"Understood."
Ryosuke petted the hummingbird's head.
The ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps, from highest to lowest, were: Kinoe, Kinoto, Hinoe, Hinoto, Tsuchinoe, Tsuchinoto, Kanoe, Kanoto, Mizunoe, Mizunoto.
Mizunoto was the lowest rank for swordsmen who had just joined the Demon Slayer Corps.
Above Kinoe were the Hashira.
A normal person would need at least five years to become a Hashira.
They had to slay 50 demons or kill one of the Twelve Kizuki.
With less than a year of lifespan left, Ryosuke didn't delay at all and walked straight into the house.
He changed into his uniform and haori, and packed a few simple things.
Jigoro and the other two came to see him off.
Rika pulled out an amulet sewn from indigo coarse cloth from her pocket.
The stitching on it was a bit amateurish, with the character "Peace" (安) embroidered crookedly on it.
Without a word, she stuffed the amulet into Ryosuke's hand, her small face blushing.
"Ryosuke-nii, take this. I sewed it myself. Grandpa said it can bless you with safety."
Ryosuke smiled and rubbed the top of Rika's head.
"Mhm, thank you, Rika."
"Tch!"
Shota pouted, feeling extremely unbalanced inside.
Ryosuke ignored him. After greeting Jigoro, he prepared to go down the mountain.
"Hey!"
Shota couldn't help but shout.
Ryosuke looked back.
Shota pointed at the sword at Ryosuke's waist, speaking with the awkwardness typical of a teenage boy.
"You're alone... is that... is that weird sword of yours going to be okay?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, even he felt they were a bit harsh.
But the boy's pride and competitive spirit made him bite the bullet and continue.
"Don't die out there! Don't shame Grandpa!"
Bonk!
Jigoro's cane knocked heavily on Shota's head.
"Brat! What nonsense are you spouting!"
"..."
Shota covered his head and retreated a few steps.
Jigoro looked at Ryosuke, his voice softening.
"Come back safely."
"Mhm."
Ryosuke bowed to Jigoro, then turned and left.
"Ryosuke-nii! Be careful!" Rika shouted loudly.
Ryosuke didn't look back, just raised his right hand and waved.
...
Night was as dark as ink.
The hummingbird flew in the night sky, guiding Ryosuke.
Ryosuke had been traveling for half a day. His failing liver made his stamina weak, and he felt a dull ache.
"Damn, this broken body..."
Ryosuke gritted his teeth, supporting himself against a tree trunk by the roadside as he panted.
The hummingbird landed on his shoulder, making small "chirp chirp" sounds.
"It's fine. Won't die."
Ryosuke wiped away his sweat, then asked in his mind, "Hey, System, come out!"
[Ding-dong~ Dear Host, what are your orders~]
"Cut the crap! I'm asking you,"
Ryosuke took a deep breath and asked the question pressing most heavily on his heart: "How many years of lifespan do I need to cure my liver?"
[Not much, just ten years~]
"Ten years?!"
Ryosuke's voice suddenly rose in pitch. "Say that again?!"
[Yes indeed~ Dear Host, ten years of lifespan can completely cure your chronic illness, giving you a brand new, healthy, and energetic liver~]
"Ten years... Heh... Ten years!"
Ryosuke felt a burst of evil fire rush straight to his brain; his lungs were about to explode from anger.
"I risked my life and limb, almost played myself to death, just to kill a Hand Demon and get one year! And you open your mouth asking for ten?! I still have to upgrade my skills!"
"Do you take me for a beast of burden?! Or are those demons leeks growing in the field, available for harvest whenever?!"
[Host, don't be agitated~ High investment brings high returns~]
[Think about it. A healthy body will allow you to unleash the full power of Thunder Breathing, slaying more and stronger demons. Lifespan will naturally come rolling in~]
The System tempted him patiently.
"Rolling my ass! Ten fxxking years! I only have one year left! One year!!"
Veins popped on Ryosuke's forehead. "By your calculation, I'd have to kill at least ten Hand Demon-level demons!"
"Fxxk! I am definitely the most miserable system user among all transmigrators!"
"Other people's systems either give a newbie gift pack, have a lottery draw, or give benefits for signing in..."
"But you! I start with a terminal illness, you make me burn my lifespan (pay-to-win), the medical fees are ridiculously expensive, and you still 'heeheehee' every day! Heehee your grandfather!"
