Sakonji watched Mr. Allen guide Tanjiro, his expression beneath his mask gradually becoming complex.
He cleared his throat, interrupting the lesson: "It's getting late. We should continue on our way."
Tanjiro snapped back to attention and quickly hoisted the bamboo basket containing Nezuko onto his back: "Yes, Mr. Sakonji!"
The three continued along the mountain path. Allen walked at the back, occasionally looking up to observe the surrounding terrain.
His steps were incredibly light, as if his entire being had merged with the atmosphere of the mountain forest... The dim golden light draped over Allen and the two others. After a day of travel, they finally arrived at a small wooden cabin before the sun set.
"Hmph—! Ha—! Hmph—! Ha—!" Tanjiro panted heavily, his hands on the ground.
"This... this, this way."
"Can I be acknowledged?" He looked up at Sakonji.
"The test is just beginning. Go up the mountain." The other person pulled off the white headscarf he was wearing and pushed open the wooden door.
"Ugh—!!!" Tanjiro was aghast; becoming a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman was truly difficult.
He walked into the wooden cabin, took Nezuko out of the bamboo basket, and placed her on the bed.
"I will take responsibility for looking after your sister. Prepare to go up the mountain," Sakonji said slowly.
"I beg you." Tanjiro's face showed the sadness of being separated from his sister, Nezuko...
"This is Mt. Sagiri," Sakonji introduced, pointing to the mist-shrouded peak before Allen and Tanjiro.
"What a boring test," Allen muttered to himself, but out of politeness, he didn't say it aloud.
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! So tired, my legs are giving out, and my head is starting to spin." Tanjiro felt heavy-hearted. Could he really pass the test successfully?
After walking for about an hour on Mt. Sagiri, Sakonji suddenly stopped. He turned to look at Allen and Tanjiro.
"From here to the house at the foot of the mountain, Tanjiro, I won't wait for you too long this time. You must be back home before dawn." A thick fog blew past, and Sakonji's figure disappeared from their sight.
Tanjiro stood frozen. Sakonji's figure was no longer visible in the mist. He turned to look at Allen, a pleading look in his eyes.
"Mr. Allen, I..."
"Go," Allen said calmly.
"This is your test."
Tanjiro took a deep breath, clenching his fists: "I understand!"
He turned and rushed into the thick fog, quickly disappearing from Allen's sight. Allen stood in place, feeling the mountain mist brush against his face. He wasn't worried about Tanjiro; the young man possessed an extraordinary sense of smell and a resilient will.
Allen slowly closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing. He tried to combine Water Breathing with his Psychokinesis, seeking new possibilities.
With each breath, the surrounding mist seemed to flow with his rhythm.
"Interesting."
Allen opened his eyes and found that the mist had formed a small vortex around him. He extended his hand, and the mist, like a living thing, twined around his fingertips.
Just then, Tanjiro's terrified cry came from a distance. Allen frowned slightly, and his figure flickered, disappearing from where he stood.
When he reappeared, he was standing on a tall cedar tree.
Below, Tanjiro was trapped in a huge pit.
"I see, there are mechanisms, so that's what it is!" Tanjiro used his hands and feet to painstakingly climb out of the deep pit.
No sooner had he climbed out of the pit than he triggered another trap. A log, accompanied by the sound of rushing wind, swung towards Tanjiro.
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, he was knocked to the ground.
"This is bad, bad, bad! If I keep falling into traps like this, I won't make it down the mountain before dawn!"
"And this mountain, this mountain... the air is so thin!" Tanjiro gasped for fresh air.
"It's much thinner than the mountain I live on! That's why breathing is so difficult, and I'm feeling dizzy." He clutched his chest.
Tanjiro tried hard to regulate his breathing, following the method Allen taught him to sink his breath into his lower abdomen.
The thin air made every breath exceptionally difficult, but he didn't give up, continuing to grope his way forward in the mist.
Allen stood on a treetop, silently watching Tanjiro's every move. He had completely concealed his presence, as if he had become one with the mountain forest.
"I must go back!" He took a step towards the foot of the mountain, then immediately stopped. Without a doubt, there should be another trap ahead.
Tanjiro adjusted his breathing, trying to discern the scent of traps. His nose twitched slightly, catching the smell of traps in the thick fog.
"Caught it!" Tanjiro opened his eyes and sprinted down the mountain. Countless logs flew at him, but he dodged them one by one.
Allen followed silently from a short distance, watching Tanjiro narrowly avoid traps repeatedly. The young man's progress speed surprised him; from his initial clumsiness to his current agile responses, it had taken less than an hour.
"What an interesting ability." His lips curved slightly. If there were a human-shaped sandbag like Muzan, a year would be enough for Allen to acquire most, if not all, of the abilities he desired.
"It seems I don't need to intervene," he murmured to himself, then turned and disappeared into the mist. Allen decided to return to the cabin and wait for Tanjiro.
The sky gradually brightened, and Tanjiro finally returned. He knelt on the ground, panting, his clothes soaked with sweat. Looking up, Sakonji stood on a large boulder, the moonlight casting a silver edge around him.
Allen returned to the small cabin at the foot of the mountain. A small fire was burning on the floor inside, cooking something unknown.
Sakonji, who was kneeling beside Nezuko, looked up when he heard movement outside the door.
Allen pushed the door open, still carrying the chill of the mountain air.
"Where is Tanjiro?" Sakonji asked, his voice muffled by the Tengu mask.
"Still on the mountain." Allen walked to the fire and sat down.
"He learns very quickly; he can already avoid most of the traps."
Sakonji nodded. He picked up a wooden stick and poked at the firewood in the fire, sparks crackling.
Nezuko turned over in bed. Allen could hear her steady breathing. For a demon, this state was too peaceful.
"Aren't you going to help him?" Sakonji suddenly asked, his voice tinged with inquiry.
"This is his own trial." Allen shrugged.
Sakonji's gaze shifted to Nezuko. After a moment of silence, he said, "That girl is very special. Do you know something?"
"Yes, she'll probably be able to move around in the sun after a while, and she can replace eating humans with sleep. This is the effect of the blue spider lily that Muzan has been secretly searching for," Allen interjected.
"Muzan is an imperfect being." His deep, dark eyes stared directly at Sakonji.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"