In a dark alley, two drunks cornered a young woman, her delicate features a stark contrast to her pale skin and cold eyes.
"Hee hee hee, beautiful, want to play with us?"
One drunk reached out, his hand groping towards the young woman's face.
Thwack!
His arm severed cleanly, blood spraying the other drunk.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
His face twisted, but he didn't have time to scream.
A cold light flashed.
Both men clutched their necks, fell, their faces frozen in terror.
Muzan Kibutsuji walked past the bodies, his face impassive.
Kyogai was dead!
Devoured by the traitor!
The new Lower Moon Four hadn't been chosen. Lower Moon Five and Lower Moon Six were dead. Half the Lower Moons were gone.
Since the Twelve Kizuki were formed, Lower Moons had died. But never half at once.
How had the traitor done it?
He'd found two Lower Moons, one after the other.
Hmm?
Muzan stopped. "Is he deliberately hunting Lower Moons? Does devouring demons make him stronger, like humans?"
His eyes grew colder. "I'll give him a chance."
...
Having killed Kyogai, Aoki had no target.
But he didn't stop. He pushed himself harder.
Four powerful skills beckoned, a carrot dangling before him.
Aoki became a machine, training by day, gathering information, hunting by night, more diligent than the Demon Slayer Corps.
After January, the weather warmed, a hint of spring.
Aoki walked down a street.
It was busy, but not like Asakusa.
He didn't like big cities.
There were demons, but they were hard to find. He preferred small towns, the wilds.
He'd heard a traveler say this city was haunted. He'd come to see.
"Fill it up, please."
Aoki stopped at a sake shop, handed over the Demon Brew Gourd.
While he waited, he asked, "I heard this place is haunted."
The owner's face changed. "It's true. A dozen people have been killed this month!"
"That bad?" Aoki was surprised.
"It's a nightmare. People are scared."
The owner handed back the gourd. "They say the demon has writing in his eyes. If you see someone like that, run!"
Aoki paused. "Writing in his eyes? What writing?"
"Something like 'Lower Three'?"
The owner wasn't sure. "It's just a rumor."
"Lower Three? Lower Moon Three? Did I get lucky?"
Aoki felt something was wrong.
A Lower Moon wouldn't be seen.
Or if he was, no one would live.
It felt like a trap, but Aoki wouldn't stop.
He'd come this far.
This was his first Lower Moon lead since Kyogai.
He had to check it out.
Night fell.
Aoki sat on a rooftop, drinking sake.
He'd learned in Azabu how hard it was to find a demon in a city.
He'd changed his plan. He'd wait.
He'd let the demon come to him.
The demon was bold, reckless. He made a scene.
Aoki couldn't watch the whole city.
But he could wait.
Lower Moon Three was worth the wait.
The first night was silent.
The second night, the demon struck outside his range.
Aoki waited.
A hunter needed patience.
Aoki wasn't worried. Someone was.
A demon.
Outside the city, in a forest...
Byoki hid in the shadows.
"It's been a month. Will the traitor come? We don't even know where he is. This is too slow. The Demon Slayer Corps might come."
He waited for an answer.
None came.
Byoki looked at Akaza.
"Akaza-dono?"
Akaza glanced at him, cold. "Obey Muzan-sama's orders. Don't ask questions. If the Demon Slayer Corps comes, kill them."
Byoki felt a chill. He bowed his head. "Yes. I understand. I just... I don't want to waste time."
Akaza turned away, thinking about martial arts.
He wanted to reach the highest level.
Night fell again.
Byoki flew towards the city.
He was annoyed, trapped here. But he'd eaten well.
He couldn't eat women.
Akaza didn't allow it.
He liked men, as long as they weren't old.
"Who will I eat tonight? I ate adults last time. Maybe a child?"
Byoki licked his lips, eyes burning.
Akaza followed, far behind.
His job was to kill the traitor.
They weren't alone.
Lower Moon One and Two were also drawing attention.
Upper Moons One and Two were with them.
Three Upper Moons were hunting the traitor.
If he appeared, he would die.
"Muzan-sama said the traitor is stronger than a Lower Moon. I hope he doesn't disappoint me!"
Akaza's eyes burned with battle lust.
He hated weakness. He wanted to be strong.
Fighting strong opponents was his joy.
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