Demon Slayer: Seraph of Radiance

The root of all tragedy — Muzan Kibutsuji.

"Even if I perish and my soul fades, I will drag you into the deepest depths of hell."

He opened his palm to reveal a warped, burning metal tag from the explosion — something he'd picked up when kneeling moments ago.

On the tag were three partially charred and twisted characters. Despite the damage, Kawanishi recognized them:

Egoka.

"Your name... is Egoka, isn't it?"

"I don't know what you've been through — perhaps deep pain and despair turned you into this."

"If I could do it over, I wouldn't have killed you. But what's done is done. All I can say is… I'm sorry."

"Sorry."

This was Kawanishi's first time killing a human. Yet, to him, it felt no different than slaying beasts in the jungle or demons — his heart barely stirred.

In the firelight, Kawanishi's expression was calm and indifferent — stone-faced, with only unshakable determination reflected in his eyes.

After everything that had happened, he felt he needed to let go of certain things.

He had once laughed heartily — but joy always fades.

He had once hesitated — but hesitation only wastes precious moments.

He had once despaired — but grief solves nothing.

"Then let me wield my blade without hesitation. The path of demon slaying has never been easy. For every crushing blow of despair, there will be a rebirth from the ashes."

Sayuki… I will personally free you.

"Whatever doesn't destroy me will only make me stronger."

"Muzan… wait for me."

He could almost hear Tanjiro's sigh in his ear:

"Kawanishi… you've suffered so much… I owe you far too much…"

His voice was filled with guilt.

"Father, don't grieve for me. This is the path I've chosen. When this is over, I'll become the son you hoped for."

With a squeeze of his right hand, Kawanishi crushed the metal tag and tossed it into the fire.

Meiko whispered beside his ear:

"Well? Is this world's darkness too heavy to bear?"

Kawanishi looked at his hardened, iron-grey hands and murmured softly:

"I can bear it. Let me shoulder the darkness — and leave the beauty to others."

Meiko asked:

"And what about me? Should I continue following you, or join the world of the dead?"

Kawanishi gazed up at the crescent moon in the sky:

"Meiko, through my eyes, you've seen beauty in this world too."

"When I was down and lost, there was Inoshiku — who welcomed me into his caravan and gave me clean clothes."

"There was Uncle Yoshida — who helped me pay when I was broke."

"Those are only a tiny fraction of this world's goodness. You've seen them, haven't you?"

Faint whispers of her voice drifted softly:

"Yes… I liked that feeling — when someone reaches out to help, like warm light."

Kawanishi said:

"Then will you walk with me, and help protect that light from the shadows?"

Meiko's voice suddenly rang out bright and clear:

"Of course! I want to feel even more of that light."

"If Muzan dies, won't there be even more light?"

Kawanishi promised:

"There will. I swear it."

————

2:00 a.m., outside Takahashi's clinic.

Under the cold moonlight, Kawanishi descended from the sky. His wings folded and vanished, his form returning to human.

"No scent of blood — Takahashi-nee should still be safe."

"But… there's strong demon energy."

Sayuki's scent had completely vanished. Only the faint trace of demonic aura from earlier remained, now much stronger.

What must be faced will come eventually.

Kawanishi pushed open the clinic door.

Creaaak — the door swung open.

Takahashi lay slumped beside Sayuki's bed, half-asleep. In the moonlight, Kawanishi could see her frowning as if having a bad dream.

On a nearby surgical table lay a metal tray containing a pair of blood-stained rubber gloves and three metallic bullets.

Awakened by the creaking door, Takahashi opened her eyes, barely making out a figure entering the room.

Instantly tense, she shut her eyes and said nervously:

"Who's there? If you're in need, there's money in the drawer by the counter. Take it. I didn't see your face. You have nothing to fear from me."

"Just stay calm..."

Kawanishi gently replied:

"Takahashi-nee… it's me."

Peeking through her fingers, Takahashi finally recognized him, and her tension turned to frustration:

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?!"

"I told you to come back tomorrow."

She suddenly paused, noticing his burned, tattered clothes and the scorched haori he carried, reeking of charred fabric.

"Wait… your clothes… what happened? What's that smell?"

Just as Takahashi was about to scold him further, Sayuki's voice drifted softly across the room, echoing slightly:

"Big brother… you've come."

Startled, Takahashi turned instinctively, but her body went limp — collapsing to the floor unconscious.

Kawanishi stepped forward.

"You—"

Before he could finish, Sayuki's voice continued sweetly:

"Hehe… don't worry. Takahashi-nee's just asleep. I wouldn't hurt her."

"I just wanted some time alone with you, big brother."

Kawanishi noticed a black vine slowly retracting from Takahashi's ankle — its thorns had pierced her skin, leaving a small blackened puncture.

Sayuki pulled back her covers and sat up.

Her treatment garments had been removed earlier, leaving only a white chest wrap and small undergarments.

She tore off the bandages at her waist, discarding them casually.

Her slender arms, delicate long legs, swan-like neck, graceful collarbones — large patches of flawless white skin were exposed before Kawanishi's eyes.

Her waist-length golden hair now sprouted strands of inky black spreading from the roots, each hair tip ending in tiny thorn-like points.

Her pink pupils gradually shifted — her sclera turned blood-red, her pupils deepened into dark voids layered with needle-like crystalline patterns.

Her soft pink lips now gleamed a fiery crimson, with two sharp fangs peeking out — not menacing like Kawanishi's demon fangs, but instead lending her a wild, playful charm.

With a nimble step, she appeared beside Kawanishi, circling behind him and wrapping her soft arms around his waist, her cheek pressing against his neck.

Her now-demonic eyes smiled — seductive, playful, alluring.

The corners of her lips curled upward, lips slightly parted.

"Big brother… do I look pretty like this?"

"Stay with me — forever and ever!"

(End of Chapter)