SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 34: Every End is the New Beginning

Chapter 34: Every End is the New Beginning

It was a dream.

A dream in which I was back home. The summer sun poured through the windows, my mother was making lunch, and my father, lounging in his chair, was reading the newspaper.

No... it wasn’t a dream. It was a memory.

I was just a child then, too young to realize that this peaceful world would soon be gone.

"Sweetheart," my mother called. Her voice was warm, like freshly baked bread. "Come here. It’s time you learned how to cook. My only wish is for you to grow up independent. Come on, don’t be shy."

I pouted and ran over to her.

"But Mom!"

"Learn while I’m still here. When I’m gone, you’ll have to do it all by yourself."

"But where would you go?"

She sighed and gently patted my head.

"Hm? Nowhere, silly. It’s just an expression."

But I was already clinging to her apron, small fists tightening in its folds.

"Mom... I don’t want you to leave. Don’t go!"

She laughed, but there were tears trembling in the corners of her eyes.

"Of course I won’t go. You’re my little boy."

"Really? You promise?"

"I promise, my darling. Are you mommy’s boy or daddy’s?"

Hiding my tearful face in her apron, I shook my head. I was too shy to answer that kind of question at that age.

I didn’t treasure that time the way I do now. Back then, it was just life. Now, the pain of knowing those days are gone overwhelms me.

Without lifting his eyes from the newspaper, my father calmly added:

"Of course he’s daddy’s boy. He wants to grow up to be a hunter."

I glanced at him—his face still hidden behind the paper.

"Dear! How many times have I told you not to encourage him with this ’hunter’s duty’ nonsense?"

Now Mom pouted. They loved each other dearly—purely and endlessly.

I remember how we went to the swan lake. There was a wooden pier. They confessed their love to each other there.

They stood by the water, embraced, the sun painting their faces with gold.

Now, when I recall it, I don’t cry anymore. At least not like I did as a child.

"All right, sweetheart. Look here, first you need to boil the water..."

"Mom!" I raised my little hand. "Can I watch from up top?"

I always loved sitting on her shoulders. She allowed it—it became our little tradition.

"All right, all right. Just be careful. Don’t fall."

Why... why did I remember this moment?

That warm home, the delicious smells of cooking, and the coffee on the sofa my father loved...

And then...

I opened my blue eyes. My hand was reaching toward the ceiling, as if trying to grasp that long-lost light.

I... had awakened. In my home. Alone.

Right. Today is the first day after the end of Nightwatch. I can finally rest with a clear mind, even if just a little.

I promised Harin we’d visit the graves of our fallen comrades today.

After all that’s happened... I feel like I’m no longer myself. Maybe it’s time to change. A haircut might help—freshen up a bit.

Yes, I should get up. I don’t want to look sloppy in front of her.

Three hours later. Green Zone. Fallen Soldiers’ Cemetery.

The cozy air was filled with greenery and trees of every color. Several winding paths led to graves.

The grave of every person, regardless of faction. This was the only one place where no one argued whether hunters or soldiers were more important.

Harin, in a beige coat, laid flowers at the graves of our comrades. Stopping by Minjae’s grave, she knelt close and read the inscription:

"Grave of A-Rank Hunter. We love you, Han Min-jae."

Placing her palm on the cold stone, she whispered:

"I still remember... You always told me to quit this job. You knew my mother, you said my sisters cried every time I went on a raid. And now... now they cry for you. Sadly, they won’t get to see you one last time—only soldiers and relatives are allowed here. Only now do I realize... with those words, you were trying to save me. I was such a fool. But you saved me again. Thank you, Minjae..."

Tears almost welled up in her eyes—but she had promised herself she’d be strong.

She rose to her feet and walked slowly along the path, toward where Taehwan rested.

Dragonflies danced by the river as she wandered, lost in thought.

I stood at Taehwan’s grave when she approached.

