5: Breathing Techniques

Sakonji Urokodaki hid in the woods, watching the tall figure not far away, who had just beaten a demon with his bare hands until it was too weak to regenerate. His expression was eager.

How strong must that physique be?

Perhaps even Himejima Gyomei, the Stone Hashira who had once crushed demons with his bare hands, couldn't have done it with such ease and grace at his age. If only...

As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the sky, the powerless demon seemed to regain some memories. Whether it was something it saw or the fear of impending death, tears streamed down its face.

The red-haired boy, Tanjiro, hated the demon that had killed his family, but he also felt compassion for the demon before him, who was filled with sadness. He crouched down and gently stroked the demon's hair with his hand until it gradually disintegrated and disappeared in the sunlight.

[Because someone witnessed your feat of slaying a demon with your bare hands, your story begins to spread around Mount Sagiri.]

[You have gained 1 point of Legend.]

Seeing the message in front of him, Jonghyuk was momentarily stunned. He turned his head to see a white-haired old man wearing a Tengu mask slowly approaching. He realized that this was Urokodaki Sakonji, the former Water Hashira and the mentor who had come to take in Tanjiro, as described in the original story.

"Compassion won't save you when facing man-eating demons, young man," the old man said.

Tanjiro, carrying his large basket on his back, finally noticed the masked elder approaching and was somewhat flustered.

As Urokodaki Sakonji spoke with Tanjiro, Jonghyuk had already opened his trial panel. Since this was his initial trial world, Jonghyuk currently did not have access to features like a personal attribute panel.

According to the information from the forum, only after successfully passing the first trial would [Game of Destiny] recognize you as a true "player," granting you various abilities, including a visual attribute panel.

[Trial Mission 1: Survive for three months (1/91)]

[Trial Mission 2: Kill at least one demon (Completion 100%)]

'Completion 100%, huh...'

Jonghyuk sneered inwardly. This 100% completion seemed more like a deceptive tactic. If he were to be content with just this and survive peacefully in this world for three months, his trial rating would likely be no higher than a C or D. For the ambitious Jonghyuk, his goals were always clear.

He intended to seize every opportunity to strengthen himself.

The "Demon Slayer" world, as an initial world, was probably the best chance to achieve an S-rank rating!

According to the information revealed by the [Savior] Wu Kang, obtaining an S-rank rating would not only grant extra attribute and reward points but also offer a lottery draw. The prize pool spanned across all the worlds in [Game of Destiny], making it the most effective way to obtain most of the fantasy items currently in circulation.

"What does Jonghyuk-san plan to do next?"

Sakonji Urokodaki's voice interrupted Jonghyuk's thoughts. He had already learned Jonghyuk's name during his conversation with Tanjiro, and his tone now carried a hint of eagerness.

Although Jonghyuk had initially expected his starting world to be something like the "One Piece" or "Hunter x Hunter" worlds, where it would be easier to acquire physical abilities, he decided to adapt to his current situation.

The most extraordinary power systems in the "Demon Slayer" world were the bloodline of the demons created by Muzan Kibutsuji and the Breathing Techniques practiced by the Demon Slayer Corps. Understanding the intent behind Urokodaki's question, he replied:

"I plan to become a hunter and hunt down these monsters."

As Jonghyuk spoke, he glanced at the blood-soaked temple, his tone carrying a sense of sincerity.

Beneath his mask, Sakonji Urokodaki couldn't hide his delight. He stepped forward and said, "If you're interested in killing demons, I can recommend a place..."

...

"This is..."

Tanjiro looked around in astonishment as swordsmen occasionally passed by them.

Everyone was dressed in identical black uniforms, walking with their swords at their sides, exuding a dangerous aura.

Tanjiro carefully tightened his grip on the bamboo basket he was carrying on his back.

After reporting Jonghyuk's feat of slaying a demon with his bare hands, Sakonji Urokodaki received a prompt response from the Master.

Although they encountered some inspections along the way, the group successfully arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

When they reached the large estate of the Ubuyashiki family, they found that dozens of Demon Slayer swordsmen were already standing guard at the entrance, clearly indicating that the Master was present inside the house.

Sakonji Urokodaki took a deep breath, fully aware of the pressure the Master was under.

'If this man who called himself Jonghyuk could grow into a powerful warrior like the Stone Pillar, Gyomei Himejima...' the thought made his heart burn with anticipation.

