Tanjiro fell into thought.
Had Senior Brother Aoyama already distinguished the number of demons from that faint scent alone?
But the alley's smell, though weak, was clearly only one presence!
Aoyama stopped in front of a wealthy household and knocked.
The gate opened to reveal a well-maintained middle-aged woman. Her refined appearance and elegant bearing spoke of a comfortable life.
"And you are…?"
She held the door, eyes full of caution. The town had been unsettled lately—most of the missing were young girls. Her own daughter had just turned sixteen.
Aoyama stepped forward politely.
"We're traveling swordsmen. We were hoping to borrow a room for the night."
The woman examined them carefully.
Her gaze paused on Kazui.
Without a word—
She slammed the door shut.
"W-Why did she close it like that?" Tanjiro asked, confused.
Even if she refused lodging, shouldn't she at least explain?
Aoyama sighed lightly and turned toward Kazui.
The problem was clearly him.
Time passed.
The sun dipped below the horizon.
Aoyama leaned against a wall, arms folded over his sword, calm and motionless.
Tanjiro, meanwhile, roamed about, searching for traces of demon scent.
Kazui trailed behind Tanjiro. Instinctively, he felt Tanjiro seemed more reliable.
Night fell.
For Aoyama—
The real show was about to begin.
With a light leap, he vaulted over the courtyard wall and slipped inside.
Perched atop a large tree, he saw the young girl bid her mother goodnight before returning to her room.
Tanjiro returned to the mansion gates after searching the area.
But the senior brother who had been there before—
Was gone.
"Kazui," Tanjiro said calmly, "don't worry. Senior Brother Aoyama is very strong."
Even so, the word disappeared flashed through Kazui's mind, chilling him to the bone.
Moments later—
Tanjiro's sharp sense of smell picked it up.
The demon had appeared.
He drew his sword instantly.
"Kazui! Stand behind me. The demon is here!"
At that very second—
A piercing scream erupted from inside the mansion.
Birds scattered from nearby trees.
Inside the girl's room—
She stared wide-eyed in terror.
She dared not move.
A blade was embedded directly above her head.
Aoyama looked down at her with a faint smile, placing a finger to his lips.
"Shh. Quiet. Don't scare away my prey."
He pulled his blade from the floor and casually held it in one hand, gaze shifting toward the clothing rack in the corner.
Gurgle—
Gurgle—
From the floor beneath the rack, a head emerged.
Long hair.
Crimson eyes.
Fangs.
Three horns protruding from its forehead.
A grating, grinding sound escaped its mouth.
The girl shrieked and clutched Aoyama's leg, trembling uncontrolllably.
A demon.
A real demon.
The sound continued.
Suddenly—
The demon sank back into the floor and vanished.
Aoyama didn't chase immediately.
He glanced down at the girl clinging to him.
"You staying here? Or coming with me?"
She shook her head frantically.
"W-With you!"
There was no way she'd remain alone in that room.
At this point, she didn't even care that a man had broken into her bedroom at night.
Aoyama grabbed her around the waist with one arm and leapt out of the room.
If the demon wanted young girls—
Fine.
He'd protect her.
And use her as bait.
The entire mansion lit up.
Servants rushed to the girl's room after hearing her scream.
The door stood open.
The bedding was overturned.
But the girl—
Was gone.
In the alley behind the mansion, Aoyama set the girl down.
Just then, Tanjiro arrived with Kazui.
Kazui recognized the girl and nearly shouted—
But Aoyama cut in sharply.
"Tanjiro! Protect them. The demons are here."
"Yes!"
Tanjiro tightened his grip on his sword, ready.
The terrified girl's legs gave out. She stumbled backward—
And the wall behind her rippled into a black vortex.
Two arms burst out and seized her, dragging her inward.
"Same trick again?"
Before the sentence finished, Aoyama's blade stabbed straight into the swirling darkness.
With his free hand, he yanked the girl back.
A scream of pain echoed from within the vortex.
A cold smile curved Aoyama's lips.
Cheap tricks like that—
Once was enough.
Trying it twice in front of him?
Idiots.
To Read advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146