Demons—since they could ignore physical injury, even a pierced heart wasn't fatal.
Kawanishi was willing to take that hit to gain a more advantageous position.
Black Fang's claw drove into Kawanishi's chest. Just as he was about to rip it out and deal another blow—
Kawanishi took another step forward, bearing the searing pain, and spat a mouthful of blood straight into Black Fang's face, blinding him.
"You! Even I'm not that dirty! Can't you fight fair for once?!"
Black Fang jerked his head violently, trying to fling the blood off his face.
One hand was still buried in Kawanishi's chest, but with the other, he lashed out blindly, clawing toward Kawanishi's throat.
If Black Fang managed to grab his neck and twist it off, Kawanishi wouldn't be able to resist. He wouldn't be given time to regenerate.
Kawanishi didn't risk clashing directly. Now that Black Fang's vision was obscured, his attacks weren't as precise, and his speed had dropped. Kawanishi quickly seized the opportunity, grabbing Black Fang's wrist mid-swipe.
Then, using Black Fang's own momentum, Kawanishi gently shifted upward, redirecting the strike just enough to rob it of power and aim.
At the same time, Kawanishi brought his right hand down in a knife-like chop, aiming directly at the arm still stuck in his body.
After witnessing how easily Black Fang had regenerated from a shattered skull, Kawanishi understood one truth—when demon fights demon, you can't fear getting hurt. Pain might still exist, but injuries were mostly meaningless.
Black Fang hadn't expected this newborn demon to be so vicious—or so cunning.
Pain exploded from his forearm. His elbow twisted grotesquely—his arm bone had been snapped. The entire limb now hung limp and useless.
Black Fang absolutely hated opponents like Kawanishi—fighters who relied on feints, tricks, and underhanded tactics.
To him, combat should be a face-to-face slugfest. Raw strength against strength, fire against fire. Win or lose, the thrill of a blood-pounding fight was what he lived for.
"Kid, you've pissed me off."
"You think cheap tricks can make up for a difference in power? I'm going to tear off your limbs, rip off your head, and wait for the sun to burn you into ash."
Originally, Black Fang hadn't even planned to go all out against a newborn.
This hunting ground used to be shared between him and another demon. But a Demon Slayer had shown up recently—and not just any one, but a powerful one.
The other demon had been instantly killed.
Black Fang had watched the fight from afar. After seeing how fast it ended, he was terrified. He had nearly gone after that slayer himself, but the other demon beat him to it.
By all logic, he should've fled this area and avoided the threat.
But for some reason, something deep inside him refused to leave. Even with the risk of death, he stayed.
That slayer had been living in the town below for some time, keeping Black Fang from moving too freely. But the town was also his primary food source.
Last night, a child got lost in the snow, giving him a rare chance to feed.
If he used too much energy now, he'd be starving again soon.
Hopefully that slayer would leave soon…
"Blood Demon Art: Blade Hell!"
Black Fang wasn't an ordinary demon—he had awakened a Blood Demon Art. It wasn't refined yet, but more than enough to deal with a newborn like Kawanishi.
A massive cleaver, nearly 1.5 meters long and over 20 centimeters wide, appeared in his left hand.
The iron-wrapped hilt gleamed with angular spikes. With his left arm outstretched and too close to slash, Black Fang simply used the hilt like a mace, smashing it toward Kawanishi's face.
Hearing the rush of air, Kawanishi's heart jumped—he quickly jerked his head aside, trying to dodge the blow.
But the weapon had appeared so suddenly, and the hilt was long—he was too close.
He hadn't expected Black Fang to have a Blood Demon Art at all, and now he was at a disadvantage.
That's how battle worked—constantly shifting in an instant.
Though Kawanishi dodged, the spiked hilt still struck him hard. His right cheek burst open, a massive gouge tearing flesh and muscle from his face.
Staggered, Kawanishi was immediately kicked by Black Fang, sent flying across the cave.
He crashed into the cave wall, pain flaring through his entire body.
Just as he hit the ground, he tried to recover—but Black Fang didn't give him a chance.
The giant blade swept down at Kawanishi's neck—cleanly severing his head.
Black Fang then hooked a foot under the severed head, kicked it into the air, and drove the tip of the blade through it, pinning it to the wall.
Kawanishi found himself stunned—his first time experiencing decapitation.
If not for the excruciating pain and the lingering consciousness in his brain, if not for still seeing Black Fang's grinning face, he would've thought he was dead.
"Pah. Trying to mess with me? You're dead meat."
Black Fang sneered, then stomped on Kawanishi's headless body, crushing the limbs, before casually sitting on top of it.
Kawanishi said nothing. The sensation was strange—surreal, and deeply disturbing. Watching his own body have its limbs broken while his head was nailed to a wall—it was the worst experience imaginable.
"So this… is how weak I really am…"
Black Fang sat on the body lazily. Instead of setting his own bones, he simply tore off his damaged left arm, letting a new one regrow in a few breaths.
"Hey, kid. I offered you food earlier, and you turned it down. How's that decision feel now?"
It was time for the victor to gloat.
But Kawanishi remained silent, expressionless—because he hadn't given up.
Right now, he was focusing. Trying to reconnect with his body. Testing whether he could control it remotely.
He could sense it—his head and body, though separated, still had a faint link.
And with effort, that link was growing stronger. He felt it wouldn't be long before he could move again.
"Hey, I'm talking to you."
"Say something. Weren't you tough just a minute ago?"
Black Fang curled his lips into a subtle, malicious grin.
Kawanishi ignored him completely, which didn't anger Black Fang—instead, it amused him. He had thought of something fun.
So he waited. He stared at Kawanishi, doing nothing more.
Three minutes later, Kawanishi had full control of his body again. He was ready. He'd start with restoring his limbs in secret—then strike back.
But suddenly, Black Fang burst into loud laughter...
(End of Chapter)