"Xander, Tanjiro, did you enjoy the hot soup?" Urokodaki asked while packing things away.
"Grandfather Linlong's skill has always been top-notch," replied Xander.
"Hmm! It's been a long time since I've had such delicious food," added Tanjiro.
"Children with an appetite like yours will grow up strong and healthy," Urokodaki noted, changing the subject. "But the same goes for demons. Remember, a demon's strength is essentially equal to the number of people it has consumed."
Tanjiro was a bit confused: "So, you become stronger if you eat a lot?"
"Yes, some of them become stronger, can change their bodies, and use magic," Urokodaki Sakonji said, handing two masks to Xander and Tanjiro. "These are called 'Masks of Misfortune.' I've placed a spell on them to protect you from trouble."
Xander took the mask and seemed to recall the appearance of Urokodaki's students before participating in the final selection.
"I won't let that hand demon get away!" he whispered to himself.
The next day, Xander and Tanjiro donned the clothes prepared for them by Urokodaki Sakonji, took their Nichirin swords, and set out on their journey.
Watching the departing figures of Xander and Tanjiro, she, despite her deep concern, could only silently pray for them in her heart.
At night, Xander and Tanjiro reached the foot of Mount Fujiki, and Tanjiro put on the Mask of Misfortune made by Urokodaki.
However, Xander completely covered his face with the mask. He didn't want others to see him.
Climbing the only road up the mountain, they ascended the stone steps and found themselves in an open area paved with cobblestones.
Here, many young people awaited, all roughly the same age as Tanjiro.
Xander surveyed the entire square and spotted several familiar faces.
"Agatsuma Zenitsu, younger brother of the Wind Pillar Fuzugawa Genya, and Kanao — they're all here. As for that boar-headed guy," Xander smirked, "I suppose he's already gone ahead."
"It seems that since Tanjiro completed his training a year earlier, the world has started to set itself right," he added with a quiet smile.
Under the mask, Xander smiled.
At that moment, two girls in purple kimonos, with wreaths of wisteria on their heads, approached the open space holding lanterns.
The girls addressed everyone participating in the selection in turn.
"Thank you all for coming to the final selection of the Demon Slayers Corps tonight," said one of them.
"On Mount Fujiki, live demons captured by the slayers are held captive, but they cannot leave," explained the second. "Because from the foot of the mountain to the slope, wisteria, which demons detest, blooms year-round."
"But beyond, no wisteria grows, and denons roam there," she continued. "Surviving seven days in this place is your chance to pass the final selection."
"We wish you a pleasant journey!" they concluded, and everyone headed deeper into Mount Fujiki, into the darkness where no wisteria bloomed.
"Tanjiro, let's go!" said Xander.
Tanjiro nodded, and they stepped into the darkness, deep into Mount Fujiki.
Xander and Tanjiro ventured deeper into the mountains, running at a steady pace. A spark appeared Xander's eyes.
"Treasure chest, here I come!" he whispered to himself.
Unlike Xander, Tanjiro was contemplating how to survive seven days on Mount Fujiki without incident.
Suddenly, Tanjiro stopped, placed his hand on his sword, and shouted loudly, "Senior Xander! I smell a demon, it's nearby!"
"So soon?" Xander also placed his hand on his sword, carefully observing the surroundings.
From the jungle came the sound of running. Suddenly, a demon with three horns on its head and bony spikes on its arms burst forth.
At the same time, a short phantom attacked Xander and Tanjiro.
Xander and Tanjiro fended off the demons' attack, standing back to back.
"Tanjiro, how are you?" asked Xander.
"Senior Xander, I'm fine!" replied Tanjiro.
"Great! Let's defeat them all at once!"
The two hungry phantoms ignored their words and lunged at Xander and Tanjiro.
— It's better to strike first! — growled one of the phantoms.
— I haven't tasted human flesh in a long time! — echoed another.
Xander slightly opened his mouth and inhaled the water.
— "Water Breathing"! Form 4! "Splashing Wave"! — he shouted.
Blue water splashed onto the blade, and the horned demon's head flew off its body from Lin Guang's sword strike.
At the same time, Tanjiro's voice reached Xander's ears.
— "Water Breathing"! Form 1! "Water Surface Slash"!
The short demon also lost its head from Tanjiro's sword.
Seeing this scene, Xander felt a faint pity, but it quickly vanished because he heard the system's voice.
[The host has killed a regular demon and received a wooden treasure chest.]
The demons ashes dispersed, leaving behind a wooden box that only Xander could see.
— Just as I expected, treasure chests appear when demons are defeated. So, I just need to keep defeating demons, and eventually, I'll even be able to take down Muzan Kibutsuji.
— Furthermore, even if Tanjiro and I are together for the final selection, the demons Tanjiro kills won't give me treasure chests. It seems we'll have to act separately in the future so I can obtain more chests.