"Oneechan, do you want a candy?"
The instant she saw the little boy, Kanae's heart plummeted.
She watched the departing car, her emotions heavy. Did the people inside not realize this little boy had gotten out on his own?
She was already barely holding on while facing the Upper Rank demon before her.
With an additional child...
It was an all but certain death!
"Oh, Demon Slayer girl, I did give you a chance, you know~"
The demon, whose white-oak hair and kaleidoscopic eyes bore the mark of Upper Rank 2, beamed with pleasure. Its gaze shifted from the slowly driving car to the little boy beside Kanae. A playful smirk hung on its lips.
"Now then, how will you protect this brat, Demon Slayer girl~"
Kanae clenched her teeth, swiftly scooped up the small boy, and held him tight.
Such a tender, almost babyish voice... such innocent and beautiful eyes... such a handsome, delicate face...
Kanae was suddenly reminded of her past with her younger sister, Shinobu. Their once happy and complete family had been shattered by a demon's attack, leaving both parents dead and only her and her sister to rely on each other.
The pain of losing her loved ones was a fresh memory, and it was precisely why she had joined the Demon Slayer Corps. She had already resolved to sacrifice herself to protect the happiness of others.
"This child is still so small. His future should be bright and warm. I absolutely won't let him die here!"
Kanae suppressed the sharp pain of several broken ribs and damaged internal organs, unleashing terrifying speed once more. She shattered the paving stones beneath her feet, chasing in the direction the black car had left.
She had to get this child back!
However, Upper Rank 2's figure instantly appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
"Demon Slayer girl, your chance has already slipped away!"
"Don't worry, I don't like eating men. So... before I devour you completely, I'll kill this brat right in front of your eyes!"
Upper Rank 2's voice continued to rise, for it, this was merely a game of cat and mouse.
Kanae ignored it, her form constantly moving, searching for an opportunity to break free from Upper Rank 2.
"Oneechan, eat this candy. It's really sweet!"
The little boy in her arms seemed utterly oblivious to the danger they were in. His pair of innocent eyes stared straight at her, and the lollipop he held in his mouth was raised high, right next to her cherry-red lips.
Perhaps not wanting to hurt the feelings of such a well-behaved and adorable little boy, Kanae instinctively took the lollipop into her mouth.
A faint hint of lime...
"Mmm..."
So sweet!
Kanae's beautiful eyes widened slightly.
The moment the lollipop touched her tongue, she suddenly felt the pain in her body diminish somewhat.
Boom!
The paving stone exploded outwards.
Kanae's speed surged even higher!
Seeing this, Upper Rank 2's playful expression intensified.
"Finally going all out, are we?"
"Well, then I'll kill this brat first!"
Upper Rank 2 moved in a flash, appearing directly in front of Kanae. Even the desperate speed she unleashed was completely inadequate before him.
"Blood Demon Art: Lotus Vines!"
Ice lotuses materialized out of thin air, and icy vines shot out from within, coiling toward Kanae.
Kanae twisted and dodged, her Nichirin Sword flashing and dancing, yet she could only barely manage to slice through one or two of the icy vines. With her ravaged body and still holding a small boy, she simply couldn't exert herself fully.
"I'm sorry, Shinobu..."
Shinobu's face appeared in Kanae's mind, and she murmured softly.
Just then, that tender voice entered her ears once again.
"Oneechan, is the candy sweet?"
Kanae looked down in surprise. The little boy's eyes, as dazzling as jewels, shone with sincerity as he met her gaze.
"Sweet..."
Kanae answered subconsciously. The sweetness of the lollipop in her mouth flowed down her throat, clearing her mind slightly.
"It's very sweet!" she confirmed.
Then, Kanae saw the most unforgettable smile of her life.
"That's good..."
Before the words fully left his mouth, time began to stop.
Everything was frozen in that moment.
When Asa initiated Time Stop, anyone in contact with him could clearly retain their physical senses, regardless of the difference in ability. Kanae, who was holding Asa, became clearly aware after a moment of initial suspension.
"Time... has stopped?"
Kanae's mind was seized by incredible shock.
She then sensed the little boy leaving her embrace.
"No, it's too dangerous..."
Kanae subconsciously tried to stop the boy, reaching out to pull him back into her arms.
But her body was completely still!
"That's right, time has been stopped..."
By the time Kanae realized it, Asa had already left her embrace, and her Nichirin Sword had been taken.
Her consciousness once again sank into a state of chaotic suspension.
When Kanae next became aware of the flow of time...
The icy vines were all completely severed.
Upper Rank 2, Doma's, head was already on the ground.
"What happened?"
Doma stared with his kaleidoscopic eyes, his expression full of disbelief. He hadn't sensed anything just now, yet he was killed?
"What did that brat... do?"
His severed head was tossed onto the ground and rolled, slowly vanishing, but his gaze remained fixed on the small boy holding the Nichirin Sword ahead, until his head was completely gone.
Asa returned the Nichirin Sword to Kanae, who was staring blankly at him with wide, beautiful eyes.
"If oneechan ever wants candy in the future, just come find me!"
Listening to the little boy's earnest words, Kanae's expression softened.
"Oneechan's body can't hold out any longer, so I won't be able to eat my little brother's candy anymore..." Kanae's tone was calm and gentle.
She knew her current physical state clearly. Her external and internal injuries were countless; even if she was rushed to a hospital now, there was no possibility of saving her. Therefore, she didn't want to deceive the little boy before her with a promise that could never be fulfilled.
However, the little boy continued to stare straight into her eyes.
"Then, does oneechan still want to eat it in the future?"
Kanae parted her cherry lips slightly. The lime sweetness still lingered on her taste buds, but the pain in her body was becoming increasingly sharp.
"I do..." she managed a single syllable.
Immediately, she saw the little boy before her flash a look of satisfaction.
"Then oneechan will definitely be able to eat it again!"
Asa picked up Kanae and walked to the park's treeline.
Just as Kanae was wondering what was happening, she saw the little boy bite his own lip hard, and blood instantly flowed out.
"Little brother, you... Mmm~"
Before she could finish her sentence, her mouth was abruptly covered.
Kanae's beautiful eyes widened, and a wave of powerlessness suddenly swept over her body!
The blood from the little boy's mouth flowed down her throat, and Kanae clearly felt her body gradually beginning to repair itself!
Asa observed Kanae's recovery. He quickly reached a conclusion.
To save Kanae, saliva and blood simply weren't enough.
"It seems I need the genuine fluid..."
...
Meanwhile.
Shinobu, who was carrying out another mission, suddenly received a message about her sister. Her lovely face immediately changed.
"Oneechan, wait for me!"
The girl's figure leaped quickly across the rooftops, rushing toward her sister's location.
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