Chapter 150 - Final Selection (1) (2/2)

”More like a controversy.”

Nik smirked and took the invitation and sat beside Sakonji. Finally, after a period of brief silence, Sakonji took out a wooden mask, much similar to Tanjiro's and placed it over Nik's thighs before standing up and disappearing once again, only leaving his voice.

”Return safely.”

Nik's lips twitched as he found Sakonji's shyness extremely off-putting. A man should be able to describe his emotions openly, right? On a side note, Nik also remembered the point to learn the technique that Sakonji used at this moment before he stood up and placed the mask on the side of his head and tied the thin string around his head.

'Oh well, so much for a goodbye...'

Nik shrugged before sitting around with Tanjiro, under Nezuko's holy presence before they both stood up and finally made their way to the foot of the mountain.

”Let's circle around the village.”

Nik suddenly spoke, inciting a curious glance from Tanjiro, to which, he shrugged.

”Things are bound to get awkward... for me. And besides, I would rather meet the villagers after we return as a proper demon slayer.”

”Oh, I understand. Is it due to Marika-san, Gunyo-san and Jaiki-san's scent on you? They really like you, Nik-san.

They even make tasty food for us...”

Tanjiro smiled as he felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him.

”I really want to meet the villagers and share meals with them.”

Tanjiro grinned while tapping on his wooden mask.

”Also, Master, too.”

”Yeah.” Nik smiled and looked towards the village before changing the routes. As he said, even without proclaiming any commitment, Nik had left without a single goodbye, which was still a dick move, so he would definitely return and end things off with a positive note.

***

The Fujikasane Mountain housed the Final Selection every time due to their unique flora.

Wisteria Flowers.

The mountain had trees of unending wisteria flowers, that was the only known medicine that is poisonous to the entities titled— Demons.

A small dose of Wisteria Flower could paralysis the demons while a serum with higher concentration was definitely lethal. The best part was that the Fujikasane Mountain was just a day's travel away from the Mist Mountain and the duo finally scaled the special, anti-demon mountain filled with trees covered in beautiful violet flowers as the duo finally found an established pavilion in between the only path into the mountain's inner region.

A small shrine with two small figures surrounded by many youths entered Nik's and Tanjiro's vision. The two small figures belonged to two twins, one black-haired and the other one, white-haired.

Of course, due to their age, others wouldn't be able to tell if they were of the same gender or not but Nik could. Of course, nobody was as bored as Nik to actually delve into such a matter seriously.

Aside from many nondescript trainees, there were two or three trainees with distinct features. A golden-haired, terrified boy, a youth who looked as if his woman had been taken away by someone else and a beautiful girl with a single side ponytail and deep purple eyes as a small butterfly fluttered around her body.

As Nik and Tanjiro entered, the black-haired boy out of the twins spoke up, his voice soft and pleasant.

”Welcome, everyone.” The cluster of wisteria flower decorating the side of his head rustled softly as he continued, ”Thank you for joining the final selection tonight.”

”There are a lot of demons held captive on this mountain brought back demon slayers. Right now, they are unable to leave.”

It was at this moment, the white-haired female of the two in the similar get-up smiled and continued. her pitch-black eyes resembled a mass of swirling darkness as her equally soft voice reached everybody's ears.

”Because the demon repelling wisteria flowers bloom all year round and cover the region from the foot of the mountain to half-way top.”

Then, both of them spoke in perfect synchronisation.

”To become a member of the demon-slaying corps, you have to survive the unblossomed land for seven nights.”

Then, the two bowed as the surrounding demon slayer trainees moved out as their voice welcomed the group once again.

”Thank you for participating.”

After finally stepping into the area with no wisteria flowers, Nik smiled and immediately patted Tanjiro's back, attracting his attention.

”Here.”

Nik passed a fistful of wisteria flowers to Tanjiro, making his eyes go wide.

”Nik-san, this is—”

”Any sensible demon slayer would keep the necessary demon repellent in a demon-infested region. After all, this might just make the lower ants retreat, allowing us to focus on stronger threats.”

Nik smiled while Tanjiro fell stunned.

”Why didn't I think of it?” He muttered in disbelief while Nik shrugged.

”There may be a couple of factors, but right now, we should just make the most of it. These flowers are organic items, this means that they will rot and lose their efficiency in a day... or even an hour's time.

So, let's find a secure location.”

Tanjiro nodded and the duo finally set out. Of course, Nik was once again surprised by the anomaly that Tanjiro's nose was as he actually 'smelled' the directions and immediately pointed out the east direction.

With their plans set, the duo ran straight towards the pointed direction while finding a clear region that would provide the least shadow for any demon so that the duo could have a moment of respite during the daytime.