Chapter 147 - Demon Slaying Trainees (2/2)
”You both have grown, kids.”
But before the duo could sigh in relief, Sakonji took his hands back and whispered.
”With this, your first part of training is completed. Now, I will be teaching the remaining part.”
***
Within the plain hut, Nik and Tanjiro sat on one side while Sakonji sat beside Nezuko, letting his hands gently stroke her hair while he gazed at her face for a few moments.
”Demons, as you know, are still a mystery. But I know how they came to be, and I apologise for lying to both of you during our first lesson.”
His voice was soft and soothing as he continued.
”Whether you are able to learn what I am going to teach you next does not restrict me from informing you the truth about demons and their weaknesses.”
”First, the ancestors of the demons, or the First and the strongest demon, is was once a human who obtained these powers mysteriously at the price of feasting on human blood. The first demon has the ability to convert other humans into demons, but many fail the process known as demonification.”
”Their weaknesses are low in number, yet, extremely fatal. Although, the demons boast physical enhancement far higher than us humans and also immorality, they are still flawed creatures.
Throw them outside the shade into a healthy daylight and they'll dissolve into ashes.
Butcher them until they have no strength, and they will still die.”
”But!” Tanjiro immediately spoke with a frown on his face. ”Isn't it suicide?! As you explained, the Demons are far stronger than us, how can we butcher them?”
”It wasn't a known method previously. But your friend here, Nik, and his noble young master, performed this very act and slew their first demon without any training.”
Sakonji pointed out while Nik nodded. Although, he and Brian are also physically enhanced beings, it did not stop them from learning the methods of this world.
”Really? Nik-san?” Tanjiro looked back, his eyes flashing in astonishment and a little bit of awe. Even he had faced a demon alongside his sister, who was now in a coma, and understood how hard it is to actually slay one.
”Yes, we faced one two months ago. But I would like to point out once again that the demon was already hurt after the strange blast.”
”Let's not diverge.” Sakonji immediately placed a stop to all conversations and continued softly.
”Now, I will inform both of you about the third and final method humans have devised against the demons in this long fight.
The founder of the Demon Slayers had created a breathing technique that was slowly developed and diversified. This breathing technique allows us, humans, to wield a source of energy known as Hamon... or ripple energy.”
Sakonji's hand finally left Nezuko's forehead and extended his hand towards the duo, a golden glow immediately covered his body as both, Tanjiro and Nik stood up, wide-eyed.
While Tanjiro was extremely surprised by the strange phenomenon and was truly worried about Nezuko as she laid right beside Sakonji, Nik was astonished due to the fact that the energy he could feel from Sakonji was way to stronger. It was as if he had released all his suppressed power and another revelation really shook him.
Despite the limit cap of 26 stats average, Nik finally understood the power system of this world.
The humans of his world actually combined their vitality and energy to burst out with strength that was way higher than the limit and this revelation made him feel a bit apprehensive against their enemies, the demons. If, even with the method to burst out with strength higher than the limit couldn't eradicate the demons, then, Nik didn't know how much of the threatening existence high-level demons actually were.
Soon, he regained his composure and sat down while waiting for Tanjiro to reclaim his calm.
”As you can see, this energy that you can feel is called Hamon, neutral Hamon to be specific.
Hamon energy that we humans release could be considered a weaker version of the substance present in sunlight that destroys the demons. So, even if this energy hurts the demons, we still need to decapitate the demons using this energy alongside weapons made of special ores.”
Sakonji concluded and looked at Nik and Tanjiro, who were listening to him calmly and a hint of a smile formed behind his mask as the golden energy soon rotated along his forearm and turned into bluish tidal waves that once again stunned his disciples.
”And... this is what you need to learn before leaving. Water Hamon Energy.”
***
'Aww... shit! This world is an evolutionary one...'
Brian cursed. Fortunate or not, the threat of this world's beings finally shook Brian's heart as he, alongside a blonde named Zenitsu and another dark-haired boy, sat in front of an old man while his arm was covered in blue lightning that exuded vitality and destruction simultaneously.
'We should have chosen the demons...'
Brian pursed his lips. He made a mistake, but he didn't feel too bad. They could still gain a lot from this world and if they manage to complete the missions, then their gains would be immense. Immediately, he regained his focus and continued hearing the explanation of his teacher while hoping that Nik doesn't lag behind.
As Nik was now, Brian could only help him slightly without giving him too much. After all, even with all his fortune, Brian didn't wish to invest in Nik if he doesn't prove himself to be a worthy demon.
And just like that, the two demons started learning the art of demon-slaying.