Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi

"Where am I?"

His mind was still sluggish, not fully processing what had happened. I actually made it to the summit of Sunlight Mountain?

Looking around, Si Shu realized he had reached his destination. The summit wasn't jagged as he had imagined, but a wide, flat plateau. In the very center stood a massive, fiery-red ore, as tall as two men, shining like a giant crimson crystal. It was as if all the essence of Sunlight Mountain had been absorbed into this single stone.

"Wow, it really is hot up here," he muttered.

Not only were his clothes completely incinerated, but even the sword Mo Tie had lent him had melted halfway. It was clear the temperature on the summit wasn't just a few hundred degrees as Mo Tie had guessed.

It was a staggering 1500 degrees Celsius!

Good thing I have Sun Breathing, or I would have been turned to ash by now.

Thinking of Sun Breathing, Si Shu suddenly remembered hearing the system's notification before he became fully immersed. After checking his stats, his jaw dropped.

[Master-Level Swordsmanship: 500,000 / 1,000,000] [Master-Level Breathing Method: 400,000 / 1,000,000]

Seeing the explosive growth in his skills, Si Shu had to forcibly restrain the impulse to try and repeat the experience. Impulse is the devil, impulse is the devil.

Calming himself, he walked towards the center of the summit. Standing before the giant crimson ore, he frowned. Even with Sun Breathing protecting him, he could feel the immense energy contained within the massive stone. Sunlight Mountain was perpetually under a clear sky, and its peak ceaselessly absorbed the sun's rays. Centuries of accumulation and endless energy had created this magnificent ore.

No wonder no one has ever reached the summit. This temperature alone would stop 99% of people.

But since I'm here, this Tamahagane is mine!

A fiery determination lit up his eyes. He was extremely satisfied with this crimson crystal. Gripping the hilt of his ruined sword, he once again used Sun Breathing.

Waltz... Blue Heaven... Setting Sun Transformation...

The twelve forms were unleashed one after another, slamming into the crimson ore.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The sound of explosions echoed across the summit, shaking the very heavens. However, Si Shu had underestimated the ore's hardness. A full set of techniques only managed to chip off a thin surface layer.

It's that tough?!

Gripping his sword again, Si Shu prepared to go once more. But as soon as he swung, he felt something was wrong. The sword from Mo Tie was just a normal sharp blade, not a Nichirin Blade. After repeated use of Sun Breathing and enduring the summit's heat, the sword had finally reached its limit.

Staring at the half-blade in his hand, Si Shu sighed and tossed it aside. Though he had lost his weapon, the fire in his eyes burned even brighter. The more the crimson ore resisted, the more excited he became.

This Tamahagane will be MINE!

With his conviction strengthened, he began to think of a new approach. After some thought, he realized he didn't have any particularly good options. What should I do?

Rubbing his chin, he stared at the crimson crystal, a troubled look on his face. Crimson Crystal... Sun... Resonance... Sun Breathing. Combining all the useful information, his mind raced.

!

Finally, a flash of inspiration. He thought of a possible solution. He didn't know if it would succeed, but it was worth a try.

Standing up and stretching, Si Shu once again walked toward the crimson ore.

"Hah!"

He stomped his left foot hard on the ground, clenched his right hand into a fist, and spun around.

"Sun Breathing, First Form: Waltz!"

A faint red flame flickered over the surface of his fist, reflecting the light like the glint of a blade's edge.

CRACK!

His right fist scraped across the ore, leaving behind a shallow scratch.

It worked!

Seeing the faint mark, Si Shu was overjoyed, unconsciously ignoring his now-bleeding right hand. That's right—what Si Shu was doing was turning his own body into a blade! Though far less sharp than a true Nichirin Blade, it could still damage the crimson ore!

Not only that, this can also train my Sun Breathing and deepen my understanding of the technique.

A notification of "+50 Breathing Method Points" appeared in his mind, and Si Shu grinned. Mining with an extra reward. Killing two birds with one stone. Nice.

Without resting, Si Shu continued his assault on the crimson ore.

An upward slash from below—Sun Breathing, Second Form: Blue Heaven. A mid-air somersault, descending from the sky—Sun Breathing, Fifth Form: Fire Wheel. Hands shaped like a spear, a sudden thrust—Sun Breathing, Seventh Form: Solar Heat Haze.

Si Shu lost count of how many times he used Sun Breathing; he didn't care. The only thing on his mind was when he would finally shatter the crimson ore and claim the Tamahagane within. When he was hungry, he ate the charred rations. When he was tired, he collapsed and slept. As soon as he had the strength, he would not stop.

After an unknown amount of time, the long battle of attrition finally reached its end. Disregarding his freshly scabbed wounds, Si Shu swung his hands again.

Crack... crackle...

A web of fissures appeared on the surface, and chunks of rock began to fall away.

Finally... I did it.

Looking at the basketball-sized piece of Tamahagane before him, Si Shu felt a great weight lift from his shoulders.

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Highest Quality Tamahagane (Can be smelted into Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore). Hidden Quest Complete.] [Hidden Quest rewards have been distributed. Please check.] [Influenced by the Host's own abilities, Master-Level Swordsmanship (500,000/1,000,000) has been promoted to (700,000/1,000,000).] [Influenced by the Host's own abilities, Master-Level Breathing Method (400,000/1,000,000) has been promoted to (700,000/1,000,000).] [All other skills have been upgraded. Current Level: Specialist (50,000/100,000).] [A new quest has been issued. Please check.] [Quest: Travel to the Swordsmith Village, smelt the Tamahagane into Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore, and forge your own Nichirin Blade.]

After processing the information in his mind, Si Shu clenched his fists tightly.

Finally, the time has come.

Ever since he had been transported to this world, he had been waiting for this moment. And now, he was about to forge his very own Nichirin Blade!

Holding the Tamahagane in one arm, Si Shu prepared to descend the mountain, only to realize a very serious problem.

His clothes had long been burned away by the summit's heat. He was completely naked.

If he returned to the Smelting Village like this, would he be arrested as a pervert?

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