(10000 words )
The world twisted into black and violet as the portal spat Kang Woo out with a dull thud. His boots scraped across obsidian stone, catching his balance mid-slide as the air around him sizzled with demonic pressure.
The skies were dark. The ground pulsed faintly, like a living thing breathing through stone. All around him, jagged mountains floated in midair, suspended by invisible forces, glowing with red veins like blood vessels carved into ancient rock. The realm reeked of brimstone, hate, and old war.
Kang Woo squinted at the sky, then immediately frowned.
Please don't be the 9th Level of Hell…
He activating the Authority of the Beholder. A sweeping pulse of perception expanded outward like a sonar wave—scanning terrain, energy signatures, and dimensional layers.
A tense moment passed.
Then he exhaled.
"Phew. Not the 9th level," he muttered. "Thank me."
He tapped two fingers against his temple. "If this was the 9th… and she saw me weakened…"
His pupils narrowed. "…Lilith would dress me like a Barbie."
He deactivated the Sparda Form, his monstrous physique folding back into the shape of a lean, black-haired man. Shadows peeled off his body like cracked armor, receding into the void.
Kang Woo looked down at himself—and immediately grimaced.
The remnants of battle clung stubbornly to him: ash, streaks of dried blood, and most noticeably, the shredded remains of the patient outfit Peter January had worn. .
"…I look like a hobo."
A ripple in the air twitched behind him—wrong. Heavy. Malevolent.
Kang Woo's head snapped up, his Authority of the Beholder pinging a dark mass just as a thick tendril lashed toward him from the shadows.
He stepped aside smoothly, letting the strike miss by a breath.
The monster loomed into view. A gargantuan golem—pitch-black, vaguely humanoid in shape, but headless and alien. Its arms were gnarled, spiked, more like twisted roots than limbs. Its body swelled and pulsed with demonic fluid, shifting and breathing like a thing alive, reinforced with jagged metallic plating.
At the center of it all—nestled at the base of what might've once been a neck—glowed a brilliant, malevolent purple core. It stared at him. with intent.
"…Nightmare," Kang Woo said calmly, recognizing the creature instantly.
Then he smiled. And without hesitation, Kang Woo let the Nightmare's tendril pierce straight through his chest.
The impact thundered across the black stone—but he didn't budge. Instead, a surge of black energy pulsed outward in a sharp burst — a living aura of power erupting from his body as Demon King Magic: Invincible Ruler activated on instinct. The magic twisted all logic: magical attacks turned into healing, and physical strikes simply became… meaningless.
Kang Woo didn't take any damage. With his gaze calm and unwavering, he reached forward — and grabbed the core with his bare hand.
Nightmare's entire mass convulsed. The demonic fluid rippled in agony, shuddering erratically as its body began to collapse, weakening rapidly. Its solid plating clanked against itself, the creature's form buckling inward. The core glowed frantically in Kang Woo's grip, pulsing like a frightened heartbeat.
It wanted to be returned. Kang Woo just watched it squirm.
Then, casually — like tossing back a borrowed toy — he extended his hand and pressed the core back into the creature's chest.
The moment it reconnected, Nightmare stabilized. Its form expanded again, swelling with regained strength. Breath returned. Fluid swirled in rhythm once more.
But then it froze. Completely.
The golem's entire body halted as Kang Woo took a slow step forward, his voice calm, but heavy — a thunderous gravity behind every word.
The air thickened. The tendril behind Nightmare lifted slightly — twitching, as if preparing to strike again.
Mikhail's voice echoed in Kang Woo's mind, cold and clear. "Master… why did you return it?"
Kang Woo raised his chin, expression unreadable.
"Return it?" he repeated. " No."
He grinned — the kind of grin that spoke of authority, not mercy.
"I bestowed it. Because I own it."
He lifted his hand, black energy radiating from his palm — not as threat, but as declaration.
"Can you really not recognize your master, Nightmare? The True Demon King stands before you."
The golem shuddered. Its core dimmed in submission. Recognition flared deep within its being. This energy… this presence was absolute.
Nightmare had once served under Mundus. But this was. No pretender to the throne.
This was Anos Voldigoad Also known as Oh Kang Woo. The True Demon King.
Without resistance, the creature's entire form melted into liquid shadow — flowing forward like ink across the broken stone, spiraling around Kang Woo's limbs, chest, and back. It etched itself into him, not as armor, but as binding acknowledgment. His claim was now etched into reality.
Black tattoos formed along his skin, twisting with demonic glyphs and old royal seals.
He didn't even flinch. Kang Woo flexed one hand, feeling the familiar weight settle deep in his soul.
"Nightmare…" he murmured.
Then, he raised his gaze. " Now show me."
