𝓓𝓮𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓓𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽. | 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰.

𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

【𝐆𝐢𝐲𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

We arrived at the town and it was almost evening. I guessed that it was about 5 pm. As we entered the town, Kocho led me to a nearby inn. It wasn't a cheap or small inn - I bet it was one of the most famous inns in this town.

We entered the inn, and she greeted the receptionist like she usually does.

" Moshi Mosh, Can I have 2 rooms single bed, please? " She said while smiling at the reception.

" Uhh, sorry, we don't have any single-bed rooms available right now... Could I offer you a room with two beds or a master bed instead? " She seemed shocked at the response. She turned to look at me, as if to make sure that I was okay with it. I didn't really mind, we were just going to rest while waiting for nightfall.

" I hope you don't mind. You guys are a couple anyways, right? " She seemed flustered, and I noticed beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She shook her head.

" We aren't a couple, we just a friend! then I would like 1 room with 2 beds. " She smiled then the reception nodded. He gave us a key.

We headed to our room without speaking a word. It seemed like she was still in shock that we would be sleeping in the same room. I didn't really mind, as long as she didn't do anything to annoy me.

She opened the door to the room and we saw a well-organized bed with fancy furniture. I wasn't surprised given the expensive cost of staying here.

I placed my katana near the nightstand by the bed closest to the wall. I noticed a tug on my haori and turned to see her.

" Tomioka-san, Can I have this bed? " She asked me with puppy dog eyes. Why, though? I was momentarily shocked, but then nodded in response. I picked up my katana and leaned it against the other nightstand.

" 'Pfft... Tomioka-san, do you know how funny you look when you're confused? " She laughed at her own statement. I just stared blankly at her, still feeling bewildered.

" You are no fun, Tomioka-san! " She pouted while crossing her arm. I scratched my nape still staring at her blankly.

I walked over to the wardrobe and grabbed a towel, ready to head into the bathroom. But then, she poked me.

" Ne Tomioka-san, Can I take a shower first? " She was asking for too much... first the position of the bed, now she wanted to take a shower first? I was about to shake my head in refusal, but then I noticed she was making those puppy dog eyes at me again. I couldn't resist.

I gave her a 'fine' look before sighing.

" Yay! Tomioka-san, you are the best! " She grabbed the towel from my hand and then hugged me before heading into the bathroom. I was still wide-eyed from the shock of her hug. Today, she's really been keeping me on my toes...

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I finished my shower and dressed up, putting on my haori before exiting the bathroom. I saw Kocho fixing her hair. I don't really understand women, but I respect them and I don't really care how long they take to dress up or prepare to go outside. Glancing at the clock, I noted it was already 6:30 pm. Time really does fly. Now we just need to wait until nightfall. Lying down on the bed, I tried to get some sleep. I hadn't slept properly for a long time because of the nightmares and guilt that were haunting me. Closing my eyes, I drifted off to sleep.

【𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

Once I was done getting ready, I noticed that Tomioka-san hadn't moved at all. Turning to look at him, I saw he was peacefully asleep. It warmed my heart to see him like this, sleeping so soundly. It made me want to cuddle him so badly—Waaa!!! Not again!!! I mentally slapped myself, trying to regain focus.

I gazed at his face, and it was evident that he was exhausted and not getting enough rest. He deserved to rest properly. I made the decision not to interrupt his sleep and planned to wake him up at 7:30 pm so we could continue our mission. However, I couldn't help but keep stealing glances at him. To pass the time, I started reading books while waiting for him to wake up or for the clock to strike 7:30 pm.

Then it struck me that I hadn't yet asked the locals about any missing persons or murder cases in the area. I needed to gather this information before hunting the demon that could be hiding among the town's populace.

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After about an hour, I had finally gathered all the information and summarized it. When I opened the door to our room, I saw that Tomioka-san was cleaning his blade. He turned and looked at me.

" Tomioka-san, we should continue our mission. I have gathered the information while you were sleeping. " "He sheathed his katana and then nodded at me. Rising to his feet, he walked towards me, ready to leave the room.

While we heading out the inn. He decided the speak up. 

"Kocho, what information did you gather?  " 

"The demon tends to target children and teenagers, up to around 19 years old, " I said as we made our way to a less crowded area. This place is a perfect hunting ground for the demon.

" Then you could act as bait for the demon, " he suggested. I was confused at first by his statement, but then realized that, being 18 years old, I could indeed serve as a lure for the demon, enabling us to eliminate it more easily.

" You're really smart, Tomioka-san! Yes, I can act as bait for the demon, " I responded, giving him a smile. Then, I slowly began to walk away from Tomioka-san, signaling that we were about to put the plan into action.

I walked down a random alley, sensing the demon's presence. It seemed as though the demon's scent was moving all around me, as if it could walk through walls or something. I kept walking until I reached the end of the alley.

" Hey.... cutie.. What are you doing here... alone~? " I felt the demon was standing behind me. I slowly turned and faced him.

" Oh, I'm just finding my friend. Can you help me? " I asked the demon innocently.

" Don't act stupid. I know you are demon hunter. " He smirked at me like a psychopath, licking his claws. It was truly disgusting...

" Ara Ara I thought we could be friend. " I unsheathed my katana pointing at the demon. The smirked getting wider and wider.

