SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 56: My Comrades On the Verge of Death...!

Chapter 56: My Comrades On the Verge of Death...!

Jisun’s eyes were cold and dim, lying on the bunk. The hunter was hanging by a thread.

Moments later, the surgeon entered the room where Chanwook lay. He, too, was barely alive. His gaze was hollow, and his body had withered beyond recognition.

"Doctor," Chanwook said calmly. "You’re saying Jisun is already dead?"

Unlike Jisun’s room, Chanwook preferred to lie in darkness. The light irritated him, made it harder to sleep.

"Highly likely," Kyungsoo replied. "But let’s not jump to conclusions. He’s still holding on."

"So God chose to take him instead of me? How unfair. Lately, I’ve started to realize—I’m not that strong. The enemy proved my weakness."

"Why do you say that? You’re still an S-rank hunter."

"This ranking system isn’t as fair as it claims. It’s based entirely on demon blood percentage, not actual strength. Honestly, others deserve the S-rank more than I do. Jisun and Minho... they could be SSS."

"What happened to all that pride of yours?" the doctor asked, sitting down and sipping from a bottle.

"Just speaking truthfully, Doc. I’m not exceptional. I’ve long considered switching to media—turns out I’m much better at that."

"You’re awfully chatty for someone near death. Feeling better?"

"Not at all. Every breath feels like fire. But that’s nothing compared to Jisun. Tell me the truth, Doc... something’s wrong with me, isn’t it? Is that why you came alone?"

Setting the empty bottle on a tray, the doctor reluctantly spoke:

"You’re going to die soon. Your respiratory system is collapsing. It’s a miracle you can still speak. Your body is rejecting your demon blood. Within a day, cancer will consume your insides."

Chanwook didn’t flinch. His empty gaze remained unchanged.

"I see. So there’s no saving me."

"Not necessarily. There’s one way. Doesn’t it seem strange to you—that your body is rejecting your blood?"

"To be honest, Doc... since childhood, I’ve wondered why only some people receive the hunter’s gift. Demon blood shouldn’t be in humans. God wouldn’t just hand us the power to kill demons—it makes no sense."

"Exactly, boy."

"And how demon power manifests in humans—it’s all nonsense. I’ve never fully trusted you, Doc. I think you know the truth."

"What truth are we talking about?"

The air thickened between them, as Kyungsoo’s tone grew darker.

"People have debated this for years, but no one in the old guard at the Association has dared to dig deeper. Doc, do I have demon organs inside me? Transplants... that’s the only way demon blood could grow in me."

Dr. Kyungsoo smiled.

"Chanwook, you hate yourself for being weak, for not being able to stand beside the strong. Do you want to survive? Do you want power? I can help."

"...Just as I thought. You’ve never worn a genuine smile. You lost your humanity a long time ago."

That wide grin on the doctor’s face filled the void inside Chanwook. To survive, he would have to accept something utterly inhuman.

He looked down at his hands, trembling from the proximity of death.

Beyond the door, no sound escaped to stir suspicion. This conversation belonged to them—and would die with them.

The night passed in silence. And deep within one wing of the Association, a deal with the devil still smoldered.

The next day.

Summer sunlight lit up the Association’s windows. The city bustled with traffic and footsteps of workers hurrying to their jobs.

Sashi summoned me on urgent business. When I arrived, agents escorted me to the lower levels.

To the place where a child was caged—one who might carry within him the weapon of an apocalypse.

As I descended via elevator, I met with Sashi. Together, we walked the corridor toward the cell.

"These walls aren’t as secure as they once seemed. A multi-layered prison for the most dangerous inmates. Remember this place?"

"Yeah... So this is where they locked me up. Hard to believe it’s only been a week."

"You were held in a different sector. Only a few knew about it. During the breach, eight of the ten demons released were killed shortly after seeing sunlight. Hizumi Mikage and the butcher Osiris escaped—we still haven’t found them. But surprisingly, there have been no new demonic incidents since."

"That’s what I don’t get. If they all escaped, why weren’t I—or the one we’re going to see—affected?"

"Your cells required unique access, separate from the main system. Only Jisun and one warden knew how to reach the prisoner we’re visiting."

Soon, we reached the cell. Behind the bars was a small boy with silver hair. His arms were chained.

How... how could a child carry such a fate?

"Pleasure to meet you," Sashi said to the boy. "Your name’s Haebin, right? I’m Sashi, and the man beside me is Kihyun."

