For the first time in ages, Infinite City was alive with movement and noise.
James led a team of Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen, tearing through hordes of demons with ruthless precision.
This strange feeling of déjà vu—was he... grinding monsters in a game?
Surprisingly, the number of demons in Infinite City wasn't as high as expected. After witnessing the terrifying pressure that James exuded while slaughtering demons one after another, many fled in fear, scattering in all directions.
But there was one curious detail—they all fled toward a single location.
Standing on a platform, James received a letter carried by a raven.
He unfolded the note. It contained a progress update: the Hidden Ones were working relentlessly to map Infinite City and track the positions of allied forces.
Ubuyashiki Kiriya informed James that the demons were gathering en masse at a specific point—not far from his current location.
After reading the note, James pinched the paper lightly. It burst into flames and dissolved into ash midair.
Demons gathering?
Is it spontaneous, or orchestrated by Nakime?
Nakime's ability is definitely one of the most broken in the Demon Slayer universe...
James exhaled slowly.
"I hope Yushirou finds Nakime's location soon."
Yushirou's Blood Demon Art could counter Nakime's space manipulation, effectively neutralizing one of Muzan's most powerful assets.
James looked down at the swordsmen assembled below.
"The break's over. We're likely facing an army of demons next. Are you afraid?"
"Not afraid!!" the soldiers responded in unison, their voices echoing through the Infinite Castle.
Their enthusiasm burned bright. To fight alongside James was an honor beyond anything they imagined. Contributing to Muzan's defeat was the highest purpose they could ever hope for.
James smiled slightly, pleased by their spirit.
"Alright. Get ready. We're heading that way."
Following the direction indicated by a raven, James and his team advanced swiftly. Ahead of them, hundreds of demons had gathered into a massive horde. These weren't just any demons—they included every surviving demon in Infinite City, except for the Upper Moons.
James's prediction was spot on.
Although Nakime was unwilling to teleport James again, she couldn't afford to let him roam freely.
If he stumbled into another battlefield, the balance could shift drastically. Worse, if he made his way to Muzan's location, it could spell disaster.
No one could defeat James in a one-on-one. Delay was the only viable strategy.
Nakime had no choice but to gather the demons together—quantity over quality.
She plucked her biwa rapidly, summoning hordes of demons to the same spot. The summoned demons didn't even know why they were being called—but Nakime didn't care. Even if she exhausted them like cannon fodder, the delay would buy Muzan the time he needed to neutralize Tamayo's humanizing serum.
---
Elsewhere, two familiar figures emerged onto a platform—Love Pillar Mitsuri Kanroji and Snake Pillar Obanai Iguro.
Nakime had personally chosen them as her opponents.
With her spatial control, holding back two pillars wasn't difficult. By occupying them, she could relieve pressure on the other Upper Moons.
---
Back on a massive black platform, hundreds of demons snarled and glared at a dozen warriors climbing the stairs.
At the front was James.
Behind him were newly recruited Demon Slayer swordsmen, all of them fiercely loyal.
James gazed at the crowd of monsters, then turned to his allies.
"More than I expected," he remarked casually.
Then he smiled, gave a quick wave, and said, "Wait here. I'll be back soon."
Without hesitation, James launched himself off the stairs like a cannonball. A powerful air current swirled around him as he slammed into the ground with tremendous force. The impact created a wide shockwave, blasting away more than a dozen demons on the spot.
The explosion of air left a white crater on the ink-black floor.
Surrounded on all sides by snarling demons, James stood tall and laughed.
"Really? It's been a while since I've felt this excited!"
He unsheathed his gleaming white Nichirin Blades and rushed forward.
The demons screamed and surged toward him like a tidal wave.
James didn't activate Breathing Techniques or his Red Blade. He didn't need to.
He slashed, stabbed, cleaved, and spun in flawless rhythm. Every motion was clean, efficient—and brutal. His attacks were almost artistic in execution, a dance of death in the heart of Infinite City.
Blood burst like fountains from the demons around him. One by one, their necks met the flash of his blade, and their bodies disintegrated into dust.
But James wasn't limited to swords alone.
He punched, kicked, elbowed, and swept enemies away.
Sometimes a single punch would send a dozen demons flying.
Sometimes a sideways kick would turn a group into airborne projectiles, crashing into each other like bowling pins.
The once pristine platform turned into a blood-soaked arena. Crimson puddles flowed freely over the edge like waterfalls.
It was a battlefield of carnage—a Shura Field.
They say when more than a hundred people die in one place, it becomes a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
That was this place now.
---
Above, the Demon Slayer swordsmen watching from the stairs could barely keep track of James's movements.
"Master James is too powerful!"
"Obviously! Even Kibutsuji Muzan would flee at the sight of him!"
"Has the raven delivered the next letter yet? James told me to watch for messages."
"Not yet. But it'll be soon. We should prepare to assist the other Pillars."
---
500... 400... 100... 10...
It didn't take long before the battlefield was littered with nothing but ash.
The last remaining demon collapsed to the ground, shivering in fear.
"Devil... You're a devil!!"
The demon's voice trembled. It tried to crawl backward through the blood-soaked platform, hands and knees dyed red.
James looked down at it, expression blank.
"When you devour humans, do you feel even a shred of mercy for them?"
"You're the real devil."
Without hesitation, James beheaded it.
Ash scattered. The final demon was gone.
---
The swordsmen descended from the stairs, stepping cautiously through the battlefield.
"These monsters have eaten countless innocents," James said flatly. "None of them deserve pity."
Most of the Demon Slayer Corps members had lost their families to demons. Mercy was a foreign concept to them now.
Suddenly, a raven soared overhead.
A young swordsman grabbed the message from its leg, opened the letter, and ran to James.
"Sir James! News from the headquarters!"
James took the letter and read quickly.
One of the Upper Moons has been located.
Kasumi Pillar Tokitou Muichirou is currently engaged in battle with Kokushibou.
Ubuyashiki Kiriya requests that James decide whether to assist.
The letter also noted that Sadomasashi and Wind Pillar Shinazugawa Sanemi were also nearby. The map was still being finalized, but the battlefield was roughly triangulated.
With multiple pillars present—and Kokushibou already injured—James wasn't too worried.
"Let's keep moving," James announced. "We need to assist the other Pillars."
"Yes, sir!"
James began running, the others following close behind.
He didn't worry about traps.
No matter how many schemes Muzan had, he would shatter them all—with sheer force.
His power was overwhelming.
Even Muzan, if pushed further, might not have the strength to face him directly.
If anything, James was more worried about Muzan running away than fighting back.
---
"Let's find them. Now!"
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)