It took only a moment's hesitation before Oboro heard footsteps behind him.
Chiyoko and Rina were following him.
After all, they had grown up serving this master. If they left now, they had nowhere else to go.
Status meant everything in this world.
Staying by his side guaranteed food, shelter, and the protection of official status. Without that, surviving as ordinary people was incredibly difficult.
Oboro had given them the choice simply as a matter of principle.
The two girls walked on either side of him, silent. They asked no questions and made no accusations.
---
In the world of Demon Slayer, the pinnacle of human power consisted of three things: Demon Marks, Transparent World, and Bright Red Blade.
Oboro had watched Ichiei and Tenjuro fight. Their Breathing styles had indeed changed, incorporating the breathing techniques he had taught the Corps.
Their physical abilities and speed had increased significantly... but that was all. It was merely a boost to their base stats. True transformation took time.
The breathing method he had given to Ubuyashiki Hisano, when mastered, could easily allow one to awaken the Demon Mark.
As for unlocking the Transparent World, that depended on individual talent and comprehension.
The progression of his technique, when fused with this world's Breathing styles, followed five stages:
1. Enhancement: Temporary boost to all physical attributes, far exceeding standard Breathing.
2. Specialization: Strengthening specific parts of the body to develop unique functions.
3. Internal Circulation: Cultivating internal energy to temper the organs. At this stage, the Demon Mark awakens. It is seen as breaking the limits of the human body, characterized by soaring body temperature and rapid pulse.
4. Multiple Cycles: Energy flows through different meridian systems simultaneously. This stimulates not just the body, but the mind and will. Perception expands infinitely, making the Transparent World easy to attain, and turning the blade red becomes natural.
5. Perfection: As Oboro had achieved. Energy flows freely everywhere, not limited by routes or meridians. The body itself becomes the furnace. The heat generated is so intense it creates a visible haze like steam.
Judging by their performance, the Pillars had only just entered the first stage.
Given they hadn't been training long, their speed was already impressive thanks to their existing foundation.
Oboro, however, had cultivated this method in the world of Hunter x Hunter.
With its richer resources, harsher environment, and higher power ceiling, combined with his own genius, he had reached the fifth stage in just over a decade.
That was impossible here.
Aside from someone like Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was chosen by the world itself, no one else possessed the potential to reach such heights.
The environment, the resources, and the very "soil" of this world weren't sufficient.
Reaching the Demon Mark was already considered a miracle. Mastering the Transparent World was reserved for only one in a million.
However, over generations and with the right guidance, things would change.
By the time of Tanjiro's generation, many Pillars would possess Marks and Transparent World. That would be the fruit of the seeds being planted now.
Aside from the Red Blade, concepts like Marks and Transparent World were actually quite common in the world of Hunter x Hunter.
Because Nen was so complex and versatile, the combat level there was vastly higher. It required more information processing, strategy, and mental capacity.
The Transparent World was essentially the ability to read muscle movements and react instantly. In HxH, that was basic training for true experts.
Fighters like Hisoka or Biscuit could read every twitch, every intention, even hidden ones. They could judge physical stats and analyze Nen types instantly.
It was on a completely different scale.
Nen and Breathing Styles were not comparable in complexity.
Furthermore, in this world, opening the Mark usually meant death before age 25, as the body couldn't handle the strain.
This alone showed the difference in physical potential. In HxH, even ordinary beasts from the Dark Continent possessed physiology far beyond this world's limits.
The gap between high-level and low-level worlds was absolute.
But the good news was that the breathing technique Oboro taught was superior. If mastered properly, it might allow them to break the curse of early death and live long lives like Yoriichi.
As for Marks, Transparent World, and Red Blades... they were all trivial to Oboro now.
Just using his basic breathing, his speed and power were already far beyond those concepts.
That was what it meant to be a being from a higher world descending upon a lower one. He was essentially a walking cheat code.
"There's still plenty of time..."
Oboro smiled softly.
...
Several hours after Ichiei and Tenjuro had fled.
Other Pillars, receiving the emergency message, were rushing toward Seirin-machi.
An Upper Rank has appeared!
This was an opportunity the Demon Slayer Corps hadn't encountered in a long time.
Killing an Upper Rank would not only boost morale but might also lead them to information about Muzan himself.
On the road, the Sound Pillar, Takimoto Sayuri, frowned as she ran.
She wore a white coat-like haori, her hair tied in a long braid.
Above her, a special messenger crow with colorful, iridescent feathers cried out: "Seirin-machi! Upper Rank Five!"
Sayuri's expression was grave. According to the report, Ichiei and Tenjuro had been sent to deal with a demon that had wiped out previous squads. They had expected perhaps a Lower Rank.
But it was an Upper Rank!
The Master had ordered all available Pillars to converge. It would take at least four Pillars to stand a chance.
But they were scattered. Waiting would let the demon escape.
She was the closest, so she came first. Her plan was simple: stall for time if the enemy was still there. Capturing an Upper Rank was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
However, the report mentioned something else... someone else was involved.
Another demon.
"Dawn is breaking!"
Sayuri noticed the first light on the horizon and pushed her speed even higher.
Soon, the village came into view. She leaped onto the rooftops, drawing her unique, whip-like Nichirin Blade.
The thick stench of blood hit her, making her face pale.
But when she arrived at the shrine grounds, she stopped in shock.
Someone was already there.
Standing with his back to her was Owada Tetsuya, the Stone Pillar.
"He's gone... I searched in the direction indicated, but found no trace of Upper Rank Five."
Owada spoke without turning around. He pointed to the ground.
"The villagers are all dead. Judging by the wounds, they were killed by a weapon, but not a standard blade. The strikes lack smoothness; they were destroyed purely by brute force and speed."
"It wasn't the Upper Rank who did this."
Sayuri walked closer, looking at the carnage.
"You're right... The killer must be the other one mentioned in the letter... the demon who was just created using Upper Rank's blood."
Silence fell between them.
The sight of so many innocent people dead only fueled their hatred.
These monsters... deserved to be annihilated.
"All Pillars, assemble! All Pillars, assemble!"
A black crow landed on a branch, squawking the new order.
"Let's bury them... Give them a proper funeral."
"Understood."
____________________
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