Chapter 37: One Move

Akino and Yuka were focused on dealing with the demon in front of them when they suddenly heard strange cries behind them. Turning around, they saw three demons forcing Nae back and turning to attack the two of them.

The two of them immediately turned pale, and in their panic, their sword swings became chaotic. They were being pushed back by the demon in front, which brought them closer to the three demons behind.

Just as the two were at a loss, they heard the girl's bell-like voice again.

A strong wind swept from behind them, and the two hoped for a miracle to happen again, but it was clear this time it wouldn't.

The girl's move managed to cut off one leg from each of two demons but failed to stop their momentum. In their despair, they were even more surprised to feel the girl throwing herself on top of them.

They quickly understood what she intended. A wave of indescribable emotion surged in their hearts. This timid, self-deprecating girl, whom everyone despised, was willing to do this for two strangers.

What kind of kindness must she possess to repay evil with good?

"Someone will come to save us."

Who else would save us? Him?

Akino turned to look at the boy on the stone platform who still hadn't moved. If he had intended to help, he would have acted long ago. How could he save three people from four demons at once from such a distance?

"Ice Breathing, Sixth Form: Phantom."

Akino watched as the person on the stone platform disappeared into thin air. In the blink of an eye, a figure in white stood in front of the three of them. A cold wind seemed to blow past, and the three crouched on the ground shivered from the bone-chilling cold.

"Ding." The Nichirin Sword was sheathed, the clinking sound of the guard hitting the sheath accompanied by a dull thud, as if a ball had hit the ground.

A demon's head, eyes wide open, rolled to Yuka's feet. She screamed and kicked it away, the severed neck encased in a layer of white frost, emitting a cold mist.

A headless corpse lay on the ground, trembling.

Akino turned to look behind them. The other three demons were in similar states, their heads cleanly severed and bodies trembling. Soon after, they turned to dust and disappeared.

Akino and Yuka exchanged shocked glances. They had almost died multiple times fighting these demons, and the three of them together could barely hold their own. Yet, he had killed all four demons in one move, so fast they couldn't even see how he did it.

How strong was he?

Such a powerful person wasn't even an official member of the Demon Slayer Corps?

Even a true member of the Demon Slayer Corps wouldn't be this strong.

Akino and Yuka stood with their mouths half open, not knowing what to say, especially Akino, who had just insulted him. Now, he was utterly ashamed.

"See, I told you someone would save us."

Nae smiled proudly, seemingly showing off to the two of them. Then she looked up at the person beside her. "Hatsune, I knew you wouldn't leave us to die." But her words were met with a cold glare.

Nae quickly lowered her head, stuck out her tongue, and didn't dare speak again.

Seeing Nae's adorable behavior, the two beside her forced a smile. Truly, people can't be judged by their appearance.

A shy girl on the plaza turned out to be quite skilled, and the boy who was indifferent to everyone wouldn't abandon her. What kind of fate was this?

It seemed there was a peculiar attraction between weird people.

"Thank you," Yuka said, turning to Hatsune.

Hatsune didn't respond, glaring at Nae, who crouched down silently, before turning back to the stone platform.

The invisible pressure and cold that surrounded them dissipated as Hatsune left.

Nae watched Hatsune's retreating figure until he was far away, then sighed in relief and cheerfully helped the two up. "Are you two okay?"

They shook their heads.

"No, we're fine. Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, we..." Thinking back to the earlier scene, Yuka felt a shiver of fear.

Nae quickly waved her hands. "No… no, it was him who saved you. I didn't help at all and almost got you killed." She scratched her head in embarrassment.

"Anyway, you were the first to save us. Hi, I'm Yuka, and this is my friend Akino. We came together for the final selection of the Demon Slayer Corps."

Yuka introduced herself and Akino.

Faced with Yuka's enthusiasm, Nae was a bit flustered.

"Hi, I'm…"

Before Nae could speak, Yuka cheerfully said, "Nae, Kanroji Nae, right?"

Nae shyly nodded, experiencing such warm attention for the first time.

"I heard your introduction on the plaza. Kanroji Nae, it's a lovely name."

"Thank you."

Yuka turned to Hatsune, leaning against the stone wall, wanting to thank him personally. But seeing his distant demeanor, she hesitated and looked to Nae for help.

"Hatsune, Kooriyama Hatsune. Don't worry about him. He's actually very nice, though he looks scary. You'll see once you get to know him."

Yuka nodded slightly, thinking only Nae would say that.

After a brief exchange, the three of them found a clearing near the stone platform and sat down on some smooth rocks.

"What brought you two here?"

Akino and Yuka exchanged a look and recounted their experience. From leaving the mountainside at dusk, entering the forest, being surrounded by demons, to encountering the jumping demon, the spider demon, and the three-eyed demon, they detailed the collapse of their group.