Monster Hunter Gathering

"We are here to... defeat Muzan."

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"We are the King of Strong Men!!!!" Nie Chiwu, standing before Tanjiro and Tomioka Giyuu, said with a righteous expression, "We are not dirty and despicable creatures like ghosts!!!"

"..." However, after hearing what Nie Chiwu said, Tomioka Giyu still pointed the knife at Nie Chiwu with vigilance.

The reason was simple. Just now, Giyu Tomioka saw with his own eyes several people falling from the sky and undergoing physical repairs like ghosts.

Maybe the other party is a ghost who has concealed his identity, or maybe the other party just doesn't have the characteristics of those ghosts... No matter what, he can't let his guard down now.

"Mr. Giyu, he doesn't have the smell of an evil spirit." Tanjiro said to Giyu, "It's just that he has the smell of some creatures that I haven't smelled before."

"Oh! Can you smell it? These are equipment made from monster materials!" Nie Chiwu said happily, "As expected of the protagonist of Demon Slayer... Well, enough small talk and jokes."

"We are hunters from other worlds who have been commissioned to defeat Muzan," Nie Chiwu said. "Besides the commission, we will act to save those of you who would otherwise die here."

"We're running out of time," Nie Chiwu said quickly. "If we don't act now, Kocho Shinobu will die at the hands of Upper Rank Two, and you'll be facing Upper Rank Three."

"Tokito Muichiro, Gyoumei Hirame, and the Fuzugawa brothers encountered Upper Moon One, Iguro Obanai and Kanroji Mitsuri encountered the new Upper Moon Four, and Agatsuma Zenitsu encountered the new Upper Moon Six."

"Not only the Pillars! All the Demon Slayer Corps members have been dragged into the Infinite City!" Nie Chiwu said: "There will be a large number of casualties in the Infinite City. We must act immediately!"

"What are you talking about..." Tomioka Giyu was about to say that what Nie Chiwu said was groundless, but Tanjiro did not smell any lie from Nie Chiwu.

"Mr. Giyu, there's no smell of lying on him!" Tanjiro said with some difficulty at this moment: "What he said might be true."

"It would be great if you could cooperate." Nie Chiwu said this, and suddenly the Monster Hunter panel popped up in front of him. After thinking for a while, Nie Chiwu chose [Open], allowing Tanjiro and Giyuu to see the panel floating in the air.

Other people's voices were heard in the communication within the meeting, and were heard by both Giyuu and Tanjiro due to the public broadcast setting.

Iwatani Naofumi: "I've already rescued the four members of the Ubuyashiki family. Now I can't move quickly with them, so I can only protect them while waiting to reunite with the others. Also, Ubuyashiki Kōya wants to speak with you."

Kazuma's voice was filled with fear: "Tamayo is here! I stole her head from Muzan! Now I'm using stealth to escape in the Infinite Castle!"

Qiao Er said: "I was left alone somewhere, and now I'm looking for the Demon Slayer Corps!"

"My Lord!" Tomioka Giyuu rushed to Nie Chiwu and said, "My Lord, are you... safe and sound?!"

"Is that Giyu?" Ubuyashiki Kōya's gentle voice echoed from the control panel. "Don't worry, I'm in great shape now."

"Mr. Nie, I heard from Mr. Iwaya that you are the Grand Leader among the hunters," Ubuyashiki Yoya said to Nie Chiwu. "You are here to eliminate Muzan, right? That's why you descended from the sky at that time and saved us."

"Yes, but there's a difference. We rescue people because we want to save them besides being commissioned. We don't pursue any profit, nor do we want to use you to exploit the Demon Slayer Corps." Nie Chiwu said to Ubuyashiki Kakuya bluntly: "Stop those polite words! We are Monster Hunters! We are here to defeat monsters! Cooperate with us!"

"Use all available means!!! Defeat the monsters that go against nature!!!"

"This is our Monster Hunter rule!!"

Chapter 8: The Battle Against Upper Three

"Yes, Mr. Grand Commander."

