章節 5: Upper Moon Six Dead
—
Accelerator's maniacal grin faltered for the first time when he saw Daki's body beginning to regenerate from the bloody remains. Pieces of her flesh and bone knit back together with a sickening squelch, her form slowly reassembling as if mocking his earlier triumph. Gyutaro, noticing his sister's revival, grinned wickedly despite his own shattered state. "You can't kill us that easily," he croaked, blood dripping from his mouth. "We can only be killed if we're decapitated at the same time."
Accelerator's grin returned, even wider this time. "Thank you for the information," he said with a mocking bow. "That was incredibly stupid of you."
Without hesitation, he reached out and touched both Daki and Gyutaro simultaneously. The siblings' eyes widened in terror as they felt their blood flow reversing once more. Their bodies began to bloat and distort in a grotesque display of imminent destruction. With a final, agonized scream, they exploded into a shower of blood and viscera, the force of their demise sending shockwaves through the already devastated area.
As the crimson rain fell, Accelerator closed his eyes, his maniacal smile fading into a look of profound boredom. "Pathetic," he muttered, almost to himself. "Such a pathetic fight. It left a bad taste in my mouth."
What troubled him was not the brutality of the battle but the sight of Gyutaro and Daki crying and embracing each other in their final moments. That fleeting display of sibling affection and desperation, even among monsters, left an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.
With the battle finally over, Tengen Uzui approached Accelerator, his flamboyant demeanor tempered with genuine relief. The Sound Hashira surveyed the wreckage of the entertainment district, noting that despite the extensive property damage, there were no significant casualties among the civilians. He himself was bleeding, but his injuries were not severe.
"Not bad," Tengen called out, a grin on his face. "No huge casualties this time. We managed to save a lot of lives, thanks to you."
Accelerator turned to him with a deadpan expression. "Did you not see what I did?" he asked incredulously. "I just blew those two to pieces. Twice. And you want me to come with you?"
Tengen chuckled, clearly unfazed. "Believe it or not, you have more humanity in you than a lot of people I've met. Besides, your methods may be extreme, but they get results. We could use someone like you at our headquarters. You could be a great help to us."
Accelerator stared at Tengen, wondering if the man was truly serious. The Hashira's eyes were sincere, reflecting a belief in something greater, a hope that Accelerator's twisted form of justice could be harnessed for a righteous cause.
After a long, silent moment, Accelerator sighed, shaking his head. "You people are really something else," he muttered, almost amused. The tension in the air began to dissipate, replaced by a strange, tentative understanding between the two warriors.
Despite the chaos and destruction around them, there was a sense of an ending, a momentary pause in the relentless struggle. The blood-soaked ground and the smoldering ruins stood as silent witnesses to the unexpected alliance forming amidst the wreckage.
–
The battle had ended, and in its aftermath, the injured were swiftly taken to safety. Kamado Tanjiro, Inosuke Hashibira, and Zenitsu Agatsuma were now hospitalized, recovering from their injuries. Meanwhile, Tengen Uzui was summoned to report the outcome of the battle to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the current leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. The other Hashiras were present, kneeling in respect before their master, waiting to hear the details of the recent conflict.
Tengen began his report with a summary of the battle, describing the intense fight against the Upper Six Demons. However, the most astonishing part of his report was the sudden appearance of the white-haired young man who had intervened and ultimately killed Gyutaro and Daki. As Tengen detailed Accelerator's actions, a ripple of disbelief spread through the Hashiras.
"A random person appeared and defeated an Upper Six Demon?" Mitsuri exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment. "That's unbelievable!"
Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, remained silent but his eyes narrowed in thought. "Such a feat... it's not something that can be easily dismissed," he murmured.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, scoffed. "Are you saying some unknown guy just waltzed in and took down two Upper Six Demons? That sounds like a load of crap."
Tengen, however, was grinning from ear to ear. "Believe it or not, he did it. The kid was flamboyant, in a terrifying way."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, listening patiently, finally spoke in his gentle, calm voice. "Tengen, do you believe this young man could be convinced to aid us in our cause?"
Before Tengen could respond, a chorus of objections erupted from the other Hashiras.