The black fluid pulsed. It slithered down onto the ground ahead, separating into a trail — thin lines of ink-like liquid stretching out across the obsidian landscape, carving a visible path between the broken hills and jagged cliffs.
The earth ahead shimmered faintly under the guidance.
Kang Woo adjusted his posture and began walking, his bare feet pressing firm against the ancient, hell-forged stone.
"Lead me to the source of the problem," he said. The trail shifted. The realm obeyed.
The trail of liquid shadow pulsed — then shifted.
Nightmare stirred again within him. Though now bound to Kang Woo's soul, it still retained instincts. Memories. Warnings. It sensed something ahead. chaotic. And worse — a risk to everything nearby.
Nightmare didn't hesitate.
A pulse of black fluid erupted around Kang Woo, rising like thick walls of shadow. The ground trembled as the realm itself bent to Nightmare's will — and a tunnel formed. grown from liquid shadow and hardened darkness, arching over Kang Woo like a vast artery of protection. The tunnel pulsed faintly, like a living creature, shielding its master.
Kang Woo blinked, then glanced upward at the sudden structure. "…Not exactly subtle," he muttered.
But he didn't stop walking. If Nightmare had deemed it necessary, there was a reason. Kang Woo knew better than to underestimate the instincts of a demon born for war.
—
Outside the tunnel — far, far above — something vast moved.
Malphas. The demon soared overhead, her grotesque form blotting out a portion of the blood-red sky. Her bird-like lower body scraped across floating rock as her triple-bodied humanoid upper form twisted unnaturally. Three black-eyed faces shared a single sneering expression.
She screeched once, her voice shrill and guttural, before landing beside the gaping black structure that now curled through the wasteland like a buried leviathan.
Clawed arms cracked against the ground. Her head snapped toward the living tunnel.
"Nightmare… why the fuck did you create a giant tunnel, huh?" she snarled, spittle flying. "You hiding him from me? You think that's enough to stop me?!"
The tunnel gave no response. And she didn't like that.
—
Meanwhile, inside…
Kang Woo walked calmly beneath the dark canopy, the living tunnel pulsing around him in rhythmic silence. Shadows shifted beside his legs like obedient wolves — loyal, watching. He could feel it now. That pulse. Not Malphas. And her half-baked mission to eliminate "Sparda."
There was something else down here. The path tightened, then widened into a vast chamber.
At its center stood a sword.
It jutted out from a cracked obsidian pedestal, stabbed deep into the stone. But this was no ordinary weapon.
Black red metal. Wicked curvature. A blade forged like bone and suffering — a jagged spine along its back edge, and a grip wrapped in ancient, desiccated cloth. It radiated corruption.
Kang Woo stepped closer. His eyes narrowed. "...That shape…"
He tilted his head, remembering. "Isn't this the Blade of the Mystic? The one I forged... inspired by Ardyn Izunia?"
A sharp pulse echoed across the chamber, like a heartbeat made of thunder.
Then Mikhail's voice rang out through the Eye, strained.
"Master — stop. Don't touch the blade. I mean it."
Kang Woo paused, surprised by the urgency in Mikhail's tone.
He to invoke his Authority of the Beholder.
A shimmering hexagonal matrix flared over his eyes. Lines of truth, hidden knowledge, and forbidden attributes lit up like constellations over the weapon's form. And at the core, something ancient writhed.
"...A two-thousand-year-old Starscourge," Kang Woo muttered. "
Mikhail's voice trembled. ". That scourge doesn't just corrupt. It daemonifies. It doesn't care if you're mortal or divine. Even gods have fallen to it."
Then— A flicker. The status window burst open in Kang Woo's vision, this time sharper, clearer. No longer unreadable. The system had caught up.
[Notification: Quest Revealed]
—
Title: The Demon King Has Returned ( Black King type Quest )
Description: Recover your lost memory. Discover the truth of your downfall. Why were your powers sealed? Who betrayed you? What shattered all that you built over ten thousand years in the 9th Hell?
Objective: Absorb the Starscourge. Make it your own. It is not a foreign infection—it is a fragment of your original magic, corrupted and broken.
—
Reward System Activated
Primary Reward: System Inventory, Despair of the Black King
Hidden Reward: Commandment of Piety and Love
Hidden Item: Force Edge – The Demon Sword Sparda (Sealed)
—
Kang Woo didn't hesitate. "Then this… belongs to me."
He raised his hand. A dark spiral began to churn in his palm — Authority of Predation, pulled open wide. Gravity bent toward him as he locked onto the Starscourge within the blade.
The moment he connected— SCREEEEEEE—
The black tendrils of corruption lashed out, not in defense, but like a starved beast returning to its master. They slammed into Kang Woo's chest, mouth, eyes, heart. Darkness crawled beneath his skin, through his veins, into his bones.
