Bab 28: Chapter 28: Love Breathing
Ever since Hatsune said to do nothing, Nae quietly sat next to him, drawing circles on the ground with a stick. She felt extremely bored but was glad to have Hatsune's company. However, his silence made her uncomfortable. She wanted to start a conversation several times, but each time she turned to look at his cold face, she swallowed her words, fearing that she might disturb him.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the woods below. Nae curiously looked up. Just as she had imagined, the dark mass in the woods below seemed like a portal to another world. If something were to emerge, it would come from there.
Sure enough, a round object nearly touching the ground peeked out from the shadows of the trees. The "object" turned towards the stone platform where the two sat, meeting Nae's gaze. Realizing it had been spotted, the "object" quickly retreated into the shadows.
"Hatsune, there's something down there," Nae said, pointing to where the "object" had disappeared and shaking Hatsune with her other hand.
"What kind of thing?" Hatsune asked. He had already sensed the presence of demons nearby, more than one, in fact. Besides the one hiding in the shadows below, another was concealed behind a rock nearby. These two were likely ordinary demons, not very strong, as the more powerful demons were out hunting bigger prey. Only those with little power would wander the forest, scavenging for leftovers. Judging by their timidity, they were probably weaklings, hesitant to attack because they feared they might lose. A stronger demon would have already attacked multiple times by now.
"It... it looked like a head," Nae said, though she quickly realized something was off. If it was a head, why was it lying on the ground?
"Congratulations, you've encountered your first demon tonight, and it's the first one for your test," Hatsune said.
"A demon...?" Nae looked at Hatsune in surprise.
"Is it that surprising? Encountering demons here is normal. Not encountering them would be strange. Haven't you seen a demon before?" Hatsune was now more certain of his suspicions, thinking to himself what a peculiar girl he had found.
The Demon Slayer Corps assessment, having never seen a demon, and yet she has a huge appetite but didn't bring food – she's a treasure girl full of surprises.
Feeling embarrassed under Hatsune's gaze, Nae lowered her head and stammered, "I've... seen them. How could I not have? Demons were once humans, so they should look somewhat human, right?"
"Are you asking me? Thank you for telling me!" Hatsune sarcastically replied. "Not somewhat human, but as dumb as you."
"Ah...," Nae exclaimed.
"What are you 'ah'-ing for? You're as dumb as a demon." Hatsune said, flicking her forehead lightly.
Nae rubbed her forehead, pouting slightly and blushing, "You... you're making fun of me."
"I'm just stating the truth. How is that making fun of you?" Hatsune said, picking up the Nichirin Blade and handing it to Nae. "Didn't you say you wanted to protect me? Take your sword and go chop off its head. Let me see your skills. You can't just eat all my meat pies for free."
Thinking of the meat pies, Nae felt she should do something. She cautiously took the Nichirin Blade, looked at Hatsune with some difficulty, and said, "Chop... chop off its head? Isn't that a bit extreme? I have no grudge against it. Why would I chop its head off?"
"A demon can only be killed by chopping off its head. If you don't kill it, it will eat you. You joined the Demon Slayer Corps for a job and to have enough to eat, right? This is your job now. Go on."
Nae bit her lip, and under Hatsune's urging, slowly descended the stone platform. She reached an open area and faced the spot where the demon had appeared. She glanced back at Hatsune, who motioned for her to hurry up.
Soon after Nae landed, a bald demon emerged from the shadows of the trees. This demon was small, likely due to the poor conditions of Mount Fujikasane, and looked emaciated with skin and bones. It had lost all its hair, its head was bald, and it opened its mouth to reveal sharp teeth, making eerie growling sounds.
Although demons were once human, they are more like wild beasts. Fear signifies weakness. When humans are scared, their bodies secrete certain hormones, which wild beasts can detect through their keen sense of smell to determine if it's suitable to attack. Demons have the same ability – a primal instinct.
"This... this is a demon?" Nae was shocked. Weren't demons once humans? How could they look so terrifying?
Frightened, Nae trembled as she drew her Nichirin Blade, yelling for the demon to stay away while slowly retreating. She looked back at Hatsune on the stone platform with pleading eyes.
Hatsune remained expressionless, showing no intention of helping.
Suddenly, the demon moved. It hugged the ground, growling, and rapidly approached Nae. In the blink of an eye, it was less than a meter away, ready to pounce.
"You... you stay away, or I'll hurt you," Nae screamed. In her panic, she closed her eyes and turned her head away.
Hatsune sprang up, gripping the scabbard with his right hand and flicking the guard open with his thumb, revealing a bit of the blade. Cold air seeped out from the scabbard, forming a small white mist around it. He was ready to strike, but just then, he heard Nae's voice from the open area below.
"Love Breathing, Fifth Form: Swaying Love, Wild Claws."
Love Breathing? What kind of breathing technique is that? Among the five main breathing techniques, is there such a technique?
Hatsune saw Nae frantically shaking her wrist, and her straight, hard Nichirin Blade suddenly softened and elongated, resembling a whip rather than a sword. With her wrist movements, the blade moved quickly, widely, and erratically, like countless cat claws flailing in front of her. The attack combined various techniques – stabbing, slashing, slicing, and more.
Hatsune realized at once that this technique could be used for both defense and offense. Nae didn't seem to be randomly flailing; she had some combat experience. This move, against one demon or even two or three, would likely prevent them from breaking through her defense. Instead, they might get severely injured by the unpredictable attacks.
The demon, making a perfect pounce, jumped into Nae's blade net. Instead of a meal, it was sliced multiple times, and blood sprayed everywhere. Its upper body, especially the chest and above, was covered in wounds, turning it into a blood-soaked creature.
Finally, Nae stopped, and the demon escaped her blade net, dragging its wounded body. It wailed and disappeared into the forest.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone