svetikya Chapter 129 Crisis at Both Ends
Chapter 129 Crisis at Both Ends
The lights were dim and flickering, and the train made a regular, muffled rumble on the tracks, causing the entire carriage to tremble slightly.
Tanjiro and Inosuke stopped in their tracks at the same time, and a tense atmosphere silently spread between them.
Tanjiro then turned around abruptly and looked at Inosuke, who had somehow followed behind him.
He was so focused on capturing that faint ghostly aura that he completely failed to notice his companion approaching.
Perhaps it was because the trust built up from spending so much time together and fighting side by side was so profound that the familiar scent emanating from Inosuke had made him let down all his guard and vigilance.
He turned back to his seat, his gaze falling on the expressionless train conductor in front of him. His nose twitched slightly as he carefully checked the conductor's presence once more.
A warm body temperature, a normal heartbeat, and a uniquely human body odor, without any cold or fishy smell, truly an ordinary human being.
After confirming that it was safe, Tanjiro breathed a sigh of relief, took out his and Inosuke's tickets from his pocket, and handed them over with both hands.
The train attendant kept his head down, his expression as indifferent as a soulless doll. He mechanically took the ticket, pressed it lightly with a hole punch, his movements stiff and rigid. He didn't make any extra noise or raise his head even once.
As Tanjiro returned the ticket, he continued to use his sense of smell to pinpoint the location of the demon.
Strangely, when he took back the punched ticket from the train conductor...
That incredibly clear wisp of ghostly energy, pointing directly to the front of the car, vanished completely in an instant.
How could this be...?
Tanjiro's pupils contracted slightly as he stared incredulously at the closed train doors.
Just a second ago, the smell was clearly audible, and the source was right behind the door. But now, all that remained was the cold metallic scent and the smell of engine oil; there was no longer any trace of the ghostly chill.
It vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed.
"Two passengers, please do not move around inside the train. Please return to your seats."
After saying this in a flat, indifferent voice, the train conductor turned around and walked stiffly toward the rear carriage, his back looking particularly eerie in the dim light.
Only after the other person's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Inosuke immediately step forward, staring intently at Tanjiro's solemn expression, and speak in a low voice.
"Tanpachiro, what's wrong? You were acting strange just now, and that train conductor..."
"Inosuke, there's a ghost on this train."
Tanjiro interrupted him, his voice low and serious, his brows furrowed tightly.
"Moreover, its strength is definitely not weak. Its aura is very strange. It was clearly near the front of the car just now, but now it has suddenly disappeared."
"A ghost?!"
Inosuke instantly forgot what he was going to say, his eyes suddenly blazing with a fanatical fighting spirit, and without thinking, he drew the two Nichirin Blades from his waist.
"Where are you? Daring to hide, I'll chop you to pieces right now!"
"Right behind that door, I clearly saw it just now..."
Tanjiro pointed to the closed train door, before he could finish speaking.
Unable to contain his impulse any longer, Inosuke suddenly raised his foot and kicked the car door hard!
"Clang—!!"
The metal door was kicked open, and a blast of cold air rushed into the car.
"Damn you! Where are you hiding?! I'm here to challenge you to a duel—!"
Inosuke roared and charged in, brandishing his twin swords.
Meanwhile, in the seating area in the middle of the train.
The expressionless train conductor walked right up to where Rengoku Kyojuro, Nezuko, and Zenitsu were.
He mechanically extended his hand, gesturing for the three to show their tickets.
But the next second.
Kyojuro Rengoku and Mizuko became alert almost simultaneously.
"Mr. Purgatory..."
Mizuko's expression changed slightly, and her small hand quietly pressed against the tsuba of the Nichirin Blade.
"Yes, that's right."
Kyojuro Rengoku remained upright, his fiery eyes sharp as torches, staring straight at the rear of the train, his tone calm and cold.
"There really is a ghost here."
Mi Douzi's eyes narrowed, and he no longer hesitated.
With a "whoosh," the Nichirin Blade was drawn, the blade humming softly, and the aura instantly entered the state of full concentration.
