"Milord, what should we do next?"
The black-haired demon casually tossed Kamado Asaki beside Kie, then suddenly spoke respectfully.
At that moment, standing atop the small wooden cabin's roof, facing the howling wind and snow, was a man dressed in a black-patterned suit and wearing a white fedora.
The face beneath the brim was incomparably handsome.
The storm raged, yet it didn't disturb a single strand of his hair, nor wrinkle the pristine fabric of his clothes.
This man was Kibutsuji Muzan, the first demon to exist for over a thousand years, the absolute ruler of demons, the Demon King.
Kibutsuji Muzan lowered his head slightly. His eyes carried an unreadable emotion. It was unclear what he was thinking.
In the next instant, his figure flickered, and he appeared inside the cabin, back turned to Kamado Asaki.
Kibutsuji looked down at the tips of his shoes—tinged with red, because everywhere he stood was soaked in blood.
It seemed the protector of the Kamado household… was truly dead.
"Too messy. Black Hair, be elegant."
The black-haired demon immediately dropped to his knees, not caring about the blood and filth on the floor. His whole body trembled. He was a complete contrast from the arrogant figure just moments ago. That twisted face was now filled with fear.
"Please forgive me, milord. I'll be more careful next time."
But Kibutsuji spoke flatly, "There won't be a next time for you."
The black-haired demon froze. The fear on his face intensified.
"Milo—"
Before he could finish, a massive arm violently burst through his mouth.
The black-haired demon let out a guttural, agonizing howl.
Demons felt pain no differently than humans.
And now dead, the black-haired demon's body slowly turned into red-black ash, dispersing into the wooden cabin swept by wind and snow.
Until his death, Kibutsuji hadn't spared him a single glance.
Kibutsuji looked at Kie and Kamado Asaki, then turned to the bodies of Nezuko and the others.
At that moment, it seemed he had found a pleasing target. His always-calm eyes lit up.
"This little girl… You shall carry my expectations. Become a demon and survive."
Kibutsuji's target was a little girl with a round face no larger than a palm.
Her black and white pupils had lost their light. The once plump and fair cheeks of baby fat had turned pale and sickly from blood loss. It was Nezuko.
And on Nezuko's small face still remained the blissful smile she wore while sleeping next to her family.
They had all had their necks broken in their sleep—without feeling pain.
Kibutsuji took a few light steps toward Nezuko.
But just as he approached, he suddenly felt a tightness around his ankle and paused mid-step.
Looking down, Kibutsuji saw Kamado Asaki, using his blood-soaked hands, tightly gripping his ankle.
"Hmm? Still conscious?"
Kibutsuji was surprised. He had clearly witnessed the black-haired demon's earlier strike. Those five fingers were like iron, shattering Asaki's facial bones—such a wound was absolutely fatal without immediate treatment.
And yet, this badly wounded human still had the awareness to interfere with him?
"Your strength is weak and useless… but this final bit of struggle for your family—I quite like it," Kibutsuji said with interest.
As for Kamado Asaki, his consciousness had not completely faded, but it was hazy. He had lost the ability to think.
Kibutsuji crouched down and whispered to him.
"You look like you're in pain. Let go. Death is a form of release. You don't have the power to change anything."
"Remember—weakness is the greatest original sin."
At that moment, Asaki's life force had completely vanished. His body turned stiff.
Kibutsuji stood up and moved his leg, trying to shake off Asaki's hands. His great strength dragged Asaki's whole body along the floor.
But Asaki still clung to Kibutsuji's ankle, refusing to let go.
Kibutsuji tried again—and got the same result.
He shook his head, then lightly waved his palm. A cold flash passed.
From shoulder to fingertip, Kamado Asaki's entire arm shattered. He could no longer hold onto Kibutsuji.
"Still won't let go even in death… how amusing."
"In that case… I'll turn you and that girl into demons. In the future, once you've both grown strong, you'll serve me together."
Kibutsuji sliced open his own wrist. A line of blood flowed from the wound, splitting into two streams midair—drifting into the mouths of Kamado Asaki and Nezuko.
"I look forward to meeting you again."
Kibutsuji pressed down the brim of his hat, then flickered and vanished from the ruined cabin.
All that remained was a floor soaked in blood, scattered corpses, and a pair of siblings undergoing demonification.
***
Hungry! Hungry! Hungry! Hungry! Hungry!
Some time later, Kamado Asaki slowly opened his eyes. His vision seemed to be tinted red.
At this moment, both his arms were fully restored. The five bloody holes in his face, the shattered bones—completely gone. Not a single wound remained.
Kibutsuji Muzan had turned Kamado Asaki into a demon using his own blood.
Unless restrained by special methods, demons were virtually immortal, and healing came effortlessly.
Right now, Asaki's mind was still in a haze. His instincts controlled him, and he licked the blood on the floor.
Very quickly, unsatisfied with the bloodstains, Asaki followed the trail to its source.
It was a face he would never forget—Kie.
Fresh blood continued flowing from Kie's neck, spilling endlessly.
When Asaki saw her pale, lifeless face, a violent tremor surged through his soul.
Instantly, he snapped back to awareness.
"What the hell did I just do?!"
At that moment, everything he'd done just seconds earlier flashed clearly in his mind. He fell into despair and revulsion.
Clutching his mouth tightly, Asaki let out a low, tormented growl from his throat.
But just seconds after regaining clarity, the sweet smell of blood grew even more intense. The hunger in his stomach was far from satisfied.
His awareness blurred again. His eyes, no longer crimson as before, were now completely blood-red.
He struggled to control his body, trying to move away from Kie.
But the demonic instinct was too strong.
Uncontrollably, he released his hands from his mouth. His jaw opened wide, revealing sharp fangs.
Asaki's face twisted with pain, but he still slowly moved closer to Kie.
The corners of his mouth stretched to their limit.
He was just about to bite down.
(End of Chapter)