Tanjiro's first official mission as a Demon Slayer had finally arrived. After training for months, he was now ready to face real demons and protect the innocent.

Or so he thought.

Raja, of course, had other plans.

"Listen up, kiddo,"Raja said, dramatically flipping his black-and-gold cloak."I'm tagging along to evaluate your performance. If you mess up, I'll be forced to step in and fix things. And if that happens, you owe me an entire feast. Sound fair?"

Tanjiro, ever the polite cinnamon roll, nodded."I understand, Raja-san. I will do my best!"

Raja patted his shoulder."Good. Now remember, your job is to learn, not to die. Because if you die, I'll have to explain to Nezuko why I let her older brother become demon food."

Tanjiro gulped.

The mission led them to a town to the northwest, wheregirls had been vanishing mysteriously each night. The entire town was on edge, and Raja swore he saw at least three people praying to the gods the moment they arrived.

Tanjiro metKazumi, a young man whose girlfriend had been abducted just the night before. The poor guy looked like he hadn't slept in weeks.

"She just... disappeared!"Kazumi wailed, grabbing Tanjiro by the shoulders."One moment she was next to me, and the next... gone!"

Tanjiro, being his usual empathetic self, consoled the man. But Raja?

"Right. So she's either dead, a demon, or in some weird demon swamp dimension. Fantastic."Raja said, nodding sagely.

Kazumi paled.

Tanjiro turned to Raja with a frown."Could you please not say things so bluntly?"

"What? Sugarcoating things never saved anyone."

As they investigated the area, Tanjirocaught the scent of a demon nearby, but there was no visible sign of one. That was when Raja sighed and smacked Tanjiro upside the head.

"Kid, think. If people are vanishing into thin air, where's the one place no one checks?"

Tanjiro blinked. Then realization hit.

"Underground... or under water!"

Raja smirked."Ding ding ding! And what do we have in this town? Aswamp."

As night fell, they positioned themselves near the marshland. Sure enough, a disgustingthree-headed demonslithered out from the bog, dragging a terrified young girl down into the mud.

"Bingo,"Raja muttered.

Without hesitation, Tanjirocharged forward.

"You'll pay for what you've done!"Tanjiro yelled, drawing his sword.

TheKidnapper's Bog Demonsneered."Foolish slayer! This is my domain!"

Then, before Tanjiro could react, the ground beneath himopened like a whirlpool, and he was dragged into the demon's swampy hell.

Raja blinked. Then sighed.

Rolling his eyes, Rajasummoned his Tridentand executedSun Breathing: Solstice Slam—a devastating overhead attack that shattered the swamp's surface like an explosion.

BothTanjiro and the demon were launched out of the water, landing on the ground with a squelch.

"First rule of fighting demons, Tanjiro. NEVER fight them in their own domain."

Tanjiro coughed up mud."Noted."

TheKidnapper's Bog Demonwas enraged. It conjuredwaves of slimy water, hurling them at Tanjiro with terrifying speed.

Tanjiro dodged, slashing through the waterwith precise movements. But the demon split intothree identical clones, each attacking from a different direction.

"This is unfair!"Tanjiro thought, barely avoiding a claw swipe.

Thebattle intensified, with Tanjirostrugglingto deal with the demon's fluid attacks. His swordcouldn't cut through water, and every time he got close, the demon wouldmelt back into the swamp.

"Raja-san! How do I defeat him?"

Raja leaned on his Trident."Figure it out. If I tell you, you'll never learn."

Tanjiro groaned. But then, as he observed the demon,he noticed something—whenever it used its water powers,it became momentarily solid.

That was it!

Tanjiro's mind clicked.

"I see now... I have to attack when it uses its ability!"

The demonlunged, attempting toengulf Tanjiro in water—but this time, Tanjirostood his ground.

The moment the demon activated its water control—Tanjiro struck!

"Sun Breathing: Burning Bones, Summer Sun!"

Hissword ignited with searing heat,cutting through the demon's watery flesh like butter.

Thethree clones screamedin unison as theycollapsed into nothingness, leaving only themain body, mortally wounded.

"Impossible..."the demon wheezed."I was supposed to be invincible in my domain..."

Tanjiroclosed his eyes, offering silent respectbefore delivering the final blow.

With one lastflaming slash, the demon wasdecapitated, its bodyburning away in the light of the rising sun.

As soon as the demon died, themud began to evaporate, revealing a hidden pocket of space whereseveral kidnapped girls were trapped.

Tanjiro and Rajahelped them escape, leading them back to the town.

Kazumi ran toward them, spotting his missing girlfriend among the survivors.

"You're safe!"Kazumi cried, holding her tightly.

Theentire town rejoiced, grateful for their rescue.

Tanjiro wiped his forehead, exhausted but relieved.

But Raja?

"Alright, kid. You survived. You get to keep your head."

Tanjiro:"That... doesn't sound reassuring."

As they walked back toward their inn, Raja gave Tanjiro hisfinal evaluation.

"Not bad for your first mission. But remember, never fight a demon in its own territory unless you're stupidly Powerful and Handsome."

Tanjiro nodded."Understood. I'll never forget this lesson."

"Good. Now let's celebrate by eating enough food to make Nezuko jealous."

Tanjiro:"But she doesn't eat that much food—"

Raja:"Who are you kidding, Nezuko stomach is like a blackhole."

And thus,Tanjiro's first mission was a success—thanks tohis training, his determination, and Raja being an unreasonably powerful babysitter.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com