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Chapter 36

He got the upper hand and came in close, Akaza dodging at the last minute as they were engulfed by Rengoku's flame wheel.

"Such speed! And your wonderful technique! Are you really willing to let age rob you of all of this?! Doesn't it sadden you?!"

"That's how it must be! It's normal! That's what it means to be human!"
His character broke, his voice booming with a fury I couldn't quite grasp.

I tried to get up, my blood threatening to spill once more. He turned his head to scream at me, his voice booming through the open air.
"Don't move! If your wounds re-open you'll die! It is not your time yet! You have to stay alive for the sake of the world!"

I freeze, listening to his words and staying put.

"Don't waste your thoughts on the weakling, Kyojuro! Focus on me! Concentrate all your strength on me!"

Inosuke ran by my side, kneeling down and wrapping my arm around his shoulder for support, watching the battle with the same fascination I held in my eyes.

An impressive burst of flames engulfed the earth, but it became clear that Kyojuro was growing tired, while Akaza seemed in perfect condition.

"Help..."
I panted.
"I have to help...!"

Inosuke turned to me.
"You're still wounded!"

"I have to help! Rengoku won't win alone! I have to-!"
The pain burst in me again, but my wound had luckily not re-opened. My chest felt heavy and my lungs were empty.

"Avatar! Stand down!"
Rengoku huffed, one of his eyes shut as blood poured from the top of his head over it.

Tanjiro had come by my side as well, holding me back, noticing my panicked state.

"Rengoku..."
My voice was weak to call to him, and I gripped the ground beneath in my palms.
Rengoku... Rengoku...!

There's no opening... I couldn't land a hit even if I tried. At this point, they're so fast I can't even keep up with their movements. Going close to them now means death. I can't help Rengoku... I'd only get in his way...

Tanjiro and Inosuke were as distraught as I was. Rengoku was heavily wounded, while Akaza only suffered a healing scratch on his chest.

"No matter how desperately you fight, Kyojuro, it is futile. This splendid cut you made on me is already healing. But look at you. Your left eye is crushed. Your ribs are most likely piercing at your insides. You're bleeding internally. Those are serious wounds."

He sighed.
"If you had been a demon, you would've healed of these in the blink of an eye. To a demon, those are merely scratches. No matter how hard you struggle, how strongly you fight, a human cannot defeat a demon.

My limbs won't move. My body is frozen in place. I'm screaming to get up and protect Rengoku, but my body won't move an inch!

My head is pounding. I feel like I'll drop dead in a few seconds. I'm so close to losing any bit of consciousness I have left.