"No way!" Sanemi barked. "That guy's methods were brutal. He killed those demons in a way that was just as monstrous as they were."
"Yes, we cannot trust someone who appears out of nowhere and displays such cruelty," added Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, his usually dreamy demeanor sharpened with suspicion.
Even Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, usually composed, voiced his concerns. "We must be cautious. Our enemy is already formidable. Introducing an unknown element could be disastrous."
Tengen held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I understand your concerns. But this guy, he's something else. He took down those demons without breaking a sweat. We can't afford to ignore that kind of power."
Kagaya smiled lightly, his serene presence calming the room. "Tengen, I trust your judgment. If you believe he can be an asset, then we should welcome him. However, we must also ensure he is properly supervised."
Turning to Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, Kagaya continued, "Shinobu, I would like you to take care of our new guest. Ensure he is treated well and monitored closely."
Shinobu's smile was as sweet as ever, but there was a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "Of course, Master. I will see to it that he is accommodated properly."
Tengen nodded in satisfaction, though he knew convincing Accelerator to cooperate would be no small task. "I'll talk to him. He's not exactly the cooperative type, but I'll do my best."
Far away from the meeting, Accelerator stood with his hands in his pockets, listening to the conversation with a mixture of amusement and irritation. "Tch, organizations are the same no matter where you go," he muttered to himself. "Always scheming, always planning."
He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Despite the chaos and violence he had unleashed, the quiet mansion where Rin and her strange Servant resided seemed far more appealing now. The peace there, though suffocating at times, was preferable to the constant meddling of these Demon Slayers.
For now, Accelerator knew he had to play along. But his mind was already working on an escape plan, a way to return to the relative tranquility of Rin's world. He glanced around at the burning remnants of the town, the smell of blood and ash thick in the air. "Yeah," he thought, "I'd take boredom over this mess any day."
.
.
.
Accelerator walked alongside Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, who didn't seem to acknowledge his presence beyond the bare minimum required for politeness. Her expression remained serene, but the slight tension in her steps hinted at her dissatisfaction with being tasked to guide him.
"Here at the Butterfly Mansion," Shinobu began in her gentle, almost lilting voice, "we focus on healing and recuperation for the demon slayers. You will find—"
"Are you guys messing with me?" Accelerator interrupted, staring at her with a mix of irritation and amusement. "They sent a child to be my guide?"
A visible tick mark appeared on Shinobu's forehead as she struggled to maintain her composure. "As I was saying," she continued, her voice slightly strained, "we focus on healing and—"
"Seriously, do they think I need a babysitter?" Accelerator's lips curled into a mocking grin. "What can a kid like you possibly teach me?"
Shinobu's smile grew tighter. "I am not a child," she said through gritted teeth. "I am one of the Hashira, highly skilled in—"
"Highly skilled in what? Playing with butterflies?" Accelerator snorted. "Maybe I should ask them for someone who actually knows what they're doing."
That was the last straw. Shinobu's usually calm demeanor shattered as she snapped, "Would you just shut up!"
Accelerator was momentarily dumbfounded by her outburst, but then a wide grin spread across his face. "Oh, did I hit a nerve? Finally, some fire from the little butterfly."
Shinobu's eyes flashed with anger, and she took a deep breath, clearly trying to regain control. "You are insufferable," she muttered, her fists clenched at her sides.
"Insufferable, huh? I've been called worse," Accelerator said with a shrug. "But hey, if you can't handle a little teasing, maybe you're the one who needs a babysitter."
Shinobu's patience was wearing thin, and she was about to retort when they arrived at the Butterfly Mansion. The three apprentices, Kanao Tsuyuri, Aoi Kanzaki, and the ever-enthusiastic sisters Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho, were standing at the entrance, watching the two of them with wide eyes.
The moment they laid eyes on the bickering pair, the apprentices exchanged knowing glances. Kanao's expression remained stoic, but Aoi couldn't hide her smirk. The three younger girls giggled, clearly amused by the sight.
"Tch," Accelerator clicked his tongue in annoyance, his fun abruptly curtailed by the presence of onlookers. "Guess we're here."
