Demon Slayer: Seraph of Radiance

Up to now, although the constant hunger gnawed at him painfully, Kawanishi had completely learned to endure it, ensuring that he no longer lost control.

As for the iron wires sewn across his lips, they served merely as a reminder and discipline now.

Standing up, Kawanishi said to Kitajo Chasaji, "The demon body holds many strange mysteries. I doubt even that first demon knows what his creations may ultimately become."

Kawanishi believed Kitajo Chasaji's words—there seemed to be a different path for demons who could suppress their instincts. They could potentially survive without preying on humans.

However, 99% of demons lost their memories when first transformed, and thus had no reason to resist their urges.

Of the 1% who retained their memories, only a small fraction could truly restrain themselves; the rest would inevitably fall and become wicked demons.

Kitajo Chasaji frowned. "The first demon? Who is that?"

Kawanishi found this odd. "You don't know him? How long have you been a demon?"

Most demons knew of Kibutsuji Muzan, though perhaps some who were turned unconsciously didn't.

Kitajo Chasaji thought for a moment before replying, "More than ten years, I think. That day, I only vaguely saw a figure's back before losing consciousness. When I woke up, I was already a demon."

"You mean… that person was the first demon? The one who killed my father and turned me into this…"

Over the past decade, Kitajo Chasaji had mostly lived deep in the mountains. The demons he occasionally encountered told him little, so he remained unaware that only Kibutsuji's blood could turn humans.

Kawanishi nodded. "Yes. Our mutual enemy. The one we must kill."

"But your strength has grown fast. In just ten years you've surpassed demons I've met who've lived for a century."

Kitajo Chasaji couldn't help but ask, "What about you? You're stronger than me—how long have you been a demon? Ten years as well?"

Unlike him, whose strength increased passively, Kawanishi consumed demons to grow stronger—he was curious how quickly Kawanishi advanced.

But Kawanishi shook his head. "No. Less than that."

"How long, then?" Kitajo Chasaji pressed.

"About a month."

Kitajo Chasaji: "…"

You call that 'a little less'?!

Ten years of training, yet he couldn't surpass someone who'd only been a demon for one month. Kitajo Chasaji was both envious and disheartened.

Kawanishi smiled bitterly. "I'm lucky to have this ability."

"But while the power comes quickly, it requires constantly hunting demons. Who knows when I'll run into one far stronger than me and get crushed—just like how you first thought you could kill me easily."

He was still a little annoyed at the ambush earlier. Did he really look that easy to bully?

Kitajo Chasaji calmly replied, "When you flew over, I sensed your presence. Seeing your six wings, I confirmed you were a demon."

"But you didn't feel dangerous, so I thought a sneak attack would finish you."

"Who knew you'd be so crafty—using illusions and such dirty tricks."

Kawanishi chuckled awkwardly. It's called tactics, not dirty tricks.

But thinking back, he frowned. "Hold on, weren't you the same? Those kunai attacks came at very sneaky angles."

Kitajo Chasaji scratched his head. "Uh… that's just my rich combat experience. Instinct, really."

"Anyway, let's move on. What do you know about the first demon?"

The topic change was rather clumsy, but Kawanishi let it slide. Both of them, after all, were equally devious—ahem—equally resourceful.

As for information on Kibutsuji, most of what Kawanishi knew came from Harusayuki.

"I do know something."

"I believe he's in Asakusa. You know Asakusa?"

At this, Kitajo Chasaji's body stiffened slightly as he stood up.

Kawanishi saw emotions of hatred and anger welling behind the eye holes of his mask.

"Asakusa… My father often traveled there. He even brought me along a few times."

"The first demon is in Asakusa?"

He clenched his fists tightly, fingernails piercing his skin as blood trickled out, unnoticed.

Kawanishi replied, "I can't be certain, but there's an 80–90% chance."

Without warning, Kitajo Chasaji turned to leave.

"Farewell."

Kawanishi: "???"

Startled, Kawanishi quickly stopped him. "Where do you think you're going?"

Seriously? Planning to bail this quickly?

Kitajo Chasaji answered, "To Asakusa, of course. What else?"

Kawanishi: "…"

You're just asking to die.

"You can go to Asakusa, but don't be reckless. You're nowhere near strong enough."

"I'd have gone already if I were stronger—but you couldn't even beat me. What makes you think you can handle it?"

Though Kawanishi didn't know Kibutsuji's full power, seeing how even Akaza feared him, he could only imagine the terror.

Kitajo Chasaji replied, "I know. You said you weren't certain, so I'll go there only to investigate."

"Not to throw my life away."

At least he's not completely suicidal.

Kawanishi continued, "In that case, look for a man named Tsukihiko. He's likely a key figure."

"Help me scout ahead. Once I've finished my business, I'll head there myself—at least I'll have some intel."

"But be careful. If the Demon King resides there, there will surely be other powerful demons lurking."

Kitajo Chasaji walked away, leaving only his silhouette behind.

His muffled voice drifted back: "Relax. I was once a ninja. Intelligence gathering is second nature."

"There's a clock tower in central Asakusa. If I find useful information, I'll leave a mark there. If you arrive later, check the tower."

But after a few more steps, Kitajo Chasaji suddenly turned back.

Kawanishi asked in surprise, "Why aren't you leaving?"

He had just left so decisively—why the sudden return?

"Was Asakusa south? Was I heading the right way?"

Wait—could it be…?

Kawanishi eyed him strangely and pointed behind himself. "You were walking north. South is this way."

"…Are you, by any chance, directionally challenged?"

(End of Chapter)