บท 32: Hunter [32]: The Hunt Begins
Apart from the form of the katana, Lin Jiu's only requirement was that it had to be sharp enough. Sharpness was crucial for breaking through defenses, making it an excellent choice for dealing with various opponents!
The +3 Sharpness indicated that the Demon Slayer Corps had used a lot of precious minerals to create it.
"Village Chief, what would happen if I smelted this sword with my Nichirin Blade?"
Lin Jiu asked, handing the sword, Willow Shadow, to Tecchin.
Tecchin took the sword, examined it carefully, and then said, "The forging technique of this weapon is wonderful. It ensures high quality while minimizing the weapon's weight! Of course, this is also related to the materials used!
If this weapon is used as a material, it could elevate your Nichirin Blade to a new level of durability and sharpness! It might even enhance my forging skills further..."
When he mentioned further improving his forging skills, a gleam flashed in Tecchin's eyes behind his mask. As a blacksmith who had spent his life forging weapons, how could he not desire to advance his skills further!
Lin Jiu understood. Tecchin's forging skills had reached an extreme level. He could skillfully create the finest green-quality weapons but had yet to touch the blue quality.
The unique minerals used in forging Willow Shadow, which had never appeared in this world, presented such an opportunity to him.
Tecchin then sighed, "Unfortunately, if we do this, it will dilute the sunlight energy in the Nichirin Blade, reducing its effectiveness against demons."
"If I take care of Kibutsuji Muzan, help me smelt the two weapons together," Lin Jiu said calmly. He needed an overall improvement in his weapon, not just for killing demons. Tecchin's words were exactly what he wanted to hear!
By the time he dealt with Kibutsuji Muzan, his contribution points would be enough to guarantee the recognition of the Demon Slayer Corps and the weapon forged from the smelting would be acknowledged by the Reincarnation Paradise.
Hearing Lin Jiu's words, Tecchin was momentarily stunned. Over the years, he had met countless members of the Demon Slayer Corps, those who vowed to slay demons and save people, and those with deep grudges against demons. He had never seen anyone mention Muzan so calmly.
That calm tone made it seem like saying he would kill Kibutsuji Muzan meant that the Demon King was destined to die.
Tecchin shook his head slightly, feeling old for overthinking a simple statement. Having delivered the Nichirin Blade, he didn't intend to stay longer and returned to the Blacksmith Village.
...
"Mr. Red, your uniform..."
"Don't move around if you're unwell."
Lin Jiu said to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who had brought the uniform.
"There are reports of two demons active in Asakusa, Tokyo. Would you like to check it out?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked Lin Jiu gently.
Lin Jiu pondered for a moment and pointed to a bloodstain on the edge of his shirt, saying, "I've already caught that guy's scent. I'll go kill him! Send another member as well, just in case I pass by and settle it myself."
"If you need anything, contact us."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded, smiling as he left. Trust those you use and don't doubt them. Since he accepted Lin Jiu, he would trust him, just as he trusted every member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The breathing techniques that the head of the Demon Slayer Corps cherished were unconditionally open to Lin Jiu. Sometimes, a generous leader could be very helpful! Especially someone as exceptional as Kagaya Ubuyashiki!
Breathing techniques were skill scrolls, but such knowledge could naturally be learned independently. If you wanted to bring it back to the Reincarnation Paradise, it still required contribution points to exchange.
The four contractors couldn't browse the breathing techniques as freely as Lin Jiu. Other than the families of each corresponding tradition, they could only learn from the Cultivator. They passed the assessments through various means and were sent out to hunt demons without seeing the Cultivator. Except for exchanging contribution points, they had no chance to access these skills.
Lin Jiu could not only browse the content but also discuss with a Hashira after each sparring session, who would explain their insights during the breaks. The Hashira were deeply knowledgeable in their breathing techniques and had unique insights.
What Lin Jiu didn't know was that the Hashira explained this to him, hoping he would focus on learning breathing techniques instead of constantly dragging them into fights.
Unfortunately, the Hashira would be disappointed. Lin Jiu only wanted to study breathing techniques to explore the potential of [Focus Energy].
Both abilities were used through breathing. Lin Jiu could already maintain a long-term state of normal [Focus Energy] and was adept at regulating his breathing. If he wanted to master the breathing techniques of the Demon Slayer world, he wouldn't need to learn them through the Reincarnation Paradise; he could master them on his own.
After browsing the breathing techniques and listening to the Hashira's explanations, Lin Jiu understood that the breathing techniques couldn't harness energy for personal use. Instead, they involved inhaling large amounts of oxygen, enhancing heart and lung functions, significantly increasing blood oxygen levels, and pushing the body's functions to their limits!
To put it simply, using the breathing technique can enhance one's strength and agility attributes but does not carry energy attacks.
