[Would you like to fuse now?]
[No]
---
Hearing the system notification in his mind, Lucas's smile widened even more.
Success. One goal of the selection was already complete.
If all his targets were as easy to connect with as Tanjiro, then he'd be chopping off Muzan's head and kicking it around like a soccer ball in no time.
"Tanjiro, I believe in you. You'll definitely pass this selection!" Lucas said with a confident nod.
Tanjiro's eyes sparkled with determination. "Thank you, Lucas! Let's both make it out!"
From the side of the plaza, Zenitsu finally snapped out of his daze and scrambled to catch up—screaming the whole way.
Lucas glanced back and smiled.
Things were off to a great start.
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