"Understood."
Ryosuke stroked the Hummingbird's head.
The ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps, from highest to lowest, are: Kinoe, Tsuchinoto, Hinoe, Hinoto, Tsuchinoe, Tsuchinoto, Kanoe, Kanoto, Mizunoe, Mizunoto.
Mizunoto is the lowest rank for a swordsman who has just joined the Demon Slayer Corps.
Above Kinoe are the Pillars.
It usually takes a normal person at least five years to become a Pillar.
They must slay 50 demons, or slay one of the Twelve Kizuki.
With less than a year left to live, Ryosuke didn't delay and walked straight into the house.
He changed into his uniform and haori, and packed his luggage simply.
Jigoro and the other two came to see him off.
Rika pulled out an indigo coarse cloth amulet from her embrace.
The stitches on it were slightly childish, with a crooked character "An" (peace) embroidered on it.
Without a word, she stuffed the amulet into Ryosuke's hand, her small face flushed.
"Brother Ryosuke, take this. I sewed it myself. Grandpa said it can keep you safe."
Ryosuke smiled and ruffled Rika's hair.
"Mm, thank you, Rika."
"Tch!"
Shota pouted, feeling extremely unbalanced.
Ryosuke ignored him and, after greeting Jigoro, prepared to go down the mountain.
"Hey!"
Shota couldn't help but call out.
Ryosuke turned back.
He pointed at the sword at Ryosuke's waist, with the awkwardness unique to a teenager.
"You alone... that... that strange sword of yours, will it be okay?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, even he felt a bit harsh.
But his teenage pride and competitiveness made him push through and continue.
"Don't you dare die out there! You'll disgrace Grandpa!"
Thump!
Jigoro's cane heavily struck Shota's head.
"You brat! What nonsense are you spouting!"
"..."
Shota covered his head and retreated a few steps.
Jigoro looked at Ryosuke, his voice softening.
"Come back safely."
"Yes."
Ryosuke bowed to Jigoro and turned to leave.
"Brother Ryosuke! Be careful!" Rika shouted loudly.
Ryosuke didn't look back, raising his right hand to wave... The night was as dark as ink.
The Hummingbird flew in the night sky, guiding Ryosuke.
Ryosuke had been traveling for half a day, and his failing liver made him feel weak and faintly aching.
"Damn it, this broken body..."
Ryosuke gritted his teeth, leaning against a tree trunk by the roadside, gasping for breath.
The Hummingbird landed on his shoulder, emitting tiny "chirp chirp" sounds.
"It's fine, I won't die."
Ryosuke wiped his sweat, then asked in his mind, "Hey, system, come out!"
[Ding dong ~ Dear host, what can I do for you ~]
"Cut the crap! I'm asking you,"
Ryosuke took a deep breath and asked the most urgent question in his heart: "How much lifespan does it take to cure my liver?"
[Not much, only ten years ~]
"Ten years?!"
Ryosuke's voice suddenly rose: "You f*cking say that again?!"
[Yes ~ dear host, ten years of lifespan can completely cure your stubborn illness, giving you a brand new, healthy, vibrant liver ~]
"Ten years... Heh heh... Ten years!"
Ryosuke felt a surge of anger rush to his head, his lungs almost exploding.
"I f*cking risked my life, almost killed myself, just to cut down a Hand Demon and get one year! You just casually say ten years?! I still need to upgrade my skills!"
"Do you think I'm a beast of burden?! Or are those demons like leeks growing in the field, ready to be cut whenever?!"
[host, don't get excited ~ High investment brings high returns ~]
[Think about it, a healthy body can let you unleash the full power of Thunder Breathing, slay more and stronger demons, and lifespan will naturally roll in ~]
The system coaxed.
"Screw your sister! Your f*cking ten years! I only have one year left now! One year!!!"
Ryosuke's veins throbbed on his forehead, "According to your calculation, I'd have to kill at least ten demons of the Hand Demon level!"
"Damn it! I'm definitely the most miserable transmigrator with a system!"
"Other people's systems either give out beginner gift packages, or allow draws, or give welfare for signing in..."
"You, on the other hand, I start with a terminal illness, you make me spend my life, the treatment fee is ridiculously expensive, and you're always 'hee hee hee'! I 'hee hee' your grandpa!"