Zenitsu trembled with fear, his face turned pale, and he gripped the seat tightly with both hands, looking around nervously. His mind went blank, and he had no idea how to react.
Kyojuro noticed his panic, but still maintained a cheerful and reliable smile, speaking loudly but lowering his voice slightly to avoid causing panic among ordinary passengers.
"Blonde-haired boy, please stay here and protect the ordinary people in the carriage. Don't let them get involved in the fight. Nezuko, let's go!"
"yes!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Rengoku Kyojuro stood up first, his flame-patterned haori billowing behind him like a blazing sun, and strode towards the rear of the carriage.
Midouzi followed closely behind, her movements light yet firm, her small figure exuding an aura that was in no way inferior.
"Wait, wait a minute—you've all left, and I'm all alone!! No way—!!!"
Zenitsu watched the two figures leave without hesitation and broke down screaming on the spot.
But looking at the sleeping passengers around him who were completely unaware, he could only grit his teeth and hold on to his seat, trembling with fear but not daring to move an inch.
The train conductor seemed completely oblivious to the burst of sword energy and the hurried footsteps around him.
He remained expressionless, mechanically continuing to check tickets, like a truly soulless puppet.
A cold wind blew in the shadows at the rear of the train, creating an eerie atmosphere.
As soon as Rengoku Kyojuro and Nezuko arrived, they ran into a twisted and bizarre demon.
Its body was bloated, its limbs were thin like spider legs, its fangs protruded, and it exuded a nauseating fishy smell. It was clear at a glance that it was a vicious creature that ate humans.
"Mr. Purgatory, please allow me to accept the challenge!"
Mi Douzi stepped forward, volunteering for the mission, her eyes clear and determined.
"Please also stand by and point out any shortcomings I may have!"
"good!"
Kyojuro Rengoku readily agreed, crossed his arms, and stood steadily behind him with an encouraging smile on his face.
Upon seeing this, the evil spirit was instantly enraged.
It clearly felt the terrifying pressure from the pillar, but the other party remained motionless, only letting a seemingly weak girl fight. In its eyes, this was blatant contempt.
"How dare you look down on me—!!"
The demon roared and lunged at Midouzi like a cannonball, its claws tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound as it aimed straight for her neck.
Mi Douzi remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic; his mind was highly focused at this moment.
She slowly adjusted her breathing, clearing her mind of all distractions.
Breathe slowly... steady your rhythm... don't force a fusion, don't deliberately imitate, just take the most solid foundation of both, and follow your body's instincts...
With his mind focused, Mi Douzi's eyes were sharp as knives. He turned his wrist lightly, without using any fancy sword techniques or pursuing a powerful display of energy.
With the most composed, solid, and flawless posture, he swung the knife cleanly and decisively.
The blade sliced through the air, so fast that only a pale pink streak remained.
The demon didn't even have time to react before its body, which was pouncing in mid-air, suddenly froze.
"Pfft—"
A crisp, clear sound of slashing rang out.
The head fell to the ground with a thud, and the body slumped to the ground, quickly turning into ashes and dissipating.
One hit, instant kill.
The entire set of movements was fluid, clean, and crisp, with not a single superfluous movement, perfectly showcasing an extremely solid foundation and extraordinary combat talent.
Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes lit up, and he praised her generously, his tone full of admiration.
"Absolutely beautiful! A very solid attack! A firm foundation, and the timing was perfect! You don't need any further guidance from me!"
Mizuko sheathed her Nichirin Blade, a faint blush rising on her face. She scratched her head shyly and said softly and modestly.
"It's all thanks to Mr. Purgatory's excellent guidance; I still have a long way to go..."
Just as the battle at the rear of the train ended and the demons turned to ashes.
On the pitch-black roof of the Infinite Train.
Four cold, sinister figures stood silently in the raging wind, looking down at the speeding steel behemoth. Their scarlet eyes took in everything that was happening below.
The demon standing at the very front, with the first line of the slant pattern etched under his eyes, slowly curled a sickly yet cloying smile onto his lips.
The Lower Moon Two beside him lowered his voice and asked softly:
"Your...blood demon magic...has succeeded?"