The Day When It All Started

Early in the morning, more than ten thousand people gathered for the grand ceremony. They filled the vast street leading to the Association's main building.

Soldiers and hunters assembled to welcome me. The rooftops of nearby buildings were secured by armed guards in case demons attacked during the event.

I stood on a slow-moving carriage, gliding through the street as the crowd cheered. Their eyes were filled with hope—hope that they had placed in me.

I was their future.

So this is what it feels like to be a hero.

I was dressed in a set of light black armor, with a long red cape draped over my back. Why black armor?

Simple—because light metal absorbs a hunter's blood, reinforcing it and making it more durable.

"Thank you for your patience, citizens!"

A voice echoed through the carriage's speakers, addressing the entire audience.

"Today, you witness the rise of a new legend—the first and only SSS-rank hunter stands before you! Many call him the Miracle Child, but in the military, he is known as humanity's ultimate weapon. With his power, we can finally rid the world of demons. With his help and the support of our neighboring nations, the demons will have no chance of survival!"

His words were both a declaration of humanity's strength and a warning of war to the demons. The Association was certain that humanoid demons were among the crowd, listening closely.

Some people began to slowly retreat from the gathering.

The ceremony itself didn't interest me. What caught my attention were the S-rank hunters escorting my carriage. Among them, I noticed two women walking solemnly alongside the procession.

They had been chosen as hunters, unafraid to die. True warriors.

The carriage proceeded toward a secure facility designated for hunters—a place filled with gear, supplies, and rest zones.

Once the ceremony concluded, we arrived at the destination.

The S-rank hunters entered the resting lounge and took their seats, catching their breath. A soldier, receiving orders through his radio, approached me.

"Sir Lee, please join the other hunters."

It seemed they wanted me to build good relations with them. Accepting his request, I entered the room where my new comrades waited.

Eight of Seoul's strongest warriors turned their gaze toward me. Some smiled, some paid no attention, while others silently waited for the conversation to begin.

"So, the new hunter finally arrived!" a burly man spoke up. "Didn't think you'd be such a young kid."

His friendly demeanor caught me off guard, making me nervous.

"Uh… My name is Lee Ki-hyun. I've heard a lot about you all. You don't need introductions—you're already legends."

"Come on now," he chuckled. "You're one of us now, so introductions are necessary. We'll be fighting side by side from now on."

Jeong Min-ho was a towering, two-meter-tall gentle giant, always standing at the frontlines.

Park Ji-sun was the strongest among them, his dark hair and black uniform matching his nickname—The Panther.

Oh Chan-wook was rarely seen on TV, and little was known about him.

Kwon Sora was a middle-aged woman who became a hunter after retiring from her acting career.

Choi Reina—not much was known about her either. She had only become a hunter a week ago. But her sharp gaze warned me that I should be careful around her.

Shim Ryu-ji, Ha Yushin, and Nam Gyeon-ho were all high-ranking hunters with their own separate squads, operating independently from the Association.

"Hey, kid," Chan-wook called out to me. "Did they explain the situation to you?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"It's obvious. That whole ceremony was just a declaration of war. I'd bet all my money that the demons are grinding their teeth right now. We could be attacked at any moment. Right now, we've deployed an unmanned drone for reconnaissance."

Just then, the sound of a helicopter taking off reached my ears.

"And in just a moment… it's going to be blown up."

"What? Why—"

"You still don't get it? The Green Zone isn't as safe as it seems. It's crawling with humanoid demons, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

A sudden explosion rang out. The entire facility went into battle mode.

From the sky, the wreckage of the drone crashed down—demons had assumed there were hunters inside.

"It's begun," Min-ho muttered. "Stick to the plan. Everyone, prepare for battle!"

"Put on your masks!" Ji-sun ordered. He was the de facto leader of the hunters due to his experience and overwhelming strength.

The reinforced steel gates exploded, and monstrous humanoid demons leaped over the walls.

Their skinless bodies oozed blood, their muscular frames flexing as they prepared to attack. Their powerful legs allowed them to jump incredible distances.

"Monsters have infiltrated the facility!" a soldier's voice crackled through the radio.

"So soon? What about the soldiers guarding the gates?"

"They're all dead."

Chan-wook gritted his teeth, his face twisting with rage.

"Those bastards… I'll slaughter them all!"

Ji-sun tried to stop him, but he ignored the command and charged into battle.

"The military won't be able to handle this!" Red Fox shouted. "What should we do?"

"Damn it…"

"If that's how it is," Min-ho stepped toward the exit, "then we need to protect our comrades. These killers won't take us down so easily."

Shouting Kenketsu, the giant warrior summoned two massive axes, awaiting Ji-sun's signal.

The dark-haired hunter sighed in slight frustration before giving the order—

"To battle!"

One by one, they summoned their Kenketsu and rushed into the fray.

Before leaving, Ji-sun removed his glasses and put on his mask.

"Ki-hyun, do you have the strength to fight?"

"Uh? N-no, I… I don't know how to use my powers yet…"

"I see. Then stay here. We need you alive."

They dashed out, leaving me behind, guarded by soldiers.

I felt useless. They called me the strongest hunter, yet I didn't even know how to wield my power.

A hunter approached me, flanked by his squad of soldiers.

"I've been ordered to protect you. I'm an A-rank hunter. My unit is at your service, sir."

"Alright, listen… Can you teach me how to use demon blood?"

I refuse to stand still. If my life is on the line, and my comrades are risking their lives to protect me—then I won't retreat.

I'll do whatever it takes to become stronger!