Demon Slayer: Start With Heroic Spirit Legacy System

As a demon devoid of emotions, Dōma had long since lost the ability to sweat.

Yet now, cold sweat trickled down his spine.

If he couldn't pass this hurdle tonight, his fate would surely be grim!

Muzan, however, wasn't in a rush to act—perhaps even unwilling to.

The Upper Moons were his painstaking creations, taking centuries to cultivate.

Killing them so easily would be a waste, wouldn't it?

After quickly organizing his thoughts, Dōma began to speak.

"Lord Muzan, this matter... perhaps it is best that only you and I know about it."

Dōma subtly suggested dismissing Nakime.

Muzan frowned, visibly displeased.

Nakime? His treasured gem!

Compared to the violent, battle-hungry Upper Moons, Nakime was far more useful.

Dismissing her? How dare he!

Over the years, only Tamayo had ever been granted the privilege of accompanying Muzan closely, and Nakime was the second.

What could possibly justify excluding her from this?

The more Muzan thought about it, the angrier he became.

"Unnecessary," he replied coldly.

"If the explanation you provide fails to satisfy me, you will suffer greatly!"

"Then... may I proceed?"

"Speak!"

Dōma finally began his report.

"As soon as I left, I encountered the demon slayer you've been seeking."

Such a coincidence?

Muzan's expression betrayed no emotion, but he gestured for Dōma to continue.

"The man introduced himself as the Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. He used a Flame Breathing technique and wielded an invisible blade."

Apart from the Breathing Technique, the description was plausible.

"The key detail is... during our battle, a peculiar memory surfaced in my mind."

"A memory?"

Dōma paused intentionally, carefully gauging Muzan's reaction. Seeing no sign of discontent, he chose to proceed.

"It was of a demon slayer... with crimson eyes..."

-----

Crash!

The serene figure of Nakime, who had been standing silently behind Muzan, suddenly vanished, flung violently into an unknown corner of the room.

"What did you say?!"

Muzan's previously composed demeanor disintegrated in an instant. After dismissing Nakime, he reappeared directly in front of Dōma. With a swift motion, he extended his slender arm, seizing Dōma by the throat and lifting him high into the air.

"T-the memory... about a red-eyed... demon slayer..." Dōma struggled to repeat his words, summoning all his strength.

Too slow. Muzan couldn't bear to wait for such a drawn-out explanation. Without hesitation, he delved into Dōma's memories directly.

Ordinarily, Muzan refrained from using this ability on the Upper Moons. But now, the urgency left no room for restraint.

As the scenes of the night unfolded in his mind, Muzan's expression shifted.

That gaze!

That cold, familiar indifference!

The moment Muzan saw the memory, his pupils trembled violently.

For a fleeting instant, Muzan's mind was thrown into chaos, seeing Zhou Yi as if he were the reincarnation of Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

"Impossible! Yoriichi Tsugikuni has been dead for centuries!"

"Kokushibō witnessed his death with his own eyes!"

"Aaaaaaagh!"

Muzan's furious roar echoed throughout the room as several tendril-like whips erupted from his back, wildly demolishing the wooden panels around him.

While the damage to the structure could be repaired, Dōma wasn't as fortunate. Still held aloft by Muzan's grip, his neck was unceremoniously snapped.

If Dōma had retained any emotions, he might have burst into tears. You can read my memories all you want, but couldn't you put me down first?!

After what felt like an eternity, Muzan finally calmed.

"L-Lord Muzan! Please, listen!" Dōma seized the opportunity to speak.

"Hmph!"

With a dismissive grunt, Muzan flung Dōma onto the floor with enough force to leave a crater.

"Very well, Dōma. This time, you've accomplished something significant!"

I've accomplished something?!

Wait, what?

Still bracing for punishment, Dōma froze in disbelief.

"The fact that you survived and reported this to me is sufficient."

"As for your failure, I will forgive it this once."

"But remember, this memory in your mind—do not utter a word of it to anyone. If you do—"

Although Muzan left the threat unfinished, Dōma could vividly imagine the consequences.

"Of course, Lord Muzan! I swear I won't say a word!"

"Good."

Muzan's icy composure returned.

"Nakime!"

Silence.

"Nakime was... you threw her…" Dōma muttered cautiously.

Crack!

Before he could finish, Dōma's neck was twisted again.

"I am well aware!"

With another tendril-like appendage, Muzan extracted Nakime from a crack in the wall.

"Nakime, summon all the Upper Moons immediately!"

"Yes... Lord Muzan."

Summon all the Upper Moons?

Dōma, now reattaching his severed head, was visibly startled. The last time all the Upper Moons had been summoned was centuries ago, during his own promotion to Upper Moon Two.

Muzan's decision revealed his growing anxiety—or, as Dōma began to suspect, his fear.

"You've all grown far too complacent. It's time for you to have something to do."

"That Zhou Yi… he's perfect for the job."

Still processing the summon order, Dōma didn't catch the subtle tremor in Muzan's voice as he uttered Zhou Yi's name.

Muzan Kibutsuji, terrified?

Were it not for the psychological scar left by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Muzan might have acted personally.

Instead, his inherent paranoia and fear had consumed him.