Chapter 271: Has the Stone Hashira also become a player?

"Is this... an illusion?"

Shinobu Kocho did not notice at first, but two seconds later, her purple eyes were filled with astonishment.

"No, it's not an illusion. Is there power filling my body?"

It is difficult for ordinary people to perceive this slight increase in 【Life Recovery Speed】.

If it were the Flame Hashira or the Wind Hashira, they might just think it was the feeling of comfort after eating two extra bowls of rice this morning.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki could feel it clearly because he had been tormented by illness for years and was always at low health; thus, it was like a person who had suffered severe injuries experiencing accelerated recovery, allowing him to perceive it keenly.

As for Shinobu Kocho,

she was the one among the Pillars most skilled and proficient in pharmacology, often testing medicines on herself to develop many poisons and antidotes that could be effective when hunting demons.

Therefore, after a brief experience, she also sensed that continuous feeling of recovery.

"That's right, this is the power bestowed by a God."

Seeing the Novice Iron Sword being passed around in turns,

after one round, only the Wind Hashira had a faint feeling, while the other two Pillars felt nothing.

In particular, although the Flame Hashira shouted loudly, he gained nothing and even thought Shinobu Kocho was playing a joke on them and Oyakata-sama.

It is not their fault,

after all, the improvement brought by a novice weapon is very weak, and those with stronger physical constitutions like the Flame Hashira and the Sound Hashira find it harder to perceive such slight improvements.

The Wind Hashira was only able to perceive it because his body is special, due to having Rare Blood.

Shinobu Kocho asked excitedly: "Is this a technique developed by a new swordsmith?"

Among the Pillars,

her body is relatively weak, and she cannot directly decapitate a demon with a Nichirin Sword, so she can only rely on toxins and thrusting attacks to inflict damage.

If this Novice Short Sword is a masterpiece newly researched by some swordsmith,

then in the future,

if the technique matures and can strengthen this kind of physical amplification, perhaps it could compensate for the deficiency of her weak physical constitution.

This kind of brand-new sword-forging technique,

could indeed be called the power bestowed by a God.

The other Pillars, after hearing Shinobu Kocho's explanation, also stared at the Novice Iron Sword with solemn faces.

They were also very clear about the significance of this Novice Iron Sword.

The ability to accelerate the recovery of injuries could reduce casualties among the Swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps!

"There is no swordsmith."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head and said: "This Novice Iron Sword is equipment I obtained in a place called the Samsara Game after responding to an Invitation Letter."

A weapon like this,

is just the lowest-level equipment in the game, yet it already possesses this level of ability.

If those stronger pieces of equipment could be used to arm the children of the Demon Slayer Corps to the teeth, even if all the Upper Rank demons and the Demon King gathered together, they would be decapitated, right?

His gentle and clear voice slowly narrated what he had experienced in the Samsara Game.

This sudden change was something even the Flame Hashira, who had a cheerful personality and was slightly thick-skinned, could not accept.

We could only think of new sword-forging techniques,

but Oyakata-sama, you just blurted out 【Samsara Game】—who could digest that in such a short time?

Just at this moment,

a tall figure ran in from outside the courtyard.

After sensing the other Pillars in the courtyard, he first paused, then put his hands together, bowed respectfully toward Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and said: "It has been a long time. I sincerely pray for you, Oyakata-sama, and wish that the light of your life may burn even more brightly."

The person who arrived was the Stone Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Gyomei Himejima.

A Swordsman who has mastered Stone Breathing, he is the oldest, has the best physical constitution, and is also recognized as the strongest Swordsman of the modern era.

"Is it Gyomei?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was slightly surprised, not expecting that even the Stone Hashira would rush over.

If he remembered correctly,

the Stone Hashira should have been in a relatively distant town, handling a mission involving a man-eating demon.

To be able to rush over, he must have set off last night.

"Oyakata-sama, I traveled by train overnight to return and report some strange matters to you."

Gyomei Himejima had not received any message from Ubuyashiki Kiriya,

but had returned on his own initiative.