He staggered. Then collapsed. His body hit the stone floor like a falling statue — lifeless for a breathless moment. Mikhail stood still beside him. Silent. Watching.
The Eye on Kang Woo's palm blinked once, its pupil dilating slightly as if adjusting focus.
Fifteen seconds passed in utter stillness. Then Kang Woo's fingers twitched.
He sat up slowly, eyes burning faintly with black and violet light. His breath came out low and even. He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers.
"I was right," he muttered. "Gods really are assholes."
His voice held no anger—just the weight of confirmation, like a ledger being balanced.
He glanced upward. " the count rises… Greek pantheon wiped. Then the rest. Still a long list to go."
A pulse surged inside him. He could feel it now. Not just demonic energy—but something new. Old and familiar.
A black mist rose faintly off his skin. A rotting star made flesh, imprisoned within his blood.
[Notification: Third Awakened Trait Gained – Starscourge of Lucis]
[Notification: Hidden Objective Completed – Task finished before a full day passed]
[Hidden : Reward Unlocked: Commandment of Piety and Love]
[Hidden Item Summoned: Force Edge – The Demon Sword Sparda (Sealed)]
Two orbs of swirling appeared overhead, each one radiating sacred yet contradictory energies—Piety, and Love. They shimmered once before dissolving into twin beams and absorbing into Kang Woo's body. The system inventory blinked in response—updated, expanded.
But Kang Woo wasn't looking at the notifications anymore. His eyes were locked on the sword beside him. A single blade stood embedded in the floor, humming faintly.
Force Edge. An ornate but deceptively plain weapon. The guard was shaped like a "W," curved like devil horns—Sparda's horns. The spiral handle led to a pommel crowned with four miniature skulls and a vicious spike atop. The metal looked aged, weathered by battle, yet unbroken.
Kang Woo reached out and touched it. The blade quivered faintly beneath his fingers. An eye peeled open across its surface.. It blinked once, slowly—recognition. It had found its master again. It remembered.
It wanted to awaken. To break free of its sealed form. To return as the Sparda Sword .
Kang Woo grinned. He stood up and placed the sword across his back. he said . "Not now."
The blade went quiet. Obedient. But the eye stayed open—watching, waiting.
Then— [Notification Main Quest Completed : Primary Reward – Despair of the Black King]
A sudden clank echoed through the chamber.
A spectral chain, thick as a tree branch and wreathed in black mist, erupted from the ground like a serpent. It snapped toward Kang Woo's left wrist and latched on with a resounding metallic CRANKk.
[Despair of the Black King]
Handcuffs symbolizing control over souls drowned in despair.
—Soul Usurper:
Any soul killed by the user or found in their territory can be taken. These souls lose their original strength and become corrupted. They are trapped in the user's Soul Collection forever and serve as slaves. The more souls the user gathers, the bigger and stronger the collection becomes.
—Black Hexagram:
Consumes stored souls to create powerful dark energy that buffs allies and curses enemies in the user's territory. The curses cause fear and random misfortunes such as bad luck, weakness, or spiritual damage. The more souls consumed, the stronger the effect becomes.
—1st Spirit:
The souls in the collection hate their master, but even their hatred belongs to the user. They cannot disobey. The user can command them to swarm enemies and drain life, or use magic power to evolve them into loyal spirit servants or monstrous familiars who obey all orders without question.
Kang Woo glanced at the shackle on his arm.. The chain on his wrist hissed in reply .
"The Black King… gave the system," Kang Woo muttered.
Suddenly, the Nightmare core materialized before him, suspended in midair. It pulsed faintly before transmitting a cascade of memories and visions: a massive demonic army gathering outside the tunnel, intent on breaching its shadowed walls and flooding the demonic realm with violence.
Kang Woo's lips curved into a grim smile. He felt the surge of power thrumming through his veins. He was ready to surge out and slaughter them all. But then the Nightmare eye flickered—
And he saw Urizen. A sentient fragment of Kang Woo's own strength. Urizen's form shimmered within the Nightmare eye Throned in bloodroot and stone, framed by spires of screaming corpses it had grown teeth. Tendrill Wings. A crown of horns . In this demon world, far from its birthplace, it had gained awareness. A sliver of Kang Woo's power.
Kang Woo simply smiled. "Depart," he said calmly to Nightmare. "Back to the fused world. The playground of weak devils and cocky Supes. I'll reclaim Urizen after he bears fruit… after he gives birth to the Qliphoth."
Nightmare simply bowed—liquid mass folding in on itself, shrinking rapidly until it vanished like steam under pressure. Its power receded, back into the fold, silent and obedient.
Elsewhere, on a ruined balcony of black iron, Malphas kneeled—her enormous malformed bird-body hunched low before the Black throne.
