SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 55: Thorns Under the Rain of Bullets

Chapter 55: Thorns Under the Rain of Bullets

"Honestly," he scratched the back of his head, "I’m already going gray trying to process everything that’s happened. But I think we can all admit one thing — we just want what’s best for us."

The emissaries who had fiercely argued for my execution were secretly certain that Vincent Hwan would side with them. In their eyes, the old system had brought stability, and therefore, it should be preserved.

"While there are those among us who wish for these peaceful days to continue, I believe it’s wrong to oppose our shared goal. For forty years, we’ve nurtured the hope of progress — and now that we finally have the chance, are we just going to turn our backs on it? Are we truly the kind of people who leap from one sinking ship to another?"

The emissaries were stunned. Kang Suwon watched carefully, noticing how much Hwan had changed.

"Today, we live in a world where new ideas burn with the will to fulfill that shared purpose. So I choose to stand on the side that will help our world shed its outdated notions. The world is changing — and so must we!"

The entire hall trembled. Hwan sat back down. Sashi quietly exhaled, grateful for his choice.

"Let’s hope," he whispered, "your reasoning leads us out of this dilemma, Miss Sashi Heiwa."

Then the judge announced:

"We thank all parties for their statements. Now, as decided, we begin the vote. Those in favor of sentencing Lee Ki-hyun to death, raise your hands."

The chamber fell into total silence. I could hear nothing but my own breath. I’d never felt so terrified.

My fists clenched. I was too afraid to turn around.

How many raised their hands? I wanted to know so badly... but fear gripped me.

Yeonghee took my hand and smiled gently. She carried the same burden I did.

Seeing the warmth in her eyes — those soft blue eyes — I pulled myself together.

I turned... and was stunned.

Half the room... had raised their hands?

If there were forty people present, then at least twenty were against me.

When I saw the last person raise their hand — the same parliamentarian who had spoken against me — my hope began to fade.

"It seems," Hwan murmured to Sashi, "we’ve already lost. Even some of your own allies and mine voted against Ki-hyun."

Suwon looked crestfallen. Doubt gnawed at him.

I couldn’t comprehend it...

Was this... the end?

"Twenty votes," the judge announced, after receiving the final count. "Now, those opposed to the sentence and the punishment of Lee Kihyun — raise your hands."

My eyes remained shut. I didn’t want to see.

Maybe... five? Six? Surely not more than those who voted to kill me...

Yeonghee looked at me with sorrowful eyes.

Then came the pause — and the verdict:

"The vote has been concluded. Total count against the sentence: twenty-one."

I couldn’t believe it. My eyes widened. I turned slowly.

Among the hands raised... was Kang Suwon.

"All votes are final. In accordance with the law, I hereby declare that Lee Ki-hyun is to be released and restored to full citizenship. Court is adjourned."

Half the hall erupted in applause — even the guards.

The rest were silent, their expressions hollow. The parliamentarians clapped out of obligation, swallowing their defeat.

The emissaries seethed. Hwan laughed, visibly pleased by their frustration.

Sashi was relieved, breathing deeply.

"A new era begins," she said. "Isn’t that right, General Hwan?"

Meanwhile, I didn’t know how to react. I survived. They weren’t going to kill me.

I just sat there with my mouth open, listening to the applause.

Yeonghee spoke:

"I’m glad we won. I don’t regret making this choice."

I was overwhelmed. My gratitude to her was immeasurable. They voted for me because they trusted me.

"Let’s prove to them," she added, "that their choice wasn’t in vain."

"Yes, Yeonghee. I’m happy... truly happy. Thank you."

The Association officially cleared my name and released me. News of it spread like wildfire. I became the most talked-about person in Korea.

Mainly because I had also been confirmed as a half-demon.

It was hard to grasp that I no longer counted as human... Even I couldn’t fully process it.

The only thought in my head was: one of my parents must be a demon. Or... maybe both?

No — I had 50% demon blood. That’s impossible. A demon and a human can’t reproduce...

All the textbooks say that. We were taught from childhood that demons could never be like us.

And now? They’re everywhere. Some even wield supernatural powers.

The more I thought about it, the more I spiraled. Just the thought that I might not be human clouded my mind.

After the hearing, when I was left alone with Yeonghee, a stern woman approached us.

"Pleasure to meet you both," she said. "I finally found a moment to introduce myself. My name is Sashi Heiwa — the one responsible for your victory."

I was stunned.

"It’s a pleasure," Yeonghee smiled and bowed.

"No need for the director’s daughter to bow to a mere agent."

