Chapter 5: White walkers
The world appeared blood-red, as if painted in crimson.
A strange heat coursed through his body, dissipating all pain in its wake.
Violent killing intent surged within him, accompanied by a bloodthirsty desire and intense hunger that began to consume his thoughts.
Aoki's mind spiraled into chaos, yet amidst the turmoil, he faintly sensed an abnormal consciousness growing stronger.
Simultaneously, his human emotions rapidly faded, replaced by an overwhelming craving for human flesh and blood.
Aoki instinctively resisted this transformation, his brow furrowing with visible pain.
To him, losing his autonomy and becoming a demon that feasted on humans was more intolerable than death itself.
Sadly, he couldn't even contemplate suicide now; only a faint subconscious instinct remained to resist the onslaught upon his body and soul.
Yet, this resistance felt as futile as an ant trying to stop a rolling wheel.
[Ding Dong!]
[ Special blood power detected!]
[Absorbing!]
[The absorption of the ghost blood is complete! Congratulations on obtaining the profession "Demon devourer"!]
[...]
[Strong resistance detected, modifying the career template!]
[Career template modification completed!]
[Congratulations on obtaining the career "White Walker"!]
Aoki's eyes snapped open, gasping for breath, fear evident in his gaze.
Almost!
He nearly succumbed completely!
Thankfully, the system is incredible!
"Muzan Kibutsuji!"
Aoki clenched his fists tightly, then gradually relaxed them.
Revenge must be sought, but not yet.
Gradually calming his emotions, Aoki first touched his forehead. The hole punctured by Muzan Kibutsuji had vanished, and the grievous wound on his chest had healed.
He glanced to the side once more.
The tree trunk stood bare, and the hunting knife lay silently on the ground, its blade submerged in mud and water.
Kazuhiko Aomura had vanished completely, leaving no trace in this world.
Aoki felt a pang of melancholy.
"I remember this world believes in souls and reincarnation. I wonder if Master has successfully reincarnated?"
Walking over, he picked up the hunting knife and turned away.
Upon returning home and packing his belongings, Aoki soon reemerged with a package in hand.
Surveying his surroundings, his eyes swept across the house, the fence, the firewood in the corner, and the tables and chairs in the yard.
Silence filled the moment.
With the package secured on his back, Aoki stepped out, his figure soon disappearing into the night shrouded by heavy rain.
The rain gradually ceased, the dark clouds dispersed, and a ray of sunlight pierced the darkness.
Two figures burst into the yard like a gust of wind.
Kocho Shinobu swiftly surveyed the surroundings, her young face tense.
"No movement, no demons were found!"
Takina's hands clenched into fists, knuckles white with tension. "What about Aoki? How is Aoki?"
Kocho Shinobu bowed her head, silent, her eyes burning with anger.
The disappearance of his body after battling the demon spoke volumes.
On their way here, she had learned more about the situation.
Her father had transformed into a demon and devoured her future husband. The cruelty of it all was unbearable!
Takina slowly sank to the ground, the mud and water seeping into her clothes.
Aomura Rihui gazed at the familiar yard with a vacant expression.
Kocho Shinobu frowned deeply, her demeanor serious as she scanned for any trace of the demon.
During their journey here, she had harbored little hope of rescuing anyone.
Too much time had elapsed!
In a short span, ordinary people might still stand a chance against demons, but now an entire night had passed since the demon had appeared.
Kocho Shinobu quickly surveyed the surroundings, her youthful face serious.
"No movement, no demons found!"
Takina's hands clenched into fists, knuckles white with tension. "What about Aoki? How is Aoki?"
Kocho Shinobu bowed her head, silent, her eyes burning with anger.
The disappearance of his body after battling the demon spoke volumes.
On their way here, she had learned more about the situation.
Her father had transformed into a demon and devoured her future husband. The cruelty of it all was unbearable!
Takina slowly sank to the ground, the mud and water seeping into her clothes.
Aomura Rie gazed at the familiar yard with a vacant expression.
Kocho Shinobu frowned deeply, her demeanor serious as she scanned for any trace of the demon.
During their journey here, she had harbored little hope of rescuing anyone.
Too much time had elapsed!
In a short span, ordinary people might still stand a chance against demons, but now an entire night had passed since the demon had appeared.
---
Even a newborn demon was almost invincible to humans without knowledge of breathing techniques.
But at the very least, she wanted to deal with the demon, avenge the honorable man named Aoki, and prevent more people from falling victim to demons.
Unfortunately, the heavy rain had washed away all traces, and tracking down the demon again might prove difficult.
Kocho Kanae pondered briefly, exchanging a glance with her sister.
Though Kocho Shinobu appeared somewhat puzzled, she moved towards the wooden house.
Returning to the yard with slightly hastened steps, she announced, "Here's a letter, addressed by 'Aoki'."
Aomura Rie suddenly looked up, while Takina rushed over eagerly, snatching the letter from Kocho Shinobu and reading it aloud in a rush.
"Master's wife, Takina, the demon has been vanquished.
It's unsafe in the mountains, so please evacuate as soon as possible!
Once relocated, remember to plant wisteria flowers around your new home or sprinkle wisteria pollen—these can ward off demon attacks.
I'm safe; don't worry about me. I have personal matters to attend to, so I must depart, but I will visit you again soon!"
Takina froze for a moment, then collapsed to the ground, covering her face and crying uncontrollably, a torrent of sorrow, pain, fear, worry, and grievance in her sobs.
Aomura Rie embraced her tightly, whispering, "We're fortunate to be alive! We're fortunate to be alive! We're fortunate to be alive!"
Exhausted from fear and sleepless through the night, her emotions overwhelmed her, and she soon fell asleep in tears.
Aomura Rie also appeared drained, guided by the Butterfly sisters to her room to rest.
Butterfly Kanae gently closed the door behind them and settled on a stool in the yard with Butterfly Shinobu.
Glancing around, she sighed, "This house is beautiful, and the yard is well-maintained. They must have lived happily here before."
Butterfly Shinobu paid little attention to the house and yard; she was more curious about something else.
"Sister, you mentioned Aoki didn't know breathing techniques. How did he defeat the demon?"
Kanae Koucho smiled gently, "I'm not sure myself, but defeating a demon without breathing techniques isn't impossible. Didn't Mr. Himejima,accomplish it?"
Shinobu Koucho almost retorted with "Mr. Himejima is special," but then recalled Aoki had indeed slain a demon without breathing techniques. Although it was a fledgling demon, it demonstrated his unique abilities.
"It's a shame he's gone; otherwise, we could have recommended him to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Perhaps he could have become a pillar!"
Kanae Koucho tapped her forehead thoughtfully, remarking, "Shinobu, the work of the Demon Slayer Corps is perilous. We can't recruit people unless they seek us out."
Shinobu Koucho insisted, "But surely he seeks revenge too!"
Kanae Koucho offered no argument.
Aomura Rie and Takina slept for nearly a day.
The next morning.
Despite their profound grief, the two gathered their strength to first construct a tomb for Aomura Kazuhiko, then commenced packing with assistance from the Koucho sisters.
"Let's go, Takina!" Aomura Rihui beckoned.
"Okay, I'm coming."
Takina cast a final glance at her childhood home, turned away, and headed outside.
They packed lightly.
It was inconvenient to carry too much, and they anticipated returning one day.
For Aomura Rie and Takina, this was their home.
Once Aoki finished his business, they planned to return to live here.