Without any more words, Wakaruba stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and the two humans.
To him, they were nothing more than food. Just the fact that they had learned his name was already an honor in itself.
Now, they only needed to fulfill their role as prey.
Just as he was about to enjoy his meal, however, he was met with an unexpected sight—both of them had taken up combat stances.
Yohan knew there was no running away now. His only option was to stall for time, to hold out until sunrise.
What surprised him even more was Mitsuri Kanroji assuming a battle-ready posture as well.
He had seen her trembling earlier and had assumed that getting her to stay put without panicking was already the best outcome.
But now… even as an ordinary person who had yet to undergo any training in the Demon Slayer Corps, she had managed to compose herself so quickly.
No wonder she would one day become the Love Hashira.
"Yohan, I didn't tell you earlier, but... I'm actually pretty strong. I'll try to hold him off, so you should find a chance to run."
Mitsuri's voice still carried a slight tremor, but her actions spoke of a firm resolve.
Yohan looked at her and smiled—not in mockery of her ignorance regarding a demon's strength, but because he could feel the sincerity in her words, the unwavering will to protect.
At this moment, he felt himself sinking deeper into the reality of this world.
This was real.
And he finally understood why these warriors became Hashira—not because they chose to be, but because their very existence embodied what it meant to be a Pillar.
"Hahaha! Two little snacks thinking they can resist?"
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to kill you both quickly."
"So just accept your fate."
Wakaruba seemed to grow even more frenzied at the sight of their defiance.
His speed suddenly surged as his sharpened claws gleamed with cold light, slashing toward Yohan.
There was no time to explain. With a sudden shove, Yohan pushed Mitsuri backward and launched himself forward to intercept Wakaruba's attack.
CLANG!
A deafening clash rang through the air. Dust billowed, and the trees surrounding them swayed violently from the force of impact.
Seeing Yohan charge ahead, Mitsuri's heart clenched tightly. The wall she had unknowingly built around her emotions seemed to crack wide open in that instant.
"Hahahaha! A mere human, daring to face me head-on?!"
"Do you have a death wish?!"
Wakaruba roared with laughter, unable to comprehend such reckless courage.
When he had sensed these two in the forest earlier, he had already noticed the overwhelming richness of their blood scent.
Far more enticing than any ordinary human he had encountered.
If he hadn't been wary of a potential trap set by the Demon Slayer Corps, he would have attacked them immediately.
But now, he realized he had simply stumbled upon two exceptionally fresh and delicious prey.
"A death wish?"
"I think the one dying today... is you."
Wakaruba was stunned by Yohan's words.
As the dust cleared and the scene became visible once more, he expected to see a bloodied corpse, a torn and mangled body.
Yet, that was not what lay before him.
His deadly claws had met something solid—something that rang out with a sharp clink.
Wakaruba looked at his fingertips in shock. The razor-sharp iron that extended from his fingers had shattered upon impact.
"No… No way! What is this?!"
As his eyes locked onto Yohan's exposed torso beneath his torn shirt, his mind reeled in disbelief.
There were no wounds.
Instead, there was a dark, metallic sheen, reflecting the moonlight like polished steel.
"Now… do you still think you won't be the one to die tonight?"
Yohan threw a punch.
The battle erupted in full force.
A human and a demon clashed with sheer brute strength, their figures blurring through the night. Every impact sent shockwaves through the forest.
Watching the fierce exchange, feeling the powerful force behind each blow, Mitsuri realized something.
She had completely misjudged Yohan.
How could someone who didn't seem particularly muscular possess such overwhelming strength?
And their speed—both his and Wakaruba's—was almost too fast for her to follow.
Was this… the true nature of the night?
With her exceptional physical talent, Mitsuri could clearly sense it—these two were fighting on a level she could not yet reach.
All she could do now was pray for Yohan's victory.
Folding her hands tightly together, she silently wished for his triumph.
"Interesting… very interesting! You're not an ordinary human, are you?"
"That black glow surrounding you... it makes me want to taste your blood even more!"
Yohan stood shirtless, his upper body exposed, his steel-like skin gleaming under the night sky.
His shattered clothing no longer concealed his unscathed body, the dark aura rippling across its surface like liquid metal.
"You want to taste my blood?"
Yohan smirked. "Why don't you try wounding me first?"
After their brief exchange, he had come to a realization.
The demon couldn't break through his defense.
Unfortunately, he lacked a Nichirin Blade—otherwise, this fight would have already ended with Wakaruba's head rolling on the ground.
His only options now were to hold out until sunrise… or find a way to activate Counter Spiral and see if it could deal any damage.
"You think I'm just some ordinary demon?"
Wakaruba's tone darkened, his rage boiling over.
"I am one of the Twelve Kizuki! Lower Moon Three—Wakaruba!"
"Ignorant prey, allow me to show you what a real demon is."
The fact that he had yet to defeat Yohan was infuriating.
If Lord Muzan ever found out that he had struggled against a mere human, he would undoubtedly be obliterated.
That thought sent a chill through Wakaruba's mind, and his killing intent surged.
"Prey… I'll make you understand the true power of the Twelve Kizuki—with your life!"
Blood Demon Art—Thorned Dance!
Wakaruba's body spun violently, a whirlwind of slicing winds forming around him.
The sheer force of his rotation shredded the trees in his path, sending them crashing to the ground.
Seeing the devastating destruction unfold, Mitsuri screamed, "Yohan—watch out!"
But Yohan didn't move to evade.
He knew that if he had been alone, avoiding the attack would have been the best choice.
But he wasn't alone.
She was behind him.
And so, this battle… he would not yield.
Blood surged through his veins, muscles tensed and hardened, the metallic sheen on his body intensifying.
The moment of impact arrived.
A streak of radiant red and gold light flashed—
Counter Spiral… activated!