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Chapter 40

We're working together, and it's paying off. Whoever is causing those rumbles is doing us a massive favor, too.

Through the air and ground, pieces of obi rush and stab into her, and we halt.
Are they attacking her? No... No, It can't be. Are they returning to her, then?

I ignore it, Tanjiro rushing to land a hit, confusing the both of us when she disappeared. Next we see her is on top of a roof, euphoric, her long black hair now a pure white.
"Finally! A Hashira! A Hashira is here! His Lordship will be so happy!"

The intensity of the heavy air around her grew even heavier. From behind, someone shouted our way, a man, clearly annoyed.

"Hey, you! What are you doing? Don't fight in front of my shop!"

We both panic, and I spot even more people looking our way from the commotion.
Damn it!

"Stand back!"
I sweep my leg over the ground, creating a gust of wind to knock him back a little.

"You're much safer inside!"
Tanjiro calls out, and as soon as he did, the ground beneath shook, and an incredible cracking sound emerged.

Protecting both the man and each other, we're made aware of the large slashes buried into the dirt and walls. Some of them got us, one across Tanjiro's shoulder and one on my side.

It stung so bad I felt I was about to split in two, the icy rush of air over my warm blood enough to nearly make me cry.

Screams rang out throughout the entire area, cries echoing out and back to us, walls collapsing.
We barely catch a breath of air ourselves, blood pouring down into the earth.
"Calm yourself."
He pants out to the man.
"We're here to help. Tie a tourniquet around your arm."

Satisfied, the demon turns to leave.
"Stop! I-"
I feel my wound pulse with pain.
"I won't let you get away with this!"

"Pardon? You still have fight left in you? That's quite enough, you hideous thing. An ugly human's life holds no value, I'll be sure you get along with the other corpses well."

My blood is rushing even faster than before, almost burning from within. Every bit of me is screaming to just charge and fight again, my heart unable to suppress itself.
Everyone's sobs are only growing more painful to hear.

My heart feels like it's about to explode, it hurts so much.
But this woman- No, this hideous, horrid creature. It kills with no remorse, no regret. The cruelty and suffering that these monsters have produced is something I will never forgive.

Tanjiro's fury has flared up as well, his wounds heavy as blood poured down his face, yet his resolve was unwavering.
I breathe in deeply, and we jump up to the roof, Tanjiro grabbing her ankle, one of her sashes now tightly in my grip, looped around my fist, its edges cutting my palm.

We both strike, and she's quick to react, drawing herself back, injuring my hand.
"Human lives are something that can never be returned. Once gone, it's gone forever."
I grit my teeth, my entire body burning up, head spinning as my voice seems to no longer match me.

"The body of a demon isn't made of human flesh. You have no human blood flowing through you. So now, you answer me this-"