Chapter 5: Duel
The yellow sun set behind the western mountains as the silver moon ascended into the eastern sky, casting silky rays over the land. Darkness had just replaced the light, and the sea of forests was already hushed, with only the faint buzz of cicadas breaking the silence.
"Phew... finally done!" Muichiro exclaimed, placing the axe in the corner after cutting the last wooden plank in half. Despite being drenched in sweat, he didn't mind and turned to look at his older brother, who was meticulously crafting something in the corner.
When his older brother returned an hour ago, they had a quick evening dinner. After that, his older brother called him outside to cut wood. Muichiro had no idea what his older brother was doing, and he wasn't allowed to look. Bored, he couldn't help but wonder what exactly had changed his brother. His transformation was baffling. Earlier in the afternoon, when his older brother had splashed water on Lady Amane, something had changed within him. Perhaps his brother regretted rejecting the invitation?
But whatever the reason, it was a good thing. Becoming a Demon Slayer had always been his dream. This chance meant he could finally fulfill that dream. He could hardly wait for tomorrow!
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by his older brother's voice. He noticed his older brother had paused his work, holding two sharp wooden swords.
"Take this."
Yu Youming tossed one of the wooden swords towards Muichiro, who clumsily caught it. Yu Youming then walked to an open space.
"Come and fight me. I'll decide if you're fit to be a Demon Slayer."
This wasn't really Yu Youming's intention. Instead, this trial was a lingering wish of the body's original owner. The former owner of this body wished for his younger brother to be safe or at least have the strength to defend himself if he became a Demon Slayer. To Yu Youming, fulfilling this wish was a necessary step. By doing so, the last bit of lingering feelings of this body would finally disappear, and he would have full control.
Muichiro stood opposite Yu Youming, gripping the wooden sword with his right hand. Looking at his older brother with a determined gaze, he asked, "What happens if I lose?"
"No ifs, you will lose," Yu Youming said indifferently. He casually waved his sword, stirring up a small cloud of dust towards Muichiro. "If you can hit me once, it'll be considered your win. And... I'll let you become a Demon Slayer."
The tone was arrogant and confident. Muichiro could feel it. He was both offended and nervous.
Without saying anything, Muichiro dashed towards Yu Youming. His speed was lightning fast, quickly closing the distance. He swung the wooden sword, aiming for a quick strike. But to Yu Youming, the attack was slow, like a snail crawling for the first time. The flow and weaknesses of the attack were immediately apparent. It was immature, full of openings.
Yu Youming sidestepped and expressionlessly evaded the strike.
"What...?"
Muichiro was stunned and struggled to keep his balance. Using the opportunity, Yu Youming grinned and swung his sword.
Pa!
Muichiro was hit on the butt and fell heavily to the ground.
"Get up."
The familiar voice sounded behind him, cold and indifferent. Muichiro quickly stood up, unable to believe he was being toyed with. He took a deep breath and dashed toward Yu Youming again.
Pa!
He experienced the same humiliation. But Muichiro was stubborn and unyielding. He stood up again and again. Every time he attacked, his older brother easily evaded without breaking a sweat, and Muichiro suffered the same fate as he continued to fall on the ground. Muichiro, whose clothes were full of dirt, panted. It seemed winning was indeed impossible, even more so hitting his older brother!
"Is this all you have?" Yu Youming taunted, his voice cold and unyielding, somewhat disappointed.
Muichiro was still panting, frustrated. After calming down, he began to think. Charging head-on wasn't working; he needed a different approach. He stepped forward and circled his older brother, observing his movements, searching for an opening. At that moment, his eyes shone and he launched himself at Yu Youming. He waved his sword, mixing feints with his strikes. Yu Youming dodged and parried each strike.
Muichiro overextended on his next swing, causing him to stumble and leaving an opening. Yu Youming waved his sword, trying to hit him from behind and make him fall. In the split second, Muichiro shifted his weight and twisted his body, swinging his sword in a wide arc.
Tss!
The sound of tearing rang out, and the tip of the wooden sword grazed Yu Youming's sleeve.
"Well done." Yu Youming was somewhat surprised, acknowledging the strike in the end. The lingering feeling in him finally dissipated. "Alright, tomorrow you'll leave with me. You have the potential to be a Demon Slayer."
Muichiro panted heavily, his chest rising and falling, but a smile spread across his face.
"But..." Yu Youming said, "you still lack skill. I'll show you the minimum strength to become a Demon Slayer. Go hide in the trees."
"Hide? Why?" Muichiro was stunned as he sat up from the ground.
"It'll be here soon..." Yu Youming only said that as he turned his head. He looked at the woods with a serious look. As he looked deeply, he seemed to have smelled a bloody scent. A game panel appeared in his eyes.
[Your comprehension is heaven-defying. You have caught the smell of a demon and comprehended the Demon Sensing Technique.]
A new skill emerged in his mind. Yu Youming quickly utilized the technique and soon in front of his view, he could see a crimson, thin air gushing in his direction. Judging from the thickness of the bloody wind, this demon had killed a few humans, so its strength was indeed relatively low.
"Kekekekeke..."
An evil sound emerged from the depths of the forest, causing Muichiro, who was hiding from afar, to feel goosebumps. "A demon?"
His assumption was indeed correct. A demon soon emerged from the forest and was grinning at Yu Youming.
"Kekekekeke... A human..."
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