[Host, please remain calm. Emotional agitation will accelerate lifespan consumption~]
The System offered a thoughtful reminder.
"Get lost!!!"
Ryosuke cursed angrily and started running wildly.
There was no choice; upgrading skills had to be put on hold. The important thing now was fixing his liver.
After a night of rapid travel, a hint of pale white appeared in the eastern sky.
Mount Hinode (Sunrise Mountain) arrived!
Ryosuke let out a long breath, planning to scout the mountain first.
But in front of a temple, Ryosuke's steps halted.
He smelled an extremely strong scent of blood!
"Oh no!"
Ryosuke's pupils shrank suddenly, and his heart sank to the bottom of a valley.
Fragmented memories regarding the "Mount Hinode Temple" flashed through his mind.
That man who, in the future, would shake demons with his flesh and blood, standing tall like a mountain as the Strongest Hashira!
Himejima Gyomei!
The starting point of his tragedy seemed to be right here!
Ryosuke rushed inside violently.
The morning light was dim, barely illuminating this hell on earth.
Tattered prayer flags, scattered toys, overturned food boxes... silently recounting everything that happened last night.
Blood flowed like a river in the room. The corpses of seven or eight children had been torn to pieces.
A burly man was kneeling on the ground, bathed in blood. He used his fists, mechanically pounding the demon beneath him again and again.
Even though the demon's head had been smashed to pulp and its body was turning to ash in the sunlight, the blind monk didn't stop moving, as if he couldn't feel pain.
Not far behind the blind monk, a little girl huddled, shivering.
After the demon completely dissipated, Himejima fumbled to turn towards Sayo's direction, seemingly wanting to confirm her safety, seeking a shred of comfort and proof.
"Official business! Unrelated persons, step back!"
Almost simultaneously, a squad of officials charged in aggressively.
The leader swept his gaze over the scene, his eyes landing on Himejima, who was covered in blood.
"What happened here?"
Sayo spoke up immediately: "That person! That person is a monster. He killed everyone."
That person?
Who else could it be here besides this monk?
Looking at Himejima, the leader's face immediately showed an expression of disgust and 'I knew it'.
"Arrest this murderous maniac!"
Several officials quickly pinned Himejima by the shoulders.
Himejima didn't struggle; his face was full of numbness.
The accusation was like an ice pick, stabbing ruthlessly into his heart.
His wooden face lost all color, and his massive body swayed.
Himejima opened his mouth to defend himself, but the girl's faint sobbing made him freeze in place, unable to utter a single word.
"It wasn't him!!"
Ryosuke stepped in, his voice urgent.
"Wait! It wasn't him! The murderer was a demon! It was the evil demon that just turned to ash! He is the protector! 'That person' the girl mentioned just now was also the demon!"
"Get lost!"
The leader shoved Ryosuke aside, his eyes sweeping contemptuously over his face and the sword at his waist.
"Where did this wild brat come from? Stop spouting nonsense here! Demon? What demon! Would a protector end up looking like this? Would a protector let all those children die?!"
He pointed at the corpses on the floor and the still-weeping little girl.
" The evidence is irrefutable! If you dare to obstruct official business again, I'll arrest you too!"
Blood surged in Ryosuke's chest, a violent killing intent almost swallowing his reason.
These idiots!
The Demon Slayer Corps had rules, explicitly forbidding drawing swords against ordinary people or harming humans.
Just as Ryosuke was at the limit of his endurance, a soft sound rang out.
"Young man..."
Himejima squeezed out a faint smile and nodded to him. "Do not be impulsive on my account. Do not commit the sin of killing."
"..."
Ryosuke's chest heaved, his teeth grinding together, feeling powerless and helpless.
He watched helplessly as Himejima was dragged away by chains, stumbling forward.
That massive body was hunched over now, filled with unspeakable grievance and despair.
Just as Himejima Gyomei was about to be dragged out of the temple gate, Ryosuke used all his strength to roar.
"Big Monk! Lift your head up!"
"You were never a murderer!!"
"You were protecting them! You were fighting for humanity!!!"
Himejima's massive body shook violently.
He turned with difficulty. On his face, covered in blood and scars, a trace of a relieved smile appeared.
He couldn't see, but he heard it.
That voice pierced through the darkness and injustice.
Himejima pressed his palms together and bowed slightly towards Ryosuke, performing a monk's greeting.
"Thank you... young man."