Chapter 240: Demonization

"Tch."

Dio clicked his tongue, his right foot suddenly exerting force. The ground instantly cracked and shattered, his whole body shooting upward like an arrow released from a bow.

Standing on the ruins, his sharp gaze swept across the surroundings.

But there was nothing. No bloodstains, no footprints, not even a trace of fluctuation could be sensed in the air.

This wasn't right. With Tanjiro's injuries that severe, it was impossible for him to leave without a sound.

Not far directly below Dio, Tanjiro held his breath, not moving a muscle.

A talisman emitting a faint light was pasted on his chest — that was Yushiro's Blood Demon Art talisman.

The power of "Concealment" completely masked his existence; even Dio could not detect him.

A calico cat crouched silently beside Tanjiro, its golden eyes vigilantly watching above. Its tail swayed gently, yet it made not a single sound.

Dio sneered: "Hiding, are we?"

The golden World instantly manifested behind Dio, the Stand's fists bombarding the surrounding ruins like a torrential rain.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Amidst the dull roars, rubble flew. Every punch precisely struck a location where someone might hide.

Suddenly a piece of rubble grazed past Tanjiro's cheek. The wind pressure lifted his hair; cold sweat slid down his cheek.

Dio stood amidst the ruins scanning the surroundings, his gaze brushing past every shadow.

After a moment, he recalled his Stand: "Doesn't matter if I can't find him. A mere Tanjiro can no longer impact my plan."

He turned toward the three corpses on the ground. Dio raised his right hand; his blood vessels suddenly swelled, bursting out from within his body like living things.

Dense blood vessels split in midair, turning into countless fine branches.

The blood vessels wriggled and extended toward the three bodies; Dio's blood invaded their bodies, infusing new vitality.

"Rise, my servants!"

A moment later, Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Obanai Iguro opened their eyes.

"Master." The three knelt on the ground, heads bowed in salute.

Dio looked around: "With the Demon Slayer Corps' power, plus my Stand ability, it's enough to deal with Muzan."

What needs considering now is how to find Muzan. If the other party keeps hiding in that so-called Infinity Castle, then wouldn't my Task never be finished?

"Let's go."

After thinking for a moment, Dio turned and left; the other Hashira and Corpse Puppets followed close behind.

Once Dio's footsteps completely faded, from a crack at the other end of the deep pit, Tanjiro finally could no longer hold on and slowly slid to the ground.

Excessive blood loss made his consciousness begin to blur; chill spread from his limbs to his whole body, yet he still clung tightly to his Nichirin Blade, knuckles white from the force.

And beside him, a cat stuck out its pink tongue, gently licking Tanjiro's blood-stained cheek.

"Tch, what a hassle."

Soon an impatient voice rang out from the darkness, and a figure appeared.

He crouched down, examining Tanjiro's injuries. "Injured this badly — isn't it because Lady Tamayo specifically ordered to save you?"

The figure took a cloth bag from his bosom, sprinkling special medicinal powder; the powder landed on the wounds, emitting a faint sizzling sound.

Then he carefully carried Tanjiro on his back, ensuring the wounds wouldn't suffer secondary damage, and left swiftly.

Before long, Tanjiro's consciousness vaguely felt himself placed on a soft bed. Rustling footsteps and the light clatter of instruments came from the surroundings.

"Injured too severely; ordinary treatment won't make it in time." A gentle voice came from afar.

"Lady Tamayo! You wouldn't be planning to—"

"There is no other way. Only by using that Method can his life be saved."

"But the risk is too great! What if—"

"There is no time to hesitate anymore."

…………

Soon, Tanjiro's consciousness began to blur, plunging into a strange Dream.

He saw his familiar home; under warm yellow lamplight, the family sat around the dining table.

Mother gently served rice to everyone; Hanako cheerfully picked dishes for the younger siblings; Nezuko was playing around with the little sister.

The scene suddenly twisted. The warm lamplight turned into glaring blood-red; Mother and the younger siblings' figures collapsed one after another, blood spreading across the wooden Floor.

"No!"

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro rushed forward, embracing his sister. "Why did it become like this!"

But the next moment, an irrepressible hunger surged from his stomach; his throat ached with dryness; his nose was filled with the enticing scent of blood.

Tanjiro froze; he slowly turned his head, seeing his reflection in a shattered mirror.

It was a ferocious face — blood-red eyes, sharp fangs, skin with veins bulging blue.

He had turned into the existence he hated most — a Demon.

"No!"

Tanjiro jerked awake, gasping heavily, cold sweat soaking his collar.

He looked around and found himself lying in a room without windows. The dim yellow light of an oil lamp jumped on the walls, illuminating the simple furnishings.

Tanjiro lifted his clothes; the previous abdominal wound had completely healed, not even a scar left behind.

He remembered clearly that he had been severely wounded by Dio, his internal organs smashed to pieces.

He found the clothes set to one side, put them on, pushed open the Door, and walked out. Yushiro was standing in the Corridor, holding a vial of potion.

"Mr. Yushiro!" Seeing the familiar figure, Tanjiro's steps faltered. "Was it you who saved me?"

Yushiro stopped, turned his head, and glared fiercely at Tanjiro; before Tanjiro could speak, Yushiro had already turned and strode away.

"Wait." Tanjiro still wanted to ask, when a familiar figure appeared at the end of the Corridor.

