Chapter 35: Three |
"How much further?" Yeruashi asked tersely, racing through the night streets with a medical kit in hand, following the wounded Demon Slayer.
"It's in Pinqiu Village," the man replied mid-stride.
"About eight kilometers, then," Yeruashi muttered.
He had been to this fairly large village east of the city before. However, the stamina of an ordinary doctor certainly wouldn't be enough to reach it at such a breakneck pace...
Even a wounded Demon Slayer moved much faster than an average person. The man had to slow his pace to ensure the doctor didn't fall behind, despite his obvious zeal and concern.
It was worth noting that Mitsuri, who followed behind them, wasn't winded at all. Even without special training, she was born far stronger and more resilient than any normal human.
"Yeruashi!" she exclaimed, snatching the medical kit from her husband. He gave her a grateful nod; without the weight, running became slightly easier.
Mitsuri flashed a sweet smile in return; she was always happy to assist her husband.
But... after a couple of kilometers, Yeruashi was still gasping for breath, his steps faltering. Despite his reluctance, the Demon Slayer was forced to decelerate even further.
"Let me carry you, darling," she said.
"Yeah," Yeruashi nodded without hesitation. He didn't feel embarrassed about relying on her; after all, he was playing the role of a dedicated, ordinary physician.
Mitsuri crouched down and hoisted her husband onto her back.
"Hold on tight," she murmured, her cheeks flushing crimson, and sprinted forward. Within a few breaths, she had caught up to the Demon Slayer.
The man first cast a bewildered look at the girl with the doctor on her back, then realized with a start that she was actually keeping up with him.
Moreover, the doctor's wife had no trouble maintaining the pace as he accelerated again. As he grew bolder and began to utilize his Breathing Technique, he was shocked to see she showed no signs of exhaustion.
'What in the world...' Not much time had passed before the Demon Slayer's features tightened in concentration.
He was miles away from reaching the level of a Hashira, but when moving at top speed, ordinary people usually couldn't even track a veteran like him with their eyes.
Yet this girl was keeping pace while carrying a medical kit and a grown man on her back. Judging by her steady breathing, she wasn't even using a technique.
In other words, she possessed incredible strength and endurance. If she were to learn a Breathing Technique, she would likely rise to a high rank within the organization—she might even become one of the Hashira!
The man was shaken to his core, but he soon refocused on saving his comrade, unsure if the other man was even still alive.
The Demon Slayer and Mitsuri, with Yeruashi on her back, covered the remaining distance in one go. Finally, houses began to loom in the darkness, quickly forming the village streets.
A few flickering lights were visible on the outskirts of the village.
Huff! Huff!!!
The trio rushed toward the lights and soon came across a ruined house, bearing the scars of a fierce battle and splashes of blood on the ground.
The cool night air carried the acrid scent of blood and something else... a strange, unfamiliar odor that the girl was sensing for the first time.
Two people were amidst the debris: one was looking around anxiously, while the other lay in a pool of blood. Crude bandages were doing little to help; the wound was far too severe.
"I brought a doctor! How is Kuwa?" the man shouted as he ran.
Meanwhile, Mitsuri surged ahead and set Yeruashi down. He grabbed the medical kit and strode toward the ruins.
"Acute blood loss due to venous damage. Stopping the bleeding is the priority," he said calmly after a brief assessment. He pulled hemostatic tools from his kit and neutralized the heavy bleeding.
"Doctor, doctor, please... save Kuwa! He was badly hurt while protecting me..." the Demon Slayer stammered frantically.
"Quiet!" Yeruashi snapped, fully focused. The man beside him immediately shut his mouth.
Before their eyes, the doctor pulled unfamiliar medical instruments from his kit. He completely halted the bleeding, disinfected the wound, and administered first aid in under ten minutes. The dying patient's condition improved visibly, and his breathing stabilized.
"It looks like he'll make it, thank God," the Demon Slayers sighed in relief, their faces brightening. Mitsuri, who had been assisting, also calmed down, casting an admiring gaze at her husband.
It seemed incredible that Yeruashi had managed to stabilize such a critical patient—one with a nearly shredded chest—in just a few minutes. He was still very young, yet he was already widely renowned in the city and neighboring villages for his skills.
He really was an extraordinary man!
And he was always so gentle with her, yet clearly needed her help, which made her feel truly valued. Mitsuri felt a surge of happiness every time she thought about how lucky she was to have him as her husband.
Then she involuntarily thought back to the earlier incident with the bastards from the Phantom Head gang. She vowed to protect this peaceful life at all costs and never let anyone disrupt their idyll.
Boom!
Right then, a thunderous crash erupted nearby, making their ears ring.
Caught off guard, the Demon Slayers turned their heads toward the source.
There.
A nearby wall shattered under the pressure of an immense force. In the rising cloud of dust, a pair of scarlet eyes ignited!
Those blood-red eyes instilled deep-seated dread and terror. Within the left pupil, a black kanji was faintly visible...
"THREE."
The expressions of the battle-ready Demon Slayers shifted instantly. They exchanged horrified glances, their faces pale with shock.
This is...
A member of the Twelve Kizuki!