The next morning, James opened his eyes from meditation. After saying goodnight to Genya and Tanjiro the previous evening, he had spent the night quietly exploring the Swordsmith Village and its surroundings.
The night passed without any attacks from demons. Peaceful and uneventful. The plot, he figured, was still moving according to the original trajectory.
Tanjiro was probably training by now. It wouldn't be long before he unlocked the Zero-Style sword and earned Tokitou Muichiro's respect—maybe even affection. That last part was a joke, of course, but honestly, only someone as gentle as Tanjiro could soften Tokitou's cold exterior. James still had a long way to go when it came to persuasion.
He sighed inwardly.
"My main goal now is to reduce the casualties within the Demon Slayer Corps as much as possible. Since I possess future knowledge, I can use it to create an information advantage."
As for why James hadn't told anyone that Gyokko had already infiltrated the village—there were reasons.
First, the butterfly effect. His presence had already altered the flow of events. Gyokko might not even find the Swordsmith Village if fate shifted just a little. Nothing was certain.
Second, even if he reported it as a Pillar, it would be impossible to relocate the entire Swordsmith Village on his word alone. Not with so many special ores being mined here.
Finally, there was the issue of credibility. How could he explain knowing so much about the movements of the Upper Ranks? Without concrete proof, he would invite suspicion. That kind of attention wasn't worth it.
Better to remain vigilant than cause panic.
Besides, was he their babysitter? He was willing to help because the Pillars had selflessly shared their knowledge with him. But at the end of the day, this was their fight. Even if some of them died—that was the fate of those in the Demon Slayer Corps.
He picked up his Nichirin Blade and strolled through the streets of the Swordsmith Village. From every workshop came the rhythmic clanging of hammers on steel. It was noisy—but it had a kind of comforting harmony.
"James-kun!"
Kanroji waved at him from across the street, smiling brightly. She must have just picked up her new Nichirin Blade.
James returned the wave and approached her.
"Miss Kanroji, I have something for you."
"Ehh? For me?" she blushed immediately, unsure whether to accept it.
James sighed. She's really living up to her title as the Love Pillar.
He bonked her lightly on the head with the hilt of his sword. "It's not like that. It's serious."
Then he handed her a small, embroidered sachet.
"Ooh, such a pretty charm bag! Can I open it?" she asked, turning it over in her hands curiously.
"Not yet. Open it when you really need to."
"So… when is that exactly?"
"You'll know when the time comes."
"James-kun, you're so mysterious…" Kanroji muttered, clutching the sachet to her chest.
Later that day, James made his way into the forest outside the village and found Tanjiro training with the Yoriichi Zero-Style doll. Without saying much, James handed him a similar sachet.
Tanjiro accepted it cheerfully, trusting James without hesitation.
James patted the boy's head gently and looked at the ancient doll.
"I once read in the Ubuyashiki clan's archives that these training dolls are modeled after legendary swordsmen. This one—Yoriichi Zero-Style—is most likely based on Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the founder of Sun Breathing and the strongest swordsman to ever live."
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni... That name sounds so familiar," Tanjiro said, frowning thoughtfully.
James continued, "For centuries, Muzan targeted all users of Sun Breathing. Nearly every one of them was hunted down. That's why the style was lost. But somehow, it survived."
"Tanjiro, your Hinokami Kagura—it's actually the Breathing of the Sun. Passed down through the Kamado family alone."
He placed a firm hand on Tanjiro's shoulder.
"You carry a heavy burden, my friend."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Tanjiro stunned and deep in thought.
James still had others to visit.
He found Tokitou Muichiro in a quiet courtyard, practicing alone. Without a word, he handed him a sachet.
Muichiro blinked in confusion but accepted it silently.
Next, James tracked down Genya, who was brooding in a shadowy corner. Since they'd met before, there was no need for introductions.
"Tsk. You're acting all mysterious," Genya muttered, though he took the sachet and shoved it into his pocket without protest.
After finishing his deliveries, James returned to his room and entered a state of deep meditation.
---
A few days passed.
Then, on a moonless night, James strapped on his Nichirin Blade and set out on patrol.
The forest was bathed in soft silver light. A faint mist hung in the air, and everything was quiet. James took a deep breath.
"The scenery is beautiful... but unfortunately, beauty rarely lasts."
He came to an abrupt stop. In front of him, half-buried in the dirt, was a ceramic pot.
This was the outskirts of the village. Remote. No one came out here for sightseeing, and definitely no one left pots lying around for decoration.
This could only mean one thing.
Gyokko.
The Fifth Upper Rank had arrived.
Gyokko—hidden inside the pot—licked his lips eagerly. A meal has come to me. Delicious. He was practically giddy, waiting for someone to walk over so he could trap and devour them.
James wasn't taking the bait.
Instead, he slowly unsheathed his Nichirin Blade. In the moonlight, the blade gleamed white—frosty, almost ethereal.
Inside the pot, Gyokko frowned.
"This spiritual pressure… Is he a Pillar? No, something's different…"
Before he could finish the thought—
Shink!
A flash of light.
Then several more.
The pot was sliced into ribbons before Gyokko even had a chance to react.
"W-what?! That was almost instant—I barely escaped!"
Another pot appeared in the branches of a nearby tree. Gyokko reemerged, sweat on his brow.
He wasn't laughing anymore.
The man below was terrifying.
"This isn't just a Pillar. He's… something else."
Gyokko considered shedding his pot to reveal his true form, but instinct screamed no. He was too fast. Too strong.
Maybe if he could keep stalling... wait until Hantengu arrived...
Yes. Delay. Survive. Then overwhelm him together.
Meanwhile, James calmly raised his blade again, his piercing blue eyes reflected on the metal.
"I have to say... you're incredibly ugly."
"You dare mock my art, human?!" Gyokko shrieked, trembling.
He might have seemed enraged—but James wasn't fooled. Gyokko was calculating, trying to buy time.
But James couldn't allow that.
If left unchecked, Gyokko's ability to summon grotesque monsters could devastate the entire village.
He glanced at the system panel floating in front of him:
---
Name: James
Strength: First Level
Spiritual Power: 250/250 (Human max)
Basic Skills:
Japanese (Grandmaster) 1000/7500
Swordsmanship (Grandmaster) 10/100000
Medical & Poison Knowledge 100/50000
Supernatural Abilities:
Breathing of the Sun – Full Concentration: Extreme (Limit Break)
Breathing of the Sun – Full Concentration: 10/50000
Red Blade – Grandmaster: 10000/50000
Breathing Technique Expansion
Temporary Talent: Close to Enlightenment (Near-Tao)
Evaluation: Elite First-Class!!!
---
James smiled faintly and raised his sword.
"Alright then... let's have some fun."
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)