Chapter 87: I have found the protagonist
Kamado Tanjiro.
This was the name of the original protagonist.
As usual, he was a strong young man but in a poor situation, especially after the passing of his father, leaving him with her widowed mother and many young siblings. As the oldest, it was natural for him to take care of his family. Still, with his limited skills, the only thing he could do to stay alive was chopping wood on the forest and then make it into charcoal.
However, that income alone wasn't enough to provide everyone with enough money, so they also made umbrellas and sandals for extra income.
Yet, even with all of that, their life was poor, especially when they had debt since their father was sick and needed treatment.
To pay that debt, all of their family had to work except for the youngest, who was still a baby.
Still, if there was something fortunate, it was the fact that those in their surroundings were all kind, and everyone worked together to pass this poor life. Even if life was hard, as long as they could live and have enough to eat, everything was fine.
Tanjiro believed so, especially when it was still the beginning of spring.
Yes, the winter might be cold and hard to live in, especially when the cost of food increased and the consumption of wood increased even further, but spring was different.
Spring was a special weather when everything started to begin once again.
The temperature became warmer, the flowers started to bloom, and the scent of life spread everywhere.
Tanjiro loved the spring because it made him think positively, especially given his family's current situation.
"Tanjiro-chan, good work!"
"Ah, Tanjiro-chan, let me buy the charcoal!"
"It's a bit chilly. Let me buy charcoal, Tanjiro-chan!"
"Thank you for your patronage."
Spring was nice, Tanjiro thought.
Every household needed charcoal, whether for cooking or warming the house.
Yet Tanjiro didn't know that charcoal wouldn't be used anymore in the future, especially with the existence of gas, which would be more convenient.
By then, his life would be even harder.
"By the way, how is Nezuko? Is she fine? How about you let her marry?"
"..."
Tanjiro's smile faltered; he tried to smile, but he couldn't, especially when those people tried to ask about his little sisters.
The life of the poor was so hard.
Sometimes, many had to sell their daughters to the entertainment district for a living.
Yes, those glamor and dazzling entertainment districts originated from the plight and the misfortune of the poor, who didn't have money to live.
If Tanjiro was sick like his father, then he could imagine that the female family, whether it was his mother or little sisters, might sell themselves to take care of everyone.
So, there was no doubt that marrying his little sisters was the best choice since there was no doubt a life as a wife was more human than living as a prostitute.
However—
"Nezuko is still young. I don't think that she should get married."
Tanjiro didn't want his little sister to marry so early, and he was still strong, so as long as his body was healthy, he would take care of his family.
"Is that so? The son of the Kuromochi family is nice, you know? He is still single. Ah, I am not asking your little sister to marry, but I think that if you want to make your family easier, then... you know, right?"
"Thank you for worrying about our family, Saburo-san."
Although many people were kind in this village, some kindness was unneeded, Tanjiro thought.
Still, Tanjiro couldn't be so rude since their family depended on all of them to live, and if he wanted to have a good business, he had to be kind to everyone.
However, this one was still better compared to the one—
"By the way, is your mother fine?"
Tanjiro pretended that he didn't hear anything and quickly moved to the next customer.
Being beautiful and handsome was probably one of the best gifts one could gain from higher beings and parents, but it also depended on the situation.
If one's family situation was nice and all, and they also lived in a good community, it was all good, but if one was living in a bad community, then—
Still, fortunately, he was quite strong, so he was able to protect his family, and with his sense of scent, he could detect all the dangers that might come to his family.
However, as Tanjiro continued his job, he sighed inwardly, feeling slightly exhausted after selling many charcoals. At the same time, he wondered how long this life would continue. Yup, after a long hour of work, naturally, all of his spirit was gone, and what was on his mind was a negative thought that had come from working for so long. Moreover, he had to bring a heavy burden on his body, walking so far away and selling charcoal from one house to another.
Nevertheless, such a life continued.
Tanjiro had to be strong and protect his family, but then, suddenly, his nose smelled an unfamiliar scent. This scent wasn't good, and it was so artificial that it made him uncomfortable, but soon, he had gotten used to it and turned his head in the direction where this scent came from.
At the same time, everyone started to hear a noise from the distance. It was like the sound of several machines moving in their direction.
"What kind of sound is this?"
"...is that a car?"
"Car?"
"You know, the new vehicle in the city."
Soon, they saw several black cars moving in the direction of their car. If it was in the modern world, it would be like the scene of the president or a prime minister who moved on the street while being paraded.
In the village, where there was hardly any technology and some people hadn't seen a train or a modern vehicle, they were all dumbfounded and stunned in a place. It was like they were watching the mythical beings emerge from the lore.
No one was able to move, and they stood in their places until several cars stopped in front of the village. Then, suddenly, many men dressed in black came out of the car one after another.
Between all of those cars, one particular car seemed to be the leader of this parade.
Those black men stood there in a place, respectively, waiting for the person inside the car to come out.
No one in the village dared to say a single word as if afraid they might cause a fury on those men.
Although all the villagers were poor and uneducated, their instinct to stay alive was top-notch. Those groups of people dressed in black appeared like soldiers, and they appeared powerful, so they were cautious.
Everything was quiet, and even the animals didn't dare to make a single noise.
Soon, the door opened, and a handsome young man in a brown suit and hat, who appeared like an aristocrat and even a prince, walked out from the most luxurious car.
The moment this young man came out, everything was eclipsed; everything was in darkness.
Gulp!
Even though several beautiful women accompanied this young man, everyone's eyes were on him, including Tanjiro.
Tanjiro could tell that this young man was dangerous and strong. He wished to run away as soon as possible, but his body was locked by this young man, and he was afraid to get into trouble, so he didn't move.
As expected, this young man smiled when he saw Tanjiro, and he walked toward Tanjiro without hesitation. Whenever he walked, people would make way for him until he stopped in front of Tanjiro.
"Are you Kamado Tanjiro?"
"Ye-Yes?" Tanjiro was dumbfounded when this dangerous young man knew his name.
"Nice to meet you. I am Iinuma Isao."
Watching Isao extend his hand toward him, Tanjiro hesitated since his hands were all dirty from selling charcoal. Honestly, he felt inferior when Isao stood in front of him, wondering why someone as wealthy as Isao would appear so kind toward him, but Isao grabbed his hand without hesitation.
[You have acquired Kamado Tanjiro's DNA.]
[Do you want to absorb it?]
'Ah... finally...'
Isao could feel the world had become kinder toward him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone