Chapter 6: The hunt begins 

Chapter 6: The hunt begins

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on existing works. All original characters and plotlines are my creation, but I do not claim ownership of any pre-existing characters or content. All rights to these pre-existing works belong to their original creators. This is a non-profit work created solely for the enjoyment of fans and no copyright infringement is intended.

Akio and Wispella finally made it out of the mountains, leaving behind the horrors of the spider family. Wispella was carrying Rui with her magic, while the mother and daughter spider demons were following closely behind. They had agreed to help them escape from their abusive father and brother, hoping to find a way to restore their humanity.

Akio glanced at the sky, noticing the sun was rising. He remembered that demons could not survive in sunlight, and he felt a pang of guilt. He turned to Wispella and asked, "Hey, is there anything you can do for them? Can you make them human again?"

Wispella looked at him with a surprised expression. She said, "Well, yes, I can. But it's not that simple. It would take a lot of magic and time to undo their demonic traits. And you know what that means, right?"

Akio nodded. He knew that Wispella's magic was limited by her energy and the rules of the multiverse. Every time she used her magic, she had to recharge by resting or eating. And every time she granted a wish, she had to wait for a day before granting another one. That meant that if she used her magic to help the spider demons, they would have to stay in this world for longer, delaying their journey to find a way back home.

Akio felt torn. He wanted to go back to his own world as soon as possible. He missed his family and friends, and he hated being in this dangerous and unfamiliar place. But he also felt sorry for the spider demons, who had suffered so much at the hands of their kin. He wondered if they deserved a chance to live a normal life, free from pain and fear.

He looked at their faces, seeing the hope and gratitude in their eyes. He sighed and made up his mind. He said to Wispella, "Do it. Help them."

Wispella smiled and said, "Are you sure? You don't have to do this, you know."

Akio shook his head and said, "No, I do. It's the right thing to do. Besides, maybe they can help us somehow. Maybe they know something about this world that we don't."

Wispella nodded and said, "Okay then. But we have to hurry. The sun is almost up."

She raised her hand and said, "I wish for these three demons to become human again."

A bright light enveloped the spider demons, and they felt a warm sensation in their bodies. They watched as their fangs, claws, eyes, and hair changed back to their original forms. They felt their strength and senses fade away, but they also felt relief and joy they had not felt in a long time.

They looked at each other and hugged, crying tears of happiness. They thanked Wispella and Akio for their kindness and generosity.

Akio smiled awkwardly and said, "Don't mention it."

Wispella winked at him and said, "You're such a softie, Akio."

Akio blushed and said, "Shut up. I just don't like magic, that's all."

They laughed and continued their journey, hoping to find a safe place to rest before moving on.

At the Infinity Castle, Nakime, the Upper-Rank Four, was busy summoning the other Upper Ranks to her location. She used her Blood Demon Art to manipulate the rooms and corridors of the castle, creating portals that connected to the places where the Upper Ranks were.

The first to arrive was Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One. He was a calm and composed demon who had once been a samurai and a Demon Slayer. He was loyal to Muzan and sought to become stronger.

Helooked around and saw Nakime sitting on a cushion, playing a shamisen. He said, "Upper Rank Four, why have you summoned me here?"

Nakime stopped playing and bowed her head. She said, "Upper Rank One, please forgive me for disturbing you. I have received an order from our lord and master, Muzan Kibutsuji. He wishes to see all of the Upper Ranks as soon as possible."

Kokushibo narrowed his eyes and said, "Muzan-sama? What does he want from us?"

Nakime shook her head and said, "I do not know, Upper Rank One. He did not tell me anything else. He only said it was urgent and important."

Kokushibo frowned and said, "I see. Very well then. I will wait for the others."

He walked to a corner of the room and sat down, crossing his arms.

The second to arrive was Doma, the Upper Rank Two. He was a cheerful and innocent-looking demon who had once been a cult leader and a serial killer. He was fascinated by humans and their emotions, but he also enjoyed eating women.

He came out of the portal and smiled brightly. He said, "Hello there! How are you doing today?"

Kokushibo glanced at him and said nothing.

