"Please spare me! If you're hungry, you can totally eat those two over there; their meat will definitely taste better!"
With his head pressed tightly to the ground, Kaigaku's back was drenched in cold sweat. The oppressive feeling from the Demon in front of him made him lose all desire to fight.
Having just witnessed the Demon's attack, Kaigaku knew that the Demon could easily kill him, so in order to survive, he knelt down.
I'll die… If it makes a move, I'll definitely die! I can't die! I absolutely cannot die! It was so hard to get through such difficult times, to walk out of the gates of hell again and again, and finally gain such powerful strength. I absolutely cannot die like this; I still need to become stronger! I still need to deal with all those who mocked me and looked down on me before!
Even if I press my head tightly to the ground, even if I'm as humble as an ant, even if I betray others, as long as I can survive, I don't care about anything!
The father and daughter hiding behind the broken vehicle were furious when they heard Kaigaku say such words.
"Kaigaku! You ungrateful beast! I gave you the highest salary, and after knowing you had nowhere to go, I even let you live in our empty house for free. Your treatment was the best among those in the same position. I never expected that the first time we encountered danger, you would immediately betray me. Are you even human?
I was truly blind back then to actually take you in to protect my daughter's safety!"
The middle-aged man trembled with rage, cursing at Kaigaku.
The man's name was Nakatayama, a wealthy businessman who had lost his wife in middle age. Because his daughter's previous bodyguard was quite old, he decided to hire another one. Due to the good treatment he offered, there was a large crowd of applicants.
Kaigaku was one of them. On the last day of recruitment, he knocked down all the assembled applicants, leaving them unable to get up. When Nakatayama rushed over, only Kaigaku was left standing.
After learning what happened, Nakatayama greatly admired Kaigaku, thinking he was a young hero. He immediately chose him to be his daughter's bodyguard, giving him the highest salary, the best treatment, and even letting him live in a room in their villa for free.
Kaigaku had always behaved normally, and Nakatayama even saw him diligently training every day.
Thinking of his unmarried daughter of suitable age, he even had the idea of taking him as his son-in-law.
However, an accident occurred on the way when he planned to go back to his hometown for a while.
A humanoid monster with six eyes appeared in the middle of the road. Nakatayama was startled and immediately tried to turn the car around to escape. However, the monster drew the sword from its waist, and its fine crescent blade shredded the car. His and his daughter's legs were also injured, with only Kaigaku's body remaining intact.
Seeing Kaigaku walk towards the monster, Nakatayama felt hope, thinking that Kaigaku could deal with the monster and save them. He had even thought that if that were the case, he would then ask for his daughter's wishes to see if they could be brought together.
But things turned out differently than he expected. Kaigaku, whom he regarded as a talented young man and a young hero, actually knelt directly before the monster. What surprised him even more was that Kaigaku easily betrayed them without any hesitation.
Kaigaku completely ignored Nakatayama's curses and continued to beg for mercy.
"My strength is great, and I will become even stronger. Keeping me alive will definitely be useful to you! I can find more humans for you! I can help you! Please spare me! Anything you want, as long as you don't kill me!"
Although he didn't verbally respond to Nakatayama, Kaigaku kept cursing him in his heart after hearing his words.
Old geezer, talking about the highest salary, but it's not much different from the Demon Slayer Corps's pay. The room you gave me is much worse than where you and your daughter live, and you talk about giving me the best treatment.
Fat like a pig and smiling foolishly every day, it's truly disgusting.
And now you're still cursing me here. If I can survive, you two will be the first ones I kill!
Kaigaku didn't dare to mention the Demon Slayer Corps; he was afraid that he would lose his life as soon as he spoke. He wasn't sure of the Demon's personality in front of him and could only cautiously probe to see if he could cater to its preferences.
However, he didn't mention it, but the Demon in front of him did.
"You were a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman before."
Kokushibou said, looking at Kaigaku, while returning the sword in his hand to its sheath.
Kaigaku was startled when he heard Kokushibou's words and immediately spoke to explain to Kokushibou: "I have already betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps. The Demon Slayer Corps is now my enemy. I can help you deal with the Demon Slayer Corps! Help you kill the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen! I also know the location of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters!
I can draw a map to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters!
If you don't trust me, you can even turn me into a Demon, as long as you let me live…"
Kaigaku did his best to explain his value to Kokushibou, hoping to save his life.
Looking at Kaigaku, who was willing to do anything to live, Kokushibou extended his hand.
"Extend your hand…"
Kokushibou said to Kaigaku.
Kaigaku immediately complied, lying on the ground and extending his hands.
Blood dripped into Kaigaku's hands. He knew, without Kokushibou needing to say it, that he couldn't let any of it spill.
"Since you desire to live so much… then let you become one of us… You will become stronger… and also gain endless life…
The stronger the swordsman… the longer it takes to transform into a Demon… It took me a full three days back then…
When a swordsman who can master breathing decides to transform into a Demon… it even requires that person to personally bestow blood…
Among these swordsmen, there are a very few exceptions who, due to their special constitution… cannot transform into a Demon until the very end…
Which kind are you…
This blood is very precious… not even a single drop can be wasted… If you dare to spill it on the ground…
Your head and body…
Will simultaneously bid farewell to each other amidst a shower of blood."
Kokushibou only told Kaigaku the most important point at the very end. By then, all the blood had already reached Kaigaku's hands. If Kaigaku hadn't been cautious enough not to spill the blood, he would probably be separated from his head and body as Kokushibou had said.
Although Muzan had said to prioritize quantity, Kokushibou still preferred to turn strong individuals into Demons.
In this regard, the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen were the most outstanding among humans.
The unparalleled oppressive feeling made Kaigaku feel a fear that made every cell in his body scream.
His body trembled with fear, but Kaigaku's hands did not dare to shake even a little.
He swallowed all the blood in his hands, and at that moment, all the cells in his body underwent a change. An indescribable sensation filled Kaigaku's body, causing him to directly fall to the ground.
Watching Kaigaku's transformation into a Demon begin, Kokushibou walked towards the father and daughter hiding behind the car. Nakatayama was still cursing at Kaigaku, and his daughter was crying in his arms, not daring to look up at the current situation.
"Although your strength is too weak… it is, after all, that person's request…"