Desmon's bloodshot eyes, brimming with murderous intent, locked onto Asako. In that instant, instinct took over—he had to eliminate anyone in his way.
His body moved with a speed far beyond Asako's ability to follow. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of her, and without hesitation, he threw a punch straight at her head.
Desmon had fought countless battles against both humans and demons. And despite how it looked, he knew how to hold back just enough to avoid destroying his opponents. But in his current state, restraint was the last thing on his mind.
As the demon hunter's fist closed in on Asako's face, the skin on his arm finished regenerating. At the same time, the demonic energy overloading his body finally ran dry.
For a few seconds, the world went still. Asako's heavy breathing seemed to clash against Desmon's fist, which hovered just barely over her nose.
Desmon froze completely, as if he'd passed out while still standing.
When Asako finally reacted, she collapsed to the ground. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, like she had just dodged death by the thinnest of margins.
"Why does it feel like I've just been reborn…?" She muttered, breathless.
Nothing in her past experiences came close to the feeling of almost being killed by the fist of a white-haired teenager. And the worst part? Had it happened, she wouldn't have been able to do a thing to stop it.
"What exactly are you doing?" Asked the same boy who, seconds earlier, had nearly killed her—now speaking with a casual tone.
"Huh?" Asako couldn't take her eyes off him, staring in complete disbelief.
Besides being the one who almost sent her to the afterlife—though according to popular theory, that job's usually reserved for a truck—his expression and demeanor were completely back to normal. Even his eyes, once bloodshot, now looked perfectly calm.
With all his demonic energy drained, the berserk state that had taken hold of him had also vanished—though not before healing every last wound on his body.
Even if Desmon didn't realize it, his instincts always prioritized survival—something he utterly despised. In his most desperate moment, no matter what he tried... he couldn't die.
So when consciousness returned, the first thought to cross his mind was:
–Huh? What was I doing? Where... am I?
Desmon looked around, dazed. His mind was in complete disarray after the fight with Kagenra.
–Why does it feel like I just finished fighting something unbelievably annoying… and hard?
Overthinking wasn't really his thing. So he gave up quickly and shifted his focus to the woman still sitting on the floor.
"Why are you looking at me like you've seen a ghost?" He asked again, realizing his first comment had been completely ignored.
Seeing the baffled look on her face, Desmon glanced down at himself.
And then it all made sense.
He was half-naked again. Except for his pants—now barely hanging on like a pair of shorts—his clothes were completely gone.
''I'm starting to think demons have some weird fetish for tearing up my clothes...'' He muttered, recalling every time his outfit had ended up in shreds.
Desmon fought with an almost suicidal level of confidence. Thanks to his regeneration, he didn't fear getting hit or cut, so it was no surprise he often ended up like this. His clothes always took the brunt of it.
"Kyaa! The cop's a perv!"
Desmon tried to cover himself while saying this in the exaggerated, flustered voice of a stereotypical anime girl.
"A-are you some kind of maiden?!"
Being called a pervert for just looking at Desmon snapped Asako out of her stunned daze.
Desmon's expression shifted back to his trademark mischievous grin.
"Just kidding—you can touch all you want." He said as he struck a pose, emphasizing his physique. "All of this is thanks to slaying demons, babe."
–Is it just me, or did my body get way better?
And he wasn't wrong. His physique looked far more defined than before—his muscles stood out clearly, showing how toned and powerful he had become.
The overwhelming amount of demonic energy he'd unleashed had directly affected his human body. With no experience or control to regulate it, the energy had reshaped him, molding his body to withstand it... and this was the result.
Who needs the gym when you can get a magazine-worthy physique just by dying for a few seconds and awakening your demonic instincts?
(Don't try this at home. Unless you're absolutely sure you have demon blood.)
As Desmon mused about how those "abs in 5 minutes" videos might actually work, Asako stared at him with a mix of confusion and resignation. It was like logic had completely abandoned her brain.
Ten out of ten people who knew Desmon would say the same thing:
"You get used to it... eventually."
Of course, those same people also had to stop questioning how reality worked around him.
Like that time a teenager fought an entire special forces squad with his bare hands…
But that's a story for another day.
"Am I dreaming?" Asako muttered as she watched the idiot in front of her strike yet another ridiculous pose.
"I can hit you if you need to make sure." Desmon offered casually, sending a chill down her spine.
"No thanks… I'd rather not."
"You're seriously weird." He commented offhandedly.
"I don't want to hear that from you!!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." He replied, extending a hand to help her up.
He might mock a woman looking at him like he's an idiot, but he's still a gentleman—so he offered his help.
With a bit of hesitation, Asako took his hand and stood up, dusting off her uniform more calmly this time.
She took a deep breath, collecting herself and accepting everything she'd witnessed since arriving—from Desmon's corpse springing back to life, to crab-shaped demons.
Not exactly easy to process, but she wasn't so paranoid that she'd doubt what she saw. Of course, the guy in front of her would have to explain everything.
Though before that, there was something important she needed to do—something that had already been delayed for weeks.