Shinobu took a deep breath and plastered a smile back on her face, though it was noticeably strained. "Yes, we are," she said, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Welcome to the Butterfly Mansion, Accelerator."
"Whatever," Accelerator muttered, his interest already waning. He glanced at the apprentices, who were still watching them curiously. "So, what now? Do I get a room, or do I have to share with the butterflies?"
Shinobu's smile didn't falter, but her eyes promised retribution. "We'll find you a suitable place to stay," she said. "And I assure you, the accommodations will be to your satisfaction."
"Good," Accelerator said, already bored with the conversation. He gave the apprentices one last glance before turning back to Shinobu. "Lead the way, then, 'sensei.'"
Shinobu's jaw tightened, but she turned on her heel and began walking towards the interior of the mansion, her steps clipped and purposeful. Accelerator followed, a smug grin on his face as he relished in the small victory of getting under her skin.
The apprentices watched them go, their whispers filling the air once the pair was out of earshot.
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Kiyo asked, her eyes wide with concern.
"Of course," Aoi said with a dismissive wave. "Lady Kochou can handle him. She's dealt with worse."
"Still," Sumi added, "they kind of look like they're having a love quarrel, don't they?"
The other apprentices giggled at the thought, and even Kanao allowed herself a small smile. The image of the fierce, unyielding Shinobu clashing with the equally obstinate Accelerator was certainly an amusing one.
Inside the mansion, Shinobu led Accelerator to a small but comfortable room. "Here you go," she said, opening the door. "This will be your room. Try not to destroy it."
"No promises," Accelerator replied, stepping inside. "But thanks for the tour, 'sensei.' It was enlightening."
Shinobu shot him one last glare before turning on her heel and leaving him alone in the room. Accelerator watched her go, his grin never faltering.
Once inside, Accelerator slumped onto the bed, his usual smirk fading as he stared at the panel floating in front of him.
---
[Demon Progenitor!
• Kill the demon progenitor Muzan!]
---
That was the quest. He didn't understand much about this world, but one thing was clear: this Muzan bastard was responsible for a lot of deaths. Judging by the actions of the demons he had fought, they had no regard for their surroundings, casually destroying multiple buildings. It was safe to say that demons needed to be eradicated.
Accelerator sighed in annoyance, running a hand through his white hair. "Why the hell should I care about this?" he muttered to himself. His sins involved the Misaka Sisters. Why did it matter if this world broke too?
Despite these thoughts, Accelerator's mind was already churning with strategies to take down this Muzan. The demons here were strong, probably comparable to Rin's servant in terms of strength and speed. Considering the ones he fought were just Upper Six meant there were even stronger ones out there. He shook his head, trying to push these thoughts away for now. He had other things to focus on.
His attention was drawn to the three heads peeking through the door. It was Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho. "What do you want?" he snapped, his voice laced with annoyance.
The three girls seemed unfazed by his tone and busted into the room, sprinting towards him with boundless enthusiasm. They surrounded him, bombarding him with questions.
"What's your name?" Sumi asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Where did you come from?" Kiyo added, her face inches from his.
"Why are you so white?" Naho questioned, tilting her head in genuine confusion.
Their innocent curiosity and energetic demeanor reminded him of the brat he had tried to save before. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling a pang of something unfamiliar—something almost like nostalgia.
Opening his eyes again, he sighed. "The name's Accelerator. I come from a place you wouldn't understand, and I'm this white because... well, I just am. Now, why don't you three go bother someone else?"
But the girls were undeterred. "Wow, Accelerator! That's such a cool name!" Sumi exclaimed, clapping her hands together.
"Yeah, and you look really strong!" Kiyo added, her admiration evident in her voice.
Naho nodded vigorously. "Are you a demon slayer too? Are you going to help us fight the demons?"
Accelerator couldn't help but smirk at their enthusiasm. "Something like that," he muttered. Despite himself, he felt a small spark of warmth at their excitement. It reminded him of a time when he still believed he could protect others without causing harm.
"Do you want something to eat?" Kiyo asked suddenly, as if struck by a brilliant idea. "We can get you some food from the kitchen!"
"Yeah! You must be hungry after your journey," Sumi added.
Accelerator waved them off. "I'm fine. Just... leave me alone for a bit, okay?"
