SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy
Chapter 69: Happy Birthday, Jisun

Chapter 69: Happy Birthday, Jisun

"And yet... I’ve come to understand something about you," Jisun said mockingly. "Everything is unfolding exactly as I predicted. If you demons truly had full control, you would’ve summoned the Serpent Demon instead of wasting your forces on such a convoluted attack. Why take the risk when you could’ve leveled the battlefield with just that creature? The answer is obvious—you don’t control your pet."

"Oh?" The green-eyed demon tilted his head, intrigued. "You’re perceptive."

"That means humanity still has a chance. And with that chance," Jisun narrowed his eyes, "I’ll make damn sure to take your cursed head off."

Lee Yeonho froze for a moment... and then laughed. That twisted, unsettling laughter sent a chill through the soldiers nearby, prompting them to tighten their grip on their weapons.

"What difference does it make, Park Jisun? Right now, you’re as helpless as Lee Kihyun. Even if by some miracle you manage to defeat us, Quetzalcoatl will eventually destroy everything. That marvelous beast won’t stay hidden in the Red Zone forever. It evolves every day—growing smarter, larger."

"How many times must I tell you not to think too far ahead?" Jisun snapped. "That arrogant foresight of yours keeps getting you burned. You demons underestimated us—and now you’re caught in your own trap. Your pride will be your undoing!"

The soldiers of humanity took formation. Every gaze fixed on the enemy, every barrel locked and ready. Just one word was needed.

Then, Jisun turned to his comrades—the S-rank hunters.

"My friends... I have a favor to ask. Everything our enemy said about me—it’s true. And I’m sorry it’s come to this..."

Minho patted him on the back, gripping his shoulder firmly.

"Oh, shut it! You’re talking like we’re saying goodbye. You should be trusting us more."

"Guys..." Jisun muttered bitterly.

"This isn’t like you, Jisun. How long have we fought together? You’ve never been this down. Didn’t you tell me once—’Focus on yourself first’?"

Jisun lowered his eyes:

"Forgive me. My strength... it’s still being spent on regeneration. My body’s not fully healed yet. Damn it, I shouldn’t have sacrificed myself last time."

"And without that sacrifice," Reina added with a smile, "do you really think we’d have made it this far? You guided us, gave us a chance to rise. We’re grateful to you."

"Reina..."

"The girl’s right," Rin closed his eyes, shoulders easing. "You don’t give yourself enough credit. You did the dirty work no one else would. It’s time you let us show what we’ve learned from you."

Jisun’s bitter gaze swept across the waiting soldiers—calm, patient, trusting in his next command.

"I’m sending all of you into a fight... I can’t even join myself."

Minho slapped Jisun’s cheek, shocking hunters.

"Get a grip, strongest man alive. God, I’ve waited forever to do that. You think you’re the only one carrying a burden? We’re all gambling everything for the future! My whole life as a hunter—I’ve dreamed of reaching your level. Not just me. All of us."

Sora and Rin smiled softly, though their eyes betrayed their sorrow. A quiet unity settled between them.

"Let us show what we’re made of," Minho said. "Trust us. Stop carrying this alone."

Rin nodded, his calm eyes showed no fear.

"Damn you, Jisun. You threw me into this war zone without warning. I only came back to see you one last time. But don’t worry—we’re not dying here. We all have something worth fighting for. And since you’re sending us into hell... know that we believe it’s for something."

"The outcome of this battle..." Jisun clenched his fists. "Will decide if we live—or burn to ash. I’ve no right to ask this of you, not when I care about each of you so deeply... But please. I’m counting on you!"

Minho grinned, moved by his words.

"Now that’s the commander we know." He summoned his blood-forged armor with a defiant roar. "It’s our turn to sacrifice. If it means ending this for good—I’ll take it! Jisun, didn’t you forget...? Today’s your day. Let us carry this weight. Rest, my friend."

And then, around Jisun, a radiant light surged—like a revelation.

He had never been Lone Wolf.

Surrounded by people willing to give everything for him, their silent, determined faces told him: "Believe in us... as we believe in you."

He did.

"Happy birthday, Jisun."

The strongest man alive.

"CHARGE!!"

Minho’s cry was met with a thunder of voices. Soldiers unleashed their fury. Gunfire lit the field. The decisive battle for humanity’s future had begun.

Minho led the charge, showing the others the way. Kenketsu blades clashed, claws tore through flesh, and the will of those who refused to yield watched from above.

