At this moment, while Shinobu Kocho was still unhappily searching for demons in the mountains, Kawanishi had already thrown open the iron hatch of the wine cellar and leapt out.
"It's time to leave…"
He followed the narrow path, running swiftly forward. The path would lead him out of the town and onto the main carriage road. From there, he could reach most human settlements.
But the carriage road had many branches. Though there were signs, they weren't very clear—only seasoned merchants who traveled the route regularly would truly understand where each fork led.
He had originally planned to ask around Ishibashi Town about the mountain-foot town, but the only person he questioned was Old Man Nagatani, who simply shook his head, saying he didn't know.
"I'll find a few merchants along the road—those hauling goods will surely know the way."
Lost in thought, Kawanishi soon reached the end of the path.
But just then, something in his dream—Kie's voice—seemed to grow clearer… yet still not distinct enough to make out.
In his daze, a black shadow bared its fangs and lunged at him from the side.
"Kid, you'll make a fine appetizer…"
"…Huh?"
Kawanishi leaned back, dodging the strike, and at the same time swung a backward punch, landing squarely on the shadow's jaw—sending it flying.
That hardened resistance…
"A demon?"
A flame ignited inside him. A demon—again.
Veins bulged across Kawanishi's face, and his fangs extended viciously from his mouth.
The shadow, one of the four dispatched demons, called himself Ma Gui—Numb Demon.
Ma Gui paused in surprise at Kawanishi's transformation. "Ah… so you're a demon too. No wonder you reacted so fast."
"You've really maintained your human form well. I'm so jealous."
Ma Gui was small and thin, his skin a mottled blue-gray. He couldn't control his monstrous form, and Kawanishi's human-like appearance fascinated him.
Suppressing the fire in his heart, Kawanishi slowly revealed a twisted grin. "Yeah. So, brother… what are you doing here?"
"This hunting ground of mine hasn't seen people in a long time."
Now was not the time for fury. This demon's sudden appearance had caught Kawanishi off guard. From Black Fang's memories, he knew that demons typically stayed within their own territory.
Mount Lanli hadn't seen another demon in over a decade.
Perhaps because they were both demons, Ma Gui dropped his guard significantly.
"Your hunting ground?"
"We're here under the orders of that lord—to wipe out this town."
"Apparently, some brat named Black Fang got beheaded by a Demon Slayer. Add in some other reasons, and now that lord is in a terrible mood. He ordered the extermination of four towns."
"Still… what kind of talent did that brat have to catch his eye…"
Kawanishi clenched his fists. "I see… then can I join in? I'd love to be part of the slaughter."
So this… is all because of me?
The voice in his dreams remained vague, but Kawanishi could already piece together the cause.
Demons never speak Muzan Kibutsuji's name aloud. They all simply call him that lord.
In truth, Black Fang's death was merely the final trigger. Muzan, frustrated by his fruitless search for the Blue Spider Lily, had grown impatient and angry.
He wanted the demons to become more active—forcing the Demon Slayer Corps to scatter their forces and lose focus.
That way, the ones he sent to search wouldn't be impeded.
Though Muzan was the progenitor of demons, possessing terrifying strength, the truth was—he was extremely fearful of death.
Ever since nearly being killed by a Breath of the Sun swordsman and fleeing in disgrace, he had remained wary of the Demon Slayer Corps. He had been trying to locate their headquarters—but always arrived to find them gone, the place empty and abandoned.
Muzan could vaguely perceive the positions and conditions of his demons—the closer, the clearer. When face to face, he could even read their thoughts.
His interest in Black Fang was not just due to some resemblance to Kokushibo.
While traveling, he had discovered by chance that Black Fang was the descendant of a Demon Slayer.
The truth was, Muzan was bored. Across his endless years, aside from the pursuit of the Blue Spider Lily, he had few amusements.
Watching others suffer—now that was one of his rare pleasures.
To turn the descendant of a Demon Slayer into a demon… then force him to fight other Slayers… Muzan greatly anticipated such a spectacle.
Whether Black Fang was killed, or he killed others—it didn't matter. Muzan would enjoy it either way.
But now—Black Fang had been killed without Muzan's knowledge. He didn't get to witness it.
This irritated him.
And with the Demon Slayers constantly getting in the way, he finally decided—
It was time for demons to rise again, to make their presence known.
...
Ma Gui licked his cheek with his tongue. "You wanna join the feast? Sure."
"There are so many people. The four of us can't eat them all. One more won't hurt."
A town of over a thousand—if they obeyed Akaza's rule of not killing women, there'd still be hundreds of corpses.
Demons could only eat so much at once. They preferred fresh meat over stored flesh.
Kawanishi smiled. "Only four demons?"
Ma Gui bared his fangs. "Well, there were five."
"But Akaza—for some reason—refuses to fight. He even forbade us from killing or eating women. Unbelievable."
"He even dared to ask that lord for permission to do that. Guy's got guts, I'll give him that."
Ma Gui clearly resented Akaza's rules, but he didn't dare disobey. Akaza was far too strong.
Kawanishi was silent. Akaza? Who's that?
A demon… who refuses to harm women? Who even dares to challenge Muzan?
He found himself intrigued. A demon that didn't kill? That didn't even join the town's destruction?
He not only abstains—he restricts others, too?
That surprised Kawanishi even more.
Akaza… what kind of demon are you?
"So the four of you aren't together? I only see you."
Ma Gui, clearly talkative, explained, "That's right. Akaza got here early, but he didn't do anything."
"When the rest of us arrived, we decided to strike from four directions. This town's big—people might escape otherwise. This way, fewer get away."
Kawanishi laughed. "Then I joined at just the right time. I can help clean up the stragglers."
Ma Gui grinned. "Exactly. Come on, let's enjoy the bloodbath—opportunities like this don't come often."
He was genuinely pleased by Kawanishi's "addition." With Akaza doing nothing, the four of them had their hands full. Chaos would let many escape.
And if that lord ended up dissatisfied… Akaza, as an Upper Moon, might be spared. But the rest of them? Probably wouldn't survive the aftermath.
Kawanishi's smile stretched wider—fangs fully bared.
"Yes. Let's slaughter them all."
(End of Chapter)
Author's Note:
Thanks for reading Chapter27!
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