The immense humiliation and the fury of being threatened instantly overwhelmed the slight fear that had just arisen in Genya.
He jerked his body backward, trying to get rid of that damned ice blade.
His strong neck muscles bulged, blood vessels throbbed and twisted under his skin, and veins stood out prominently at the temples.
However, just as he struggled, something unexpected happened.
A very faint sound, like frost flowers condensing and spreading.
The icy blade pressed tightly against his skin, the chilling aura swirling around its edge suddenly solidifying.
The ice crystals, like living white vines, spread rapidly upwards along the smooth ice blade at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The icy touch, like a venomous snake, instantly climbed over Genya's Adam's apple and swept across his taut jawline. A few tiny ice crystals, carrying a chilling aura, touched the corners of his lips, which he had clenched tightly in anger.
"Try moving again and see if I'll chop off your head."
As Ryoma spoke, the ice blade moved further, slicing open the skin on his neck.
Genya felt as if countless tiny ice needles were constantly piercing his neck.
His struggling movements froze instantly, as if he were locked by invisible ice chains. A fear of death, stemming from his instinct, caused his pupils to dilate in extreme horror.
"You...you're a madman..."
The sound, squeezed out from between his teeth, trembled without him even realizing it.
At this moment, Genya was filled with unbelievable fear and a twisted hatred, and he stared intently at Ryoma.
"Madman?"
Ryoma chuckled softly, his voice carrying a hint of coldness and mockery.
"I was just stopping you from harming innocent people."
"Furthermore, I think you've got one thing wrong."
His eyes calmly gazed at Genya's face, contorted with anger and fear.
His voice was soft, yet clear enough to reach the ears of everyone present. "Here, you have no right to boss anyone around."
"You'd better pick up your last shred of morality and shame, and learn what respect is. Otherwise, in my eyes, you're no different from those bloodthirsty demons."
Genya felt the bone-chilling cold on his neck, as if it could freeze his blood, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth. "Who...who do you think you are? What gives you the right to lecture me?"
"On what grounds?"
Ryoma raised an eyebrow, the ice blade swirling lightly between his fingers, bringing out a dazzling yet deadly flash of cold light before finally coming to a steady stop, its sharp edge once again grazing Genya's artery.
"Just because I can shut you up forever in the blink of an eye."
The moment he finished speaking, Ryoma slowly retracted his ice blade.
The deadly chill dissipated like the receding tide, but the invisible deterrent force remained like a large net, still enveloping the entire platform.
Ryoma turned and walked back to his original spot. The air was deathly still, with only the rustling of the cool morning breeze through the wisteria trellis.
Genya clutched his neck, where a shallow bloodstain was visible, and the skin around the wound was frozen purple.
The stinging pain intertwined with the cold numbness, constantly reminding him of how close he had just been to death.
He stared intently at Ryoma's retreating figure, his lips opening and closing several times, but in the end he only let out a suppressed, beast-like growl, swallowing back all the harsh words.
He knew that the guy was capable of both saying and doing.
"Have you all finished saying what you wanted to say?"
The two kids remained calm, as if the conflict had never happened, and continued with their routine.
"Next, please come here to select the ore."
The black-haired kid lifted the velvet cloth covering the long table in front, revealing dozens of oddly shaped, dark-colored metal ores underneath.
"Please make your own selections."
Everyone walked to the table and carefully examined the ore.
However, judging from appearance alone, it is impossible to tell the difference between them.
Ryoma looked at the pile of ore on the table, trying to use his breathing style and magic to sense the differences between them.
Finally, his hand stopped on a piece of ore that he perceived as having a faint blue luster. This piece of ore should be the most suitable for him, and should be able to create a subtle resonance with his breathing style and magic.
"This one will do."
Ryoma picked up the piece of ore.
Tanjiro also stepped forward and chose a piece of ore based on his sense of smell.
The others who had passed the assessment also chose the ore that suited them best.
Genya stepped forward last and casually grabbed a piece of dark-colored ore.
With everyone having selected and registered their ore, the final selection was now over.
After that, they all returned to their respective homes and waited for the people of the Swordsmith Village to deliver their custom-made Nichirin Blades.
—
At this moment, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who was at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, learned about the results of the test through a kasugai crow.
"I see."
"A staggering eight people survived."
"That's really excellent."
"I wonder what kind of swordsmen they will become..."
...
On the way back to Mount Sagiri.
Ryoma looked at the raven that had perched on his shoulder and followed him. It was a large male crow with glossy black feathers and a rather clever look in its eyes.
"Hello."
Ryoma tried to communicate with it, but it just tilted its head, preened its wings, and remained aloof and unresponsive.
Ryoma was quite curious about these crows, after all, they were crows that could talk.
I wonder how the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters trains them.
Or perhaps it's a special breed, or a secret technique of the priests?
It's a pity that although the crow followed him, it didn't respond to him much.
Seeing that he was not getting a response, Ryoma turned his head to look at Tanjiro beside him.
Tanjiro, standing to the side, exuded visible fatigue and dejection, his eyes somewhat dim and lifeless.
He had joined the Demon Slayer Corps primarily for the sake of his sister, who had unexpectedly become a demon.
There were a large number of demons in Mount Fujikasane.
Later, he approached demons, hoping to get a way to turn a demon back into a human from them.
"Still thinking about those demons in Mount Fujikasane?" Ryoma spoke, breaking the silence.
Tanjiro's body stiffened, and he nodded, his voice slightly hoarse, "I asked...I asked those demons if there was a way to turn a demon back into a human...but they..."
Ryoma knew without Tanjiro explaining, and shook his head, but there was nothing he could say at the moment.
At this moment, Tanjiro is still too naive.
The demons in Mount Fujikasane are all extremely vicious and hungry. They weren't in a state of being able to have a proper conversation. All they had in their eyes was a thirst for killing and flesh.
Moreover, these demons would have absolutely no way of knowing this method.
—
As night fell, they finally arrived at the familiar wooden house at the foot of Mount Sagiri.
Bang!
Nezuko may have sensed her brother's presence, for the door to the cabin was kicked open from the inside with tremendous force, and a petite figure rushed out in the moonlight, heading straight for Tanjiro.
"Oh! Nezuko! You're awake!"
Tanjiro was extremely surprised to see Nezuko awake. This was the best news he had received in a long time.
Tanjiro was both surprised and delighted, and practically scrambled forward to greet her.
The two embraced tightly, and Tanjiro could no longer hold back his tears.
All the worries, fears, and loneliness of the past two years were transformed into choked sobs.
"Why did you suddenly fall asleep? And why did you not wake up? I was so scared... that you would never wake up again."
Tanjiro's emotions, which he had been suppressing ever since Nezuko fell into a coma, finally erupted at this moment.
Nezuko simply nuzzled her head against her brother's chest, making "mmm" sounds, as if trying to soothe him.
This scene was witnessed by Sakonji, who had just returned. He put down the firewood he was holding and headed towards Ryoma and Tanjiro.
Despite wearing a mask, you could tell from his slightly trembling shoulders that his eyes were moist.