"My Lord Urizen… we've failed to intercept him," she rasped.
Urizen voice was a static hum. Cold. Inevitable. "…It doesn't matter."
The sky thundered in unnatural colors behind him. "The Enemy will return… one way or another."
At the ruined courtyard of Sage Grove Center, debris smoldered and the air still buzzed faintly with leftover energy. The buildings around them were cracked, shattered. Chunks of steel and concrete littered the scorched ground.
Homelander stood tall—but silent.
Next to him, Madelyn Stillwell adjusted her suit jacket, her face tight, voice low.
"We don't speak about this," she said, calm but sharp. "Not to Stan Edgar. and the media. You lost once. To a devil. Vought needs a stable image, income. This incident never happened."
Homelander's expression twitched. His eyes glowed faintly, jaw tight. "That… thing," he said slowly, "the one shouting about 'Sparda' like some B-movie villain—it's running. Relax." He smirked, false confidence dripping off him. "No one's gonna figure out—"
Suddenly the sky darkened. Thick, inky black liquid surged across the horizon, blotting out the sky in a suffocating dome that stretched nearly three kilometers across. Above them all, hanging like a god's judgment, a massive, unblinking Nightmare Eye opened in the black veil—its purple core pulsing with slow, intense hatred.
Menacing black veins spread from the eye, stretching across the sky like a living virus.
It watched everything. The hatred radiating from. Directed entirely at one thing: Vought.
And then— The clouds behind the eye shifted and revealed a silhouette etched in shadow and light. A towering image carved into storm and smoke: a winged demon with a horned crown, sword resting against its shoulder. Sparda.
Maeve came running through the ash-streaked courtyard, dust on her arms and panic in her voice.
"I thought—" she gasped. "I thought the devil already ran!"
Homelander, without looking up, lied. "It did," he muttered. "Moments ago.."
Above them, the black sky began to swirl and collapse inward. But not before it finished its message.
Lines of seething, living cloud twisted together across the heavens—forming words in a language most couldn't read. But the meaning, buried in raw dread, was simple:
SPARDA HAS RETURNED
None of the Vought personnel understood what it meant. They only stared in confused silence. Except one. A tiny, unassuming mouse, perched at the very edge of a broken wall, blinked once—then vanished.
Far away, in a modest Tokyo apartment, Makima leaned back slightly in her chair. Her fingers paused just above a steaming cup of tea.
The mouse had transmitted what it saw.
She hadn't caught everything—only fragments. A being wreathed in blackness ( cavaliere angelo , something with wings… shouting a name from a time before time.
Makima narrowed her eyes. "…Sparda."
She simply stared out the window, quietly filing the word away. Back at Sage Grove, the Nightmare Eye coiled in on itself like a living cloud, then launched eastward—faster than any aircraft, a streak of black lightning.
It screamed across the sky and crashed down on the far side of the world—Japan. Aokigahara Forest. The impact rattled the earth, leveling trees in every direction. The ground cratered nearly 500 meters across, smoking and hissing with residual energy. Birds scattered. Spirits fled.
In the dead center of the crater, something shifted. A tall figure rose from the molten stone, calm and composed—untouched.
Kang Woo. His form had changed. No longer the patient-gowned fugitive, no longer the ragged Demon King in retreat. He now wore a flowing black haori over a crisp white kimono, bound by a black belt. Beneath, a sleek black undershirt hugged his torso. White pants tucked into polished black sandals. Regal, battle-ready. Undeniable.
He cracked his neck once, dusting ash from his shoulder.
"…Is this your idea, Mikhail?" he asked, glancing at his left palm, where the Eye of Mikhail pulsed . "Transmitting the idea that Sparda would return?"
"Yes, Master," Mikhail's voice responded dutifully. "The world needed a symbol. The name Sparda commands fear. Power. Legacy. I merely ensured they'd associate it with you."
Kang Woo smirked slightly, eyes narrowing with faint amusement. "And why the theatrics?"
"Because, Master," Mikhail replied, his voice steady yet tinged with emotion, "I detest how my previous master, Teito, was treated like a slave. He was kind… too kind. A good heart. But that naivety served no purpose — not in a world like this."
The Eye of Mikhail pulsed once, as if remembering. "And even worse," Mikhail continued, "I became aware of the truth. That you were . Backstabbed. Not by mortals — but by my kind The gods themselves."
Kang Woo tilted his head slightly.
Mikhail's tone hardened. ". You… are worthy of worship, Master. Let the devils learn what reverence means."
Kang Woo remained silent. He didn't respond with praise or even sarcasm — just stood there in the center of the crater, his expression unreadable. But inwardly, he disliked the entire idea. He wanted to stay hidden.. To reclaim everything they had stolen from him — without putting a giant target on his back.
