SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 33: My Power — Diplomatic Immunity

Chapter 33: My Power — Diplomatic Immunity

Several Days Later – Green Zone, Demon Hunter Association Headquarters.

With meticulous strides, the Head of the Association, Kang Su-won, made his way down the corridor. He opened the doors to the conference room where emissaries and parliamentary representatives were already seated, awaiting his arrival.

Their stern expressions softened as they stood respectfully.

"Chairman!" they bowed their heads in unison.

"At ease," Su-won said curtly, adjusting his tie before taking his seat at the head of the table. "Thank you all for coming. I hereby open the session regarding the SSS-rank hunter."

Standing silently beside him was his aide, Yuhwa — the only person allowed to stand near the table.

The atmosphere in the room was tense, a fact not lost on General Vincent Hwan, seated directly across from Su-won.

Next to him sat a European-looking woman whose humble demeanor struck the Chairman as unfamiliar.

One of the parliamentarians cleared his throat and unfolded a sheet of paper.

"Following the conclusion of Operation Nightwatch, the parliamentary committee wishes to address the unresolved trust issues concerning Hunter Lee Ki-hyun. Early reports indicate that this young man possesses 50% demonic blood. His Kenketsu — a spear with a sword-like edge — carries strong symbolic ties to a culture unfamiliar to our own. Mr. Kwan, please clarify the contents of Lee’s last verbal report."

"Ah, yes. In his final report, he showed a lack of deference to battalion commanders, though he claimed this was due to frustration with our distrust. He stated he truly hates demons and fights alongside us because he, too, considers himself human."

"I see. However, it must be acknowledged — a 50% demon blood ratio is unprecedented. As a hunter, he is unremarkable, though his training progresses easily. Rapid development is a trait we’ve come to associate with demons. Chairman Kang, as head of this Association, why has a full DNA analysis not been conducted?"

Su-won folded his hands, his gaze distant.

"It would be pointless. We’ve already conducted numerous blood analyses and used all available detectors — all flash red. However, Lee Ki-hyun has undergone examinations by Perseverance. She stated that he is human... just one with elevated demonic blood levels."

"Perseverance has always been loyal to humanity. But she’s still quite young—"

"She has vast experience!" Su-won cut in. "Hizumi Mikage’s instincts have never failed. And let’s not forget — Hunter Lee is the direct descendant of one of the greatest sword-wielding hunters."

"No argument there. Lee Yeon-ho was indeed a legend. But have we forgotten something crucial? No hunter with more than one-third demonic blood has ever been able to reproduce. It’s a rule embedded in demonic biology — one we still do not understand. So how, then, could Yeon-ho have had a direct heir?"

"You’ve all asked me this for years..." Su-won replied dryly. "How should I know? I’m not a hunter."

One of the emissaries spoke up firmly.

"I insist we invoke a temporary isolation protocol and launch a thorough investigation. We cannot ignore this risk! He might be one of them! There is no definitive proof he’s human!"

"Just as there’s no definitive proof he’s a demon," Su-won replied calmly.

His words stunned the room and silenced the emissary.

"He was born into a human family. We cannot categorically state that humans cannot be born with elevated demon blood. As I have previously stated — the responsibility for controlling the SSS-rank hunter lies solely with me. Unless there are objections, I declare this discussion closed."

General Hwan exhaled in relief. Su-won, however, could barely hide his nerves beneath his composed face.

"I sincerely hope," said a parliamentarian, "that our suspicions remain unfounded, Chairman Kang. By the way, we are gathered here today not only for the SSS-rank hunter. Chairman — allow me to introduce Miss Sashi Heiwa."

The European-looking woman slowly rose, clasping her briefing documents. Her soft brown hair reminded Su-won of Lee Yeon-ho’s wife, my mother.

"She... looks like her..." he thought, surprised.

Sashi bore a composed but strict expression. Her thin fingers gently flipped through the report.

"She has collaborated numerous times with Korea and Japan in the fight against demons. Though remotely, Miss Sashi has always supported our cause. She is someone we can rely on."

"If you permit, I’ll begin. It has been several days since the last Nightwatch operation. At present, Seongwan-gu is under strict surveillance by A-rank hunters, with sanitation crews combing the streets to dispose of corpses. However, we’ve observed a troubling pattern — many homeless individuals living in shantytowns have begun coughing severely. Upon analysis, we found internal damage consistent with chemical burns. Their organs are being scorched from within."

"Demonic flu..." General Hwan muttered, to which Sashi nodded.

"It’s real. The thing we feared has become fact. Residents of the Orange Zone may now be carriers of an unidentified demonic virus. It’s not just the homeless — even civilians are at serious risk."

