TheMugen Trainwhistled loudly as itchugged down the tracks, carrying itsfour newest passengers—Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and the ever-enthusiasticFlame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku.

Well, five passengers, actually.

Raja hadstealthily boarded the train, disguised with an enchanted cloaking spell, just to observe the chaosunfold in peace.Watching children fight demons was always good entertainment.

And, of course, he brought snacks.

"A METAL BEAST! I KNEW THEY EXISTED!"heroared, startling several passengers.

Before anyone could stop him, Inosukelaunched himself onto the seats, shoving his snout into confused passengers’ faces.

"HOW DO YOU TAME THIS MONSTER?!"he yelled at an old man.

"Sir, please—"a terrified conductor began, but Inosukegrabbed his collar.

"DOES IT EAT HUMANS OR DEMONS?!"

Zenitsu, practically vibrating with secondhand embarrassment,grabbed Inosuke’s cloak and yanked him back.

"STOP HARASSING PEOPLE, YOU WALKING MENACE!"

Inosukehuffed, arms crossed."Tch! You’re just jealous ’cause I figured out its weak spots before you!"

"YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A TRAIN, YOU ABSOLUTE MANIAC!"

Raja, watching from the shadows,munched on his bento.This was already better than expected.

While Zenitsu and Inosuke continued theirunhinged debate on train anatomy, Rengoku satcompletely unbothered,devouring his bento boxes with godly intensity.

"UMAI! UMAI! UMAI!"

Tanjiro, waiting for the perfect moment, cleared his throat."Flame Hashira Rengoku-san, I would like to formally introduce—"

"UMAI!"

"—my comrades, Inosuke and Zenitsu—"

"UMAI!"

Tanjirosighed."—when you’re done eating."

Five boxes later,Rengoku turned to him with a bright smile.

"Well then! What a fine group of young warriors! What brings you to this mission?"

Tanjiro’s expressionbecame serious."We’re investigating demon disappearances. Also... I wanted to ask about the Hinokami Kagura."

Rengoku’s eyesflickered with intrigue."Ah! A fire-related breathing technique, is it? We shall discuss this after we purge the train of demons!"

Zenitsu’sface went pale."D-did you just say demons?! On this train? Right now?!"

"YES! LET US FIGHT!"Rengoku declared,punching the air in excitement.

Zenitsucollapsed on the floor."Why does this always happen to me?"

Just then, theTrain Conductorarrived to collect tickets.

Everything seemed normal.

Until the lightsflickered ominously.

The Conductor’s facetwisted unnaturally, his eyes blank withhidden terror.

And then—

A massive demon emerged, screeching from the shadows!

"HELLO, SNACKS!"the demon howled, lunging toward them.

Before Tanjiro could evendraw his sword,Rengoku moved.

"FLAME BREATHING, FIRST FORM... SUN FIRE!"

SHING!

Inless than a second, the demon’shead flew off its shoulders.

The bodytwitched, collapsed, and crumbled to ash.

Everyoneblinked.

Zenitsu, trembling, pointed at Rengoku."I... I think I’m in love."

Raja, still hidden,nodded in appreciation.Fast. Precise. No nonsense. This was going to be fun.

The group continued their investigation while Zenitsurefused to stop panicking.

However,unbeknownst to them, the Conductor had already fallen underEnmu’s control.

As theDemon Slayers began to feel drowsy, their bodiesslumped forward, succumbing to sleep.

Enmu, watching from theshadowy depths of the train, grinned."Sleep well, children. Your happy dreams shall be your tomb!"

One by one, theDemon Slayers fell into dreams.

Tanjiroopened his eyes—and found himselfback home, in the forest.

Hisfamily stood before him, alive and well.

"Onii-chan! Let’s play!"his siblings cheered.

Tanjirofroze.His breath hitched."Am I... home?"

Meanwhile, Zenitsu’sdream was peak insanity.

He wasfrolicking through a peach tree forest, carrying Nezuko bridal-style,while a chorus ofbirds sang his praises.

"Nezuko-chaaan! I WILL PROTECT YOU FOREVER!"hesobbed dramatically.

Inosuke’sdream, on the other hand, was pure chaos.

"FORWARD, MY MINIONS! WE SHALL SLAY THE BEAST!"he roared, leadinga charge against the train, believing it was agiant demon boar.

Back in reality, Enmu’sbrainwashed childrensnuck into their dreams, seeking to destroy theirspiritual cores.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Raja decided it was time for them to wake up.

Inside Tanjiro’sdream, as hehugged his family, something felt...wrong.

There wassomeone missing.

Aface he couldn’t remember.

Then—

BAM!

Tanjiroflew forward, landing face-first in the dirt.

Afamiliar voice boomed.

"WAKE UP, FOOL! ZENITSU IS MARRYING NEZUKO!"

Tanjirojerked upright."WHAT?!"

Just like that, the dreamshattered.

Inosuke’s wake-up call was just as brutal.

Inside his dream, as heprepared to slay the ’Mugen Train Demon,’hisBoar Mother Spirit appeared.

Shebonkedhim over the head.

"WAKE UP, YOU STUBBORN CHILD!"

Inosukeshot up in reality, flailing."WHO DARES ATTACK THE KING OF THE MOUNTAIN?!"

Zenitsu’s wake-up method was pure genius.

As hegazed lovingly at Dream Nezuko, she suddenly turned and...married another man.

Zenitsufroze.

Hisentire soul shattered.

Then—

"NOOOOOO!"he screamed, jolting awake.

Hisface was soaked with tears."It was a nightmare! IT WAS A NIGHTMARE, RIGHT?!"

Raja, watching from a distance stealthily,smirked."Yes, yes. All a nightmare. Or was it?"

Zenitsuscreamed.

The trainrumbledas Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsushook off their lingering drowsiness.

"A demon did this,"Tanjiro growled, gripping his sword.

Inosukecracked his knuckles."THEN LET’S RIP IT TO SHREDS!"

ZenitsuFuming with Rage."I KNOW YOU DID SOMETHING DEMON! How dare you show that nightmare" as his body surrounded by thunder and lightning.

Rajajust sipped his tea and smirking.

As the trainraced forward, thereal battle was about to begin.

TO BE CONTINUED...🚂🔥

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com