Ubuyashiki Kōya's appearance at the moment was as if he wasn't in the dangerous Infinite Castle. His voice was still gentle and steady: "Mr. Iwatani told me that you know what will happen in the future. Then you should also know that we cooperated with Ms. Tamayo and used the carrier crow to communicate."

"I will relay your concerns to all members of the Demon Slayer Corps," Ubuyashiki Kōya said. "Also... please don't ask Mr. Iwatani to protect us."

After hearing what Ubuyashiki Yoya said, Giyuu became anxious: "My Lord!"

"We don't have the power to slay the demons. Mr. Iwatani's power in this Infinite City can protect more children who can defeat Muzan." Ubuyashiki Kyouya said to Nie Chiwu sincerely, "We are unable to swing our swords and are weak. We will only become a burden to Mr. Iwatani."

"My lord, that's not the case!" Tomioka Giyu stepped forward and couldn't help but say, "You..."

"In terms of combat effectiveness, you are indeed a burden."

Nie Chiwu said bluntly, "But that's not important. There's no reason to feed the people we just rescued back to the ghost's mouth."

"Although we're not all kindhearted people, we're still willing to help," Nie Chiwu said. "Besides, keeping you here will also help maintain the morale of the Demon Slayer Corps and provide a better opportunity to taunt Muzan."

Nie Chiwu said, "Time is running out. Let's stop talking nonsense. Every second we waste increases the chances of our team members dying."

"You should know what to do."

After Nie Chiwu finished saying this, he took out a lamp that seemed to contain fireflies from his waist and held up this [Insect Guide Lamp].

[Insect Guide Light: Insect guide lights can track traces. They usually emit green light, but will turn red once a monster spots them.]

On the other side of the communication, Naofumi Iwatani also spoke: "I will do my best to protect the four of them, and try to gather the Demon Slayer Corps members in the Infinite Castle."

"Tanjiro, Giyuu, I know about your situation. Just fight with peace of mind." Naofumi Iwatani's voice comforted the two from the other side: "I will protect everyone I see. I am... the Shield Hero."

Iwaya Naofumi ended the call after saying this, and Nie Chiwu also set the interface back to private. Then he said, "We should set off. The most important place to go now is Upper Two's room."

"Save the first Kocho Shinobu to die!"

As Nie Chiwu said this, a large number of light spots flew out from the insect-guiding lamp in his hand and extended into the distance, pointing out a path for several people.

"Miss Shinobu." Tanjiro also clenched the Nichirin Sword in his hand: "Captain, let's go."

"Good! That's decisive! I like it!"

Nie Chiwu immediately carried the bug stick on his back, and the hunting bug on the stick flew out according to Nie Chiwu's thoughts: "Then let's follow the guide bug! Let's hunt our first prey... Upper Rank Two! Douma!"

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"Where did this take me?" After Er Qiao killed a ferocious ghost with a single blow using her rippled one-handed sword, she anxiously followed the guide insect through the Infinite City.

Before setting off, several people had already decided on the plan and backup plan in the Infinite City. The first problem to be solved was the problem of Shinobu Kocho who was sent alone to the vicinity of Douma.

Although they had prepared themselves mentally before setting out, and would not feel guilty even if they failed to save everyone, they would try their best.

"Can this little bug really help me find that demon called Douma?" Qiao Qiao looked at the green guide formed by the guide bug in front of her with great doubt: "But Granny Cat said it's okay..."

Speaking of this, Er Qiao suddenly remembered the cat lady in the base, and then she no longer had any doubts: "Since the cat lady said it's okay! Then there's no problem!"

"Our Monster Hunter technology is world-class!" Joe said. "Hmm... what Stolheim said is really useful!"

Just as Er Qiao was saying this, not far from Er Qiao, in the Infinite City where everything was turned upside down, there was a room with a corridor next to a pond with many lotus flowers growing on it.

Shinobu Kocho was frowning at the moment, smelling a strong smell of blood in the air. While she was puzzled, some flying insects emitting tiny green light appeared beside her, and even landed on her Nichirin Sword that was covered with wisteria flower poison.

