The demon rose unsteadily, bracing himself against a chair before lunging at Raiden and the others.
"Flame Breathing, First Form, Unknowing Fire."
A blazing arc of crimson flame tore through the train car, cleaving the narrow passage in a single stroke. The massive demon did not last a second. Under Kyojuro Rengoku's blade, it disintegrated into ash and scattered into the air.
"So strong..." Tanjiro murmured, awe clear in his voice. Zenitsu and Inosuke were equally stunned, caught in the overwhelming presence of the Flame Hashira.
Raiden, however, lifted his gaze and focused beyond the aftermath. He traced the thickening scent of demonic blood in the air.
With the demon's appearance, the stench intensified sharply, like air bursting from a ruptured balloon.
"There's another one," Rengoku said, already turning toward the front car. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and charged ahead.
Tanjiro and the others followed immediately, blades in hand. Only the hollow eyed conductor and Raiden remained behind.
Raiden spared the conductor a brief glance before walking toward the connection between the train cars.
It was time.
Rengoku and the others would soon fall into Enmu's trap. Before that happened, Raiden had something to settle.
He wanted to see whether the Lower Rank One could become useful.
Reaching the carriage door, Raiden slid open the upper window. The night wind roared against his white hair, whipping it wildly around his face.
Without hesitation, he gripped the rail and swung himself upward, landing lightly atop the moving train.
The night sky stretched overhead, dim and endless. A slender figure stood ahead, hands folded politely behind his back.
Enmu.
"Hmm? Did I miss one?" Enmu tilted his head slightly. "Humans truly are unreliable. I will have to prepare a beautiful nightmare for you later."
His golden eyes shifted to Raiden, curved in amusement.
"Good evening. You were meant to be dreaming as well. Yet you seem unwilling. Why is that? Surely everyone longs for a pleasant dream."
Raiden studied him calmly.
"Inferior Rank One, Enmu. Race, Demon. Rank, Kanoe. Blood Demon Arts, Compulsory Hypnotic Whisper, Compulsory Hypnotic Eye, Dream manipulation, Remote Dream connection."
Kanoe rank.
Raiden's eyes narrowed slightly.
That did not align with the original events.
Enmu had been defeated by Tanjiro and Inosuke. Even with assistance, crossing that much of a gap should have been impossible.
Unless Muzan had intervened.
Had Muzan granted him additional blood because of Raiden's existence?
If Enmu's strength had truly increased, then the chain of events could shift unpredictably.
He could not allow that.
Still, before finishing this, there was one more thing to test.
"I also enjoy beautiful dreams," Raiden said casually. "But before that, would you like to be my friend?"
Enmu blinked.
Then he smiled sweetly.
"Of course."
A Demon Slayer in white robes, white hair catching the moonlight. This must be the one Muzan had mentioned.
Kill him, and the reward would equal that of an Upper Rank.
Enmu's pulse quickened at the thought. Devour everyone on this train, eliminate this anomaly, and Muzan's blood would be his.
Becoming stronger than the stagnant Upper Moons.
How delightful.
Making a friend cost him nothing.
"Friendship confirmed."
"Reward granted, Dream skill, Proficient."
Raiden suppressed a faint smirk.
Smooth.
Much smoother than expected.
He had obtained what he wanted.
The rest no longer mattered.
"Thank you," Raiden said lightly. "Now, let's both have a pleasant dream."
There was something in his tone that made Enmu hesitate.
Despite his excitement, he was not foolish. Muzan had not sounded calm when ordering this man's death.
Blood equivalent to an Upper Rank would never come easily.
Still, Enmu could not retreat.
He raised his hand. The mouth on his palm stretched open, lips peeling back grotesquely.
"Sleep..."
A flash.
Before the word finished forming, pain exploded through Enmu's wrist.
His severed hand spun through the air.
"Too slow," Raiden said quietly behind him.
Enmu's smile froze.
So fast.
He had not even seen the movement.
Was this truly a mere Demon Slayer?
No, this was no ordinary opponent.
His body was still in the process of merging with the Mugen Train. Prolonging this fight was unwise.
"Sleep..."
Another flash of steel.
His head separated cleanly from his body.
"Why not learn?" Raiden said, almost bored.
The severed head tumbled across the roof of the train.
For a moment, silence.
Then flesh surged from the train itself, black and red tissue twisting outward, wrapping around Enmu's detached head. Veins bulged violently across his pale face.
"Lord Muzan was very angry when he ordered me to kill you," Enmu said, voice trembling with fury. "Now I understand why."
His body extended in grotesque tendrils, eyes blooming open along the fleshy growths, each iris marked with the character for dream.
"Your existence is truly unpleasant."
Raiden stepped forward, expression calm.
"The feeling is mutual."
His figure blurred again.
This time Enmu was prepared. Eyes opened across every surface, watching from every angle. No matter how fast Raiden moved, he should not escape the gaze.
As long as their eyes met, the Blood Demon Art would activate.
There were no blind spots.
That was the theory.
A sharp slicing sound cut through the night air.
Enmu stiffened.
The connection between his flesh and the train was severed again.
His Blood Demon Art had not activated.
Impossible.
Anyone who made eye contact should fall instantly.
His eyes covered every angle. There should have been no escape.
Yet Raiden stood before him, completely unaffected.
Enmu stared in disbelief as his body regenerated, uncertainty creeping into his golden eyes.
For the first time that night, his smile wavered.
____
🌙 TO ALL OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL EID!
MAY ALLAH'S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU TODAY, TOMORROW, AND EVERY DAY
MAY TODAY BRING LAUGHTER, DELICIOUS FOOD, AND JOY