Therefore, killing demons still requires a Nichirin Blade! However, according to Lin Jiu's research, this is not entirely the case. If one uses the Water Breathing technique, it enhances the elemental affinity with water. When using sword techniques, the airflow generated by swinging the sword attracts water elements to gather.
Natural elements are also a form of energy. In this way, the force exerted by sword techniques can cause damage to demons. As a result, in the perception of enemies, when a Demon Slayer uses sword techniques, it seems as though the blade is carrying water currents, wind blades, and so on!
The founder of the Sun Breathing technique, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, whom Kibutsuji Muzan feared, apparently had a strong natural affinity with the light element. From birth, with every breath, light elements would converge towards his body!
If this world weren't a derivative world, Lin Jiu would have suspected that Yoriichi Tsugikuni was a descendant of some Sun God Sect follower!
However, taking in large amounts of oxygen from the air to greatly enhance physical fitness also brings significant side effects.
Under normal circumstances, one hemoglobin molecule can carry four oxygen molecules. In a state of high-concentration pure oxygen, prolonged exposure can cause irreversible damage to the lungs! The oxygen entering the body will also generate oxygen-free radicals. If these free radicals are highly active, they will attack and kill various cells throughout the body, leading to cellular and organ metabolism issues!
In terms of semi-data from Reincarnation Paradise, using the full concentration of the breathing technique would significantly increase your strength and agility, while simultaneously reducing your health by 1%, 1%, 1%... and causing various hidden injuries, ensuring your contractor career is safeguarded!
Health issues can be resolved by taking medicine or simply surviving and returning to Reincarnation Paradise. However, hidden injuries in the body require special potions or special permissions to resolve! If accumulated too much and suddenly erupted, it could be fatal!
Lin Jiu's research into the breathing technique was entirely aimed at extracting its essence and integrating it into [Focus Energy]. He already had an idea of how to convert [Focus Energy] into a passive skill. He had consulted Nemoce, who explained that using [Focus Energy] consumes stamina because it requires deliberately adjusting one's breathing rhythm and focusing part of one's attention.
As long as he could completely replace his natural breathing with the rhythm of [Focus Energy], this skill would transform into a passive skill.
On this basis, Lin Jiu did not abandon the active effect. He aimed to integrate the breathing techniques into the active effect of [Focus Energy], using stamina to temporarily enhance strength and agility, which was his ultimate research goal.
These considerations were for his spare time. Now that his weapon had arrived, he needed to start hunting.
He picked up the Demon Slayer Corps uniform brought by Kagaya Ubuyashiki and examined it.
[Demon Slayer Corps Uniform]
Origin: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Quality: Green
Type: Cloth Armor
Durability: 50/50
Defense: 12
Requirements: Stamina 6 points, Agility 7 points
Effect: Hope, increases stamina recovery speed by 10%
Rating: 25
Description: I sincerely hope every member of the Demon Slayer Corps returns safely!
Note: Temporarily authorized for use, not notarized (can be notarized for 200 contribution points from the Demon Slayer Corps)
========
"Truly something, Hunter Leather Armor! If it weren't for the existence of tracking skills, you wouldn't sell at all!"
Lin Jiu stored the uniform in his storage space, planning to wear it when he needed to recover his stamina.
Crossing the sea of wisteria flowers, Lin Jiu, led by the Kasugai Crow, left the headquarters.
Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji nervously entered the headquarters, clutching her collar, and approached the training ground.
"Mr. Red... huh?"
Mitsuri Kanroji blushed slightly and bowed, looking at the empty training ground.
Mitsuri had been on missions recently and hadn't returned to the headquarters. She encountered Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui on the way.
When Tengen Uzui saw her, he didn't immediately talk about flamboyance but instead, his eyes lit up. He hurriedly recommended a powerful new member at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, who was handsome, spoke well and could eat as much as she did!
Hearing this, Mitsuri Kanroji's eyes sparkled. This was exactly her ideal type.
Before Mitsuri Kanroji could say anything, Tengen Uzui had already told her various characteristics and some habits of Lin Jiu.
As the Hashira who had sparred with Lin Jiu the most, Tengen Uzui naturally knew him better. He silently swallowed his tendency to mention beating the Hashira and urged Mitsuri Kanroji to return to the headquarters quickly.
"Mitsuri, you're back!"
"Oyakata-sama, do we have a new member...?"
Mitsuri Kanroji asked, blushing slightly.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, knowing Mitsuri Kanroji's personality, smiled and said, "You're talking about Red. His Nichirin Blade was delivered, and he just went down the mountain!"
"I see... I want to meet him!"
Lin Jiu was unaware of what happened at the headquarters after he left. He used the tracking ability of the Hunter Leather Armor, following the bloodstain that remained fresh around the edges, guiding Lin Jiu in one direction.
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