Chapter Eight: The Breath of the Sun!

The murderous intent grew increasingly pure, as if someone were pressing a sharp blade against his forehead.

Yet, the others present seemed oblivious. Tanjiro took small gifts from the bamboo basket to give to his younger siblings.

Murata watched cheerfully from the side. He had two children himself and bore a heavy sense of family responsibility—a ruthless man willing to sacrifice himself for his loved ones.

Even Nezuko could see the kindness and envy in his gaze, so Tanjiro’s murderous intent simply bypassed him.

Was it reined in to avoid frightening his family?

The air around was filled with the laughter of children, but the killing intent hung like cold threads, connecting Rika and Tanjiro.

Wait, Rika’s gaze landed on Tanjiro’s face—was that hesitation?

What was Tanjiro hesitating about?

“Father, these are medicinal herbs Sherlock-san brought for you. They say it’s a rare kind of traditional Chinese medicine!”

Tanjiro’s voice was like sunlight dispelling the chill. Tanjiro looked at his son, and even his usual indifference softened into a faint smile.

His eyes traced the paper package in Tanjiro’s hands. With his ability to ‘see through the world,’ Tanjiro naturally recognized the herbs inside.

The stabbing killing intent finally dissipated. Tanjiro cast a deep glance at Rika, then whispered to his wife and Tanjiro:

“Tanjiro, take your younger siblings and tidy up the house. Aoi, please take care of the guests. I’ll... have a chat with a friend.”

This was the invitation. Rika turned and instructed:

“Murata, please help out too. The children are still too young.”

“Don’t worry, ma’am! I’m great at chopping firewood,” Murata rolled up his sleeves, full of enthusiasm.

...

In the small room, the two sat facing each other. Tanjiro lifted a rough, vermilion clay teapot, pouring pale green tea slowly into a bamboo cup.

He pushed the cup toward Rika and fell silent, his eyelids lowered, lost in thought.

Rika lifted the cup, wondering if, had Giyu Tomioka sat opposite him, the two could sit in silence all day.

No wonder Tanjiro was described as “plant-like” in his memories.

With a gentle clink as the bamboo cup touched the tray, Rika took a deep breath and got straight to the point:

“Mr. Tanjiro, I want to learn the ‘Dance of the Fire God.’”

The words struck the calm pond like a huge stone. Tanjiro was no longer so composed.

He slowly raised his head, black clouds of oppressive aura rolling over him once more.

Under this heavy pressure, Rika’s taut nerves loosened slightly—he’d guessed right.

Tanjiro was waiting for an explanation.

On the way here, Rika had been pondering a question: what was the hardest part of the main quest?

Was it the journey? Or finding people?

Neither. Though the river route was tough, it came with great rewards.

The real difficulty was how to get these story characters to teach him breathing techniques!

In other words, in this game where personal strength alone couldn’t clear the path, how to pass through?

There are only a few ways to achieve anything in the world—coercion, temptation, appealing to emotion, or reason.

Coercion wouldn’t work. Temptation might, but not with something Rika could offer. Maybe wiping out all the demons would help.

That left only one way: appealing to emotion and reason.

“Mr. Tanjiro, this world is vast. Monsters aren’t only here. I need a method to slay monsters.”

Rika spoke sincerely, not exaggerating, simply stating his need for the Breath of the Sun.

Tanjiro remained silent, but his oppressive aura ceased to grow.

Finally, he asked slowly:

“You’re not from here. How do you know about this?”

“Have you heard of the Demon Slayer Corps, Mr. Tanjiro?” Rika deployed the old tactic that had once fooled Tanjiro.

“The Corps’ family head has been intermarried with the Priestess clan for generations, possessing incredible powers.”

He paused, then said two words:

“Precognition.”

Tanjiro’s eyes finally stirred from their calm, lifting his gaze to look at Rika with surprise.

Within the ‘See-Through World,’ Rika’s heartbeat and breathing were steady as always, without a hint of change.

Was this young man... telling the truth?

He recalled the ancient legend of the ‘Dance of the Fire God,’ that miraculous power, and the demons spoken of by his ancestors.

“So that’s it... precognition?”

Tanjiro’s expression showed dawning understanding. Like when Tanjiro’s mind had been led astray not long ago, he instinctively believed Rika had found him through a prophetic ability.

This also explained why Rika seemed familiar with his family and even knew the secrets of the ‘Dance of the Fire God.’

This was... the power of truth. Sometimes, truth is more deceptive than lies.

The suffocating pressure vanished completely, and even the sunlight seemed brighter.

Rika quietly exhaled, lifting the now lukewarm tea for another sip.

“I’m sorry, it’s already cold...” Tanjiro didn’t express apology in words but made amends awkwardly, pouring out both cups and refilling the pot.

It seemed like an explanation, and a conversation:

“The night is dangerous, but people are even more dangerous.”

Rika nodded in agreement. Some are forced to become demons; others desire it.

After speaking, silence returned to the room. Rika didn’t know what to talk about, but this was Tanjiro’s nature.

Finally, after an unknown number of cups of tea, the children’s noisy voices came from outside. The meal seemed nearly ready.

Tanjiro whispered:

“I’ll have Tanjiro teach you the ‘Dance of the Fire God.’ I hope it helps.”

Rika closed his eyes; his tense spirit finally relaxed. This scene was clearly observed by the ‘See-Through World.’

But Tanjiro felt no discomfort. Honestly, if he were the one crossing the ocean to seek a stranger’s help to save his homeland, he would bear even greater pressure.

This reaction was more genuine and more comforting.

As for whether it would cause any bad consequences, Tanjiro did not worry. At least for now, he believed Rika was sincere.

[System Notification: Tanjiro Kamado is willing to have his son Tanjiro Kamado teach you the ‘Dance of the Fire God.’]

[System Notification: Do you agree to learn ‘Breath of the Sun (Incomplete Version)’?]

[System Notification: Learning this will complete the main quest.]

Rika instinctively wanted to agree, but at the moment of confirmation, he suddenly froze.

Why... did the system ask for his consent?

If this was the only condition for the main quest, why was consent needed?

Or perhaps... Rika closed the prompt and tentatively asked Tanjiro:

“Mr. Tanjiro... could you please teach me?”

[Ding! Prerequisites for learning ‘Breath of the Sun (Full Version)’ are not met.]

So it was true!