"By the way, could you stretch out your other arm too?"
"Eh? I guess... if that helps." He shrugged.
Without giving it much thought, he did as she asked.
"Perfect. You're under arrest."
Asako's voice was firm... but her satisfied smile didn't go unnoticed as she cuffed his wrists.
"Huh?"
-I'm getting déjà vu...
This definitely wasn't the first time he'd been arrested… and probably wouldn't be the last.
"You are under arrest for speeding, public indecency, and nearly killing a police officer. You have the right to remain silent. You also have the right to an attorney. You may refuse to answer any questions if you wish." Asako stated with the professionalism of a seasoned officer.
"Oi, oi… I get the first two, but the third? I don't remember trying to kill any cops… at least, not in this country."
How long is Desmon's criminal record in the United States?
From borderline terrorism to minor public disturbances, every incident had its own "justification." It's not like Desmon was some lunatic who destroyed everything in his path… right?
Well, the NYPD commissioner could probably answer that. Though don't expect a calm or happy expression when he talks about the white-haired teen who challenged everything he believed about justice and morality.
Imagine the look on your face when some guy with white hair storms into your office saying he's here for your head—but hey, nothing personal, no hard feelings.
Definitely an out-of-this-world experience.
After all, Desmon isn't just a demon hunter—he's also a mercenary. And as long as there's money and a viable target, he gets the job done.
Humans or demons, the line between them isn't all that clear from Desmon's perspective—he's seen humans do worse to their own kind than any demon ever could.
"You can explain it all at the station." Asako replied, maintaining her composure.
"Will I get food during the interrogation? I just had lunch, but I'm already hungry." He said, tilting his head.
"If you cooperate, maybe."
"Works for me." He answered with his usual cheerful tone.
-Well, at least the charges this time are lighter than the last...
Normally, Desmon would've refused to go to the station without a second thought. But while he acted calm, he tried summoning Kurox to leave the area… and failed.
For some reason he still didn't understand, it wasn't working.
So, unless he wanted to walk all the way to Shizuka's apartment, Desmon had no choice but to play along with Asako. He'd figure things out later.
Desmon had always been the type to act in the moment rather than worry about the future.
Without another word, the two of them started walking toward Asako's motorcycle.
And while what was about to happen at that police station looked like it'd be an unforgettable experience for the officers… that future would never come.
They say calm comes after the storm.
But for Desmon, he always seemed to be part of the 1% that never gets a break.
"I was sure that would be enough to finish that thing off… it's more persistent than it looks." He said suddenly, stopping and glancing up at the sky.
"What now…?" Asako muttered, turning her eyes in the same direction.
High above, strange black clouds began to swirl together, merging into a dark, dense mass.
"Are those… storm clouds? But it doesn't feel like there's a storm coming…"
"I thought the same at first, but no… it's something more complicated." he replied, watching intently.
Round two?
"What do you mean by 'that thing'...?"
The black smoke fragments finished merging, and as if responding to an invisible signal, they dove straight down toward the highway.
That's when it started to take form.
A twisted face, hidden behind a demonic mask seemingly fused to its skin. Its eyes blazed with an eerie red glow. A grotesque, muscular body ended in sharp claws, and scraps of clothing barely covered parts of its monstrous form.
"Good to see you again... Kagenra." Desmon said with a grin.
"DIIIIIEEEE!!!"
With a murderous aura that seemed to shake the very air, Kagenra fired several spikes from its claws.
The attack was lethal. At that speed, the average human mind wouldn't have stood a chance.
Luckily for Asako, she'd arrested someone far from average.
"Let's play."
In the blink of an eye, Desmon positioned himself in front of Asako and intercepted the spikes with a flurry of kicks. Using the momentum, he launched himself into the air, spun midair, and used one of the spikes as an improvised tool to shatter the handcuffs still clamped around his wrists.
He landed in a flip beside Asako, holding one of the black spikes like a trophy.
-Has my body always felt this light...? Maybe those eight hours of sleep the TV doctors recommend really do make a difference.
It's worth noting that all of this happened in just a single second. For Asako, it was just a flash—a blurred figure moving at inhuman speed, now standing by her side with a giant spike in hand.
"A gift. Take care of it." Desmon said just before launching the spike with a powerful kick aimed straight at Kagenra's head.
As expected, the projectile went right through the demon's body without leaving a scratch.
"Right… you're a real pain in the ass. I can't hurt you, and tearing you apart with that tornado didn't work either. What's it gonna take to end you? A freaking hurricane?" He said, raising a brow with his usual sarcastic smirk.
"PATHETIC." Kagenra growled.
"Oh! So you can say something besides 'DIE, DIE!' Took you long enough. How about we have a civilized chat and work out our differences like gentlemen? I mean… it's not like I'm trying to avoid fighting you because I've got zero ways to hurt you. Kurox doesn't want to come out and, well, I've got nothing…"
Knowing when you can't win against an opponent you can't even hurt—that's wisdom.
"Are you seriously trying to reason with that thing?" Asako asked, more shocked by Desmon than the demon itself.
