Chapter 3: Upper Rank Two

A wild demon appeared!

As the demon materialised at the outskirts of the village, The Slayer and the waitress immediately sensed the malevolence emanating from its imposing form. This demon was unlike any they had encountered before, marked with striking features that hinted at its formidable strength.

Its crimson hue, long ears, and two imposing horns gave it a fearsome appearance. However, it was the word "slander" etched onto its forehead that sent shivers down their spines. This demon thrived on spreading malicious lies and mistruths, striking at the very heart of people's beliefs and unity.

The Slayer's eyes narrowed as he noticed the demon's eyes. There, etched in the irises, was a letter that signified an upper rank two demon. It was evident that the village was facing a formidable adversary—one far beyond the ordinary demons they had encountered before.

As the demon loomed before them, its malevolence palpable, The Slayer's confidence remained unshaken. With a determined grin, he addressed the demon, his voice carrying an air of defiance.

"A demon, huh?" The Slayer boasted, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "It's been a while since I had such a worthy opponent to test my skills."

The demon snarled in response, clearly unimpressed by The Slayer's bravado. But The Slayer wasn't finished yet.

"You've caused enough suffering," he continued, his tone unwavering. "Eating people, spreading fear, and sowing discord among innocent people. Your wicked deeds end tonight, for I am the judge that will deliver your sentence!"

The demon's sinister grin faltered for a moment, realizing that he was facing formidable adversaries. But he quickly regained his composure, eager to prove his might.

"Hey, miss," The Slayer said, turning to her with a reassuring smile. "Go and find a safe place to hide. I'll handle this."

Her eyes wide with concern, she protested, "But he'll come after me if I'm away from you!"

The Slayer nodded, acknowledging her fears. "You're right," he admitted, "but I can't protect you and fight the demon simultaneously. If we're too close, his attacks could reach you. For now, find a secure hiding spot or a safehouse. That will be enough to keep you out of harm's way."

His words carried a blend of firmness and compassion, and the waitress reluctantly agreed. "Alright," she said, trying to steady her nerves. "But please be careful."

With that, she hurried away, seeking a safe refuge while The Slayer readied himself for the battle ahead. As she disappeared from sight, The Slayer faced the demon with a steely gaze.

"Prepare yourself," he declared, his voice echoing with determination. "The judgment day is upon you."

The Slayer's heart pounded in his chest as he made the bold decision to confront the demon head-on. The allure of his determination was unwavering as he charged towards the malevolent creature, knowing that this risky plan was the best chance to protect the villagers.

"I can't let this demon wreak havoc any longer," he thought to himself. "I must force it to stay by my side, away from the innocent lives in the village."

With every step he took, The Slayer's mind raced, calculating his moves carefully. The allure of his time-breathing techniques would be crucial in keeping the demon at bay while ensuring the safety of the people.

With fixed determination, The Slayer unsheathed his sword and unleashed a powerful technique known as Iaijutsu - Time Breathing Fifth Form: Linear Unsheathed Sword Technique. The demon was taken by surprise, quickly raising both hands to block the attack aimed at its neck.

The clash of the blade and the demon sent sparks flying, and the air crackled with tension. The demon struggled to defend itself against The Slayer's incredible speed and precision, caught off guard by his relentless assault.

"You won't escape!" The Slayer declared firmly. "Your reign of terror ends now!"

The Slayer focused his energy, tapping into the power of Time Breathing Second Form: Teleportation. With a swift motion, he and the demon vanished from the village, reappearing in a vast space nearly 100 km away.

They now stood amidst an expanse of wilderness, far from the innocent lives they had left behind. This remote location allowed them to confront the demon without the risk of harming others.

"Nowhere to hide now," The Slayer stated, his voice carrying authority. "It's just you and me."

The demon's malevolence burned fiercely in its eyes, but it was weakened from the earlier battle. It realized it was isolated and unable to escape.

The Slayer's determination was unwavering as he prepared to deal with the demon once and for all. His purpose was clear – to protect the village and ensure the demon's malevolence would never threaten them again.

"You've caused enough suffering," The Slayer said, his gaze fixed on the demon. "It ends here."

With a deep breath, The Slayer unleashed a torrent of attacks, utilizing his Time Breathing techniques with precision. His movements were almost otherworldly as he moved with incredible speed and agility.

The demon's fury erupted as it exclaimed, "Fuck you, a mere slayer, are surprisingly powerful! You're not even a pillar!"

"Lord Muzan, please come to my aid!" the demon cried out in desperation.

The demon's pleas for help fell on deaf ears as The Slayer readied himself for another attack. The allure of his resolve burned brightly as he unleashed Time Breathing Third Form: Infinity Linear Piercing Clash, a devastating technique that pierced the demon's body in multiple pieces.

The demon attempted to defend itself, but this time, The Slayer's attack proved too swift and powerful. With a swift and precise strike, the demon's arm was severed by the red sword of The Slayer.

