SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 49: Solstice, Part 2

Chapter 49: Solstice, Part 2

The city could not stop talking about me.

My battle had erupted into a maelstrom of debate — theories, rumors, and endless speculation.

Demonologists obsessed over how my Kuroen could sprout wings, while regular people were enraged by the notion that the Association had locked me away in isolation.

This noise inevitably reached the ears of the Association—and even Kang Su-won. Reporters flooded the main entrance, hounding staff for statements. Yet no one could give a straight answer.

That’s when the people started to question—if the government itself had hidden my imprisonment, then who could they trust at all?

The Association found itself paralyzed.

If they admitted to the world that I was a demon, the public could revolt, labeling them liars.

Following these concerns, Sashi Heiwa, a newly recruited employee, stepped into the director’s office.

"We have no choice," she said, standing firm before the director. "If we continue to hide the truth, public fury will only escalate. People are already gathering at the gates like a storm ready to burst."

"I understand," Suwon replied. "If this continues, public trust will drop below zero. But before anything else, I need to ask... Miss Sashi, what if we denied everything and chose to trust Ki-hyun again?"

"The truth always comes out in the end," Sashi sighed, deepening the director’s despair.

"Then, should we go public with the fact that Ki-hyun is a demon?"

"We need to reveal it in a less direct way. A carrot-and-stick approach. We tell them he’s a demon, but emphasize that he’s lived his whole life among humans."

"Yes... that could work. After all, Ki-hyun was raised like a human. He has no reason to harm others."

"Hm... There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask. Forgive my bluntness, but... is this boy truly that important to you? Did you know his parents?"

"That’s right," Suwon admitted. "To be honest, his father, Lee Yeon-ho, asked me to watch over him before he vanished. After his mother died, I stopped visiting. I guess... guilt kept me away."

"So you’re certain that his parents were human?"

"Yes, they were remarkable people. Every time I visited, they welcomed me with warmth."

"But if Ki-hyun is a monster... that means one of them must have been too."

Suwon nodded silently, a bitter shadow crossing his face.

Studying him closely, Sashi sat down in the chair across from him and thought for a moment.

"You know, Director... this situation goes beyond what’s normal. We’re at a dead end. If we could learn more about the nature of demons, we might find a clue—but right now, it feels like our world is breaking apart. I ask you to grant me access to the full dossier on Ki-hyun’s family."

"Of course. You have my permission."

"Ki-hyun’s case really challenges everything we thought we knew about demons. We ran countless checks on Hizumi Mikage too—and found nothing. Someone might’ve tampered with the data. Sir Kang, why did you trust that woman, when every technological analysis suggested that the so-called Wonder Child could be a demon?"

"Honestly... I’ve stopped being sure myself. Maybe... it’s just because he’s the son of an old friend."

Sashi listened carefully, watching for anything useful. She didn’t fully trust the director—but she could tell even he didn’t know the whole truth.

That night, an eerie silence blanketed the streets. Nobody dared go outside, all gripped by the recent revelations.

And then — from beneath the ground — two shadows emerged.

The Crimson Reaper and their mysterious leader ascended one of the city’s towers to take in the view from the rooftop.

The city at night unfolded before them like a living entity of light and shadow. From their rooftop perch, it looked infinite—an ocean of shimmering lights, as if stars had fallen and taken residence on earth. Neon signs cast cold reflections onto rain-slick asphalt, as though the world below tried to imitate the sky.

"Beautiful," breathed the black-haired one, his glowing emerald eyes locked on the horizon.

The Crimson Reaper gave him a fleeting glance. Their faces bore the calm of men who carried a grim mission—unfinished.

"Take a good look, Altair," the leader said. "This city will soon be wiped away — as though it never existed."

The Crimson Reaper stared again, catching the faintest smile on the other’s lips.

"About your plan... this ’thing’—are you sure it’ll go smoothly?"

"It was crafted by a genius — a master of science and transformation. I watched every step as he created the creature. Of course, a being made from the genomes of multiple organisms might have quirks... But in my eyes, it’s a masterpiece."

