Chapter 18 : 18th Stance

Onto his next mission already. Takeo was making his way there at a fast pace. He needed to go South-West where most mountain ranges lie. It was currently morning, but to travel all the way South would most likely take up most of the day. He should arrive by the Evening.

After running for a bit, Takeo noticed he was getting various horrified looks from passer-by's, 'I should really wash this', he thought. He didn't really care about how they looked at him, he just thought it was a good idea as he'd attract unnecessary attention and arrive at his mission quicker.

Whilst he was thinking about washing it right this second, realising he was on the way to another mission, it'd be pointless to wash it now, when it would be stained later.

'I got to carried there', he thought.

Whilst he was thinking, out of his pocket came Yuko. His black fur was tainted by some blood splatters that seeped through Takeo's pocket. Due to this, he was greatly annoyed, but didn't mention at the time as Takeo was busy.

"HEY! Be careful next time alright! You got my fur dirty!", he shouted. But instead of caring, Takeo simply grabbed Yuko by his fur and put him back inside his pocket before he said, "You'll get a chance to clean your fur later, so quick your whining...". Just as he was about to say something, Takeo increased his speed, making Yuko hold his robe in an attempt to stay inside his pocket,

The speed was making Yuko feel sick. He couldn't handle it.

After a while, Takeo came to a stop. It was now sundown. directly in-front of him was an old village. Noticing a sign right in-front of him, it read :

"WARNING, ENTER AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!", with a large red 'X' just under it.

'This place is really welcoming isn't it', he thought sarcastically, before he entered leisurely, unconcerned by the little warning on the sign.

When he entered, he felt something watching him. The wind howled making the situation even more eerie and suspenseful.

TAP! TAP! TAP!

Hearing some footsteps, Takeo looked to his right, were he saw a little kid staring at him with cold, black eyes.

'The crow said a demon was hypnotizing the villagers...I'm guessing he's also a victim'.

After a bit of silence, Takeo could hear some more footsteps....

TAP! TAP! TAP!

On his right, behind and in-front, more and more villagers began gathering, they all had red eyes which gave them a demonic vibe, contrasting with their actual human appearance.

All the villagers just stared at Takeo, before the little boy who appeared first spoke :

"Are you a Demon Slayer?", the little boy asked.

When the little boy asked that question, Takeo had confirmed his suspicion, 'They're all being controlled', he thought.

Takeo wasn't wearing a robe or anything over his Demon Slayer Uniform, and had his sword on his waist for all to see. The demon's question was needless as it was already obvious.

"...I think you already know that, don't you", Takeo stated, before he placed his palm on his sword.

Hearing his reply and seeing his actions, the demon couldn't help but laugh, "Kekeke~", he chuckled, "Why are you clutching your sword...are you really going to kill all these innocent people? Kekeke~", he continued laughing.

'He's right....I can't harm them, I have to find his main body', he thought, before he began to scan all the houses around him, 'He has to be in one of them, I just need to find which one'.

Takeo needed a way for the the Demon to reveal it's location. Out of all the houses, there were only about 3 houses, that had more than one floor. 'He's most likely in one of those houses, as there'd be more space to hide', Takeo thought.

There was a 1/3 chance of finding the Demon. If he was wrong, then there was a chance the lives of the villagers could be at risk. 'This is so annoying!', he thought, but he didn't lose his cool, and thought logically. He needed to bait him, and then immediately kill the demon before he had a chance to harm his 'hostages'.

Whilst he was thinking, the Demon spoke, "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?".

Ignoring the demon, Takeo decided to take a risk and guess between which of the three the demon was staying in. After picking one, he gave a smile under his mask, his face lifted in amusement, much to the Demon's surprise.

"Of course not....It's just that I know where you're hiding~", he retorted.

His cold purple eyes made him feel distressed, 'There's no way he found me!', the demon thought, as he tried calling Takeo's bluff.

"Do you really think I'm stupid! Go on where am I hiding?", he spoke through the little boy.

After taking a few seconds, Takeo pointed at a 2 storey wooden house, it looked very old.....as if it could break any second.....and it was also where the demon was hiding.

Once Takeo knew he was right, through the Demon not being responsive, he moved at unimaginable speed....materialising right before the house, before he drew his blade and released five electrified arching slashes in a single moment, before unleashing an arching slash attack packed with Flames upon house....

<Honō-Kaminari no kokyū Ni no kata : Rising Sun Spirit (Flame-Thunder Breathing Style 2nd Form)>

SWOOSH!!! SWOOOSHHH!!!! SLASHHH!!!!!

The house had already crumbled under his first electrified strike.....inside the house, the demon was obliterated with Takeo's fury, unable to react in time due to his surprisement, and the villagers had all gone unconscious after the demon was beheaded.

The arching flame slash had taken his head clean off, and so he laid on the floor for a couple seconds before he turned to dust. Right before he did, Takeo stated, "....Disgusting....", making the Demon even more upset as he began to remember his past as a human....

Woosh!

His dust spread out into the air, as Takeo's 2nd Mission had come to a close. Looking at the sky, Takeo was lost in the stars before the villagers began to wake up.

"Eh? What happened?", they all asked, before they looked around.

By that time, Takeo had already disappeared into the night.