Facelessness 2nd Contrast - Attacking the Demon!

Kai's eyes darted like a pair of dragonflies as he tried to follow the flashes of lights that were Hashira and the Demon.

With his new Agility, Kai had thought the gap between him and the top-level Demon Slayers had been closed.

Only now he realized that was a foolish thought, to begin with.

Forget about following their movements, Kai could hardly see the shared blows. The only thing that was letting him feel what was happening was his instincts.

Kai had already exchanged Titles, equipping Adulterer instead of Novice Collector. The extra points in his Luck, Correspondence, and Breath had vanished, giving a 5 points boost to his Stamina instead.

It also let him meet the requirements to use the Skill — Heart Rhythm!

But Kai had yet to lock on the target.

He wasn't sure whether this female Hashira would survive this ordeal, and if she wouldn't, then locking on her would be a waste of time.

In that case, Kai would rather bide his time, re-equipping his Novice Collector Title. As much as he would like to gain an unconditional follower, he wanted Luck more.

The distant horizon had turned bluish-gold, a tinge of pink forcing its way into the sky shyly.

This would end soon, Kai thought, frowning. Sooner than I'd thought.

By now, he had guessed what must have happened for the Hashira to be in such a pitiful state.

If he was right, then this Hashira must have come for him, commanding both Inosuke and Zenitsu in her group. There must be others with her. But somehow, she had separated from them.

Then she seemed to be ambushed.

Kai remembered the bloody state of the Hashira and guessed that there must be another demon in the beginning who forced the Hashira into a passive state, lessening her defense. Otherwise, Kai could think of nothing that could remotely make a Hashira so miserable.

Suddenly, the air burst apart over the cliff, and a broken, petite figure of Hashira slammed into the ground, bursting apart the solid rocks.

The shrill laugh of the demon echoed far and wide from the cliff. "Hahaha!" the demon guffawed, the cuts on his body healing at a visible pace. "Accept my blood, Hashira! Become a Demon. Why die when you can live, huh? You think your poison will kill me? Fool!"

Kai's eyes narrowed at the word Poison.

The dust cleared to let him see the female Hashira pushing herself to a kneeled position using her sword, her head drooping, and her blood dripping like frost in the morning.

Suddenly, another laugh echoed in the surroundings, and it had come from the Hashira.

It was weaker than that of the demon. It smelled of death and madness.

Kai shut his eyes and sighed.

He knew this laughter. This laughter was a song, and he had sung it before. Every person got the chance to sing this song once in their lifetime, for this was the song of acceptance. This was the song of resolve.

This was the song of the will to take the enemy down with you.

Only a few moments left until dawn, but it was more than enough for the demon; for both of them. And unlike his song, Hashira's song wouldn't have a flashy ending, Kai knew.

Kai's mind ran like a supercomputer, scenes after scenes, plans after plans, and unfathomable scenarios passing through his mind.

Three moments. Just three moments and Kai had decided.

The Blood Demon stood up, opening his eyes calmly.

But something was different about him. Something unrecognizable to those who knew him not.

When Kai straightened his spine, his figure boasted of a grand majesty.

An aura of extreme nobility flowed out from his eyes like the stream beside him. His lips were a thin line, threatening to take the title of the horizon from the world. And his long, white hair was whiter than the promised sun.

This was not a Contestant.

This was a being born to destroy the evil, and uproot the vile and wicked beings from this world.

Facelessness - Second Contrast: the quintessential conversion of inner selves!

Kai had not been playing Darcie's role with no gains.

He couldn't do it with utmost mastery, but Kai had learned to give himself a false Self to fool the Characters.

No matter who would see Kai now, they would never relate him to the shameless killer, for his entire stance told of a forgotten tale; of justice and truth.

The only thing that still belonged to his previous Self was his mind.

Kai unsheathed the swords, Afro's Tachi and Murasame, as he saw the demon advancing towards the kneeling Hashira with a burning passion to kill.

He crouched, his eyes never leaving the demon.

Veins popped up on his legs, as Kai made himself recall he lacked Strength. But dawn was closer, and he must do something now.

The flow of the river of time slowed down.

Both the demon and the Hashira sensed something amiss, their heads snapping in Kai's direction.

Like a blue wraith, Kai dented the ground under his feet, gliding to the spot between both parties.

He landed like a feather between them, their minds still processing the sudden intrusion.

Twin Saber-Style - Explode!

Kai slashed with Afro's Tachi.

The demon with strange scripted eyes flicked it away with his forearm. An extremely shallow cut, just enough to bring out a few drops of blood.

First Strike.

Kai brought down the same sword in reverse, hacking at the demon's head. He flicked it away again. Another drop of blood fell.

Second strike.

With one thought, the muscles in Kai's left hand ballooned. He slashed from two different angles, leaving behind illusions. The demon took a stance, flicking away both strikes effortlessly. "What are you?" he asked, disgusted by Kai's presence. "I hate the weak…"

Four strikes complete!

Kai brought the Afro's Tachi and slashed horizontally.

It didn't feel any different. Just another weak and meaningless slash.

Only a moment had passed since Kai's arrival and time had yet to regain its original momentum.

Both Kai and the demon's movements were two blurs, the Hashira watching the extraordinary scene with her listless eyes.

The demon brought his hands up in defense like a boxing posture against Kai's slash.

Blood exploded like a geyser as Afro's Tachi cut the demon's hands from the wrists, leaving a hideous scar on his chest.

Fifth Strike!

"Even when I don't see a way…" Kai mumbled, lifting Murasame, "… I will keep moving forward."

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