I don't want to be an elf!

"No, how come you can't even land a sneak attack?"

"Commander, I already told you, that's not how you use a Nichirin Blade."

The sound of conversation came from the woods.

A man and two women emerged from the darkness.

Although they were wearing ordinary clothes, judging from the swords they threw and the aura they exuded, they should also be members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Upon seeing what appeared to be reinforcements, the two Demon Slayer Corps members, who had been prepared to die a heroic death, had a renewed hope for survival.

Even if they can't defeat this blue-striped demon, if the five of them work together, there's a chance they can hold out until dawn.

Seeing this, one of the Demon Slayer Corps members shouted, "That guy's Blood Demon Art is speed-enhancing! Don't fight him head-on!"

"Why are there so many Demon Slayer Corps members today?"

Upon seeing the second group of people appear, the Blue-Striped Ghost looked somewhat surprised.

The Demon Slayer Corps and the demons themselves are actually not that many in number.

He originally thought that encountering two tonight was already a coincidence.

Unexpectedly, three more have arrived now.

However, he wasn't particularly afraid.

As long as it's not a Pillar-level member, he can easily take them down with his speed.

Even if the opponent truly possessed the strength of a Pillar-level member, he could still escape with ease.

"Looks like we're having an extra meal tonight." The blue-striped ghost licked the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Then I won't be polite."

After saying that, the Blood Demon Art was activated again.

This time, he rushed directly towards the woman who was walking at the front of the group of three and seemed to be the one with the highest status.

Although the woman wore a demon mask, making it impossible to know just how strong she was, the Blue-Striped Demon charged straight at her without any regard for her safety.

Because he did not see the Nichirin Blade at the other person's waist.

There aren't many things that can kill demons, but the sun is the most effective, and a Nichirin Blade that absorbs the sun's power can achieve the same effect.

However, in other words, without the Nichirin Blade, even if one's breathing technique is mastered to the highest level, one is still no threat to demons.

Faced with the blue-striped ghost that had turned into a phantom, the girl's clothes suddenly changed.

The ordinary kimono transformed into a flowing feather robe amidst the changing light, exuding a powerful aura.

The blue-striped ghost was startled and immediately stopped, looking at the other party with a wary expression.

Although the other party's aura didn't seem human and was probably a ghost, the relationship between ghosts couldn't be described as friendly.

Moreover, the other side had just launched the first attack, which already demonstrated their hostility.

Even if this group of people weren't reinforcements for the Demon Slayer Corps, they were still his enemies.

"Are you trying to steal my prey?" the blue-striped ghost asked menacingly. "This is my territory!"

“I’m not interested in your prey; I just happened to be passing by and was just about to kill you.”

"Haha, are there really ghosts in this world who would pull out their swords to help those in need?"

Hearing these unexpected words, the Blue-Striped Demon chuckled mockingly and pulled out the Nichirin Blade that Tanjiro Kamado had just thrown: "This is your only Nichirin Blade, isn't it? After your sneak attack failed, how do you plan to kill me now?"

"You don't need to worry about this."

Beneath the mask, Kotori Itsuka's lips curled into a cold smile as she raised her hand and shouted, "Scorch the Demon!"

As soon as she finished speaking, intense heat gathered in her hands.

A massive axe, far exceeding her height, black and red in color, gleaming coldly in the moonlight, appeared in her hand.

"Although you are not my target, since we've run into each other, I don't mind getting rid of you first."

Holding a giant axe, Kotori Itsuka slightly raised her chin.

"Let's begin our war."

Chapter Sixteen: Immortal Spirits and Immortal Demons

When the Blue-Striped Ghost saw a giant axe, seemingly descended from the heavens and exuding a sense of brutality, appear out of thin air in the hands of the girl before him, his brows furrowed.

He felt threatened.

Although it sounds absurd, since he didn't sense the same solar energy as the Nichirin Blade in this giant axe, his instincts inexplicably told him that this weapon was extremely dangerous.

"Pretend to be a ghost."

A surge of anger rose within the Blue-Striped Demon. Without another word, its jet-black nails began to grow rapidly.

The blue markings on his skin glowed, and the Blood Demon Art was activated once more.

The next moment, his figure transformed once again into a blur that was difficult for the naked eye to follow.

"Go and take care of the wounded."

Kotori Itsuka channeled her spiritual energy, mixed with the energy provided by her breathing technique, and with a push of her feet, collided head-on with the Blue-Striped Demon.

