"So, next..."
Aoki grabbed the wooden board and threw it hard.
The board spun, flying down the mountain. It was about to fall off a cliff when a figure appeared out of thin air and caught it.
Aoki thought for a moment and threw another board.
After experimenting a few times, he understood the basics of Space Mark Traverse.
First, Space Mark Traverse used about the same energy as a short-range Space Traverse. The energy cost was constant, regardless of distance.
Second, Space Mark Traverse had an activation time, about the same as Space Traverse.
Finally, using Space Mark Traverse didn't affect the space mark itself.
As long as the space mark wasn't destroyed, it could be used repeatedly. It wasn't a consumable item.
Space Mark Traverse and Space Traverse used about the same energy at short range.
But Space Mark Traverse was limited by its carrier. It wasn't as fast or flexible as Space Traverse.
He should still use Space Traverse in combat.
But they had different uses.
Space Traverse was like a flash, and Space Mark Traverse was like teleportation.
They each had irreplaceable uses.
"Next, I should test my guess!"
Aoki picked up a stone and threw it and the board. The stone was much faster and more powerful.
Bang!
They collided. The board shattered, and the silver runes disappeared.
Aoki appeared nearby, looking pleased.
"It worked!"
He had sensed the change when the space mark was destroyed. He had teleported before it collapsed completely.
He could now provide support and receive summons.
Space Mark Traverse was much more useful.
Of course, he had to be careful the enemy didn't use it.
Aoki looked at the wood chips on the ground, feeling a pang.
It had taken him almost two days to make that first space mark.
He had used liters of blood.
"I have time. I'll make two more!"
Aoki picked up a board, cut his finger, and got back to work.
As the saying goes, everything is hard at first.
It was easier after the first success.
Aoki made three space marks before dawn.
He spent some time practicing sensing space marks.
He threw the three space marks in different places, then sensed and identified the coordinates from different directions.
He got used to fixed coordinates, then tried moving coordinates.
He put space marks on animals.
Many animals on Mount Kumotori had a rough night.
Aoki put away the space marks after the first rays of sunlight appeared. He put on his hat and went to the Kamado family again.
...
Tanjiro woke up at dawn.
Selling charcoal was hard work.
He had to chop wood, clean the kiln, sort the wood, and sort the charcoal.
They had gotten a fortune, but he couldn't be lazy.
"Brother!" Nezuko walked out of the room, rubbing her sleepy eyes. "I'll help too."
Tanjiro smiled. "You can sleep longer, Nezuko. I can do it myself!"
"No! I'll help you before Rokuta wakes up... Oh? Mr. Aomura!" Nezuko looked surprised.
"Mr. Aomura?"
Tanjiro remembered the name and turned quickly.
A tall young man in a hat was walking towards them.
Tanjiro sniffed, looking confused.
What a strange smell!
Unfamiliar, weird, heavy.
A little like a bear he had seen.
Heavier, but not as dangerous.
It didn't smell human.
He was sure he had never met Mr. Aomura. He wouldn't have forgotten such a strange smell.
Nezuko skipped over, looking up at Aoki, smiling purely. "You're here, Mr. Aomura."
"Miss Nezuko!"
Aoki patted her head and looked ahead.
A young man with dark red hair and red eyes, a scar on his left forehead, stood nearby. He had a simple, gentle aura.
Tanjiro Kamado!
He had finally met the protagonist of this era.
But Tanjiro's life was tragic.
His family had been killed. The only survivor, Nezuko, had become a demon before turning back into a human after many hardships.
Tanjiro had almost died many times. He had lost an eye, an arm, and would only live to 25.
Most important people in this world had tragic lives.
Tanjiro's situation was relatively good.
Tanjiro walked to Aoki and bowed slightly. "Hello, Mr. Aomura. I'm Tanjiro."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tanjiro!" Aoki said.
Tanjiro was a true gentle hero.
Kind, gentle, honest, and understanding, like Kanae.
"Please come in, Mr. Aomura!" Tanjiro said.
Mr. Aomura's smell was strange, but it was friendly and made him feel safe.
They went into the house. Kie Kamado came out, holding a package.
"Mr. Aomura, please take this."
Aoki didn't take it. "Madam, Tanjiro, what about the Hinokami Kagura?"
Tanjiro said quickly, "Of course! I'm happy to teach you the Kagura dance, Mr. Aomura. But it's complicated."
Aoki said, "I'll pay you separately for the lessons. Don't worry about money."
"No, no!"
Tanjiro waved quickly. "That's not what I meant. And you've already given us too much."
Kie Kamado put the package on the table. "That's right, Mr. Aomura. We've taken what we deserve. Please take the rest back!"
Aoki said, "Madam, Tanjiro, the Hinokami Kagura and the blue spider lily are more valuable than you think. This money is just a token of my appreciation. It's not even close to their value."
He looked at Tanjiro, smiling. "I'm not lying, right?"
Tanjiro's eyes widened slightly. He didn't smell any lies.
Aoki pushed the package back. "So, take it. If you don't take the money, I'll feel bad about taking your things. I went to a lot of trouble to find this place, Madam. You don't want me to leave empty-handed, do you?"
---
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