12. Time to Return

The following day, Shiro packed up his things and departed the lakeside town at dawn.

He made sure to send a message to his master to inform him of his visit in advance. Now that Shiro thought about it, he hadn't visited Minamoto since he passed the Final Selection.

'I feel like he'll beat me up for that' Shiro softly chuckled.

For Shiro, Minamoto was basically the closest thing he had to family in this world. After all, he was basically spat out of a portal with a system saying he needed to defeat a seemingly undefeatable demon.

'Never thought of it until I experienced it first hand but systems are quite a merciless bunch. No wonder so many protagonists used to swear and curse at them in those f*nfictions.' Shiro thought with a low chuckle.

Looking up at the bright blue sky, Shiro ran a hand through his hair and let out a happy hum. Despite everything he's been through ever since his arrival in this world, he can't say he hated being here. It was definitely more fun than him sitting at home in front of a computer screen fantasizing about living a life he never will.

Because now, he was living that life.

And what's better, his adventures had only begun.

Once he'd finished the missions in this world, he would be transported to another world and begin a whole new adventure.

'I was always an introverted person who loved staying indoors. Now that I think about it, I don't think that's who I really wanted to be. I was only like that because I was too cowardly to leave my comfort zone. But now that I was forced to leave it, I've discovered new things about myself that I would have never discovered in my old world. I've also become better as a person and I no longer feel depressed and alone.'

Shiro walked over a bridge and glanced over the side watching the fish swimming with the currents.

"Like a fish in water...maybe this is where I belonged..."

- - - -

Speaking of fish...

Nine hours into his journey, it was nearing dinner time as signaled by his noisy stomach. Shiro had stopped by a river which had now melted due to spring, to catch some fish.

With his skills, he didn't need to know how to fish properly to catch them. He was quick enough to stab their moving bodies with a dagger he owned.

Once he had caught enough, he cleaned and gutted them before making a fire and roasting them using skewers.

"Ittadakimasu," he mumbled to himself before taking a small bite.

His face contorted slightly at the extremely fishy taste but he continued to eat. Shiro was in no position to criticize his food when there was nothing else to eat. Sure, he could've maybe caught a wild animal but he doubted it would be any better since there was nothing to season the meat with.

After a very unsatisfactory meal, he tossed away the bones and lay on the grass staring up at the night sky.

Traveling alone like this was, admittedly, a little lonely for him. Sure he enjoyed the peace and quiet but he wouldn't mind a companion whom he could chat with. It's not like the system is very friendly.

"Should I get a girlfriend?" he muttered to himself. "Maybe I should get a harem like all those other protagonists..."

But then he snorted and turned over on his side.

'Nah. A harem doesn't suit me. Having a lot of girls is nice and all but...at the end of the day, I can't see myself loving all of them at once. It's impossible for me. Besides, it wouldn't be fair on them either...'

"Why am I even thinking about this like I have a chance at getting a girlfriend?" he mumbled.

'...Nezuko-chan is quite cute though'

'No! Bad Shiro!! I'm no pedo!'

Shiro aggressively shook his head to rid his mind of such thoughts and sat up with a groan. He was silent for a minute before rubbing his eyes.

"Now that I think of it, I should probably see if there are any demons near before I sleep," he said before turning on his tracker skill.

In his mind, a map of the area appeared and to his surprise, there were several red dots all gathered in one location of the forest.

"Dammit! I wanna sleep!"

Muttering a string of curses, Shiro grabbed his sword and immediately ran to that direction.

In the quiet forest, a sudden battle cry was heard.

"DIEEE YOU SHITTY DEMONS AND LET ME SLEEP!"

- - - -

15 Hours Later.

Location; Mount Natagumo

In the dark and dense forest surrounding the mountain, a fierce battle was happening in multiple places.

Tanjiro and his demon-sister, Nezuko, were facing off against one of the twelve kizuki; Lower Moon Rank Five, Rui. He was a young-looking demon with white skin and hair and several red dots on his face.

Similar to Enmu, to show his position amongst the twelve kizuki, Rui had his rank engraved into his left eye with kanji letters.

His blood demon art allowed him to manipulate spider-web-like threads that could cut through skin as if made from sharp steel. Currently, he was enraged at Tanjiro's words about 'family' which was a touchy subject for him. Using his threads, he attacked both Tanjiro and Nezuko.

Nezuko was held up in the air by his threads but used her demon blood art to explode her blood resulting in the removal of these threads much to Rui's surprise.

Tanjiro utilized his sun breathing to cut the threads and close his distance between them.

- - - -

Meanwhile, on another side of the mountain...

A certain wild boar was challenging the water Hashira, Giyuu, to a duel.

Long story short, the boar lost.

- - - -

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters...

Sitting on the porch, basking in the moonlight, Ubayashiki was listening to his daughter reading a message delivered to him.

"He's already defeated one of the twelve kizuki," Ubayashiki muttered with a soft smile. "And the highest of the Lower Moons."

"There is also a letter here from directly from him, father," his daughter said.

"Yes. Is it about him returning to headquarters?"

"Indeed, father."

Ubayashiki nodded. He wasn't sure what motivated Shiro to return earlier than planned but he had a feeling it had to do with the Kamado siblings.

From reports, they were currently on Mount Natagumo for a mission. However, there hadn't been any news yet on them nor the demons residing there.

"Please find out the current status of the Kamado siblings on Mt. Natagumo," Ubayashiki told a servant.

"As you wish, Oyakata-sama."