"What brings me here, Mister Kang?"
We were seated in the meeting room, a large table stretching between us. Only the three of us — myself, Hizumi, and Mister Kang.
"I appreciate your contribution to the operation," Kang began. "You fought the Icon of Death — by eyewitness reports, a Category 3 demon. That's no small feat."
"You flatter me, sir. Compared to how Mister Park fought him, I did nothing."
"That may be, but it was you who landed the final blow. Without that, the rest may not have survived. That's what I call teamwork."
Teamwork…
I watched that demon wipe five S-rank hunters on his own. Sora and Reina stood no chance. And me? Without that strange surge of power, I would've been dead.
Hizumi kept glancing at me — thoughtful, silent.
"Tell me, Mister Kang. Were all those losses worth it?"
"Hmm... In truth, I owe you an apology. Young Lee, the operation went exactly as planned."
"W-what?"
"The real objective," Hizumi chimed in, brushing her hair back, "was to awaken your powers. We gambled everything so that you'd learn to wield your demon blood."
"But why?! Wouldn't intense training accomplish the same? This... this is playing with people's lives!"
"Training can't match the lessons learned in the field, young Lee. This world is brutal. You needed to see it firsthand. The world is painted in the color of blood now. Would you have ever found the will to grow if you'd remained in a safe cocoon?"
They never even gave me a choice... From the start, they planned to forge me into a weapon.
Not a savior. A killer.
"Freedom is a luxury few can afford these days," Kang added. "Isn't that why you couldn't get the job you wanted? The standards have changed..."
Hizumi coughed lightly, drawing our attention.
"Sir Lee clearly doesn't grasp the full picture. Understandable — a twenty-two-year-old boy just emerging from his little nest."
Her words stung. I was so taken aback, I couldn't speak.
What kind of woman is she...?
"Don't tease him too much," Kang chuckled. "The boy still has much to learn."
"Mister Kang! Why is Miss Mikage even here? Doesn't she have other duties?"
Hizumi giggled, visibly enjoying herself. Kang answered calmly:
"There's a business agreement between Miss Mikage and myself. She vouched for you — promised to prove your worth. She knows her value."
What the hell?!
So now I'm under the thumb of this crazy lady?
"E-eh..."
I couldn't utter a word. Hizumi just smiled like a mischievous child, delighted by my reaction.
"Looks like we're stuck together now, Sir Lee. Isn't that right?"
That smile of hers gives me chills... What am I supposed to say to that?
"I suppose so..."
I forced out a fake smile. Kang smiled back, wide and pleased. That naive old man actually believed me.
"If Sir Lee ever breaks the promise I made on his behalf... he'll regret it. Won't he?"
She's a damn sadist!
"I suppose so..."
Five minutes later. Time: 11:08.
Mister Kang set down his black coffee, fingers interlocked, his expression turning grave. This — this was the real reason he called us here.
"Let's get to the heart of the matter. Young Lee, you do understand that taming demon blood is no small task? Yet, you've managed it in record time."
"Yes… I suppose."
"I won't repeat old lines — you're one of a kind. The issue is, when Hunter Hwan Sora submitted her post-operation report, she mentioned some... peculiar findings."
He paused, lost in thought. Clearly troubled by what he read.
"She stated that during your fight with the Category 3 demon, you suffered multiple direct hits. Blows that would have killed even top hunters. And yet… you emerged without a single scratch."
"Yes, that's… difficult to explain."
Before I could think, Hizumi interrupted:
"Miss Hwan's report is accurate, but incomplete. She noted she didn't witness the fight firsthand. She only assessed the demon's power based on initial readings and compared that to what Sir Lee faced. Also, Miss Hwan underperformed during the mission — she dropped her weapon. That's confirmed in the reports by Amur Tiger and Red Fox."
"Good point, Miss Mikage. Still, I would like to hear it from young Lee himself."
The tension thickened. Hizumi must've cut in for a reason — to steer the conversation.Was she... protecting me?
I remembered the shadowy silhouette with glowing eyes. The voice inside me... it had guided me to survive.
How does she know? What's in her mind?
"Besides," she continued, "Red Fox's report barely mentioned the battle. All she said about young Lee is that he should be discharged."
Red Fox — Choi Reina. She was a newcomer, like me. And clearly didn't like me.
"Yes... To be honest, my powers awakened thanks to Yoon Jae-hwan. He was assigned to protect me. During the battle, I felt the strength to help those who fought for me. They held onto my shoulders... they believed in me. The Icon of Death was terrifying, yes — but by the end, it had no strength left. And I learned to reinforce my body."
"Hmm... I see. That's all I needed to hear."
Hizumi stared at me, deep in thought. I saw it in her eyes — surprise. She hadn't expected that answer.
And I… I felt proud of myself.
"Now then. I have one more request, Mister Kang."
"What is it, wonder child?"
He's still using that ridiculous nickname…
I told him everything I wanted. That I wished to train in demon blood mastery. The Association agreed to nurture me into a warrior — on the condition that I not enlist in the military.
The Association and the Army — two major forces in the war against demons. Hunters choose between them, drawn by different benefits and support systems.
I chose the Association. They found me. They didn't feed me to the demons. I owe them. But they don't know that I plan to use their generosity.
I'll use everything they give me to grow stronger. To find the one who killed my mother. To learn the truth about my family.
Starting tomorrow, I begin martial arts training and attend theory lectures on demonic power and demon physiology.
For now… it's a fair trade.
As the meeting ended, we said our goodbyes to Mister Kang and left the room. I stepped out onto the rooftop, leaning against the railing, taking in the spring breeze. The sun shone softly, and Hizumi approached, bathed in its light.
"I didn't think you'd handle his questions so well," she said. "Sometimes, Kang's words can weigh heavily. That's the kind of man he is — harsh, but kind at heart. A true patriot."
Opening my eyes, I took in the sight of Hizumi — serene, radiant, standing quietly. Her curves showed her beauty and golden eyes reflected a calmness that puzzled me.
I still couldn't figure her out. And that mystery… drew me in.
"Miss Mikage... may I ask—"
"Call me Hizumi."
"Alright... Miss Hizumi."
She wants me to call her by her name? I'll never understand this woman.
"You're such a fool, Ki-hyun," she said with a faint smile in her eyes.
Did she just... call me by my name?
"I'm twenty-two too, you know. Just like you."
"Wait, really?!"
No way... With her demeanor and looks, she seems at least thirty!
"What? You thought I was some old lady?" she pouted. "Should I be offended?"
"No, no, not at all—"
"Don't take it so personally. I'm not offended — maybe it's because of the things I've had to see. After all, I get to decide who lives… and who dies. All thanks to my intuition.""Yeah… maybe you're right."
"By the way, I wanted to speak with you alone."
"Like what?"
"Ki-hyun, let's go on a date."