Under normal circumstances, without a Hashira Meeting, the Nine Pillars spend most of their time in various towns and do not return to the Demon Slayer Corps except for necessary supplies.

If they returned frequently, it would be very easy to expose the location of the Demon Slayer Corps, which has always been hidden.

Therefore, there is the 【Hashira Meeting】 held every six months.

But now, there is still some time before the Hashira Meeting.

The Stone Hashira was also puzzled as to why four Pillars had appeared at the Demon Slayer Corps; could it be the same situation as his own?

"Strange matters?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's heart stirred.

If one were to speak of the strangest matter, it would certainly be the Samsara Game he encountered; could it be that the Stone Hashira is the same as him?

He did not arrogantly believe that he was the only one who could receive this Invitation Letter.

Since it is an Invitation Letter,

the person invited would certainly not be just one individual.

"Oyakata-sama, please take a look."

Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima knelt on the ground and took a pitch-black Invitation Letter from his bosom.

This Invitation Letter,

was something that had suddenly appeared at his feet.

Having been blind for many years, the Stone Hashira could only vaguely perceive a hazy Shadow; everything relied on his hearing and the breathing of a Swordsman.

He should have simply ignored this black Invitation Letter,

but as it happened,

this Invitation Letter was like a lamp in the dark night, drawing his attention.

Upon picking up the Invitation Letter, that seductive text appeared in his mind, claiming it could grant any wish.

Feeling shocked and strange, the Stone Hashira hurried back to the Demon Slayer Corps to report this matter to Oyakata-sama.

"Gyomei Himejima, have you also received this Invitation Letter?"

Although Kagaya Ubuyashiki could see it, he was completely unable to touch it;

his fingers passed straight through.

This was an Invitation Letter exclusive to Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima, condensed from his own will.

Gyomei Himejima was stunned; it sounded as if Oyakata-sama already knew about the Invitation Letter, so he asked, "Could it be, Oyakata-sama, that you...?"

"That is correct."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was very happy that the Demon Slayer Corps could have one more player, and it was the Stone Hashira, who had the most solid foundation and the greatest strength.

He smiled and said, "I have already become a player of the Samsara Game. Rest assured, Gyomei Himejima, there is no danger at all, and for us, it is the strongest weapon to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji!"

With Oyakata-sama's words,

Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima used the Invitation Letter without the slightest hesitation, and his figure instantly vanished.

"He disappeared!"

The Flame Hashira stared blankly at the spot where Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima had vanished, looking just like a Maotouying.

If one were to say he could not perceive the special nature of the Novice Iron Sword,

then a person vanishing into thin air had truly shocked him to the core.

"Was the Gyomei Himejima from just now a transformation from a Blood Demon Art?"

Wind Hashira Shinazugawa Sanemi's mouth was wide open.

In the big city, he had seen those magicians who needed boxes and curtains to perform the trick of making a person vanish,

yet Gyomei Himejima had disappeared right before everyone's eyes?

Only those strange and peculiar Blood Demon Arts could explain the situation unfolding before them.

"Everyone, please wait patiently for a moment."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke gently, then placed a finger to his lips.

The Hashira immediately fell silent and began to wait in silence.

Two hours later,

when the Hashira had arrived, the sky was just beginning to brighten, but now it was midday.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's wife, Amane, thoughtfully prepared food for everyone, and just as the Flame Hashira was frantically devouring his meal,

the vanished Gyomei Himejima suddenly appeared.

Clang.

The Flame Hashira drew his Nichirin Sword directly; the sound of the Blade rubbing against the scabbard was extremely piercing.

The other Hashira were similarly on high alert,

and only after seeing the sunlight clearly spilling onto Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima did they sheath their swords.

As everyone knows,

demons are burned to death by the sun; although Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima was suspected of mastering a Blood Demon Art, he had not been burned to death, so the suspicion vanished.

"Oyakata-sama!"

"This humble monk simply cannot believe it; it is truly a miracle from God!"

Having returned to his original spot, Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together, tears streaming continuously from his unfocused eyes.

(End of chapter)