"It's called demon diplomacy." Desmon replied, then paused, thoughtful. "Although, to be honest, every demon I meet just calls me things like 'freak hybrid' or 'abomination that shouldn't exist...''
He sighed.
"You know what? I changed my mind. I'm gonna kick that thing's ass. I've got no idea how, but I'm giving it a shot."
"Are you an idiot or what?"
"Why do all girls call me an idiot? Has no one heard that saying, 'The one who calls someone an idiot is the real idiot'?" He shrugged, turning his back and facing Kagenra again.
Meanwhile, the demon seemed to be… laughing? Its body twitched slightly, like it had evolved after the last fight with Desmon.
Kagenra… could it evolve into a demon so powerful that its mere presence could level entire cities?
Only time will tell.
Well… it'll probably be that certain guy with way too many debts and zero flirting skills who ends up stopping it somehow.
Maybe?
Kagenra spread its demonic aura throughout the area, as if trying to intimidate Desmon with its presence.
"Didn't learn anything from our last encounter?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Desmon, of course, didn't back down. He tried to release his own demonic energy to counter it.
Or at least, that was the plan… because in reality, absolutely nothing happened.
-This is weird… I can feel the demonic energy inside me, but it's not responding like it used to...
Side effects of the demon state? Or maybe… something even older?
-As long as I can use it within my body, I guess it doesn't matter.
Truth be told, Desmon mostly used his demonic energy to intimidate, annoy others, and recently, to compete with Kagenra.
Aside from that, it's not like he had a list of useful skills that depended on it.
How do you win a trial without arguments? Easy. Just make the opposing lawyer feel an overwhelming pressure—anxiety, fear… for no apparent reason. If they can't even speak, the trial's basically won.
So who's more evil? A demon, or a lawyer?
"Oh, right… you okay?" Desmon casually asked the policewoman.
Asako, however, was on her knees, her face twisted in pain. The demonic energy was overwhelming her, affecting her body and emotions, making her feel like her life was hanging by a thread.
-W-What's… happening to me?
Her mind was in chaos—just thinking was difficult.
It felt like an invisible weight was crushing her, and her instincts screamed that she was about to die. A visceral, sickening terror took hold of her.
"Hmm… I wonder if I can use demonic energy another way…" He muttered, eyeing Asako.
Demonic energy is versatile: it can power weapons, enhance the body, or even be materialized into attacks. Its only limit is the user's imagination and control.
Improvising as always, Desmon placed his hand on Asako's head and transferred a bit of his energy directly through touch.
"Huh?"
Instantly, the pressure she felt vanished. It was like something had completely blocked out that hostile presence.
"Whoa! It worked. Not bad." Desmon said proudly. "I should practice more… but I'm too lazy."
"What did you do?"
"We can talk about that later—maybe at a café, over something sweet. Right now I've gotta deal with that stupid cloud of smoke that refuses to die."
They both turned to face the demon. Kagenra didn't move, watching closely. It wasn't dumb enough to charge in again without thinking—especially after being scattered by a tornado last time.
Unless, of course, it knew Desmon was no longer a real threat.
"You said you can't hurt it… and that it's just smoke." Asako said, confused.
"I've beaten it before, so there's nothing to worry about." Desmon replied with conviction.
"You got a plan?"
"Of course. It's my ace in the hole. Been saving it for moments like this."
Since arriving in Japan, Desmon had never used it. It's a very specific tactic—only useful against enemies who completely outclass him.
Asako looked at him, surprised. Something in his tone filled her with anticipation.
"Listen closely." Desmon said, now completely serious. "You have to follow my instructions to the letter. Don't hesitate. If you mess up, it's all over."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
She had no idea what the plan was—but she was ready. Prepared for anything.
"So now the only thing left to do is… RUN AWAY!!!"
And without warning, he spun around and bolted at ridiculous speed, leaving a cloud of dust behind.
Asako and Kagenra stood in silence, processing what just happened.
His "grand plan" was literally… to run.
What other choice did he have? He couldn't hurt the demon, his only reliable weapon refused to show up, and the enemy completely overpowered him.
A strategic retreat was the smartest move… at least for someone like him.
"You're a complete idiot!!!" Asako shouted, leaping onto her motorcycle. She hit the gas without a second thought, tearing off and leaving the demon frozen in place.
So… what happened to the epic battle between the demon hunter and the demon?
Why was Desmon, who had once fought Kagenra fiercely, now running like his life depended on it?
Kagenra understood without a word: Desmon was no longer a threat. He was just another prey. Something that could be killed without caution.
"YOU… ARE A DISAPPOINTMENT!!!"
Kagenra's scream could've been rage… or anticipation.
His body unraveled, becoming a massive black cloud that chased after him like a living storm—inescapable, relentless.
Kagenra wouldn't stop until he caught and destroyed Desmon.
Unless… of course, Desmon found a way to destroy him first.
But let's be honest…
This time, it looks like the storm's going to win.
Because one thing was certain: if that was the backup plan… they were all seriously screwed.