The girls exchanged glances but eventually nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Okay, but if you need anything, just ask!" Naho said with a bright smile before they all scampered out of the room.
As the door closed behind them, Accelerator lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted back to the quest and the daunting task of killing Muzan. Despite his annoyance, he couldn't deny the small flicker of purpose it gave him. Maybe, just maybe, this world needed someone like him to clean up its mess.
With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes, letting the quiet of the room settle around him. For now, he would rest. Tomorrow, he would start figuring out just how to take down the demon progenitor. His troubles were far from over, but at least he had a direction, however twisted it might be.
And as sleep began to claim him, the image of the three girls' excited faces lingered in his mind, a reminder that even in the darkest places, a small spark of light could still shine.
Morning came, and Accelerator emerged from his room, feeling the need for his usual dose of caffeine. He wandered through the Butterfly Mansion, searching for a kitchen or at least a pot of coffee. His spirits plummeted when he realized there was none to be found. "No coffee... Seriously? What kind of place is this?" he muttered, his usual energy sapped by the lack of his morning fix.
Deciding to take a breath of fresh air, he headed to the backyard. There, he found three young men training intensely. They looked familiar—he swore he'd seen them yesterday during the fight. Despite the severe injuries they had sustained, here they were, already back to training as if their lives depended on it. It seemed absurd to him, yet there was a begrudging respect for their tenacity.
As soon as they noticed him, their reactions varied. The first one, with kind eyes and a determined expression, seemed delighted to see him. "Good morning!" he called out cheerfully, waving a hand in greeting.
The second, a blond with a scared look in his eyes, let out a terrified scream. "Aah! It's him! The crazy guy from yesterday!" He immediately hid behind the first, trembling as if Accelerator was a ghost.
The third, with wild hair and an even wilder demeanor, pointed at Accelerator and huffed in challenge. "Hey, you! Fight me!" he demanded, thumping his chest aggressively.
Accelerator couldn't help but roll his eyes at the trio. "Great," he thought, "just what I needed first thing in the morning. A bunch of weirdos." He leaned against a nearby post, crossing his arms over his chest and watching them with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity.
The cheerful one stepped forward, seemingly unfazed by his friends' reactions. "We saw you yesterday. You were amazing! Thank you for helping us out." His eyes shone with genuine gratitude and respect, something Accelerator wasn't quite used to.
The scared one peeked out from behind his friend. "P-please don't hurt us," he stammered, his voice shaking. "We were just... training."
Accelerator snorted. "Training? After what happened yesterday? You guys really don't know when to quit, do you?"
The wild one stepped forward, fists clenched. "I don't know who you think you are, but I'm not afraid of you! Fight me, and I'll show you what real strength looks like!" His voice was full of bravado, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"Troublesome," Accelerator muttered to himself. "Just what I needed." He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of deja vu, dealing with such a peculiar trio. They reminded him of the kind of trouble he used to get into back home.
The cheerful one extended a hand. "I'm sorry for my friends. They're a bit... high-strung. I'm just grateful you were there to help. We owe you one."
Accelerator raised an eyebrow but didn't take the offered hand. Instead, he looked at the blond who was still cowering. "You gonna hide behind him all day?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
The blond squeaked but managed to stand up a bit straighter, though he still kept a safe distance. "N-no... I'm just being cautious," he mumbled, trying to muster some courage.
"Right," Accelerator said, turning his gaze to the wild one. "And you... you think you can take me on? After what you saw yesterday?"
The wild one puffed out his chest. "I won't know until I try! Come on, fight me!"
Accelerator sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "You guys are something else," he said, shaking his head. "Look, I'm not here to fight you. I'm just... stuck here for now."
The cheerful one nodded. "That's fair. We don't want any trouble either. But if you need anything, just let us know. We're all in this together, right?"
Accelerator didn't respond immediately. He glanced at the sky, feeling a strange sense of calm despite the chaos around him. "Yeah, sure," he said finally. "We're all in this together."
For now, he decided to tolerate their presence. They were an odd bunch, but maybe they weren't so bad after all. At least, they weren't trying to kill him—yet.
—
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票