This guy… this guy…
He was actually living among humans.
Tanjiro's emotions surged violently. The fury of facing his enemy burned within him—but what he saw now shocked him even more.
Kibutsuji Muzan.
The monster who turned people into man-eating demons—
Was living with a family.
Did they not know what he was?
"May I ask what you want with me? You look rather flustered."
Aoyama slowly withdrew his thumb from the sword guard and casually patted Tanjiro's shoulder before stepping forward.
"Flustered? You must've seen wrong. If we're talking about being flustered…" His calm gaze met Muzan's crimson eyes.
"Then perhaps you should start feeling that way."
A faint smile curved his lips.
Muzan studied the boy carefully.
There was a threat in that smile.
His instincts told him—
This one was dangerous.
A refined woman approached. "Oh my, what's going on?"
The little girl in Muzan's arms sweetly called out, "Mama!"
Tanjiro's body trembled uncontrollably.
His heart tightened painfully.
Muzan… had a family.
And both the woman and child radiated the unmistakable scent of humans.
Aoyama glanced at Tanjiro from the corner of his eye.
After everything Tanjiro had endured, this scene was naturally hard to accept.
The family chatted harmoniously.
But to Aoyama, it was nothing more than a façade.
"Tanjiro. Steady yourself. Watch carefully," he whispered.
A young couple passed by Muzan.
In that instant—
The veins on Muzan's hand bulged.
So fast it was nearly invisible.
Sharp nails raked across the back of the man's neck, leaving three bloody gashes.
Aoyama saw it clearly.
So did Tanjiro.
The man clutched his neck and lowered his head.
His wife supported him, panicked. "Dear? What's wrong?"
The wound began to fester immediately.
Veins swelled.
His face darkened unnaturally.
Saliva dripped from his lips.
Fangs sprouted.
His body convulsed before he suddenly lifted his head—
"Ahhh!!!"
He lunged at his wife.
"No!" Tanjiro dashed forward.
Aoyama did not move.
Instead, he drew a dagger and flicked it forward.
The blade pierced straight through the man's cheek.
Blood splattered across the woman's face.
She froze in terror. "D-Dear…?"
The man was already lost—reduced to a demon driven solely by hunger.
He yanked the dagger out and pounced again, biting into her shoulder.
"Stop!!!"
"Ahhh—!"
Tanjiro was a step too late.
Fate had already taken hold.
Muzan's eyes flickered subtly.
This was exactly the outcome he wanted.
But…
Why wasn't the other boy moving?
Aoyama tilted his head slightly and smirked.
"It's just a small matter. My junior can handle it."
The little girl clung tightly to Muzan's clothes, frightened.
The woman grabbed his arm, equally shaken.
With them at his side, Muzan ignored Aoyama entirely and gently soothed the child.
"It's alright. Don't look."
"Miss Rei, it's dangerous here. Let's go across the street."
Tanjiro, struggling to restrain the transformed man, watched Muzan turn to leave.
He couldn't let go.
He could only call out—
"Senior Brother! Please!"
Aoyama had no intention of letting Muzan slip away anyway.
Even if Tanjiro hadn't asked.
Unable to pursue, Tanjiro roared after him—
"Kibutsuji Muzan! I will never forgive you! No matter where you go—I'll find you!"
Miss Rei looked back, confused. "What's wrong with that boy, Mr. Tsukihiko?"
"I'll chase you to the ends of hell and take your head!"
"I will never forgive you!"
Tanjiro's voice echoed down the street.
Muzan clenched his jaw.
He offered no reply to the woman.
Because right now—
The more pressing issue was the boy named Aoyama.
He was following him.
Muzan escorted the woman and child to their car.
The girl waved sweetly. "Daddy, come home early!"
"I will. Be a good girl."
Aoyama stood beneath the dim streetlight in the distance, watching.
And Muzan noticed.
Once the car drove off, he finally had no more constraints.
He made an excuse about business matters and turned back.
The vehicle disappeared into the night.
Muzan faced Aoyama fully.
Under the flickering lamplight—
Aoyama raised a hand and waved at him leisurely.
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