I am a female swordsman.

"Then the right foot."

"Stop...!" A mocking voice came again from behind the thick rain, and Jason cried out in terror.

However, 'Yellow Springs' did not have the habit of seeking permission from a stray dog ​​before acting. The snake-belly sword nimbly and swiftly bypassed Jason's scales and easily severed his right foot as if it were his left foot.

"Which should I take off next, my right hand or my left hand... Never mind, let's just take them off together, you don't need them anyway."

Click! Click!

"Since you like using the rinkaku so much, then keep crawling with the rinkaku, crawl like a dog." She sheathed her snake-belly sword and, with elegant steps, Huang Quan's tall figure slowly emerged from the depths of the rain.

At this moment, 'Huang Quan' was enveloped in an eerie and ominous crimson aura, even her lifeless eyes gleamed with an indescribable evil and cruelty. No one else needed to acknowledge it; her very existence proved that a demon truly existed in this world, one that could instill fear and screams in everyone.

The limbs were neatly severed, leaving only scales!

If she wanted to make a move, Jason's pelvis would probably be precisely destroyed in the blink of an eye.

Faced with overwhelming power, all the ghouls' struggles were like a game. Just as 'Yomi' had said, all [Big Ghoul] and [Jason] could do was please her. Jason let out a desperate scream from deep in his throat, instinctively obeying the demon's voice as he continued his desperate escape with his ghoul!

"993! 986! 979! 972..."

Jason's behavior of silently counting 1000-7 to maintain his sanity and prevent a complete breakdown was clearly competent.

Following Jason at a suitable distance, neither too fast nor too slow, 'Yellow Spring' occasionally lashed out with his snake-belly sword, tearing away large chunks of flesh and blood. With a satisfied and cruel smile, 'Yellow Spring' made the air feel terrifyingly cold. It has to be said, this is truly wonderful, a world where the strong prey on the weak!

“8，853！846！……839！832……”

Not knowing when the next torment would come, or what the devil was thinking, Jason trembled as he counted. Whenever he tried to stand up or stop counting, the sound of the nightmare's whip would always help him correct his bad habit.

'Huang Quan' was extremely satisfied.

So she decided to give Jason a quick death, and when he counted to 6, she would give him a spectacular way to die!

'Um? '

Suddenly, 'Huang Quan' froze, as if attacked by an unseen force. She covered her nose in disbelief. When she released her hand, she saw her own blood, which was being rapidly diluted and dripped away by the rain.

"No! No... Why are you helping her? Are you willing to submit to her?!"

'Yellow Springs' blazing crimson eyes unleashed boundless rage and ferocity. At the same time, the blade of the serpentine sword [Puno] began to thrash wildly, twisting and dancing erratically! A golden opportunity, seemingly within their grasp, was presented. If they could control this body forever, they could plunder and grow stronger world after world, ultimately returning to the original world to challenge that despairing enemy once more!

However, the twisted, furious blade was always firmly suppressed by the hilt.

No matter how furiously Puno resisted, it could never defy the true supreme being within this demonic sword, the former master of the demonic sword, and also the one who had faced that desperate enemy!

"Tamos!! No! She belongs to me, mine! Ahhhhhh!!"

Trembling and howling in agony, Puno covered its face and let out a weak moan. It was unwilling! At least let it torture and kill that ghoul! However, the Demon King's will completely suppressed Puno!

The body, which had finally lost control, swayed and disappeared into the rain.

The heavy rain gradually washed away all traces, and everything returned to calm.

After a long while, the CCG investigators finally broke through the ghouls' blockade and rushed in. The white doves stared in horror at the scene where Sword Demon Yomi, [Oogami], and [Jason] had fought; it looked as if the place had been ravaged by a violent monster's rampage.

Author's Note:

P.S.: Here's an explanation of why "The Clown" wasn't detected by the possessed "Yomi." Firstly, there's the issue of power. The Demon Sword [Nop], while taking over Yomi's body, didn't actually possess the exaggerated power one might expect; it was limited by Yomi's own abilities. Secondly, there were environmental factors. "The Clown" was on a high-rise building during a thunderstorm, and Yomi was drawn to the two nearby ghouls.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Trial of Tamos

In the pitch-black, boundless space, when Huang Quan realized the blood falling from above, she looked up and saw a scene that left her speechless.