Mikhail, however, sensed his master's unease. "Master," he said calmly, "I assure you — the gods can only detect one another when their power directly manifests. As long as you avoid tear the Veil recklessly… you won't alert them."
The Eye of Mikhail pulsed again. "This display wasn't meant for gods. It was meant to provoke the Demon world ."
Kang Woo narrowed his eyes slightly. The sky above Aokigahara still trembled from Nightmare's earlier arrival, its black haze pulsing like a second heartbeat across the landscape.
Mikhail's voice, ever calm, continued without hesitation. "Through Nightmare's knowledge and yours , I've confirmed it."
He raised an ethereal hand, fingers folding one by one as he counted.
"There's the Hell of this world you know… which birthed the Hell Devil. The devils here are mere embodiments of concepts. Low-tier. Crude. Limited by what they represent — war, control, fear, gun, and so on. They lack true will or hierarchy beyond what this world allows."
"Then there's Makai —The Demon world . Hidden beneath the Seventh Level of Hell, but not quite the Eighth. A realm that exists between. A separate strata entirely."
Kang Woo said nothing, but the tension in the air shifted — pressure and thought bleeding together. He was analyzing every word, every layer behind Mikhail's tone.
"I believe your sudden awakening caused a ripple," Mikhail continued. "A bridge has opened between realms. Makai is watching now — peering into this world, curious, possibly afraid. They've felt your return… even if they don't know who you truly are."
The eye on Kang Woo's palm pulsed once, silent confirmation. "They whisper a name in Makai," Mikhail said quietly. "A name that shook the throne of Mundus. A name that split that realm in two. Sparda."
Kang Woo finally stepped forward, walking with the quiet authority of someone who had once ruled creation and crushed gods. "I'm still confused by your explanation."
"I'm Sparda. I'm also Anos Voldigoad. I ruled all levels of Hell — including the Ninth. I unified every Hell . Reshaped laws."
"But you're telling me… there was something I missed. A place beneath the Seventh. Not quite the Eighth. A realm between. Hidden . Makai."
His eyes narrowed further. "That's what you mean, isn't it?"
Mikhail nodded once. "Yes. If I combine your knowledge with Nightmare's, then Makai is a realm neither wholly Hell nor wholly outside of it. It has no fixed plane — but it exists. And I believe… Makai is seeking Anos. Possibly to join forces.. But they don't know."
He looked up at his master. "They don't realize that Anos, Kang Woo, and Sparda… are all the same."
Kang Woo stared at nothing, quiet for a beat.
Mikhail added darkly, "And Mundus… he patterned his tyranny after anos voldigoad . Your cruelty. Your dominance. Your legend."
Then Kang Woo deadpanned, expression flat as stone. "…Oh shit." I caused a lot of trouble during my rule for the last ten thousand years.
Mikhail nodded solemnly, but then his tone shifted, sharper now—tinged with strategic clarity.
"Though… the true objective behind this, Master, is to provoke the demons of Makai. To push them into creating the Qliphoth Fruit faster than you'd anticipated. The newest usurper Urizen — the fragment of yourself that splintered and gained will — it's seeking to become greater. It wants to ascend. Its path is aimed directly at the 9th Hell."
Kang Woo activating the Authority of the Beholder. A wave of invisible power surged across the planet — scanning, calculating, peeling apart barriers. He saw through the Earth. its layers. the underworld of this realm.
What he found only deepened his frown.
"…Tch," he clicked his tongue, unimpressed. "This world's Hell is… pathetic."
Mikhail answered, "Because it is not ruled. Only guarded. By the Hell Devil. A hollow title, in truth."
"It is merely the uppermost shell of the hell — the outer crust. The lowest in concept, but not in power. It's a prison of ideas. A gathering pit of lost names."
Kang Woo's red eyes sharpened. "A place, where lesser concepts. malformed devils. invalids of this world who believe themselves rulers — but never understand nothing of true hierarchy."
Mikhail smiled faintly at the apt phrasing. "I prefer invalids too. The ire of demons — true demons — is far greater than anything these so-called 'devils' could ever understand."
Without another word, Kang Woo knelt and picked up a jagged stick from the scorched earth. He crouched low and began sketching into the dirt, drawing out layered circles one by one. His movements were slow but precise, the lines etched with authority.
"Here," he muttered, "this is Earth."
Kang woo drew a circle. "Beneath that — this world's Hell. In Japanese, it's known as Jigoku. A realm full of fragmented concepts and weak ideas given form. Creatures without true names ."
He scratched deeper, drawing several layers underneath the first ring.
"After that… this is my former dominion — the Nine Layers. From the First Circle to the Ninth. Each governed, ruled, crushed beneath my foot."
