The village of Kurohana was no more.
Flames devoured the wooden houses, and thick smoke covered the sky like a dark cloud. The smell of burning wood and blood filled the air.
In the middle of the ruined street stood Ren Akatsuki.
His body trembled slightly, but his eyes remained fixed on the demon he had just killed. The monster's body slowly turned into black ash and scattered into the wind.
The strange shadow energy around Ren slowly faded.
He dropped to one knee.
His breathing was heavy.
"What… was that power?" he whispered.
He had never felt anything like it before.
Suddenly—
Footsteps echoed behind him.
Crunch… Crunch…
Ren turned around instantly.
Several figures were walking through the burning village. They wore long black cloaks and carried unique swords on their backs. Their presence felt different… powerful.
One of them stepped forward.
He was tall, with silver hair and sharp eyes that seemed to see through everything.
He looked at Ren carefully.
"So you're the one who killed the demon."
Ren didn't answer.
Another hunter behind the man spoke with surprise.
"That demon was at least a B-rank monster. A normal human couldn't kill it."
The silver-haired man crouched slightly to look at Ren's face.
"You awakened something just now."
Ren clenched his fists.
"My family… they're dead."
For a moment, silence filled the street.
The hunters looked around at the destroyed village.
They had seen scenes like this many times.
But it never became easier.
The silver-haired man finally spoke.
"My name is Kael Draven. I'm a captain of the Demon Hunters."
He pointed toward the ashes of the monster.
"That creature you killed was a demon."
Ren's voice was cold.
"I know."
Kael looked slightly surprised.
Most people reacted with fear when they first saw demons.
But Ren's eyes held something else.
Hatred.
Pure hatred.
Another hunter stepped forward.
A young woman with a long spear on her back.
She looked worried.
"Captain… his energy earlier…"
Kael nodded slowly.
"I felt it too."
He looked directly into Ren's glowing eyes.
"That power you used… is called Shadow Energy."
Ren frowned.
"Shadow… energy?"
Kael stood up.
"It's an extremely rare power."
Another hunter muttered nervously.
"Almost forbidden."
Ren slowly stood.
"I don't care what it's called."
His voice became sharp.
"Just tell me where those monsters are."
The hunters exchanged looks.
Kael folded his arms.
"You want revenge."
"Yes."
Kael's expression became serious.
"Then you'll die."
Ren glared at him.
"I already lost everything."
For a moment, the fire around them crackled loudly.
Kael watched the boy carefully.
A normal person would have collapsed after witnessing such horror.
But Ren was still standing.
And the darkness around him felt… dangerous.
Kael finally spoke.
"If you truly want revenge…"
He pointed toward the distant mountains.
"…then you need to become stronger."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"How?"
Kael answered calmly.
"Join the Demon Hunter Academy."
Ren had never heard of it before.
"What is that?"
The female hunter explained.
"It's a place where demon hunters are trained."
"Only the strongest survive."
Another hunter added.
"Most students die during training."
Ren didn't hesitate even for a second.
"I'll go."
The hunters looked slightly shocked.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"You didn't even think about it."
Ren's voice was cold like ice.
"I don't need to think."
He looked at the burning ruins of his home.
"I just need power."
For the first time, Kael smiled faintly.
"Good answer."
But suddenly—
A chilling pressure filled the air.
Every hunter instantly turned toward the dark forest.
Their expressions changed.
Something powerful was nearby.
Very powerful.
The female hunter whispered nervously.
"Captain… that presence…"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"A high-rank demon."
Heavy footsteps echoed in the darkness.
BOOM…
BOOM…
Something massive was approaching.
Then a deep voice echoed from the forest.
"Well… this is interesting."
A gigantic figure slowly stepped out of the shadows.
The creature was at least three meters tall.
Its horns curved backward, and its body was covered with black armor-like skin.
But the most terrifying thing was its smile.
The demon looked directly at Ren.
"So you're the child who awakened shadow power."
Ren froze.
"How does it know that?"
The demon laughed.
"Because our king has been waiting for you."
Kael immediately drew his sword.
"Everyone! Battle formation!"
The hunters surrounded Ren instantly.
The demon stretched its claws.
"Don't worry."
Its eyes glowed bright red.
"I'm not here to kill him."
The monster pointed at Ren.
"I'm here to confirm something."
Ren stepped forward.
"What?"
The demon's smile widened.
"Whether the blood of the Demon King truly flows inside you."
The world seemed to stop.
The hunters looked shocked.
Ren's eyes widened.
"What… did you say?"
The demon laughed loudly.
"Soon the truth will come out."
Then suddenly—
The monster vanished into the darkness.
The terrifying presence disappeared.
Silence returned.
But the atmosphere had completely changed.
Kael slowly lowered his sword.
His voice was serious.
"This is bad."
Ren looked at him.
"What does that mean?"
Kael stared directly into Ren's eyes.
"It means…"
"…your life is now the most dangerous in the world."
The flames of the destroyed village continued burning behind them.
And far away in the darkness—
The Demon King was already watching.
End of Chapter 2
Cliffhanger:
Ren is heading to the Demon Hunter Academy, but everyone is starting to suspect that he may be connected to the Demon King himself…