"Sir Lee..! You came from the other entrance?"

"Yeah. I wanted to see Taehwan first."

"You’ve changed, Mr. Lee..."

She couldn’t help noticing my haircut—short on the sides, curtains on top.

I liked it. My hair no longer fell into my eyes. I finally stopped looking like a porcupine.

But Harin wasn’t looking at the haircut.

"What is it, Harin? Don’t like it?"

"No, it’s not that. It’s just... you’ve become more pessimistic. Especially your eyes."

"I see..."

She was right. Not that I should’ve been cheerful at a cemetery, but even I had noticed how emotionless I’d become.

I chose this path. I knew where it would lead. To kill demons, sacrifices would be necessary—and that wouldn’t change.

What mattered now was making sure I wouldn’t be the next to die.

Harin placed her flowers gently on the stone.

"I bet Taehwan is proud of us, watching from above."

Her melancholic voice made me reflect. Taehwan was gone, beyond saving. No sacrifice would bring him back...

"Mr. Lee, he didn’t see you as a killing machine. He knew you were human. That’s why he wanted you to complete the mission in his stead. Deep down, we all knew we would die that night."

"Harin... Thank you. For your kind words."

"These are the words you needed to hear—to understand. You’re not an SSS-rank hunter. You’re not the key to victory against demons. Mr. Lee... you’re a human being."

My hands fell to my sides. Grief clouded my vision.

We walked together down the path by the river.

"Harin, did you find out why Salez didn’t come with us today?"

"Yes. It seems he really missed his family. Turns out... he has a wife and a son."

"So young, and already a father. I’m happy for him."

She nodded sweetly.

"He has a big family too—just like mine. Maybe he feels the same weight."

Then she stepped in front of me, a strange determination shining in her bright eyes.

"I’ve decided to leave the field."

"Oh..."

"I’m joining the Daywatch. Don’t worry—I’ll be working in the Green Zone. The pay’s lower, but my family won’t have to worry anymore."

"I’m sure you’ll be the most reliable one in the garrison."

"Oh, don’t say that," she blushed. "There are plenty of hard workers there. Who knows, maybe I’ll find a future husband there. But I won’t get married until my little sisters grow up."

And so, our walk to the exit ended. We parted on the city streets, filled with the noise of daily life. We wished each other the best.

Meanwhile, the sun was beginning to set.

Later that evening. Association Headquarters.

I came to pick up a file—Hizumi had called to say I needed to write a report.

Walking through the corridor, I saw a girl with long red hair. Her green eyes briefly slid past mine, pretending not to notice.

It was Reina, heading toward the elevator.

"Reina, did you come to pick up the report too?"

"Mhm," she muttered, without slowing her pace.

"Wait. Why do you dislike me so much? I just want to talk."

She turned slightly and clicked her tongue, trying to hide her irritation.

"We’ll talk at the café with the others tomorrow. For now, please don’t waste my time."

"You’re not good at hiding your resentment. Am I really that disgusting to you?"

"You know what? I had to prove my strength for years. You were just born with yours. You got your rank without knowing how to fight. You don’t deserve praise. You’re not worth the sacrifices. Is that enough for you?"

Her slender shoulders trembled as she turned away, concealing her pain. She stormed off before I could say anything else.

I lowered the hand I’d instinctively reached out with—to apologize.

Lost in thought, I picked up the report and left the building.

On the street.

People hurried home. Even cars sped by, racing back to their families.

Of course—it was Friday.

Heading toward the crosswalk, I spotted a familiar figure. A woman in a light blouse and black skirt. Her slender waist turned heads.

"Hizumi!" I called, hoping she’d recognize my voice over the city’s noise.

She did. Her brown eyes widened in surprise as she turned.

Behind her, the crimson sun was slipping below the horizon.

When I saw her gentle face, I forgot all about the crowd around her.

"Kihyun, we meet again," she smiled. "Care to join me for dinner?"

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