Xander did not have as keen a sense of smell as Tanjiro, but he too remained alert, wary of potential underground attacks.
With a crash, more than a dozen hands burst from the ground, but Xander was prepared.
— Water Breathing! Third Form! Flowing Dance!
Xander simultaneously dodged and struck, his movements were fluid like water, resembling a dancer on the battlefield.
Tanjiro returned to Xander, admiringly:
— That's amazing, Senior Xander!
— It's nothing special. It's easy if you take precautions in advance, — Xander replied calmly, as if he had done something trivial.
The demon Hand-Man stared intently at Xander, its massive limbs trembling slightly. It was unclear whether he was excited or angry.
— Heh-heh, this... really reminds me of Urokodaki back then! Little demon! You must be more than just Urokodaki's student!
Hearing this, Xander quietly said:
— You're right, I'm an orphan adopted by Grandpa Urokodaki, and those students of Grandpa Urokodaki whom you devoured were my best friends to play with.
Xander's words agitated the demon Hand-Man even further.
— Urokodaki really let a child he raised for over ten years participate in the final selection. I wonder how he would react if he found out you didn't return this time, heh-heh!
The demon's words made Tanjiro a little nervous.
— What pain did Mr. Urokodaki and Senior Xander endure, why are they still so calm? ...
— No, I sense Senior Xander's anger, but why? ...
Xander placed his hand on his sword, and the temperature around him gradually dropped. Even Tanjiro felt a slight shiver.
— We will pass the final selection and return safe and sound, — Xander said seriously.
Tanjiro heard Xander's words.
The demon laughed upon hearing Xander's words.
— Ha-ha-ha, that's impossible for you, because I will eat you all!
At the same moment the words were spoken, dozens of hands burst from the demon's body and rushed towards Xander and Tanjiro.
Countless hands blocked all paths of retreat for Xander and Tanjiro.
Xander and Tanjiro simultaneously activated their breathing techniques.
— Water Breathing! Third Form! Flowing Dance!
Both tirelessly slashed at the attacking hands and quickly approached the demon.
Suddenly, Tanjiro again sensed the demon's scent emanating from underground.
— Water Breathing! Eighth Form! Taketsubo!
Tanjiro's sword cut through all the attacks from underground, like a heavy blade.
At that moment, Tanjiro shouted:
— Senior Xander!
Seeing Tanjiro crouch down, Xander instantly understood what Tanjiro meant.
Xander jumped onto Tanjiro's back and leaped. Now Xander and the demon were very close, and Xander noticed the tension in the demon's eyes.
— Since you're a demon captured by Grandfather Urokodaki, use Water Breathing to put an end to all this!
Xander slightly opened his mouth, and a stream of water entered his body, blue water lines appeared on the blade.
— Water Breathing! First Form! Water Surface Slash!
Looking at Xander falling from the sky, the demon seemed to see the shadow of the one he hated most.
— Rin Taki!
At the moment when the water splashed, Xander's sword cleanly severed the demon's head.
Xander landed on the ground and slowly sheathed his sword.
— It's over.
The demon's head separated from its body and fell to the ground. On the demon's face, there was a visible expression of resentment and anger.
— Damn it... Damn it... My body is gradually disintegrating and disappearing. There's no way to stop it. I don't want to accept this!
Tanjiro approached and watched as the demon's body slowly disappeared. Only a few hands remained from dozens, one of which was writhing in agony, unwilling to vanish.
— What a sad scent.
Tanjiro took this hand, and it seemed to feel Tanjiro's care, gently squeezing his hand.
Tanjiro placed the hand on his forehead.
— God! I beg you, when this man reincarnates next time, please don't let him become a demon.
When Tanjiro finished praying, the demons body and head completely dissolved from this world.
Xander heard the familiar voice again.
[The host has killed the demon and received 5 wooden treasure chests.]
Xander collected all the chests and looked at the misty peaks of the narrow mountains in the distance.
— Everyone, we've won, you can relax, we will return as promised.
Then Xander praised Tanjiro:
— Tanjiro, you did a great job!
— Senior Xander — Tanjiro looked at Xander
Xander changed the subject:
— But you're still a bit uneasy. When facing any demon, we must regulate our emotions and not let the demon influence us, otherwise, it's easy to encounter danger.
— I understand, senior. I'll be careful, — Tanjiro assured Xander.
Xander nodded. — In that case, let's operate separately.
— Why? — Tanjiro looked at Xander, puzzled.
— I believe you can survive here on your own; after all, we've already defeated the strongest demon here, — Xander patted Tanjiro on the shoulder.
— Besides, I have matters to attend to, and I'm sure you have something you need to do as well, right?