Chapter 75 First Encounter with Tanjiro
"So, next..."
Aoki grabbed the plank and threw it forcefully.
The plank spun rapidly down the mountain, about to plunge off the cliff, when a figure suddenly emerged from thin air and grabbed it.
Aoki hesitated for a moment, then threw the plank again.
After several experiments, he had a basic understanding of "Spatial Mark Travel."
First, the cost of "Spatial Mark Travel" was roughly equivalent to a short-distance "Spatial Travel," and this cost was constant, unaffected by distance.
Second, "Spatial Mark Travel" also had a startup time, basically the same as "Spatial Travel."
Finally, using "Spatial Mark Travel" did not affect the spatial mark itself.
In other words, as long as the spatial mark was not destroyed, it could be used indefinitely; it was not a consumable.
Within a short distance, the cost of "Spatial Mark Travel" and "Spatial Travel" was similar.
However, due to the limitations of the carrier, "Spatial Mark Travel" was inferior to "Spatial Travel" in both speed and agility.
In battle, the latter should be prioritized.
However, their functions were inherently different.
"Spatial teleportation" is equivalent to flashing, while "spatial mark teleportation" is equivalent to teleportation.
Each has its irreplaceable function.
"Next, it's time to verify my hypothesis!"
Aoki picked up a stone from the ground, flicked his wrist, and the wooden plank and the stone flew out one after the other, the latter's speed and power far exceeding the former.
Bang!
The two collided, the wooden plank shattered, and the silver runes dissipated.
Aoki's figure appeared beside him, a hint of joy in his eyes.
"Success!"
With the spatial mark destroyed, he immediately sensed the change and successfully completed the teleportation before the spatial mark completely collapsed.
This way, he could not only provide proactive support but also accept summons from others.
The effectiveness of "Spatial Imprint Travel" was greatly increased.
Of course,
he had to be careful not to be used by the enemy.
Looking at the wood chips on the ground, Aoki's face showed a pained expression.
This was the first spatial imprint he had successfully made after nearly two days and one night.
He had used several liters of blood alone.
"There's still time, let's make two more!"
Aoki picked up a wooden board, cut his finger, and got busy again.
As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning.
With the experience of the first success, things went much more smoothly afterward.
Before dawn, Aoki successfully made three spatial imprints.
He also spent some time practicing how to sense spatial imprints.
He threw the three spatial imprints in different places and then sensed and identified the coordinates from various directions.
After gradually becoming proficient at fixed coordinates, he also tried moving coordinates.
The specific method was to attach the spatial imprints to animals.
Overnight, many animals on Mount Kumotake were quite exhausted by him.
After the first rays of sunlight rose in the morning, Aoki put away the spatial imprints, put on his sun hat, and went to Tanjiro's house again.
...
Just as dawn broke, Tanjiro got up. Making
charcoal was hard work.
It involved chopping wood, cleaning the kiln, arranging the wood, sorting the charcoal, and so on.
Although he had received some unexpected income, he couldn't slack off.
"Brother!" Nezuko, still sleepy-eyed, came out of her room. "I'll help too."
Tanjiro smiled, "Nezuko can sleep a little longer, I can do it myself!"
"No need! I can help my brother while Rokuta is still asleep... Huh? Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko!" Nezuko's expression suddenly brightened with surprise.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko?"
Tanjiro, of course, hadn't forgotten the name and quickly turned to look.
A tall young man wearing a straw hat was slowly walking towards them.
Tanjiro subconsciously sniffed, a slight look of bewilderment on his face.
What a strange smell!
Unfamiliar, odd, heavy.
It was somewhat like the bears he had seen before.
More heavy, but not as dangerous.
In short, it didn't smell like a human at all.
Now he was certain he had never seen Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko before; otherwise, he wouldn't be completely unaware of such a strange smell.
Nezuko skipped over, looking up at Aoki with a clean, innocent smile, "You're here, Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko."
"Miss Nezuko!"
Aoki patted her head, looking ahead.
A boy with deep red hair and red eyes, and a scar on his left forehead, stood not far away, exuding a simple and gentle aura.
It was Tanjiro Kamado!
After being in this world for so long, he had finally met the protagonist of this era.
However, Tanjiro's protagonist was rather tragic.
His entire family was murdered, and Nezuko, the only survivor, only returned to human form after enduring countless hardships.
Tanjiro himself had also faced death multiple times, ultimately losing an eye and an arm, and was only allowed to live to the age of 25.
Of course,
most of the important figures in this world suffered greatly.
Strictly speaking, Tanjiro's situation was relatively better.
Tanjiro approached Aoki and bowed slightly: "Hello, Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, I am Tanjiro."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tanjiro!" Aoki said.
Tanjiro was a true gentle and kind protagonist.
Kind, gentle, honest, and understanding, somewhat like Kanae Kocho.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, please follow me!" Tanjiro said.
Although Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko's scent was strange, it had a friendly quality that made them feel at ease.
They entered the room and had just sat down when Kamado Aoi came out, carrying a package.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, please accept this."
Aoki didn't take it, and asked, "Madam, Tanjiro, may I ask about the Hinokami Kagura?"
Tanjiro quickly replied, "Of course, I'm very happy that Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko is willing to learn the Kagura dance. However, the Hinokami Kagura is very complicated."
Aoki said, "I will pay you extra during the learning period, so you don't need to worry about your livelihood."
"No, no, no!"
Tanjiro waved his hands repeatedly, "That's not what I meant, and Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko has already given more than enough."
Kamado Aoi placed the package on the table, "That's right, Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, we have already taken the due payment, please take the rest back!"
Aoki said, "Madam, Tanjiro, both the Hinokami Kagura and the Blue Spider Lily are far more precious than you imagine. This money is just a token of our appreciation; in fact, it is far less valuable than they are."
He turned to look at Tanjiro, a smile on his face, "I wasn't lying, was I?"
Tanjiro's eyes widened slightly; he indeed didn't smell a lie.
Aoki pushed the package back: "So, please accept it. I'd feel bad taking your things if you didn't take the money. I went to great lengths to find this place, Madam, you wouldn't want me to leave empty-handed, would you?"
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