Nakime bowed her head and said, "Doma-sama, welcome to the Infinity Castle. I have summoned you here on behalf of our lord and master, Muzan Kibutsuji. He wishes to see all of the Upper Ranks as soon as possible."

Doma clapped his hands and said, "Wow, really? That's so exciting! I wonder what he wants to tell us!"

He walked towards Kokushibo and said, "Do you have any idea, Upper Rank One? Maybe he has some good news for us!"

Kokushibo ignored him again and said nothing.

Doma shrugged and said, "Oh well, I guess we'll find out soon enough."

He sat down next to Kokushibo and hummed a tune.

The third to arrive was Akaza, the Upper Rank Three. He was a hot-headed and aggressive demon who had once been a martial artist and a street fighter. He hated weaklings and cowards, and he sought to fight strong opponents.

He emerged from the portal and growled. He said, "What is this? Why am I here?"

Nakime bowed her head and said, "Akaza-sama, welcome to the Infinity Castle. I have summoned you here on behalf of our lord and master, Muzan Kibutsuji. He wishes to see all of the Upper Ranks as soon as possible."

Akaza pondered and said, "What does he want from us? Did one of us died? No, there has to be something else."

He looked at Kokushibo and Doma and said, "And what are you two doing here? Are you here to kiss his ass?"

Kokushibo glared at him and said, "Watch your mouth, Akaza. You are speaking of our lord and master."

Doma smiled and said, "Don't be so rude. We're all friends here."

Akaza scoffed and said, "Friends? Don't make me laugh. We're not friends."

He walked towards them and said, "And speaking of which, how about we have some fun while we wait? How about we fight each other right here right now?"

Kokushibo stood up and said, "If you want to fight me, Akaza, I'll gladly oblige."

Doma stood up and said, "Me too! Me too! I want to join in!"

They prepared to clash with each other when Nakime intervened.

She said, "Please stop!"

She played her shamisen and used her Blood Demon Art to create a barrier between them.

She said, "Please calm down and wait for the others. Our lord and master will be here soon."

Akaza, Kokushibo, and Doma backed off and glared at each other.

They waited for the other members to arrive, wondering what was going on.

One by one, the other Upper Ranks arrived at the Infinity Castle. They were:

- Gyutaro and Daki, the Upper Rank Six. Both siblings were cruel and sadistic demon who had a symbiotic relationship.

- Gyokko, the Upper Rank Five. He was a tall and slender demon who wore created grotesque sculptures with human flesh and vases.

- Hantengu, the Upper Rank Four. He was a frail old man who could split into different emotions, each with their own abilities.

They all gathered in a large hall, where Nakime told them to wait for their lord and master, Muzan Kibutsuji.

They were all confused and curious about why they were summoned. Some of them were annoyed and impatient, while others were excited and eager.

They started to talk to each other, exchanging greetings, insults, or threats.

They wondered what Muzan wanted from them. Was he going to reward them for their achievements? Was he going to punish them for their failures? Was he going to give them a new mission? Was he going to reveal some secrets?

They waited for a long time, until they heard a loud noise. The doors of the hall opened, and Muzan Kibutsuji entered. They all bowed their heads and said in unison, "Our lord and master!"

They looked up at him and gasped.

Muzan Kibutsuji was in a terrible state.

He was covered in severe burns that were healing at a slower pace than usual. His skin was charred and blistered, his hair was singed and frayed, his clothes were torn and scorched.

He looked like he had been bathed in the sun.

He walked towards them with a grim expression on his face. "My loyal Upper Ranks. I have summoned you here for a very important reason." He paused and said, "Someone has tried to kill me."

The Upper Ranks were shocked and horrified.

They could not believe what they heard.

Who would dare to attack their lord and master? Who had the power to harm him so badly?

Who had the audacity to challenge him?

They looked at each other with fear and confusion. They wondered who the culprit was.

Muzan Kibutsuji continued, "I will tell you what happened." He closed his eyes and recalled the events that led to his current condition.

---

A few hours ago, Muzan Kibutsuji was in his secret laboratory, where he was conducting experiments on creating the blue spider lily.

