Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

"Instead of begging to God, why not turn to me?"

"God doesn't have time for your trivial requests."

Enel emerged from the shadows of the dark forest, walking slowly toward Tanjiro.

Before Tanjiro could process his grief, Enel slapped him on the shoulder with a smirk and said:

"Young man, how about making a deal with me?"

"Deal?"

Tanjiro looked stunned.

But then, his nose twitched slightly, catching a familiar scent. The sadness in his expression quickly vanished, and he turned to Enel, eyeing him gratitude. "You... are you the one who helped me just now?"

Enel had been standing in the shadows, hidden from the moonlight, making it difficult for Tanjiro to see his face clearly. But for someone like Tanjiro, recognizing people wasn't hard—his keen sense of smell told him everything.

"Thank you so much for your help!" Tanjiro straightened up and bowed deeply to Enel. After all, if it weren't for Enel's intervention, he might have fallen to the hand demon's attack.

It was Enel's timely reminder that allowed him to regain his composure and defeat the demon. In Tanjiro's eyes, Enel had essentially saved his life.

On the other hand, while Enel's mind was racing with thoughts, he managed to mimic a calm demeanor. With a smile, imitating someone else's mannerisms, he nodded and said, "My name is Enel. There's no need to be so formal. Besides, I believe you would have defeated that monster even without my help."

"Monster?" Tanjiro echoed, confused. He glanced in the direction where the hand demon had disappeared. "Do you mean... the demon from before?"

Demon? Is that what they call such creatures here?

Enel filed this bit of information away and grinned. "In your world, is such a creature called a Demon?"

"It's quite an appropriate name."

"Appropriate..." Tanjiro murmured sadly. "But deep down, they never wanted to become like this."

"They could have lived normal, happy lives like anyone else..."

But now...

Tears began to silently stream down Tanjiro's cheeks. His thoughts drifted to the hand demon's final moments, and then to his sister Nezuko, who had also become a demon. The pain welled up in him, and he couldn't hold it back.

"A human turned into a Demon?"

Enel's thoughts shifted as he listened to Tanjiro's words.

"This reminds me of something from the [Biochemical World] Sir Leo once spoke of," he thought. His expression changed slightly as he knew what to say next.

Enel gently reached out, patting Tanjiro's head in a comforting manner.

"No need to cry, young man."

"At least, at the end of their life, they shed human tears."

"Didn't you see that?"

He withdrew his hand, a kind smile still playing on his lips.

"I am Enel, a dimensional merchant who travels across worlds."

"And what is your name, young man?"

"...I... I'm Tanjiro. Kamado Tanjiro," the still-sad Tanjiro replied instinctively.

After a moment, Tanjiro began to shake off the sorrow of the hand demon's death. But suddenly, his eyes widened in confusion.

He looked up at Enel, astonished.

What? Dimensional merchant?

What does that even mean?

A merchant that sells things?

But why would a merchant show up here on Mount Fujikasane?

A flurry of questions filled Tanjiro's mind.

Enel, however, didn't bother explaining further. He simply smiled as he looked at Tanjiro.

"Alright, Tanjiro," Enel said, his tone returning to its earlier lightness. "Let's get back to the topic... Do you want to make a deal with me?"

"Um... I'm sorry, Mr. Enel," Tanjiro said, scratching his head in embarrassment. "I don't have any money right now, so I can't really buy anything."

Tanjiro was still unsure what this whole "dimensional" thing meant, but a merchant must sell things, right? And if he couldn't be sure he'd survive the Demon Slayer selection process, how could he carry money with him?

So, he politely declined.

But Enel only chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

"No, no, no, you've misunderstood, Tanjiro."

"You don't need money to trade with a dimensional merchant."

Snap!

As he spoke, Enel snapped his fingers—a habit he had inherited from Leo. 

With that snap, a mysterious pathway of light, infused with information about dimensional transactions, streamed into Tanjiro's mind.

This was a feature Leo had added to the trading system. It allowed dimensional merchants to transmit the details of their offers directly to potential traders, without having to waste time explaining everything verbally.

This method also ensured that no vital information was left out.

Even in Enel's weakened state, he could still use the system's functions seamlessly.

Just a few moments later...

Tanjiro's eyes shot open, an indescribable light flickering within them.

"The Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce... Dimensional Trading..."

"Is this... all real?" he muttered in disbelief.

The idea of crossing dimensions, of purchasing items and gaining power from other worlds...

And only needing to pay a small price in return for something so powerful...

Even with the system's knowledge now in his head, it was still hard for Tanjiro, unfamiliar with modern technology, to fully grasp.

"Of course it's true!"

Enel responded with a confident smile, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"If you don't believe me, why not try it for yourself?"

Enel was certain that anyone who came into contact with dimensional trading would inevitably become a loyal user of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce.

Why? Because the allure of dimensional trading was simply too irresistible!

Due to the differences in world rules, even items with similar functions would be infused with varying degrees of "world origin power" in different dimensions. This energy, known as "points" by traders, was the currency used in dimensional exchanges.

Dimensional merchants like Enel sought out tradable items and goods from different worlds, capitalizing on the differences in value between dimensions to offer unique opportunities for traders. That was their purpose.

Though this was Enel's first journey through dimensions and his debut as a genuine dimensional merchant, he had absolute faith in the process.

After all, Leo had personally explained it to him!

It was with this knowledge that Enel immediately recognized the value of the sword at Tanjiro's waist. 

The trading system, which could detect the "world origin power" within various objects, allowed Enel to perceive the sword's significance, even before Tanjiro's battle began. Despite the blade not being particularly sharp or strong, it contained a power similar to that of a [Famed Swords] from the pirate world.

