Following the address given in advance, Hatsune led Nae to an inn. She knocked on the door and waited for a moment. Faint footsteps could be heard from the courtyard.
"Who...who is it?" a trembling voice asked softly.
"Looking for a place to stay."
"No rooms available, try somewhere else." The footsteps retreated from the courtyard gate.
Hatsune continued to knock, this time louder. The loud sound startled the neighbors, who quickly extinguished their lights.
Observing the eerie situation on the street, Nae felt a chill run down her spine. She clung tightly to Hatsune, occasionally glancing at dark corners as if something scary was lurking there.
"Stop...stop knocking, please stop." An anxious voice came from inside the courtyard.
Hatsune ignored it.
After a while, the door opened a crack, and a head cautiously peeked out.
By the light of the lanterns on either side of the door, the person carefully observed Hatsune and Nae. Upon seeing the Demon Slayer Corps uniforms and the Nichirin Blade at their waists, a delighted smile appeared on the person's face.
"You're demon...please, come in quickly." The courtyard gate was opened halfway by a young man who enthusiastically waved them inside.
Once they were in the courtyard, the man peeked out into the street before closing the gate again.
"It's good you're here. Sorry about earlier. The recent disappearances have everyone scared. No one in Shimizu Town dares to open their doors at night anymore."
Hatsune said nothing, surveying the courtyard. Her eyes settled on a two-story small pavilion, the second floor shrouded in darkness with only one room lit on the right side of the first floor.
The "Hidden" Division is a secretive unit that gathers intelligence and supports the Demon Slayer Corps.
In times of war, they wear white headscarves and masks. Apart from the higher-ups in the Demon Slayer Corps, very few know their true identities.
It's said that the greatest hiding is in plain sight. No one would suspect that the "Hidden" Division would operate openly in the bustling center of town.
"My name is Fukada. May I know your names?"
Nae nodded politely, "I am Kanroji Nae. You can call me Nae. This is Kooriyama Hatsune. You can call him Hatsune."
With sharp eyes and a handsome appearance exuding an air of mastery, Fukada was inwardly pleased as he looked at the cold, reticent young man beside Nae.
"Miss Nae, Mr. Hatsune, please follow me inside."
Fukada led them to the corridor, slid open a door, and revealed a simple living room, "You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Nae nodded shyly.
"Rest here for a while. I'll prepare some food for you in the kitchen. We can talk while eating."
Fukada left.
They removed their shoes and entered the living room.
"You should ask him to make more food," Hatsune remarked offhandedly.
Nae felt even more embarrassed.
Shortly after, Fukada returned with food for them.
Fukada, considerate of their long journey and knowing they likely hadn't had a proper meal, prepared enough food for two extra people.
At first, nothing seemed unusual. But as they ate, Fukada was shocked.
Most of the meal was intended for Hatsune, who ate slowly and only consumed one person's portion. Nae, on the other hand, devoured the remaining three portions and still seemed not entirely full.
After the meal, Fukada brought two plates of local sweets and fruits for them. He wanted to ensure the girl was full and also to avoid neglecting either of them while conversing.
"What's the situation here?" Hatsune asked directly.
The abrupt question left Fukada unsure where to start, but it was better to get to the point without unnecessary preamble.
Fukada pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "This all started six months ago..."
In half an hour, Fukada detailed the disappearances of tourists, the local government's investigation, and the "Hidden" Division's findings.
From Fukada's description, all signs pointed to the possibility of a demon being behind the incidents.
"So all the disappearances happened at night?"
"Yes, although some cases can't pinpoint the exact time, they all occurred at night."
Nighttime is when demons are active, a characteristic trait.
"Were there any clues at the disappearance sites? Blood, cries for help, anything?"
"I asked the relatives and friends of the missing people. They didn't hear any cries for help. We also investigated the sites—no blood, no signs of struggle. It's as if they vanished into thin air."
No blood, yet people disappeared.
Demons have a fervent obsession with human blood. If it were a demon, how could there be no blood?
How could a living person vanish without a trace?
"Are there any other peculiarities about these cases?"
"Other peculiarities?"
Fukada thought for a moment before his voice raised slightly, "Yes, all the disappearances occurred at hot spring inns."
"Hot spring inns?"
"Yes, hot spring inns."
Shimizu Town has no shortage of hot spring inns; every few meters on a street, there's one.
"Is there anything special about the hot spring inns where the disappearances happened?"
"Not particularly."
"The age and gender of the missing people?"
"According to statistics, most are young women and children, with only two young men among the missing."
Women and children are weaker, less capable of resistance, and their blood is more enticing to demons compared to men.
For a long time, Hatsune was deep in thought, not asking any new questions.
The young man's aura and meticulous thinking made Fukada anxious.
The previous questioning felt like an interrogation to Fukada.
The living room was stiflingly silent, except for the soft sounds of chewing. During the conversation, Nae had finished the two plates of sweets and fruits.
Seeing Fukada staring at her in shock, Nae squinted and offered an embarrassed smile.
Fukada awkwardly returned the smile, thinking these two were quite the odd pair.
"Miss Nae..."
"No need to be so formal, just call me Nae."
"Nae, my next question might be a bit rude, but please understand. The situation in Shimizu Town is dire. May I know your current ranks?"
"Ranks?" Nae didn't immediately understand.
Seeing Nae's confused look, Fukada felt a bad premonition.
"Um...your ranks in the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Oh, we're both Mizunoto. We joined the Demon Slayer Corps three months ago."
"Mizunoto? Three months?"
Mizunoto is the lowest rank, practically trainees.
Fukada had hoped headquarters would send a Hashira or at least high-ranking members. But to his disappointment, they had sent two trainees.