Altair was always amazed at how enthusiastically the leader spoke of a weapon capable of annihilating civilization.

"You with me?" the leader asked, eyes hidden beneath dark bangs.

Altair scoffed beneath his black mask, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips.

"Hmph. Do you even need to ask? We’ve walked side by side our entire lives. I’ve always covered your back—of course I’m with you."

The leader laughed softly.

"Yeah. You’re right."

Memories stirred in Altair’s mind — scenes from childhood, standing at the leader’s side through every trial. They’d grown up under the same crumbling roof of a bleak orphanage.

He remembered watching over his reckless friend, making sure he stayed out of trouble. But over time, the black-haired boy had changed.

Other kids mocked the strange glow of his eyes, calling him a freak, sometimes even trying to hurt him. Altair always stepped in to protect him.

Those emerald eyes were beyond human comprehension—but no one ever researched the boy. The world was too busy fighting the demon threat, which peaked around twenty years ago.

Altair hated how his friend kept getting into trouble—running from the orphanage, picking fights. Every time, he had to drag him out of it.

"How many times do I have to tell you?!" he once exploded. "Keep this up, and not only will no family ever take you in—the orphanage will kick you out too!"

"I’ve found my path to salvation," his friend replied, gazing toward the orphanage exit.

"Hmph... What now?"

"I know how I can get stronger. I’m escaping again tonight. Will you come, Altair?"

"God... What is it this time?"

"Trust me."

His resolve was baffling. The Crimson Reaper couldn’t understand how someone so powerless could move forward with such unwavering resolve.

It seemed pathetic at the time—but still, Altair followed, compelled to see where that stubbornness would lead.

That night, they entered the red-light district—a place crawling with crime and demons. A gruff guard opened a door for them, leading them into the unknown.

Altair had no idea what lay ahead, but the black-haired boy urged him not to worry.

Eventually, they were taken to a hidden infirmary beneath a brothel. A shadowed figure greeted the boy behind the curtains.

"What a surprise!" the stranger whispered. "My most valuable patient has returned."

They were forced to drink a sedative, so they wouldn’t recognize the faces of the underground doctors.

Their bodies were torn apart—some organs removed and tossed in a bin—before being dumped like garbage.

"The experiment failed. The children died."

Altair barely heard those words as he drifted on the edge of consciousness.

The next morning, they awoke on a mountain of trash. All they could hear were the rumbling garbage trucks unloading fresh waste.

The site was meant to burn away a week’s worth of refuse—eliminating any evidence. But the doctors hadn’t predicted one thing: both boys survived.

Altair was shocked to find his body unscathed, his shirt ripped open. He frantically searched the piles of trash until he found his friend, alive.

That same day, they noticed something strange. Their bodies were stronger—and they could control blood within their veins.

From that day forward, the Crimson Reaper swore loyalty to the boy who had become his only true comrade.

Now, he realized that the doctor the leader mentioned had been that very same man from their past.

Descending into the catacombs beneath the Orange Zone, the Crimson Reaper encountered Seojun.

The silver-haired young man cast a sharp, mocking gaze his way:

"Didn’t think you were the type to stroll the streets. Not the underground rat I imagined."

The Crimson Reaper ignored him, continuing forward.

"Don’t ignore me!" Seojun grabbed his shoulder, baring his teeth.

"Get your hand off me. Who’re you calling a rat? You hid critical data from us—now it’s in the enemy’s hands."

"Again with that? Aren’t you tired of repeating the same crap?"

Brushing his hand aside, Altair muttered:

"Hmph. You lurk under our shadow, you’ve got no home, no family. Frankly, your life is a pile of shit."

"Like I care what you think."

"If not for the boss, you’d have been a smear on the pavement long ago. You should be grateful."

"I can’t stand your blind devotion to him! What, are you in love with the guy?"

"What a clown," the Crimson Reaper scoffed, adjusting his cloak. "He’s the only one worth trusting among this pack of fools. Thanks to him, we demons will wipe out the humans... and witness the true fruit of our world."

With that, Altair disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind a bitter trace of temptation.

Seojun stood still, his fists clenched tight with silent fury.