Chapter 64: Shop

Tanjiro didn't know how he had cleaned up the corpse and buried it; when he came to, he was already lying before a row of graves.

From then on, Tanjiro's life seemed shrouded in a thin mist.

Thoughts of death had crossed his mind. But Nezuko's dying words kept echoing: "Survive."

From then on he began a life of aimless wandering, during which he encountered countless demons and slew countless demons; slaying demons seemed to become his sole purpose for living.

Time became blurred in his memory; the only thing clear was his constantly improving swordsmanship.

With the passage of time, Tanjiro's swordsmanship grew ever more refined.

The demons that once filled him with dread now crumbled in a single strike beneath his sword.

Each of his sword swings became smoother, each movement more natural, as if his swordsmanship had merged into his body.

……

"I haven't provoked you!"

Before a dilapidated wooden hut, a demon glared at him with angry eyes, its voice filled with anger and fear.

Tanjiro did not answer; his gaze was resolute as he gripped the blade in his hand.

"Mikazuki no Mai!"

His figure blurred instantly, moving so fast his actions were almost impossible to follow. Sword light flashed, tracing several graceful arcs in the air, as if three new moons appeared simultaneously.

With several soft "puchi" sounds, the demon had no time to react before its body was hacked into several pieces. It widened its eyes, staring in disbelief at its scattered body parts on the ground.

This sword technique, which should have required the Shadow Clone Technique to execute, was now performed perfectly by him with his proficient swordsmanship, though the effect was slightly inferior.

After dealing with the demon outside, Tanjiro turned and walked toward the wooden hut behind him.

He had just stepped over the threshold when a black shadow suddenly lunged at him from the darkness.

A cold gleam flashed as a blade thrust straight toward his chest.

Tanjiro was quick-eyed and quick-handed, immediately raising his blade to block. With a "clang," the two blades collided, sending sparks flying.

Taking advantage of that instant's light, he saw the assailant's face—a boy full of terror.

Though young, the boy gripped the hilt tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand, clearly using all his strength.

Tanjiro's gaze swept past the boy to see a little girl curled up trembling in the corner of the room. She clutched her knees, her eyes full of tears and fear.

Tanjiro lowered his blade, stepped back, and his tone softened: "Don't be afraid; I won't hurt you."

The boy still watched Tanjiro warily, the blade in his hand trembling slightly. He gritted his teeth, his voice shaking: "You you killed my father!"

Tanjiro's heart sank. He slowly squatted down to meet the boy's eyes. "The demon outside... is your father?"

"My father became a demon for us!" the boy shouted, his voice choked with sobs. "We were about to starve to death; he said only by becoming a demon could he save us."

"I understand your pain," Tanjiro said softly, "but after becoming a demon, one is no longer human. Your father might harm more innocent people."

"What do you know! My father just wanted to protect us!" the boy's voice trembled: "Someday I will become stronger. Then I will definitely avenge my father!"

Looking at the boy before him, Tanjiro's heart stirred; he suddenly stepped forward and opened his arms to hug him tightly.

The boy was stunned by this sudden action, his body instantly stiffening. His hand still held the blade, but he had forgotten to swing it.

"I understand your feelings," Tanjiro said with a choked voice: "I have also lost my family. That pain, that anger—I have experienced them all."

The boy's struggles gradually ceased, and his body began to tremble slightly. After a moment, a stifled sob came from within Tanjiro's embrace.

Afterward, Tanjiro slowly stood up, took a deep breath, and looked at the two siblings before him with a resolute gaze.

"If you truly want revenge," Tanjiro's voice was calm, "then come find me."

As his words fell, the surrounding scenery suddenly twisted and dissipated.

He abruptly opened his eyes to find himself sitting in his familiar room.

Before him, Madara Uchiha's weathered face was watching him.

In an instant, memories surged in like a tide. Everything he had just experienced—the deaths of his family, wandering, slaying demons—seemed like nothing more than a dream. Tanjiro felt a wave of dizziness; memories in his mind churned chaotically, and he could no longer tell which side was reality.

"Mr. Madara..." he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of confusion.

"That was an illusion I created."

"An illusion?" Tanjiro subconsciously repeated the word, his brow slightly furrowed.

Madara gave him no time to think, immediately asking: "Why didn't you cut the grass and remove the roots?"

Tanjiro was slightly stunned, then said firmly: "Because they are innocent."

"I cannot take their lives because of their father's mistake. If I did that, how would I be any different from a demon?"

"Naive!" Madara said lightly, though without much blame.

The next second, Madara's voice suddenly became serious: "Use what I taught you well to protect your family."

As his words fell, Madara's figure dissipated like a phantom, vanishing instantly from before Tanjiro's eyes.

"Mr. Madara!" Tanjiro blurted out, but received no response.

Meanwhile, at the door of Tanjiro's home, a youth with a blade at his waist and an expressionless face knocked on the door. "Hah..."

Madara Uchiha slowly opened his eyes; before him hung a huge light sphere, floating silently.

Suddenly, a vast amount of information surged into his mind like a tide. Madara frowned slightly, striving to digest this sudden message.

"Is this the Main God Space?" Madara Uchiha walked into the light sphere.

The next second, a virtual screen appeared before him.

【World: Demon Slayer】

【Type: Fantasy】

【Level: Third Stage】

【Mission Evaluation A+】

Main Mission Completed: 【Protect Tanjiro's family's safety】: 1000 Reward Points. Side Quest Completed: 【Greatly Alter the World's Child's Fate】: 4000 Reward Points. "Heh," Madara chuckled softly, a flicker of realization in his eyes. "World's Child, one favored by the world? As I thought." His tone carried a barely perceptible interest.

He fell silent for a moment, silently thinking to himself: "Then, does such an existence also exist in my world? What role do I play in his fate?"

Next second, Madara's gaze once again focused on the Light Sphere before him.

He extended his hand, Fingertip lightly touching the Light Sphere's surface. Instant, the shop interface Expanded before his eyes.

However, the options reflected in his view were unexpectedly scarce.

Madara's gaze swiftly swept across: 【Demon King Muzan Bloodline】, 【Sun Breathing】, 【Olfactory Enhancement】. Only a sparse few Exchange options.

Madara Uchiha casually tapped open 【Demon King Muzan Bloodline】

【Demon King Bloodline】

【Grade: Three-Star】

【Origin: Demon Slayer】

【Introduction: Demon Slayer world Demon progenitor Bloodline, source of all Demons】

【Effect: After use will gain immortality and extremely strong Regeneration, complete mimicry ability can freely change body, able to share blood with others to create Demons, and able to control, read created Demons' thoughts.

Weakness: Fears Sunlight】

【Note: After using Blue Spider Lily Weakness will be Eliminated】

【Exchange Points: 25000】

(Chapter End)