SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 41: Half-Blood Demon, Part 1

Chapter 41: Half-Blood Demon, Part 1

That Same Day.

News spread rapidly online: a demon had attacked a guarded shelter for the homeless. In the footage, the demon looked unlike anything seen before.

Its veins pulsed beneath its flesh, glowing with a toxic light. It moved—ran and leapt—far faster than a typical Category 2 demon.

A journalist released footage from the scene. The post instantly exploded in popularity.

"As we all know, Category 2 demons are humanoid and vaguely resemble humans. They lack skin—only dense flesh remains. But this... this one is different. Has a new form of demon appeared? Have they evolved? Look at this photo—the coloration is all wrong. What’s more, there was no report of a demon presence even five minutes prior to the attack. Could it be that..."

The video’s audio was abruptly cut by an emissary from the Association.

Inside a secure meeting room, the same figures from this morning’s assembly were gathered. As per the previous directive from chairman Kang Su-won, no one was allowed to leave during Jisun’s operation.

"I can’t believe this! Now how do you explain this, Miss Heiwa?! Did you predict even this?!"

"Please, keep your voices down," Sashi replied calmly. "The demonic flu was only a theory, but now we have confirmation. The demon was wearing torn clothing—standard issue for the homeless. All evidence points to the flu causing human mutation."

"If that’s true..." Su-won muttered, "then every resident in the Orange Zone could be a potential carrier."

The emissary interjected:

"In any case, the mutated demon must be eliminated immediately!"

"Hunting squads are already on it," said General Vincent Hwan, stepping through the doors. "I just received the update. Horrible news to come back to after a brief trip to the toilet."

One of the parliament members wiped sweat from his brow.

"This confirms it—Miss Sashi Heiwa is a vital asset to us. But what about the Hive, Director Kang? It could spawn more of these... variants. We still don’t know what’s developing inside."

"Yes... We must take action. As for the demon, General Hwan and I will consider sealing access to the Green Zone."

"That could cause unrest—maybe even a riot," Sashi noted, glancing at the Director.

"Perhaps... But we don’t even know how to stop this flu from spreading. What if the carriers have already reached the Green Zone? And if Umbra has someone capable of manipulating these mutations... then with just a snap of their fingers..."

Su-won’s mind spiraled into dark thoughts. Everyone in that room shared the same dread—the image of hundreds of thousands transforming into demons in an instant. That would be the end of Korea.

"Don’t look too far ahead," Sashi interrupted, rising firmly from her chair. "There’s a saying—’if you stare into the abyss too long, the abyss stares back at you.’ We don’t yet know how far the demonic flu has spread. For now, we must wait for word on the operation targeting Silverhead—or, possibly, the one known as Death Icon."

General Hwan took his seat and added, "I’ve also received additional reports. It appears the Miracle Child was right. The silver-haired man is indeed Death Icon."

"What the hell is happening?!" the emissary stood in panic. "We’re being hit by the worst-case scenarios all at once! At this rate, Korea is doomed! How many hours have we been locked out of this damn office?!"

No one could contradict him. The weight in the room was too much.

Suddenly, the doors burst open. A woman stepped in, panting.

"The operation failed! Death Icon couldn’t be killed!"

A heavy silence fell over the room. It felt as if death itself had just walked in.

All eyes darted around, seeking some hope, some denial.

Yuhwa, the director’s quiet assistant, looked down. His eyes darkened, and no one noticed.

"Report everything—what else happened?!" General Hwan barked.

"The demon had a younger brother. We managed to capture him. According to Death Icon himself, his brother is... the Demon of Hatred!"

"N-No way..."

"I haven’t heard that name in ten years..."

"But he was supposed to be dead!"

Questions flooded the room, yet no answers surfaced.

Only one truth remained clear: if the demon’s words were true, then Umbra was preparing to act—soon.

That Evening

I sat alone in my apartment, watching the news on my laptop.

The room was silent. Only the warm glow of my desk lamp lit the space.

"This is insane... And nothing from the Association yet. Maybe even the Director doesn’t know what to do."

