chsdbacks Chapter 147 Lost and Found
Chapter 147 Lost and Found
In the cramped control room at the front of the train, Mi Douzi slumped to her knees on the cold floor, the illusory pool of blood still visible before her eyes.
She stared blankly at the blinding red, completely engulfed in utter despair.
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, her breath caught in her throat for a moment, and her heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an icy hand, leaving her with absolutely no strength.
The scene of her brother and Inosuke's tragic deaths that she had just witnessed had torn her heart apart, leaving only emptiness and numbness.
But the next second, a warm, crimson-gold flame suddenly burst forth from behind her.
But to Midouzi, there was no scorching heat at all; instead, it was as gentle as a spring breeze, lightly brushing against her body.
She merely lifted a few wisps of hair from her forehead, and then swept them forward.
Immediately afterwards, the flames, like the rising sun at dawn, raged and burned away all the hellish scenes before her, devouring all illusions.
Those thick, glaring pools of blood, Tanjiro rolling on the ground with only his head remaining, and Inosuke lying beside his brother, protecting him.
All the cruel and false images slowly melted and dissipated in the warm flames, leaving not a trace.
The floor of the control room was restored to its clean and tidy state, with the metal surface gleaming with a faint, cold light.
Inosuke, who was supposed to "die a terrible death".
He was lying peacefully to the side, fast asleep, emitting even and soft snores, showing no signs of injury whatsoever.
When this completely different scene suddenly appeared before her eyes, Mizuko's mouth, which was already slightly open, opened even wider, her eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.
The tears that had been flowing uncontrollably stopped abruptly at that moment.
She stared blankly at Inosuke sleeping soundly before her, then looked around at the clean surroundings with a dazed expression.
At that moment, her mind went blank, and she was completely unable to process what had happened.
She didn't know that the warm flame just now was the work of Rengoku Kyojuro, nor did she know that everything she had just experienced was a deep illusion woven by demons.
So when the scene of life and death being separated suddenly turns into a peaceful sleep.
She instinctively fell into confusion, desperately trying to confirm which scene she saw was real and which was a lie woven by the evil spirit.
She blinked hard, then raised her hand and gently pinched her fingertip. The sharp pain brought her back to her senses.
Just as she was trying to confirm reality, Inosuke, who was fast asleep beside her, suddenly stretched out a big yawn and slowly sat up with his limbs outstretched.
He raised his hand to straighten the iconic boar headgear on his head and rubbed his sleepy eyes.
But when he turned his gaze and saw Nezuko with a terrified expression and red eyes, he instantly became alert. He shouted and immediately drew the two Nichirin Blades from his waist, keeping them firmly in guard behind him, ready to fight at any moment.
"Where's the ghost? Where's the ghost? I've seen you! Come out now and stop hiding!"
Inosuke's voice was rough and arrogant, full of fighting spirit. Seeing him suddenly become wary, Nezuko's mind became even more confused.
All her emotions were intertwined, leaving her speechless for a long time.
She opened her mouth, and after a long while, she whispered the other person's name, her voice still trembling.
"I...Inosuke...?"
"What's wrong, Huadouzi? I'm busy looking for ghosts, don't bother me!"
Without turning his head, Inosuke continued to warily scan the cramped locomotive control room, still holding his twin swords.
His tone was full of impatience, yet he subconsciously shielded Midouzi behind him.
"Is it really you? Inosuke... are you really alright?"
Hearing Inosuke's familiar yet arrogant nickname, Nezuko's tense heartstrings finally relaxed slightly, and she breathed a long sigh of relief, her heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, also calmed down a little.
Looking at the lively Inosuke before her, she saw no longer the pitiful figure from the illusion. Her eyes were slightly red, but no longer from despair.
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about? Are you scared out of your wits by a ghost? Don't be afraid, just call me 'Grandpa,' and I'll protect you and make sure no ghost can get near you!"
Inosuke then turned his head in confusion, looking Nezuko up and down.
They assumed she was just terrified by the evil spirit and immediately puffed out her chest, patting it arrogantly as if to make a promise, looking both naive and reckless.
Hearing Inosuke's unique, impulsive yet sincere words, Nezuko's tense expression finally relaxed completely.
A reassuring and gentle smile slowly rose to her lips, and the fear and confusion in her eyes vanished, leaving only the joy of having regained what she had lost.
"You're alright... I'm so glad, Inosuke."
"Ah! What's wrong with you? You're acting so strange. And where did Tanjiro go? Wasn't he just with me? How did he disappear in the blink of an eye?"
Inosuke was still full of doubt. He carefully looked around the control room, but did not see Tanjiro. He immediately asked, his tone filled with confusion.
Inosuke's words instantly made Nezuko's heart, which had just relaxed, tighten again, and her expression became tense.
She suddenly came to her senses and remembered the scene in the illusion she had just witnessed, even though it was all fake.
But Inosuke's words reminded her that some of the content was true.
His own brother was indeed acting with Inosuke.
So... where is my brother now? Is he also trapped in an illusion? Is he in danger?
The thought that her brother might be in danger made Midouzi immediately put away all her relaxation, and her whole body instantly became alert. Her eyes became firm and sharp, and her aura became tense.
She stepped forward and asked in a hurried and nervous tone.
"Inosuke, you mean my brother is with you? Where is he now? What were you doing together just now?"
Upon hearing this, Inosuke scratched his head, shook his head in confusion, and tried hard to recall the scene from before.
"Tanpachiro and I sensed a demon's presence on the train, so we immediately rushed towards the front. But... wait, why did I suddenly fall asleep? We were just chasing the demon a moment ago, what happened?"
Upon hearing this, Midouzi instantly understood the root of everything.
All the drowsiness, all the hallucinations, all the scenes that plunge people into despair are all caused by a demon that is good at manipulating dreams and putting people into a deep sleep.
And this ghost must still be hiding on this Infinite Train, waiting for an opportunity to harm them and the innocent passengers.
"Inosuke, we can't linger here, let's go find it quickly..."
Just as Nezuko was about to urge Inosuke to go find Tanjiro and search for the demons,
Inosuke suddenly stopped moving and forcefully slammed the two Nichirin Blades into the floor of the control room.
A crisp "clang" was heard.
He spread his arms, straightened his back, and his expression became extremely serious, instantly unleashing a wild aura around him.
"There's a ghost here! Let me pinpoint its location first!"
Upon hearing this, Nezuko immediately stopped talking, no longer hesitating. She instantly drew the Nichirin Blade with cherry blossom tsuba from her waist, held it firmly in her hand, her eyes sharp and alert, scanning every corner around her, her whole body tense, ready to deal with any sudden danger.
The next second, Inosuke took a deep breath, and his rough voice boomed in the small control room, carrying the wildness and sharpness unique to Beast Breathing.
"Beast Breathing - Seven Fangs - Spatial Awareness!"