Tanjiro and his companions finally reached their mission destination — Mount Natagumo.
At the base of the mountain, Zenitsu trembled uncontrollably, too terrified to climb.
Meanwhile, Tanjiro and Inosuke pressed forward and entered the misty forest.
On their way up, they encountered a few members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Although those slayers were disappointed to see only a Kanoe-rank swordsman like Tanjiro coming as backup, after receiving a few punches from Inosuke, they reluctantly explained the situation.
At that moment, two Hashira had already been dispatched as reinforcements—though they were still on their way.
Elsewhere, Zenitsu sat at the foot of the mountain, wallowing in self-pity.
『Agatsuma Zenitsu』: Am I being hated…?
『Agatsuma Zenitsu』: Who just leaves someone behind like that?
『Agatsuma Zenitsu』: Aren't we supposed to be comrades? Shouldn't they try to persuade me?
『Agatsuma Zenitsu』: If they both told me to go, even I would've gone…
『Agatsuma Zenitsu』: But those two…
Unable to bear his whining any longer, the sparrow beside him bit Zenitsu's arm.
And so, man and bird began bickering.
Amid their squabble, Zenitsu suddenly thought of Nezuko.
That thought alone forced him to his feet — and he sprinted straight into the dark mountain.
…
Meanwhile—
As Tanjiro was thinking of a strategy, a strange sound reached his ears.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: This sound… what is it?
The nearby Demon Slayer looked visibly panicked.
『Demon Slayer』: It's happening again.
『Demon Slayer』: That sound… after we heard it, everyone started killing each other!
Tanjiro's expression grew grim.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Where is the sound coming from?
Suddenly—several Demon Slayers staggered toward them.
But something was off about them.
Their heads drooped low, blood dripped from their mouths, and their bodies twisted unnaturally as they walked.
Without a word, the group drew their blades and attacked.
Their movements were stiff and sluggish, allowing Tanjiro and Inosuke to dodge with ease.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Hah! These guys are idiots!
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Don't they know fighting comrades is against the rules?!
『Kamado Tanjiro』: No… their movements aren't right.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: They're being controlled.
While speaking, he dodged another slash.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Then I'll just cut them down!
『Kamado Tanjiro』: No! They're still alive—there are people inside those bodies!
『Kamado Tanjiro』: And we can't harm the remains of our comrades!
After repelling one of the attackers, Tanjiro caught a faint sweet scent from the man's back.
Acting on instinct, he swung his Nichirin Blade through the air behind the slayer—
and several invisible threads snapped apart.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Threads! They're being controlled by threads!
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Cut the threads!
Inosuke grinned and charged in, slashing at the thin lines behind the possessed slayers.
Sure enough, three of them immediately collapsed to the ground, immobile.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Hmph, I noticed that before you did!
Tanjiro ignored his boasting, scanning the area.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: The question is—where's the demon controlling them?
Then, he felt something crawl across his shoulder.
A spider.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: What the…?
Before he could react, his arm jerked unnaturally—pulled by some unseen force.
Tanjiro swung his sword toward it, severing several more threads.
The spiders scurried away.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: So the spiders are controlling the threads?
『Kamado Tanjiro』: That means—
The fallen slayers began to rise again, new threads reattaching to their bodies.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Cutting the threads isn't enough. The spiders will just reconnect them.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: We need to find the demon behind all this.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Inosuke! If you can sense the demon's location somehow—help me!
『Kamado Tanjiro』: I've been smelling something strange since we got here, but my nose isn't working right!
Just then, a pale figure appeared above them—
his entire body deathly white, clad in a kimono patterned like a spider's web.
Clearly, this eerie presence could only be the demon behind it all.
Hovering in midair, he gazed down coldly at them.
『Unknown Demon』: Don't disturb our family's peaceful life.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: He's… floating?
Then Tanjiro noticed—
the demon was standing on the threads themselves.
『Unknown Demon』: It doesn't matter. Mother will kill you soon enough.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Mother…?
Tanjiro was puzzled, but Inosuke was already roaring forward.
With a running start, he leapt high, blades flashing toward the airborne demon—
but his reach fell short.
The demon cast a cold glance at them before retreating into the darkness.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Damn it! Where do you think you're going?!
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Fight me, you coward!
He shouted as he landed hard on the ground.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: What the hell was that guy's deal?
『Kamado Tanjiro』: He probably wasn't the one controlling the threads. So first—
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Yeah, yeah, I get it! You want me to find the demon's location, right? So annoying, Forehead Boy!
He slammed both blades into the ground.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Beast Breathing, Seventh Fang—Spatial Awareness!
He closed his eyes, feeling the vibrations and air currents around him.
Moments later, his head snapped toward a direction deep in the woods.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Found it. Over there.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Really? You found it?
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Yeah. There's a strong presence that way.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: That's amazing, Inosuke!
Inosuke froze for a moment, startled by the unexpected praise.
He felt something warm stir inside his chest.
Then—an attack came from behind.
He dodged instinctively.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Tch. If we want to move forward, we'll have to deal with them first.
『Hashibira Inosuke』: So annoying. I'll just chop them all up!
『Kamado Tanjiro』: No! There must be another way.
『Kamado Tanjiro』: We can't hurt them—they're still our comrades!
The controlled slayers attacked again.
Only one slayer among them remained free—Murata.
He stood firm, blade drawn.
『Murata』: Leave this to me! You two go on ahead!
『Hashibira Inosuke』: Hah?! You scared little weakling, don't act all brave now!
『Murata』: You're the one who's scared, you damn boar-head!
『Murata』: Shut up! I'm not talking to you!
Despite his fear earlier, Murata's eyes were full of resolve now.
『Murata』: I may be terrified, but I'm still a member of the Demon Slayer Corps!
『Murata』: I'll handle things here. Cutting the threads makes them stop moving.
『Murata』: Their attacks are simple—I can manage. You two, go! Quickly!
『Kamado Tanjiro』: Got it. Thank you!
Grabbing Inosuke by the arm, Tanjiro dashed into the dark forest.