LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 53: Cruelty And Bloodthirsty
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Himejima Gyomei stood in silent prayer, his large hands pressed together as the echoes of the sisters' cries filled the air. The aftermath of the battle left the small clearing heavy with despair. Though the demon had been defeated, its shadow still lingered in the hearts of the Kochou sisters.
Ryuji hesitated, his hand faltering as he tried to comfort the trembling girls. "The demon is gone," he said softly, his voice carrying an uncertain kindness. "You're safe now. As long as we're here, no harm will come to you."
But the words did nothing to stem their tears. The elder sister, Kanae, clung tightly to her younger sibling, Shinobu, who was sobbing uncontrollably. Their fear was raw and consuming, a wound that words alone could not heal.
Ryuji sighed quietly, frustration tugging at the edges of his resolve. What could he possibly say to mend hearts shattered by such horror? He glanced at Gyomei, whose expression remained serene yet burdened.
These girls... Kochou Kanae and Kochou Shinobu. Ryuji recognized them now, though he hadn't expected to encounter them so soon. In the future, they would become pillars of strength in the Demon Slayer Corps—the Flower Hashira and the Insect Hashira. But here and now, they were merely children, their lives forever scarred by the cruelty of demons.
"The Hermit will care for them," Gyomei said gently, breaking the silence. The Hidden Corps agents moved swiftly, guiding the Kochou sisters away to a safer place.
Gyomei turned to Ryuji and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. His voice was low but resolute. "This is the world we fight for, Ryuji. Pain, loss, grief... it is endless. But so long as we are strong, we can protect those who cannot protect themselves."
Ryuji nodded, though the weight of the words settled deep in his chest. Gyomei had witnessed countless tragedies, and his calm acceptance spoke of experience, not indifference. Ryuji watched the towering figure retreat into the night, his prayer beads clinking softly with each step.
Left alone, Ryuji clenched his fists. The night's events had reignited his resolve. The sight of the Kochou sisters' broken spirits only strengthened his desire to grow stronger, to ensure such despair would never take root in the lives of others.
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As the moon hung low in the sky, Ryuji's shadow moved stealthily through the city streets. His thoughts churned, his focus unyielding.
Tonight's target was no ordinary prey. He had chosen his quarry carefully: a corrupt official whose cruelty had spread like poison. While not a demon, this man had ruined countless lives through his abuse of power, protected only by the influence he wielded and the guards he employed. Such evil would not go unanswered.
Ryuji stopped in front of the villa. The structure loomed like a fortress, its high stone walls patrolled by armed guards. Torches lined the perimeter, their flickering flames casting sharp shadows over the compound.
Pulling a black scarf from his pocket, Ryuji wrapped it around his face. He took a deep breath, steadying his resolve. The air was cold, biting against his exposed skin, but he welcomed the sensation—it sharpened his focus.
The city wall loomed four meters high, imposing and seemingly impenetrable to ordinary people without ropes or tools. Perhaps for that reason, the guards stationed atop the wall had grown complacent. One leaned lazily against the stone, his spear resting idly at his side.
Ryuji crouched in the shadow of the wall, his sharp gaze fixed on the guard's lax posture. With a single push from his toes, he vaulted upward, his body propelled far higher than human limits allowed. His fingertips brushed the stone surface as he caught a small protrusion. In one fluid motion, he hoisted himself over, landing silently on the wall's edge.
The guard, unaware of his presence, remained leaning against the wall, his eyes heavy with drink and fatigue.
This will be quick.
Ryuji moved swiftly, his hand closing around the guard's head. With a sharp twist, the man's neck snapped with a faint crack. He slumped to the ground, his lifeless body a stark contrast to the laughter and torchlight spilling from within the fortress.
"Ding. Congratulations, host. You have killed a guard and earned 0.1 attribute points."
The mechanical voice echoed faintly in Ryuji's mind, a reminder of his progress. Ignoring it, he repositioned the guard's body to avoid detection before dropping down from the wall into the courtyard below.
The castle's interior was brighter than the moonlit exterior. Warm lights from oil lanterns bathed the pathways and walls in a deceptive glow. Ryuji moved like a shadow, darting through the alleys and avoiding the patrols with practiced ease.
Occasionally, maids passed by carrying trays of food or laundry. Their presence did not concern him. They're just pawns, he thought. I have no quarrel with the innocent.
The deeper he ventured, the grander the surroundings became. Marble columns, ornate tapestries, and the scent of roasted meats filled the air. It was a stark contrast to the misery and poverty outside these walls, a reminder of the corruption festering within.
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Inside a spacious dining hall, a group of armed samurai lounged around a low table, their laughter echoing through the chamber. Plates piled high with meat and overflowing cups of sake betrayed their indulgence. At the head of the table sat the fortress's master—a broad-shouldered man clad in dark armor, a pistol resting casually at his side.
"Sir," one of the samurai began, his tone light despite the topic. "That thief who's been targeting nobles in the city… should we be concerned? He's been killing them one by one."
The leader chuckled, raising his cup. "A thief?" His voice dripped with disdain. "If he's stupid enough to come here, he'll learn quickly that this castle isn't just any noble's estate. No one gets past my guards. If he dares show his face, we'll deal with him."
His words drew laughter from the others, but one samurai, dressed in worn armor, looked uneasy. He had seen the aftermath of the so-called thief's attacks—a precision and brutality far beyond what mere thieves were capable of. Still, his concerns went unspoken.
The uneasy warrior stiffened suddenly, his eyes darting toward the window. A flicker of movement caught his attention, and before he could react, the window shattered. A black-clad figure descended into the room with feline grace.
"Everyone," Ryuji said, his voice calm but laced with menace. "It seems your party has a new guest."
The samurai froze, their surprise quickly replaced with rage. "Who the hell are you?!" the leader bellowed, reaching for his pistol.
But Ryuji was faster. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance between himself and the leader. The man barely had time to unsheathe his katana before Ryuji's hand clamped down on his throat. With a single, brutal squeeze, there was a sickening crack, and the leader's lifeless body crumpled to the floor.
"Ding. Congratulations, host. You have killed a warrior and earned 0.1 attribute points."
The mechanical voice echoed in his mind again as he turned to face the remaining samurai. Blood drained from their faces, their confidence replaced with fear.
"W-What are you?!" one of them stammered, clutching his katana with trembling hands.
Ryuji said nothing, his form blurring as he vanished from sight. Before the man could react, Ryuji reappeared at his side, delivering a spinning kick to his head. The force sent him crashing into the wall, blood splattering across the stone as his skull caved in.
The others sprang into action, drawing swords and firearms, but their efforts were futile. Ryuji weaved through them with ease, his movements a blur of deadly precision. Each strike, whether with a fist, palm, or kick, ended in death. The sound of breaking bones and the splatter of blood filled the room.
"Ding. Congratulations, host. You have killed a warrior and earned 0.1 attribute points."
The voice rang out again and again as Ryuji systematically dismantled the group. Within moments, the hall fell silent. The samurai lay motionless, their blood pooling around Ryuji's boots.
He stood amidst the carnage, his breathing steady, his gaze cold. These men, corrupt and vile, had spread misery for too long. Their deaths were a small step toward justice.
Ryuji turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the fortress as quietly as he had entered.
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