It was my turn to fight. For those who had fallen on this battlefield. For the comrades who gave their last strength fighting by my side.
I still don't know how to control this power. I don't even know what it truly is…
But one thing I know for certain—that voice inside me… it saved my life.
"What's your name, mortal?"
"Lee Ki-hyun. Call me whatever you like."
"That surname… It sounds familiar."
I clenched my fists—and they turned crimson. I wasn't in top shape. And he knew it: I could barely dodge his simplest attacks before. But Sir Park must have already worn him down.
I took a deep breath and charged with a wide strike. The demon nimbly dodged, leaping sideways. That's when I noticed—his wings were weakened. They weren't weapons anymore.
This is it. My chance to finish him while he's vulnerable.
I attacked again, same angle, same move. This time, the demon caught my arms mid-swing. I braced my legs, waited for a split second—and landed a brutal kick between his legs.
His face contorted. The once mighty demon howled in agony and doubled over.
"You little…"
Fueled by pure instincts, I swung my fist and smashed it into his back. He flew several meters, crashing hard. His wings crumpled like torn cloth. Where my blow landed, his back had caved in, bleeding black smoke.
What I didn't know then… Was that he was already dying.
After his clash with Park Ji-sun, the demon had taken a fatal wound—a torn abdomen, his essence shredded. He'd used the last of his regeneration just to hold himself together. But he never showed it.
In blind fury, the so-called "Icon of Death" lunged at me with unnatural speed. His claws flared red, and he slashed downward. I barely had time to reinforce my arms. The blood-enhancement kicked in just in time.
"What now, demon? Turns out you're not immortal after all. The scientists are going to love what's left of you."
I provoked him deliberately... I needed time. If my allies had survived… they had to be coming.
Because I couldn't win this alone.
"Don't you dare underestimate me!" he roared, landing an uppercut that sent me skidding across the ground.
I didn't manage to guard in time—my ribs were screaming. But oddly… the hit felt weaker.
Is he fading… Or am I growing stronger?
I forced myself to stand. His steps were uneven now—he staggered instead of sprinting. We clashed again. Blows exchanged. Fists slammed into faces.
In that instant, I poured all the blood I could into my right arm, reinforced it—and drove it into his face.
He fell. Hard. His twisted body bled thick, stinking smoke from a dozen wounds. His face no longer bore the semblance of pride or fear—just defeat.
I'd won.
Barely—but I'd won. Yes, it was only a tenth of his true strength, but…
In war, anything goes.
A woman rushed toward me—Hwan Sora. Raven-haired, graceful, around thirty. Her voice was soft but carried a tremble of guilt and concern.
"Sir Lee… You're alive. I'm so sorry… I couldn't help. I was afraid. I hesitated."
Her shoulders quivered. Eyes cast down.
"It's alright," I heavily breathed. "The demon was already weakened after his fight with Sir Park. That wound never healed."
"That demon… He called himself the Icon of Death. He slaughtered two S-class and one A-class hunter. Now he's gone—thanks to you. Though that smell of his… I can barely breathe."
"Wait… A-class? Which captain? Weren't there a lot of them?"
"The one assigned to protect you. I'm sorry. His entire squad was wiped out."
"No… Was it when the demon threw me with those wings?"
Sora nodded in silence.
"See for yourself. His armor couldn't withstand the impact. I'm so sorry for your loss, Sir Lee. The others made it. Only Jisun… he hasn't woken up yet."
My chest tightened. I couldn't meet her eyes. My legs buckled as the memory of the A-class hunter's warm smile flashed before me. He fought so hard—to protect me.
I felt ashamed. This was all because of me. If I hadn't been there…
Sora knew. She felt the same weight. She reached out—but couldn't bring herself to touch me.
"Miss Hwan… What was his name?"
She answered quietly:
"Yoon Jae-hwan."
So that's what he was called… And I… I never even asked him myself.
Sora And I confirmed it—the Icon of Death was dead. His body began to rot like the fallen often do.
We returned to the survivors. Reina and Chan-wook were helping Min-ho and Yushin to their feet.
We were evacuated by helicopter, back to the Association. Park Ji-sun was rushed to the hospital. The Icon of Death—gone without a trace. We stated that he had ran away.
We were met at the entrance by the Association Director. The operation was officially declared a success.
A national victory was announced. The demon was now a wanted entity, and scientists estimated he wouldn't recover without devouring thousands of lives.
All fallen hunters were honored as heroes. Their names engraved on a black marble monument at the Association—a rare memorial reserved for humanity's greatest battles.
All of Korea rejoiced—they held a feast in honor of the victory, some even took to the streets with patriotic placards.
The majority loved me. They called me a savior.
I'm no savior. Sir Park did all the work....
We told the researchers what we'd learned: demons could switch between their monstrous and human forms at will. Not sure if this helped to get closer to the truth about the essence of demons, scientists began to speculate more.
I personally attended Yoon Jae-hwan's funeral.
We buried two S-class hunters that day. It was one of Seoul's heaviest losses. We wore black suits—symbols of honor and remembrance.
The Association Director approached me. Kang Su-won himself.
"How are you holding up, young Lee?"
"Director Kang."
"We meet again. I'm sorry to bring this up on a day of mourning… But there's something we need to discuss. You'll be joined by Hizumi Mikage. You remember her, don't you?"
"Of course, I do."
She approached us with calm steps. A petite woman, delicate in appearance—but a weapon in disguise. The one who could detect demons by scent alone.
"Sir Lee. Director Kang. Apologies for arriving late."
"You're right on time.What do you say, Lee? Will you come with us?"
"Gladly. It would be my honor."
"I'm glad to see you safe, Sir Lee," Hizumi said gently.
Her calm yet strict aura felt like a lullaby, contrasting everything around us. She walked to her own rhythm.
"Likewise," I replied.
***
The previous evening.
In a poor district far from downtown, a young man limped through a narrow alley. Clutching his bleeding stomach, leaning against every wall, he reached a run-down two-story complex.
Barely breathing, he stepped inside. In a one-room apartment, lights flicked on.
A silver-haired teen, no older than eighteen, stared at his reflection in the mirror.
From the mirror, a boy emerged. Maybe ten years old. He stared silently at the young man.
"Where have you been, brother? Off on another mission for the Dukes?"
"Not your concern, Haebin. Go to sleep."
"You're bleeding again… Was it the hunters? Did the hunters hurt you that badly?"
The older brother snorted, not wanting to listen to his words.
"Are you going to eat people again now? Don't, brother. Don't touch humans..."
"It's in our nature, Haebin. Stop being a fool, how many times do I have to tell you?"
"And what are you trying to achieve by serving the Dukes, brother? Do you really hate humans that much..? As for me, I actually like them. I spent the whole day playing with Mujin today."
"They'll help us survive. With them, we can wipe out all our enemies. The filthy humans will scream my name… Icon of Death."
"No. Your name is Seojun, and you are my brother. That's it, you're not leaving the house now! I forbid you to kill."
"Damn rascal... Let's go to bed, hero."