Three levels.
In that split duel, I had gained three levels in a row.
[Name: Hitoku (Cyclop) | Lv. 38 Demon (15 / 80 EXP)
HP: 780 / 780 (Reg: 6.8/s)
Stats:
Strength: 42 (↑3) | Agility: 46 (↑3) | Dexterity: 45 (+15) (↑3)
Vitality: 48 (+30) (↑3) | Perception: 138 (↑9)
Perk: Demon Curse (+30 Vitality, 1% HP Reg.)
Blood Demon Art: Path of the Perceiving Eye (+3 Perception every level)
Breath Style: Breath of the Crow
First Form: Sharp Feather Draw (13) (Beginner)
Second Form: Murder's Fleet-Step (18) (Beginner)
Third Form: Shifting Flock Barrage (22) (Beginner)
Fourth Form: Omen's Illusive Guard (16) (Beginner)
Fifth Form: Black Wing Omen (24) (Beginner)
Item:Blood-Soaked Brotherhood Bandages (+5 Dexterity, Minor Fear ailment) [Uncommon], White Crow School Nichirin (+10 Dexterity) [Rare]]
In terms of physical attributes alone, I could be considered decent. Most demon slayers would have a hard time fighting me.
Demons were, after all, much stronger than humans on average. Their vitality was much higher, and their regeneration made them much tougher. Unless the demon slayer was much stronger and much more experienced, the demon would win.
Yet, they were being hunted.
Numbers, environment, breathing techniques...All of these played a role in the success of the demon slayer corps over the years.
Demons could not reproduce easily, unlike humans, and the demon slayer corps were using numbers to thin out demons just like that.
This is why demons usually hid, trying to grow stronger on human blood. Blood from a single demon slayer of Kanoe rank had allowed me to gain three whole levels. Had I been a human, it would have taken months to reach the same growth. Perhaps that was my greatest perk.
I looked at my new blade with interest. It was white like snow, yet its hilt's back was pitch black. The single kanji 'Crow' was engraved in the blade, a profound reminder of who the blade belonged too. It was not short, but could not be considered very long either. It was well balanced, and more importantly, very sharp.
Nichirin Blade.
There were few demons who could wield demon slayer techniques, much less all forms of them. I had extended the fight against Genji for a specific reason. I wanted to learn all of it, extract all the knowledge and engrave it in my memories.
Why?
Because of Kokushibo, upper moon one.
He showed how powerful demons could be when they mastered a breathing technique.
It was year 1838. Not even the twentieth century. The upper moons remained unchanged, even as they fought against Hashira. The lower moons, however, were being cut down and replaced by Muzan.
"Soon, a seat will be mine", I mused, "And I shall get it as a Crow Breathing user"
My goal was simple.
Become a lower moon, then challenge an upper moon for his seat, and ultimately replace Muzan entirely.
I could not enter the demon corps. I had killed two of their members already, and I was bound to run into more. My blood made me their inherent enemy. I could try to fight my nature, try to find a peaceful way to join them, but it just did not suit me. There would always be some that would look at me with fear and disdain. And though I did not care about others' gaze, I certainly cared about my head staying on my shoulders.
At the same time, I could not exactly be a Muzan underling.
The man was a coward. One with infinite potential too...
He could conquer the world, but remained passive, searching for sunscreen when he could just live as a king of the night.
To become a lower moon, I first needed to understand Muzan's hierarchy.
The demon slayers' rank system looked straightforward enough. Although it was not absolute, Genji confirmed his theory.
Mizunoto: Novice. (Lv. 1-10)
Mizunoe: Apprentice. (Lv. 11-20)
Kanoto: Trained. (Lv. 21-30)
Kanoe: Seasoned. (Lv. 31-40)
Tsuchinoto: Veteran. (Lv. 41-50)
Tsuchinoe: Expert. (Lv. 51-60)
Hinoto: Elite. (Lv. 61-70)
Hinoe: Advanced Elite. (Lv. 71-80)
Kinoto: Peak elite. (Lv. 81-90)
Kinoe: Master. (Lv. 91-99)
Hashira: Pillar (Pinnacle). (Lv. 100+)
The Mizunoto he had killed was level 8.
Genji was a Kanoe of level 33.
Each demon slayer rank gave out a new 10s of level.
But demons did not have similar ranks. Lower moons were probably below level 100, and upper moons definitely above level 100. But without meeting one in person, it was difficult to confirm this theory.
Muzan would come to him when it would be time.
For now, he just needed to become stronger.