Reina crashed into the enemy lines with a deadly flourish, her blades dancing, carving through demon after demon.

Seojun lunged at Sora, wings flaring—but Chanwook intercepted him.

"Where do you think you’re going, brat?"

"Tch. You again."

Rin, long estranged from his demon blood, doubted his strength. He wasn’t sure if the will that once carried him still lingered. But one thing remained: a fierce need to protect those he loved.

That spark ignited something within.

He placed a hand to his chest, clenched a fist—and blood surged. A red light burst from his palm, twisting into streams that formed a glowing weapon.

The glow was like Reina’s technique—wild energy, shaped by sheer will.

In his hand, a glowing cross-shaped sword took form, surrounded by flaming blood.

Scholars once theorized Rin’s mind rejected the Kenketsu form, leaving his weapon incomplete. But Jisun always believed that this violent aura—that sword of light—was Rin’s true manifestation.

"Kenketsu: Sanctivale."

Rin never could forge the Kuroen armor. He never needed to.

He and Minho charged Umbra’s leader together. Rin’s blistering speed and swordsmanship left Lee Yeonho no choice but to teleport via blood drops, struggling to keep up.

Rin was the only hunter in the world who could rival Jisun in speed.

Watching them fight, I—just a useless hunter sitting on a rooftop—couldn’t even stand to help.

Powerless...

Is this the one they call "miracle child?"

Me?

Get up, you bastard... Help them!

Get up!!

My body screamed in protest, but I pushed forward on trembling arms. My eyes burned with rage—at myself.

Osiris had drained my strength. His attacks left me shaking. Kuroen had devoured my stamina... but I couldn’t rest now!

Just a little more...

My legs refused. My muscles were at their limit. My hand scraped against the ground as I dragged myself forward.

Jisun glanced at me from the street.

"Kihyun... what are you doing? You can’t move like that!"

"N-no... I have to... help. Please... lift me up..."

"Absolutely not. In that state, you’d be a burden. I get it, Kihyun—I’m in the same boat. But right now, we need to conserve our strength."

"You’d... leave your friends... to die? I won’t accept that... I have to save them..."

Jisun stopped me when he saw the blood on my hands.

"You’ve done enough, Kihyun. Calm yourself. Trust your comrades. They’re not weak."

"But... they’ll all... be killed..."

"There’s a chance," Jisun whispered. "We just need to buy time..."

If the fight dragged on, he thought, maybe—just maybe—he could regain control of his powers. That hope was small... but Jisun had staked everything on it.

Meanwhile, my vision faded. Exhaustion took me. My head spun. My eyes closed.

The sounds of war—gunfire, blades—became distant echoes.

If I fall asleep... I’ll never trust myself again.

I barely opened my eyes.

But standing before me wasn’t Jisun.

It was the monster sealed deep within me.

The Taurus Demon.

His horns... I could never forget those jagged, bone-white horns.

He sneered.

"Boy, your mind is breaking again—sinking into the dark. You cling to threads, defying your fate. Admirable... but what can you do now?"

Why... why are you here again?

Want to offer your power again, monster? I won’t accept it. I’ll help them with my own hands. I don’t trust you.

You’re a demon. No matter what you say... you’re the same as the others.

The Demon chuckled, crimson eyes watching the battlefield. His long gray mane rippled in the wind.

"Offer you my power, you say? Huh. I’ve watched you for years. Recently, I’ve seen you survive without me. But now... you can’t hide your weakness. Boy, I’ll take your body and end this war once and for all."

Wh-what..? No... you can’t. If you could, you would’ve done it already—torn this world apart!

"You’re right. I can’t take it by force. So let’s watch... as your friends die one by one."

His massive hand seized my hair—and showed me the battlefield.

I saw soldiers dying to Crimson Reaper’s relentless strikes. Leaping across the rooftops, he killed the very soldiers who could shoot at long range. His merciless katanas slashed across their bodies, leaving behind cries for help.

A sniper bullet missed him. Harin.

She flinched.

Altair’s blades turned to her, ready to kill.

No... Harin!

I couldn’t speak. My throat locked. I screamed in silence—begging the others to help.

But only tears came.

I was helpless.

"Well?" the Demon sneered. "Ready to let me in—or lose your dear friend?"

No... what kind of choice is that?

If I give him my body—who knows what he’ll do to the rest?

Harin... please... survive.

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