15 Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

In Japanese folklore, two names are often inseparable: Nure-onna and Gyūki.

(T/N: About the Geisha Demon and the Bull Demon)

Their dynamic is infamous—Nure-onna lures unsuspecting humans, and Gyūki devours them.

The tale of the Nure-onna originates from the tragedy of women drowned at sea, their restless spirits twisted into vengeful demons. As for Gyūki, its legend dates back to the Heian period, tied to the famed warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

Of course, in this world, such folklore doesn't hold up to scrutiny. These tales are distorted echoes from those who have encountered man-eating demons.

Every demon alive today was once human, transformed by the blood of the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.

"So… how exactly do you know there are two demons?" Giyu asked, his brows furrowed. "You've only been here half a day."

Haruto resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

What am I supposed to say? That I've already been nearly fed to a tentacled monstrosity once before?

Instead, he kept his tone serious. "I sensed it. There are two distinct demonic auras."

It wasn't a complete lie. Some people, like Tanjiro with his heightened sense of smell, were born with extraordinary sensory abilities. Giyu accepted the explanation without pressing further.

Now came the hard part—figuring out their next move.

Haruto glanced upward. Lanterns illuminated the warm glow of the bustling hot spring town, a scene unchanged from his previous life.

The only difference was his perspective. Last time, he'd been a desperate participant. Now, he was a detached observer.

What's the plan here?

Was killing the Nure-onna the only way to draw out Gyūki? But what was their connection?

If they weren't twin demons, wouldn't one retreat even deeper into hiding after the other was slain?

Lost in thought, Haruto's gaze shifted to the source of the Nure-onna's aura. A woman in a beige kimono patterned with cherry blossoms emerged from the crowd.

Her silky, jet-black hair cascaded down her back. He couldn't help but shiver, recalling just how lethal that hair could be.

Giyu followed Haruto's line of sight, immediately tensing and gripping his Nichirin blade.

"It's her," he murmured.

"Wait." Haruto grabbed his arm, voice low. "Don't rush. Let's see where she's heading first."

He remembered this exact moment from before—when his past self had recklessly infiltrated the hot spring inn and confronted the Nure-onna. That rashness had nearly cost him his life.

This time, he intended to play it smarter.

Under the cover of darkness, the two Demon Slayers trailed the Nure-onna. Her movements were fluid, graceful, as she left the bustling streets and ventured toward the desolate coastline.

Haruto's instincts prickled. He motioned for Giyu to stay low.

The demon woman stood at the water's edge, slicing open her arm with a sharp claw. Blood gushed freely, staining the waves crimson.

A hulking shadow emerged from the depths of the sea, its slimy form glistening under the moonlight.

"Glrk-glrk…" The grotesque sound of mucus and suction echoed as the Gyūki revealed itself—a monstrous hybrid of bull and octopus. Its tentacles shot forward, ensnaring the Nure-onna and tearing her limbs apart with sickening cracks.

Yet, almost immediately, her severed limbs began regenerating with squelching pops.

"Hey! Enough already!" she snapped, voice dripping with irritation.

"This… isn't enough…," the Gyūki rumbled, its voice guttural and filled with rage. "Why does it… all taste like men?!"

Before she could respond, one of its tentacles speared through her chest, eliciting a furious scream.

"I said, ENOUGH!"

Her hair lashed out, snaking around the offending tentacle and yanking it free.

"Who do you think comes to hot spring inns? Only men!" she hissed, her patience fraying.

"Worthless! Cowardly!" The Gyūki roared, its tentacles thrashing against the waves. "I don't… want this…!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm the problem," she sneered. "But what about you? Hiding in the depths like a scared little worm because a Demon Slayer spooked you years ago? Pathetic."

Haruto and Giyu exchanged a glance, their ears keenly tuned to the unexpected drama.

"...That one was strong," the Gyūki muttered, its rage momentarily quelled. "Stronger than any swordsman I've faced…"

The Nure-onna's expression twisted with frustration. "So what? Dōma didn't grant us his blood so we could cower! Weak demons get forgotten, consumed. Do you want to end up as fertilizer for his gardens?!"

Dōma?

Haruto's breath hitched. He turned to Giyu, ready to ask if the name meant anything to him. But before he could, a new danger presented itself.

The Nure-onna and Gyūki had finished their gruesome meal, and the massive demon was preparing to retreat into the sea.

"We can't wait any longer," Giyu whispered.

Haruto nodded. They were ready.

As the pair moved into position, Haruto signaled with a quick glance to the sky. Their avian messenger circled high above, ready to summon reinforcements if necessary.

With a burst of movement, they attacked.

The beach erupted into chaos as the two Demon Slayers charged, splitting to flank the demons.

"You led them here, you wretch!" the Gyūki snarled, turning on the Nure-onna.

Haruto engaged the Nure-onna, his flame-based techniques perfectly suited to counter her hair. Meanwhile, Giyu darted through the Gyūki's thrashing tentacles, his blade a blur of blue light.

"Watch his tentacles!" Haruto shouted, dodging a strand of hair that lunged for his throat.

"You're afraid of two brats?!" the Nure-onna taunted the Gyūki. "Some demon you are!"

Cornered by Haruto's relentless strikes, her frustration boiled over. When his First Form: Unknowing Fire nearly split her skull, she recoiled, snarling in pain.

The Gyūki finally surged onto the shore, its hulking form blocking the moonlight.

To Haruto's shock, the Nure-onna's lower body twisted into a serpent's tail, granting her renewed agility.

The four combatants locked eyes.

Both sides knew—the true battle was just beginning.