The sharp axe blade severed one of the Blue-Striped Ghost's arms, and then followed up with another chop, cutting off half of his body.

However, the Blue-Striped Demon showed no fear whatsoever. With its other arm, it grabbed Kotori Itsuka's neck, leaving five bloody holes in her neck.

Immediately afterwards, the lines on his skin flashed.

Blue-striped Demon accelerated again, kicking Kotori Itsuka in the abdomen and sending her flying.

"Hmph, you can't even keep up with my speed, yet you try to play the hero?"

The blue-striped demon licked the blood off its fingers and said disdainfully, "I have no interest in fighting demons. It's a thankless task. If you leave now, I might consider letting your two companions leave with you."

He genuinely didn't want to fight against his own kind.

However, the reason was not because they didn't want to kill each other, but simply because it was time-consuming and laborious.

Battles between demons are usually fought for the Muzan blood within the other demon, in order to quickly increase their strength.

But Blue-striped Ghost had little interest in rapidly increasing his strength.

After all, if you can enjoy the taste of human flesh while becoming stronger, why bother fighting to the death with another immortal being of the same kind?

Although eating people increases strength much more slowly, demons are an immortal race with endless lifespans, so what does it matter if it's slower?

Not to mention, he was already quite satisfied with his own abilities.

In the world of martial arts, speed is the ultimate weapon. His Blood Demon Technique grants him superhuman speed. Even though pure hand-to-hand combat isn't his forte, as long as his reaction and attack speed are faster than his opponent's, victory is his for the taking.

Moreover, even if he encounters a formidable enemy, if he can't defeat him, surely he can outrun him?

"Don't get too carried away."

Kotori Itsuka planted the Scorching Demon into the ground and brought it to a steady stop. She rubbed her neck and said, "It's just a little faster, what's there to be proud of?"

"Looks like you're a newbie who hasn't been a ghost for long, aren't you? You're really fearless." The blue-striped ghost sneered. "Alright, maybe. Then let me spend some more time beating you until you admit defeat."

"If you can do it, give it a try."

In just a few words, the injuries they had just sustained were completely healed.

Whether it was the five large holes in Kotori Itsuka's neck or the cuts from the Blue-Striped Demon's shoulder to his ribs, an ordinary human would have been dead long ago.

However, for elves with self-healing flames and demons with Muzan cells, this level of skill is not even an appetizer.

Once they had recovered, the two started moving again at the same time.

Yellow sand swirled wildly, and flesh and blood flew everywhere.

The two immortal monsters fought each other like the most primal wild beasts.

Seeing this, the two wounded Demon Slayer Corps members not far away were completely stunned.

They assumed the newcomers were members of the Demon Slayer Corps like themselves, and that reinforcements had arrived by chance.

But that masked girl is clearly a ghost.

Why would a ghost save them?

"Hey, can you guys still move?"

Tanjiro Kamado walked over and asked about the situation with concern.

However, both Demon Slayer Corps members showed expressions of fear, barely raising their Nichirin Blades and watching him warily.

"I am not a ghost."

Having guessed what the other party was thinking, Tanjiro Kamado raised his hands to indicate that he had no hostility: "I am a member of the Demon Slayer Corps just like you. Well, I was a member of the Demon Slayer Corps at least a month ago."

"Wait, who are you...?"

One of the Demon Slayer Corps members squinted, scrutinizing his face in the dim moonlight.

As if he had just realized something, he exclaimed, "You're Kamado Tanjiro? The traitor who hid demons?"

“I am, but I am not a defector.”

Tanjiro Kamado nodded, then shook his head: "The Demon Slayer Corps doesn't give my sister and me any chance to live. The only thing I can do is leave this organization that doesn't belong to me and join a place that can accept me."

"Where can I accommodate you?"

"Yes, I am now a member of Ratatosk."

Following Kotori Itsuka's instructions, Tanjiro Kamado revealed his identity and information about his organization: "Ratatosk is an organization that advocates ending the war between humans and demons, and not only humans, but also suitable demons can join if they meet the requirements."

"Rata...Ratatosk?"

Both Demon Slayer Corps members had a look of confusion in their eyes.

This was the first time they had ever heard of such an organization.

However, it sounds like this organization's goals are somewhat similar to those of the Demon Slayer Corps. Even if it's not a friendly organization, it should at least be a neutral one.

At least they are still alive now because the members of Ratatosk have held back the Blue-striped Demons.

After weighing their options for a while, the two exchanged a glance and put down their weapons.

They have no choice now.