章節 10: The Cure.
—
After nearly a week of relentless experimentation and calculations, Accelerator finally completed his research. The room was filled with the scent of various chemicals and the hum of machines, the floor littered with papers covered in complex equations and biological data. His crimson eyes gleamed with a mixture of satisfaction and madness as he stared at the final result. A vial containing a shimmering liquid, the antidote to demonic transformation.
A twisted smile spread across his face, and he let out a chilling laugh that echoed throughout the Butterfly Mansion. His laughter was a cacophony of triumph and insanity, unsettling everyone who heard it.
"Kek..hahahahah!"
The sudden sound of his laughter reverberated through the hallways, startling the residents. Shinobu and the others immediately rushed toward his room, their faces painted with concern and curiosity. Bursting through the door, they were met with the sight of Accelerator's giggling figure, a manic grin plastered across his face.
"What's happening here?" Shinobu demanded, her voice sharp yet laced with worry.
Accelerator's laughter abruptly stopped as he turned to face them, his expression morphing into one of annoyance. "What do you want?" he snarled, clearly irritated by the intrusion.
Shinobu took a cautious step forward, her eyes scanning the room before settling on the vial in his hand. "What have you done?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost hesitant.
Accelerator's lips curled into a smirk. "I'm done," he replied simply.
The weight of those words hit Shinobu like a ton of bricks. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "You mean... you've found a cure?" she whispered, hardly daring to believe it.
Accelerator gave a short, mocking laugh. "Took you long enough to catch on. Yes, I've found a cure."
Shinobu's face lit up with a rare, genuine smile. One of her deepest desires had always been for demons and humans to coexist peacefully. If demons could be turned back into humans, that dream might finally become a reality. "This is incredible news!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement and hope. Without wasting another moment, she turned and dashed out of the room, heading straight for the headquarters to inform the others.
Mitsuri, who had been standing behind the others, stepped forward with a bright smile. "Congratulations, Accelerator! You've done something amazing!" She held out a small box of snacks she had been eating, offering it to him as a token of her gratitude.
Accelerator eyed the snacks with mild disdain before taking them, if only to avoid further conversation. "Thanks," he muttered, more out of obligation than sincerity.
Mitsuri, undeterred by his gruff demeanor, beamed at him. She had been visiting the Butterfly Mansion every day, sometimes just to hang around and other times to wait for Accelerator to finish his work. Despite his snarky attitude, she could see the good in him. "I knew you could do it," she said softly.
Accelerator just clicked his tongue and looked away, but there was a faint glimmer of something softer in his eyes. Perhaps it was grudging respect, or maybe just a trace of satisfaction that someone acknowledged his effort.
As Shinobu burst into the headquarters, breathless and exhilarated, she called out, "Everyone, we have incredible news! Accelerator has found a cure for demonic transformation!" Her voice echoed through the halls, reaching the ears of everyone present. The astonished looks and the murmurs of disbelief quickly turned into cheers of joy and relief.
Back in his room, Accelerator could hear the distant cheers. He allowed himself a small, satisfied smile before it quickly vanished. His work was far from over, and there were still countless challenges ahead. But for now, he had accomplished something monumental, something that could change the course of their battle against the demons.
And as Mitsuri continued to chatter happily beside him, offering him more snacks, Accelerator found himself feeling a strange, unfamiliar warmth. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
.
.
.
Accelerator stood at the entrance of the headquarters, the air thick with anticipation. As he stepped inside, the gathered Hashiras and their master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, turned their attention to him. Sanemi and Obanai glared at him with open hostility, their distrust palpable. Giyu, as always, remained aloof and distant, standing apart from the others. Gyomei, the gentle giant, was already weeping, his hands clasped in a prayer-like gesture.
"It's a miracle if it indeed works," Gyomei said through his tears, his deep voice trembling with emotion.
Kagaya, ever serene, smiled warmly at Accelerator. "We are grateful for your efforts, Accelerator. This could be a pivotal moment in our battle against the demons."
Accelerator just clicked his tongue, uncomfortable with the attention. "Yeah, yeah, let's get this over with," he muttered.
Tanjiro stepped forward, his eyes filled with hope and determination. "I've spoken to Nezuko about this. She trusts you, Accelerator. And so do I," he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. He turned to Nezuko, who stood beside him, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and anticipation. "Are you ready, Nezuko?" he asked gently.
Nezuko nodded, her resolve clear. She was ready to take this chance, to potentially reclaim her humanity.
Accelerator sighed, clearly annoyed by the formality of it all. "Fine. Mitsuri, you're up," he said casually, tossing her the vial of the serum.
Mitsuri caught it deftly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'll do my best!" she exclaimed, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room.
