SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 35: Pounding Hearts and the Lone Wolf

Chapter 35: Pounding Hearts and the Lone Wolf

Together with Hizumi, we walked toward a nearby café. The crowd around us blurred into nothing—as if the world dimmed whenever we were side by side.

"How did the operation go?" she asked.

"Seemed successful. That’s what they say. Seongwan-gu has been reclaimed. Now the General’s worried about the rest."

"Did you find anything new for yourself through it?"

"In a way, yes. I’ve realized I can’t tolerate losing those close to me anymore. My purpose is to destroy demons. That’s where my strength lies."

"I see. That’s quite the ambitious goal."

"Hmm? You think so?"

"We still don’t know their full numbers. Sure, there aren’t more than a thousand humanoids, but demons are evolving by the day—"

Before she could finish, a passerby bumped into her. She clutched my shirt, her gaze dropping.

"Is it alright if I hold on to you?"

"Of course. Hold tight."

Not long after, we were seated on the terrace of a cozy café on the second floor, gazing at a sky bathed in crimson dusk.

"You brought the report file?" she asked, the reflection of cars flickering in her eyes.

"I did. What exactly should I write in it?"

"Everything that happened during the operation. The Association needs every detail."

"Is it really that serious?" I scratched my head.

"Take it seriously. Your report is the most important. It’ll determine your future. From what I’ve gathered, the higher-ups want to get rid of you."

"Why would they?"

"It’s speculation. But the Kang Su-won been unusually on edge. In a couple of days, he’s meeting with a Parliamentarian for a formal agreement. Yesterday, I asked him why they fear you so much. He said your connection with demonic blood makes them too uneasy."

"I see... But Hizumi, why are you telling me all this?"

Surprised by her own openness, she paused to think.

"You’re right. Maybe I’m more worried about you than I should be."

"You seem different today."

"So do you. New style—you look like a proper heartthrob. Is there someone special?"

She was teasing me. Yet in her voice, I sensed a hint of jealousy.

We were talking casually, not just professionally. Earlier, these meetings used to feel like business appointments to me.

Could it be... Hizumi Mikage was beginning to show her human side?

"Uhm," I stammered. "No, of course not. I just wanted to tidy myself up."

"Hmm... I see."

And what’s with that "Hmm..."? She’s scaring me!

"By the way, Hizumi. I ran into Reina today—an S-rank Hunter. I think she hates me."

"Would you rather she liked you?"

Her gaze turned playful and sharp, and I tensed up.

"What are you saying?" I waved my hands, flustered. "She said she hates that I’m considered their equal despite being way less experienced."

"Ah, I see. Well, Choi Reina became a Hunter just a week before you, so she’s not that experienced herself. The first time I met her, she came across as fair and humble. Her file’s unremarkable—just a normal family, failed acting career."

"Fair and humble, huh... Hizumi, what do I need to do to earn her trust?"

"You’ve got nothing better to do, huh?! Are you in love with her or something?!"

She really was jealous... over nothing. At this rate, I might just dig my own grave.

"If you want your comrades’ trust," she continued, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, "you’ll have to prove you’re on their level. They’re strong, but they’re still human."

"Thanks. You’re right."

"Kihyun... you seem a bit off. Is something wrong?"

"Actually, yeah. I wanted to tell you. Not sure if I should, but... I heard his voice again. In my thoughts. And then another voice, female. I can’t tell anymore—am I human, or a demon? If I were a demon... would voices like these be natural to my kind?"

"I doubt demons suffer from schizophrenia," she smirked. "If you’re serious, you might need a doctor. Maybe you hit your head."

"It’s not funny. That voice... it talked to me. Offered me power. And then I felt like my body was lying on the ground... while another demon held my head."

"That’s... interesting. And then?"

"Then... I woke up already holding that demon by the throat."

"Maybe you really did hit your head. But do those voices feel real to you?"

"I don’t know if they’re real... But it all felt real."

"I’m not a doctor, so I can’t say anything definitive. But if you value your life, don’t put any of that in the report."

I nodded silently.

A waiter brought our food, and after we ate, we left the café and walked toward a crosswalk.

"That dinner in the fresh air was so relaxing," she said, stretching her arms.

I nodded.

"So, Kihyun. Did you miss these quiet days? While you’re on leave, try not to overthink things."

"Yeah, I missed our little rendezvous."

"You romantic. Time to head home. I’m glad we met."

I nodded again. She smiled and turned away.

But as she stepped forward, I suddenly took her hand. She turned back, surprised—and blushed.

I pulled her close and embraced her. She didn’t know how to respond.

"Thank you, Hizumi."

I could feel her delicate body. One hand rested on her back, the other on her waist.

Her shoulders trembled.

"That was sudden..." she murmured, stunned.

Then, slowly, she relaxed—and hugged me back.

I don’t want to lose anyone ever again.

I’ve realized—if I lose someone close to me again, I won’t be able to bear it. I feel every burden they carry.

I want to protect Hizumi. She’s loyal to me—and I to her.

Listening closely, I could hear her heartbeat quicken.

And so ended a day filled with warmth and cold resolve, tenderness and steel.

The Next Morning – Demon Hunter Association

Ji-sun was undergoing a full-body blood analysis. Every Hunter from A-rank and above had to be tested monthly.

The man in charge of this was a specialist—the leading authority on demonic anatomy: Dr. Shin Kyung-soo.

Ji-sun lay in a capsule, while the doctor carefully examined every change in his body. When the analysis finished, the capsule opened.

"What’s the news, Doc?" he asked, stepping out.

"No serious issues. You recovered faster than expected this week."

"Hope I don’t run into any more demons who beat me to a pulp. That last one was tough—I couldn’t read his moves."

"Don’t worry, Ji-sun. Your body is in top shape. You’ve still got the highest concentration of demonic blood among the others."

"Not anymore. There’s a new SSS-rank kid with 50% demon blood. Still a rookie, though."

"50%... Well, his case is certainly intriguing."

"What do you think, Doc? Could someone like that really be born?"

"He was born, wasn’t he? So I suppose yes. But we know so little about how demonic blood works. We can only measure its quantity, not its essence. This is the era we live in—we make do with what we’ve got."

Stretching his arms, Ji-sun yawned.

"Tomorrow, I need to be in top form. Gotta impress the team—they probably miss me."

"Ah, another operation?"

"Just standard work—neutralizing a potentially dangerous demon. Nothing noteworthy for you, Doc."

Though Ji-sun had a good rapport with the doctor, after his battle with the Death Icon, his trust in others had waned.

He’d submitted a hypothesis to the Association: that a traitor was leaking information about operations and Hunters.

And of course, the Association couldn’t afford to ignore the suspicions of their strongest Hunter.

"Well, Doc, I’m off. Got a lot to do—like sit on a bench and breathe some fresh air. These casts are like chains."

"You have my blessing, Hunter. You’re the strongest—we can’t afford for you to lose again."

Walking out of the office, the black-haired man said over his shoulder:

"Yeah, yeah. I know."