Demon God!

Standing tall in the void was a pillar, only half its original form remaining, yet possessing an overwhelming and imposing aura—[Tamos]. With a casual glance, a palpable killing intent emanating from it, Tamos shattered Huang Quan's barely mustered confidence. Faced with this demon god, Huang Quan even lost the courage to draw his sword!

"So strong..."

Huang Quan couldn't help but mutter to herself. In her memory, apart from the Sword Sect's will she had once seen, there was no other being that could compare to [Tamos].

As for ghouls, that's even more of a joke.

Before such an overwhelmingly powerful demon god, everything else is but an ant. The thought of becoming a Demon Contractor and wielding the Demon King [Tamos] in battle fills Huang Quan with profound despair. Forget wielding him; even borrowing his power, enough to slay gods, seems like a pipe dream!

"You think you can sign a contract with me?"

It wasn't doubt or sarcasm; [Tamos] looked at Huang Quan with some disappointment as his momentum was completely crushed and defeated.

Too weak.

Like a candle flickering in the wind, [Tamos] did not expect the new Demon Slayer to be some extraordinary genius. Huang Quan, who was a mediocre swordsman in the world he once dominated, was merely adding another pathetic soul to the cursed sword [Puno] by barely managing to wield it.

"..."

Huang Quan gritted her teeth in silence. She wanted to stand up and unleash her fury at [Tamos] to prove that she was a qualified swordsman!

But, but...

Her consciousness trembled uncontrollably amidst the overwhelming aura and killing intent. Kneeling on the ground, trembling in humiliation—wasn't that the reaction of a normal person facing a demon god? Huang Quan knew perfectly well that she was weak; facing a powerful demon god, she was like an ant. If she were crushed, she would truly have lost!

"No, I'm not reconciled... I will become stronger..."

“Interesting. Let me ask you, as a swordsman, you can’t even hold your sword properly, how can you talk about becoming stronger?” Tamos saw through Huang Quan’s immature sword at a glance.

An ordinary person embarked on the path of swordsmanship in just a few dozen days.

She doesn't even have a clear understanding of her own swordsmanship or why she wields her sword! What an ignorant little girl! She's only seen a single leaf of the Three Thousand Worlds, and she thinks she understands the way of the sword?! Don't make us laugh our heads off! Tamos refuses to acknowledge that Huang Quan is qualified to wield the power of the Demon Sword at this moment!

"I've already tried my best!!"

Perhaps it was because Tamos was angry at his own efforts that Huang Quan suddenly looked up and stared directly at the demon god standing at the peak with extremely scarlet eyes!

Her face must look ferocious right now; perhaps she's even crying from the pressure of the demon god.

"I've already tried my best, I've given up everything else for the sword, even though I was scared to death, I still fought hard!"

I've worked so hard, even though I'm just an ordinary person.

She worked so hard that she could fight S-rank ghouls in just two months, worked so hard that she often forgot to eat and rest, worked so hard that she could finally feel a little proud that her sword could finally protect her. She also wanted to live a peaceful life, and if possible, to live carefree as a girl.

Tamos remained unmoved; the scene of the Yellow Springs erupting was too boring.

"But your sword is not pure enough."

"Who understands what you're saying..."

"The instinct to survive and the clarity of decisive action are similar yet fundamentally different. I can accept that my master is a swordswoman with a clear will, but I cannot accept that she is a beast without a self. If you cannot even do this, you will never be able to unleash my true power." Perhaps in response to Huang Quan's courage born of anger, Tamos bluntly pointed out Huang Quan's current fatal flaw in very simple terms.

If she cannot completely shed the animalistic struggle of an ordinary person facing death and transform it into the tempering of her own swordsmanship, then she will never be able to kick the final blow!

This is also the most important stage!

If she overcomes this obstacle, Huang Quan will truly undergo a complete transformation, letting go of her past self. If she fails to overcome it, it will reappear at certain crucial moments and take her life.

Can I do it?

Huang Quan, whose momentum had been shattered by Tamos, wavered. Her mind instinctively conjured up the unwavering, dazzling will of the Sword Sect, followed by the god-like figure of Tamos. Huang Quan clearly realized that the two powerful figures she had encountered were far, far stronger than her.

As a result, Huang Quan subconsciously imitates them and forgets himself.