Obanai's scowl deepened as he watched Mitsuri approach Nezuko. He had warned her about Accelerator, about the dangers he posed, but she hadn't listened. Now, seeing her so happy and trusting of Accelerator only fueled his frustration.
Mitsuri knelt beside Nezuko, her hands gentle as she prepared to inject the serum. "This might sting a little, Nezuko-chan," she said softly, offering a reassuring smile.
Nezuko nodded, closing her eyes as Mitsuri injected the serum. The room fell into a hushed silence, everyone holding their breath. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a change began to occur. Nezuko's demonic features started to fade, her skin losing its pallor, her eyes regaining a human softness.
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at Tanjiro, her lips trembling. "Brother," she whispered, her voice weak but unmistakably human.
Tanjiro's eyes widened in shock, tears streaming down his face. "Nezuko!" he cried, rushing to her side and enveloping her in a tight embrace. "You're back! You're really back!"
The room erupted in murmurs of astonishment and relief. Gyomei's tears flowed freely, his sobs loud and heartfelt. Even the usually stoic Giyu allowed a small, rare smile to grace his lips.
Mitsuri clapped her hands in delight. "It worked! Accelerator-san, it really worked!" she exclaimed, turning to look at him with shining eyes.
Accelerator, standing at the back, shrugged off her praise. "Of course it did," he said, though a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Sanemi and Obanai exchanged glances, their hostility momentarily forgotten in the face of this miracle. Obanai's eyes flicked between Mitsuri and Accelerator, his feelings a tumultuous mix of relief and lingering distrust.
Kagaya stepped forward, his voice calm but filled with gratitude. "This is a momentous occasion. Thanks to Accelerator, we have a new hope in our fight against the demons."
Accelerator just grunted in response, clearly uncomfortable with the praise. "Don't get too excited. This is just the beginning," he said, his eyes flicking to Nezuko, who was still clinging to Tanjiro, tears of joy streaming down her face.
Despite his gruff exterior, there was a sense of accomplishment in his gaze. He had done something remarkable, something that could change the course of their struggle. And for the first time in a long while, Accelerator felt a flicker of something akin to satisfaction.
–
In the heart of a bustling town, Akaza stood atop a high building, his piercing gaze fixed on the throngs of people below. The town was alive with the sounds of children laughing and women chatting, their faces alight with the simple joys of daily life. Akaza's eyes, however, were devoid of such warmth. Cold and calculating, he watched the innocent lives below, already excluding the children and women from the mayhem he intended to unleash.
"If I can't find that bastard Lord Muzan is looking for," Akaza muttered to himself, his voice a low growl, "then I'll just need to create a commotion big enough to draw their attention." A cruel smile twisted his lips as he envisioned the chaos he was about to inflict. His fists clenched, the knuckles cracking with a promise of violence.
Without further hesitation, Akaza leaped from the building, landing with a thunderous crash in the center of the town square. Panic erupted as people scattered, their joyous day shattered by the sudden appearance of the demon. Akaza's movements were a blur, his attacks precise and deadly. He moved through the crowd with brutal efficiency, his strikes leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Blood stained the cobblestones as the demon slayer targeted only those who he deemed suitable for his wrath—men who might put up a fight, the defenders of this town.
The news of the massacre reached the headquarters with alarming speed, carried by a breathless messenger who stumbled into the main hall, his face pale with terror. The joyous atmosphere that had filled the room only moments before shattered like glass, replaced by a tense, palpable dread.
"There's a demon...a powerful one," the messenger gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "He's attacking the town...slaughtering people."
The Hashiras and their master, Kagaya, immediately turned their attention to the dire news. Accelerator, who had been standing off to the side, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed, uncrossed his arms with a sudden, purposeful movement. His expression darkened, a mix of annoyance and resolve flashing across his face.
"Where is this happening?" Accelerator demanded, his voice a low growl.
The messenger, still panting, pointed shakily in the direction of the town. "It's not far from here...please, you have to stop him."
Without another word, Accelerator grabbed the messenger by the collar, dragging him along. "You're going to lead me there," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
As they raced through the corridors of the Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu and the others looked on, concern etched on their faces. Mitsuri's hands clasped together in silent prayer, her eyes following Accelerator with a mixture of worry and trust. She had come to believe in his strength, even if his methods were unorthodox.
The journey to the town was a blur of speed and urgency. Accelerator's mind was a whirlwind of calculations, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of the ongoing battle. As they neared the outskirts, the sounds of chaos grew louder—the screams of the townspeople, the crashes of buildings being destroyed, and the unmistakable roar of Akaza's power.
Finally, they reached the edge of the town, and Accelerator released the messenger, who stumbled to the ground, his legs shaking with fear and exhaustion. "Stay here," Accelerator commanded, his eyes fixed on the carnage ahead.
