The corridor shook with tension.
Genya on the hardwood floor, breath ragged, trembling as Sanemi raised his hand — fingers bent like claws, ready to jab straight into Genya's eyes.
His voice was low, cold, and merciless.
But before his fingers could reach—
SNAP!
A hand wrapped around Sanemi's wrist.
Firm. Unmoving. Unshakable.
Sanemi's eyes widened.
That's Sung Jinwoo
Jinwoo stood there, expression calm but eyes sharp like obsidian blades.
His grip didn't tremble even slightly.
Jinwoo (cold tone):
"Enough."
The air dropped a few degrees.
Sanemi gritted his teeth.
Sanemi: "Let go. This is none of your business."
Jinwoo: "Hurting your own brother won't make him stronger. It'll only break him."
Sanemi's brows twitched. Those words hit a place he didn't want touched.
Sanemi: "Don't talk like you understand anything about me—"
Jinwoo: "I don't need to understand you. But I do understand fear. And strength.
And this isn't strength."
The corridor went silent.
Even Tanjiro in outside flinched at Jinwoo's tone — calm, but cutting.
Genya looked up, eyes trembling.
Sanemi ripped his wrist free, veins bulging, fury exploding across his face.
Sanemi (shouting):
"You think you can lecture me!?"
Before Jinwoo could react—
WHAM!!
Sanemi's fist sank into Jinwoo's stomach like a meteor.
The floor cracked beneath Jinwoo's feet.
Jinwoo's eyes widened slightly — more from surprise than pain.
Then—
CRASH!!!
He flew backward, smashing through the wooden sliding door in a burst of splinters, landing in the courtyard.
He stood up calmly, brushing dust off his clothes.
Jinwoo: "...That was unnecessary."
Sanemi cracked his knuckles.
Sanemi: "Come back here, pretty boy. Let me teach you your place."
Sanemi dashed forward with wind-like speed.
Tanjiro stepped back with Genya.
Tanjiro: "Jinwoo-san! Be careful—"
Zenitsu: "Sanemi is insane!! He'll kill you!!"
Jinwoo stepped back into the room, cracking his neck.
Jinwoo: "Alright. Come."
Sanemi vanished.
Then—
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
Fists, kicks, elbows — rapid, relentless, cutting through the air like blades.
Jinwoo blocked some. Slipped past others.
But Sanemi was fast.
One strike sliced Jinwoo's cheek.
Another kick sent him sliding back.
Tanjiro (worried): "Sanemi's movements are unpredictable—!"
Zenitsu: "He's a tornado in human form!!"
Genya clenched his fist, shaking.
Jinwoo exhaled.
A tiny shift.
His stance lowered. His eyes sharpened.
Power — invisible yet heavy — filled the room.
Sanemi paused for half a second, instincts screaming danger.
Sanemi: "...Don't bluff."
Jinwoo: "I wasn't."
He moved—
FWIP!
Sanemi barely saw the punch coming.
It slammed into his ribs.
Then a knee struck his stomach.
Then Jinwoo grabbed his collar and threw him across the corridor.
BOOM!!
Sanemi skidded, coughing.
Sanemi (grinning through blood):
"Now we're talking…"
He charged again.
But Jinwoo was ready.
In ten seconds —
Jinwoo countered every strike.
Every angle.
Every burst of wind.
Sanemi tried to sweep his leg — Jinwoo stepped on it.
Sanemi tried a punch — Jinwoo trapped his arm.
Sanemi swung his sword — Jinwoo pushed the blade aside with two fingers.
The Hashira's eyes widened.
Sanemi (whisper):
"...Monster."
Tanjiro signalling to zenitsu.
Tanjiro: "Zenitsu! Took Genya And Let's get out of here—"
Genya: "B-But Oniisan—!"
Zenitsu: "Your brother is literally fighting a Korean nuclear warhead!! Move!!"
Genya hesitated.
Zenitsu grabbed his face.
Zenitsu: "Why is your brother so aggressive!? He acts like he's allergic to love—"
BONK!!!
Genya punched Zenitsu's head.
Genya: "Shut up!!"
Zenitsu collapsed like a dead insect.
Tanjiro sighed.
Tanjiro: "You two… please… not right now…"
Sanemi panted.
Bruised. Bleeding. Shaking.
But refusing to fall.
Sanemi: "I'm not done…"
Jinwoo shook his head.
Jinwoo: "You fought well. But you're not my enemy."
Sanemi froze.
Those words hit deeper than any fist.
Jinwoo lowered his hands.
Jinwoo: "Protect your brother. Not break him."
Sanemi looked away, jaw trembling.
But he didn't argue.
The fight was over.
Tanjiro supported Genya as they walked out.
Zenitsu followed, wobbling.
Jinwoo stepped beside Genya.
Jinwoo: "You okay?"
Genya: "Y-Yeah… thanks…"
As they reached the exit, Genya whispered:
Genya: "Bye… Tanjiro… Zenitsu…"
Then he glared back at the house.
Genya: "Not saying bye to Oniisan."
Zenitsu: "Fair."
A familiar blue screen slid open.
---
[SYSTEM ALERT]
GENYA SHINAZUGAWA — HONOR: (MAX)
REWARD: TWO HIGH ORC SHADOWS GRANTED
---
Two massive shadows rose behind Jinwoo, bowing, not visible to both and then it merged to genya shadow.
System:
Shadow Assignment Completed...
Genya feels cold after a shadow merged to genya shadow..
The sky had turned orange.
A soft evening breeze brushed their faces.
Tanjiro smiled.
Tanjiro: "Next is Gyomei-san's training, right?"
Zenitsu trembled.
Zenitsu: "I'm not ready for a giant bald monk!!"
Genya laughed faintly for the first time in years.
Jinwoo looked ahead — expression serious.
Jinwoo:
"Gyomei… the strongest Hashira, am I right. And now..Things will get tougher from here."
The wind howled softly.
The shadows followed silently.
To Be continued