What’s the line between being edgy vs being serious, brutal, dirty, and honest?

I’m writing a story from the POV of a grizzled monster hunter specializing in vampires. His biggest concern while hunting isn’t saving lives or noble heroics—it’s about "how do I hunt them in a way that destroys the least amount of parts?" Every bit of a vampire carcass can be sold for money, after all. He doesn’t care much for people; for him, it’s just a job.

I want to depict violence honestly—grounded, brutal, and dirty. I’m aiming for a tone that leans less into high fantasy and more into pragmatic realism, drawing inspiration from medieval fencing manuals and historical hunting practices for dangerous animals like wolves and lions. (I also have personal experience in historical fencing and HEMA, so I want to incorporate some of that knowledge.)

Of course, the story also delves into the moral implications of his work—like the irony of hunting sentient beings for profit. Even if vampires are often monstrous, there’s something unsettling about reducing them to commodities.

Here’s where I’d love advice:
I enjoy writing scenes of pragmatic, dark violence, laced with the hunter’s dry, mean humor. But sometimes it feels like it’s crossing into “edgy” territory. I want it to stay serious without becoming over-the-top or cringy. Do you have any tips for walking that line? How can I keep things brutal and honest without making it feel like I’m trying too hard to be dark?

Also, are there any stories you’ve read that explore similar themes well? I’m looking for stories with dirty fights, morally ambiguous characters, grimy settings, and unflinching portrayals of violence.