"ROAR!!!"
An invisible wolf howl seemed to carry extreme oppressive force, causing the wide-mouthed Demon to momentarily falter.
"Who's there!?" The enraged big-mouthed Demon, clutching Shinobu Kocho, turned around angrily wanting to see who dared interrupt its meal.
From the darkness, a sleek black wolf-dog suddenly burst through the bushes, its elongated muzzle clamped around the neck of a still-twitching Demon.
The dense demonic aura emanating from the black wolf-dog made the big-mouthed Demon shudder with terror.
This black wolf-dog power was absolutely terrifying!
How had it managed to hide in Mount Fujikasane for so long?
Didn't the Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira regularly purge powerful Demons from these mountains?
Before the astonished big-mouthed Demon eyes, the wolf-dog sharp teeth snapped shut with a
CRACK!!
Accompanied by the Demon scream, both head and neck were crushed into pulp.
Growling low, the black wolf-dog circled the big-mouthed Demon leisurely, as if taking a stroll, while chewing through the Demon skull.
Perhaps sensing the overwhelming pressure from the wolf-dog, the big-mouthed Demon couldn't contain itself.
It interpreted this as a challenge—likely over the human girl in its grasp.
Normally, it wouldn't be worth fighting a powerful fellow Demon over mere prey.
But this was Mount Fujikasane—a prison for Demons, their personal hell. Every morsel of flesh was irresistible temptation here, especially the tender meat of the girl it held.
With a roar, the massive Demon suddenly charged at the wolf-dog, determined to strike first.
"Yip yip yip~"
The black wolf-dog responded with mocking howls, effortlessly leaping aside to dodge the attack.
Enraged, the big-mouthed Demon bellowed and launched frenzied assaults, while the wolf-dog continued evading with playful ease, as if toying with prey.
The wolf-dog even began yipping excitedly, seemingly having found wonderful entertainment.
"Stupid mutt! Stop playing! Can't you see that ugly freak still holding someone?!" Just as the wolf-dog was enjoying itself, a stern reprimand echoed in its mind.
"Whimper"
Instantly deflated, the previously exuberant wolf-dog's ears drooped.
Meanwhile, Shinobu Kocho in the Demon grip wasn't faring well either. Being swung around violently left her pale and feeling like her body might fall apart, her once rosy cheeks now drained of color.
Realizing playtime was over, the wolf-dog dashed forward—SNAP!—biting off the Demon arm holding Shinobu before it could react.
"BASTARD!! GIVE HER BACK!!" The Demon roared, charging forward, but the wolf-dog had already retreated several paces with the weakened Shinobu in tow.
Gently depositing Shinobu on soft grass, the wolf-dog fixed its crimson eyes murderously on the big-mouthed Demon.
This ugly creature had gotten him scolded by his master.
Grrrrrr!!!
A low growl began brewing in the black wolf-dog throat, its claws digging firmly into the ground as its elongated snout suddenly took a deep, unprovoked inhale.
Upon reaching a certain limit, it abruptly opened wide toward the charging Maw Demon.
Blood Demon Art: Shadow Wolf Howl!
"Awoooooo!!!!"
Terrifying soundwaves that distorted the very air itself came roaring forth, churning the earth and snapping vegetation.
The moment these horrific sonic attacks touched the Maw Demon, its massive body instantly exploded.
Flesh and bones burst apart simultaneously, splattering disgusting multicolored fluids everywhere.
"NOOOOOOOO!!" The Maw Demon let out a desperate wail—it had never imagined this wolf demon power could be so terrifying.
Had it known beforehand, no amount of delicious flesh would have tempted it to covet this prey.
BOOOMM!!
The enormous body crashed heavily onto the ground, completely mangled. The Maw Demon struggled pitifully, begging the black wolf-dog for mercy.
"M-my lord... spare me... my lord..."
But the black wolf-dog gave no respond.
Leaping gracefully onto the Maw Demon body, it targeted the thick neck.
With a light howl, it opened its fang-filled maw and—CRUNCH—bit down decisively.
Horrific sounds of flesh tearing continued unabated, accompanied by the Maw Demon increasingly miserable screams.
It was hard to believe these were the fearful shrieks of a ferocious demon—an unknowing listener might mistake them for some unfortunate swordsman being torn apart by demons.
Squelch!!
Foul demon blood sprayed across the black wolf-dog face.
Bathed in blood under the moonlight, the creature appeared exceptionally savage and terrifying as it forcibly tore off the Maw Demon grotesque head.
Shaking the severed neck in its jaws, the wolf-dog soon released it with distaste.
The head rolled like a ball until it stopped before Shinobu, who had witnessed the entire scene.
Then, right before her eyes, it disintegrated into ashes.
Some might wonder how another demon could kill a demon.
In truth, the black wolf-dog—Maru-ni in his demonized form—possessed unique fangs.
Several of his elongated canines were hollow, like a venomous snake fangs, capable of accumulating deadly wolf-demon toxin.
Through Shinichi continuous feeding, Maru-ni wolf-demon toxin had become infused with highly concentrated wisteria poison.
Thus, demonized Maru-ni could indeed kill other demons.
Having executed the Maw Demon, the black wolf-dog turned its gaze toward Shinobu, who sat trembling on the ground clutching her broken Nichirin Blade—the remaining fragment shorter than its hilt.
Her violet eyes stared nervously at the wolf-dog.
Unlike the Maw Demon, she didn't recognize this as Maru-ni transformed state, mistakenly believing it to be another hungry demon come to fight over its prey.
The black wolf-dog oppressive aura far surpassed the Maw Demon.
Gripping her shattered sword, Shinobu slender frame shook uncontrollably—a primal human fear response.
Yet her stubborn nature made her lift her head to face the creature directly.
"Sister... I'm sorry I can't slay demons with you anymore" she whispered, treating this as her final words.
"But I'll watch over you from heaven with Father and Mother."
With great effort, the trembling girl forced herself to stand.
Although her life might be nearing its end, she would use every last ounce of her strength to strike the Demon one final, devastating blow before she died!
However, Shinobu, who had been filled with grim determination, was soon stunned by the sight before her.
The once agile and powerful black wolf-like dog suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon, its body rapidly shrinking until—in the blink of an eye—it transformed into a chubby little Shiba Inu right in front of her.
Staring at the familiar, plump little Shiba Inu wagging its tail, the shock in Shinobu eyes was beyond words.
"Ma... Maru-ni?"
"Woof woof!"
****
At the foot of Fujikasane Mountain, Shinichi who had been keeping his eyes closed all this time, suddenly opened them.
A glimmer flashed through his heterochromatic eyes as he let out a sigh, as if in relief.
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