Demon Slayer: Seraph of Radiance

As Kawanishi quietly mourned, he suddenly realized something was wrong — his sister Nezuko's grave wasn't here.

What's going on? he thought, but before he could dwell on it, the atmosphere shifted. The constant night-time buzz of insects abruptly vanished.

His body tensed, though his expression remained calm. He continued walking, searching nearby for any sign of Nezuko's grave — but there was none.

"Nezuko... are you still alive?"

Kawanishi was certain her presence had vanished that night; otherwise, he wouldn't have fled.

"Did I misjudge in the chaos and fail to realize she survived?"

Arriving at Kie's grave, Kawanishi knelt before it. But just then, his gaze caught something unusual — a small green stone beneath the wooden marker.

Carved into it, in Tanjiro's handwriting, were the words:

"Brother, please come find me at the foot of Mount Sagiri. Nezuko and I are both here."

Like the first ray of sunlight breaking through dark clouds, hope surged in Kawanishi's chest.

"Tanjiro… Nezuko is alive?"

"Thank goodness..."

It was the best news he'd heard since becoming a demon — the heavy pressure on his heart suddenly eased.

Unrestrained, his lips curled into a wide smile.

Facing Kie and Tanjuro's graves, Kawanishi vowed:

"Mother, Nezuko and Tanjiro are alive. I'll find them, and I won't let any harm come to them."

"I swear it."

He bowed deeply. But as he did, completely exposing his back, a scarlet flash cut through the night, slicing at his neck.

Yet, before the attacker could rejoice, Kawanishi's body flickered — it was nothing but illusion.

The assailant — wielding a blood-red war scythe — felt his blade slice empty air and frowned in surprise.

At that instant, a cold voice sounded directly behind him:

"You've fallen into my trap!"

From behind, a pair of gleaming iron hands lunged for the attacker's throat.

But before they could grab hold, the assailant grinned and calmly replied:

"No — you've fallen into mine!"

"Blood Demon Art: Mist Invasion — Instant Burst!"

A burst of purple mist erupted violently from the attacker's body, instantly engulfing a five-meter radius.

Yet, once again, the iron hands behind him vanished without a trace. No presence could be felt within the mist.

Suddenly, the real Kawanishi appeared at the man's flank, his right hand forming a sharp hand-blade aimed directly at the neck.

The attacker, however, remained calm — he made no attempt to dodge.

As expected, Kawanishi's blade passed right through his neck without causing any damage.

So cautious... and devious...

Ten meters away, Kawanishi leaned against a tree, shaking his head in mild disappointment.

He had activated Maze Thorns the moment he sensed someone approaching, hiding his true body while using illusions to bait his opponent.

Saetsu's Blood Demon Art is incredibly useful…

What puzzled him was the attacker's strange aura. Though clearly the one occupying his house, Kawanishi couldn't detect the usual chaotic scent of demons. At first, he thought the man was human.

Now, at this close range, the scent was odd — somewhere between human and demon.

Yet the purple mist was undeniably a Blood Demon Art.

He's definitely a demon… but unlike any I've ever encountered.

Doesn't matter. Let's settle this with force!

Since illusions weren't working — the man had some sensory ability inside the mist — Kawanishi decided on close combat.

"Blood Demon Art: Maze Thorns — Coiling Dragon!"

Massive black thorned vines intertwined and surged into the purple mist, roaring like a dragon as they aimed for the man at the center.

But after only three meters, the vines hissed and disintegrated, eaten away by the corrosive mist.

The attacker exhaled slightly in relief.

However, from the collapsing vines, a dark figure suddenly burst forth — Kawanishi himself — driving a powerful iron punch at the attacker's chin.

Kawanishi had watched how rapidly the mist corroded the vines and even nearby trees. If not for hiding inside the thorns, he wouldn't have had a chance to approach.

But unexpectedly… his punch was blocked.

Bang!

The attacker's hand — gleaming with a metallic luster — met Kawanishi's fist head-on, halting his strike.

Crack.

The sickening crunch of bone echoed as the attacker's wrist bent unnaturally.

Both fighters leapt back. The attacker retreated further, his purple mist shifting with him. Kawanishi, forced out of its range, examined his hands.

He flexed his fingers, the bones clicking lightly.

He must've felt that one...

Looking down, he noticed small blackened patches on his skin fading away.

Though his Iron Body was nearly unbreakable, even brief contact with the mist had left corroded marks and superheated his flesh.

His eyes — more fragile — had burned painfully for a moment before quickly healing.

Though the damage was minor, the mist's rapid corrosiveness was formidable.

Without my Iron Body, I might've melted instantly.

But you still can't break through my defenses.

Let's go again!

"Forged Armory — Black Severing Blade!"

Opening his hand, Kawanishi summoned into his grasp. 

Closing his eyes, he focused on the man's scent. Then, lifting the heavy blade high, he sprang into the air and struck downward into the mist.

"Clang!"

(End of Chapter)