Demon Slayer: Start With Heroic Spirit Legacy System

Zhou Yi moved swiftly, following the old man's directions.

The Iguro family estate was soon within sight.

Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Zhou Yi was still shocked by the luxurious complex in front of him.

"A grand display of wealth and power!"

"Rich feasts behind closed doors, while frozen corpses litter the streets—Du Fu truly didn't deceive me!"

Along the way, Zhou Yi had caught glimpses of life on Hachijōjima Island.

The land here wasn't fertile, the commerce wasn't prosperous, and there weren't any notable local products.

And yet, it had produced such an affluent Iguro family.

"For over 300 years, who knows how many innocent passersby have fallen victim to their schemes, or how many newborn babies have been sacrificed to the demon?"

A wave of sorrow swept through Zhou Yi's heart.

[Ding! The system has detected the host's arrival at a place of deep resentment. Mission issued.]

[Mission Name: Easy to Face a King, Hard to Handle His Minions.][Mission Description: Hachijōjima Island, isolated and remote, is plagued by a rampant serpent demon that has committed countless atrocities over centuries. Grant this serpent a merciful death.]

[Mission Reward: 10,000 Exchange Points.]

After the system broadcast the mission, Zhou Yi's vision instantly transformed.

The vibrant world turned black and white.

Using the Iguro estate as a boundary, the outer surroundings appeared as a bleak white, while the inner estate was shrouded in a profound, pitch-black darkness.

A dense black mist enveloped the area, making it feel eerie and foreboding.

With the system's assistance, Zhou Yi could see the disturbing scene before him.

"Mercy, huh? No one understands mercy better than me!"

Wasting no time, he called out toward the gate, "Is anyone there?"

"The Iguro family is holding a ritual today! No outsiders allowed!" a sharp voice responded from inside.

"Oh, so no one's here, huh."

Feigning understanding, Zhou Yi drew his Nichirin blade from behind his back.

"Though breaking down the door is a bit rude, there's no point in observing manners with demon."

"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"

The heavy gates shattered into countless pieces in an instant.

"Come closer, let me have a look," hissed the serpent demon, its forked tongue flicking out as it instinctively licked its dry lips. An excited grin spread across its face.

Little Obanai stood frozen, unable to move his legs. The instincts of a child led his eyes to his mother, seeking her protection.

"The Serpent God told you to come closer! Are you deaf?"

"Hurry up!"

His mother's response was cold, her last pretense of care falling away, and even laced with reproach.

Cruel words cut deeper than knives, extinguishing Obanai's last glimmer of hope.

Afraid of the serpent demon's wrath, members of the Iguro family directed two burly elderly women to step forward and drag Obanai closer.

"Careful! Don't handle him roughly! If he's hurt, his taste will be ruined," the serpent demon snarled.

Terrified, the two women immediately fell to their knees, begging for forgiveness.

"Forget it. This little one seems promising. I'll let you off this time because of his quality as a tribute."

Unable to contain its excitement, the serpent demon shoved the women aside with its tail and coiled it around Obanai, lifting him up.

"These enchanting eyes… magnificent! I love them just like this!"

"I almost don't want to eat you so quickly!"

The serpent demon cradled its face in its hands, its expression one of infatuation.

"How wonderful that little Obanai has gained the favor of the Serpent God!"

"What a blessing for him."

"This is fantastic! We'll receive another reward!"

Unlike the rest of the Iguro family, Obanai felt no joy at all.

He didn't want the so-called favor of the serpent god.

He just wanted to leave.

Even a dungeon would be better; he just wanted to get out of there!

"However, this one is still too young. Let's keep it for a while longer."

The serpent demon loosened its tail, restraining its desire to eat and gently placing Kabane on the ground.

Upon hearing this, Kabane's previously dull eyes lit up.

"I'm alive?"

He couldn't believe it.

He had already prepared himself to be devoured, yet the creature decided not to eat him!

This was amazing!

