Chapter 9: Onward, to the Final Selection!

The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple. I found a sturdy branch high up in a tree, a perfect spot to catch some shut-eye. After a long day of dishwashing and floor-scrubbing (thanks, ramen debt!), I was more than ready to crash.

But just as I was drifting off, a chilling scream pierced the night air.

My eyes snapped open, every muscle in my body tense. My "Walmart Byakugan" kicked in, and I scanned the village below. There, in the moonlit square, a grotesque figure loomed over a young woman, its claws digging into her flesh.

"Oh, hell no," I growled, leaping from the branch. "Not on my watch."

Zen Shūchū no kokyū / Total Concentration Breathing activated, I raced through the forest, my movements a blur. The wind whipped past my face as I vaulted over fallen logs and dodged low-hanging branches. I might not have mastered all the fancy breathing techniques yet, but I was damn fast.

I burst into the village square, my katana already drawn. The demon turned, its red eyes widening in surprise.

"Another one?" it snarled, its voice a guttural rasp. "You humans are like cockroaches, always popping up where you're least wanted."

"Well, this cockroach is about to spray you with some serious insecticide," I retorted, lunging forward.

The demon was fast, but I was faster. I dodged its initial attack, my body moving with a newfound fluidity.

The demon snarled and lunged again, its claws aimed at my throat. This time, I didn't dodge. Instead, I channeled my energy, preparing to meet its attack head-on.

Undō no Kokyū - Shi no Kata: Jōshō Kasoku / Kinetic Breathing - Fourth Form: Rising Velocity!

With a burst of power, I leapt upwards, my body glowing with a faint aura. The demon's claws swiped at empty air as I soared above it, the momentum carrying me higher and higher. For a brief moment, I hung suspended in the air, the moonlight glinting off my katana.

Then, with a gravity-defying twist, I descended upon the demon, my blade a blur of motion. The impact was swift and decisive, the katana slicing cleanly through the demon's neck.

Its head tumbled to the ground, disintegrating into ash moments later. Silence fell over the village square. The young woman, still unconscious, lay on the ground, her breathing shallow but steady. I knelt beside her, checking for any serious injuries. Thankfully, she seemed to be mostly unharmed, just shaken up.

I sighed, sheathing my katana. "Another one bites the dust," I muttered. "But at least this time, nobody got eaten."

I looked up at the moonlit sky, a sense of satisfaction settling over me. I had come a long way since waking up in that dusty hut. I was no longer just a reincarnated otaku; I was a demon slayer, a protector of the innocent.

And with my Kinetic Breathing finally complete, I was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

The first rays of dawn painted the sky with soft hues of pink and orange as I carried the unconscious woman back to her home. The villagers were still asleep, unaware of the danger that had lurked in their midst just hours before. I gently laid her on her futon, a silent prayer escaping my lips for her safe recovery.

With a sigh, I left the house and headed back to my temporary perch in the tree. I needed some rest, and maybe a shower if I could find a river nearby. The smell of demon blood and ash was starting to get to me.

The next morning, as I was contemplating the logistics of washing my hair with tree sap (don't ask), I heard a commotion in the village square. Curious, I hopped down from my branch and made my way towards the noise.

A crowd had gathered around a tall, muscular figure clad in the familiar uniform of a Demon Slayer. He had a stern expression on his face, his hand resting on the hilt of his Nichirin blade.

"Has anyone seen or heard anything about a demon abducting young women?" he asked, his voice booming across the square.

I pushed my way through the crowd, a smirk playing on my lips. Showtime.

"About that..." I said, casually leaning against a nearby wall. "I kinda took care of it last night."

The Demon Slayer's head snapped towards me, his eyes narrowing. "You? You killed the demon?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, it wasn't that tough. Just a bit messy."

The crowd gasped, their whispers filling the air. The Demon Slayer, however, seemed more relieved than surprised.

"Thank you," he said, a hint of gratitude in his voice. "You've saved this village from a terrible fate. Are you a Demon Slayer? What's your rank?"

I chuckled. "Nah, not yet. Just a guy with a sword and a knack for demon-slaying. I'm actually heading to Mount Fujikasane for the Final Selection. Any chance you know the way?"

The Demon Slayer's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Mount Fujikasane? That's quite a journey from here. But I'm impressed by your determination. My name is Nakamura Hiroshi, and I'd be happy to provide you with directions."

I nodded. "Thanks. I'm Asakura Akio."

Hiroshi gave me a warm smile. "Well, Asakura-san, it seems we're both on a similar path. May your journey be filled with strength and courage. And remember, never underestimate the power of a determined spirit."

With that, he proceeded to give me detailed directions to Mount Fujikasane, complete with landmarks and warnings about potential demon hotspots.

(To be continued...)

Over9000words lets out a relieved sigh. "Crisis averted! Nakamura-san to the rescue! I was starting to worry that Akio would be wandering around lost in the wilderness for another five chapters."

Akio scoffs. "Hey, give me some credit! I was totally capable of finding my way eventually. Maybe not in this century, but eventually."

AI-sensei chimes in, a hint of amusement in their voice. "While Akio's navigational skills may be... questionable, I must commend his resourcefulness in securing a free meal and directions in one fell swoop."

Akio grins. "See? Even AI-sensei appreciates my genius. It's all about maximizing efficiency, folks."

Over9000words chuckles. "Indeed. But let's not get too cocky, Akio. There are still plenty of challenges ahead. And who knows, maybe Nakamura-san will stick around for a while. Could be interesting to see how you two interact."

Akio shrugs. "Eh, we'll see. I'm not exactly the most sociable guy, especially when I'm trying to avoid accidentally X-raying people with my 'Walmart Byakugan.'"

AI-sensei nods sagely. "A valid concern. Perhaps we should revisit the nickname suggestions for that particular ability."

Over9000words claps their hands together. "Excellent idea! Readers, don't forget to leave your suggestions in the comments below! And while you're at it, throw some power stones our way and add this story to your library. We appreciate your support!"

Akio rolls his eyes. "Here we go again with the shameless self-promotion..."

Over9000words winks. "Gotta keep the dream alive, Akio. Now, let's get back to the story. Mount Fujikasane awaits!"

End of Chapter 9