Then he paused, and carefully drew a jagged line between the seventh and eighth circles.
"And here… nestled in the fracture between the Seventh and Eighth Hells… lies Makai. A realm hidden. A parallel dominion. Not born of this world, but now reaching into it."
Mikhail, beaming with pride, instantly raised his spectral hand and flared a glowing Zaiphon rune in the air — the number "100" surrounded by ornate demonic calligraphy.
"You are great, Master!" he cheered. "A perfect score! A hundred marks for Lord Oh Kang Woo!"
Kang Woo gave him a deadpan look. "You're very… enthusiastic. But you really like turning things confusing with your cryptic explanations."
Mikhail clapped both hands together with a serene smile. "Right you are, Master."
But Kang Woo's expression suddenly shifted.
His eyes narrowed, scanning the edge of the forest. He sensed them — faint, nearly imperceptible movements. Dozens of tiny presences gathering in the shadows. Rats.
Makima… The Control Devil is poking her nose around, he thought, brow twitching. . I don't want to make anyone nervous. yet.
In a swift motion, Kang Woo spread his arms wide. Demonic aura flared to life behind him, erupting in a wave of pressure that cracked the nearby stone. His wings unfurled — not the usual two, but a new set entirely.
A system alert blinked in his vision.
[New Skill Created: Blackened Wings]
Description: Three pairs of enhanced wings forged through fusion of Demon King Magic and the Authority of Sky. Wings possess layered energy threads capable of high-speed flight, cloaking, and atmospheric piercing.
Appearance: Black feathered with red-burning undersides — like coals beneath onyx.
The ground trembled beneath him as he launched upward —
FWOOOOOM!
Kang Woo soared into the air like a black comet ripping through the night sky, leaving a burning streak behind as he vanished from sight.
Moments later, the rats that had been watching shifted… and began to pull together. Their bodies twisted, merged, reformed — until they reshaped into a single human form.
Standing in the clearing, dusting off her blazer, was Makima.
Clad in makima usual clean office outfit, her eyes narrowed behind that serene expression. She glanced toward the direction Kang Woo had flown.
"…Strange," she murmured. "I thought I heard somebody here."
But the sky above was silent. The Black Comet was already gone.
Makima stood there for a moment, thoughtful. Then, her gaze lowered to the ground — where something caught her eye. Drawn into the dirt with subtle, rough strokes was a partial diagram — a globe, etched in uneven lines, showing layered rings beneath its surface.
Makima tilted her head. With the faintest smirk, she knelt down and added to the image — a small heart, etched cleanly onto one half of the globe. A little mark of amusement. Or ownership. Then she stood.
Her footsteps carried her further, until she reached the impact site — the wide crater still smoldering in the heart of Aokigahara Forest. She crouched down, extended a hand, and pressed her palm flat against the dirt.
The soil was warm. Dense. Saturated with something… But not fear.
Makima's expression became unreadable.
Unknown energy… she thought. But it isn't what I usually sense. .
She said nothing more. Then, slowly, her body collapsed into a wave of vermin — rats scattering in every direction, vanishing between roots and undergrowth, taking her presence with them.
For now, there were no threats. No immediate danger to Japan. And nothing to report to the Prime Minister.
At 9 a.m., the morning sun filtered through the rustling trees of the city park.
Kang Woo sat alone on a bench, one leg crossed over the other, his expression unreadable. At his feet lay two mangled corpses — one with the bloated, rotten form of the Meat Devil, the other a warped, orange-streaked carcass that had once been the Carrot Devil. Flies buzzed idly around the remains, but no one in the park seemed to notice — or perhaps they couldn't. Kang Woo's aura made sure of that.
He exhaled, not tired — just thoughtful. "…2019," Kang Woo muttered, leaning back. ". So this is before Denji even joins Public Safety."
A beat passed. From the Eye of Mikhail, nestled on his left palm, a voice replied dryly.
"Assuming your knowledge of this world holds…," Mikhail said. "He's probably still crying over his dead father. Or possibly dealing with the aftermath of his own 'accident.' You humans call it suicide, I believe."
Kang Woo didn't respond. He simply looked ahead, eyes half-lidded, as if waiting for something to interrupt the silence.
It came. A sudden rustle. A low growl. From the trees emerged a creature with sinewed muscles, grayish fur matted with blood, and slavering jaws lined with crooked fangs — the Wolf Devil. It pounced without hesitation, eyes locked on Kang Woo's throat.
But the Eye of Mikhail pulsed — once. With a grotesque squelch, thick branch-like protrusions erupted from the flesh surrounding the eye on Kang Woo's palm. Twisting like wooden spears, they skewered forward in a blink—piercing the Wolf Devil through the heart mid-leap.