" You gonna be my meal tonight, I can't wait to eat you cutie. " The demon rushed towards me aggressively. Before he could reach me, I dodged his attack and stabbed him in the nape and back.
" What are you doing? Do you think needle can actually kill me? Don't make me laugh.. " He really underestimated me...

The demon is not one of the 12 Kizuki I injected him with a poison that can easily kill Lower moons... Is he immune to poison?

The demon's smirk turned into a wide grin. Its claws grew longer, and they began to produce some kind of liquid – I suspected it was acid.

" Blood Demon Art : Acid Spray. " This time, the demon charged at me even faster, splashing some of the acid in my direction. In response, I jumped onto the demon's back.

" Insect Breathing 1st form : Butterfly Dance: Caprice " As I leapt into the air, I managed to sting the demon multiple times, injecting the poison directly into its veins. Upon landing on the ground behind the demon, it remained motionless, as if frozen in place. Shortly after, the demon began to slowly disintegrate into ashes.

I was still concerned as to why Tomioka-san didn't assist me during the fight. If he had, we could have vanquished the demon within seconds.

【𝐆𝐢𝐲𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

As I followed her plan, I found myself atop a building near the alley she had entered. I could discern multiple demon scents in the vicinity. ' I hope Kocho can handle the demon alone, ' I thought to myself as I ran towards the source of the scents. Suddenly, I felt a presence rapidly closing in on me from above.

" Take this you stupid demon hunter! " Taken by surprise, I swiftly dodged the demon's ambush. With a quick reaction, I unsheathed my katana and beheaded the demon with ease

I faced the gathering of demons before me. ' So this is why there have been so many missing cases in this town, ' I spoke inside my mind. It appeared that this town transforms into a den of demons when night falls.

" Water Breathing 4th form : Striking Tide. " I rushed to the group of demon who were charging at me. I slashed their limbs off and also beheaded couple of them.

" Blood Demon Art : Nail Shot. " The demon, at a distance, chanted something I couldn't quite discern, and in an instant, shot its sharp nails towards me. Using my katana, I deflected the nails, and at the corner of my eye, I saw the demon charging towards me with surprising speed.

" Blood Demon Art : Bone Slam! " I heard the demon's angry shout as he slammed the ground, causing bones to appear in the area he hit. I swiftly dodged the bones and focused on deflecting the nails coming towards me. At the same time, I could hear the sound of sword techniques being executed in the distance. Kocho must be handling the other demons. I needed to finish this quickly and join her.

Two more demons were left, both of which were Demon Art users. They were working together effectively, making it difficult for me. I tried to attack the brute demon, but was constantly interrupted by the need to deflect nails and dodge bones. If they continued to attack me like this, I could lose

" Heh, that's all you got Hashira? We will beat you for sure. " The brute demon smirked widely, as if he knew he was winning.

The brute demon was charging at me. While turning one of its limbs into very sharp bone.

" Bone Rapier : Thrust! " As it about to stabbed me, I parried the thrust and delivered a clean slice to its torso. I missed its neck - God dammit. I started running toward the brute demon while dodging the nails..

" Water Breathing 7th form : Drop Ripple Thrust. " I raced towards the brute demon and plunged my katana into its abdomen, then swiveled the blade to cut open its shoulder. The nail demon was unable to target me since his companion was obstructing his view. Just as I was about to decapitate the brute demon, I heard the sound of shooting. This time, however, the nail demon shot its own comrade, the attack barely missing me.

I quickly retreated, readying myself for another strike to finish off the brute demon. The demon rapidly healed its wounds, transforming its bone once again into a hammer.

" Damn you... You almost beheaded me... This will be the last time I nearly die. I WILL END YOUR LIFE, YOU BASTARD HASHIRA! " The brute demon roared in fury, charging at me like a man possessed, with the nail demon supporting him from behind.
As the demon almost reached me I stepped aside.

" Water Breathing 4th : Striking Tide. " I dashed past the brute demon, slashing their limbs but failing to deliver a fatal blow. I narrowly missed the neck, but that wasn't my main target. Whirling around while still in motion, I headed straight for the nail demon as it took aim.

" Blood Demon Art : Nails Rain. " As the demon launched its nails high into the sky, then leapt backward to create distance between us, I readied myself for another form. I needed to stay one step ahead to dodge its incoming attacks.

" Water Breathing 11th form : Dead Calm, Tidal Waves. " I swiftly deflected all of the nails falling from the sky. In no time, I had positioned myself behind the nail demon. Using the element of surprise, I struck before it could react. The delayed impact of my slashes sliced through the demon, successfully beheading it.

I turned around to faced the brute demon again. The brute demon charged at me with anger.

" Blood Demon Art : Bone Flip! " The demon, in a last-ditch effort, flipped the floor, creating a wave of bones hurtling towards me. I quickly leapt into the air to avoid the attack.

" Water Breathing 8th form : Waterfall Basin. " As I dropped from the air, I landed a direct hit, chopping off the demon's left arm. Swiftly, I turned my blade, delivering a clean slash and beheading the demon with ease. I swiped my blade to clean off the blood that stained it, then sheathed it

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Sorry I'm late like I said I should release this chapter like 2 days ago. But school really affected me after the holidays. Today is weekend I might release another chapter today. 

Also Water Breathing 11th form : Dead Calm, Tidal Waves is game exclusive technique btw I saw in game and it really cool so I added it in the story because why not.