Demon Slayer: Can I add points to my Breathing Technique?

It was as if she were facing not a newcomer, but a seasoned, top-tier swordsman.

If it weren't for watching the other person learn Thunder Breathing from scratch, going through the process from nothing to something, she would have suspected that this kid had been holding back.

Finally, after the same two bolts of lightning crossed paths.

Nikaido's Nichirin Blade broke.

It wasn't that her Thunder Breathing and swordsmanship were weaker, but rather that this female swordsman, in a moment of rage, chose to fight Xia Xi head-on.

However, Xia Xi's strength was heavier, and the knife was brand newer.

Looking at the Nichirin Blade, now only half intact, Nikaido's expression was complicated.

They were easily surpassed by their juniors...

After taking a deep breath, she said seriously, "Listen up, kid. Lei Hu, I have nothing more to teach you."

"If it can cut through my blade, then it's also capable of severing the necks of those evil spirits."

"Go to your next stop."

"With your talent and awareness, go and slaughter as many ghosts as you can."

She gave a thumbs-up and patted her eye mask firmly.

"If you encounter a Lower Moon demon called 'Zero-Yu-Zi,' remember to kill her to avenge my eye."

"And Tianyuan, please keep his arrogance in check for me."

"I don't expect him to have a solid foundation, but he can't always be obsessed with the ninjutsu he used to kill people. Those demons aren't human, and there are always times when a ninja's skills are beyond their reach..."

Nikaido's former imposing arrogance has vanished like the receding tide.

All that's left are admonitions and nagging.

Like an old mother watching her child leave on a long journey.

Before leaving, she even gave Xia Xi a gourd of wine and a scroll of her own breathing techniques.

After walking a long way from the dojo, Xia Xi looked back.

Mei Nikaido remained standing in front of the door. When she saw him turn around, she simply waved casually before turning back to the dojo.

I'm indebted to her...

Zero-plus, right? Hopefully, she has enough eyes.

If there were only two, and they could be taken down in two sword strikes, wouldn't that be too boring?

Before they had gone far, the ravens, which they hadn't seen for some time, flew back from afar.

"Nine Chariots Xia Xi! Urgent order! Urgent order!"

It swooped down and landed on the boy's head.

The loud shouts made Xia Xi's ears hurt.

"Gah! Eastern Logging Camp! Kocho Kanae has been attacked by a powerful demon and is in danger! One team member, Gaga, has been killed in action! We urgently need reinforcements! Go now! Go now!"

Oh?

Is there such a support mission?

Since it can make other swordsmen struggle, the experience gained from killing it must be substantial.

Xia Xi stopped walking, turned around, and sped off in the direction the raven had indicated.

(Kanae)

Chapter 34 Lumberyard

The task was initially submitted by an experienced stealth member.

The report shows that workers and their families have gone missing at logging camps north of Yamanashi City.

The total number has reached seventeen.

The local police immediately dispatched officers to the logging site to investigate, but found nothing.

There were no signs of a struggle or blood at the scene.

Some of the bedding in the workers' sheds still had the creases where people had just left, as if these people had simply vanished into thin air.

The police could only hastily close the case by stating that "the workers stole the property and fled together."

However, for members of the Hidden Department who have long dealt with demons, there are simply too many suspicious points.

The case was immediately reported to the Demon Slayer Corps.

The following day, a nearby [Xin]-rank swordsman was ordered to investigate.

The next day, the swordsman, along with his raven, joined the group of missing persons.

The Demon Slayer Corps immediately dispatched three swordsmen who were on a mission nearby to form a team and head out again.

The team consists of two [Geng]-level swordsmen.

And a [E]-rank swordsman who has been performing exceptionally well recently, Kocho Kanae.

Normally, such a setup would be sufficient to uncover the truth of this case.

Just as the Hidden members had predicted, the Crow quickly relayed the message.

The worker has gone missing and it has been confirmed that he was killed by an evil spirit.

The swordsman previously investigated has been confirmed dead.

A [Geng] level swordsman is currently injured, and [Wu] level swordsman Kanae engages him in battle and defeats him.

The three were currently trying to chase after the evil spirit.

As a result, the hidden member in charge of scheduling had barely relaxed when another raven rushed back with an urgent report.

A [Geng]-level swordsman sacrificed himself.

[E] Kanae, urgently requesting assistance.

Cold sweat instantly soaked his back, and the hidden member in charge of scheduling immediately grabbed the roster.

Initiate emergency contact with all swordsmen in the vicinity who have not yet carried out any missions.

On the other side, outside the logging camp of Mount Myoken.

The two swordsmen stood back to back, scanning their surroundings with their Nichirin Blades in hand.

They ultimately became careless during the pursuit.

Not only did they lose a companion, but now they themselves are trapped in this vast forest.

……

Just recently, when the three of them arrived at the logging camp.

With their senses far exceeding those of ordinary people, they quickly discovered details that the police had overlooked.

There were no signs of fighting or bloodshed at the scene.

Fine, straight drag marks were found on the open ground and trees near the logging site.

It was not done by an animal.

They followed the tracks and soon entered a nearby logging area.

The group also noticed something was amiss.

These traces often end abruptly in front of some large trees and piles of stones.

However, after splitting the tree and lifting the pile of stones, there was nothing behind it.

Until night completely fell.

The three of them found a broken Nichirin Blade in front of a giant rock deep in the forest.

It was the Nichirin Blade of the missing swordsman from before.

Strangely, half of the Sun Wheel Blade was embedded inside the rock.

It looked exactly like it had grown out of a rock.

I witnessed a bizarre scene.

The three immediately became alert, and Kanae, who had the highest rank, took the initiative to step forward and observe the details.

The rock surface was covered in dust and powder, but it didn't seem to have been blown in by the wind; it was more like…

It looks more like it's seeping out after being slightly squeezed and rubbed from the inside.

Just as the thought flashed through her mind.

The surrounding trees suddenly changed!

The thick tree trunks cracked one after another, and countless flying wood chips, like sharp hidden weapons, rained down on the three of them.

"spread!"

The strongest Kanae was the first to react, her Nichirin Blade slicing through the wood with arcs of light as she retreated swiftly.

The other two [Geng]-level swordsmen were not newcomers either.

They all activated their breathing techniques to dodge the sudden attack.

"Hmm... I just finished digesting a brat who didn't know his place, and now someone else is coming up to die so soon."

Amidst the smoke and dust, a figure slowly "flowed" out from the broken tree trunk.

As everyone expected, it was an evil spirit.

The other person used both hands to brace themselves against the broken tree trunk while pulling themselves out of it.

His empty gaze swept over the three swordsmen.

"So, which one should we start with?"

"No, perhaps it wouldn't be bad to use you as food for the winter, since Mu's reserves are far from enough to last through the winter."