𝓓𝓮𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓓𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽. | 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭

【𝐆𝐢𝐲𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

After our last mission, we got an assignment. The report suggested there could be one of the Kizuki in the area. The location was near the headquarters, about 10 or maybe 15 kilometers away... I don't quite remember.

It was still early in the night, and we were rushing. There was a group of demon slayers in the area; we had to save them and kill the demons.

As we entered the forest, I began to look for Kocho, trying to find where she was.

" Kocho. " I called her, while looking around finding her.

" What is it, Tomioka-san? " I looked on the tree and saw her dashing on the tree.

" Nothing, just checking in case we got ambushed. " I answered her while gripping my sheath tightly.

" Tomioka-san, we should split up, so it will be easier to find slayers and demons. " I nodded in agreement.

" I will informed you with Kasugai Crow, if I found some evidences. " "She leaped high into the trees. She might be heading south now. In that case, I'll head north.

I sensed the demonic scent among the trees. Unsheathing my katana, I attacked blindly, cutting down the tree and beheading the demon hiding behind it.

" Look, who's finally here... a Hashira, " I heard someone say behind me. I turned to face the voice. ' Not a Kizuki? But his demonic aura is on par with a Kizuki. '

" Yes, I'm not a Kizuki yet. Master asked me for my loyalty towards him I need to prove him that I'm worthy enough to be one of the Kizuki.. Start with you... " Can he read my mind? His Blood Demon Art must be dangerous...

I rushed toward the demon, but it snapped its fingers and disappeared. I was confused by the demon's sudden vanishing act. I could sense something dangerous approaching from behind.

I turned and parried the attack, taking the opportunity to easily behead the demon. However, instead of turning into ashes, the demon just collapsed on the ground and slowly started to melt.

" You seem skillful, I shouldn't have underestimated a Hashira so quickly... " The demon jumped down from the tree, adding, " But in the end, you're all just human, nothing more. "

I stared at him trying to examined his demon art and his next moves.

" Heh. I'll show the master that I'm worthy of a Kizuki title. " The demon rushed towards me, with no guard or anything. I could easily behead the demon, but I felt something odd about the rush.

I deflected the attack and dodged to the side, chopping off the demon's head. Just as I had assumed, the demon melted upon death.

As I turned around, the demon was charging at me.

" Blood Demon Art : Mirror Mind " The demon touched my head, and I cut off its right arm. I noticed something surrounding me. Looking around, I saw reflections. It appeared that I was in a mirror world.

"Welcome to your inner mind. I will show you your greatest punishment and pain, Fufufu." I could see the demon in front of me, but its voice sounded like it was inside my head.

" Illusion summon : Fear " The demon confused after chanted its attack. 

" Oh, it looks like the thing you fear isn't death or some kind of creature, but rather losing someone you care about. How pathetic. " The demon laughed out loud. I rushed at the demon and attacked, but it disappeared and then reappeared behind me. 

" Illusion summon : Love " The demon chanted while smirking crazily.

" Let's see if you can overcome 'your loved one'. "  I noticed something behind me. I turned and locked gazes with it. It turned out to be Kocho?! But she didn't look like herself. It was more like her shadow

" Kocho, listen!- " She cut me off by attacking. I dodged it, narrowly avoiding getting stabbed.

" Dance of the Dragonfly: Compound Eye Hexagon " She rushed towards me and stabbed multiple times. I was able to dodge her attacks.

" Kocho, wake up! " I yelled, hoping that she would awaken from being possessed.

" You idiot! She's not going to wake up. She's an illusory shadow I created myself. Have fun trying to kill your girlfriend. " The demon had really pissed me off this time. Then she rushed towards me again. Her speed was unmatchable; if I lost focus on her, I might actually die.