Since I was a child, I was kind and clever.
I always helped those who were pitiful and tried to make them happy.
Simply because my father told me to do so.
When my mother died, I shed tears. I did so because water fell from my father's eyes.
The reason I always walked around with a smile was because people liked those who smiled.
That is right.
I do not know what emotions are.
Why do humans feel joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure?
Is one human simply because they can feel these things?
Humans weep when they are sad and laugh when they are happy. Then, what does it mean to be sad? What does it mean to be happy?
The moment I realized I was fundamentally broken was when I caught a bird and killed it to bring it to my father, hoping for his praise—only to see the look of absolute horror on his face.
After that, my father, who had grown stoic following my mother's death, began to speak to me constantly. He would grow stern and angry whenever I did something he considered wrong.
'Hiyori, what do you think a person is?'
'Hiyori, a human being is...'
The topic he always raised was about humanity.
I listened with a smile. Because my father loved that expression.
What is a human?
Why do humans feel emotions?
Are they humans because they feel emotions?
Then, am I not human?
I kept asking questions. Simply because I was curious.
Then, what exactly is a human...?
When I asked this, my father told me this:
'Feeling emotions is not what makes one a human. A human is one who performs good deeds. What does it matter if you cannot feel emotions? The world is full of people who feel emotions yet act worse than beasts.'
'To perform good deeds?'
'Indeed. You are stronger than most men. Walk the path you believe is right and help people. This is a promise to your father.'
Perform good deeds. Then you can remain human.
That was the teaching my father left for me.
But why does performing good deeds make one human?
Even when I watched my father being devoured by a Demon, I still did not understand the nature of emotions or the meaning of that teaching.
I did not kill that Demon because I was particularly sad or angry. I killed it simply because a Demon that eats humans is bad.
I joined the Demon Slayer Corps and rose to the rank of Hashira.
I beat down Lord Shimotsuki whenever he challenged me to a spar.
I learned the Breathing styles passed down from Lord Tsugikuni through Rengoku.
I spent my days sending countless evil Demons across the Sanzu River to perform good deeds.
By the time I thought I had grown close to the other Hashira, I asked them about humanity.
Lord Anji, Lord Sakata, Lord Banda, Lord Rengoku, Lord Shimotsuki, and even the Master—I asked them all and received their personal answers, but the meaning still eluded me.
Perhaps Lord Tsugikuni would know?
On the day he sparred with Lord Shimotsuki and laid him low, I approached Lord Tsugikuni and asked him.
'To commit a mistake is to be human. To commit murder is to be a devil.'
A peculiar answer.
Neither Lord Anji, who was so fond of Buddhist law, nor the Master had said such a thing to me.
'One cannot fully undo a mistake, but through reflection, one can make a better choice next time. However, murder can never be undone, no matter what one does. The dead do not return.'
Oh, one could interpret it that way.
I still don't get it, though~☆.
Even hearing his answer, the meaning was lost on me.
Yep. I definitely don't understand.
So, I've decided to think simply.
I'll just keep imitating what I think a proper person should be.
Even while performing what I believe to be good deeds and facing this Demon called Upper Rank Zero, I arrive at the same consistent conclusion.
In the end, Lord Tsugikuni cut the Demon's neck, but it did not fully fall; Lady Amano attacked, but only severed its arms without taking its head.
If I don't strike now, there's no telling when another opening will appear.
As I focused all my strength to the limit into my feet, lightning-like cracks formed in the ground beneath me.
Shiiiiiii—
Time to go do something human-like~!
Rumble—!!!!
With a roar of thunder, I charge at the Demon.
Faster, faster, faster, faster.
As a single streak of lightning cleaves through the forest, my heart rate accelerates, and lightning-like cracks manifest around my eyes.
Yes.
Whether this is real or fake, even if I don't understand the true meaning of the teaching my father left behind...
Thunder Breathing.
There is only one thing I have desired, believed in, and learned.
First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, Godspeed.
Humans perform good deeds.
That is the only foundation and teaching that makes me human.
I slay the Demon for that one purpose. That is all.
@@@
The Moon's attack shattered its secret technique.
The Mist's attack sent blood spraying from its arms.
The Thunder's attack severed its head and sent it flying.
"Splendid..."