The sight that met his eyes was one of utter devastation. Akaza stood in the center of the square, surrounded by the bodies of his victims. His cruel smile widened as he spotted Accelerator, recognizing the aura of power that emanated from the white-haired esper.
"So, you're the one Lord Muzan is looking for," Akaza called out, his voice dripping with malicious glee. "I've been waiting for you."
Accelerator's eyes narrowed, his body tensing with anticipation. "You've made a big mistake coming here," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Akaza laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the ravaged town. "We'll see about that," he taunted, his muscles coiling in preparation for the fight.
Accelerator felt the rush of excitement coursing through his veins—a sensation he hadn't experienced in a long time. The challenge presented by Akaza was a rare opportunity for him to push his newfound physique to its limits.
"Let's see what this body can do," Accelerator muttered to himself, cracking his knuckles as he prepared to engage Akaza in combat.
Akaza's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Come at me, human. Show me what you're made of."
With a burst of speed, Accelerator launched himself at Akaza, his movements a blur. His fist collided with Akaza's chest, sending a shockwave through the air. Akaza staggered back, a look of surprise crossing his face for a split second before he regained his composure.
"Not bad," Akaza conceded, his voice a low growl. "But you'll need more than that to defeat me."
Accelerator smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Don't worry, I've got plenty more where that came from."
The fight intensified as Accelerator and Akaza exchanged blows, their movements almost too fast for the eye to follow. Accelerator's strikes were powerful and precise, each one fueled by his extensive knowledge of physics and biology. He moved with a grace and agility that belied his imposing figure, his attacks relentless and unyielding.
However, Akaza was no ordinary opponent. As an Upper Moon demon and a master martial artist, he possessed centuries of experience and honed skills that made him a formidable adversary. He dodged Accelerator's attacks with fluid ease, countering with devastating blows of his own. His fists moved like lightning, striking Accelerator with bone-crushing force.
Despite his enhanced physique, Accelerator found himself struggling to keep up with Akaza's speed and power. Each hit he took sent jolts of pain through his body, and he was soon sporting a myriad of bruises and cuts. Akaza's attacks were relentless, and it wasn't long before Accelerator was sent crashing into a nearby building, the force of the impact leaving a crater in the wall.
Bloodied and battered, Accelerator pulled himself to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. He could feel the bruises forming, his muscles aching from the relentless assault. But instead of despair, a twisted grin spread across his face, accompanied by a low, sinister laugh that sent chills down Akaza's spine.
"Heh...hahahahah!" Accelerator's laughter echoed through the ruins, a sound that was both unsettling and foreboding. "You think you've got me figured out, huh? Well, it's time to show you what real power looks like."
Akaza's eyes narrowed, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "What are you planning, human?"
Accelerator's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with a manic intensity. "I've been holding back. Now it's time to end this."
With a surge of energy, Accelerator activated his vector manipulation ability, the air around him crackling with raw power. The ground beneath him trembled as he exerted his control over the vectors, manipulating the very forces of nature to his will.
Akaza lunged at Accelerator, his fists aimed at the esper's head. But this time, Accelerator was ready. He effortlessly redirected Akaza's attack, sending the demon flying backward with a mere flick of his wrist. Akaza crashed into the ground, a look of shock and disbelief on his face.
"What's the matter? Can't keep up?" Accelerator taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
Akaza snarled, pushing himself to his feet. "You...what are you?"
Accelerator's laugh was a sharp, cutting sound. "I'm the one who's going to destroy you."
The fight resumed, but the tides had turned drastically. With his vector manipulation in play, Accelerator was untouchable. He dodged Akaza's attacks with ease, redirecting the demon's blows and sending him crashing into the ground repeatedly. Each time Akaza tried to strike, Accelerator was there, using his vectors to deflect and counter with devastating precision.
"You're nothing but a joke," Accelerator sneered, his voice laced with contempt. "All that power, and you can't even land a hit."
Akaza's frustration grew with each failed attack, his movements becoming increasingly desperate. He launched himself at Accelerator with a flurry of strikes, but each one was met with the same result—deflection and humiliation.
Accelerator's mocking laughter filled the air as he continued to toy with Akaza. "Is this really the best you've got? Pathetic."
Desperation gave way to rage as Akaza summoned every ounce of his strength, his fists blazing with demonic energy. He charged at Accelerator, his roar echoing through the town. But even this final, desperate attack was in vain. Accelerator's vectors intercepted the blow, redirecting the energy back at Akaza and sending him sprawling across the ground.
Bloodied and beaten, Akaza struggled to rise, his body trembling with the effort. He looked up at Accelerator, his eyes filled with a mixture of hatred and fear. "You...how can you be this powerful?"
