Demon Slayer World
His consciousness returned from the Mist Space, and Cain pushed open the door and stepped outside.
Not far away, a short elderly man leaning on a cane stood beneath a peach tree.
As if hearing the sound of the door closing, he turned his head and cast his gaze toward Cain.
"You woke up rather late."
"Don't be so strict, Master," Cain waved his hand casually.
"Today is the day I leave for the Final Selection. I needed to sleep a little longer to store up energy for the trip."
"Did you sleep well then?"
"I slept well. In my current condition, I could even slaughter Kibutsuji Muzan if he suddenly appeared."
"I think you are still half asleep, already starting to daydream first thing in the morning."
Jigoro Kuwajima turned and walked toward the house.
"Come eat. Breakfast is ready."
"Got it."
Cain followed behind Jigoro Kuwajima and sat down inside another small house nearby.
The breakfast was not luxurious. It was simply a bowl of plain noodles served with flowering cabbage in clear broth.
As a modern person who had transmigrated into this world, this bowl of noodles was nothing special to Cain.
With the cooking skills he had obtained through ability sharing, he could easily prepare dishes that tasted far better than this.
But...
"I'm full."
Cain placed the bowl back on the table. It was spotless and shining clean.
He smiled lightly.
"Master, your cabbage soup noodles are as delicious as always."
"I'm glad you like them."
Looking at the black haired youth sitting in front of him, Jigoro Kuwajima vaguely recalled the day several months earlier when he had rescued the boy from an evil demon.
At that time, Cain had looked like he had crawled out of a garbage heap, his body filthy and his entire person reeking. He had been so weak that he could barely stand upright.
Yet even in that miserable condition, Cain had stubbornly grabbed his arm and begged to become his disciple.
In the blink of an eye, several months had passed.
The youth who had nearly died in the slums had completely transformed, mastering the entire Thunder Breathing style under his guidance.
Now, there was only one thing left that Jigoro Kuwajima could do for him.
"Cain, this is my Nichirin Blade. Take it with you to the Final Selection."
Jigoro Kuwajima took a sword from the rack nearby and placed it gently on the table.
"I have already told you everything that needs to be said many times before. I will not repeat it again."
"Remember this. No matter what happens, always prioritize your own safety. Returning alive is the most important thing."
"Don't worry, Master."
Cain picked up the Nichirin Blade from the table, and a terrifying aura slowly rose around him.
"My strength is not so weak that I cannot even pass the Final Selection."
…
After saying farewell to Jigoro Kuwajima, Cain left and headed west.
The location of the Final Selection, Mount Fujikasane, was not very far from his place.
Moving at a normal pace, it took Cain two days to reach Mount Fujikasane.
On the stone square at the entrance of the mountain, only a few people stood in a corner, sitting quietly with their eyes closed as they adjusted their breathing and prepared themselves.
Following their example, Cain walked over to a wisteria tree at the edge of the square and lay down beneath it.
Time slowly passed.
New Demon Slayer Corps candidates continued to arrive from distant locations.
The originally desolate square gradually became lively as more people gathered.
Just then, a woman with snow white skin wearing an elegant kimono appeared in the square.
Her temperament was extremely refined, carrying a calm and noble aura that naturally drew the attention of everyone present.
"Welcome to Mount Fujikasane, all prospective members of the Demon Slayer Corps."
The kimono clad woman walked to the center of the square, attracting the gaze of every person there.
"My name is Ubuyashiki Amane, the wife of the Demon Slayer Corps leader, Ubuyashiki Kagaya."
"Furthermore, I am the examiner for this Final Selection and will be responsible for announcing the rules of this assessment."
Like the calm before an approaching storm.
As soon as Ubuyashiki Amane finished speaking, the atmosphere of the square immediately became heavy.
Everyone stared at her closely, waiting for her to explain the rules.
"The Final Selection will last for seven days."
Ubuyashiki Amane turned slightly and gestured toward the path behind them that led into Mount Fujikasane.
"During these seven days, you will enter the interior of the mountain and fight the demons that live there."
"When the sun rises on the eighth day, the assessment will end."
"At that time, everyone who returns safely to this location will be considered to have passed the Final Selection."
…
The atmosphere in the square became even heavier.
Although most of them had already learned the basic rules from their instructors before arriving here, hearing them directly from Ubuyashiki Amane created a completely different feeling.
The thought of surviving for seven days inside a mountain filled with demons placed immense pressure on everyone present.
But at that moment, a black haired youth stepped forward from the outer crowd and walked into the center of the square.
"Excuse me. I have a question."
"Please speak."
"May I enter Mount Fujikasane first, and allow the others to depart half an hour later?"
"…If I remember correctly, you are the disciple of the former Thunder Hashira, Mr. Jigoro Kuwajima. What is the reason for this request?"
Ubuyashiki Amane thought for a moment, confirming Cain's identity before asking her question.
Having presided over the Final Selection for many years, she had encountered all kinds of candidates.
However, someone like Cain who requested to enter the mountain alone ahead of everyone else was something she had never seen before.
"The reason is simple. I plan to clear out every demon in this mountain range."
Cain lightly patted the Nichirin Blade at his waist.
"Once I begin fighting, the commotion will likely become quite large."
"If a large number of demons are attracted at once, the other candidates present may very easily become involved."
"Compared to causing unnecessary casualties, I think it would be better if they depart a little later."
"Friend, please wait a moment!"
Before Ubuyashiki Amane could respond, another voice suddenly came from behind.
It belonged to a sturdy young man with long yellow hair whose tips were dyed bright red, resembling burning flames.
After stepping out of the crowd, the young man walked up to Cain and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Since you intend to clear out Mount Fujikasane, I cannot simply stand by and watch!"
"Allow me to join you. Two people working together will certainly be safer than one!"
"I don't mind."
Cain studied the somewhat familiar face in front of him and showed a thoughtful expression.
"What is your name?"
"Rengoku Kyojuro!"
Just as expected. It was the Flame Hashira from the original story.
"You can call me Cain."
"Cain! That is a fine name!"
Rengoku Kyojuro immediately broke into a bright and cheerful smile.
Although this was their first meeting, he already held a favorable impression of Cain.
The other party was eager to hunt demons, yet still considered the safety of the other candidates and suggested entering the mountain early.
In Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes, this kind of quiet kindness was an extremely valuable quality.
Shifting his gaze away from Cain, Rengoku Kyojuro looked toward Ubuyashiki Amane standing before them.
"Lady Amane, I request permission to enter Mount Fujikasane half an hour early together with Cain."
"…Half an hour will be acceptable."
Ubuyashiki Amane paused briefly before nodding in agreement.
As the son of the current Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Rengoku Kyojuro naturally possessed a certain level of privilege.
Since he wished to enter the mountain early, granting a small exception was not unreasonable.
As for whether this decision would have any impact...
The demons inside Mount Fujikasane had been captured by Demon Slayer swordsmen across many generations.
Their total number far exceeded what ordinary people could imagine.
Although she did not know what Cain was planning, merely entering half an hour early. Could they truly wipe out every demon in the mountain?
T/N- Demon slayer arc officialy begins.
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