"That agent helped us defeat Umbra. You’re not just anyone, Miss Heiwa."

"You can call me Sashi. Mr. Lee Ki-hyun, I’d like to discuss a few details with you. I know you must be tired, but..."

"Of course," I replied, surprising her. "I’m willing to answer any questions. I’m grateful, Miss Sashi, for your resolve."

"Excellent," Sashi smiled, then turned to Yeonghee. "You don’t mind if I steal him away, do you?"

"He’s all yours."

Yeonghee and I exchanged a wink, and she went off to attend to her own matters. I was still grateful. I had someone else I could trust now.

Sashi and I entered a private room. Her assistant recorded everything I said. I told her everything — every detail from the battle with Zeno.

She was immensely grateful. Now she had the missing pieces of a puzzle.

Or at least... she was one step closer to the truth she sought.

The nature of demons — that was what consumed her thoughts.

Evening fell. A cool breeze drifted through the streets of the Green Zone. Traffic jammed the roads as people made their way home.

In her dark, luxurious apartment, Sashi sat in silence. She hadn’t slept without pills in weeks. The fatigue was clear in her eyes.

Her brown hair was tied in a messy bun. A white oversized shirt concealed her lean figure.

She leaned against the kitchen counter, filled a glass with water, and swallowed her tablets.

She pondered how unclear everything had become. The chaos of recent events clouded her mind.

Had she made the right call in sparing me?

For any strategist, each decision carries a cost. She was no exception.

Above all, she was still human.

She walked over to the panoramic window and looked out over the city, bathed in silver moonlight.

This city was humanity’s last stronghold in the war brought by beings from another world.

She knew that somewhere far away, in the Red Zone, the Quetzalcoatl still roamed — the serpent that devoured everything in its path.

The next morning, Sashi arrived at the Association building. A journalist chased after her, papers in hand, but Sashi didn’t slow down.

"Miss Sashi Heiwa, you recently challenged the conventional view of our world. What made you oppose the execution of the SSS-ranked Hunter?"

Without breaking stride, Sashi replied coldly:

"We live in a world where any day, we could all be crushed to dust. On the outskirts of the city, a giant worm waits to attack when we falter. We need more powerful people willing to fight for us."

"An excellent point! Could you tell us your position in the Association? Are you a strategist?"

"Sorry, no time to talk. Ask someone else."

She stepped into the elevator and was finally alone with her thoughts. Her legs carried her to Kang Suwon’s office.

"Good morning, Director," she said, entering without knocking.

"Miss Sashi... quite the unexpected visit."

"I wanted to ask about the S-ranked hunters. Any updates?"

"Yes... Doctor Shin Kyung-soo has been treating them. Hwan Sora and Choi Reina are stable and will be discharged soon. But the men..."

"What about them, Director?"

"Park Jisun is in critical condition..."

The doctor himself had told her the same as she arrived at the field tent. Shin Kyung-soo had spent his life as the Association’s chief medic.

"No..." Sashi was shaken as she saw Jisun’s pale, unmoving body.

"His pulse weakens every day. Frankly, it’s a miracle he was even standing during the battle. Most of his vital organs were torn apart."

"Dr. Kyungsoo... Will he survive..?"

The doctor removed his mask, eyes downcast.

"We don’t know. It’s all up to Jisun now. He’s clinging to life, but he’s in a coma. No one is allowed in — except you."

"No, God... Why did it come to this..."

Had humanity just lost Park Jisun — the strongest Hunter of this age? And now I, the one nobody trusted, was meant to take his place?

Dr. Kyungsoo added:

"You know, Miss Sashi, demon blood is still a mystery. We’ve known it’s linked to the host’s mind. Recently, we’ve seen how willpower can activate it in different ways. I have a theory — borderline fantastical — but what if our desire to live is what unlocks the power of that blood?"

Sashi was lost in thought.

"And have we truly tapped into all it can offer? If Lee Ki-hyun could manifest wings purely out of his will not to die... then maybe Jisun can find a way to survive too."

"But Ki-hyun is a demon... Their nature is different from ours."

"Not quite, Miss Sashi. If he were a full demon, his blood would be 100%. Let’s not forget — mating a demon and human is impossible. If Ki-hyun could master that hidden strength... then maybe our best demon hunter can as well."

"How..."

Sashi couldn’t say another word. She knew that if Jisun died, it could mark the beginning of the end.

Perhaps the whole world should fall to its knees and pray to every god left — just so he might survive and stay in this hell a little longer.