"Hmm? It's not affected by the wisteria flowers... It's not a bug formed by blood magic?" Shinobu Kocho was puzzled for a moment and then glanced around: "But this is..."

Shinobu Kocho just took a few steps forward and opened a door, and an area that looked like a courtyard appeared in front of her. Next to the courtyard was a pond and lotus flowers growing in it... but at this moment the pond had been dyed red with blood.

The gray-haired young demon was now facing away from Shinobu Kocho, with a dozen seriously injured and fallen girls around him. The demon was sitting among these girls, gnawing on their arms.

"Oh, someone is coming..." The demon with the words "Upper Rank Two" in his eyes looked at the arrival of Kocho Shinobu with a somewhat cold smile on his face: "It's a girl who looks very delicious. It seems that I have to thank... Naruto."

A huge anger overflowed from Shinobu Kocho's heart. The evil ghost in front of her was the enemy that Shinobu Kocho had been looking for, the one who killed her sister.

The girls on the floor were all covered in horrific wounds. Their blood dripped from the cracks in the ground into the pool, dyeing the lotus pond red. Some of them were still alive. They stretched out their hands to Shinobu Kocho, pleading with fear and despair: "Help... Help me!"

Douma's expression remained unchanged after hearing someone interrupt him. He simply made a shushing gesture and spoke gently to the girl. At the same time, he used the blood demon technique to wave the fan in his hand towards her: "Shh... We are talking, please be quiet."

When the blood demon art was about to hit the girl, a light figure saved the girl from under the fan, and Douma looked surprised that the fan missed.

"So fast! Are you a Hashira?" Douma's expression changed to one of delight. "Ah, but just leave the body aside. I'll eat it properly later."

"...!"

Butterfly Shinobu was shocked to see that the vital parts of the girl she had just rescued in her arms had been cut open by the sharp iron fan.

At this moment, Shinobu Kocho has completely recognized Douma's identity.

"I am... the leader of the [Eternal Paradise Religion]. It is my duty to make my believers happy. Don't worry... I will eat up that child." Douma smiled without any emotion.

"She was clearly asking me for help." Shinobu Kocho said this while trying to suppress her disgust.

"So didn't I help him..." Douma said, "Now all the sadness, pain, and fear have left him, right?"

"Everyone in this world will die, so I eat them... so that they can live forever with me." Douma looked compassionate. "I will accept everything about my believers, their thoughts, their flesh and blood, and lead them to the highest salvation..."

"It makes me want to vomit!" Butterfly Shinobu was angry and resentful, and the hatred in her heart was almost uncontrollable.

"Poor child, I'm sure you have some memories that you can't let go of. You're welcome, I'm all ears." Douma said.

"Aren't you the murderer who killed my sister?" Shinobu Kocho angrily pulled at her haori: "Don't you have any impression of this little jacket at all!"

"Hmm?" Douma thought seriously, "Ah... that girl who used Flower Breathing? She was so gentle and cute. I wanted to eat her, but then daybreak came. What a pity..."

Before Douma could finish his words, the next moment, Shinobu Kocho's blade was unsheathed.

The tip of the knife, which was covered with wisteria poison, pierced into Douma's eyes before Douma could stop it, forcing him back.

When Douma wanted to fight back, Shinobu Kocho simply retreated.

But... the cold air attached to the iron fan almost froze Shinobu Kocho's body.

Kocho Shinobu clearly felt as if she had inhaled a knife into her lungs. The biting cold made her realize that she couldn't fight the opponent head-on...

"What a shame." Douma said in a somewhat frivolous tone, "Thrusting can't kill a demon, you know? You really have to chop off its neck~~!"

"...What if it's poison?" Shinobu Kocho put the knife back into the sheath and re-mixed the poison. The next moment, the wisteria flower poison exploded in Douma's body.

"a ha ha ha……"

Douma's body looked like it was severely damaged by the wisteria flower poison, but Douma just said, "Your poison looks more powerful than the previous intelligence said!"

But Douma's next move was... he raised his head and revealed a bloody grin: "Oh my~ It seems that the poison you carefully prepared has been decomposed by me!"