Interestingly, Enel had spotted another similar sword lying on the ground. Its owner had vanished along with the hand demon.

Although the origin power in that sword wasn't as potent as the one Tanjiro carried, it was enough to suggest that these special swords were not uncommon in this world.

Perhaps this sword could be the key to opening trade between Enel and the new world dimension.

With that thought, Enel pointed to the sword at Tanjiro's waist, smiling as he suggested, "If you're still doubtful, why not try it with the sword you carry?"

"Believe me, you'll see its true value."

"What?!" 

Tanjiro quickly shook his head, alarmed by Enel's request.

"No, no, Mr. Enel!" Tanjiro exclaimed. "This sword was lent to me by Master Urokodaki. After completing the trial, I must return it."

Even though Tanjiro was starting to believe in the concept of dimensional trading, there was no way he would ever trade the sword entrusted to him by Sakonji Urokodaki.

His firm refusal made Enel frown slightly.

"Did I misjudge? Is this sword more valuable than I thought?" Enel mused aloud.

He tentatively tried again, "Then, young Tanjiro... how about gathering the swords left behind by others? You could bring those to trade with me."

"As long as the swords are unclaimed and you pick them up yourself, they would be considered yours."

"This..." 

Tanjiro hesitated. Deep down, he really wanted to experience dimensional trading. Maybe there was something he could trade for that would turn his sister back into a human...

But after a brief struggle, Tanjiro looked up, his face tinged with sadness. "I'm sorry, Mr. Enel."

"If I were to find those swords, I would prefer to take them out of this mountain."

"Because... those swords might be the only remnants left of those who wielded them. Their essence is still attached to them."

"..."

Enel fell silent.

In that moment, he realized what the issue was.

The young man standing before him... was too kind!

Enel had encountered kind-hearted people in the pirate world before, but this was the first time he had met someone as unyieldingly compassionate as Tanjiro.

Here he was, with the chance to collect swords that were doomed to be left behind in the forest. By doing so, Tanjiro could have bought himself the possibility of realizing his deepest wish...

And yet, this boy had refused.

Kindness is kindness, but this was bordering on foolishness...

Enel sighed inwardly. Despite his cold exterior, he couldn't help but respect Tanjiro's character.

But a transaction still had to be made.

Based on the information he had gathered, it was clear that Tanjiro was a person of exceptional talent in this world. After all, most humans Enel had encountered so far had either been eaten by demons or were running from them...

But Tanjiro—Tanjiro had defeated demons with relative ease.

Before regaining his elemental powers, Enel had decided he needed to stay close to Tanjiro. However, pride wouldn't allow him to ask for protection outright.

So...

No matter what, he had to convince Tanjiro to become a trader.

In this way, Enel could follow Tanjiro without compromising his pride.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Enel suddenly sighed.

"Ah..." 

"I really can't win against you."

"Forget it. Your persistence is admirable."

"I have to admit, you're the person I respect the most in this world right now."

Though, admittedly, you're also the first person I've met and spoken to.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Enel," Tanjiro apologized once again, his voice filled with despair.

"It seems I won't have the chance to engage in dimensional trading after all."

If it were possible, Tanjiro would have loved to see if dimensional trading could offer a solution to Nezuko's demonization. 

But... 

Thinking of the young men, his peers, who had died at the hands of demons, he couldn't bring himself to consider it.

However, at that moment...

Enel smiled suddenly and said, "Who said you don't have a chance to trade dimensionally?"

"What!?" Tanjiro's eyes lit up with hope, immediately locking onto Enel's.

Enel gently patted Tanjiro's shoulder and said, "Given your strong sense of morality, I'll tell you another way you can trade right now..."

"Huh? What is it!?" Tanjiro asked eagerly.

Enel then pointed to the spot where the demons had disappeared and smiled.

"If you can find a way to capture those Demons and claim them as your own..."

"You can trade those demons for points in dimensional transactions."

"Rest assured, I only need a small amount of their blood, the part that doesn't belong to them..."

"Though they'll still disappear without that blood, it won't harm the human souls trapped inside. So you can trade without guilt."

"The... blood of demons?" Tanjiro was taken aback.

He suddenly recalled what his Master Urokodaki and another boy had told him—that a human's wound could turn them into a demon if tainted by demon blood.

Could this be the blood Mr. Enel was talking about?

If so, then perhaps this was something he could try.

Tanjiro was kind, but he wasn't overly sentimental. 

He didn't dwell on whether capturing demons for points would harm the rights of the demons. After all, he had seen enough suffering caused by them.

Although Tanjiro had never captured a demon before, he realized after recent battles that his strength was now more than a match for ordinary demons. 

And with the experience he had gained hunting in the forest...

He was confident he could capture some weaker demons.

With that realization, Tanjiro's eyes brightened.

He nodded firmly and said, "If that's the case, I'll give it a try, Mr. Enel!"

"Good," Enel replied with a nod, then added thoughtfully, "In that case, I'll stay with you for a while. Also, instead of Mr. make it Sir. It sounds pleasing."

"When you catch a demon, we can make the trade right away."

"That way, I can ensure nothing goes wrong."

"That would really be a great help, Mr. no, Sir Enel!" Tanjiro said gratefully, his eyes shining with appreciation.

Enel was clearly a powerful, mysterious figure capable of traveling between worlds. Not only had he saved Tanjiro's life, but now he was willing to spend time helping him with such tasks...

At this moment, Enel's image in Tanjiro's mind grew immensely.