One Above All

Chapter 31: Those fangs are still sharp.

Hey guys, I know it's been a while. There was no chapter in August, and I'm really sorry about that. Who would have thought that writing a fight scene for the second time would be such a real challenge?

But right now, I want to apologize to those who read the English versions. This chapter was released a week ago in Spanish, and I usually start translating it the day after. Unfortunately, shortly after releasing the chapter, I started feeling a bit unwell, and it stayed that way for the next few days until I finally gathered the strength to sit down at my PC and translate this for you. Again, I'm sorry.

But we're finally back baby, with a chapter full of action and some lore. I truly hope you enjoy it!

Notes:

You all wanted to see just how broken Kishibe is in my story again? I guess many of you already had an idea. I mean, we're talking about the second devil hunter who killed the Control Devil, which isn't exactly easy unless you've got chainsaws with you... and a kitchen.

But the first one who did it was even more broken than him. But we're not talking about that guy, at least not right now.

This chapter contains a bit of lore-the kind of lore that leaves you analyzing it like crazy.

And just a warning: this chapter is quite violent. It's probably the most graphic one I've written so far, but I had to live up to that "Violence" tag somehow. If you're sensitive to that, I recommend discretion.

0O0O

"What do you prefer? Explain things first or let off some steam beforehand?"

"I don't care."

"If you really didn't care, you wouldn't have tried to put a hole in my chest."

"You're the one who threw the first punch at my face. What did you expect me to do? Applaud you?"

"What can I say? I'm a devil hunter. If I see a devil casually walking down the street, I have to take it out. You can't blame me for trying to do my job."

"Your service to the community really deserves recognition..."

"I'll probably finally get a medal for killing you twice, don't you think? Kishibe, the devil hunter who killed the Control Devil two times."

"They didn't care before, why would they care now? To be honest, beyond being the strongest hunter, you're nothing special for the higher-ups to give you preferential treatment. To them, you're just a dog with sharper fangs than the rest."

"Spare me the philosophy lesson, I've heard it plenty of times before. I stopped caring years ago. Besides, since when can one government tool criticize another? Do I really need to remind you that you're just considered another weapon in our arsenal? We can use you as we please... and we can dispose of you whenever we want, starting the cycle again if this version of you turns out to be a failure."

"Look who's criticizing who now."

"I'm just telling the truth-our truth. But unlike you, I have every right to consider killing you right now for trespassing on private property. I could also report you to the higher-ups, and they'd choose your execution themselves."

"Why do you think they'd believe you in the first place?"

"Oh, girl, try to remember who you are. Who do you think they'd believe first? The devil hunter who's been working for them for almost twenty years? Or the devil who's been terrorizing humanity since the dawn of time?"

"..."

"Exactly. But enough talk, I haven't had any fun all day, so I'm going to use you as a punching bag until I'm tired."