I don't want to be an elf!

That was the fear of death that he could never escape in his entire life.

A nightmare that will forever haunt his heart.

"Your judgment has come, Muzan Kibutsuji."

Amidst the raging flames, a red light shone in Kotori Itsuka's eyes, like the open gates of hell.

"Now, it is time to repay your debts and karma."

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Author's note: This chapter contains 4416 words, with lyrics less than 200 words, and no filler content.

The lyrics are from "Blood On My Name," and are even better enjoyed with the music.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Fates of Everyone (Combined)

The appearance of the songstress of the broken army once again reversed the tide of battle that had been tilting towards Muzan Kibutsuji and the Upper Moons.

After using the reward obtained from completing a random mission in the previous world—the "Broken Army Songstress" usage ticket—Kotori Itsuka and her companions received a powerful boost.

Although only marches can be used, it's more than enough to deal with the current situation.

Amidst the sea of ​​fire, Muzan Kibutsuji's complexion had deteriorated to an extreme degree.

In a one-on-one battle, he was already unable to defeat the Flame Demon before him.

Whether it's strength, speed, or defense, he is always one stage ahead of his opponent.

If he hadn't been immortal, he would have died dozens of times over in the battle just now.

His only hope of escaping this predicament lies in the fact that his carefully selected Upper Moons can quickly eliminate the others and come to his aid.

When the time comes, once a six-against-one situation is formed, even if we can't kill the Flame Demon, we can at least fight and retreat, leaving this damned blood mist.

However, after that unfamiliar music started playing, both the Flame Demon and her companions noticeably gained a new level of aura.

Despite being at a disadvantage, the nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps and the Kamado siblings, after receiving a boost, were able to fight the five Upper Moons who were giving their all, and for a time it was impossible to determine a winner.

Meanwhile, the situation was even worse for Muzan Kibutsuji.

He was already struggling to defend and dodge under Kotori Itsuka's powerful and sweeping axe attacks, and now that her combat power has increased even further, he is completely overwhelmed and unable to fight back.

Kibutsuji Muzan's eyes were completely covered in blood vessels.

The fear of death completely robbed him of any will to resist, and he kept trying to escape.

However, how could he possibly escape when Kotori Itsuka was under his full spiritual power, unable to use Blood Demon Art or contact the Infinity Castle?

The Ghost King's body had been cut and shattered countless times.

The blood covering his body was showing signs of depletion, and the recovery speed had slowed down significantly due to continuous consumption and the scorching heat of the flames.

"I won't die here! Absolutely not!"

Kibutsuji Muzan's handsome face was completely covered by hysterical madness, with bulging veins and writhing flesh, making him look extremely ferocious.

Once again, Muzan Kibutsuji made a desperate attack, sacrificing most of his body to withstand Kotori Itsuka's slash. With no more hope in his heart, he rushed towards another battlefield.

If his upper moon can't come over, then he'll go over to it!

Even if the battle between the Upper Moon demons and the Demon Slayer Corps is currently evenly matched, and that luring Kotori Itsuka to the other side will inevitably lead to the collapse of the battle, it is nothing to Muzan Kibutsuji, who is already determined to escape for his life.

Even if all five Upper Moons perish here, as long as he, the Demon King, lives, he can create even more Upper Moons in the future.

Trading the lives of five Upper Moons for his was an incredibly worthwhile deal.

"Want to run?"

With her spiritual energy being unleashed at full power, the still-unpurified spiritual crystals began to affect Kotori Itsuka's sanity.

Entering a berserk state, she let out a long howl and chased after Muzan Kibutsuji, engulfed in flames.

Meanwhile, on another battlefield, the others also noticed the two people running towards them.

Everyone was shocked to see Muzan Kibutsuji in such a disheveled state.

Especially the five upper-winged ones.

As Muzan Kibutsuji's most valued and most frequently interacted subordinates, they were very familiar with the strength of this progenitor of all demons.

Even without using curses, if we simply compare fighting strength, the five Upper Moons combined still couldn't defeat him.

