SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 40: Battle of the Strongest

Chapter 40: Battle of the Strongest

"Tell me, demon—what the hell was that howl for? Why did it call the others?"

The Death Icon smirked, eyes glinting with wicked amusement.

"You humans truly have no idea how deeply we’ve embedded ourselves into your world. We exist everywhere—in your bars, your police stations. Ever wonder why mandatory screenings aren’t enforced on every citizen? It’s fear. You fear the truth. Because the moment you truly know it, your world begins to crumble. So you let things be, content with your ignorance."

"Spare me the damn monologue, kid. Your howl may sound like the wail of beasts, but I sensed something else—like they were already positioned... waiting."

"You mean they awaited my signal?" the demon scoffed. "How quaint. Of course they did. Isn’t it obvious, pathetic human?"

"So, you demons really planned for every possible outcome. Then answer me this—why do you want Lee Ki-hyun alive now when last time you tried to kill him?"

"To test his power."

"Test it, huh? So you want to capture him for some other reason."

"You’re catching on. You don’t even realize how deep we’ve gone. You know you shouldn’t trust anyone—not even your fellow hunters anymore!"

With that, the demon launched at Jisun in a blur of speed. The black-haired hunter sprang toward the wall, running up its side to reach the rooftop.

The Death Icon followed effortlessly, leaping across buildings, every landing cracking rooftops and asphalt beneath his feet.

Jisun scooped up the boy from the garbage pile and sprinted away, heart pounding.

His goal wasn’t to win—at least not yet. It was to buy time until reinforcements arrived. By now, he was sure the media had already caught on.

He was right. Across the internet, thousands were already watching the battle unfold in real time. Panicked citizens flooded military lines with calls.

Military choppers were on route from the Green Zone.

[If the King of Humans loses here, humanity falls.]

People in the chats discussed.

[He’ll win. He has to. And if not—we still have the Miracle Child.]

[Miracle Child? He can’t even summon proper blades. We saw the footage. How can you still defend him?]

Above the clash, a news helicopter hovered, broadcasting the fight.

"Right now, we’re witnessing what may be the most pivotal battle in the war against demons. Can S-rank Hunter Park Ji-sun overcome this living devil?! He appears to be retreating—for now—possibly trying to stall for time!"

The entire district had been evacuated. Streets empty. Buildings cleared.

But Jisun knew time wasn’t only his ally. The demon knew it too. At any moment, Umbra could appear. And if the Blood Moon rose—victory would be impossible.

Not even the strongest hunter alive could handle multiple high-class demons and Dukes all at once.

Without hesitation, Jisun stopped running. He turned.

They’d fight here—on the rooftop of a once-crowded building.

"You know what, demon? I changed my mind. One-on-one suits me better. I’m guessing your friends already know what’s happening?"

"Of course. And until I rip you apart here, the problems won’t stop."

Jisun gently laid Haebin on the ground and unsheathed his blade, gripping it with both hands.

They dashed toward each other. The Death Icon swung his claws wildly, but Jisun spun around him like a cyclone.

The hunter knew standard thrusts wouldn’t work—the demon’s hide was too thick. That’s why he chose a dual-edged glaive: sharp blades on both ends, built for speed and precision.

With a swift arc, Jisun slashed through the demon’s torso, cutting through even that hardened flesh.

The demon roared, retaliating with a vicious blow to Jisun’s gut, then unfurled his monstrous wings—each one a weapon, capable of defending and attacking simultaneously.

Jisun realized his strikes were being blocked. The wings were too well-armored. The only vulnerable area... was the torso.

The demon soared, then dove at Jisun like a missile. The weight of his body shook the rooftop on impact.

Dodging the claws, Jisun slipped under the demon’s arms and slashed. The monster tried to grab his blade, but Jisun switched weapons mid-motion, thrusting a spear into the demon’s abdomen.

Blood erupted from the demon’s mouth. He froze in agony. Pulling the weapon free, Jisun split it into the Twin Moonpiercers—and drove them into the demon’s eyes.

Kicking the beast back, he recombined his weapons and unleashed a flurry of strikes, slicing through the demon’s torso with a dance of blades, like shredding through leaves in a storm.

Barely alive, the Death Icon lashed out with a desperate kick, hurling Jisun into the side of a nearby building.

He crashed through the wall, landing in the middle of an old lady’s living room. Her cats hissed. The poor woman nearly fainted.

"Why?!" the demon howled, staggering toward his fallen brother. "Why can’t I beat you?! You were on the brink of death when we first met! Why am I losing now?!"

He regenerated mid-fight. In the corner of his eye, he saw it—a grim shadow.

Jisun reappeared, impaling the demon’s wings just as he tried to take flight.

They crashed into the road, breaking through the pavement.

Dusting off his uniform, Jisun stepped forward, pointing his Kenketsu at the demon’s throat.

"You look pathetic," he muttered, eyeing Seojun’s lifeless gaze. "Didn’t even need to use Kuroen. That’s how weak you are. Thought your demon form would win you the fight? You didn’t even fly properly. Your arrogance beat you more than I did."

The demon said nothing. Jisun raised his blade for the final strike—

And froze.

A voice.

"My brother... Haebin... holds a hidden power. If you kill me, don’t harm him. Or else... something will awaken. A monster... not even the Dukes can control..."

"Does anyone else know?"

"No one..."

Seojun’s voice faded. His regeneration couldn’t keep up. Darkness clouded his eyes.

"What kind of monster are you talking about?"

Jisun strained to hear—nothing else mattered now.

"Demon of Hatred..."

The words struck like lightning. Wind howled across the rooftop. Jisun lowered his blades.

"Hey... what the hell are you saying?"

"Please... don’t let him know I’m dead..."

Suddenly, from every shadow, demons lunged—over thirty Class-2s descending upon Jisun like a black tide.

He leapt back—but in that instant, the Death Icon’s body vanished, spirited away into the unknown.

They didn’t take the boy, though—Jisun’s squad had arrived just in time.

As they regrouped, they noticed dark figures on the nearby rooftops—Umbra agents in black cloaks. Elite units who had once served Silverhead.

"Damn you all!" Jisun roared, glaring at the red-eyed demons. They stared silently... then vanished.

"Commander! Orders?"

"We retreat... If we fight Umbra here, it’s over. Damn it—if only I hadn’t hesitated..."

"Sir! Snap out of it—we can’t stay!"

Jisun could barely process it.

The operation had failed. But the boy...

The boy might be the key to winning this war.

The hunters retreated. The helicopters carried them back to the Association.

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