"Your scabbard can also change the formula of the poison, right?" Douma quickly recovered, and said while clapping his hands: "Oh my god - being poisoned is so fun! I'm almost addicted! Do you want to continue?"

"..." Shinobu Kocho looked at Douma, mixed the poison again, and drew her blade: "At least, this step is still within my expectations..."

As Shinobu Kocho said this, she suddenly... heard a series of moans in her ears.

When Shinobu Kocho looked towards the distance, she found...

Those girls who had fallen to the ground and should have died long ago, were now... emitting a glowing green light, and were quickly recovering their vitality.

Even the girl who Shinobu Kocho failed to save just now and whose neck was almost cut off, was recovering from the wound on her neck at a somewhat strange speed.

This abnormality made Shinobu Kocho widen her eyes, and the next moment she saw a green light appearing on her body. Not only that, her body was also recovering rapidly.

"what happened!?"

Chapter 9: The Sacred Universality Connects Us

Shinobu Kocho looked at the green light on her body and could clearly feel that it was the same power as the green light that saved the girls.

Shinobu Kocho could only think of blood demon magic when it came to this strange power... But if it was blood demon magic, why would this power save those girls and even work on her?

"Hey, hey, hey! Can you hear me? Grand Commander!"

At this moment, a voice that sounded familiar to Shinobu Kocho sounded outside the door. However, the voice spoke in a completely different tone from what Shinobu Kocho remembered: "Success! Widening the area can really spread the effect of the recovery potion."

[Wide Area: The effects of some items will now affect allies within a wide range. The effect depends on the level.]

"I've already arrived at Douma's place, please come here as soon as possible! OVER!"

Shinobu Kocho originally thought it was the voice of Gyomei Hiei, but she broke in the next moment.

"Hey! The fan boy with the fancy eyes!"

Qiao Qiao chopped the wooden door open with her one-handed sword and then took a fighting stance towards Douma. "It's not a gentleman's thing to pester a cute girl. Let me play with you!"

"Yeah, that's really strange."

Douma fanned himself gently with his fan and then looked at Jotaro. "I haven't received any information about you. Are you an outsider hired by the Demon Slayer Corps? An outsider who doesn't even have a Nichirin Sword?"

Shinobu Kocho was also a little surprised, because when Jotaro appeared, she noticed that some of the strange insects that had appeared in the room before had returned to the lamp hanging around Jotaro's waist.

Shinobu Kocho suddenly understood. Was the source of those insects intended to be tracked? So who was this person who suddenly appeared and had a voice almost identical to Mr. Beimingyu?

"Huh? Do you think I'm the type to reveal my intelligence directly during a battle?" Jotaro made an international friendly gesture to Douma. "Really... thanks to my family history, I'm really angry at creatures like you who eat humans and are afraid of the sun!"

Er Qiao said this while striking a strange pose: "Come on! I'll defeat you head-on!"

"Ah, you're so confident even without the Nichirin Sword. Plus, these adorable children are recovering... Could it be that you're also a demon who's escaped Muzan-sama's control?" Douma said, ice crystals beginning to condense on his fan. "But... there are power differences between demons."

"Hey there! Shinobu Kocho, right?" Qiao Qiao didn't waste time talking to Douma. Instead, she turned to Shinobu Kocho and whispered, "You're pretty fast, aren't you? Everyone has that recovery ability now. I'll hold this guy back. Can you move them to a safe place?"

"..."

Shinobu Kocho stood up, feeling the recovery power on herself and the recovered girls of the Eternal Paradise Cult. She guessed that this was due to Qiao Er's ability, so Shinobu Kocho also said: "If this kind of recovery can continue... it's okay."

"Did you hear that?" Er Qiao turned her head and spoke to the air. Then, she took a deep breath and transferred the power of the ripples to the one-handed sword in her hand. "Come on! I am a righteous ripple warrior!"

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"Honestly...Pfft..."

Nie Chiwu, who was on his way at the moment, couldn't help but spit out the recovery medicine in his mouth after hearing Er Qiao's words.