However, this incredibly powerful demon is now being chased and beaten by a little girl like a stray dog.

That's utterly undignified!

However, they could not simply stand idly by.

Once Muzan Kibutsuji dies, those demons who possess Muzan's cells will also die.

Therefore, they worked even harder.

However, the Demon Slayer Corps fought even harder than them.

"Stop him! Stop Muzan!" Tanjiro Kamado roared. "We can't let him get away!"

Without him needing to say anything more, the remaining nine Pillar-level members immediately unleashed their full power.

They were even willing to risk injury to suppress the Upper Moon.

At this point, there was no turning back for them.

If they miss this opportunity, the Demon Slayer Corps may never have another chance to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.

The long-cherished wish of a century may finally come to an end today. Every Pillar member with unwavering faith is like a madman, their expressions ferocious like demons, fighting a bloody battle.

Their blood was burning.

"ah------!"

Among the nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, the strongest, Gyomei Himejima, roared, a burn-like mark appearing on his face.

Those are markings.

Only powerful demon slayers can unlock secret physical techniques that break through the limits of the human body, exchanging lifespan for greater power.

With the emergence of the first mark holder, as if it were contagious, more and more Pillar-level members awakened their marks.

Wind Pillar Sanemi Shinazugawa, Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku, and Mist Pillar Muichiro Tokito.

Within a few breaths, four people with the markings appeared.

As a result, the pressure on the Upper Moons became even greater.

They were being held back by the Demon Slayer Corps Pillars and were unable to provide any support to Muzan Kibutsuji.

After activating their Demon Slayer Marks, the Demon Slayer Corps even deployed personnel to block Muzan Kibutsuji's escape route.

"Get out of my way!"

In a frenzied state, Muzan Kibutsuji swung his arms, instantly creating two enormous fleshy arms, intending to crush the two Pillars blocking his path.

"Go to hell and repent, Muzan!"

With his muscular arms raised, Beimingyu Xingming forcefully took the blow.

Then, with a twist of his body, he tore off the ugly, fleshy arm.

"Kotori! It's up to you!"

In that critical moment, Rengoku Kyojuro also forgot about concealing his identity.

He drew his sword and severed his fleshy arm, his expression resolute.

Without hesitation, the two Pillar-level members took the hits from Muzan Kibutsuji's attack without any attempt to dodge, and instead rammed head-on into him.

"Kacha——!"

The sound of breaking bones sounded.

However, Gyomei Himejima and Kyojuro Rengoku seemed oblivious to the pain, using all their strength to block Muzan Kibutsuji's advance.

"You lot..."

Anger flashed in Muzan Kibutsuji's eyes.

Just as he was about to deliver the fatal blow, he felt a burning sensation coming from behind him.

The scorching demon pierced his chest.

He was only blocked for a brief moment before Kotori Itsuka caught up and dealt him another heavy blow.

"Scorching Demon Annihilation - Cannon Mode!"

The axe blade pierced his chest, and two Pillar-level members held onto his arms tightly, trapping Muzan Kibutsuji in place.

Behind them, as Kotori Itsuka's deep voice came, the form of the Scorching Demon changed.

The pitch-black muzzle emerged from the axe blade.

Kotori Itsuka then flicked her wrist, sending Muzan Kibutsuji flying into the air.

Terrifying energy gathered in the cannon's muzzle, even distorting the surrounding air.

From the pitch-black muzzle, crimson energy was aimed at Muzan Kibutsuji in mid-air.

A cruel smile appeared on Kotori Itsuka's lips.

"boom----!"

As the trigger was pulled, a beam of flame, hotter than magma, erupted forth.

It illuminated the dark forest, streaked across the lightless night sky, like a shooting star flying in reverse.

Kibutsuji Muzan, who had been lifted into the air, suddenly had his pupils constricted as they were covered by the flames.

He had nowhere to escape.

"Aaaaaahh ...

Within the dazzling beam of light, everything about Muzan Kibutsuji was gradually eroded away by this violent torrent of energy.

First came the clothes, then the skin, then the flesh, and next came the five brains and seven hearts.