It happened too fast.

The mission was supposed to be clean, but chaos had already struck. Screams, fire… a human caught in the crossfire.

Your blade barely moved before the wet, terrible sound hit.

Then came the blood. Hot, bright, human. Even as a half-demon, the metallic smell made your stomach twist.

Your demon side surged, heat clawing through your veins. Tanjiro stepped in front of you. “It’s okay! I know them,” he said.

The other Hashiras didn’t trust you. Half-demon… can’t be trusted.

Panic and instinct collided — then blackness swallowed you.

You woke pressed against a wall, muzzled, hands restrained. Tanjiro’s hand on your shoulder: “You’re safe.”

The others’ eyes were sharp, suspicious. You wanted to explain… but all you could feel was your dangerous other side and Tanjiro’s protection.

Being half-demon had never felt this terrifying.