Demon Slayer: Seraph of Radiance

The black axe cleaved deep into the attacker's body, cutting from his shoulder blade straight into his chest. If not for his unusually durable physique, this strike would've split him in half.

The attacker's body radiated thick purple mist, which began hissing as it corroded the axe blade. Before Kawanishi's eyes, the blade rusted rapidly.

Kawanishi let go of Black Severing Blade, swiftly twisting the attacker's hands—who was trying to pull the weapon out—snapping both arms. He then seized the man's neck, lifting him high and slamming him into the ground.

Bang!

He stomped down, shattering the man's ribcage, then quickly extracted Black Severing Blade and hacked off all four of the man's limbs.

At last, the attacker lay limp and powerless, the dense purple mist dissipating around him. Blood oozed from beneath the sobbing mask he wore.

Around Kawanishi, thin black thorns weaved themselves into clothing, covering his previously exposed body where his garments had been corroded.

Glaring coldly at the man, Kawanishi asked in a harsh tone:

"Now can we talk properly? Why did you attack me? We're both demons — why turn on one another?"

This opponent had been troublesome. If Kawanishi hadn't unleashed his new burst technique, it would've become an exhausting battle. Aside from the man's physical strength, which rivaled Kawanishi's normal state, the poisonous mist's constant corrosion was no small threat.

But now it was over. Kawanishi only sought answers — this demon felt different.

Especially those eyes, blazing with suppressed fury — just like Kawanishi's own whenever he faced other demons.

Truthfully, Kawanishi could've subdued him gently, but his hatred for demons made him subconsciously brutal.

Even sensing something unique about this one, he showed no mercy.

"Why?"

"For the dead. You've eaten plenty of people, haven't you? You deserve to die."

The attacker's voice rasped oddly, like it was forced through his throat without moving his mouth.

Kawanishi froze momentarily before laughing:

"Fair enough. But haven't you eaten people too? What demon seeks revenge for humans?"

Things were becoming interesting. Could this demon have resisted the urge to eat humans? Kawanishi knew how agonizing that hunger was.

The attacker sneered:

"I'm nothing like you. I've never eaten a single human!"

"Don't call me a demon!"

"Since I lost, kill me if you must."

With that, he lay flat on the ground, gazing up at the night sky, lost in thought.

Kawanishi smiled slightly:

"In that case, how about I leave you here until sunrise?"

Thick black vines burst from the earth, binding and pinning the man in place.

Beneath the weeping mask, Hōjō Chaji's face remained calm.

Perhaps… it's time to end this.

With more and more powerful demons emerging, how could I possibly resist them all?

But… that promise…

Looks like I won't keep it after all.

The gnawing hunger in his gut felt like a wild beast devouring him from within—a torture that had persisted for over ten years.

At least death will free me from this hunger.

Chaji lay peacefully awaiting his fate. After so many years of agony, death was simply a release.

Suddenly, a playful voice interrupted him.

"Giving up already? If you want to fight demons, even with broken limbs, you can't lose heart."

"If your fists fail, use your head. If your teeth fail, bite them with your gums!"

Kawanishi had seen the death wish in his opponent, but didn't look down on him for it — after all, he too had once contemplated ending his life.

Deciding it was time to be honest, Kawanishi sat beside Chaji, gazing up at the sky.

"I'm like you. I've never eaten anyone. Honestly, I'm glad to meet someone like me."

"All that just now was to test you. I won't kill you — haha."

Chaji blinked in surprise. Never in his ten years as a demon had he met another who claimed not to eat humans. Most boasted about how many they'd consumed.

Still, he remained wary. Unlike Kawanishi, he lacked a demon's sharp sense of smell to distinguish truth from lies. He simply listened.

The black vines slowly loosened, drawing Chaji's severed limbs together at the wounds.

He immediately activated his regeneration, restoring his body to completeness.

Why release me? Is he telling the truth?

Chaji didn't flee — instead, he sat upright, curiosity in his eyes.

After all, if Kawanishi had wanted him dead, it would've been easy. And most demons would never bother explaining themselves like this.

Kawanishi's actions made him inclined to believe — at least enough to listen.

Chaji spoke first:

"Hōjō Chaji. Who are you?"

"Kamado Kawanishi. Just call me Kawanishi."

The two exchanged glances, both feeling a strange familiarity — the recognition of another who'd suffered similarly.

After some hesitation, Chaji asked:

"Kawanishi… if you don't eat humans, how did you become so strong?"

Kawanishi chuckled:

"Strong? This is nothing."

"But you're not weak either. And I believe you haven't killed anyone — I can smell it. You don't carry the stench of flesh-eating demons."

"I gain strength by killing demons. I devour their bodies."

"What about you? If you haven't eaten people, how did you grow stronger?"

Devouring demons to grow stronger?

Chaji marveled.

How envious… No need to endure this tormenting hunger.

He shook his head:

"No, I said I've never eaten humans. But I've killed people — only evildoers, though."

"As for how I've grown stronger… I don't really know."

"I didn't do anything. My body simply grew stronger day by day."

He genuinely didn't know. Even after becoming a demon ten years ago, Chaji had retained all his memories. The hunger for human flesh had tormented him endlessly at first.

But having trained as a ninja since childhood, he excelled at suppressing pain and controlling his will.

The unbearable hunger felt like his entire body screaming for food — but he treated his body as though it didn't belong to him.

He'd even stitched his lips shut with wire to prevent himself from caving in — which explained why his voice sounded so strange.

Had it not been for a promise he refused to break, Chaji likely would've walked into sunlight to end it all.

During his first year as a demon, he consumed nothing, growing terribly weak as his hunger escalated to near madness.

But just as he was about to lose consciousness forever, something deep within him snapped.

After surviving that darkest moment, the hunger ceased growing and instead diminished slightly — becoming like a constant burning sensation, but no longer fatal.

From then on, his body mysteriously grew stronger with each day — transforming suffering into strength.

He grew stronger through hunger. Stronger through pain.

(End of Chapter)