Kiyokazu naturally knew the thing before him was a demon. However, given his current identity, he shouldn't "know" such things. If anyone were to ask later, he would have to weave more lies to cover his tracks; there was no need to invite unnecessary trouble.
Yamada Mura stared at Kiyokazu, his lizard-like eyes rolling slightly with a wet, squelching guji-guji sound. He didn't bother answering. He wasn't stupid enough to announce his identity as a demon to his prey. Even if the brat knew what he was, there was a high probability the boy wouldn't know the weakness—decapitation.
But what if? What if the brat had heard rumors? If there was even a one-percent chance of death, Yamada would not take the risk!
Yamada licked the residual blood from the corner of his mouth while analyzing Kiyokazu's strength. Human flesh and blood slid down his throat, transforming into pure energy that surged through his muscles. The demon was in no hurry. For a demon, the night was his home turf. He had infinite opportunities; as long as his neck remained intact, any other injury was irrelevant.
Kiyokazu didn't make a reckless move either. Yamada looked like a lizard covered in octopus suckers. His protruding eyeballs rotated independently, looking in two different directions at once. This lizard-like ocular structure allowed for panoramic vision and a powerful ability to adjust to light. In the dimness, a lizard's pupils would dilate to absorb every stray photon. This meant that in the dark, the demon had a significant visual advantage.
Kiyokazu glanced at the torch Kondo's men had dropped. Estimating the burn rate, he figured it would go out in a matter of minutes. Tonight's moon was neither gentle nor bright.
While Sun Breathing could theoretically enhance the eyes to achieve an effect similar to Flower Breathing, Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion Eye, Kiyokazu knew the technique and its risks, but his body wouldn't allow it. To pull off the Equinoctial Vermilion Eye, one needed immense lung capacity and cardiovascular strength. He was like a man who possessed the blueprints for a high-tech machine but lacked the industrial infrastructure to build it.
Therefore, he had to settle this before the torch died. He lacked a Nichirin Sword, but if he could dismember the demon, stalling until dawn would be enough!
Without further hesitation, Kiyokazu dropped into a low crouch. One hand gripped his dagger while the other snatched the torch from the ground. He hurled the torch forward, and simultaneously, he activated Sun Breathing, channeling all his strength into his legs.
With a series of sharp crack-pop sounds from his ankles, Kiyokazu's speed exploded to a new level. His form became a blur of motion, reaching the demon in less than a heartbeat.
Kiyokazu didn't aim for the neck. Instead, he lunged for the heart. He knew stabbing the heart was useless against a demon, but the strike was a deliberate feint to mislead his opponent.
Yamada Mura was initially startled by Kiyokazu's exaggerated speed, but when he saw the target was his heart, a smirk crept across his face.
As I thought, this brat has no idea what a demon's weakness is!
Though the boy's strength exceeded his expectations, Yamada knew he held a massive advantage thanks to this information gap.
Should I go for a kill in one hit? Yamada wondered. No, I can't. The brat is too fast, and that thrust to my heart isn't a 'do-or-die' move. If I counter too obviously, he'll just dodge.
In that case... I'll play along with his plan and keep misleading him!
Yamada's mind raced, formulating a counter-strategy in an instant. He feigned a desperate fear for his heart, thrusting his arms forward to intercept the blade.
Watching Yamada's reaction, a glint of understanding flashed in Kiyokazu's eyes. He guessed exactly what the demon was trying to do. If that's the case, fine. I'll take your limbs apart bit by bit.
He decisively altered his trajectory. Mid-lunge, his wrist flicked, turning the thrust into a horizontal slash. Accompanied by a faint, dark-red glow on the blade, Yamada's arm was severed cleanly.
Yamada responded with a sneer. He ignored the lost limb and lunged directly at Kiyokazu, seemingly intent on trading an injury for a hit.
In that split second, Kiyokazu caught a whiff of an incredibly pungent, acrid stench. This smell...
Poison!
The olfactory enhancement from Sun Breathing allowed him to react instantly. Without hesitation, he kicked off Yamada's chest, using the recoil to roll back toward the riverbank.
Despite his speed, a spray of the demon's blood touched his skin. The moment the blood made contact, Kiyokazu's arm began to go numb. Without a second thought, he swung his dagger and sliced off the layer of flesh on the back of his hand where the blood had landed.
Fortunately, the toxin hadn't entered his veins yet. Had it entered his bloodstream, he likely wouldn't be standing.
Yamada Mura watched this with a flicker of astonishment. To be honest, he rarely saw anyone discover his specially cultivated toxins so quickly. Most people either didn't realize the blood was poisonous or lacked the courage to cut off their own flesh, resulting in them being paralyzed and becoming his dinner.
Kiyokazu's decisiveness and sharp senses truly surprised the demon.
But that was as far as the surprise went. To survive as a weak demon, Yamada had endured the agony of these toxins day and night to build his immunity! Willpower wasn't a trait exclusive to humans!
Without pausing, he charged at Kiyokazu again. Though he wasn't a demon built for raw physical power, compared to the frail body of a human, Yamada was still terrifyingly fast.
Kiyokazu hissed through his teeth. The pain in his arm was searing, and despite his quick treatment, his head felt slightly light.
However... the plan was in motion. He had finally goaded the bastard into an aggressive assault.
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Demon Slayer: Starting by Snatching Daki(61 Chapter- Ongoing)
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