Accelerator stepped forward, his gaze cold and unfeeling. "You're out of your league, demon. Your time is up."
As the fight reached its climax, Akaza's body was battered and bloodied, but his resolve remained unbroken. He sensed the impending defeat, his mind racing with thoughts of survival. The idea of escaping was a bitter pill to swallow, yet the reality of his situation left him with no choice. His sharp eyes darted around, searching for any possible escape route.
Just as Accelerator was about to land the final blow, Akaza's body flickered and blurred, his demonic speed propelling him away from the impending doom. He leapt from building to building, each jump fueled by a desperate need to survive. Accelerator's eyes widened with fury as he watched the demon flee.
"You coward!" Accelerator bellowed, his voice echoing through the empty streets. "You think you can just run away after all this?!"
The effort of the battle had taken a toll on Accelerator. He could feel his body protesting, the physical strain of fighting without his esper powers weighing heavily on him. His legs buckled, and he stumbled, dropping to the ground with a loud thud. Pain shot through his limbs, and he cursed loudly, his frustration boiling over.
"I'll kill you all!" Accelerator screamed, his voice a mix of rage and exhaustion. "Every last one of you under Muzan! I won't leave a single one behind!"
His vision blurred, and darkness started to encroach on the edges of his sight. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't fight the wave of unconsciousness that washed over him. His body gave in, and he slumped to the ground, his mind finally succumbing to the overwhelming fatigue.
A few minutes later, the demon slayers who had followed Accelerator to the town arrived, their eyes widening at the sight of the devastation. Leading the group were Shinobu and Mitsuri, their expressions a mixture of concern and determination. As they spotted Accelerator's prone form, they rushed to his side, their hearts pounding with worry.
Shinobu and Mitsuri reached Accelerator simultaneously, their hands hovering uncertainly over his body. They exchanged awkward glances, each unsure of what to do next. The unspoken tension between them was palpable, both of them wanting to help but not wanting to overstep.
"He's in bad shape," Mitsuri murmured, her voice tinged with worry. "We need to get him back to the Butterfly Mansion."
Shinobu nodded, her expression determined. "You're right. But... who will carry him?"
Both of them hesitated, they wanted to do it but their conservative natures making them reluctant to take charge. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity. Just then, a lower-ranked demon slayer arrived, his eyes widening at the sight of Accelerator.
"Leave it to me," the demon slayer said, his voice firm. "I'll take care of him."
With surprising care, the lower-ranked slayer lifted Accelerator's body, cradling him gently. Shinobu and Mitsuri watched as the slayer began the journey back to the Butterfly Mansion, their feelings of relief mingled with lingering awkwardness.
"He's our savior," the lower-ranked slayer continued, his voice filled with admiration. "We can't let him die. He's the only one who has managed to create the cure. We owe him our lives."
Shinobu and Mitsuri followed closely behind, their minds racing with thoughts of the battle and the man who had risked everything to fight for them. The sight of Accelerator's unconscious form filled them with a renewed sense of determination. They couldn't afford to lose him, not when he had become such an integral part of their fight against the demons.
As they made their way back to the Butterfly Mansion, the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the village. The events of the night had left their mark, but the hope for a brighter future lingered in the hearts of those who had witnessed Accelerator's strength and resilience.
Back at the Butterfly Mansion, the atmosphere was tense. The joyous celebration of Nezuko's return to humanity had been abruptly shattered by the news of the demon attack. The arrival of the demon slayers with Accelerator's unconscious body only added to the weight of the situation.
Shinobu and Mitsuri watched as the lower-ranked slayer carefully placed Accelerator on a bed, their hearts heavy with worry. They exchanged another glance, this one filled with a silent understanding. Despite their differences, they were united in their concern for the man who had become a beacon of hope in their darkest times.
As the other demon slayers began to tend to Accelerator's injuries, Shinobu and Mitsuri stood by, their thoughts consumed by the events of the past hours. The sight of Akaza's destruction and Accelerator's fierce determination had left a lasting impression on them both. They knew that the battle was far from over, but with Accelerator by their side, they felt a renewed sense of hope.
The two women watched as the medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize Accelerator, their minds already planning the next steps in their fight against Muzan and his demons. They knew that the road ahead would be long and arduous, but they were ready to face whatever challenges lay in their path.
As they stood together in the quiet room, a sense of camaraderie began to form between them. They were both warriors in their own right, fighting for a future where humans and demons could coexist in peace. And with Accelerator leading the charge, they believed that such a future was within their reach.
The sun continued to rise, casting a warm light over the Butterfly Mansion. Despite the darkness that had descended upon them, the hope for a brighter tomorrow burned brightly in their hearts. And with Accelerator at the helm, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
—
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票