Well-Adjusted Barely Traumatized Demon Slayer (Murata SI-ish)

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

Huh, do you have any images for Seiko? Like, any characters you'd say she looks like?
She is a member of the Iguro family, so does a genderbent Iguro sort of work?

Click to shrink...

It works with slight differences. She is taller and less malnourished. Also doesn't have the heterochromia. Basically as nondescript as the rest of her family. Well, besides not having part of her tongue.

Spoiler: Iguro Family Manga Panel

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

Renewing the grind of missions, Murata fought demons, saved people, and finally received pay again.

Before he knew it, he turned seventeen.

After finishing a particularly quick mission, his crow, Nobu, landed on his arm. Murata wanted to honor the late Nobunaga. So, he named his next crow after her.

Nobu did not object at all and he even relished the silly nickname.

Murata, seeing the missive on the crow's leg, untied it.

Possible Lower Moon presence in northern Chubu.

Murata stopped to think. If he was the only who received this mission, then this could be his chance to become a hashira.

The prestige of the rank didn't tempt him. Actually, the most important thing about being a hashira would be the increased freedom. He would have to respond to the most difficult missions, but beyond that, the Ubuyashiki family let the hashira go their own pace.

As most hashira were extremely loyal to the cause, they would work harder than other demon slayers. Yet, there were cases throughout the organization's long history where several hashira either abused or slacked off on their important duty.

Needless to say, those types were quickly weeded out by their fellow hashira, or killed in a mission.

The pillars of the organization were many things, but being indolent was extremely rare.

-

When Murata arrived at the nearest town to resupply and sleep, he met Sanemi.

"You got the same letter?" Sanemi shoved his piece of paper towards Murata's face.

Murata sighed. "Yes, but I'm surprised you knew. I thought you couldn't read?"

"I had the crow read it to me," Sanemi's veins palpitated.

Murata nodded, accepting the explanation. "So, you still can't read?"

"Of course I can't! Masachika didn't finish teaching me, that clown."

They traveled together, running to get to the location in question. After days of sprinting, they reached an empty town.

There were still people, but its seen better days. A sad case in many of the poorer villages, where the young people move to cities and the older people remain as they live out the rest of their lives.

It was a surprise to both of them when Masachika greeted them.

Normally a cheerful and positive person, his shift in tone conveyed the seriousness of the mission.

"To send two kinoe and a hinoe for this," Masachika said, "it means that several demon slayers have gone missing, at the very minimum."

"What are we waiting for then?" Sanemi began walking. "Let's just find that damn demon and kill it."

Masachika held on to Sanemi's arm, stopping his advance. "I got here a day before both of you. I've already staked out the house."

"Were you waiting for us? I was under the impression I had a solo mission until I saw Sanemi," Murata explained.

Masachika turned to him, nodding. "Yes, I'm in charge. My crow told me of two people coming. Now that you're both here, let's go."

Making their way into the half-abandoned town, they noticed the hollow atmosphere. The only sounds included their footsteps and breathing. The crows flew above them, observing the area from the air.

The largest house at the end of the main village road was their destination. Seperated from everything else, it resembled a mansion more than a house. Three stories tall and a stone wall to surround the manor, Masachika explained the situation.

"I've talked with some of the people here. Not all of them, but the ones I've spoken to had nothing good to say about this place. It's been abandoned for decades and no one dares move into it because it's cursed."

Murata furrowed his brows. "Cursed? In a literal sense or does the place just feel wrong?"

"Does it matter?" Sanemi scoffed. "It's probably because a demon lives there."

Masachika agreed. "I'll go first, then you two follow me."

Walking into the property, Masachika entered through the gate. Sanemi walked next, with Murata covering the rear.

Opening the door and keeping his sword tightly gripped, Masachika set foot into the mansion.

He barely reached the end of the hall before he found himself outside again.

Looking around, Masachika tried to reorient himself before stumbling. A harsh, foul smell hit him. He covered his nose with his sleeve.

It reeked of rot and death. It wasn't just a rot from spoiled food or a decomposing animal. An utterly unnatural scent assaulted his nose. The smell made him lose focus on his breathing for a moment.

He retreated away from the property. Observing the wall and its surroundings, it left him confused. Why was he lingering in a place like this?

Walking around the other neighborhoods of the town, he met an old man.

"I appreciate the help, young man," the old man said, taking the bucket of water from Masachika.

Masachika laughed, shrugging off the thanks. "It's my pleasure. How long have you lived here?"

"My whole life," the old man's eyes gleamed with clarity.

Wanting to untangle the fog in his mind, Masachika asked him a question about the manor separated from the other neighborhoods.

"What would possess you to go in there?"

Masachika stood straight and composed himself. It took effort, but he was able to remember his reason for going. "I was sent to investigate the abandoned home."

He added, "if there's any information you know, it would greatly help us."

The old man nodded, not suspicious at all of Masachika's nature. The young man shined bright with righteousness.

"When I was a boy, I heard stories about that place. There was a woman known as Yae?"

The old man shook his head. "Yae lived with her husband. Though, when she gave birth to their daughter, her husband became more and more abusive."

Sighing, the old man continued. "Years later, her husband drowned by the nearby river, and her daughter became sick shortly after that. Yae tried her best, but the girl died. I even remember there being a small funeral for her daughter, but the body was missing. Yae left our town around that same time. Out of grief, I'd say. After the death of her husband and daughter, I don't blame her."

The old man lit up, reminiscing. "She left everything behind, including a prized dresser that the family owned for generations. My mother said that Yae should've sold it but apparently, it was a family heirloom meant to protect the house and keep out thieves."

Masachika, upon hearing the story, regained his clarity and realized that Murata and Sanemi were still inside the manor.

Thanking the old man for his time, Masachika rushed back.

-

Sanemi and Murata walked through the rooms and halls of the manor.

The first thing they both noticed was the repulsive smell.

"What the hell? It reeks of corpses," Sanemi complained.

Murata had to agree, but it was sadly not the worst thing he encountered. "It does. It reminds me of when I faced a demon whose entire ability was to smell horrible."

The second thing they noticed was Masachika's disppearance.

"Maybe it's related to a blood demon art?" Murata guessed.

Sanemi quickened his pace. "Then we got to hurry up!"

Plunging further into the strange home, they endured the horrible scent.

In one of the larger rooms, they found a row of beds. Its original purpose looked to be a medical ward, a place to tend for the sick. Seated next to one of the beds, a beautiful woman with long, black hair was humming quietly.

Upon closer inspection, they saw the twisted room for what it really was.

A death trap.

Six beds were occupied. Four children and two demon slayers. Two of the children were decomposing, and one of the demon slayers did not move.

The remaining children looked barely alive. One suffered from a fever while the other gazed at the ceiling with empty eyes.

The other demon slayer was groaning in his restless sleep while clutching a missing arm.

Turning towards them, the lady smiled. Her eyes opened, and they both saw the writing engraved in her eyes.

Lower Moon One

Steeling their resolve, Murata and Sanemi charged.

 

[TheDanny]

Turning towards them, the lady smiled. Her eyes opened, and they both saw the writing engraved in her eyes.

Lower Moon One

Click to shrink...

Ruh ro.

 

[Jubjub3000]

Thank you for the chapter!

I wonder how many demons murata has killed so far?

Would be funny if he develops the habit of running into powerful things, recruiting the humans and running away from demons. So the demon slayers consider his presence both a blessing and a curse, cause he's always running into future hashiras, and upper/lower moons.