Moonlight

Twenty-Five

(TW: one slightly graphic description that may be somewhat disturbing to some readers. If it might bother you, skip about 12 paragraphs after the fish idiot starts talking.)

"Kanroji-san!"

Mitsuri faced Sara when she landed. "The whole village is in danger. If you want to go look for Tokito-kun while I protect these guys, I won't blame you."

Sara hesitated, considering the older girl's suggestion, then shook her head. "I'll stay here."

Mitsuri smiled knowingly at her answer. "I knew you'd say that."

꧁☯︎︎꧂

Muichiro saw another swordsmith, who seemed to be trying to get to him, struggling against another one of those demons. With ease, he cut the pot it had originally emerged from and killed it.

"Whoa, thank you, Tokito-dono!" The swordsmith ran forward, obviously recognising him. "You cut him in the blink of an eye!"

"Kanamori-saaaaan!" The younger swordsmith waved.

Kanamori? That's my swordsmith.

"Young Kotestsu, I'm glad you're safe! I honestly thought I was gonna die." Kanamori hugged Kotetsu.

""Are you this Kanamori person?" Muichiro spoke monotonously. "Do you have my blade? Bring it out."

"Oh no!! This is really chipped." Kanamori closely examined the katana Muichiro was holding. "I see, I see, then I'll bring you your blade."

"...That was quick." Muichiro had expected him to ask a few more questions and pointless stuff, but he didn't.

"That's good, you should be grateful." Kotetsu told him.

"Actually, Tanjiro-kun asked us to fix your blade, and he wanted you to know about it."

"Tanjiro?" Muichiro thought that Tanjiro would have hated him by how. "Tanjiro actually..."

"Just take the sword and go to the village chief! Quick!" Kotetsu rushed him, but Muichiro noticed the presence of an ominous pot.

"No, I can't." He said.

"Ehh?? Why not?!"

He assumed a battle stance, ready to fight. "It's coming."

And, just as he said it, an ugly Upper Moon demon slid out of the box. The demon would probably be difficult to fight, considering that he was an Upper Moon, but you never would have it guessed without reading the "Upper Five" engraved in his eye.

Frankly put, he looked like an idiot.

His body was like a mix between a slimy fish and a warm, but slightly muscular, with a deformed axolotl head and several arms poking out.

"Hyo hyo hyo! Nice to meet you, my name is Gyokko." He greeted with a fake sweet voice. "May I have a minute before I kill you?"

Muichiro deadpanned. No thanks.

"Dear guests, would you like to look at my artwork tonight?"

Hearing this, Muichiro deadpanned even more, if that's possible.

"Art? What are you talking about?"

"Let me show you." Gyokko moved to the side, revealing severed parts of swordsmiths pierced with the swords they had made themselves and stuck together with their own blood. Their masks were crumpling, but still semi-on their faces. Their eyes were hollow with only a trace of the horror that still lingered.

Kanamori and Kotetsu took a step back at the terrifying sight.

"Behold these hands!" He pointed his arms towards the 'artwork' proudly like a kid. "They're full of blisters, unique only to swordsmiths. Intentional, mind you! That's why I put them up front."