Jonghyuk was granted an audience with the current head of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, in the rear courtyard. The man, just as depicted in the anime, exuded an aura of decay. His skin was pale as paper, and the skin above his face had turned into unsightly scars, as if burned. His eyes had grown somewhat cloudy.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat inside the room, gazing at the tall, muscular young man in the courtyard, who was just as robust as Gyomei Himejima. A sense of joy filled his heart, even making the pain of his illness feel slightly alleviated.

He gently waved his hand to interrupt Sakonji Urokodaki's greeting and softly asked, "You are Jonghyuk-San, correct? I've heard you want to hunt demons. Can you tell me why?"

Jonghyuk's expression remained calm, showing neither fear due to the other's position as the head of the Demon Slayer Corps, nor pity for his appearance ravaged by illness. He simply stood there and said, "Perhaps, it's fear."

Sakonji Urokodaki turned his head in surprise. This tall young man had given him the impression of being as tough as a blade carved from stone.

"Facing creatures that feed on humans, fear is only natural," Jonghyuk quietly explained,

"Fear of getting to know a girl, building a good family with her.. having children.. then one day, when you return home.. seeing a demon blissfully eating them.."

"The fear of making a friend or two in your day to day life.. just to know that a demon eat him while you slept in your home.."

"This powerlessness. This fear." then he lifted his head to meet Kagaya Ubuyashiki's increasingly clouded eyes, and firmly said, "Only by killing all of those monsters can we humans rightfully continue to live peacefully!"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was initially stunned, then slowly a smile crept across his face. This was the first time he had heard such a resolute answer.

But he was very pleased!

"Jonghyuk-San, although I've heard your skills are quite impressive, I think you still lack something when it comes to hunting those demons."

Thud... Thud...

As Kagaya Ubuyashiki finished speaking, a figure even taller than Jonghyuk slowly emerged from the inner room.

A long scar across his forehead seemed as though it could split his head open, and the brown robe he wore bore the inscription "Namu Amida Butsu."

His blind eyes appeared to have no impact on his ability to move. This was none other than the strongest among the Nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Stone Pillar—Gyomei Himejima!

Jonghyuk estimated that Gyomei Himejima's height likely exceeded 220 centimeters. His entire body was sculpted with muscles honed to the extreme, exuding an intimidating aura.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki watched as the two giant figures stood together, feeling an uncommon sense of satisfaction.

After coughing twice, he explained, "Typically, to join the Demon Slayer Corps, one must undergo years of training under a cultivator, mastering the Breath techniques and sword skills, and then pass the Final Selection to join the corps. But..."

As if speaking too much at once, Kagaya Ubuyashiki coughed a few more times before continuing, "But you were able to exorcise a demon on your own without the Breath techniques or a Nichirin Sword. I think you must be different."

'Like Muichiro and Gyomei' He said silently in his heart.

By this time, Gyomei Himejima had already approached Jonghyuk. He suddenly placed a hand on Jonghyuk's arm. Jonghyuk's muscles reflexively tensed, and a burst of immense strength surged forth, only to be quickly restrained.

But even so, Gyomei Himejima could feel the terrifying brute strength in those iron-like muscles and tendons.

"The strength of these muscles is almost inhuman... Namu Amida Butsu," murmured Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Pillar, as he nodded to the master, indicating his approval that Jonghyuk indeed possessed a terrifying body capable of killing demons with sheer physical power.

Following the master's signal, Gyomei Himejima began to demonstrate the Breath of Stone technique to Jonghyuk on the spot.

[Story Character Gyomei Himejima is teaching you—Breath Technique: Stone Breathing. Do you accept?]

Jonghyuk silently accepted, and immediately, an unfamiliar instinct suddenly appeared in his body, as if he had been practicing this breathing rhythm for years, making it a natural reflex.

[You have mastered the Breath Technique: Stone Breathing]

A deep, continuous breath quickly emanated from Jonghyuk. He felt his heart pounding violently, his lungs filling with an overwhelming amount of oxygen, sharpening his focus. It seemed as though he could control every muscle in his body. He bent his arm and suddenly punched the ground.

Boom!

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who had just turned to leave, was startled and turned back in shock. He looked at the young man in the courtyard who seemed to have grown even more imposing, his expression filled with disbelief.

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