Chapter 8: Sunshade hat
"Devour it!"
Aoki's eyes narrowed as he activated "Devour Demon."
A swirling vortex appeared in his palm.
The body of the sharp-horned demon twisted and compressed, from head to neck, and then to the chest, gradually sinking into Aoki's palm.
The battle just now wasn't mere venting. "Devour Demon" could be easily interrupted, so before launching it, Aoki ensured the target couldn't resist.
In the blink of an eye, the sharp-horned demon was devoured by Aoki's palm.
A surge of energy poured into his body, finally dispelling the intense hunger that had plagued him since turning into a demon.
"[Kill a demon and gain 15 experience points.]"
"[Completion of 'The Road of the Other Walker', and reward issued.]"
"[Congratulations on your upgrade!]"
"15 experience points, not bad!" Aoki nodded slightly, and immediately a deep blue screen appeared before him.
[Name: Aoki]
[Strength: 8]
[Constitution: 7]
[Intelligence: 7]
[Agility: 6]
[Occupation: Hunter, White Walker]
[Free attribute points: 2]
[Item: Sunshade hat]
…
[White Walker]
Quality: ★★
Level: lv2 (3/200)
Skills: Demon Blood (not yet learned), Space Shuttle (not yet learned), Transparent World (not yet learned), Devour Demon
Quest: Fuji Mountain Dungeon (Demon 1/30, Hand Demon 0/1)
Free skill points: 1
…
Aoki pondered for a moment and allocated one point each to strength and agility.
The system panel's attributes were interdependent; maintaining a balance within two points ensured optimal physical performance. Deviating beyond this range could lead to serious bodily issues.
For example, excessive strength with inadequate constitution might cause muscle strain or bone fractures before effectively damaging the enemy.
Or, excessive strength combined with low agility could hinder body coordination and flexibility, rendering one slow and cumbersome.
Given that strength had the most significant impact on physical attacks among the four attributes, it warranted immediate improvement.
Adding one point to agility helped ensure all attributes stayed within a two-point difference.
With one skill point remaining, Aoki wasted no time in investing it in "Demon Blood."
He had studied it thoroughly:
"White Walkers" differed from "Hunters."
While Hunter skills were independent of each other, White Walker skills were interconnected. "Demon Blood" served as a fundamental skill, prerequisite for acquiring more advanced abilities.
Boom!
As "Demon Blood" lit up, a surge of power coursed through his body, followed by a system prompt.
"All attributes +1."
"I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise!" Aoki exclaimed.
A boost of one point across all attributes was equivalent to advancing two levels—a significant enhancement.
Presumably, demon abilities like regeneration and dark vision had also been fortified.
"Demon Blood" proved foundational and pivotal, rivaling the potency of its counterparts.
"And finally," Aoki remarked, producing a black hat from thin air, its circumference rimmed with a circle of black gauze.
The Sunshade Hat, another reward from "The Road of the White walkers," marked his first tangible acquisition from the system.
A brief trial evoked further astonishment in Aoki's eyes.
As its name suggested, the Sunshade Hat shielded against sunlight.
Unlike conventional hats, this one fully blocked sunlight. Moreover, its protective reach extended beyond the black gauze, encompassing a cylindrical area formed by the hat's brim.
In essence, wearing it allowed complete immunity to sunlight.
"The name may be plain, but for demons, this is undoubtedly a magic weapon."
Aoki hung the Sunshade Hat around his neck and carried it on his back. "With this, daytime fear is a thing of the past."
The Blue Spider Lily held similar promise for sun tolerance, which Aoki had considered immediately upon his transformation. However, several issues arose:
Firstly, its efficacy for him remained uncertain. Muzan, the demon progenitor, possessed a system; outcomes couldn't be generalized.
Secondly, the Blue Spider Lily's brief blooming period was erratic, influenced by climate and environment. Even if located, harvesting it posed challenges.
Thirdly, its medicinal preparation required expertise beyond Aoki's grasp.
Lastly, locating Tanjiro's residence posed its own difficulties, despite being feasible with time.
Given these constraints, Aoki focused on the system's potential to overcome sunlight.
"If the system fails, then seeking the Blue Spider Lily becomes imperative."
[Name: Aoki]
[Strength: 10]
[Constitution: 8]
[Intelligence: 8]
[Agility: 8]
[Occupation: Hunter, White Walker]
…
[White Walker]
Quality: ★★
Level: lv2 (3/200)
Skills: Demon Blood, Space Shuttle (not learned yet), Transparent World (not learned yet), Devour Demon
Mission: Fuji Mountain Dungeon (Demon 1/30, Hand Demon 0/1)
Reflecting on his newly enhanced attributes, Aoki's spirits lifted. Compared to his pre-demon self, his attributes had doubled—a substantial improvement.
Attributes didn't progress linearly; gains were greater at higher levels.
Aoki adjusted the Sunshade Hat, chose a direction, and set off.
…
One week later.
"The third one!"
Aoki took a breath, grabbed the demon's head, and activated "Devour Demon": "Efficiency's been good tonight."
This marked the third demon he'd captured that night—previously, he'd managed to catch at most two.
"[Ding Dong!]"
A familiar voice echoed in his mind, leaving Aoki stunned.
"Leveled up? I thought I needed more than 20 experience points!"
Before he could ponder further, another system prompt chimed in.
"[Physique +1.]"
"Huh? Where did this physique come from?" Aoki examined the system panel, contemplating the implications for "Devour Demon."
"Replenishing physical strength and self-improvement—it seems 'improvement' is quite literal here."
The sound of rustling footsteps interrupted his thoughts, prompting Aoki to glance back.
A demon with a long tongue darted out of its mouth, swiftly vanishing into the jungle.
"You're lucky," Aoki muttered, hesitating momentarily before deciding against pursuit.
Dawn was approaching, leaving insufficient time to handle another demon.
Moments later, a crimson sun ascended from the horizon, bathing the world in bright light.
Aoki donned his Sunshade Hat and departed swiftly.
After several days of use, he found it secure even during vigorous movement.
Of course, relying on it for daytime combat remained impractical.