Isekai Mizuki S1 - A World With Demons

Chapter 71 - Festival

Monday, March 14, 2030 - Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture - 7:10 PM

The festival had already begun, and people were happily walking around, buying snacks, and watching people get their lanterns ready. Isekai had his own ready, and so did the other students. Tanjiro took a look at his, which reminded him of his failure to protect a girl who was one of the most important people to him.

"Hey, man. I know you probably made that for you and Kanao to release together, but she's not here for now. Don't worry, we'll get her back, even if I die. Look, if Kanao knew about this lantern before she was transformed, she would want you to release it in memory of her. So do it," Isekai said, trying to cheer him up.

Tanjiro nodded, and put on a smile. The countdown began for the lantern releasing. Everyone began to count down to 1 from 10. After the countdown was finished, everyone let their lanterns into the air. A beautiful scenery of lights and lanterns enveloped the dark, cold, emptiness of space that is the night sky. The festival still banged to its delightful celebration, and everyone kept being happy. Tanjiro tapped Isekai's shoulder and told him he was gonna go out near an alley for a little. Isekai nodded, and as Tanjiro walked off, Isekai said: "Stay safe!"

Tanjiro stopped at a wall near an alleyway and opened his phone. He scrolled through his photos, and took a look at the photo he and Kanao took on their first date. He sighed, and tried to reminisce the lovely memories they had together. He had been getting to the Christmas memories when suddenly, Hantengu leapt out of the alley, and proceeded to turn right, running past Tanjiro.

"Who was that...?" Tanjiro quietly questioned, and before beginning to follow him, Murata and Genya made a surprise appearance, looking all beat-up and dirty. They followed him out of the alley, turning right to follow his footsteps. "Genya?! Murata?!" Tanjiro yelled. He was questioning everything that was happening, following them.

Tanjiro caught up to them, and asked what was happening. "We found this hermit man in an alley near the MizuTech building, and he tried to run away. He seems to clearly be a demon, so we're trying to kill him! We've been chasing this old fart for a month by now!" Genya explained, pissed off about the time it took to even get close to catching him.

Tanjiro used his Rocket Jump and leapt over Hantengu, cornering him in between the three. Before they could close in to cut his neck off, the demon screeched, causing everyone at the festival to stop partying and check what was happening. Hantengu then vanished, another demon in his stead.

Tanjiro then raised his eyebrow, asking if he did that. Genya nodded. "He did this back when he found him in the alley. We're not only convinced he's a demon, he's probably another Twelve!" he said while reloading his shotgun. The demon then yawned angrily, and stood up. "Damn you two, Hantengu came here to eat a ton of slayer humans as dinner and you two just had to screw it up!"

Isekai then ran over to the scene, where he found Genya and Murata, soaked in sweat and nearly fully fatigued. "Dude, where were you two?!" he asked. Murata explained the whole situation, tearing off the Slayers uniform's jacket. Genya did the same, except he sprouted his wings to do so. Mitsuri and Giyu also arrived for assistance.

Tanjiro told Genya and Murata to run after the actual embodiment, and chase it down, while Giyu, Mitsuri and Isekai followed them to intercept any other demons he may spawn. They nodded, and ran in the direction he left from.

Isekai then growled, muttering, "I came here to celebrate a festival, and this jackass comes and ruins it?! When I get my hands on Muzan..." as his voice trailed off, leading to him angrily mumbling and grumbling as he kept following the other two. Eventually, the four of them caught up to Hantengu, who was still crawling away, attempting to escape the slayers.

Hantengu turned behind him, and two more demons popped out of him. Giyu hopped in front to intercept, so that Genya and Murata can keep going, with the other two still following.

To be continued...