In an ordinary small pavilion, Shinichi unfolded a slip of paper with an address written on it.
Elder Moriki had told him that it led to Mount Fujikasane, the location for the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection. However, having been away from the corps for too many years, Elder Moriki couldn't recall the exact timing of the selection.
He suggested that Shinichi try seeking out members of the Demon Slayer Corps nearby to join their ranks.
Looking at the branch in his hand, Shinichi curled his lips and casually tore the note to shreds.
"Sorry, old man, but I'm not ready to join the Demon Slayer Corps just yet."
Perhaps still harboring resentment over the incident on Shirai Mountain, Shinichi then took a path leading in the opposite direction of Mount Fujikasane.
After walking for an unknown length of time, dusk gradually fell and Shinichi arrived at an unnamed village.
Strangely, even though it was only early evening and the sun hadn't fully set, every household in the village had tightly shut their doors and not a single soul could be seen on the streets.
Holding Maru-ni in his arms, Shinichi heterochromatic eyes swiftly scanned the surroundings. Behind those closed doors, he sensed numerous hidden, wary gazes.
"Interesting. There's something odd about this village" Shinichi murmured to himself.
He then bent down to set Maru-ni on the ground, lightly tapping the creature rear with his toe.
"Move around a bit. Look how fat you've gotten—Chisato has spoiled you way too much."
With a reluctant "Awoo~," Maru-ni shifted slightly.
Through their telepathic link, Shinichi received the message.
"Mean master! Unfair!"
But Shinichi paid no mind, ignoring the sulking Maru-ni as he strode boldly into the peculiar village.
One hand resting on the hilt of the Nichirin Blade at his waist, Shinichi wandered through the small village.
Most of the villagers hid inside their homes, eyeing the sudden stranger with suspicion.
Even when Shinichi occasionally spotted a villager who hadn't retreated indoors, they would scurry away the moment they saw the outsider.
Knocking on doors yielded no responses either.
Behind a wooden door, a pair of bright eyes peered through the crack at Shinichi outside.
"Grandpa, shouldn't we tell that big brother to leave quickly? Our village has... Mmm! Mmm!"
Before the little girl could finish, an aged hand covered her mouth, followed by her grandfather hushed scolding.
"Shh! This outsider arrival is perfect. Otherwise, tonight might have been our turn to offer tribute to Lord Ginkan. Now we don't have to worry."
Time passed minute by minute and the sun finally dipped below the horizon, draping the sky in darkness.
Yet, eerily, not a single household in the village lit a lamp, plunging the entire settlement into an unsettling silence.
Shinichi, still gripping his sword hilt, suddenly halted.
His ears twitched slightly before he turned thoughtfully toward a particular direction.
Then—creak!
The faint sound of a door opening reached his ears.
From a nearby wooden house, a nervous face peeked out.
The man who had opened the door cautiously glanced around and upon confirming no one else was nearby, urgently gestured for Shinichi to come inside.
After a brief pause, Shinichi didn't overthink it.
Scooping up Maru-ni, he stepped into the man wooden house.
Click!
The moment Shinichi stepped inside, the wooden door slammed shut behind him, accompanied by the relieved sigh of a man.
The cabin was pitch black, so dark you couldn't see your own hand in front of your face.
Yet Shinichi remained completely calm.
Through his sharp eyes and steady breathing, every detail within the cabin was laid bare to his senses.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, young man. Please follow me." A man's apologetic voice suddenly sounded before Shinichi.
As he spoke, Shinichi "watched" as the man crouched down, groped a chain and gave it a hard tug.
A wooden plank was pulled up, revealing a narrow entrance to a basement.
The two descended into the basement.
The man struck a match and proceeded to light several oil lamps scattered around the room. In the blink of an eye, the entire basement was illuminated.
A few oil lamps alone couldn't achieve this, but coincidentally, the basement walls were lined with copper mirrors of various shapes and sizes.
Together, they reflected the lamplight, brightening the entire space.
After lighting the lamps, the man brewed a pot of tea and poured a cup, offering it to Shinichi.
"Would you like some tea, young man?"
Shinichi shook his head, declining the cup. From the moment he entered the cabin, he hadn't spoken a word, instead carefully observing his surroundings.
"Has something happened in your village? This place feels... eerie."
Hearing Shinichi question, the man expression darkened as he sighed and set down the teacup.
"Yes, to be honest with you, young man, there's a... monster in our village!"
Seeing that Shinichi showed no surprise, the man knew his guess was correct.
"You're a Demon Slayer, aren't you?"
Shinichi looked at the man slightly surprise.
"Oh? How could you tell?"
The man pointed to the Nichirin Blade at Shinichi waist.
"Not long ago, two other Demon Slayers came to our village. They carried the same long sword as you and called themselves members of the Demon Slayer Corps!"
***
"Our village is called Teranishi Village. Long ago, there was a famous temple to the east, so travelers began calling our village 'Teranishi'—meaning 'west of the temple.' The name stuck. My name is Komiyai Kaisuke. My ancestors were mirror craftsmen, forging copper mirrors for generations, and the skill has been passed down to me.
Life in our village was normal until one day a year ago, when that monster appeared."
Komiyai Kaisuke recounted the drastic changes that had befallen Teranishi Village years earlier, his expression grave.
One night, a child from one of the village households suddenly disappeared.
The villagers searched for a full day and night but found no trace.
Even more terrifying, from that moment on, children began vanishing at regular intervals.
To this day, over a dozen children have disappeared. The villagers whisper that it's the ancient demon Ginkan, come to seek vengeance.
"An ancient demon?" Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
Komiyai Kaisuke gave a bitter smile and said helplessly.
"To tell the truth, this matter is somewhat related to my ancestor. Over a hundred years ago, the most famous mirror craftsman in Teranishi Village wasn't my ancestor, but one named Ginkan. However, one night, Ginkan entire family died inexplicably in their home. At that time, the villagers believed my ancestor was the murderer because he was Ginkan only apprentice."