6: Final Trial

"Urokodaki-San, have you ever seen someone like him before?"

"He mastered the Breath Technique in an instant, and it's the most difficult one—Breath of Stone!"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki mentioned the events from a few days ago, his tone still filled with indescribable excitement.

He even wondered if there was some divine intervention at play, allowing him to encounter so many once-in-a-century geniuses one after another.

Whether it was Gyomei Himejima, who was blind yet could physically overpower demons, or Muichiro Tokito, who became a Pillar after just two months of wielding a sword, or Kyojuro Rengoku, who mastered the Flame Breathing technique simply by studying a scroll...

And now, there was this new talent—Jonghyuk—whose body was so powerful that it impressed even Gyomei Himejima and whose innate skill was so high that he mastered the Stone Breathing technique after being taught just once.

Sakonji Urokodaki was not wearing his mask today, and he shook his head with a smile. Someone like Jonghyuk was a first for him.

In contrast, there was the child recommended by Giyu Tomioka. Though talented, that child still had to begin his training by honing his physical strength and stamina.

Jonghyuk stood further away on the grass, holding a wooden sword with both hands. Under Gyomei Himejima's guidance, he was practicing the forms.

Whoosh!

Jonghyuk swung the wooden sword down with great force, the immense power causing the sword to cut through the air, creating a loud whooshing sound. Although Gyomei Himejima himself used unconventional weapons—a broad axe and a flail—he preferred that Jonghyuk, who had never before encountered sword techniques or training, begin his practice with the most fundamental skills.

Tachi-giri, Kesagiri, Gyaku kesa giri, Left Horizontal Cut, Right Horizontal Cut, Left Upward Slash, Right Upward Slash, Gyakufū, Thrust.

Swordsmanship basics are derived from these nine fundamental forms. All complex sword techniques are just variations and combinations of these basics.

Jonghyuk practiced these nine basic forms repeatedly, though his thoughts were elsewhere. In this Destiny Game centered around various anime worlds, swordsmanship was likely a highly popular and powerful skill, potentially even more lethal than martial arts.

Unfortunately, due to his previous focus on adaptability, he hadn't trained in swordsmanship—a significant disadvantage in the world of Demon Slayer.

[Under the guidance of the plot's strong character, Gyomei Himejima, you have gained proficiency in Basic Swordsmanship: Mastery Level 1]

Jonghyuk sighed in relief, and his movements became smoother.

Although he couldn't see his status screen, he believed his expertise in combat was not weak.

Now, with the basics of swordsmanship under his belt, combined with his immense strength enhanced by the Breath of Stone, passing the so-called Final Selection shouldn't be too difficult.

Gyomei Himejima sensed his new disciple's movements becoming noticeably smoother and was surprised. But recalling how Jonghyuk had instantly grasped the Stone Breathing, he accepted it—perhaps this disciple was simply an exceptionally gifted genius.

Sakonji Urokodaki, who was sitting in the courtyard with the Master, had keen senses. He sharply noticed that the young man who had been a complete novice in swordsmanship not long ago was now moving with skill and fluidity. He sighed inwardly, further convinced that he had found an extraordinary talent for the Demon Slayer Corps.

Yet, precisely because Jonghyuk's talent was so high, Urokodaki couldn't help but feel anxious. After much hesitation, he finally spoke up.

"Master, the Final Selection is filled with danger. Is it too risky to send Jonghyuk, who has only just begun learning the Breathings Techniques and swordsmanship, to face it directly?"

"Back then, my disciples was also exceptionally talented, yet in the end..."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki understood the worries and concerns in Sakonji Urokodaki's heart, but he shook his head and sighed.

"Jonghyuk is older than most of the Demon Slayer swordsmen when they joined the corps. He is not a child anymore, and..."

Sakonji looked at the Master in confusion.

"And, in his eyes, I see a deep desire..."

"A desire to slay demons!"

Sakonji's pupils contracted in disbelief as he looked towards the tall young man on the other side, still practicing his swordsmanship.

...

[Side Quest 1: Complete the Final Selection of the Demon Slayer Swordsmen.]

[Success Rewards: A personal Nichirin Blade, increased Demon Slayer Corps reputation, slight increase in completion evaluation.]

"Haah.." After seven days of training and refining his skills, Jonghyuk finally stood at the foot of Mount Fujikasane.

As he looked at the outer perimeter of the mountain, tinged with a hint of purple from the setting sun, he knew that the area was filled with Wisteria flowers. Further inside was the domain of the man-eating demons imprisoned by the Demon Slayer Corps.

Gyomei Himejima wept, as if in anguish over the dangers his disciple was about to face.

"Sob* Sob* There's still time to regret this. The Final Selection for a single person is exceptionally difficult. During the night, you will constantly face attacks from demons. You won't be able to rest, won't be able to... *sob*..."

Jonghyuk listened to Gyomei Himejima's rambling, understanding that he was concerned for his safety. However, with his ambitious goals, Jonghyuk knew he had to seize every possible opportunity to improve his trial rating. In this kind of infinite progression, strength must be built step by step.

Jonghyuk shook his head and firmly interrupted Gyomei.

"You are the one who thought me. So, Master, if I can't even defeat these lesser demons, how can I hope to hunt down those powerful creatures known as the Twelve Kizuki?"

Gyomei was taken aback and stopped trying to dissuade him. He silently took out a long blade over two meters in length from behind him. It was about three fingers wide, with a gray blade, and he handed it to Jonghyuk.

"Such a good man *Sob* This is a Nichirin Blade I used before. Although it may not be heavy enough for us, it's more suitable than those standard Nichirin Blades."

Jonghyuk took the extraordinarily long Nichirin Blade, which even by the standards of an odachi was exaggerated in size. Holding it in one hand, it weighed about ten pounds, likely infused with enough Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand, making it both heavy and durable, much like Gyomei's own oversized axe and flail.

Woosh!

With a single swing, the blade cut through the air with a deep and terrifying sound, and Jonghyuk felt that it was indeed more suitable than the lighter Nichirin Blades.

"Then, may fortune be with you... Namu Amida Butsu."

Jonghyuk thanked Gyomei Himejima, then without looking back, he stepped into Mount Fujikasane, passing through the large grove of Wisteria trees as the sun set.

Caw... caw...

It was as if some terrifying force had descended, causing the crows to let out ominous cries as they flew away.

Jonghyuk, carrying the oversized Nichirin Blade on his back, walked out of the Wisteria forest and immediately noticed that the temperature inside Mount Fujikasane was noticeably lower than outside.

The sun had just set, and there was already a chilling coldness in the air.

Gurgle...

In the silent forest, a round object rolled out from the bushes.

Jonghyuk's gaze lowered, and as he got closer, he saw that it was a human head.

The flesh on it was either gnawed away or decayed, leaving only some tissue on the top, while the lower part had already turned into a bare skull. Judging by the size, it must have belonged to a child who had previously participated in the Final Selection.

"Huh? Why did only one person come in this time?"

A demon with long black hair hanging over its face, with dark red bloodstains on the corners of its mouth and clothes, emerged from the shadows. Seeing that there was only Jonghyuk, it seemed very dissatisfied, and it gave him a greedy smile.

"After all, one person is barely enough to feed us!"

As it spoke, the shadows of the trees behind it began to stir, revealing the figures of more than a dozen demons, one after another.

These demons had actually planned to work together, lying in wait at the entrance!

"This is gonna be interesting" Jonghyuk smiled.