[I will ask one more time. Host, are you sure you want to add all your lifespan points?]
The System's inquiry rang in his ears.
"Cut the crap! Just add it for me!"
[All 156 days of lifespan added to Thunder Breathing · First Form · Thunderclap and Flash!]
[Thunderclap and Flash has been upgraded to Mastery. Unlocked: Threefold!]
[Warning! Host's lifespan is insufficient. If you do not slay the powerful demon today, you will die!]
As soon as the notification sound faded, a torrent of power derived from his very life source exploded within his dried-up organs!
It wasn't warmth.
It was incineration! It was tearing! It was squeezing out the final embers of his life!
Ryosuke's blood vessels bulged and spread like tree roots, and every pore on his body sprayed out visible, violent electrical sparks!
"Thunder Breathing · First Form · Thunderclap and Flash!"
"Threefold!"
Accompanied by an inhuman roar, the ground beneath Ryosuke's feet exploded, sending mud and crushed stone shooting backward like cannonballs!
His sprinting speed broke through its limits in an instant. A solid screen of golden light lingered behind him as he charged straight for the Hand Demon's giant arm!
Szzt!
Several severed limbs flew into the air instantly!
The Hand Demon was immediately alarmed. "So fast!"
Shota was even more stunned, staring at the streak of light fading in the distance.
Ryosuke turned sharply. The second strike was even faster than the first, aiming straight for the demon's neck!
Shota's pupils dilated, and he subconsciously clenched his fists.
He can do it!
He can definitely cut off its head!
Snap!
With a crisp sound, the Nichirin Sword in Ryosuke's hand actually snapped in two!
Time seemed to stand still.
Not only Ryosuke, but even Shota was shocked.
Ah, sht!!!*
How the hell did I forget how Sabito died!
Ryosuke had been hunting nonstop for the past six days.
Aside from the few kills Shota and the Hand Demon made, he had slaughtered almost every other demon remaining on Mt. Fujikasane!
This caused severe wear and tear on his Nichirin Sword, making it impossible to cut through the Hand Demon's hard neck!
"Heh heh heh..."
The Hand Demon sneered, and countless tentacles swept forward instantly.
Fortunately, the speed of Thunderclap and Flash was too fast, causing the Hand Demon's attack to miss completely.
At this moment, Shota reacted quickly. He fiercely grabbed his own Nichirin Sword and threw it.
"Ryosuke! Catch!"
Ryosuke's eyes were cold as stars. In the instant he turned, the final strike of the Threefold burst forth!
Moving at extreme speed, Ryosuke caught the sword in mid-air, the thunder and lightning transforming into a single line of razor-sharp edge!
Shing!
The blade was sharp, slicing through countless giant arms!
The Hand Demon's head was severed at that exact moment, tumbling to the ground.
Ryosuke half-knelt on the ground. It felt like a plane had taken off several times in succession; his body was instantly hollowed out.
The power of the Threefold was great, but the aftereffects were heavy too.
[Successfully slayed Mid-tier Evil Demon, Hand Demon. Gained 1 year of lifespan.]
[Current remaining lifespan: 1 year.]
One year!
Not bad. At least it wasn't a loss.
This one year could be considered Ryosuke's first "pot of gold"!
"Ryosuke!"
Shota, clutching his side, threw himself next to Ryosuke and grabbed his shoulder to support him.
"Are you okay?" Shota's voice was trembling badly.
"Just ran out of stamina, that's all. Won't die."
Ryosuke smiled and lay back on the ground.
Although this brat Shota liked to compete with him usually, he was very loyal during a life-or-death crisis.
"Damn it! My head was actually cut off!"
"I'm not resigned to this! I'm not! Damn Urokodaki!"
"I want to eat... I want to eat more..."
"After I became a demon, I bit through my brother's neck!"
"Eh... Brother... who was he again?"
"Can he... hold my hand?"
...
The Hand Demon's muttering reached his ears.
As everyone knows, in Demon Slayer, whether human or demon, everyone has a pre-death fantasy.
Commonly known as the "Revolving Lantern" (cinematic flashback).
Except for that ugly mug Gyokko.
Although "Crocodile-sensei" (the author) filled it in later in the databooks, if it wasn't in the anime, it doesn't count!
Still a clown.
...
The morning light of the eighth day pierced through the wisteria mist, sprinkling over the survivors.
The Kakushi (cleanup crew) responsible for receiving them were astonished.
