I don't want to be an elf!

This is too hurtful.

However, it is indeed a feasible plan.

If Muzan Kibutsuji were to learn that Ratatoskree not only contains two demons who have overcome sunlight, but also includes Tamayo, who escaped from his clutches a century ago, and that they have even created a potion to remove the curse and destroy Muzan's cells, Muzan Kibutsuji would definitely be restless.

The longer such an organization is allowed to operate, the greater the threat to his life becomes.

Once the news reaches his ears, he will definitely bring all the Upper Moons to fight Ratatosk to the death.

Tanjiro Kamado and Kotori Itsuka each had their own worries.

Tanjiro Kamado was worried that they couldn't win.

Kotori Itsuka's concern was that she had fought them, but couldn't kill them.

Putting aside how troublesome Muzan Kibutsuji's escape method of splitting his body into multiple fragments was, Kotori Itsuka alone couldn't handle the Infinity Castle.

If he finds himself unable to win, Muzan Kibutsuji can always hide in the Infinity Castle.

Once this happens, it will be impossible to lure him out easily again.

Therefore, Kotori Itsuka must make thorough preparations.

Just as she was pondering what to do, a gasp came from the bridge not far away, attracting their attention.

"Someone jumped into the river!"

Chapter Twenty-Five: My life has been nothing but shameful deeds.

On the small bridge, small groups of people stood on both sides of the bridge, pointing and gesturing at a certain spot in the river.

Although it was already night, the moonlight in the sky still provided some illumination, allowing people to see the shadows in the river.

Kotori Itsuka and Tanjiro Kamado walked over and saw the same dark figure flowing downstream from the river upstream.

That's a man.

The man adrift in the river was motionless, his skin sickly pale, showing no signs of struggle, as if he had been dead for a long time.

The river was extremely swift, and no one present dared to jump in and pull him out.

Without sufficient strength and stamina, let alone carrying others back to shore, they might even drown themselves.

"Commander, wait here for me!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Tanjiro Kamado, the kind-hearted boy, jumped into the river the moment he saw the man.

What is a turbulent river to an ordinary person is not a problem for him, who is strong and healthy and has mastered the breathing technique to the highest level.

With the agility of a fish, he quickly grabbed the man in the river and dragged him back to the shore.

Regardless of his wet clothes, after dragging the man ashore, Tanjiro Kamado immediately began performing CPR on him.

"vomit......"

The man, whose face was as pale as paper and who looked like he was dead, vomited a large amount of river water.

After being stimulated, the man who had just woken up instinctively tried to sit up.

"Bang—!"

However, his head collided with Tanjiro Kamado's head.

The sound of bones breaking was heard.

"Ha, you just got back from the brink of death, and you're already back?" Kotori Itsuka laughed, never one to miss a good spectacle. "Your head's really made of iron, huh? Why don't you just use your head as a weapon from now on?"

"Commander, please stop joking around at a time like this."

Rubbing his forehead, which felt nothing, Tanjiro Kamado looked at the man who had been hit on the head and was bleeding profusely, and who had once again passed out, with a bitter expression. He didn't know what to do.

“Take him back and let Tamayo take a look,” Kotori Itsuka said. “Although you saved him, you also caused the injuries. It’s not right to just leave him like this.”

After hearing Kotori Itsuka's words, Tanjiro Kamado nodded.

Although Tamayo's main job is to research Muzan's blood and develop drugs, she is also an excellent doctor.

It would be best to hand this man over to her for examination.

However, just as Tanjiro Kamado was about to carry him on his back, his movements suddenly froze.

Because he saw the wound on the man's forehead was healing slowly.

Although slow, it is by no means at a human level.

Tanjiro Kamado instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist.

This man is a ghost!

----------

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"Ugh..."

The man murmured.

His eyelashes fluttered slightly, and soon after, he slowly opened his eyes.

The remaining fluid in his stomach made him feel like he might vomit at any moment, and his confused mind made it impossible for him to concentrate.

It took him quite a while to recover before his powerful adaptability as a ghost made him feel better.

Only then did he have the energy to check his surroundings.

There was neither a river nor a riverbank beside him.

Instead, it was a deserted, dusty alley.

Not far from the alley, a man and a woman stood.

Upon seeing that he had awakened, they also turned their gazes toward him.

"Where am I?" the man asked as he regained consciousness. "And who are you?"

"This is an alley in Asakusa. We are the ones who saved you from the river," Kotori Itsuka said calmly. "But based on your next answer, we could also become the ones who take your life."

Tanjiro Kamado drew his Nichirin Blade from his waist with perfect understanding.

The blade, capable of slaying demons, reflected a chilling light under the moonlight, causing the man's heart to skip a beat.

But he didn't show the slightest sign of fear.

Instead, it seemed as if Tanjiro Kamado's sword had reminded him of something, and an expectant look appeared in his eyes.

"You're from the Demon Slayer Corps, right?" he asked, slightly excited. "That mysterious organization that hunts demons?"

Kotori Itsuka and Tanjiro Kamado's expressions both became somewhat subtle.

They thought that once the guy figured out who they were, he would either become aggressive or fawn over them.

Unexpectedly, the man acted as if he had finally found a long-awaited celebrity, and he couldn't hide the excitement in his voice.

“No, we are not the Demon Slayer Corps,” Kotori Itsuka replied. “We are Ratatoskr.”

"Ratatosk? Never heard of it. Do you hunt demons too?"

"Although it's not our main job, we do hunt evil spirits."

"awesome!"

He was somewhat disappointed when he heard that the two people in front of him were not members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

But after hearing that they had also slain the evil spirits, their tone became even more excited than before.

"Then please cut off my neck and let me die."

The man straightened his clothes, knelt on the ground, and solemnly said to the two men, "This is my only wish. Since you two have the ability to slay an immortal monster like me, please let me be freed from this curse."

Seeing this comical scene, both Kotori Itsuka and Tanjiro Kamado were completely baffled.

This man is indeed quite peculiar.

If Tanjiro Kamado hadn't accidentally injured him, the two of them probably wouldn't have realized that this man was a demon.

Because he was very special compared to other demons, he had no bloody smell on him, just like Tamayo and Yushiro.

This is also why Tanjiro Kamado didn't realize he was a demon at first.

Although it's almost impossible for a demon to exist that doesn't need to eat human flesh, Kotori Itsuka decided to give it a try and didn't let Tanjiro Kamado take action. Instead, she planned to talk to him first.

Unexpectedly, before she could even ask anything, this guy directly asked them to kill him.

"A suicidal ghost?" Kotori Itsuka scrutinized the man with interest. "You really want to die? Or are you just trying to make us laugh?"

"Yes, I'm serious."

The man raised his head, a bitter smile on his lips: "My life has been full of shameful things, nothing is worth regretting. Only death is my final destination, and it can give me true peace."

"I didn't detect any lying in his question," Tanjiro Kamado said softly. "He exudes a decadent, deathly aura, as if he really meant it. He probably tried to jump into the river to commit suicide."

"interesting."

Kotori Itsuka nodded slightly, signaling to Tanjiro Kamado to put away his Nichirin Blade.

She walked up to the man, crossed her arms, and looked down at him, asking, "What's your name?"

"Huh? You ask for names before killing a demon?"

"Do not talk nonsense."

Kotori Itsuka stomped her foot, revealing an impatient expression.

Afraid of angering the other party and causing them to decide to spare his life, the suicidal man immediately answered the question.

"Dazai."

The man obediently gave his name.

"My name is Osamu Dazai."

Chapter Twenty-Six: It's you again?

Kotori Itsuka was stunned the moment she heard the name.