Chapter 4: Final Selection, Facing Hand Demon

Time passed quickly.

Before the selection began, Zhou Yi and Makomo walked together and arrived at their destination on time—Fujikasane Mountain.

The mountain was covered in blooming wisteria flowers.

The branches drooped low, and the light purple petals emitted a captivating fragrance.

Zhou Yi and Makomo were the last participants to arrive for the selection.

Among the two, only Zhou Yi wore a disaster-repelling mask.

Makomo's mask was put away by him.

Their unusual appearance immediately attracted the attention of other participants.

"These two look pretty strong!"

"Fool, I've heard that those who wear masks in the selection don't usually end well!"

"Who told you that?"

"Of course, my master told me!"

The whispers among the crowd were clearly audible to the two of them.

Makomo, usually serious and reserved, felt displeased when she overheard someone speaking ill of the mask made by Master Urokodaki.

Zhou Yi squeezed Makomo's little hand and softly whispered in her ear:

"Senior Sister, the selection is about to begin. Don't mind these people."

Prioritizing what was important, Makomo nodded in agreement.

...

"Thank you all for participating in tonight's final selection for the Demon Slayer Corps."

"Here on Fujikasane Mountain, we have captured demons alive."

"In this wisteria flower prison, if you survive for 7 days, you'll pass the final selection."

"Now, the selection officially begins. Please proceed carefully."

After the announcement, the person in charge bowed and left.

Unlike in the anime, the main examiners this time weren't the twin siblings.

"I guess they haven't been born yet."

Thinking of this, Zhou Yi took Makomo's hand and started heading toward the foot of the mountain.

...

At the entrance to the final selection:

"Senior Sister, let's split up here."

"Mm. Junior Brother, make sure you survive!"

"Mm, I will. If I encounter…"

"Right, right, I understand. If you meet a demon with many hands, make sure to avoid it! You're so talkative, Junior Brother."

Master Rengoku had specifically instructed them to rely on their own abilities to pass the selection.

Makomo was confident in her strength and readily agreed.

Watching his senior sister leave, Zhou Yi finally began his demon-slaying journey.

[Ding, current location detected as Fujikasane Mountain, unlocking task: Slay the Hand Demon.]

[Task description: The cunning Hand Demon is hiding within Fujikasane Mountain, intentionally controlling its bloodlust, hunting down anyone who sees its face. For decades, it has remained undetected. Use your blade to sever the Hand Demon's head!]

[Task reward: Increase 5% of inheritance progress.]

The system issued another task.

Perfectly in line with Zhou Yi's own plans.

He adjusted the disaster-preventing mask on his face, hiding his delicate features beneath it, and revealed a sinister smile: "Hand Demon, prepare to die!"

...

The second day of the final selection arrived.

The swordsmen participating in the selection had noticed something strange!

"Aren't there supposed to be a lot of demons on Fujikake Mountain?"

"Why haven't we encountered any for so long!"

"This is boring! This isn't the final selection I wanted!"

Complaints aside, they privately felt relieved.

"This is fine, as long as we survive the seven days, we'll pass the assessment!"

The culprit behind this strange phenomenon was Zhou Yi, who was tirelessly hunting demons in the forest.

At that moment, he leapt down from a tree, blocking a demon that was trying to escape.

"Please! Don't chase me anymore! I haven't eaten any humans! I swear I haven't!"

The demon before him was panicking, and upon realizing it couldn't escape, it fell to its knees and begged.

Zhou Yi paid no attention to the demon's words.

"Do you know that there's a Hand Demon in this mountain?"

He had asked this mechanical question hundreds of times by now.

The Hand Demon was well-hidden, and many demons hadn't even seen it.

Thus, Zhou Yi didn't hold much hope for this demon, merely asking as a matter of routine.

Upon hearing this, the demon on the ground suddenly looked hopeful, seeing a ray of light in its situation.

"I know! If you spare me, I'll tell you where it is!"

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, surprised.

What a find!

This demon actually knew the Hand Demon's whereabouts!

"Take me to it, and I'll spare your life."

"But if you dare lie to me—"

Zhou Yi casually swung his Nichirin Blade, and the demon felt a gust of wind rush past its ear. A large stone behind it was instantly split in two.

The demon's soul nearly flew out of its body from fear, and it hurriedly replied, "No, I wouldn't dare! Follow me!"

The demon, trembling with fear, led the way, twisting and turning until they reached a grim mountain cave entrance.

"This thing's hiding really deep!"

Zhou Yi couldn't help but click his tongue as he walked this far. This demon was incredibly cautious!

No wonder it had survived on Fujikake Mountain for so long without being discovered.

Upon reaching the cave entrance, the demon suddenly sped up and rushed into the cave.

"Ha ha, fool! I've brought you here to die!"

After mocking Zhou Yi, the demon yelled into the cave, "Hand Demon-sama! Someone wearing a mask is here to cause trouble for you!"

Zhou Yi naturally wouldn't let the demon escape so easily. With a flash, he appeared behind the demon.

"Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain of Heaven!"

A gentle slash took the demon's head.

"In gratitude for leading me here, I'll give you a merciful death."

The demon's head hit the ground, and its body slowly turned to ash.

With its last bit of strength, it screamed, "You said you'd spare me! Why!"

"The Nichirin Blade killed you, what does that have to do with me?" Zhou Yi replied coldly.

The demon's eyes widened in disbelief as it died unwillingly.

Sheathing his sword, Zhou Yi looked into the cave.

The real challenge was about to begin.

"Crack, crack, crack! Another disciple of Sakonji has come!"

Before he saw the Hand Demon, he heard its chilling voice.

An eerie, terrifying laugh came from deep within the cave, and the ground began to tremble slightly.

It was the Hand Demon's footsteps.

After a moment, the Hand Demon's true form finally appeared.

A hulking figure, the size of a small mountain, with green skin and countless arms growing all over its body.

This demon was so enormous that it was impossible to tell where its neck was.

If not for the arms protecting its eyes, normal people would never be able to locate its neck!

"Hey, little demon! Do you know how many like you I've eaten?"

"Too many of your words!"

Zhou Yi wasn't interested in talking. He immediately swung his nichirin blade at the Hand Demon.

"Senior Sister is still waiting for me! Who would waste time talking to a monster like you?"