Lowering my eyes, I stared at the report I was supposed to be working on.

I scratched my head, spinning slowly in my chair.

"What the hell? I’m supposed to be writing a report, and the world’s falling apart. How do you even write a report in a time like this?"

Just then, a message came in from Hizumi.

[Heard the official news? Things are getting insane. Don’t go on any raids. It’s dangerous even to breathe right now.]

She was worried about me. The media had now confirmed the existence of the demonic flu. One good thing—at least the government wasn’t hiding it.

But at this pace, we’d all lose our minds.

[Thanks for worrying about me. You stay out of it, too.]

[If you say so. I really want to see you again.]

What...? My head spun. For her to text something like that first...

Still, it made me smile—genuinely.

[Me too. Let’s meet when things calm down.]

[Can’t wait.]

Yeah... The world’s a mess.

Some time later, just as I finally started typing the report, my phone rang. It was Junho. And with that, I found yet another perfect excuse to stop writing.

Honestly, it felt like doing dictation back in school.

"Hey hey, Kihyun! Still breathing? Hope you’re all in one piece."

"Junho... long time no talk. Sorry, been swamped."

"All good! Listen, I’ve got a mission assigned by the Military Forces. It’s about the Hive in Seongwan-gu—you know about it, right?"

"Yeah... I heard the scientists haven’t begun analysis yet."

"Exactly. After today’s news, that area’s more dangerous than ever... I’ve been told the clean-up and research teams need A- and S-rank hunters for protection."

"I hadn’t heard about that..."

"Yeah, everyone’s in chaos. Kihyun, I’m asking you personally—be part of the escort. I’ll feel so much safer with you there. You’ll be teamed with hunter Ha Yushin."

"He’s in too? Makes sense... he serves in the military."

"So... what do you say, Kihyun?"

"Junho..."

I understand your fear, my friend. You trust me—you believe I can protect you. For five years of friendship, you’ve never let me down.

Back in college, you always let me copy your homework. When I was job hunting, you always supported me and sometimes closed the bill for our table yourself.

"Alright. I’ll do my best to get the Association’s approval."

"R-Really?! That’s a relief—my fear just vanished. I’ll wait for your update!"

"Yeah. I’ll message you tomorrow."

The Next Morning

I stood before Director Kang Su-won with my request.

"Absolutely not!" he slammed his desk. "Do you even understand the current situation?! You can’t be seen right now!"

"Yes, the news is terrifying. But I have to be there—my friend’s involved."

"So what?! Ki-hyun, you’re our most important hunter. You can’t be risking yourself like this!"

"Are you saying you don’t care what the Hive incident might bring? Without my help, they might all die..."

"Don’t overestimate your powers, boy!" Su-won snapped. "Yes, the Hive is a mystery—but we have bigger problems! We’ve captured a high-value hostage. While we’re defending them from Umbra, no Association hunter is allowed to join Military operations!"

"Then you’re letting the scientists die? They’re just as valuable as S-rank hunters!"

"I get it, dammit, I do! But listen to me, Ki-hyun... Right now, you need to stay hidden, for the sake of the Association..."

"I won’t," I said coldly. "You promised me the truth about my father—where he went, what happened to him. And yet? Nothing."

"You don’t understand what you’re saying—"

I cut him off.

"I lost my family. Now, all I have left are the bonds with those still alive. I won’t let your orders take them too. If you kill me, you lose this war. Right now, you’re defenseless, Sir Kang. I’ll help my friend. That’s all I have left."

He couldn’t argue. In me, he saw my father—just as reckless, just as headstrong.

In that, I was my father’s son.

I turned and walked out.

All I had left to do was call Junho and tell him to notify the Military.

The office fell silent once more after my departure.

The Director lowered his head, rubbing his temples.

"Oh Lord... This boy’s become indistinguishable from his father."

Looking out the panoramic window with tired eyes, he noticed his hair had gone even grayer.

"This stress never ends," he muttered. "I haven’t rested in days... Even the daughter has stopped listening, for some reason went on Nightwatch the other day. You’ll all drive me insane..."