Demon Slayer : LEveLing uP

Ishida found himself in a dense forest on the mountainside, standing face-to-face with a demon unlike any he'd encountered before. This one was nothing like the other demons, who usually had some human features. Instead, it resembled a giant green snake. It had arms, but no legs, moving around by using its long tail.

"What do you mean we're bothering you? It's you demons who go out and attack innocent people, treating them like your food, not us!" Ishida shot back, his voice tinged with anger but still managing to stay calm.

The snake-like creature hissed as it slithered quickly toward Ishida. "I owe no explanations to a lowly human like you. I won't let you pass, and I'll kill you here like the others," it declared, charging at him.

Ishida quickly drew his sword, focusing intently on the snake. But then, he sensed movement beneath him and leaped into the air, landing a few feet back from where he stood before. The same vines that had caught his legs earlier were emerging from the ground again, trying to grab him just like the last time. But now, he was prepared for them.

The snake paused, acknowledging his quick reactions. "Impressive reflexes. You're much better than the ones before you," it admitted, raising its green hands with claws like other demons. "But you're still just a human..." With that, the snake made a gesture, and suddenly vines started sprouting from all around Ishida, reaching out to ensnare him. "You'll fall, no matter what!"

"So, this is its power," Ishida thought as he jumped to put some distance between himself and the pursuing vines. But the vines grew even longer, chasing him into the air. "This is tougher than I expected," he admitted to himself, gripping his sword tightly. "Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace!" he called out. With swift, precise strikes and crescent-shaped slashes, he cut through the vines with ease and landed back on the ground.

However, as soon as he touched down, the demon was already behind him, ready to attack. Ishida quickly brought his sword up to block the demon's clawed hand. But he soon realized it was another trap when he sensed the vines beneath him again. Using his strength, Ishida pushed the demon back, leaping forward to dodge the emerging vines. He then launched a direct attack at the snake-like demon, surprising it with his strength, speed, and agility. The creature, who had underestimated Ishida as just another human, now realized he was dealing with someone far more formidable.

As Ishida launched his next attack, calling out "Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace," he aimed to deliver a decisive blow to the demon. His sword moved with incredible speed and precision, the crescent-shaped slashes cutting through the air toward the snake-like creature.

However, just as the blade was about to connect, the demon reacted with surprising agility. It coiled its long tail, using it as both a shield and a spring to propel itself backward at the last moment. The powerful momentum allowed it to narrowly avoid the full brunt of Ishida's attack.

Simultaneously, the demon utilized its vine-manipulating powers to create a dense barrier of interwoven vines between itself and Ishida. These vines, thicker and more resilient than before, absorbed much of the impact from Ishida's strike. Though the slashes cut through many of the vines, the barrier bought the demon enough time to reposition itself, escaping a fatal blow.

The demon hissed, its eyes gleaming with a mixture of fear and newfound respect for Ishida's skills, acknowledging the narrow escape. "You are indeed formidable, human," it admitted grudgingly. "But I am not so easily vanquished."

"I can't rely on the vines again; I haven't had enough food lately to keep using them," the demon thought, feeling a hint of desperation. However, it kept a calm exterior, trying not to reveal its inner turmoil.

But Ishida sensed something different. He picked up on a new emotion from the demon—a fear that wasn't there before. This insight gave him an advantage, understanding that the demon was not as confident as it appeared.

The demon, its eyes burning with a desperate intensity, lunged at Ishida once more, its claws slicing through the air with a deadly intent. Each movement of the demon was a blend of raw power and fluid grace, its tail whipping through the dense forest floor, leaving trails of disturbed earth in its wake.

Ishida stood firm, feeling the cool mountain breeze against his skin, his heart pounding in sync with the rhythm of the battle. As the demon closed in, he took a deep, steadying breath, his senses sharp and focused.

"Moon Breathing Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing," he whispered, the words a calm mantra amidst the chaos. His sword, an extension of his will, moved with an elegance and precision that belied the fierce energy behind it. As he swung, the blade created an arc of shimmering moonlight, a protective halo that encircled him. The demon's claws met this barrier of light, sparking against it with a harsh crackle, and were deflected in a shower of sparks and energy.

The demon recoiled, momentarily thrown off balance, its frustration evident in the subtle twitch of its tail and the hissing exhalation that escaped its lips. Sensing its hesitation, Ishida seized the moment, his eyes narrowing with determination.

He shifted his stance, feeling the ground beneath him, firm and supportive, and launched into his next move. "Moon Breathing Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains," he proclaimed, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of battle. With a burst of speed, Ishida's sword danced through the air, each strike a crescent moon in motion, weaving a tapestry of light and shadow.

The demon struggled to keep up, its attempts to counter thwarted by the relentless precision of Ishida's attack. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the rhythmic clash of blade against vine and scale.

Ishida's final strike was a masterstroke of timing and power, his blade piercing through the demon's defenses with a clarity that cut through both flesh and fate. The demon let out a guttural cry, a sound that resonated with both pain and a chilling finality.

As the creature's body began to dissolve into the ether, its eyes met Ishida's. In that fleeting moment, there was a shared understanding—a connection forged in the crucible of combat. The demon's voice, now a fading whisper, carried a chilling message, "He will kill you... he will kill you all."

[HP : 600/610]

[FATIGUE : 40/100↓]

[MP : 580/580]

Ishida stood firmly on the ground, relieved. "Good thing I didn't have to use any of my more energy-draining breathing forms," he thought, glancing back at the spot where the demon had just turned to ashes. But something still lingered in the air. "I can still sense demons around. This isn't over yet," he realized, staying alert and ready for whatever might come next.