Xander silently watched Tanjiro, calm and composed.
— Tell me everything you know about Muzan Kibutsuji, — Tanjiro demanded.
At the mention of "Muzan," Ikkakuma's face twisted, cold sweat broke out, and his body started to tremble. Tanjiro was taken aback by such a reaction.
— Speak quickly! — shouted Tanjiro, pointing his blade at the One-Horned Swamp demon.
— I... I dare not... I dare not... — mumbled the One-Horned Swamp demon, as if possessed.
Tanjiro's keen sense of smell detected the deep, all-consuming fear emanating from the One-Horned Swamp demon.
Suddenly, the One-Horned Swamp demon lunged at Tanjiro.
A white blade flashed and severed the Phantom's head.
The ashes dispersed, and in front of Xander appeared a black iron chest. At that exact moment, a voice from the system could be heard:
[Ding! The master has killed the supernatural demon — Swamp demon, and has obtained a black iron chest.]
Xander picked up the chest, invisible to others, and said:
— Muzan Kibutsuji may have used some kind of spell to forbid them from mentioning his name, otherwise, they wouldn't be so afraid.
— Don't worry, Tanjiro. One day we'll find a way to return Nezuko to her human form.
These words from Xander somewhat calmed Tanjiro.
— I know, elder Xander. I won't give up, — he assured.
Then Tanjiro and Xander headed towards Kazumi.
Kazumi was sitting on the ground, devastated. A girl was leaning against the wall next to him.
— Mr. Kazumi, are you okay? — Tanjiro asked, crouching beside him.
— I lost my fiancée. Do you think I can be okay?! — Kazumi burst out.
Tanjiro didn't leave, but continued:
— Mr. Kazumi, no matter how much you lose, you need to keep living, no matter what hardships occur...
Kazumi grabbed Tanjiro by the collar.
— You're just a kid! What do you know?
Tanjiro didn't get angry; he gently took Kazumi's hand by the wrist, looking at him with a kind smile.
Kazumi, as if sensing what lay behind that smile, gradually released his grip.
— Sorry, I just...
— It's all right, — Tanjiro said softly.
At that moment, Xander approached Kazumi and handed him a piece of fabric.
— I tore this from the demon's body when I killed it. I believe something of Miss Riko's should be in there. Keep it safe.
Kazumi took the fabric and unfolded it in front of him. Seeing the hairpin shaped like a bow, he broke into tears.
— Tanjiro, let's go, — demon said.
— Yes, — Tanjiro replied.
The sun was slowly rising over the horizon. Xander and Tanjiro set off towards the ascending light.
Watching the retreating figures of Xander and Tanjiro, Kazumi seemed to awaken from a daze and shouted after them:
— I'm sorry! I was too harsh! Please forgive me!
Tanjiro stopped, turned around, and waved goodbye to Kazumi:
— Mr. Kazumi, I leave this woman in your care!
Then Tanjiro hurried to catch up with Xander.
Xander and Tanjiro walked along a narrow path that led through the town. After the battle, Tanjiro witnessed firsthand the pain Muzan Kibutsuji had inflicted upon humanity. At this moment, Tanjiro was no longer just seeking revenge against Muzan; he was fighting for all of humanity.
Upon reaching a resting place, they began planning their actions for the next day.
Xander immersed himself in the consciousness of the System.
— System, open the chest.
[Ding! 1 Black Iron Chest detected. Do you wish to open it?]
— Open it!
In Xander's consciousness, the black iron chest slowly opened, and a blue eye flew out, heading straight into Xander's body.
[Ding! Black Iron Chest opened. Congratulations to the host on obtaining the Spiritual Eye!]
[Spiritual Eye: The lowest level of supernatural eyes, with powerful dynamic vision. The speed of any objects is reduced by half, and there is the ability to see phantoms and other invisible things.]
— Wow! Is that what was inside the black iron chest? — Xander marveled.
Despite the System referring to it as the lowest level of supernatural eyes, it proved to be extremely useful for Xander.
Xander opened his eyes, and with a mental command, his two black eyes turned blue.
Before his gaze, the fallen leaves on the trees descended very slowly, and he could even discern the patterns on them.
— Amazing! Now, in addition to Tanjiro's sense of smell, Zenitsu Agatsuma's hearing, Inosuke's intuition, Xuanyi's stomach, and Kanao's eyes, I also have special abilities!
— And it seems my abilities are even stronger!
Xander looked at the sleeping Tanjiro beside him. Several translucent creatures were swirling around him.
The next morning, a Raven from the Demon Slayers Corps flew in and landed on Xander's shoulder:
— The next destination is Asakusa in the Tokyo Prefecture. It is rumored that demons reside there.