As if he had figured out something very important, Huang Quan watched as the hesitation and fear in Tamos's scarlet, clear eyes gradually faded, and the Huang Quan who was originally calm and composed returned.

"I've realized something..."

In a dark corner of the space, a bright light flickered faintly.

The light was so subtle and fleeting that it caused a ripple in [Tamos]'s abyss-like figure. He realized that Huang Quan was clarifying his sword path in another form.

The light ultimately fell into Huang Quan's hands, transforming into the [Panming Sword].

The Yellow Springs yearn for dawn!

"...In truth, my path has long been entrusted to this sword. I only hope to see a tomorrow filled with hope and beauty arrive." Huang Quan raised her sword, pointing it at Tamos, and her aura, which was insignificant under the power of the demon god, once again coalesced and bloomed!

[Tamos] A hint of satisfaction appeared in his superior gaze.

That's a bit more presentable now, for a contractor!

The next moment! With an exaggerated force like the falling of the sun! The Demon King [Tamos] slowly descended from the high heavens, his blood-red energy body rendering the entire dark space exceptionally mesmerizingly crimson! Unable to tell whether [Tamos] intended to crush him here, or if this was his final test, Huang Quan emptied his mind to face this final moment!

The blade of the [Panming Sword] began to be tinged with a hazy crimson hue, and the scarlet eyes of the Yellow Springs reflected on the snow-white, bright sword were gradually submerged in an eerie red. The swirling, crimson energy continuously seeped into her entire body, and excruciating pain crashed down upon her like a tsunami!

The falling [Tamos] and the rising figure of the Underworld completely overlapped.

Amidst the surging, massive waves of crimson blood, Huang Quan, whose demeanor had been completely transformed, swung the [Panming Sword], which had transformed into a snake-belly sword, shattering and dispersing the churning sea of ​​blood that surrounded her, just like a queen.

"I thirst for the blood of an even stronger enemy..."

The voices of Tamos and Huang Quan overlapped, becoming indistinguishable.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Ghouls and Crows

The battle to subdue "Oogiri" in Tokyo's 20th ward has come to an end. Oogiri, Rize Kamishiro, has been confirmed dead, and innocent civilians caught in the fighting have been taken to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Yomi, the trainee investigator known as the "Sword Demon," remain unknown. Senior Investigator Kureo Mado has issued a search and rescue order: find her alive or dead.

Subsequent investigation revealed traces of Jason at the scene of the battle.

Many people believe that Huang Quan (the underworld) is more likely to bring misfortune than good fortune.

Under the siege of two S-rank ghouls, Yomi's highest achievement was killing an A-rank ghoul. No matter how you look at it, her chances of survival are extremely slim.

Furthermore, some speculate that Huang Quan was likely taken away by Jason!

When the staff of the 20th Division saw Mado Kureo's aged face, devoid of any smile, they would instinctively lower their heads. They didn't know how to comfort this old man who had lost his wife in middle age and whose disciple might have predeceased him in his later years. Everyone was praying that the sword demon Yomi would return safely.

"Mr. Mado..."

Looking at his mentor who had been working tirelessly all day without rest, Amon Kotaro was at a loss as to how to dissuade him.

Amon's fingernails dug deep into his palms as he felt remorse! If their support had arrived faster when Huang Quan encountered the [Ghoul], and they had broken through the ghouls blocking their path, perhaps Huang Quan wouldn't have had to fight alone until she disappeared!

"Yamon-kun, do you also think Huang Quan is dead?"

"No! I just..."

"Hehehe, Huang Quan won't die so easily from the mouths of those filthy scum. Let's wait patiently, trust her as much as we trust her sword." Mado Kureo raised his head, his eyes full of trust in Huang Quan. As long as he didn't see Huang Quan's body, Mado Kureo didn't believe that his prized disciple would die so easily!

It was intuition; Mado Kureo was certain that Yomi was not dead!

He was waiting for that calm and composed figure to come to his desk and, as always, recount her achievements in a mundane tone. As long as she didn't return, Mado Kureo would wait in the 20th ward until the Raven Squad's planned celebration party arrived!

Seeing his mentor so resolute, Amon Kotaro felt his grief intensify for some reason.

This sounds like the ramblings of a stubborn old man who refuses to face reality.