Tokito Muichiro, who was holding his sword and rushing straight toward Mizuki, had the same reaction as him.
He saw Mizuki's change clearly. Just as a sense of danger rose in his heart and he prepared to retreat, the intense Fighting Spirit bursting forth from Mizuki pinned him to the spot.
Merely an aura... is this the gap?
He didn't have time to think too much, because Mizuki was already swinging her sword toward his neck.
Tokito Muichiro adjusted his breathing without changing his expression. No, it's too late... The back of Mizuki's swinging blade suddenly turned midway, and the sharply gleaming edge rushed straight toward Muichiro's neck.
Tokito Muichiro's pupils sharply contracted, the hairs on his body stood on end, and his neck felt a stinging pain.
His arms trembled slightly; his body, gradually regaining control due to the sense of danger, was about to break free from the restraint.
But Mizuki's sword was still a fraction faster.
I can't make it... "Tokito-kun!" Tanjirou burst in from the side, deflecting Mizuki's blade.
Mizuki retreated with the momentum, her eyelids slightly lowered as she scrutinized Tokito Muichiro.
As expected, he has talent.
Even if an ordinary person knew it was training, they couldn't possibly remain calm in that situation. The resistance to danger ingrained in biological instinct would cause them to subconsciously feel nervous.
But Muichiro showed no change throughout the entire process; even his heartbeat didn't accelerate.
In this state, he wouldn't be able to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark, so Mizuki gave him a slight scare within her controllable range.
The effect was good. When she turned the blade, Tokito Muichiro's heart suddenly stopped for an instant, and then began beating violently, not calming down even now.
This child might have more trouble awakening the Demon Slayer Mark than others.
Mizuki couldn't help but think this.
Because she could only simulate the feeling of being caught between life and death for everyone, but couldn't actually put them in a life-or-death situation.
Muichiro, saved by Tanjirou, turned his head to look at Tanjirou, his mouth slightly open as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he only turned back and reassumed his stance.
Tanjirou paid no mind, thinking with a somewhat heavy heart.
Sure enough, that monster... has a stronger sense of oppression.
By now, he could already adapt to Miss Mizuki's aura, but the posture of that monster made him tremble just by recalling it.
Miss Mizuki... at that time, she couldn't say I would die... Tanjirou clenched his jaw lightly. He was useless, he hadn't helped at all.
Compared to the tense atmosphere here, Shinazugawa Genya, who was far away, was cursing inwardly.
Damn it! Damn it!
They could all move, but only he was scared stiff and trembling by that gaze.
This is truly humiliating.
For someone with extremely strong self-esteem, this behavior was more painful than being killed.
"Aaaah! Damn it!!!"
Shinazugawa Genya suddenly screamed, instantly drawing the attention of everyone except Muichiro.
Shinazugawa Genya, who already had a ferocious appearance, suddenly had blackened whites in his eyes, his pupils appeared as small golden dots, and sharp teeth grew out, clearly taking on the appearance of a fierce demon.
"A Demon!!!" Gin-ko and Kotetsu, who had just been fighting, instantly hugged each other.
A trace of surprise flashed in Mizuki's eyes. Can this state of Demonization be used during the day?
As expected, it wasn't true Demonization, but merely something similar to it.
Furthermore, the enhancement wasn't significant.
Is it because he didn't devour a demon in time?
This state is extremely unstable.
Shinazugawa Genya, relying on the increase in ability after Demonization, barely managed to move, panting heavily.
Gin-ko tilted her head: "What is that guy doing? He was just standing there spacing out."
Kotetsu: "I don't know~"
Veins popped on Genya's forehead. Damn it!!
Kochou Shinobu smiled slightly. How impressive. By locking her Fighting Spirit only onto the target, even the Kasugai Crow, an animal sensitive to danger, didn't notice it.
This shows that Mizuki's ability to conceal her aura has reached an extremely high level.
After breaking free from the restraint, Shinazugawa Genya grabbed his Iron Sword and charged forward, looking determined to wash away his humiliation.
Compared to the proper Sword Forms of the others, Genya's sword moves could only be described as a mess. He wasn't quite like a novice who had never held a sword, but he wasn't much better.
He only relied on brute force for random hacking and slashing, abbreviated as—Xia Ji Ba Kan.
Those wide, sweeping sword moves were far too easy to predict. They didn't even bother Mizuki, posing absolutely no threat, just reckless charging.
However, the moment Mizuki was distracted by the others, the sound of machinery colliding rang out behind her.
Mizuki looked back and saw a Firearm held in Genya's hand.
Bang!!
A tongue of flame shot out, and a specially manufactured bullet was successfully fired.
Mizuki slightly turned her body, and the bullet flew past her cheek.
Although it felt like a dishonorable tactic, it wasn't enough to face her; the speed was too slow.
"Tch~" Genya clicked his tongue in displeasure and started reloading.
Mizuki was speechless. This guy... reloading right in front of her? Doesn't he know that archers are a type of unit that can only deal damage from the back?
Hmm? What did that phrase mean?
Mizuki had originally intended to strike him, but suddenly noticed the saliva secreted from his mouth.
Clearly, the object of his impulse wasn't her.
Mizuki frowned. Does this guy... also have the desire to eat people?
It's just that the degree of Demonization isn't deep, so he can control himself.
If that's the case, the more demons this guy eats, will his body reach a point where he can't revert back?
This state is both a help and a source of danger for him personally.
"Tanjirou! Help me!!" At this moment, Shinazugawa Genya shouted loudly.
The two exchanged a look, and Tanjirou nodded slightly.
Mizuki: Have these two gotten along this well already?
Tanjirou's offense became sharper. Correspondingly, Mizuki unceremoniously drew several bloody marks on him.
Was he using this suicidal fighting style to attract her attention?
But the difference in strength was too vast; it wouldn't work.
Mizuki pressed her sword against the back of Tanjirou's blade and, without turning her head, flung her scabbard behind her.
Shinazugawa Genya opened his mouth wide and charged straight forward, his teeth dripping with saliva aiming for Mizuki's arm.
So that's what he meant.
But it's a bit disgusting.
Mizuki indicated she could not accept this, and flung a scabbard at his face, sending Genya flying with a distorted cheek.
Compared to the others, this brat could be treated a little more violently.
Demonization allows him to inherit some of a demon's regenerative abilities. Although it can't compare to the entity he devoured, it's far beyond what a human is capable of, even allowing for limb regeneration.
Aside from the speed of recovery, there isn't much difference compared to a demon.
"Now's the time!!" Genya, who was flying backward, shouted.
While Mizuki was distracted, she was already completely surrounded by the group.
"Sun Breathing..."
"Thunder Breathing..."
"Mist Breathing..."
"Beast Breathing..."
Mizuki was slightly stunned.
Huh?
This situation looks a little off.
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