Meanwhile, on the other side, Tanjiro had also severed the head of the multi-limbed demon, finally ending the cycle that had lasted over forty years. A pity it was just an early-stage miniboss—if Okane Kichiro had been the one to farm it, the experience gain would've been substantial.
This Wisteria Mountain had only this demon worth noting—but Okane Kichiro had no encounter with it.
Emotions, after all, required reciprocity. On such a vast mountain, finding that demon alone wouldn't be easy.
In the end, Okane Kichiro brought Zenitsu along. The boy was like chewing gum—you couldn't just shake him off. But there was a condition: Zenitsu would act as "bait," drawing the demons out for Okane Kichiro. Given his tender skin and delicate appearance, he was bound to attract more monsters.
To cling to Okane Kichiro's "leg," Zenitsu threw caution to the wind.
Kanao Tsuyuri still followed silently, giving Zenitsu reason to suspect that the two shared some unspeakable secret. A twinge of envy also stirred in him—not toward Okane Kichiro, but toward Kanao.
If only I were a cute little sister too… then maybe Okane Kichiro wouldn't mind letting me cling to another leg. Damn my luck in the past life.
The night passed quickly. By morning, the demons had disappeared into hiding. Okane Kichiro decided to postpone the "bait" strategy and focus first on food.
Seven days of trial tested more than combat skills—it tested wilderness survival. Starve for three or four days, and even the strongest would lack the strength to cut through demons.
During the trial, each participant was allowed to carry only one Nichirin Blade—nothing else.
Okane Kichiro climbed a treetop. Birds still filled the forest, and bird eggs were a reliable food source. Wild fruits were plentiful this season, so satisfying hunger wouldn't be too difficult.
"Big brother! Look what I found!"
Zenitsu ran over, clutching a colorful mushroom.
"You really just want to slack off, huh?"
"What's wrong, big brother? These mushrooms look delicious! Don't you think, Kanao?"
"Poisonous."
Kanao replied calmly.
"No way!"
Zenitsu's face fell. He had been counting on those mushrooms to fill his stomach.
"Rest early. We'll need you tonight," Okane Kichiro tossed a few fruits casually. Zenitsu froze, then lunged toward him again.
"Big brother~ you're so kind to me!"
"Roll over to the side, plump one."
"Okay!"
The second night brought steady rain. The scent of humans would be washed away, making it impossible to lure demons.
Okane Kichiro stood under a tree, sheltering from the rain. With mastery over Water Breathing, he felt a unique calm in this environment, almost as if he had become one with nature.
It wasn't an illusion. He could see the skill experience bar slowly increasing. Apparently, skills could level up through more than combat—perception and understanding were also paths to growth.
"Big brother, maybe we shouldn't go out in this rain," Zenitsu shivered, hugging himself.
A stormy night with no shelter or fire was harsh. Most people wouldn't survive it.
"Look at Kanao—learn from her," Okane Kichiro said helplessly. Zenitsu was still too immature.
Careful observation revealed that Kanao maintained a low-frequency breathing technique, explaining how a girl could maintain body temperature in such weather.
For Zenitsu, the difficulty wasn't technical—it was mental. He believed he couldn't do it, and that belief alone was the barrier.
Suddenly!
Rapid footsteps cut through the sound of rain. Okane Kichiro detected them clearly.
Kanao, though slower in perception, also noticed the approaching demons. She didn't move, only glanced at Okane Kichiro.
Zenitsu stamped his feet, completely unaware of the situation, until Okane Kichiro spoke.
"Poor demons… they have to hunt even in the rain."
Stepping from the tree's shadow, Okane Kichiro prepared to "deliver" experience. He couldn't refuse.
"No way! Kanao, protect me!"
Zenitsu darted behind Kanao, peeking around cautiously at Okane Kichiro disappearing into the rain.
"Big brother, be careful!"
The forest demons realized they'd been spotted and charged without hesitation.
"I love the rain, but it soils my clothes. Let's finish this quickly," Okane Kichiro muttered, standing on a branch.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form—Life Flow Rotation."
The Nichirin Blade traced a graceful arc through the rain, leaving a streak like a translucent dragon. Okane Kichiro's body followed it, soaring forward.
The display stunned the demons momentarily, but they recovered and charged.
Water Breathing had ten basic forms. None were inherently stronger, only suited for different scenarios. Yet Tenth Form demanded precise timing and rhythm. Used well, it had tremendous potential—but the difficulty was equally high.
For Okane Kichiro, skill level six, facing these low-level demons was almost trivial.
A few rotations later, the battle ended. The demons couldn't react, their eyes unable to track his blade.
The blade's momentum had solidified, its power amplified by the rain—just watching was intimidating. Yet no demons remained to strike.
Okane Kichiro sheathed his blade, showing the poise of a master, a trace of regret on his face as if wishing for more.
He finally understood what it meant: the higher you climb, the colder it gets. At his current strength, only a Twelve Demon Moon-level foe could give him true satisfaction.
He shook his head, steadying himself. Rapid growth could destabilize one's mindset, but his mental maturity kept him grounded.
[Player Level Up: lv1 → lv2]
[Gained 2 free attribute points]
Okane Kichiro smiled in satisfaction. He didn't rush to spend the points—his strength was already sufficient. Better to hold them for now.