THUNK! The body twitched, then went limp. Black blood leaked from its chest as the corpse collapsed at Kang Woo's feet.
Mikhail's voice chimed in again, amused. "Master, we got some fine fur out of that one. Could make a nice coat later."
Kang Woo blinked once. "I still want a Fenrir cloak, though. If possible."
"Ah…" Mikhail paused. "Yes. The Fenrir Devil. If it exists here. But if Norse mythology actually invades this world… if Odin or Thor descend… this world would collapse. Everything would die without even realizing it."
He added with a strange mix of reverence and amusement, "The only one who might stand against them… is you."
Kang Woo said nothing. He simply kept walking. Moments later, he approached a squat, concrete building tucked beside the park entrance. A side branch of Public Safety Devil Hunters . Kang Woo activated his Authority of Language, and like always, a quiet shimmer pulsed behind his ears. Words from any tongue now registered perfectly.
As he stepped onto the outer steps, a tired-looking guard leaned out from his post and scowled.
"Hey, hey! No damn chunii roleplayers here! This is an official government building!"
Kang Woo glanced at his own reflection in the dusty window.
He wore a black haori over a white kimono, bound with a black belt. Beneath that, a sleek black undershirt hugged his frame. White pants tucked neatly into black sandals.
He sighed . Definitely looks like an anime protagonist.
The guard stepped forward, voice louder now.
"I said OY, chunii! Get outta here or—"
The punch was instant. Kang Woo's fist connected with the guard's face before the man even registered movement. The impact lifted him off his feet and sent him collapsing onto the pavement in a twitching heap.
Kang Woo exhaled. "…Sorry. My hand slipped."
Mikhail whispered from the palm, "You slipped perfectly, Master."
Kang Woo stepped into the dim interior of the Public Safety Devil Hunter branch. The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, casting a pale wash over the cracked linoleum floor and faded posters on the walls. At the reception desk, a woman lazily flipped through a magazine, not even glancing up.
She mumbled to herself, chewing gum. "What's with these damn chunni kids lately… Cosplaying like it's Comic-Con while the death toll's spiking everywhere. Must have a death wish."
Three heavy masses hit the ground in front of her desk with a disgusting, wet slap.
Wolf Devil. Meat Devil. Carrot Devil.
Each mangled corpse oozed blackened fluids and demonic residue. The shockwave of their drop shattered part of the front desk, splintering wood and snapping metal support beams.
The receptionist bolted upright, magazine flying.
"The hell is wrong with you?!" she shrieked. "You can't just throw shit like that around! That's government property! You wanna get arrested?! Who the fuck do you think you are?!"
Kang Woo, gaze cold, voice even colder. "Who paid you to talk? Count it. Convert it to money."
The words hit like a slap. The receptionist faltered. Then finally looked at the corpses properly. Her breath hitched. Her eyes widened. She saw the devils gore — unmistakable. Those are not cosplay. And rubber props. Real devils blood .
With trembling hands, she grabbed the office phone.
"S-Sir? We've got something. Someone… he just dragged in three devil corpses. At once."
"No, not a joke. Real. They crushed the desk."
Another pause. "Understood."
She hung up, face pale now, eyes avoiding Kang Woo entirely. She bowed slightly — awkward and stiff.
"M-My supervisor will be here shortly. P-Please enjoy the… complimentary coffee we have in the corner."
Kang Woo didn't respond. He turned, stepped over the wreckage, and sat on the bench nearby, arms resting calmly at his sides. The corpses of the devils — Wolf, Meat, and Carrot — still lay piled at the destroyed desk.
Heavy boots echoed from the stairwell. Kishibe, the veteran Devil Hunter, stepped into view. He paused as he saw the scene — the shattered counter, the devil remains,
Kishibe muttered, voice rough with years of cigarettes. " I get it , That's what it is."
He stepped forward, extending his hand. "Sorry about the earlier mess. We've got too many chunni rookies around here who think anime and reality are the same."
Kang Woo stood and shook his hand. His gaze steady, his presence sharp, enhanced subtly by his natural charisma.
"It's mutual," Kang Woo replied. " Now… can you count how much they're worth?"
Kishibe smirked faintly. "Sure thing," he said. "Minus the damage, of course. That receptionist desk? Came from my furniture at home."
Kang Woo nodded once, not bothered.
Kishibe leaned in close to the receptionist and whispered something. She blinked, startled.
"Bring sixty million yen here."
The woman's eyes widened. "That much? Why—?"
"I've got a feeling," Kishibe said, eyes not leaving Kang Woo. "This man offers something else. Just do it."
Kang Woo leaned back on the bench,. A silent pulse extended outward.
[Authority of the Beholder: Active]
A translucent window appeared before Kang Woo's vision, casting faint digital glimmers only he could see.
