Demon Slayer: Start With Heroic Spirit Legacy System

Dōma, the Upper Moon Two, also served as the secretive leader of the Eternal Paradise Faith.

The Claw Demon was one of his subordinates.

The Eternal Paradise Faith had been founded centuries ago by Dōma's parents. Born with rainbow-colored eyes and white oak hair, his extraordinary appearance led his parents to revere him as a divine child.

However, Dōma was incapable of sensing human emotions.

Years of listening to the confessions of those who came to pray instilled in him an utter disdain for humanity. Over time, Dōma came to believe that death was the only salvation for humans.

"Death is the most beautiful moment in life," became one of his favorite sayings.

When his mother killed his father for infidelity and then poisoned herself, young Dōma watched it all unfold with chilling calm. He didn't even bother to bury their bodies.

If humanity is defined by social connections, Dōma had ceased being human that day.

Aimless and wandering, Dōma eventually caught Muzan's eye, who offered him blood and transformed him into a powerful demon.

"A being like you, devoid of humanity, should become a demon. The fragile world of humans is too small to contain you," Muzan had told him.

Muzan held a special regard for Dōma, believing that in some ways, Doma was more akin to a Demon King.

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Among demons, Dōma stood unparalleled in his detachment from human nature. He only consumed young women, and the girl before him was exactly his type.

As Dōma raised his head, his eerie eyes terrified Keiko, who instinctively tried to scream, but it was too late.

With a flick of Dōma's fan, Keiko was frozen into an ice sculpture.

"Magnificent! The vibrant youth trapped beneath this icy surface—it's intoxicating!"

"Don't worry. I'll make sure to savor you tonight," Dōma murmured, pressing close to the frozen Keiko, his tone almost reassuring.

"I wonder if the Claw Demon has found me any delectable prey. That child has always been so considerate. Surely, they won't disappoint me!"

Dōma licked his lips, ready to leave with his newfound prize when a voice interrupted him.

"Hey, don't you think it's a bit rude to leave just like that?"

Who?

Someone had managed to evade his senses!

The voice came from the rooftop. Beneath the moonlight, a figure stood silhouetted against the bright, full moon.

Dōma squinted to get a better look.

"170 centimeters tall, a long sword strapped to his back, wearing that irritating Demon Slayer Corps uniform!"

There was no doubt—the person before him was the target Muzan had tasked him to eliminate.

"How lucky am I to stumble upon Muzan-sama's target so quickly?"

Dōma maintained his trademark smile.

Though this individual had avoided his detection, Dōma dismissed it as his own momentary lapse in vigilance. No matter how skilled this demon slayer was, they were no match for him.

"You're walking a path to hell when heaven's gates stand wide open!"

With a flick of his fan, Dōma summoned ice spikes and sent them hurtling toward the demon slayer.

However, the casual attack failed to hit its mark. In the blink of an eye, the demon slayer disappeared from Dōma's sight.

"Where did he go?"

Dōma felt a flicker of unease—not for himself, but at the possibility his target might escape.

"If he runs, finding him again will be such a hassle."

"Relax, I won't run."

To his left!

Reacting instantly, Dōma pushed off the ground and retreated several meters.

"Fast, but your attacks are too soft to harm me!" he taunted after evading the strike.

"Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!"

A familiar technique!

Dōma had slain countless Demon Slayers in his time, including many Hashiras. This attack was a flame-like spiral slash meant to counter wide-area assaults.

"We're too far apart. That move won't reach me!" Dōma mocked.

"Idiot. After all these years, have you learned nothing from humans?" the demon slayer retorted.

The flames surrounding the demon slayer melted the ice imprisoning Keiko.

"T-thank you... for saving me," Keiko stammered, shivering violently as her lips turned blue.

Noticing her condition, the swordsman removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Get out of here, and don't wander around at night again."

Feeling the lingering warmth of the jacket, Keiko's pale face regained some color. She nodded emphatically and mustered all her strength to run away.

Keiko swore she'd never wander the streets at midnight again!

Dōma clenched his fan tightly, his hand trembling in fury.

"You let my meal escape! And insulted my centuries of effort to boot!"

"Unforgivable! Unforgivable!"

At this moment, he finally took a serious look at the man before him.

Dōma, fascinated by human emotions, always pretended to be brimming with warmth. Every expression and tone of his voice was a calculated imitation of humanity.

As a result, his behavior often struck others as awkward or even absurd.

"Blood Demon Art: Frozen Clouds!"With a flick of his folding fan, a dense cloud of icy crystals spread rapidly around Dōma, gradually encroaching toward Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi gripped his transparent nichirin blade tightly and swung it horizontally, releasing a searing blaze that halted the advance of the frost.

Ice met heat and melted, water met heat and evaporated.

In an instant, a veil of mist formed between them.

Zhou Yi didn't need to see; he could sense Dōma's location.

Having consumed young women for years, Dōma exuded a heavy scent of rouge and makeup, mixed with the unique stench of a demon.

In the desolate street, it was as conspicuous as a lighthouse in the dark—a scent far too easy to track.

"To think I'd encounter such a big fish, an Upper Moon demon, right after stepping out!"

"Could it be true, what they say about me being a lucky star?"

"Whatever. I can't explain it anyway. Let's just slay this demon first."

"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"