Chapter 3: I Really Saw a Ghost
The sword rose—and the wind answered.
As Kucha Natsumi continuously swung his Nichirin Blade, a massive, ink-dark gale surged into existence.
The wind coiled tightly around the blade's cold arc, like twisted pine roots clinging to steel.
It was violent.
It was everywhere.
A sharp howl erupted across the training ground, and in the next instant, sand and gravel were hurled into the air.
[Wind Breathing — Fifth Form: Cold Autumn Mountain Wind]
Kucha merged his body with the sword stance, as if throwing himself into the heart of a roaring whirlwind. His figure blurred, swallowed by spiraling air.
The already ferocious wind pressure condensed further.
Crack.
When the enormous wind blade swept across the wooden stakes, even the reinforced ones shattered instantly.
Fragments flew in every direction.
The ground was left crisscrossed with deep slash marks.
"…Damn."
Kucha stopped and clicked his tongue as he surveyed the destruction.
This was way stronger than it had been at Level 1.
So this was the difference between Beginner and Basic Understanding.
Higher damage.
More intense effects.
Sharper response and power.
Even the system-assisted trajectory of the slash felt heavier, more decisive.
For a brief moment, Kucha even had the absurd illusion that the Final Selection was practically guaranteed.
No wonder this was the result of two full days of nonstop grinding.
This feeling…
It was amazing.
Satisfied, Kucha sheathed his blade and walked back toward his room without looking back.
The remaining Achievement Points weren't enough to level up again anyway.
Might as well sleep.
After upgrading a combat skill, it was common sense to restore one's condition and remove the [Fatigue] status before entering a major mission.
Besides, the realism of this game was downright terrifying.
Once the adrenaline faded, exhaustion crashed in all at once.
As for "getting used to" his newly increased attributes?
Kucha scoffed internally.
I earned these stats myself. Why would I need an adjustment period?
It wasn't like learning a brand-new combo system that required retraining muscle memory.
With that thought, he fell asleep almost instantly.
---
While Kucha Natsumi slept soundly, unaware of the world—
In a secluded mansion somewhere in Nara, Kansai, a Japanese-style corridor lay silent beneath hanging wisteria. Bamboo fountains struck stone with soft, rhythmic taps, and faint birdsong drifted through the air.
Peaceful.
Solemn.
And yet… heavy with grief.
"My lord… forgive us for bringing such news."
Several men in black uniforms knelt on the floor, faces concealed.
Their voices trembled as they spoke to the young man seated before them.
"Mr. Fudo… the Mountain Pillar… has fallen."
The man did not wear the pride of a noble, nor the bearing of a general.
He appeared gentle.
So gentle that he almost seemed fragile.
Yet none of the swordsmen or intelligence agents before him dared show the slightest disrespect.
Because he was Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
The 97th head of the Ubuyashiki family.
The lord of the Demon Slayer Corps.
A man of immense resolve, burdened by a curse that doomed him to an early death.
"…Mr. Fudo," Kagaya murmured softly.
A brief silence followed. Then grief.
But he did not allow his sorrow to overwhelm those before him.
"We have lost yet another family member," he said gently. "This pain… my clan will repay with the fate of our entire lineage."
"Please, do not blame yourselves."
Seeing the bowed heads remain motionless, Kagaya pressed a hand lightly against his throbbing forehead and straightened his back.
"When you grieve so deeply that you feel your own existence is sinful," he continued calmly, "that is exactly what Muzan Kibutsuji wishes to see."
"Mr. Fudo's sacrifice was not meaningless."
"It is proof that he fought to the very end… for the future we now inherit."
"Therefore, I ask you."
"Raise your heads."
His voice was soft—yet unwavering.
The suffocating sorrow in the courtyard seemed to pause.
The gathered agents steadied themselves and resumed their reports.
"The Final Selections at the six locations across Honshu are ready…"
"This letter is from Lady Nikaido. She believes the shinobi you recommended shows great promise…"
"At the Butterfly Mansion, two children have displayed outstanding talent…"
Each report was a burden on Kagaya's frail body.
Because of the curse he bore, even breathing required effort.
And yet, having just learned of another Pillar's death, he still listened attentively—never interrupting.
Another Pillar had fallen.
The weight on the remaining Hashira had grown heavier.
And Gyomei… who only recently became a Pillar…
I hope those children can grow quickly.
In the end… this is all I can do.
---
After bidding farewell to Master Kazami, Kucha Natsumi set out toward the Final Selection.
Lake Ashi, Hakone.
A few days ago, he would have chosen the train.
Arriving early meant extra time to train.
Trains existed in the game—he'd ridden them before.
Even though they couldn't take him outside the playable area, they were far faster than walking.
But now, he had other plans.
"Huff… huff…"
Carrying his pack, Kucha had been jogging for three to four days straight.
As expected, several new Life Skills had unlocked.
Simple Vibration LV.1 (97 / 500)
Physical Training LV.1 (273 / 500)
Running LV.1 (160 / 500) (NEW)
Camping LV.1 (88 / 500) (NEW)
Cooking LV.1 (120 / 500) (NEW)
Fishing LV.0 (117 / 250) (NEW)
Remaining Achievement Points: 4
"LV.0 doesn't give stat bonuses?"
Kucha pondered.
Not eating and sleeping boosted proficiency, and many behaviors were recognized as Life Skills.
After experimenting these past few days, he realized that many actions contributed to multiple skills.
For example, traveling:
Running increased Running proficiency while also slightly improving Physical Training.
During rest breaks, performing vibration exercises also boosted Wind Breathing proficiency.
At present, his breathing technique had reached:
Wind Breathing LV.2 (173 / 1000)
Although Master Kazami called him a genius, Kucha had no idea where he ranked among the Final Selection candidates.
It was a selection, after all—not everyone could be elite.
They couldn't all be nameless cannon fodder… right?
Worst case, he could burn through his remaining Achievement Points and grind more.
He'd originally planned to save them for unlocking a new breathing style.
---
After sunset, Kucha sat by his campfire, chewing on freshly grilled river fish while reviewing his panels.
Perhaps thanks to his Cooking skill, the fish tasted slightly more tender.
Still…
A bit fishy.
…Fishy?
Kucha froze.
That wasn't the food.
It was the faint smell of blood drifting from the forest.
"Oh?"
Instead of fear, excitement surged.
First real combat after the tutorial.
He scanned his surroundings.
Beyond the reach of the firelight, deep within the forest, a glowing panel floated silently.
[Bloodfang ???]
Race: Oni
Ability Level: 39
Constitution: 28
Technique: 5
Mind: 6
Threat Level: Low
So this was an Oni.
Just like his cheap master had mentioned.
Calmly, Kucha placed his hand on the hilt of his Nichirin Blade.
Then, as if remembering something, he opened the system interface—
And lowered the UI brightness.
The glowing panels were a little too conspicuous in the pitch-black forest.