The head falls.
With a sensation of floating, my vision plunges toward the ground.
It was a satisfying battle where we cut through everything we unleashed and clashed with everything we possessed as warriors.
My entire life begins to flash before my eyes. This must be the revolving lantern of memories.
A life as a human I had forgotten until now.
I lived as a samurai famed for my strong bow, but the end was quite miserable. Inside the house—I can't recall the face—but my memories ended there when some Demon ate half of my head.
It seems I had a child, too.
How cruel a joke of fate, to become a Demon because I was killed by one, only to remember my life as a human because I was killed by humans.
Death... so this is death...?
Faintly, I could see a burning plain in the distance.
Undoubtedly, that is where I will fall—Hell. It is inevitable, given the countless people I have devoured during my time.
Regrets... if I have any...
Is it that I failed to surpass the wall...?
No, that's not it.
Is it that I failed to kill the Hashira...?
No, it is something more fundamental... a single sense of incongruity I have felt all along....
Come to think of it, there was a certain female Demon beside Lord Muzan... wasn't there...?
I didn't remember when I was a Demon. My human life was a blur back then. Looking at her caused a strange feeling, but I hadn't cared.
Yet why does the woman who keeps appearing in my dying memories look so much like her?
Was that woman someone incredibly important to me during my time as a human?
A very short time compared to the life I spent as a Demon.
Yet that woman, whom I had subconsciously forgotten, appears vividly in these passing memories. I cannot remember her name, but....
Well, what of it. I am already dying. I reached this point after countless battles, fought brilliantly, and had my head taken.
My bow lost to their swords, and I failed to surpass the wall.
I have already been defeated, and my body is crumbling into ash.
That woman likely wasn't that important anyway.... And yet, this erasure-resistant incongruity....
Is it because that Demon looked so sad? Is it because she looked so pitiful?
Such emotions, such sympathy... not a single drop of it should have remained in my blood...
"Beside... Lord Muzan... there is a... young female Demon... please..."
I don't even know what I'm saying right now.
"That child... at least, please..."
Why am I concerned about that woman now...?
"That... person..."
Why... is it so. What is it that I find so regrettable....
"Beside him..."
Tell me... why did I...?
@@@
Upper Rank Zero has fallen.
I only sat down in relief once the Demon's body had entirely turned to ash.
Holy shit, I really almost died. This is the first time I've been this close to death since sparring with Yoriichi.
If Muzan is even stronger than this, we're screwed.
What kind of balls did the Demon Slayer Corps have back when they didn't even have Breathing styles to try and take him down?
Should I pull out 'Bankai Yoriichi' or something?
I think that Demon said something right before he died. There's a young woman beside Muzan? Did that guy get married...?
Can Demons even get married to each other?
Ah, whatever. My head hurts.
"Whoa~! I really thought I was a goner this time!"
Looking at the making-a-fuss Minase, I saw that her demon-like reverse eyes had already vanished, and lightning-shaped cracks were etched under her eyes.
"I've manifested the Mark too, Lord Tsugikuni~."
Minase pointed to the area under her eyes where the lightning cracks were etched. Right after she spoke, the Mark vanished. It was the same for Amano.
"Wait, it's gone...?"
"Is that so~? Come to think of it, Lady Amano had a cloud-patterned Mark on her cheek... but looking now, it's gone?"
"But Lord Tsugikuni's remains visible... is he special?"
"Ah~. Maybe he can manifest it at will? If we can just manifest it during combat situations, wouldn't that solve the lifespan issue~?"
Is that how it works...?
I can toggle the Transparent World at will, but I never got the feeling I could 'turn off' this Slayer Mark.
If the Transparent World is like an active skill similar to breathing, the Slayer Mark feels more like a passive skill.
What the hell, then am I the only one on a timer?!
Just in case, I checked her body with the Transparent World, but I couldn't verify her lifespan.
I don't know if it's because I've only recently reached the Transparent World or if Yoriichi is just that special....
I can't even tell the difference between having the Mark and not having it.
All I can see is, 'Wow, her muscles are crazy! Gross!' That's all. It's not like I'm a doctor.
More importantly, my weapon! Shit, my Nichirin Blade! My sword that I've used for three years!
Can you hear it? The screams of my sword!