Chapter 9 — Hyōrinmaru, First Battle!
In Ken's vision, a golden lottery cylinder appeared, filled with multicolored beads.
[Advanced Lottery: Chance to obtain Captain-level Zanpakutō (Localized Version · Special Nichirin Blade), Advanced Kidō (Localized Version · Special Blood Demon Art), Zanpakutō Bankai, Zanpakutō Shikai… and other rewards.]
Ken glanced over the listed Advanced Lottery rewards. There didn't seem to be anything that could help him quickly grow stronger and get through the beginner phase.
"System, can you list out the rewards for the Intermediate and Basic Lotteries too?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a silver lottery cylinder and a bronze lottery cylinder appeared beside the golden one.
[Intermediate Lottery: Chance to obtain Seated Officer-level Zanpakutō (Localized Version · Special Nichirin Blade), Intermediate Kidō (Localized Version · Special Blood Demon Art), Zanpakutō Shikai… and other rewards.]
[Basic Lottery: Chance to obtain Squad Member-level Zanpakutō (Localized Version · Special Nichirin Blade), Low-level Kidō (Localized Version · Special Blood Demon Art), Zanjutsu–Hakuda–Hohō–Kidō starter pack… and other rewards.]
[Note: Higher-tier lotteries include all rewards from lower tiers.]
"So that means I could use an Advanced Lottery and still pull a Zanjutsu–Hakuda–Hohō–Kidō starter pack? Wouldn't that be a total loss?!"
"Here's the problem! Aside from the starter pack and low-level Kidō, all the higher-tier rewards are way too advanced for me right now! They're basically useless! What do I do?"
"System, can you split 1 Advanced Lottery draw into 9 Basic Lottery draws?"
[No.]
"Then can I combine Basic Lottery draws into an Advanced one?"
[Yes. But do you even have a mother?]
Ken: "..."
"Damn it, say that again! Just because I cursed at you a few times before, you're holding a grudge like this? What kind of trash service is that?!"
[Use 1 Advanced Lottery draw?]
"Playing dead now, huh?!"
[Use 1 Advanced Lottery draw?]
"You—!"
[Use 1 Advanced Lottery draw?]
"…Use it."
The golden lottery cylinder immediately began spinning wildly.
Click!
An ice-blue bead dropped from the cylinder and landed in the tray below.
[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining Zanpakutō: Hyōrin— Limited-Time Event: You may now split 1 Advanced Lottery draw into 9 Basic Lottery draws. Split?]
Ken: "..."
"You've got some nerve! Which shameless dog-system was playing dead just now? Suddenly awake again?"
[Limited-Time Event: 1 Advanced Lottery draw may now be split into 10 Basic Lottery draws. Split?]
"Heh." Ken sneered.
[Limited-Time Event: 1 Advanced Lottery draw may now be split into 12 Basic Lottery draws. Split?]
"Keep raising it. That's nothing." Ken wasn't in a hurry—because the system was clearly more anxious than he was!
[Limited-Time Event: 1 Advanced Lottery draw may now be split into 15 Basic Lottery draws. Split?]
"Wow, we're already at 1-for-15? Then of course I'm going to—"
"Hyōrinmaru!!!"
In an instant, all three lottery cylinders vanished.
Immediately afterward, a katana with a light-purple hilt, a four-pointed star-shaped tsuba, and a black scabbard fell into Ken's hand.
He let out a sigh and fastened Hyōrinmaru to the other side of his waist.
A happy kind of trouble!
When Tanjiro returned to the cave carrying firewood, he noticed the extra sword at Ken's waist—but didn't ask about it.
After the fire was lit, the two roasted some dried rations. During the meal, Tanjiro also let Nezuko out to move around a bit.
After eating, they went to sleep early. With the bonfire burning, it wasn't too cold inside the cave.
Before sleeping, Ken blocked the cave entrance with stones, leaving enough ventilation space, and took turns keeping watch with Tanjiro—better safe than sorry.
Early the next morning, they reheated some rations over the remaining embers and continued their journey.
"…If you want to reach Mount Sagiri, you'll have to cross that mountain ahead. But it's getting dark soon, and you're carrying such large luggage. Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"The mountains are dangerous at night!" a woman warned them.
"We'll be careful! Thank you for pointing us in the right direction!"
"You're welcome. But many people have mysteriously disappeared on that mountain before. Be careful not to lose your way."
After bidding the woman farewell, Ken and Tanjiro headed up the mountain.
As they walked, Tanjiro asked, "Brother Ken, are we really okay climbing at night? Weren't you the one who didn't like traveling at night before?"
"Relax, it'll be fine. Once we cross this mountain, we'll reach Mount Sagiri. I just want to meet that old man sooner—and become stronger faster!"
There's an experience pack waiting up there. Gotta kill it ASAP! I can't even sleep thinking about it!
"Don't you want that too?" Ken asked, turning back.
Tanjiro scratched his head. "I do want to get stronger as soon as possible… so I can avenge everyone."
The mountain forest at night was filled with rustling, eerie noises. Occasional distant wolf howls made the atmosphere even more unsettling.
As they walked, Ken suddenly regretted it. Should've come during the day…
With no other choice, he let Tanjiro take the lead while he held Nezuko's hand and followed behind.
Nezuko's little hand is so soft—wahaha~
At night, Tanjiro usually let Nezuko out to move around. Today was no exception. It also lightened Tanjiro's burden.
They walked for who knew how long. By the time the moon was high in the sky, casting silver light across the ground, the two humans and one demon spotted a building in the distance.
It was a small Buddhist hall, with lights still on inside.
"There's light in the hall. Someone should be inside. Let's go take a look," Tanjiro said, about to step forward when Ken stopped him.
"Wait, Tanjiro!"
"What's wrong, Brother Ken?"
"Don't be careless. Did you forget what we're most likely to encounter at night? They said many people have mysteriously disappeared on this mountain…"
"You mean—?" Tanjiro's face instantly paled.
"Better safe than sorry. If it's a person inside, that's best. But if it's a demon… then tonight, we'll be seeing blood."
Even Ken startled himself when he said the words "seeing blood."
Tanjiro swallowed hard as well.
"Let Nezuko take the front and lure the demon out. Then we'll ambush from the left and right."