A faint smile finally appeared on Obanai's dazed face.

But fate, as cruel as ever, decided to play another joke on him.

The serpent god twisted its body, scrutinizing Obanai carefully, before speaking again:

"However, I really don't like that face. It doesn't look anything like me!"

Obanai felt as though he had been plunged into an icy abyss, his fleeting joy replaced by tears and despair.

His mother, hearing this, immediately nodded in agreement and berated Obanai for his appearance.

"Mother…"

Obanai's soft plea fell on deaf ears.

Eager to please the serpent demon, his mother summoned the servants.

"Cut that mouth of his for me! Such an ugly face—it displeases Lord Serpent God!"

Four servants stepped forward, holding Obanai down as they prepared to carve into his delicate face.

The 12-year-old boy didn't resist at all. He lay motionless, allowing them to proceed.

The servant wielding the knife hesitated as she gazed at Obanai's helpless face and those lifeless, sorrowful heterochromatic eyes.

Obanai cast her a fleeting glance, and it frightened her so much she nearly dropped the knife.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up!" urged Obanai's mother.

Choosing obedience, the servant raised the knife and prepared to act.

Shing, shing, shing!

The sound of blades cutting through the air was followed by the wall being obliterated.

"Excuse me. Does anyone know where the serpent demon is?"

The dust and debris from the collapsed wall filled the air, concealing the identity of the newcomer.

However, the term "serpent demon" sent waves of panic through everyone present.

"How dare you! Calling Lord Serpent God a serpent demon!"

"You fool! Lord Serpent God will never forgive this!"

"Such a waste… That voice was quite nice, too."

The members of the Iguro clan spared no effort in flattering the serpent demon.

After all, the clan owed its wealth and prosperity to it. They wouldn't dare offend it.

As the dust settled, the identity of the intruder became clear.

He was clad in the black uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps, a pale blue haori draped over it.

With sharp brows and a face like sculpted frost, his angry expression only added to his striking looks.

"What a handsome man!" exclaimed a richly dressed but plump woman, covering her face in astonishment.

Her family quickly stopped her.

"Idiot! What nonsense are you saying?"

Realizing her slip, the woman fell to her knees in terror, begging the serpent demon's forgiveness.

"My lord, I deserve punishment. Please have mercy!"

The serpent demon, however, wasn't angry. Instead, it chuckled, licking its lips with a greedy look.

"It's fine. She's not wrong. That man does have a certain… charm."

Turning its attention to the newcomer, the serpent demon said, "Hey, kid. Judging by the sound of your bones, you're about 12, right?"

Huh?

The serpent monster could determine someone's age just by listening?

Zhou Yi raised his brows in surprise and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Twelve years old!"

Obanai, still pinned to the ground, looked on in awe.

They were the same age, yet Zhou Yi already possessed such formidable strength!

That was a solid wall, yet he had sliced through it with nothing more than a blade.

A seed of determination to grow stronger took root in Obanai's heart.

"You must be from the Demon Slayer Corps!"

"How about this: if you pledge your loyalty to me, I might consider sparing your life."

"Lowly demon slayer like you… I've devoured plenty already!"

"Even second-tier demon slayer—I've eaten my share."

The serpent demon, having lived for centuries, identified Zhou Yi's status and rank at a glance, noting the insignia on his collar.

In the Demon Slayer Corps, the strongest were the Hashira, followed by ten ranks: Kinoe, Kinoto, Hinoe, Hinoto, etc., down to Mizunoe and Mizunoto.

As a newly inducted demon slayer, Zhou Yi naturally held the lowest rank: Mizunoto.

"You've lived for centuries and yet failed to become even a Lower Moon demon? Perhaps it's because you've been too busy bragging," Zhou Yi mocked mercilessly.

"Little brat! How dare you!"

The serpent demon's face twisted with rage as it growled, shaking the room and sending old dust raining down from the rafters.

It seemed the serpent demon was furious.