บท 43: Chapter 43 : Skill hunt

It was long into midnight before they knew it, most of the merchants fell asleep, including Tomioka Giyu next to him. Of course, the guard who were in charge of protecting the merchants were still vigilant but at this moment their eyes were slightly squinted, showing a bit of fatigue. Even if one tries to remain vigilant all the time, it's not possible for a normal human, that too after making such long distance journey.

Haruto hugged Kanao in his arms to keep her warm then he focused and looked into the distance. As a demon, he keenly sensed the presence of the same kind. It seems that a demon has been following the caravan.

"Well it could be the demon who attacked Giyu's family the day before his sister's marriage day?"

He thought hard then he carefully put aside Kanao in the mattress who was already in deep sleep and stood up gently without disturbing Kanao. Following his movements, the vigilant merchant guards also opened their eyes abruptly. After all, they were still very wary of Haruto, a stranger walking in the wilderness and mountain suburbs with only a blade that too with young girl with him.

Haruto ignored the merchant guards and just walked out with light steps. The leader of the guards was worried, so he signaled towards the other two guards. The two guards stood up and followed carefully. The night was quite dark, even then Haruto walked slowly into the dark night, the eyes of the two guards who followed him were full of doubts and they became even more vigilant.

What is the boy going to do, walking out of the camp in such a time of night?

Could it be he's with bandits and responsible for alerting the other bandits of their condition so they could ambush them.

Such thoughts can't help but appear in their heart and the boy who was walking in front of them seems to be experienced in working at night, so if what they think is true...

The two guards couldn't help but put their hand their waist to check their blades. Feeling the cold blade their heart calmed a little. Suddenly the young man wearing bamboo hat stopped in his place then turning his head, he looked at the direction they were hiding in: "You guys should go back quickly."

He looked at the two guards and spoke seriously.

'We were discovered.'

The two guards couldn't help but be startled. They thought they were careful enough but it seems the boy still discovered them easily. After being discovered, the two guards did not bother hiding anymore and walked out of the bush and looked around vigilantly: "Say, boy what are you thinking walking here in the middle of night or is there someone you are supposed to meet here?"

One guard with his voice laced in suspicion their hands unconsciously pressed on the waist. Haruto shook his head helplessly, he was misunderstood again!

'Well I guess it's my fall this time, they will obviously follow if they see someone doing something like him at this time of night'

"You should really hurry out of here, it's not safe for you." Haruto warned the guards seriously.

The two guards obviously couldn't just follow his words and go back, they were still looking at him vigilantly and after his warning, they even looked eager to catch him to ask him what he meant.

"Fuck I really should have been more careful not to involve other"

He smiled wryly, not persuading the two anymore. He just turned his head, squinted his eyes and looked into the distance. The presence of the demon was getting closer. The other party also seemed to sense his presence and for a moment it also showed hesitation. But instantly that demon charged at an even faster speed.

Under the hat Haruto eyes were focused and his hand was tightly pressing the Nichirin blade around his waist. It's his second time to face a demon. Compared with the panic in his heart when he met a demon for the first time, he was more excited now.

When he first encountered a demon, he was scared and confused with both meeting a demon and seemingly waking up in different world. There was also the fact that he was weak as a twig at that time but now after that encounter he had a period of time to adapt to his own demon bodies strength and not to mention he seems to have innate talents in sword fighting in this body, so he befitted a lot with with his sparring from Shinobu even if it was for a short time.

In present he could clearly feel that the strength of this demon is similar to the strength of the first demon he met. He should only be careful about the skill of the demon than it should be an easy battle.

"Alright, time see the how much my strength has improved during this time" Haruto muttered under his breath.

At the same time, the sound of piercing air came, and a demon with a humanoid shape covered in barbs was standing on a tree in front of Haruto at some point, staring at him coldly with bright red eyes.

"Where did a bastard like you came from... did you come to my territory to compete with me for blood?"

A irritated gruff voice came from the other party's mouth. The demon's presence seems to fill the surrounding area with blood lust.

'Well it's time to hunt for strength'

.........