[host, please remain calm, emotional excitement will accelerate lifespan consumption oh ~]
The system reminded him considerately.
"Get lost!!!"
Ryosuke cursed angrily and started running wildly.
There was no other way, upgrading skills could only be postponed; curing his liver was the priority now.
After a night of hurried travel, a sliver of dawn appeared in the eastern sky.
Mt. Hinode had arrived!
Ryosuke let out a long breath, planning to explore the mountain first.
But in front of a temple, Ryosuke stopped.
He smelled an extremely strong scent of blood!
"Oh no!"
Ryosuke's pupils contracted sharply, his heart sinking to the bottom.
Fragmented memories of "Mt. Hinode Temple" flashed through his mind.
That strongest Pillar who would later single-handedly confront demons with his bare body, standing firm like a mountain!
Himejima Gyomei!
His tragic beginning seemed to be right here!
Ryosuke burst in.
The faint morning light barely illuminated this living hell.
Broken prayer flags, scattered toys, overturned lunchboxes... silently narrated everything that happened last night.
Blood flowed like a river in the room, with seven or eight children's bodies torn to pieces.
A burly man knelt on the ground, covered in blood, mechanically smashing the demon beneath him with his fists, one punch after another.
Even though the demon's head was already smashed to pulp and its body was turning to ash in the sunlight, the blind monk continued his actions, as if feeling no pain.
Not far behind the blind monk, a trembling little girl was cowering.
After the demon completely dissipated, Himejima groped towards Sayuri's direction, seemingly wanting to confirm her safety, seeking a trace of comfort and proof.
"Government business! Bystanders, step back!"
Almost simultaneously, a team of Government officers rushed in aggressively.
The leader scanned the scene, his gaze falling on Himejima, who was covered in blood.
"What happened here?"
Sayuri immediately spoke up: "That person! That person is a monster, he killed everyone."
That person?
Who else could it be here besides this monk?
The leader looked at Himejima, his face immediately showing an expression of disgust and "just as I thought."
"Arrest this murderer!"
Several Government men quickly restrained Himejima's shoulders.
Himejima didn't struggle, his face filled with numbness.
The accusation was like an ice pick, piercing deeply into his heart.
His numb face lost color, and his huge body swayed.
Himejima opened his mouth to explain, but the girl's faint sobs froze him in place, unable to utter a single word.
"It's not him!!"
Ryosuke stepped in, his voice urgent.
"Wait! It's not him! The murderer was a demon! It was the demon that just turned to ash! He was the protector! The person the girl just mentioned was also a demon!"
"Get lost!"
The leader pushed Ryosuke away, his eyes contemptuously sweeping over his face and the sword at his waist.
"Where did this brat come from? Stop spouting nonsense! Demons? Where are there any demons! Would a protector end up like this? Would a protector let all those children die?!"
He pointed at the bodies on the ground and the still crying little girl.
"The evidence is conclusive! If you dare to obstruct official duties again, we'll arrest you too!"
Ryosuke's chest churned with blood, a violent killing intent almost engulfing his reason.
These idiots!
The Demon Slayer Corps had rules, explicitly prohibiting drawing swords on ordinary people and harming humans.
Just as Ryosuke reached his limit, a soft sound occurred.
"Young man..."
Himejima squeezed out a smile and nodded to him: "Don't be impulsive for my sake and commit murder."
"..."
Ryosuke's chest heaved, his teeth grinding, feeling powerless and helpless.
He watched helplessly as Himejima was dragged by chains, stumbling forward.
His huge body was now hunched, filled with unspeakable grievance and despair.
Just as Himejima Gyomei was about to be dragged out of the temple gate, Ryosuke roared with all his might.
"Big monk! Lift your head!"
"You were never a murderer!!"
"You were protecting them! You were fighting for humanity!!!"
Himejima's huge body suddenly trembled.
He turned with difficulty, a relieved smile appearing on his blood-stained and scarred face.
He couldn't see, but he heard.
That voice pierced through the darkness and injustice.
Himejima clasped his hands together and bowed slightly to Ryosuke, performing a monk's Rei.
"Thank you... young man."
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