SSS-Ranked Demon Hunter: The Prodigy-Chapter 112: The Supremacy Arc, Part 15

Altair reflexively leapt back, barely dodging the gaping maw of the tiger. Some of the nearby demons weren’t fast enough—they were devoured whole by the abyssal jaws.

As the mouth snapped shut, its eyes locked onto Altair with burning fury, as if he were the next prey.

"What the hell is that jaw?!" he thought warily. "I need to be far more careful with it."

The katanas clashed—and silence fell.

The world held its breath. The open space of the intersection froze over. Snow fell slowly, heavily, as if the air itself had thickened. The yellow traffic light cast a grim glow over the faces of the fighters.

Altair stood, squinting, katanas trembling in his hands, soaked with his own blood. Around him—demons in black cloaks formed a semi-circle, ready to pounce.

The tiger’s maw faded like smoke. Yuma stepped out from behind Aruya, nonchalant.

"You’re still not giving up? What a shame. I thought you were smarter."

Altair surged forward. A whirlwind of snow lifted behind him. His katanas moved in chaotic rhythm—slicing air, aiming for her throat.

She parried everything—gracefully, as if dancing.

Yuma didn’t intervene. He only watched.

And suddenly, the cloaked demons lunged at the beast. Ten against Yuma, but the tiger didn’t flinch. Its claws jumped from one face to another, its fangs tore them apart in a bloody frenzy.

The beast’s white fur turned crimson red as it bit off heads and limbs.

On the other side—the duel continued. The clash of blades echoed in the wind. Each moment slowed—not from fatigue, but because every strike became more precise, more dangerous.

Altair broke through her guard. His blade grazed her thigh—not deep, but enough to draw blood that splashed onto the snow. In the same moment—a counterattack.

His cloak burst open. Beneath it—bandages. Aruya smirked:

"What are you, a mummy?"

But in that same moment, Aruya felt her blade fail to slice through his body. As if his skin had been forged from steel.

Jump.

A white blur.

Yuma grabbed Altair’s left arm—and tore it clean off. A crunch, a fountain of blood—and a scream of agony and fury.

Altair spun, his remaining blade slashing through the air. With only one arm, he regrouped and reinforced his body with blood. Veins swelled, muscles hardened.

He leapt upward—and came crashing down on the girl.

Aruya met him, sliding her blade along his own. Their faces passed close—just a fraction of a breath.

The snow thickened.

A wide swing. Altair tore through her bomber jacket and wounded her shoulder.

Crack. Aruya and Yuma struck him together in the abdomen.

They traded blows, but soon Altair began to realize—he was losing strength.

His energy waned. Movements grew heavier. The Crimson Reaper was on the verge of collapse.

Across from him—Aruya, barely breathing, one arm bloodied. Only Yuma could still attack without pause.

Then—a flash.

Altair’s ears rang. And then...

"Mujin," a voice whispered deep inside him. "I’ve always walked beside you."

Snow.

Cold mountains, pierced by sharp, icy winds. A blizzard wrapped the landscape, bending trees backward.

"You were a true hero to the demons. One who cared for others even when he had nothing. We grew up together in the orphanage. We walked the path of both man and demon."

Altair felt his steps across those snowy mountains. His human gaze fixed on the cold path. His mask was gone. Here, he felt real.

"You always told me, ’The goal is near. Soon we’ll fulfill our dream. Do you feel it, Altair?’ I said yes. But the truth is—I never cared about our dream. I just wanted to walk with you, to finally find peace."

The scene shifted. The storm eased.

Now he stood in a snowy field filled with towering trees. Birds sang. Deer walked by.

"And I think, Mujin, I’ve found it... The snow. I feel its chill. I feel it wrap around me like a storm. With nature like this... the earth is truly beautiful."

Then Mujin’s voice echoed:

"Be sure of this, Altair. When we’ve defeated everyone, when no more enemies remain... we’ll find that peace."

Altair shook his head.

"No. I already have. I always wanted to live somewhere in nature, near the mountains, with a pet or something. I think I’m starting to understand—happiness didn’t need to be anything more than that."

Before him—an empty, snow-covered alley. The wind sang. He felt his toes. He felt the silence. No one called to him. No one screamed. Only the soft crunch of his steps. He walked as if this were the end of his road.

"Sorry, Mujin. I couldn’t live long enough for you. I really wanted to see you fulfill your dream. Goodbye."

In a moment—his arm was severed with a silent slash. Blood dropped onto the snow.

But Altair didn’t stop.

Next—his back was torn open by the tiger’s jaws. Blood splattered onto the trees.

Soon after, Altair stopped. He saw a glimmering light at the end of the alley. He looked back—the blizzard swallowed everything. No way back. He took the final step.

And just like that, in silence, his throat was sliced.

What actually happened:

Aruya was barely breathing. Her breath came in steam. The snow never stopped.

Their enemy had lost his mind from searing pain. His eyes turned white—he no longer knew who he was.

Missing one arm, he charged like a rhinoceros, blindly attacking the girl. Yuma shoved Altair away with his body. At that moment, Aruya severed his remaining arm.

The demon flailed at them with his legs, stumbling on the slick ground. Yuma pounced and tore his back apart with his fangs.

The enraged demon collapsed to his knees, unable to move. Aruya slowly approached and looked at him one last time.

Tears streamed from Altair’s eyes, but his face held a sincere smile.

A single swing.

Her katana severed his throat. His head dropped onto the snow.

She said nothing. Simply flicked the blood from her blade and walked forward.

"One down."

The snow followed her.

Toward the Association HQ.

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