The blue spider lily was a rare and mysterious flower that had the potential to grant him his ultimate goal: immunity to sunlight.

He had been searching for it for centuries, but he had never found it.

He had tried to recreate it with his blood and various ingredients, but he had never succeeded.

He had tried countless combinations and variations, but he had never achieved the desired result.

He was frustrated and angry, but he never gave up. He believed that one day, he would find the perfect formula that would make him invincible and finally become truly immortal.

He was working on his latest batch when he felt a sudden pain in his chest.

He looked down and saw blood dripping. Checking himself he found out that his eyes, nose, mouth, ears were all dripping blood then he felt a burning sensation spreading throughout his body.

He screamed in agony as his flesh started to melt away. He felt like he was exposed to the sun's rays. This was worst than the last time he felt this sensation when one of the weaker demon died from a mysterious attack. Muzan had thought nothing of it as he felt only a minor itch.

What was causing this? How can he stop this before it kills him? Then he felt it the same itch he felt from before. However now he had a clue on who was causing this.

Rui.

Using the remnants of his connection to Rui, he saw it. Rui fighting a human, a human who was just as strong and fast as demon. He felt his hearts drop and his minds stopped working. Did that 'thing' had a descendant? Impossible Kokushibo had made sure of that.

Then he felt it again after the brat struck Rui with a kick. The same pain, the same itch. How was the boy doing this? How? How? HOW!? Then it happened. Whatever the human did undid his demonification on Rui.

With his connection violently severed, Muzan had undergone an unimaginable pain, he never thought was possible.

He didn't catch the boy's name but he had a face and that was all he needed. If that 'thing' was his slayer then this boy was his natural enemy. Whatever that boy had, whatever power he possessed he destroy it before it can spread further.

---

Muzan Kibutsuji opened his eyes and said, "This is the boy who tried to kill me."

He said, "He is a human. A normal human. He has no special powers or abilities. He has no connection to the Demon Slayer Corps or any other organization."

He showed them an image of Akio Nakamura's face.

The Upper Ranks were stunned and bewildered.

They could not believe what they saw. How could a human, a normal human, hurt their lord and master? How could a human, a normal human, pose such a threat to their existence?

They looked at the boy's face with fear and hatred. They wondered who he was. They wondered where he was. They wondered how he did it. However all can agree on one th

The boy was too fat.

They felt different emotions as they processed the information.

Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One, felt anger and indignation. He thought, "How dare this boy attack our lord and master? How dare he disrespect him? How dare he challenge him? He must pay for his insolence. He must die by my blade."

Doma, the Upper Rank Two, felt curiosity and amusement. He thought, "Wow, this boy is amazing. He managed to hurt our lord and master. How did he do it? What is his secret? I want to meet him."

Akaza, the Upper Rank Three, felt excitement and impatience. He thought, "This boy boy managed to harm Muzan-sama!? How? I even if it's just a projection, I feel nothing from, my eyes tell me this boy is no warrior yet he somehow he injure Muzan-sama,"

Nakime, felt confusion and doubt. She thought, "This boy is strange. I don't like him."

Gyokko, the Upper Rank Five, felt disgust and contempt. He thought, "This boy is ugly. He is a waste of space. I hate him. I despise him. I abhor him."

Gyutaro, the Upper Rank Six, felt envy and resentment. He thought, "This boy is lucky. I envy him. I covet him."

His sibling only had one thing in mind and it was to murder this human in the most gruesome way she can think of.

They waited for their king to continue.

Muzan clenched his fists and said, "He must die. And not only him. Kill anyone who is related to him. Kill anyone who knows him. Kill anyone who protects him. Kill anyone who stands in your way."

He said, "Do not show any mercy. Do not show any hesitation. Do not show any weakness."Go now. And do not return until you have completed your mission."

The Upper Ranks nodded and bowed their heads.

They said in unison, "Yes, our lord and master!"

They left the hall and dispersed into different directions.

They began their hunt for their enemy. The hunt for Akio Nakamura has begun.

An: So what do you think of the story so far? Leave some review and comment on what I need to work on. No flames, please.