Esoteric Flame Breathing [INDEFINITE HIATUS]

5 - Crystal Raigeki

It didn't take long for Satoru to get his next assignment after killing the chain demon. He expected the crow to show up after completing it, but he wasn't anticipating the bird to have a new mission for him right off the bat as he perched onto Satoru's extended arm.

Kasugai: "South-southwest! You need to go south-southwest! Rumor of demons lurking in a cave! CAW!!"

Satoru: *shocked* "So soon?"

Kasugai: "YES! You must go, Satoru!!"

Satoru: *sighs* "No need to tell me twice."

Satoru wasn't going to complain since he still had the energy to keep going, thanks to his total concentration breathing, which helped him immensely as he started to run to his next destination.

Kasugai: "You must go south-southwest, Satoru! Start running!!" He ordered as he flew past Satoru.

Satoru: "I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME!!"

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After a few hours of running, Satoru can be found running through the road, getting closer to his destination. His crow kept pestering him about going south-southwest, which Satoru is sure the bird was significantly enjoying.

Kasugai: "We're almost there, Satoru! CAW!!"

Satoru said nothing as he glanced up to see that it was almost midday. He slowed his pace to a walk, out of breath from all the running and fighting, practically going at the limit of his total concentration breathing since his max is a couple of hours shy of twenty-four.

Satoru: "Right... Once I get to the village, I need to find a hotel..." He thought as he let out an exhausted sigh.

Kasugai: "CAW! Almost forgot! You are to meet up with another demon slayer for the investigation!"

Satoru: *deadpanned* "You forgot...?"

Kasugai: "I said almost, don't ask questions! CAW!!"

Satoru: *tick mark* "I've never thought a bird could be so cocky..." He thought while rolling his eyes as he kept moving forward.

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After another hour of walking, Satoru sees a village in the distance. He can also see a mountain behind the village that can be reached in a few minutes from the town on foot. Satoru has yet to see the slayer he was supposed to be with but believes he'll see them later.

Like before, the crow leaves Satoru to complete his mission. The first thing he does is find a hotel to sleep in for a couple of hours since he hasn't slept the night after his first mission. It is somewhat rundown with creaky floorboards, but the beds were comfortable. Satoru almost slept through the rest of the day as he woke up to see the sun starting to descend. He leaves to grab a bite to eat before investigating the town as he remembers the bird saying that the demon is in a cave nearby to the north.

Satoru walked through the streets, ignoring any eyes that stared at him until he came across a shop he knew had food and water. Despite the building's lack of grandeur, there was a counter in the back and some tables taking up some of the interior space. Some people were already dining when he walked inside, seeing the shopkeeper behind the counter making some batches of noodles and keeping an eye on the fryers.

Satoru: "Excuse me."

Shop Owner: "What will it be?"

Satoru: "A bowl of tempura udon and a cup of water, please."