Demon Slayer: I Level Up Alone

Chapter 6

"Ha~"

"The weather is really cold. I wonder how much longer it will take to reach Mount Sagiri. It seems there's a village ahead. I need to find someone to ask..."

The current season has already entered winter, with little snowflakes drifting in the sky, and everything along the way is covered in white.

Akito has been walking for five days. Without a map, he has relied on asking for directions to get here.

"Hello, old man. Do you know how to get to Mount Sagiri?"

Akito approached a house and asked an old man who was smoking.

"Just ahead there, see that mountain?"

He pointed ahead.

"But, young man, what are you going to Mount Sagiri for?"

The old man asked, as it's winter now, and few people are out and about.

"Old man, I have relatives over at Mount Sagiri. I'm going there to stay with them. Thank you, I need to hurry, or it will get dark."

"Alright, young man. Be careful on the road."

After saying goodbye to the old man, Akito felt a bit excited. After several days of travel, he was finally about to reach his destination. Moreover, during these days of traveling, he hadn't practiced his sword techniques at all.

Finding Sakonji would mean that perhaps he wouldn't have any idle days ahead...

Time passed slowly, and deep footprints were left in the snow as Akito walked.

The snow in the sky was getting heavier, making it even more difficult for Akito to walk in the mountains.

"This damn weather really changes without warning. Mount Sagiri should be close now... I hope..."

Akito muttered as he looked up at the sky.

"I'll sit down for a bit, eat something, and wait for the snow to lighten before moving on."

He found a secluded spot to sit down, took out some dry food, and started to eat.

Suddenly,

"Ying... Ying"

A strange sound reached Akito's ears from behind.

"Hmm? What is that..."

Akito turned around and saw a pure white fox, but it seemed to be injured.

Its leg was caught in something, and it's snowy fur was stained with red.

"It looks like a trap set by nearby hunters. This snow fox... should I save it..."

"Forget it. Heaven has a virtue of preserving life. Since I've encountered it, it must be our fate."

Akito stood up to help the snow fox free itself from the trap, but the fox seemed to sense danger and growled in warning.

However, it didn't have much strength to roar, perhaps due to being trapped for too long.

"Don't worry, I'm here to save you."

Akito, fearing the snow fox might attack him, took out some items from his pack and wrapped the fox's body in it.

Then he quickly untied the trap. The snow fox struggled wildly at first, but gradually stopped moving, perhaps sensing Akito's lack of malice.

"Alright, you can go now. Just don't fall into traps like this again."

After freeing the trap, Akito released the snow fox and spoke.

But at that moment, the snow fox looked strangely at Akito, tilting its head.

Seeing the still fox, Akito chuckled softly, "You little guy, you were just struggling so much, and now that I've helped you, you won't leave?"

"Since you're not leaving, then I'll go."

As he said this, he reached for the bundle that contained the snow fox.

But at that moment, the snow fox bit the bundle and let out a series of "ying, ying, ying."

It leaned against Akito's hand.

Feeling the soft fur of the snow fox, Akito recalled the feeling of petting a cat in his previous life.

"You don't want me to go?"

Akito said helplessly while stroking the snow fox.

"I really need to leave quickly; after all, I have something important to do..."

"How about you come with me? If you don't have family, and you're injured right now, once you're healed, you can leave if you want. What do you say? Do you want to come with me, little guy?"

Snow Fox: "Ying?"

In the end, Akito didn't wait for the snow fox to respond and simply picked it up, quickly bandaged its injury, and packed it into his bag.

Then he continued on his way. Although there was an added snow fox in his pack, it didn't burden Akito too much.

"I'll give you a name. From now on, you'll be called Ritoruho..."

Snow Fox: "Ying?"

"Hahaha, just take it as you agreed, Ritoruho."

A person and a fox continued their journey.

The sun gradually set, and the light became dimmer, but Akito, who was on the road, saw a wooden house glowing with firelight.

In front of the wooden house stood a person...

"Could it be Sakonoji Urokodaki?"

Akito was overjoyed.

He quickened his pace.

As his vision became clearer, he indeed saw an old man wearing a tengu mask examining him.

"Um... Hello, sir... I am Nakagawa Akito, and someone asked me to find you."

Saying this, he took out the blue envelope that Tomioka Giyu had given him.

"Well, I already know the details. Nakagawa Akito, a good young man. Are you sure you want to be my disciple?" Sakonoji Urokodaki spoke.

"I am sure!" Akito replied.

"Good, but you have to pass my assessment first. You should rest well tonight," he said as he walked into the wooden house.

Akito followed him inside, and as soon as he entered, warmth enveloped him.

Sakonoji Urokodaki handed a bowl of warm soup to Akito, who accepted it gratefully, having been eating dry rations for the past few days; it was rare to have a sip of something hot.

At that moment, the snow fox also poked its head out and nudged Akito's body.

"I almost forgot about you. Mr. Sakonoji, this is Ritoruho..."

Akito told Sakonoji Urokodaki about himself and Ritoruho.

Sakonoji Urokodaki did not say much in response but turned to take out some herbs and began to brew them in another pot.

Finally, Sakonoji Urokodaki used the herbs to bandage the injured snow fox.

That night, Akito slept soundly with the snow fox in his arms.

However, Akito did not know that Sakonoji Urokodaki was looking at him, lost in thought.

It seemed as if two shadows appeared behind Akito...