Demon Slayer: The Demon Hunter

word count: 1355

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A body collapsed onto the forest floor, a loud thud resonating through the trees. Blood oozed from mangled flesh and exposed bones, staining the ground a deep red. Ashes began to rise as if the remains of flesh and bone were slowly consumed by the flames.

Fujino cleaned the blood from his fists after defeating the demon. This had been one of the most formidable demon he had ever faced in term of physical prowess, and its spear-like appendages made it even more perilous.

[7450 XP]

[Objective updated: Prey to Hunter: (33/50)]

[Name: Fujino Yuki

Level: 37 (11,807/13,000)

Race: human

Health: 400 / 450 (+3/sec)

Stamina: 150 / 450 (+3/sec)

STR: 50

DUR: 45

END: 45

AGI: 45

INT: 20

CHA: 30

Attributes Points (AP): 25]

However, as much as he wanted to revel in his victory, there was still another demon to hunt.

He followed the trail—the strands that were connected to the demon's back. It didn't take long for him to spot her: a pale woman with white hair, dressed in a matching kimono, perched on a rock.

'Observe'

[ —> Rui's Mother

Name: Spider Mother

Level: 19

Health: 350/350

Stamina: 200/200]

'So that's the one who's been controlling those bodies, huh?,' He drew his Nichirin katana and assuming a stance, slightly bent forward with his legs apart and the sword held high above his head.

"Found you!" With a burst of speed, he charged at her, the wind whipping past him as he aimed to decapitate her in an instant.

But as he drew closer, something caught his eye. The demon, despite being initially surprised by his presence, remained perfectly still.

In fact, she closed her eyes and opened her arms wide, her initial shock transforming into a relieved expression, as if she welcomed her fate.

As if she desired death.

This strange reaction stunned Fujino as he approached, causing him to miss her neck entirely and instead strike the rock beneath her.

The sound of his sword chipping the stone rang out, only to be followed by a heavy silence. Neither he nor the demon moved from their positions.

"You..."

Eventually, Fujino slowly pulled back his sword and glanced sideways, his brown eyes meeting her bewildered yellow ones

"...Why do you want to die?"

This idea was alien to him, almost unimaginable. He couldn't grasp how someone—let alone a demon—would accept such a fate. He had always feared death, making it hard for him to understand her perspective.

So he couldn't fathom why a demon would even wish for death. When he decapitated demons, their reactions typically ranged from disbelief and anger to denial and, on rare occasions, sadness. But never acceptance.

The spider mother could only gaze at Fujino, equally perplexed. Why hadn't this demon slayer killed her? Why was he wasting time conversing with her?

Where was the malice or hatred in his eyes?

She had taken the lives of numerous humans, controlling their bodies and forcing them to witness the slaughter of their friends and families. She was a monster, the absolute worst, the scum of the earth.

So why wasn't this human wishing for her guts?

Tears began to well up in the spider mother's eyes, and before long, they spilled over. A piercing cry of despair escaped her lips as tears streamed down her face.

"B-because I'm s-sick of everything!" after a minute of silence, she managed to say in response to his question.

"I-I can't take it anymore! I never wanted to be part of this family! I never wanted to hurt anyone! All I ever wanted was to live my life happily, but I couldn't even have that!" she gasped.

There was another reason behind her emotional outburst, one that Fujino was completely unaware of. Just before the spider mother faced her end, fragments of her past flooded her mind.

She recalled her friends and family, the warm environment of her childhood, and the joyful memories that filled her heart as she braced for what she thought would be her final moments.

And now she felt despair at losing it all.

Fujino could only watch in a mix of shock and confusion; he hadn't expected this turn of events. For a long time, he had seen demons as nothing more than ruthless creatures with no morals or empathy.

He was aware that demons were once human, a fact his Observe had revealed when he used it on Tanjiro. Initially, he had doubts, but now he was convinced.

The profound anguish before him was unmistakably that of a human, not a demon.

deep in his thoughts, he was oblivious when she clung to his shirt, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked up at him from her knees.

"Please end my life... I can't bear to go on any longer."

Fujino stared at her in silence, feeling as if his heart was being ripped apart. He was not accustomed to indecision; his bold nature usually made his desires clear. But this situation was different.

One part of him urged to end her suffering, to release her from her pain. After all, she had taken countless lives and consumed even more. Yet another part insisted on sparing her, believing that everyone deserves a chance at redemption.

Deep in his mind, her pitiful state reminded him of himself.

However, as fate would have it, he wouldn't be the one to make this choice.

"Mother," 

Fujino turned toward the voice, spotting a child-like demon standing nearby. Its appearance was eerily similar to the one behind him, with white hair, pale skin, and a kimono adorned with spider web patterns.

The distinction, however, was the kanji "Lower 5" marked in its left eye.

'Observe,'

[ —> Lower moon 5

Name: Rui

Level: 65

Health: 2000/2000

Stamina: 1500/1500]

'H-holy shit! This brat is no joke!' He was instantly on high alert; disregarding every single demon he fought—this was by far the strongest one he had ever seen.

This notion was heavily reinforced who saw the look of primal fear in her eyes.

"What is the meaning of this? Why is the human still alive?" Rui asked, his tone as calm as his demeanor.

"..."

Both Fujino and the spider demon fell silent, and for good reason. What could they possibly say? Fujino had no knowledge of their relationship and was at a loss for a clever retort to Rui's question.

As for the spider mother, it was clear why she was unable to speak.

"Mother," Rui said, his voice taking on a more sinister tone. "Are you betraying the family?"

The mother demon chocked, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to respond, to say anything to protect herself, but her throat constricted, leaving her only able to whimper.

"Wow, what a disrespecting brat. Don't they teach manners in school?"

"Why does a human think they can meddle in my family affairs?"

"Who knows? Maybe I just enjoy getting involved in family drama."

"Is that so?" Rui raised an eyebrow, displeasure evident on his face. Did this human not realize who he was?

It didn't matter; he would show him his place, just like he had done with others before.

"Father," Rui said, prompting a desperate "No!" from the spider mother. Fujino would have questioned this reaction if not for the chill running down his spine.

In the distance, he could hear heavy thuds approaching, the rhythm quickening as the sound transformed into a sprint.

In an instant, a massive demon burst from the forest, dwarfing the headless demon in size. Fujino's eyes widened to dinnerplates in shock as the muscular creature launched a punch directly at him.

"Stay away from my family!"

'Shit!' In a split second, he crossed his arms in an X shape, his only defense, but it did little to help as he flew from the force of the blow. The spider father immediately sprang into action, refusing to let this human escape.

Left behind were the spider mother and her "son," who approached her. She could only watch in terror as her worst nightmare approached, a vision of her impending doom.

"You really disappointed me, mother."

<—>

Taisho-era secrets!

Rui had always been present, watching from the background since his initial chat with his "mother." patiently biding his time for the moment where she would fail so he could get an excuse to punish her.

<—>

Originally, this chapter was going to include Fujino's fight with the spider father, but it would take too long for me to write . Since I've been busy lately, I've decided to simply split the chapter into two.

Also, how was my depiction of Rui? Give me feedback if you think I did a good job.