Chapter 8: The Hand Demon is Terrified!
『ＲＹＯＮ 』
Enjoy~~~
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The sun was setting for the sixth time since the Final Selection began. For seven full days and nights, the twenty examinees had been running and hiding like mice. But for Yukihara Ren, this mountain was nothing more than a fenced-in zoo.
Over the past six days, Ren had barely slept, relying on [Total Concentration Breathing] to maintain his energy. He had slain fourteen demons, most with simple, effortless Water Breathing strikes. He hadn't even needed to use his second or third breathing styles; his sheer speed and physical prowess were enough to turn a basic sword swing into a lethal thrust.
Ren stood at the edge of a small ravine, leaning against the massive trunk of an oak tree, gazing at the full moon beginning to illuminate the sky. Today was the seventh and final day.
"The Hand Demon..." Ren muttered, tightening the strap of the Warding Mask (Urokodaki's fox mask) tied to his waist. "It's time we met, you filthy demon."
Although Ren hadn't truly met Urokodaki's former pupils, he still felt the urge to avenge them against that hideous creature... if only for his master's sake.
He knew the demon's location through his Sensing System (a new feature of the System) and his own heightened senses, which hinted at a massive mass of sinister energy nestled deep within the mountain.
It was true that Ren possessed enough power to kill ten demons of this caliber, but a lingering sense of caution remained. He had learned in his previous life that arrogance is always a "death flag" in anime stories.
"Don't underestimate the opponent," Ren thought. "This demon has lived for fifty years and devoured fifty of Urokodaki's disciples (roughly, in the original story). He has far more killing experience than I do. I am not the original protagonist, and I won't be saved by 'Plot Armor' at the last second."
Ren lifted his head and caught the scent. A foul, ancient stench, mixed with the lingering despair and fear in the air.
"Found you."
He unleashed the power in his legs. He didn't just run; he launched. It was a near-instantaneous movement, as if a bolt of lightning had struck the ground beneath him.
In less than a minute, Ren reached a wide, open clearing in the heart of the forest. In the center sat a gargantuan, grotesque demon. Its massive body was covered in dozens of intertwined arms, each ending in a giant palm. Its yellow eyes gleamed with malicious delight as it watched the examinees scurrying around in terror like a trapped herd of deer.
"Hmm... a familiar scent," the Hand Demon said, his voice sounding like grinding limestone. "The scent of... a fox mask. What a delicious aroma. Forty-seven. I've eaten forty-seven of that old man's disciples wearing those masks!"
The massive demon stood up, his arms dangling around him like serpents.
"Is this number 48? Oh, this one is so small! Smaller and tastier than the rest!"
Ren stood before him, not wearing the mask (it remained tied to his waist). His light-blue Nichirin sword was steady in his hand.
"I'm not victim number 48, you filth," Ren said in a calm, chilling voice. "I'm the one who's taking your head today."
The demon let out a gurgling laugh. "What a naive brat! You talk of taking my head? How old are you? Three?"
"Ten years and seven months," Ren corrected coldly. "And that's more than enough for you to die."
"Nonsense!"
The demon attacked. Four massive arms lunged toward Ren with incredible speed, aiming to crush the boy into a bloody pulp.
Ren was ready; he was never slow.
[Activating Total Concentration Breathing - Water Breathing]
Ren dashed forward toward the attacking limbs. He didn't dodge them; he used them.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
It wasn't a full offensive strike, but a swift defensive maneuver. Ren slid under the arms, using his body's angle to drive the sword upward toward the joints.
Clank! Clank!
In an instant, two giant hands were severed from the demon's shoulders, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
"Argh! My hands!" the demon shrieked in rage and disbelief. "What is this speed? What is this strength?"
Ren retreated two steps, glancing at his blade. "That was good."
Then he looked at the severed arms, which began to regenerate immediately. "But not good enough."
The demon launched a more frenzied assault. Dozens of arms shot out like a machine gun toward Ren.
"You've overestimated yourself, you midget!"
Ren took a deep breath, feeling the cold water flow through his veins.
"Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow!"
{Note: I'm really sorry if I get the technique names wrong}
Ren turned into an unstoppable current. He glided, spun, and sliced through every attacking arm in his path. Not a single hand touched him. He danced between the strikes, his movements smooth as silk.
But the demon gave him no time to breathe. For every arm Ren cut, another grew—stronger and faster. It was a battle of attrition.
"This is the problem," Ren thought as he ducked a blow that nearly crushed his skull. "I can't stay here and play the role of Tanjiro, waiting for the perfect opening. I have to end this now!"
Ren realized that any standard Water Form wouldn't be enough. The explosive power required to sever the neck of this nightmare in one go had to be immense.
Ren closed his eyes for a moment as arms converged on him from every direction.
"Well... what an early end for this demon," Ren whispered. "But if I don't do this now, this monster will eat 50 more examinees before Tanjiro arrives."
Ren snapped his eyes open. His muscles beneath his inner suit turned a faint pink from the massive oxygen pressure. He felt his nerves taut like live wires.
"I must blend the power!"