Because this year, there were over a dozen young swordsmen gathered near the exit!
In the Final Selections of recent years, this was a situation that was almost impossible to see.
Soon, the answer was revealed.
Amidst the shocked discussions of the survivors, one name was mentioned repeatedly.
Yasui Ryosuke!
That Thunder Breathing swordsman who hunted demons for six consecutive days inside Mt. Fujikasane like a madman!
He had cleared out more than half of this death hunting ground almost single-handedly, and finally beheaded the Hand Demon!
Returning once again to the shrine surrounded by wisteria flowers, everyone cleared a path for Ryosuke and the other two.
Ryosuke nudged Shota next to him, feeling helpless.
"Let's go."
Shota didn't react much, but Moriyama Akira beside them felt a bit guilty.
After all, he had only used one move before being slapped unconscious by the Hand Demon.
When he woke up, the battle was already over!
Purely the King of Kill Steals! A "carried-to-victory" dog!
The three of them selected their Tamahagane (ore) one by one. Immediately after, Ryosuke's Kasugai Crow flew down.
It was a rare sharp-beaked hummingbird—tiny in stature, with dark blue feathers and a long beak like a tempered needle.
After receiving their uniforms, the three were just about to leave when a guide from the Ubuyashiki family suddenly arrived.
"Yasui Ryosuke, Kirigaya Shota, Moriyama Akira. Please stay a moment. Oyakata-sama (The Master) summons you."
"Oyakata-sama?!"
Shota and Moriyama exclaimed in simultaneous ecstasy.
For newcomers who had just joined the Demon Slayer Corps, what an honor it was to be summoned by the legendary Master!
Ryosuke appeared much more indifferent, nodding to the guide.
"Please lead the way."
The three passed through layers of wisteria trellises until an unadorned, ancient mansion came into view.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya sat upright on the veranda.
He had beautiful eyes, black hair, and jade-like skin. His face was handsome.
Even though he was about the same age as the three of them, that calmness and gentleness radiating from the inside out made him appear much more mature.
"Welcome, brave swordsmen. I am deeply comforted to see your safe return," Kagaya said softly.
Shota and Moriyama bowed frantically, their voices cracking. "O-Oyakata-sama!"
Ryosuke nodded in greeting.
It was quite ironic, really. The Ubuyashiki family produced the Demon King, Kibutsuji Muzan, and was punished by the gods.
They could only survive by intermarrying with children from priestly families for generations just to delay the curse and live to the age of 30.
Timeline-wise, the 13-year-old Kagaya had married Amane a year ago.
He was now already the father of twin daughters.
But Ryosuke knew that these twin daughters, Hinaki and Nichika, were just the beginning.
It had to be said:
To continue the family line, Kagaya really hustled. He was making babies with Amane almost every day; their fertility rate was ridiculously high.
Unaware of Ryosuke's internal roasting, Kagaya nodded slightly to the three of them.
"I apologize. During this Final Selection on Mt. Fujikasane, due to the Demon Slayer Corps' ineffective surveillance, a demon far exceeding the assessment standards lurked within, causing immense danger."
"If the three of you hadn't fought with all your might to slay it, the casualties of this selection would have been unimaginable."
"This is the fault of the Demon Slayer Corps. As the Master, I cannot shirk the blame. I apologize to you, and to all the swordsmen who experienced this danger."
He bowed his upper body slightly, his posture humble and solemn.
Moriyama Akira was so moved his eyes turned red, and he spoke incoherently.
"No... I wouldn't dare! Oyakata-sama speaks too heavily! It is my honor to serve the Demon Slayer Corps!"
Shota also nodded vigorously, his face full of the excitement of being acknowledged.
Only Ryosuke stifled a yawn. He felt nothing in his heart; in fact, he was a bit sleepy.
Simply put, in his previous life, he had been fed too many "empty promises" (painting pies) by his bosses. He couldn't stomach any more in this life.
"Mr. Yasui."
Kagaya looked at him and chuckled lightly. "You are an interesting person."
Ryosuke twitched the corner of his mouth, speaking with a tired honesty.
"It's nothing. I just want to live, that's all."
You are the same.
For yourself, and for the continuation of your family.
We all just want to live.
"I see."
Kagaya nodded, his voice remaining gentle. "To live... that is the fundamental strength that supports all who hunt demons as they swing their blades in the long, dark night."
"May this strength guide you, Mr. Yasui, to cut open a path that belongs to you alone."