The demon roared in agony, its malevolent energy waning as it struggled to stand against The Slayer's might. The allure of its arrogance had been shattered by the reality of The Slayer's strength.

"This is it, this will be the final blow, arghhhh I'm about to blow!" The Slayer exclaimed, feeling the surge of energy building within him.

With unparalleled speed, The Slayer unleashed the Time Breathing Seventh Form: Dancing in the Sky, leaving the demon bewildered and unable to match his movements. Confusion clouded the demon's eyes as The Slayer's afterimage technique dazzled his senses.

But The Slayer wasn't done yet. With unyielding focus, he channelled the power of Time Breathing First Form: The Solar Linear From the Sky. The demon was taken aback as The Slayer's sword struck, unleashing a sole of slash that seemed to multiply, raining down upon the malevolent creature like an infinite onslaught.

The barrage of strikes hit the demon relentlessly, leaving it defenceless against the sheer force of The Slayer's attack. Limbs were severed, and its body was rent apart, unable to withstand the overwhelming power of The Slayer's technique.

The climax was upon them, and The Slayer prepared to unleash the final blow – Time Breathing Sixth Form: Light Speed. With focused determination, he assumed the Ko Gasumi stance, positioning himself with his sword poised for action.

In an instant, The Slayer's teleportation commenced, each movement a blur of light and speed. Bit by bit, he traversed the space in a linear form, his velocity matching that of a shooting star. The allure of his quicksilver movements was a marvel to behold.

As he approached the helpless demon, a radiant glow enveloped him. The draw of the sun's fire merged with the linear line created by his lightning-fast teleportation, creating an ethereal spectacle of light and power.

With a swift and decisive strike, The Slayer's sword sliced through the demon's neck with impeccable precision. The nature of his attack left no room for escape or defence. The demon was powerless to utter even a last wish as it disintegrated into dust.

The air was heavy with the chant of victory, and The Slayer took a moment to catch his breath. The battle was over, and the demon's malevolence had been vanquished. The allure of peace and safety returned to the village, thanks to The Slayer's unwavering resolve.

The Slayer knew that his journey as a time slayer would continue, as there would always be threats lurking in the shadows.

But with the calling of his absolute resolve, the form of his formidable skills, and the allure of the village's trust, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. United with the shining of the light he carried within, he would stand as a guardian of time, protecting the innocent and ensuring that darkness could never again cast its malevolent spell over their lives.

And so, in the near of dawn, The Slayer began to walk the path that fate had laid out before him, guided by the purpose and bound by his duty as a demon slayer.

In the shadowy scene, a formidable figure emerged, casting a foreboding presence upon the scene - The Demon Lord, Kibutsuji Muzan.

"How did you achieve that?" Muzan's voice quivered with fear as he addressed his newfound adversary.

"I'm built different," The Slayer replied, his tone resolute.

"You have no right to be alive! So, will you forsake your humanity and embrace the life of a demon? Immortality will be yours, and your swordsmanship shall be celebrated," Muzan offered, attempting to entice The Slayer.

With unwavering conviction, The Slayer firmly declined the tempting proposition.

The Demon Lord's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Very well then, witness the might of Kibutsuji Muzan! I shall annihilate the strongest one, for I refuse to cower in fear! Prepare to meet your demise, demon slayer!"

In a burst of malevolence, Muzan unleashed his tentacles in a frenzied assault. Yet, with extraordinary speed, The Slayer skillfully parried each strike, showcasing his unparalleled prowess.

As the sun slowly descended on the horizon, Muzan realized time was not on his side. His objectives would not be realised in the waning light. Thus, he opted to retreat, seeking shadows to cloak his escape.

"Retreat? How cowardly of you, to favour darkness as your sanctuary," The Slayer's voice echoed with disdain. "Though I loathe using this technique, it shall be my final gambit against filth like you, who desecrates the beauty of our land and the earth. Witness the devastating power of Time Breathing Ninth Form: Black Hole!"

With a burst of energy, The Slayer ascended into the heavens, his form akin to a celestial being. His blade, imbued with an otherworldly aura, sliced through the air in Muzan's direction. The slash expanded, gathering darkness like a ravenous maw, until it resembled a voracious black hole.

However, just in the nick of time, in a final act of desperation, Muzan made a chilling decision. In the very midst of the full brunt of The Slayer's devastating attack, the Demon Lord unleashed a cataclysmic explosion, sacrificing himself to escape the wrath that pursued him. Nonetheless, the force unleashed was formidable, resulting in a colossal explosion that consumed everything in its path.

In the aftermath, the battleground lay in ruins, shrouded in the remnants of the black hole's catastrophic power. Muzan had managed to elude total annihilation, leaving The Slayer to contemplate the looming darkness that still lingered.

The Slayer faints. But, when he woke up.