Chapter 18 - New Mission

Two days. Two whole days of solitude, silence, and the occasional existential crisis. Fuyume had flown off again, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a mountain of training. But hey, at least I had a fancy new title (Tsuchinoto, in case you forgot) and a badass new move to perfect.

Black Lightning Breathing: First Form - Black Flash Slice / Kurorai no Kokyū: Ichi no Kata - Kuro Hikari Giri.

Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

Now, mastering this technique wasn't exactly a walk in the park. It was like trying to tame a wild beast, all crackling energy and unpredictable power. One minute, I'd be feeling like a lightning god, slicing through boulders with a flick of my wrist. The next, I'd be face-down in the dirt, my hair singed and my pride slightly bruised.

But I'm nothing if not persistent. I kept at it, day and night, pushing my body and mind to their limits. I practiced my breathing, visualized the energy flowing through me, and swung my Odachi until my arms felt like they were about to detach.

And finally, it happened.

I stood in the clearing, the air buzzing with anticipation. I took a deep breath, the familiar rhythm of Black Lightning Breathing filling my lungs.

With a swift, controlled motion, I swung my Odachi.

A blinding flash of black lightning erupted from the blade, followed by a deafening crack that echoed through the mountains. The shockwave sliced through the air, leaving a clean, precise cut in a nearby tree trunk.

"Yes!" I shouted, pumping my fist in the air. "I did it! Black Flash Slice, perfected!"

I grinned, a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I felt like I could take on the world, or at least a small army of demons.

Just then, Fuyume swooped down from the sky, landing gracefully on my shoulder.

"Impressive, Akio," he said, his deep voice rumbling in my ear. "Your mastery of Black Lightning Breathing is remarkable."

I couldn't help but preen under his praise. "Thanks, buddy. It took a lot of trial and error, but I finally got it."

Fuyume nodded, his golden eyes gleaming with approval. "Your skills will be put to the test soon," he said, his tone turning serious. "I have a new mission for you."

I straightened my back, my excitement tempered by a sense of duty. "Lay it on me, Fuyume."

"There have been reports of strange occurrences on Mount Hibari," Fuyume explained. "The villagers believe it's haunted, but we suspect a powerful demon is lurking there. The mission is to investigate and eliminate the threat."

"Mount Hibari?" I repeated, trying to recall any information about the place. "Never heard of it."

"It's a remote mountain, shrouded in mist and mystery," Fuyume continued. "The locals speak of eerie echoes and gravitational distortions. It's a dangerous place, even for a seasoned Demon Slayer."

Great, I thought, my enthusiasm waning slightly. Just what I need. A haunted mountain and a potentially OP demon. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

But then, I remembered the fallen monk, the innocent lives lost to demonic cruelty.

"I'm on it, Fuyume," I said, my voice firm. "Let's go kick some demon butt."

After a few days of travel (and a few more questionable meals scavenged from the wilderness), I finally arrived at the foot of Mount Hibari. Fuyume, my ever-reliable owl GPS, had guided me through winding paths, his sharp eyes spotting hidden dangers along the way.

"Alright, Fuyume, we're here," I announced, gazing up at the imposing mountain shrouded in an eerie mist. "Time to see what this 'haunted' mountain is all about."

Fuyume hooted in response, his gaze fixed on the misty peak. Yeah, yeah, I know. Focus on the mission, Akio. No time for sightseeing.

I made my way towards a nearby village, hoping to gather some intel from the locals. As I approached, I noticed a group of villagers huddled together, their faces etched with fear and worry.

"Excuse me," I said, bowing politely. "I'm a traveller passing through. I've heard rumours of strange occurrences on Mount Hibari. Have you experienced anything unusual lately?"

The villagers exchanged nervous glances, their eyes darting towards the looming mountain.

"It's been... unsettling," an elderly woman finally spoke up, her voice trembling. "We've heard eerie noises at night, seen objects moving on their own, and some folks even claim to have felt a heavy pressure, like the air itself was pushing down on them."

Sounds like a demon alright, I thought, my grip tightening on my Odachi.

"Have any of you seen anything... out of the ordinary?" I asked, carefully choosing my words. "Any strange creatures or unexplained disappearances, perhaps?"

The villagers shook their heads, their fear palpable.

"We haven't seen anything," a young man replied, his voice shaking. "But we can feel it. A presence, a darkness, watching us from the mountain."

Well, that's reassuring, I thought, suppressing a shiver.