"Miss Tamayo!" Tanjiro cried out in alarm.

At this moment Tamayo's complexion was even paler than usual, her lips having lost all color. She leaned against the wall, her steps somewhat unsteady.

"Miss Tamayo, you..." Tanjiro's words were not yet finished when Yushiro interrupted.

"If it weren't for saving you, how would Lady Tamayo have become like this!" Yushiro shouted in anger, fists clenched tight, his whole body trembling: "Do you know what price Lady Tamayo paid to heal your wounds!"

"Do you know what price Lady Tamayo paid to heal your wounds!"

Tanjiro froze in place, his gaze toward Tamayo filled with shock and self-reproach.

"Yushiro." Tamayo gently raised a hand, signaling him to stop speaking. She looked at Tanjiro, forcing out a smile, "No need to worry, I am merely a bit weak; a few days' rest will do."

"Your injuries were too severe; ordinary treatment could no longer save you. I merely used some special methods."

"Special methods." Tanjiro silently repeated these words, the nightmare from just now flashing through his mind.

That craving for fresh blood, those ferocious fangs, those blood-red eyes. He abruptly lifted his head.

"Could it be..." He trembled as he stretched out a hand, clutching his own chest.

His heart beat at an abnormally slow rhythm in his chest cavity, and the blood vessels beneath his skin were more prominent than before.

At this moment Tanjiro rushed into the room and looked at the mirror.

"No." Tanjiro looked at himself in the mirror, eyes widening in shock. Those eyes he knew all too well — they were the eyes of a Demon.

He staggered back two steps until his back pressed against the wall, then stopped; his legs could no longer support him, and he slowly slid down the wall to sit on the floor.

At this moment Tamayo appeared at the doorway, Yushiro following behind her.

"I know this is hard for you to accept." Tamayo crouched down, gently taking Tanjiro's hand: "But please believe me, you are still you. No matter what you become, your heart will never change."

At this moment Yushiro watched from behind Tamayo holding Tanjiro's hand, gritting his teeth.

Tamayo continued to explain: "I used a portion of the blood Dio left behind, mixed it with my own blood, and that is what let you survive."

"Dio's blood?" Tanjiro froze.

"Yes." Tamayo nodded, "Dio's cells possess astonishing vitality and Regeneration. I combined them with my blood, creating a special transformation method."

Yushiro interjected from behind: "Lady Tamayo expended a tremendous amount of energy to complete this experiment. The current you will neither be controlled by Muzan like an ordinary Demon, nor be dominated by Dio's will."

"Moreover." Tamayo paused, "The power brought by this method will Far Exceed that of ordinary humans. Your physical constitution, reaction speed, and recovery ability will all be greatly enhanced."

At this moment Tanjiro clenched his fists; he could feel unprecedented power surging within his body, every cell seemingly filled with explosive energy.

"I can prepare some medicine to suppress your bloodthirsty urges." Tamayo continued, her tone carrying worry, "But doing so would weaken the power you have gained."

"Not needed." Tanjiro suddenly lifted his head, his gaze becoming Determined.

"What?" Yushiro frowned at Tanjiro, "Do you know how great the danger of losing control is?"

"Miss Tamayo has already paid too much for me." Tanjiro stood up, "Right now the most important thing is to stop Dio and Muzan; since this power can help me Achieve my goal, then let me continue maintaining this state."

At this moment Tamayo took a small vial from her sleeve, filled with a dark red liquid; Tamayo held the vial before Tanjiro, the blood inside Emitting an eerie aura.

"This is the blood Dio left behind."

Tamayo explained, "I will continue researching the properties of his blood, trying to find a way to deal with him."

"Many thanks, Miss Tamayo." Tanjiro bowed deeply, "Without your help, I might already have..."

Just At This Moment, his throat suddenly suffered a wave of scorching thirst. It was the craving for fresh blood; Tanjiro took a Deep Breath, forcing himself to Calm down.

Seeing this, Tamayo immediately stepped forward to support him: "The current you needs rest. The new power requires time to adapt; stay here for these few days, and we will speak again once you have fully mastered the power."

……………………

Meanwhile, inside a certain Imperial Villa.

Dio stood in the center of the Main Hall; below him was a dense crowd, all of them high-ranking officials who had been transformed into Corpse Puppets.

"Have you found that specimen?" Dio stood before the window, his gaze sweeping over the crowd kneeling on the ground.

He raised his hand, and a man beside him produced a drawing depicting a Blue Spider Lily.

"Master, we have already dispatched people to search for the Blue Spider Lily throughout the country." A man spoke with a trembling voice, "However..."

"However what?" Dio turned around, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.

"This flower is far too rare, and moreover..."

"Trash!" Dio kicked the man before him flying, "I don't care what methods you use — find it! Mobilize all personnel, turn all of Japan upside down!"

He turned to the others: "Remember, the moment you find the Blue Spider Lily, burn it immediately, leaving only one intact blossom to bring back. If anyone is discovered hoarding it..."

The corner of Dio's mouth curled into a cruel smile: "Exterminate nine clans!"

"Yes, Master!" Everyone answered in unison.

Dio sneered inwardly; although he did not know why Muzan was searching for this flower, he would absolutely not let him Achieve his objective.

Since that is the case, I will cut off his hope.

(Chapter End)