WebNovels

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2

"Moshi moshi~"

"Moshi moshi~, Lock, can you hear me?"

Lock's eyes fluttered open. He was no longer on Nada Spider Mountain but in a quiet, well-kept room.

The gentle voice belonged to Shinobu Kocho, kneeling beside him, tending to him with careful hands.

Next to her stood a woman of serene elegance. White hair framed her delicate face, and her large, gentle eyes radiated intelligence and warmth. Lock immediately recognized her: Ubuyashiki Amane, the wife of the Demon Slayer Corps' head.

"Hello, Lock. I'm Ubuyashiki Amane. It's very nice to meet you," she said softly. Her voice was like a melody, and Lock could see why she was compared to a celestial beauty.

Shinobu smiled as she wiped the sweat from Lock's forehead. "Lock, you've been unconscious for quite some time."

Lock sat up with some effort, rubbing his head. "Where… is this? Is anyone outside?"

"This is the Lord's residence," Shinobu replied calmly, "and this is Madam Amane."

Lock's eyes scanned the room. He realized at once: this was likely the attic of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the head of the Demon Slayer Corps.

A soft knock announced another arrival, and the door opened slowly.

A man in a white robe entered, leaning on the support of two attendants. His face bore dark bruises from recent battles. Lock immediately recognized him: Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the Lord of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Behind him, several teenagers followed. They wore colorful clothing rather than the standard black Corps uniforms, each reflecting their personality. These were the Pillars, the strongest swordsmen of the Corps:

Giyu Tomioka, Water Pillar

Kyojuro Rengoku, Flame Pillar

Tengen Uzui, Sound Pillar

Obanai Iguro, Snake Pillar

Sanemi Shinazugawa, Wind Pillar

Mitsuri Kanroji, Love Pillar

Muichiro Tokito, Mist Pillar

Gyomei Himejima, Stone Pillar

Shinobu Kocho, Insect Pillar (already present)

Lock frowned, unsure of what was happening.

Kagaya's gentle voice broke the silence: "Lock… can you tell us how the markings appeared on your body?"

Lock's eyes widened. The stripes on his chest—the markings he had awakened—were the reason he had been brought here.

Giyu Tomioka, standing quietly, frowned slightly. Lock appeared young and slender, hardly matching the reputation Kagaya described.

Kyojuro Rengoku, tall and confident, looked him over. "Is this… Lock? He seems far too young to bear such power."

The Snake Pillar, Obanai Iguro, spoke with sharp precision. "Even if he appears young, we should not underestimate him. Strength can manifest in unexpected forms."

Lock quickly deduced Kagaya's plan: most Pillars were unaware of the markings, and Kagaya had brought him here to reveal their significance.

He glanced at Shinobu beside him. If not for her intervention at Spider Mountain, he would not have survived—he owed her his life.

Lock looked at Kagaya and spoke calmly: "Very well, but I have a request."

"Go ahead," Kagaya said, smiling.

"I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps."

Lock's reasoning was clear. Even though he had awakened the stripes and developed Heat Breathing, he was still inexperienced. The safest place to grow his strength, learn new techniques, and be protected from demons was here, among the strongest swordsmen in existence.

Kagaya nodded. "Very well. Since you have awakened the markings, the Demon Slayer Corps will welcome you. I can even assign you a position comparable to the Pillars."

The room fell silent.

Tengen Uzui was the first to react. "My Lord, this is impossible! A child cannot be entrusted with a Pillar-level position so hastily."

Obanai Iguro also voiced doubt. "Lord Ubuyashiki, the selection process exists for a reason. Is this not premature?"

The other Pillars remained silent, though their skeptical expressions spoke volumes.

Kagaya raised a hand gently. "This is different. The markings are unique. If they can be activated, they signify the arrival of a golden age. Even Muzan Kibutsuji can be challenged."

Shock rippled through the room.

"What exactly is this marking?" asked Tengen, unable to hide his curiosity.

Madam Amane stepped forward. "During the Warring States period, swordsmen who used Breathing Styles nearly brought Muzan to the brink. Those warriors bore marks similar to the patterns found on demons."

"Over time, knowledge of these marks became fragmented. Some records survived, but much was lost to history," she continued.

Giyu Tomioka frowned. "Then why has this never been publicly acknowledged?"

"The markings were unreliable in the past," Madam Amane explained. "Many warriors failed to awaken them fully, so legends about the marks were vague. The only known truth passed down is that when a person awakens a mark, others around them may resonate with similar power."

"The markings enhance a swordsman's strength dramatically," Kagaya added. "And Lock is the first person in our era to awaken them."

Lock's chest swelled with a mixture of pride and apprehension. His journey within the Demon Slayer Corps was only just beginning.

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