Successfully Escaped

"Under these circumstances, are you still thinking about promotion?"

Kanae looked at Rio in surprise, she didn't know what this expressionless youth was thinking.

Even in the condition that the two of them could survive, this young man was still thinking about being promoted?

"What do you think?"

Rio glanced at Kanae briefly, then continued the barrage of ice lotus attacks from Doma swinging his fan.

Doma also heard Rio's talk, he smiled lightly and said:

"It seems that you are very confident that you can escape from me, whether it is because you have ability or stupidity."

"Let's see where your belief comes from."

"Blood Demon Art: Tsuru Renge (Lotus Vines)"

The ice lotus formed from the swing of Doma's fan, but this time the ice lotus had tendrils like vines.

The tendrils of the ice lotus shot swiftly through the air towards Rio who was in front.

"There is no other choice."

Rio knew it was very difficult to dodge these tendrils while carrying Kanae in his arms.

"<Reduced Earth>"

Just as the vine was about to hit Rio's back, his figure disappeared and he appeared 20 meters ahead.

"This movement technique again?"

"Hah?"

Doma who had seen <Reduced Earth> wasn't too surprised, but what surprised him was that Rio had already appeared 100 meters away.

"Not bad."

Doma is not afraid that his prey can run away, he increases his running speed.

"Tsk..."

Rio felt Doma overtaking him even though he had separated the distance between them.

(So this is the power of Upper Rank 2? Just to escape I used all my efforts, but I haven't escaped his pursuit) Rio complained in his mind.

Just now Rio used <Reduced Earth> 5 times in a row, that's why he immediately appeared 100 meters from Doma.

But it had already reached its limit, its vitality wasn't enough to support again using <Reduced Earth> and defending Hekireki Issen (Thunderclap and Flash).

"Just put me down… Cough Cough… With your speed, I will delay Doma from chasing you…"

"Cough Cough… The most important thing right now is conveying Doma's ability characteristic information to the Demon Slayer Corps."

Kanae noticed the beads of sweat on Rio's forehead and breathed heavily, she guessed that this young man had reached his limit. If it continued like this, sooner or later the two of them would be caught by Doma.

That was why Kanae suggested that Rio leave her and go alone.

"How many times do I have to say this, I refuse!" Rio replied without glancing at Kanae and focused on running forward.

(I've come this far, it would be a waste I give up now)

Rio had risked everything this time, he would feel very sorry if he gave up now and didn't get the Hidden Quest Reward.

Staring at Rio's resolute face that refused to give up, Kanae's heartbeat was beating faster and her face was as red as a tomato.

From Kanae's point of view, Rio was unwilling to abandon herself. It really touched his heart and she felt very warm in Rio's arms.

If Rio knew what Kanae was thinking right now, he would definitely say women have extraordinary delusions.

"Looks like you two are very lucky..."

"If we meet again, I will not let you two go."

Doma's voice woke Kanae from her daydream.

As Kanae was confused as to why Doma said that, she felt a warm light slowly shining on them rising from the east.

"Sunlight?"

Only then did she realize why Doma had stopped chasing her and turned to run away.

Although Demons are known to be immortal, they are known to be afraid of the sun. If they stood in the sun, their bodies would turn to ashes and die.

All Demons cannot appear in the sun, not even the Twelve Demon Moon or Kibutsuji Muzan!

"Ha ha ha ha..."

When Kanae looked up, she was fascinated to see Rio's handsome face illuminated by the morning sun which was increasing in charm.

"Why are you looking at me? Is there a flower growing on my head?"

"N-Nothing..."

Kanae hastily lowered her head, she covered her blushing face with her hands. There is no dignity of a person from Hashira (Pillar), she is now more like a little girl in love.

How could it not be, a man risked his life to save a woman, which woman wouldn't have her heart melted?

Moreover, women in this era are not like women in modern civilization who only judge men from their good looks and wealth.

"You freak..."

Rio who has no romance experience doesn't understand Kanae's behavior, he doesn't think much about it and keeps walking.

"Where do we go next… Cough Cough…"

While speaking, Kanae spat out blood from her mouth. The incision on his chest was slightly better, the bleeding had stopped due to the low winter temperatures, but his face was now deathly pale.

"Hypothermia..."

Rio saw Kanae's condition, he knew he had to quickly bring Kanae to the nearest village.

Hypothermia is a drastic drop in body temperature that is potentially dangerous. The most common cause is being in a cold environment for a long time.

If it wasn't for Kanae always breathing in the Flower Breathing Style, she would have frozen to death long ago.

"First I took the bike." Rio ran back to the location of the bicycle he had hidden. He could have stored the bike into the System Warehouse, but Kanae would definitely have asked the moment she saw the bike appear out of thin air.

Rio chose to play it safe, he put the bike somewhere.

"Bicycle? You brought a bicycle?" Kanae asked surprised.

"Unlike other Demon Slayers who run towards locations where there are suspected demons, I prefer to use a bicycle which saves a lot of time."

"Don't talk too much anymore, it will only make your condition worse."

Kanae didn't speak again after Rio said that.

After walking for a few minutes, Rio arrived at the location where he had put his bicycle.

Luckily the bike was for two, Rio put Kanae in the back seat.

Rio took off his white Haori and put it on Kanae's body.

"Wear this Haori, it at least warms your body temperature."

Worried that Kanae froze to death on the way that led to the failure of the Hidden Quest, Rio gave his Haori. Because there is currently no Hidden Quest notification stating that the Quest has been completed.

"So warm..." Kanae muttered softly as she gripped Haori.

"Hold on, you'll fall down." Said Rio sitting on the bicycle seat.

"Un..."

Nodding gently, Kanae stretched her arms around Rio's waist and buried her face into Rio's back.

After making sure Kanae held on tight, Rio pedaled the bicycle.

"Koak Koak..."

"Koak Koak..."

Suddenly the sound of two Kasugai Crows rang out from the sky and flew around the bicycle.

"This is my Kasugai Crow..." Kanae gave a brief explanation.

"Oh..." Rio nodded.

"Lead us to the Butterfly Mansion..." Kanae spoke weakly to her Kasugai Crow.

"Koak Koak..."

On command from its owner, the Kasugai Crow flew through the air but not very high.

"Follow my Kasugai Crow… Cough Cough… The Butterfly Mansion is not far from here, we can treat ourselves there…"

"Okay."

Rio didn't know what the Butterfly Mansion was, since Kanae said it was close, he followed the direction of the Kasugai Crow.