15 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Bang!

With a deafening gunshot from Genya, Shinobu Kocho darted forward, unsheathing her blade to divert the demon's attention away from him.

Insect Breathing, Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter!

Her Nichirin blade, as sharp and precise as a stinger, lunged forward with unwavering momentum. The demon, Kyouka, had barely sidestepped Genya's bullet and was caught off guard by the sudden thrust.

Yet the kimono-clad woman remained eerily composed.

With a subtle flick of her fingers, she twirled the bell at her wrist. The soft, rhythmic chime reverberated through the air, distorting Shinobu's vision. Her target blurred, and her blade, trembling from an unseen force, deviated far off course, grazing past Kyouka's sleeve instead of her neck.

Sensing something was amiss, Shinobu bit down hard on her tongue, the sting of pain snapping her back to clarity. With a sharp twist of her wrist, she redirected her blade, lunging once more.

At the same time, Genya fired another shot. The bullets and blade formed a pincer attack, leaving Kyouka seemingly cornered.

The young girls supporting them from the sidelines watched with bated breath. Victory seemed within reach, their target—this Lower Rank demon—might finally fall.

But then…

Ding-ding-ding…

The bell's haunting melody continued, a sound that seemed to burrow into their minds. Kyouka stepped gracefully between the attacks, her movements precise, as though choreographed. The hem of her snow-white kimono brushed past Shinobu's face, leaving behind a sickening stench.

No matter how beautiful her outward appearance, her true nature as a man-eating demon was unmistakable.

Genya's bullets struck trees, Shinobu's blade found nothing but cloth.

Kyouka lowered herself in a mocking bow, exuding elegance despite the battle raging around her.

Slippery as an eel, Shinobu thought, her frustration mounting.

The bell in Kyouka's hand wasn't just for show. Its resonance seemed to unnerve them, shaking their focus, while the demon's ability to read their thoughts made her a step ahead in every move.

"You're clever," Kyouka remarked, her tone gentle but condescending. "Far more perceptive than most of the demonslayers I've encountered."

"Don't lump me in with those filthy demons!" Shinobu spat, anger flaring in her voice.

Kyouka's serene smile faltered. "I had hoped to ask you a few questions," she mused, her tone darkening. "But perhaps I'll simply devour you first. Then, I can sift through your empty thoughts at my leisure."

Shinobu exchanged a brief glance with Genya and the others.

Stop overthinking! she willed herself.

Attack… unpredictably!

Insect Breathing, Dragonfly Dance: Compound Eye Hexagon!

Shinobu's blade moved in a flurry, striking six times in rapid succession, each aimed with deadly precision at Kyouka's head.

But Kyouka merely chuckled, her movements fluid as water.

"Surprising, but I can see your heart," she said lightly. "Your every action is as clear to me as pebbles beneath a stream."

In an instant, Kyouka twisted and lunged, her clawed hand bursting from her sleeve. She snatched the wrist of one of the younger demon slayers before she could react.

"Hm? You're faster than you look," Kyouka mused, her tone mocking. With a sickening crunch, she tightened her grip, forcing the girl's sword to clatter to the ground. The girl gasped in agony, her face pale as a sheet.

"Yuri!" Shinobu's heart lurched, her body moving on instinct.

She thrust her blade forward, aiming for Kyouka's eye.

Got her!

The tip of her Nichirin blade pierced Kyouka's eye with a wet squelch, like shattering a fragile crystal. Blackened blood oozed down, staining her pristine kimono.

But before Shinobu could release her blade's deadly poison, Kyouka flicked her fingers, sending the weapon flying from Shinobu's grasp.

Clutching her bleeding eye, Kyouka stared at Shinobu, her gaze disbelieving.

"Your thoughts... vanished. Just for a moment," she murmured. "How peculiar."

Kyouka let her hand fall away, revealing an eye already regenerated.

A Lower Rank demon with such speed… and this is just one of the Twelve Kizuki. Shinobu's mind raced. If the Upper Ranks are even stronger, what hope do we have?

Kyouka seemed to sense her thoughts and chuckled.

"The Upper Ranks are incomparable," she said, her voice silky. "Especially Doma-sama. His Blood Demon Arts are so exquisite, one could spend an eternity admiring them."

Shinobu bit her lip, noticing Genya pulling out a special pill made from Tamayo's medicine. He was preparing to consume it.

No! Shinobu berated herself. How can I let someone younger take on this burden? I have to think… what would Sister do? What would Haruto do?

"Haruto?" Kyouka mused aloud, tilting her head. "Ah, the infamous Star Hashira. The Upper Ranks have been waiting to face him. It's only a matter of time before he either kneels to us… or becomes a meal for one of our lords."

Shinobu's blood ran cold.

Kyouka's gaze darted between her and Genya, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

"Who is this Haruto to you, I wonder? A mentor? A comrade?" Her tone turned teasing. "Or perhaps… something more?"

A sharp buzzing filled the air.

Shinobu lunged, her blade cutting through the tension with a visceral slice. She didn't think—she didn't care. Her entire being burned with rage.

The blade bit into Kyouka's flesh, carving deep into her chest.

"Shut your mouth," Shinobu hissed. "And die!"