Chapter 29: You Will Die Surrounded by Others
After activating Stone Breathing, Natsuya immediately checked the compatibility preview.
[67%]
One Achievement Point converted to 335 proficiency points.
It was significantly higher than Water Breathing, and even slightly better than his Wind Breathing.
Overall, this trip hadn't been a waste.
Because aside from the intended goal of learning Stone Breathing, his Life Skills had leveled up nicely.
[Smithing LV.2]
Effect: Slightly increases physical constitution. Increases the quality of forged weapons.
Remaining Achievement Points: 14
More importantly, perhaps because Matsuyama Daimon focused so heavily on fundamentals and mental fortitude, Natsuya's base stats had skyrocketed.
After dumping two fresh Achievement Points into Stone Breathing to round out the numbers, his total stats broke past the 80 mark.
[Kokonoe Natsuya]
[Power Level: 82 (Body: 39, Tech: 24, Mind: 19)]
Combat Skills:
[Wind Breathing] LV.3 (490/2000)
[Water Breathing] LV.2 (294/1000)
[Stone Breathing] LV.1 (170/500)
The only slight regret was that he hadn't learned any Stone Breathing Sword Forms.
He had asked Matsuyama about it. The man simply replied: "You came to learn Breathing, not swordplay. Why waste time?"
When Natsuya looked skeptical, Matsuyama put down his hammer and said calmly, "The essence of Stone lies in 'Intent.' The form does not matter. As long as you can crush a demon, what difference does it make if you hold a sword or a blacksmith's hammer?"
Thinking about Matsuyama's disciples, Natsuya realized he had a point.
The previous Mountain Hashira, Fudo Hino, used a Warhammer.
The current Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, used a massive flail and axe.
And Matsuyama himself favored a Battle Axe.
Hmm...
Since Natsuya was already waiting for the Swordsmith Village to make his custom fist weapons, Matsuyama's logic actually made a lot of sense.
Having mastered the basics of Stone Breathing, it was time to say goodbye.
Natsuya packed his bags, taking the heavy iron hammer Matsuyama gifted him. The Cultivator didn't offer any emotional farewells. He had seen too many disciples leave, never to return.
He just stood at the door, offering serious advice.
"Wind is too sharp. Water is too soft. But with a foundation of Stone, when you face despair in the future, perhaps you can stand—"
Natsuya interrupted him with a quiet question.
"Master Matsuyama... which Upper Moon killed Senior Fudo?"
The firelight flickered across Matsuyama's face.
Natsuya remembered the deep, bottomless pain in the man's eyes whenever his late disciple was mentioned.
I learned skills from him. I owe him a return gift.
Even if I owe Master Kazami a favor for the introduction, one thing is one thing.
This is my code.
Matsuyama fell silent. He hadn't expected this question just as Natsuya was walking out the door.
"Why do you ask?"
"To help you get revenge," Natsuya said calmly, his voice cutting through the ambient noise. "I'm going to chop up the Upper Moons eventually anyway. If I know which one did it, I'll make sure to give it a few extra cuts for you."
Matsuyama stared at the boy's profile. There was no impulsiveness in his expression. Just a matter-of-fact killing intent.
And beneath that, the shadow of a blood feud for his own family.
"The Twelve Kizuki are not opponents you should be thinking about right now."
He shook his head, his voice raspy. "Especially the Upper Moons... those are monsters no human should ever have to face."
"Not right now doesn't mean never."
Natsuya knew his level was too low. He patted the three Nichirin Swords at his waist. "By the way, Master Matsuyama. You fought a Lower Moon once, right?"
"With my current strength, how many of them could I take?"
Matsuyama closed his eyes. It took a long time for him to answer.
"The Lower Moons change frequently. Some have been slain over the years."
"The abilities, Blood Demon Arts, and combat skills of the new ones are unknown."
"But based on my experience..."
"If you encounter the weakest Lower Moon, with a standard Blood Demon Art... you might be able to last a while without being instantly defeated."
Natsuya pressed, "Just 'not instantly defeated'?"
Does he mean I won't get one-shotted?
"Your odds of winning are less than 20%." Matsuyama opened his eyes, his gaze hard as tempered steel. "But if you focus entirely on escaping or stalling until sunrise, you have about a 50% chance of survival."
However, instead of the caution or disbelief Matsuyama expected, he saw a light in Natsuya's eyes.
It was the light of excitement. Relief.
"I already have a 20% win rate? Give me six months or a year, and that'll jump to 50% easy."
Seeing Matsuyama's serious face, he had thought it would be impossible.
A 20% survival rate on a first-time Boss fight?
That's practically 'Friendly Mode' for a hardcore action game.
Most first-time Bosses wiped 80% of players immediately.
Moreover, a 50% chance to stall until the timer ran out (sunrise)?
20% to win outright.
50% to draw/survive.
That was basically a 70% success rate. In competitive games with ELO matchmaking, a 70% win rate was smurfing territory.
Besides, once he dumped all his Achievement Points...
Upper Moons might be tough, but his win rate against Lower Moons should spike significantly.
Natsuya smiled. There was no fear of demons in it. It was as clear and open as a wind blowing over a hill.
"50%... that's high," he repeated, his tone filled with a certainty Matsuyama couldn't comprehend. "Plus, time is on our side."
Wait until I level up some more. I might be able to speedrun them.
As for enemies leveling up too?
I've heard of Bosses having second phases, but I've never heard of a Boss grinding XP alongside the player.
If the Bosses could level up, after a thousand years, their stats would be maxed out already.
In short: This match is winnable.
Matsuyama looked at him and suddenly remembered his stubborn disciple from years ago.
So much spirit.
"You... your spirit is commendable."
His throat worked before he spoke again. "But!"
"Not now. I understand you want revenge. I understand you want to prove yourself."
"But you are young. Your Breathing will grow. Your sword will become sharper."
"Wait." Matsuyama enunciated every word. "Wait until that 20% becomes 50%, or 70%. Then go find the Lower Moons."
"The demons aren't going anywhere. But if you lose your life, everything ends."
Matsuyama believed Natsuya could do what he claimed. Which was exactly why he shouldn't rush.
He reached out and gripped Natsuya's shoulder hard.
It wasn't fear he felt, but expectation.
Maybe, just maybe... once this child grew up...
The thousand-year stalemate between the Demon Slayer Corps and Kibutsuji Muzan might finally break.
"Live, Natsuya."
"When that time comes, you will achieve your goal, surrounded by the praise of others, reaching the end that none of us could reach."
I will write to the Master today. We cannot let this jewel be crushed before it shines.
The morning wind blew past, and sparks crackled in the forge.
Standing opposite him, Natsuya was internally complaining.
Hey, Old Master. Why are you planting such a massive, textbook Death Flag on me?
"Dying surrounded by others"?
Isn't that exactly what Itadori's grandpa said in Jujutsu Kaisen?
Is this okay?
But... why do I feel kinda hyped?
☆☆☆
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