Gripping the hilt of his Nichirin Blade, Shinichi was slightly surprised—these three fox demons actually coordinated quite well.
However, the pink-eared fox demon, having failed in its attack immediately began screeching at the other two.
The brown-eared and black-eared fox demons stood motionless, their eyes now a sickly green, just like the controlled hunters, silently enduring the abuse.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Look at this—such a twisted, dysfunctional family dynamic among demons.
Though the pink-eared one was shouting at its "parents," the venomous insults made it seem like these three were mortal enemies instead.
"What a deranged and toxic family. Pink-eared trash-talking fox, how about I send all of you to hell for a reunion? You can keep arguing in the afterlife." Shinichi raised his Nichirin Blade again, taunting loudly.
"What did you say?! How dare you insult me! I'll devour you!!" The pink-eared fox demon bared its fangs in a roar.
At its command, the brown-eared and black-eared fox demons lunged at Shinichi once more.
Unfazed, Shinichi took a step back with his right foot, accelerating his Forest Breathing rhythm to its peak.
With a forward slash, his Nichirin Blade clashed against the two demons in an instant.
The clang of steel rang out incessantly, sparks flying everywhere, mixed with the pink-eared demon shrill curses, the black-eared demon roars and the brown-eared demon screams.
BANG!
Gripping his sword with both hands, Shinichi locked blades with the black-eared demon fists.
In that brief stalemate, he swiftly freed one hand, drawing the short sword Mori no Ryuu from his waist in a reverse grip.
With an upward thrust, he skewered the brown-eared demon head clean through the jaw like a candied hawthorn.
"Is this all you've got? Seriously? You're even weaker than I expected." Shinichi restrained the two demons, sneering at the frail-looking pink-eared fox perched on the black-eared demon's shoulder.
"Of course there's more! Brat, don't get cocky! The real threat isn't my useless parents—it's my eyes!!" For some reason, the pink-eared demon voice suddenly turned calm, even carrying a hint of seduction, as if its earlier hysteria had been an act.
Shinichi froze for a split second—just long enough to meet the pink-eared demon sickly green gaze.
"Blood Demon Art: Fox Enthrallment!!"
BUZZ!
Shinichi vision was instantly flooded with a blinding green light. The next moment, the entire world seemed to slow down—every movement, even his own, became sluggish.
From the outside, Shinichi motions slowed drastically, his heterochromatic eyes now veiled in that same eerie green glow.
Seizing the opportunity, the black-eared demon clamped its massive hands around Shinichi arms, pinning him in place.
"HAHAHA! Arrogant little brat! Finally fell for it, didn't you? No matter how strong your swordsmanship is, you're still just prey in my grasp now! Ugh, that stench of wisteria is disgusting—better wash you off before eating you!" The pink-eared demon cackled triumphantly.
The sickly green light faded from the brown-eared and black-eared demon' eyes. The brown-eared one immediately hunched over like a meek servant, stepping aside, while the black-eared demon's fierce face flickered with hesitation.
However, before the pink-eared fox demon could revel in her triumph for long, her laughter was abruptly cut short by an even sharper and more deafening howl.
The sudden dog bark instantly drew the attention of the three fox demons. From the darkness emerged a sleek black dog, moving leisurely out of the forest.
Its glossy black fur shimmered, while the white fur around its neck accentuated its regal aura.
The sharp claws extending from its limbs glinted coldly, and the fangs beneath its elongated snout were clearly visible. But most importantly, the dense demonic aura radiating from the black dog sent a faint pressure weighing down on the three fox demons.
"It's you! You're the one who challenged me?! Get lost! This is our hunting ground!" the pink-eared fox demon snarled viciously at the sudden appearance of the black dog.
Instead of retreating, the black dog responded with an almost human-like disdain—first letting out an exaggerated yawn, then mockingly growling at the three demons in clear provocation.
"YOU BASTARD!!" The pink-eared fox demon flew into a rage.
In its eyes, this sudden intruder was nothing but a rival demon here to steal territory. For creatures as territorial as demons, this was absolutely intolerable.
But before the pink-eared fox demon could act, an exaggerated voice rang out beside its ear.
"Ahhh~ I'm being controlled~ So helpless~ So humiliating~ I hope no one saw me~"
The familiar voice made the pink-eared fox demon widen its eyes in shock.
Whipping its head around, it saw Shinichi face, now wearing a mocking grin. His heterochromatic eyes were completely clear—there was no trace of being controlled.
"I'm being controlled~ Heh, just kidding."
"Maru-ni!" Shinichi suddenly shouted.
"ROOOAARR!!" The previously calm black dog instantly sprang to life.
Whoosh!!
No one could follow its movement—like a black bolt of lightning, its dark figure lunged straight for the black-eared fox demon's shoulder.
The pink-eared fox demon only felt its body shudder before realizing—a gaping maw full of razor-sharp fangs was already right in front of its face.
Crunch!!
Without even time to scream, half of the pink-eared fox demon skull was instantly crushed by the demonized Maru-ni bite.
Hmm, seems like Maru-ni deserves the nickname "Skull Crusher" from now on.
"Rinko!" The black-eared fox demon let out a muffled cry of shock upon seeing its companion head being bitten apart.
"Hey hey, no need to rush. You'll be reunited soon enough." Shinichi flashed a grin.
Crack! Crack!
Streaks of emerald-green light flared as the black fox demon massive arms were instantly sliced into countless pieces.
Shinichi easily broke free from his restraints. The brown-eared fox demon shrieked, raising its claws to pounce at him.
But Shinichi, no longer in the mood for games, wasn't about to give them another chance.
"Forest Breathing, Seventh Form: Wooden Dragon Soaring Slash!"
Vzzzt!!
The twin blades, intertwined with crimson and jade, hummed fiercely. Emerald light coalesced into the form of a majestic, roaring dragon in midair.
The dragon body twisted gracefully yet lethally—a single flash later, thud! thud! Two bloodied fox demon heads went flying.
Pinned under the demonized Maru-ni paw, the pink-eared fox demon half-crushed head barely regenerated a single eye. The first thing it saw upon regaining sight was the two severed heads of its companions landing right before it.
"Trash! Trash! You're all trash! I knew it all along! You two useless parents! You're just heaven's punishment for me! How could I end up with parents like you! I refuse to accept this! I refuse!"
The Pink-Eared Demon Fox let out a desperate and venomous wail.
The Black-Eared Demon Fox head, not yet completely turned to ashes, opened its mouth but couldn't utter a word.
Shinichi, gripping his Nichirin Blade, stepped beside the Pink-Eared Demon Fox.
Without hesitation, he raised the blade—green vines instantly coiled around its length—and swung down.
The Blood Demon Art: Life Drain activated in the same instant.
As the Pink-Eared Demon Fox turned to ashes, a series of scenes unfolded before Shinichi eyes.
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