Chapter 97: The Devil's Pact

The flickering flames that once danced upon the skull of the Ghost Rider began to wane, slowly extinguishing as if succumbing to an invisible force. As the last ember died out, flesh began to creep over the skeletal form, weaving itself into a tapestry of sinew and skin. Jon, his transformation complete, used his chain to drag the charred corpse towards his sleek sports car.

"You wanted a higher demon blood? Now you can have enough." Jon pointed at the corpse on the ground, his voice echoing in the still night air. His words were directed at Tamayo, who stood frozen in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"!"

Beside her, Mitsuri was equally stunned. The sight of Jon's Spirit of Vengeance form was a spectacle they had never witnessed before, a chilling display of power that left them reeling.

Jon, however, remained unfazed. He wrapped the corpse in a white cloth with a practiced ease, his movements fluid and precise. Retrieving his car keys, he pressed a button, and the trunk of the sports car sprung open with a soft click.

The sudden movement startled Mitsuri, who had been lost in her thoughts. The advanced technology was unlike anything she had seen before, a stark contrast to the traditional methods she was accustomed to. But it served as a jolt, snapping her back to reality.

Seeing Jon preparing to stow the demon's body in the trunk, she rushed forward, her heart pounding in her chest. "Wait... wait a minute!" Mitsuri exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of fear and confusion. "Don't tell me, this is the body of that demon!"

The demon's body was charred beyond recognition, its features distorted by the intense heat. Mitsuri could hardly believe that this was the same demon they had been battling just moments ago.

"Yes, what's the matter?" Jon asked, his hand hovering over the trunk, ready to close it.

But Mitsuri was quick to react. She reached out, her hand gripping the edge of the trunk door, preventing it from closing. "You must be joking. When a demon dies, it doesn't leave a body. It turns into ash and disappears. This situation means that the demon isn't dead at all! Why don't you even have this basic knowledge?!" Mitsuri's words tumbled out in a rush, her frustration evident in her tone.

Jon paused, his gaze shifting from Mitsuri to the charred body in the trunk. And then, he made another attempt to close the trunk, but Mitsuri was relentless. Her grip on the door was firm, her determination evident in the set of her jaw. Despite her delicate appearance, she possessed a strength that was surprising. To bypass her, Jon would have to resort to force.

"I attack their souls directly when I kill demons, so it's normal to leave a body. If the soul is burned, it's impossible for it to live. Don't make a fuss of it!" Jon's voice was firm, his patience wearing thin. Seeing Mitsuri still resisting, he didn't engage further. Instead, he used his car key to close the trunk automatically.

Caught off guard by the sudden movement, Mitsuri was unable to maintain her hold. The advanced technology was beyond her control, and she could only watch as the trunk door closed, sealing the charred body within.

Meanwhile, Tamayo had already taken her place in the passenger seat. She seemed oblivious to the altercation unfolding behind her, her mind preoccupied with the haunting image of the flaming skull. It was a sight that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring, a testament to the power that Jon wielded.

"A devil, huh..." Tamayo murmured, her gaze distant. "If it helps kill Muzan, I'm certainly willing to cooperate with a devil!"

***

Jon slid into the driver's seat, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence. He fastened his seatbelt, his gaze meeting Tamayo's in the rearview mirror. "Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Tamayo nodded in response to Jon's question, her hand delving into the folds of her robe. She pulled out an object, its blood-red hue stark against her pale skin. She held it out for Jon to see, her fingers cradling it gently.

"What's this?" Jon asked, his gaze falling on the object. It was unlike anything he had seen before, its vibrant color and unique shape piquing his curiosity.

"Blood Flower," Tamayo replied, her voice filled with a sense of accomplishment. "This thing is very rare and hard to find. It only grows in places with a heavy blood scent, like this place. I think it must be because the demon here has eaten too many people, and the blood scent has spread to the nearby forest, so it was able to grow."

Jon nodded, his gaze thoughtful. He didn't question Tamayo's intentions, assuming that the Blood Flower was for medicinal purposes. His attention then shifted to Mitsuri, who was still standing outside the car, her hand resting on the hilt of her Butterfly Shinobi.

"Do you need a ride?" Jon asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Mitsuri shook her head, her gaze steady. "No need. Tamayo-san's identity is a bit… not human. I'm worried it might cause discomfort. Besides, you are not one of us. After all, the Corps has rules. We can't reveal the headquarters to outsiders!"

Jon couldn't help but chuckle at her words. "You don't need to worry about that. I've already figured out a way to know the location of your headquarters," he said, his voice filled with confidence.

Mitsuri's eyes widened in surprise. "What?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Don't be so shocked. The last time I met you, I put a mark on you. So, as soon as you return to the headquarters, I'll know the location!" Jon explained, his tone casual.

Jon wasn't concerned about revealing his abilities. In many ways, the Demon Slayer Corps were allies, and he had no reason to hide from them. Moreover, he was confident that the leader of the Corps would not make the mistake of antagonizing him. After all, they shared a common enemy.

As for the magic mark, it was a precautionary measure. If Mitsuri were to venture to the Swordsmith Village, he would be able to track her and find the location of the village. And even if he couldn't find the village, he was confident that he could convince the leader of the Corps to grant him access once Muzan was defeated.

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