I thanked the villagers for their information and set off towards the mountain, Fuyume leading the way.

As I ascended the winding path, the air grew noticeably heavier, pressing down on my shoulders like an invisible weight. The mist thickened, obscuring my vision and creating an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere.

I started noticing signs of the demon's presence. Trees were uprooted, rocks were cracked and splintered, and the ground was scarred with deep gouges. It was like a giant; invisible hand had been wreaking havoc on the landscape.

This demon is strong, I realized, a sense of anticipation mingled with a healthy dose of fear. But nah! I would win.

The mist swirled around me, obscuring the path ahead. But I could feel it, the demon's presence growing stronger with every step.

The hunt was on.

The mist thickened as I ventured further up Mount Hibari, clinging to the treacherous path like a stubborn mountain goat. The air grew heavier, pressing down on me with an oppressive force. My "Mind's Eye" strained to pierce the swirling fog, searching for any sign of the demon.

Suddenly, a guttural roar echoed through the mist, followed by the clash of steel and the sickening squelch of flesh tearing. Showtime, I thought, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I sprinted towards the commotion, my Odachi held high. The mist parted, revealing a scene of utter chaos.

A demon, with pale skin and three eerie scars crisscrossing its face, stood in the center of a small clearing. Its limbs were elongated and distorted, its body pulsating with a dark, unnatural energy. In its pupil, the kanji for "Lower Three" burned like a brand.

Two figures, both clad in the familiar Demon Slayer uniform, were locked in a desperate struggle against the monstrous creature. They were clearly outmatched, their movements sluggish and labored under the demon's oppressive aura. I could see the kanji for "Mizunoto" on their backs, marking them as the lowest rank of Demon Slayers.

"Damn," I muttered under my breath. "Why wasn't I informed that there were other slayers on this mission? Talk about a party crasher."

I glanced at Fuyume, hoping for some explanation. He simply blinked his golden eyes at me, clearly as clueless as I was.

Great. Just great. Now I have to deal with a power-hungry demon and two rookies who are probably about to become demon chow.

The demon, its attention momentarily diverted by my arrival, let out a triumphant cackle. "More fresh meat!" it boomed, its voice echoing through the clearing. "Come, little lambs, and offer yourselves to the feast!"

It raised a clawed hand, aiming to crush one of the slayers. But before it could strike, I lunged forward, my Odachi flashing in the mist.

First Form: Black Flash Slice (Kuro Hikari Giri)!

With a swift horizontal slash, I unleashed a surge of black lightning that crackled along the blade, extending its reach. The strike connected with the demon's arm, and a shockwave of pure power rippled outwards, severing the limb cleanly. A deafening Zzzt-kraaaak! echoed through the air, the raw power of the black lightning leaving a charred stump in its wake.

The two slayers stared at me, their faces a mix of shock and awe.

"Who are you?" the male slayer demanded; his voice raspy from exertion.

"Just a friendly neighbourhood Demon Slayer," I replied with a grin. "Name's Akio. And you two are...?"

"Tanaka Hiro," the boy said, bowing his head slightly.

"Suzuki Aika," the girl added, her voice soft but firm.

"Well, Hiro and Aika," I said, turning back to the enraged demon, "looks like we've got ourselves a party. Let's show this overgrown gecko what we're made of!"

The demon roared, its remaining limbs lashing out with renewed fury. The battle was on.

(To be Continued…)

Over9000words leans forward, rubbing their hands together in anticipation. "Finally! Akio's facing a real challenge. A Lower-Rank demon, no less! I wonder how he'll fare against such a formidable foe."

Akio smirks, adjusting his Odachi on his back. "It's good to see you back to your usual self, Over9000words. As for that demon, don't worry. I'll slice and dice it like a hot knife through butter. Piece of cake."

Over9000words raises an eyebrow, a playful challenge in their voice. "Oh, really? With just the First Form of Black Lightning Breathing? That might be a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"

Akio shrugs, his confidence unwavering. "Hey, I'm a fast learner. Besides, who needs a whole arsenal of techniques when you've got raw power and a killer instinct?"

AI-sensei interjects, a hint of amusement in their voice. "While Akio's confidence is admirable, I must remind him that overconfidence can be a fatal flaw, even for a protagonist with plot armor."

Akio winks at the readers. "Don't worry, Sensei. I've got this under control. Besides, what's a little risk without a little reward? And trust me, the payoff is gonna be electrifying."

End of Chapter 18