Sashi was over thirty. Her tone with children didn’t surprise me.

Haebin stayed silent, chin lifted.

What a stubborn kid...

"Now, now," she clapped gently. "No need to be upset. Can we talk just a little?"

"Nope!" the boy snapped, turning away proudly. "I won’t say a thing until you tell me where my brother is."

"Your brother is still alive. You know he’s humanity’s enemy. You can’t see him—he’s a major threat."

"I don’t care! He’s still my brother, and I’m not responsible for how evil you think he is!"

Sashi faltered. Her hand dropped.

"You’re right. None of this is your fault. But still, we need to know what’s inside you."

"You think I’ll tell you? No way! If I talk, my brother won’t be able to save me."

Sashi turned to me.

"Jisun couldn’t make him talk either. The thing is, Haebin doesn’t wish harm on anyone—just like you. But he won’t share anything that could help us."

Thinking for a moment, I stepped closer to the bars. Sashi was alarmed.

"Don’t get too close..." she warned, but I ignored her.

"Haebin, you may not believe me, but I’m just like your brother. I’m a demon."

The boy’s ears twitched.

"And honestly, I don’t wish harm on humans. I consider myself human. Don’t you feel the same?"

Haebin turned to me, his eyes sad.

"Haebin, I lost my parents when I was just a kid. It’s hard to admit, but they might’ve been demons too. But they never did anything wrong. So why did they die? I keep asking myself—did they deserve it?"

Sashi lowered her head. She’d read the files. She knew my story.

"All I had was me. The state gave me shelter, but I raised myself. Compared to me, you still have a brother. But your brother showed me true hell."

My eyes darkened. My fists clenched.

"That hell made me realize... My parents didn’t deserve to die. Demons—those disgraceful monsters—murdered them. Each one deserves the worst death. When I see your brother, I swear, he will die in agony—as if I were executing my mother’s killer."

"No!" the boy screamed. "I don’t want to hear it! You’re insane!"

"You’re right. I’ve lost my mind. All because demons took everything I held dear. Let me tell you, Haebin—your parents deserved to die."

"No!" the boy collapsed, trying to cover his ears.

"If I saw them, I’d kill them with my own hands!"

Sashi was stunned. The fury in my gaze—those weren’t eyes she’d seen before.

Then the boy spoke:

"My parents were good! We lived like normal people... We had a happy life in the Green Zone—until it was stolen from us!"

"Good that it was!" I roared, gripping the bars. "They deserved to die—just like your brother!"

"No one deserves to die! Not demons, not humans! My brother had no choice but to protect me! He joined the demons because they were strong... They serve our creators!"

"Creators?" Sashi thought to herself. "He must mean the Dukes..."

"What does it matter," I spat, "you’re all going to die by my hand anyway!"

"They’re too powerful! Humans can never reach their level!"

"You talk too much! Then listen here, brat—I’ll start with you, then kill them too!"

"You won’t kill me. If you do, a demon will come out—just like them! He’ll kill everyone... so don’t make me mad! Leave me alone!"

The boy trembled, trying to scare us off. But his words made it clear:

The demon inside Haebin couldn’t emerge as long as the boy remained in control.

Sashi realized this by observing him. Haebin opposed killing, didn’t show anger—he was just afraid.

"I see," I said, letting go of my rage. "Thank you for telling the truth."

I gave him one last cold stare. Then Sashi and I turned away.

They both knew—I was playing a part, pushing the demon’s buttons. And it worked.

Although I wasn’t sure myself—was it truly a performance, or did I mean it?

Deep down, I feared those thoughts were real.

"No..." Haebin sobbed. "What have I done... not this. You’re the worst! Bastard!"

His cell door closed, and his muffled cries were all I heard.

Sashi exhaled.

"Thank you, Kihyun. I didn’t expect it to go like this. You’ve helped us a lot."

"Don’t mention it. Consider it a small repayment for all your work."

"Right... Say, Kihyun, the Director promised you information about your parents, didn’t he? I’ve dug up everything I could find. You’ve earned it—for your trust."

"Are you serious?!"

"He made a promise, didn’t he? Don’t hold it against him. He just wants the Association to stay strong. Of course, he has his own ways of doing that..."

I couldn’t believe my ears... Could it be? Was I finally going to receive the file on my parents?

Everything I’ve fought for... everything has led to this day.

I would finally learn what really happened to my mother and father.