"What exactly is this demonic flu?" Su-won asked, his tone grave.

"We don’t know everything yet, but we understand how it starts. It originates from the gas emitted by decaying demon corpses. As the flesh rots, it releases a caustic substance capable of corroding earth itself. The stench spreads across districts and burns away human taste receptors."

"Wait, wait. Are you saying the smell itself causes mutation?"

"We cannot confirm the virus’s evolution. No cases of mutation have been officially documented yet... but if it’s true, then anyone in the Orange Zone could become a walking bomb — ready to detonate at any time."

A wave of unease rippled through the room. Su-won’s expression finally cracked. His silent attendant behind him remained unmoving.

The reactions varied — some believed, others doubted. But all shared one thing: anxiety.

"What about the Hive we discovered in Seongwan-gu? Is analysis underway?"

To Hwan’s question, Sashi responded succinctly.

"Research on the foreign structure will commence in a few days."

"I heard the area is restricted, but Hive footage has already been leaked."

"That’s true. Nothing stays hidden from the public. Even the Nightwatch battles were caught on video. Regarding the homeless... many of their shelters across the Orange Zone are now empty, with no trace of the inhabitants. How could they have all disappeared at once without being seen?"

Panic erupted again.

"C-could it be... Umbra’s doing?"

"There are too many unanswered questions," Hwan said. "Miss Sashi, we’re grateful for your findings. You’ve been generous in sharing them."

"There is one more critical detail. In some of the footage, Silverhead’s face was caught — partially obscured by a hood. We’ve managed to identify him using surveillance from several districts."

The room fell still. Had they truly uncovered the face of that demon?

"He resides in the Orange Zone. By tracking his movements, we’ve assembled enough data to locate his general position."

The emissary disputed:

"But how? Just from cameras? It’s hard to believe a member of Umbra would leave such obvious traces!"

"He wore the same outfit every day. Moves around a district populated with dormitories. Judging by his speech patterns... we’re likely dealing with a teenager."

"If we’ve found him," one of the emissaries rose sharply, "then we must eliminate him immediately!"

"Yes. Preparations are already underway."

General Hwan clapped his hands loudly, surprising even Sashi.

"Excellent! Your analytical work is brilliant, Miss Sashi. I’m honored to have attended this session. We’ve taken yet another step toward victory — and toward truth. One final question, Miss Sashi... why do you work so hard for Korea? You’re from a nation untouched by demons."

"For now... But I believe that if I do everything I can to protect the East, we may finally win this war. The moment demons reach all continents — that’s when true hell will begin."

"I agree. Regarding the operation to eliminate Silverhead... when do we begin?"

"With your permission — immediately. We’ve already reviewed the plan in full. All soldiers are ready for deployment. We have everything we need to win."

"Then let it begin," Hwan replied. "Everyone here — the information shared by Miss Sashi is known only to those present at this table. Chairman Su-won, with your consent, I request that no one leave this room until the operation is underway."

Gasps rippled through the chamber. One person — standing — flinched slightly.

Su-won understood Hwan’s message. He feared a traitor might be among them.

"Acknowledged," Su-won said. "I accept these terms."

Some emissaries objected.

"B-but Chairman! You’re locking us in this room like prisoners? That’s inhumane!"

"If it serves humanity, then I’ll accept such measures. General Hwan’s instincts have never failed. I’m willing to trust him again."

After the session ended and all attendees — except the Chairman and General Hwan — were locked in the chamber, Su-won stepped out for water.

Loosening his tie and wiping sweat from his neck, he sighed.

"You’ve left quite the mess behind, Yeon-ho. And now I’m stuck babysitting your child... I’ll lose my mind at this rate. If you were still alive, you’d probably drag me into some harebrained scheme again, you reckless fool. Where did you go..."

Meanwhile. Orange Zone.

Several soldiers were guarding the homeless shelters and keeping civilians away from the area.

One soldier, standing near one of the huts, heard a harsh, sickly cough. A homeless man emerged from the tent, covering his mouth.

"Hey! You were ordered to stay inside the tent!"

But the man didn’t seem to listen. And then the soldier noticed blood streaming from the man’s ears.

His veins had turned green, and his skin was growing increasingly yellow and deteriorated.

"What the...!"

In a matter of seconds, the homeless man’s entire body began to mutate grotesquely. Bulging blisters covered his flesh, swelling with each breath he took.

His arms grew larger, and his skin tore apart in ragged shreds.

And so, standing before the soldier was a bipedal demon, its body pulsing with glowing veins.The creature killed the soldier with a single blow—and within seconds, slaughtered the entire unit.