Demon Slayer: You call paying to get stronger "lightning"?

Page 69

The two talked as they walked along the desolate streets into the town.

The town had just been attacked, and the air was still thick with the faint scent of blood and panic.

Dilapidated eaves and scattered debris were everywhere, and the occasional passersby all hurried along with expressions of fear.

Just then, a sharp shout came from the alley entrance.

"You orphaned bastard! Hand over the food!"

"Get out of here! This isn't yours!"

"He dares to resist! Beat him up!"

Ryosuke and Shizuru Mizukawa exchanged a glance and immediately quickened their pace to catch up.

In the alley, several slightly older children were seen shoving and snatching food from a thin boy, hurling vicious curses at him. Their target seemed to be the dry food in the boy's arms.

Mizukawa Shizuru frowned and immediately reprimanded him.

"Stop! What are you doing!?"

Upon seeing this, the older children scattered like birds and beasts, disappearing without a trace.

Ryosuke glanced at him.

Shizuru Mizukawa shook his head and smiled.

"In chaotic times, the evil in human nature often reveals itself before the evil in the world."

When he was young, his family members were all killed by evil spirits, and he also wandered the streets to struggle for survival. He could not stand such bullying of the weak.

Shizuru Mizukawa crouched down and spoke softly to the small, thin figure who was still curled up on the ground with his head in his hands.

"Child, it's alright now. The person who bullied you has run away. Are you hurt?"

The child was still in shock, his body trembling slightly.

Hearing Mizukawa Shizuru's gentle voice, he hesitated and raised his head.

A youthful face came into Liangjie's view.

What's going on? This looks familiar...

But why don't I remember it?

Ryosuke stepped forward, trying to soften his voice.

"Um, what's your name?"

The boy looked at Ryosuke, who was still in shock, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Kujiro Kugeno..."

Chapter 66 He probably doesn't hate me, right?

Ryosuke was taken aback when he heard the name.

I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before!

But I just can't remember!

Ryosuke frowned slightly and quickly searched his memory bank.

The original Demon Slayer series features a large cast of characters, and some supporting characters have only appeared by name, so it's normal not to be able to match them up immediately.

But this feeling of familiarity mixed with strangeness made Ryosuke scratch his head and feel extremely anxious.

Shizuru Mizukawa did not notice Ryosuke's unusual behavior.

He gently comforted the frightened boy and took out some dry food from his bag and handed it to him.

"Are you starving? Eat something first."

Kugeno Masachika glanced warily at Mizukawa Shizuru, then at Ryosuke, who was lost in thought. The hunger in his stomach finally overcame his fear and hesitation.

He carefully took the dry rations, whispered a thank you, and then wolfed them down.

A hint of pity flashed in Mizukawa Shizuru's eyes as he handed her water bottle to him.

"Eat slowly, don't choke."

Seeing that the boy had almost finished eating, Mizukawa Shizuru softened her tone and continued to ask.

"Child, are there any other people in your family?"

Kugeno Masachika paused in his swallowing, his eyes dimmed, and he shook his head.

"No, they're gone... They were all killed by demons."

The river flows quietly and silently.

In this day and age, tragedies like this happen every day.

He looked at the child in front of him.

Although Kubino Masachika was dressed in rags and looked emaciated, a trace of unyielding resilience remained deep in his eyes.

The still waters stirred a feeling of compassion within them, and they spoke softly.

"We are the Demon Slayer Corps, specializing in slaying evil spirits. Would you like to come with us? At least you won't go hungry and you'll have a place to stay."

Kubino Masachika raised his head and looked at the two people in front of him again.

They wore matching black uniforms, and although their outer haori (outer garments) varied in style, they were all clean and neat.

These two adults are so glamorous...

I'm sure I'll have enough to eat if I follow them, and maybe I can even avenge my family!

Once the idea took hold, it quickly took root.

Kugeno Kusanagi nodded vigorously.

"I'm willing! I'll go with you!"

Mizukawa Shizuka smiled with relief, and Ryosuke also pulled himself out of his thoughts.

The two found Hidden General Kugeno Kusanagi to settle down temporarily and instructed them to take good care of him.

While Kakuno was treating some minor scratches on his body, Ryosuke couldn't help but ask him a question.

"Kuang Jin, what did your parents do when they were alive?"

Where did you live before?

"Do you have... really close friends? The kind with unusual names?"

However, Ryosuke did not receive the answers he wanted.

They were either ordinary jobs and village names, or childhood playmates who didn't match up at all.

Ryosuke's head is a little numb...

It's like recognizing a teacher's face but forgetting her name, yet knowing her classic works.

She can even recall a series of plot points, such as an incompetent husband, business trips, and hot springs!

But I didn't remember the code number or keywords!

I can't find what I want on the fruit app no ​​matter what I try!

Since his transmigration, this was the first time Ryosuke had encountered a character he clearly felt was important, yet he simply couldn't remember them.

This feeling of being out of control made him a little irritable.

I should have taken proper notes when I read comics back then!

Just then, the system yawned, and a smug voice echoed in my mind.

[Haa~ Even you, dog host, can't do it~ You're already stuck?]

Ryosuke rolled his eyes and retorted inwardly.

"You think I can just flip through the original text like you do? I rely entirely on my memory, okay? It's perfectly normal that I can't remember everything! This damn world doesn't have Baidu!"

The system didn't care and joked with a smile.

[Alright~ Considering you've been quite diligent in slaying demons lately and contributed a lot, this system is in a good mood today, so here's a hint for you: Think about the Wind Pillar~]

Sanemi Shinazugawa? That hot-tempered old man?

Doesn't he only have one younger brother, Shinazugawa Genya?

Ryosuke's eyes suddenly lit up.

He remembered!

Before becoming the Wind Pillar, Shinazugawa Sanemi was a very close friend!

It was also he who introduced Sanemi Shinazugawa to the Demon Slayer Corps!

However, he was killed in the battle against Lower Moon One, Ubume.

Thinking about it carefully, Shinazugawa Sanemi had the best relationship with Obanai after becoming a Pillar.

So, this guy is Obanai's ex...

Ryosuke's expression shifted, and he couldn't control himself for a moment.

While being secretly inspected, Kōno Kōchika noticed Ryōsuke's gaze and expression, and couldn't help but ask.

"Mr. Yasui, what's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Ryosuke snapped back to reality, quickly waved his hand, and forced a smile.

"It's nothing, it's nothing! I just suddenly realized that you're a really good kid, everything about you is great."

He made up a few empty compliments in an attempt to cover up the incident.

Kubino Tadachika was stunned, his confusion deepening.

This person is so strange, acting all eccentric.

With his doubts resolved, Ryosuke felt much more at ease.

By this time, it had completely darkened.