[Activating Total Concentration Breathing - Storm Breathing (Hybrid)]
In that moment, Ren no longer moved like "Water."
Ren became "Lightning."
He lunged from his spot at a speed exceeding sound, leaving behind a faint rumble of thunder.
"Storm Breathing, First Form: Thundering Deluge!"
The movement wasn't fluid like a sword; it was an explosion. A powerful, direct dash toward the demon's neck.
The strike was so fast that the Hand Demon couldn't even see Ren. All he saw was a brilliant blue flash heading toward him, followed by an indescribable pain.
"What... is this?"
The sword, carrying the fluid power of Water Breathing and the explosive force of Thunder Breathing simultaneously, passed through the demon's neck as if slicing through butter. It wasn't a slow process; it was instant carnage.
The demon's head fell to the ground, its yellow eyes wide in absolute shock.
"You... you aren't one of that old man's disciples... What is this style? What kind of monster are you?" the demon muttered faintly before its cells began to crumble away.
Ren stood still, panting heavily, his eyes squeezed shut.
[System Warning: Storm Breathing (Unstable) used.]
[30% Stamina consumed. Penalty: Minor internal damage to the right lung.]
[Player Body trait activated.]
[Host is being healed automatically.]
[Automatic healing will stop if the Host enters combat!]
Ren felt the bitter taste of blood in his throat, and a cold sweat covered his body. This was the price. He couldn't use such overwhelming power without paying for it.
"Mission accomplished..." Ren muttered, clutching his chest. "Damn you, Ryon (the author), for this unstable 'buff'."
{Author: Huh?! Wait a minute... 😨}
Slowly, his breathing returned to normal.
In that moment, he heard a voice.
"My God..."
Emerging from behind a massive tree, trembling with fear, was a young man who looked about seven years older than Ren. He had lost his sword somewhere.
This examinee was one of the people Ren had saved earlier during the test; it seemed he was nearly killed by the Hand Demon before Ren arrived.
The young man ran toward Ren, staring at the demon's body dissolving into black ash with awe.
"You killed him! You killed... the Hand Demon!" the young man shouted with hysterical joy. "They said we should avoid him! I saw him eat my friend three nights ago! But you..."
The young man examined Ren closely.
"My God, who are you, little savior? Are you one of the retired instructors in disguise?"
"....."
Ren gave a calm, weary smile. "I'm just an examinee, just like you, brother. And it's over now."
The examinee fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face from the sheer stress and relief.
"My name is Zenichiro. I can't believe it! You're... you're an angel!"
Zenichiro (not Zenitsu, but another examinee) stood up and approached Ren. He began talking at a lightning-fast pace, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Look at you! You're not even out of breath! Your movement! That last strike! My God, it was stronger than any form I've ever heard of! You're... you're not just a swordsman, you're a real storm! Is this a breathing style you created? Or a retired Hashira's? You must be a secret disciple of a Hashira, right? I swear I've never seen such a technique! What a hero! What a hero! You should be the new Hashira!"
Ren thought internally: "My God, this guy talks more than Zenitsu on a stormy night! How do I stop him?"
Zenichiro continued enthusiastically, gesturing wildly at Ren: "It doesn't matter what your name is, you saved my life, and the lives of the others. Are you the same person who saved us two days ago? You must become my friend! I... you! Are you married? No, of course not! You're too young! How old are you really? I could marry you to my sister, she's beautiful—of course, because she's my twin!"
Ren pointed his small finger, covered in ash and blood, at himself.
"Me?"
"Yes, you! How old are you? 14? 15? You must be a late bloomer! But it doesn't matter! You're the strongest!"
Ren looked at the examinee who had expected a middle-aged hero and answered with a wry smile.
"Ten years and seven months."
A total silence fell over the forest. Even the rustling of the trees stopped.
Zenichiro stared at Ren's handsome face, then at Ren's small body, then at the sword stained with the Hand Demon's blood. Zenichiro's eyes widened so much they looked ready to pop.
Ren thought internally: "My God, did he have a stroke?"
"Are... are you kidding me?" Zenichiro whispered in a barely audible voice. "A ten-year-old? A kid the size of my little brother's doll killed a demon that ate 50 adults? How? Are you even human?"
This was the perfect moment.
Ren looked directly at the sky, which was starting to be draped in the faint light of dawn.
"Damn me for being a handsome hero who can't lie!" Ren thought with annoyance, then answered in a very casual tone.
(Ren's becoming narcissistic... wonderful!)
"Yeah, I'm ten. Maybe... I just practiced harder than the rest, brother. Let's go; we might fail if we're late for sunrise. It seems we have a lot to celebrate."
Ren turned and began walking with steady steps toward the foot of the mountain, leaving behind Zenichiro, who remained standing in place, his jaw hitting the floor in shock. The only words repeating in his head were:
A ten-year-old! My God, if this is the standard for the new Corps, I might as well go home and become a fishmonger!
And so, Yukihara Ren's Final Selection ended—not with survival, but with total destruction.
End of Chapter 8.
The novel is original work, so I hope you appreciate the effort and leave a motivating comment!