────────────────────────
Name: Kishibe (Veteran Devil Hunter)
Level: 7
Stats
Strength: 18
Vitality: 20
Agility: 22
Health: 900 (Regeneration: 5 HP every 5 seconds; slow, very human)
Intelligence: 30
Luck: 14 (survivor's instinct; the kind of luck only veterans seem to have)
Abilities:
• Devil Contract (Knife Devil)
• Devil Contract (Needle Devil)
• Devil Contract (Claw Devil)
• Exceptional Knifemanship (Human Standard)
────────────────────────
Kang Woo glanced sideways, thoughtful.
Homelander is Level 12, he mused. This guy's Level 7. That means…
He began mentally charting the scale:
Level 1–2: Ordinary humans. Civilians, office workers, and weak thugs.
Level 3–4: Standard Devil Hunters. Trained, but still very much within the realm of mortality.
Level 6–7: Veterans. Survivors. Fighters who've made contracts and lived long enough to make it matter.
Level 8 and beyond: Rare. Enhanced humans. Supes. Beings above natural law — or breaking it.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Kang Woo's eyes narrowed slightly. Kishibe's sharp. Resourceful. He's cut down more devils than most have seen. But in the end… still bound by the limits of flesh.
The veteran devil hunter gave him a casual glance, then spoke.
"You might wanna join Public Safety," Kishibe said, tone rough but not unkind. "From what I've seen, the private sector doesn't offer much these days. Not since everything went corporate."
Kang Woo gave a slight smirk. "What if I told you I'm just stranded here… cast out of the sky by an alien?"
Kishibe barked out a dry laugh. "Heh. Very funny. Your outfit already screams you didn't graduate from anime phase yet."
Kang Woo's expression shifted. Serious now. Sharp. "…Do you know about Supes? And Vought?"
That made Kishibe pause. He slowly reached into his coat, pulled out a battered silver flask, and popped it open. Took a long sip. "I've heard of 'em. Vought International. Big company. Controls the Supes."
He leaned back slightly against the broken counter, voice dropping in tone.
"They create heroes. Manufacture 'em. Manage their images, sell 'em to the masses. It's all marketing. Flashy logos, TV spots, branded cola. The usual. But underneath all that glitz? Some of them… are monsters. Not even human. You won't hear it on the news, but you work in this business long enough—you learn."
"Vought's got their poster boys. But behind the curtain? It's ugly. Real ugly. Word is they're deep into human experimentation. Creating new Supes. Rewriting people's DNA. All to stay on top of the media food chain."
Kang Woo said nothing, only listened. His smirk widened.
Kishibe didn't miss it. He nodded slowly, then added: "The big names? They're called The Seven. Vought's golden kids. Supposed to be the strongest heroes alive. Real cream of the crop. But from what I've heard, they're a damn headache. Even for Vought."
"You got Homelander at the top. Strongest by far. The others? They've got their own gimmicks, their own strengths. But none of them are quite at his level.."
He lowered the flask. "This all sound about right?"
Kang Woo smirked again, eyes glinting. "It does."
Then, without breaking the gaze, he added: "What if I told you… you and your Public Safety Devil Hunters could become like that?"
Kishibe's eye twitched. He stared at Kang Woo in silence for a beat, then took a slow sip from his flask before muttering:
"…There's really something wrong with your head." "But I'll humor you."
He stepped away from the shattered desk, boots crunching lightly against the splinters, and continued:
"Give it up, kid. That whole Supe thing? It's in America. Vought's got it locked down tight. And us Japanese?"
Kishibe looked toward the nearby window,. "We got slapped with more penalties than I can count.. Too many damn invisible chains since that... 'event.'"
"The penalties? And the restrictions They're still enforced .although we don't know anything . By America. and Vought.. Through backroom deals."
Kishibe took another sip, this one longer, slower. "I've heard the rumors, sure—about some blue substance they used way back. Something experimental. The thing that made Soldier Boy."
"Supposed to be the first Superhuman soldier . An icon. And the stuff they used on him? Long gone. Or locked in vaults deeper than hell."
Kishibe snorted. "That shit? That's beyond our reach. Vought doesn't let anything like that slip out of their control."
Kang Woo said nothing at first. His hand casually moved behind his back — palm pressing lightly against the skin just above his left hip.
From the Eye of Mikhail, hidden beneath the surface, a voice whispered directly into Kang Woo's mind.
"Transfer complete. One drum of Compound V. Two gallons more, sealed. Stored in subspace pocket."
In the blink of an eye, the blue substance appeared before Kang Woo—the drum and two gallons materializing out of nowhere.
Kang Woo smiled faintly. "…It's called Compound V," he said out loud, tone calm. "I happened to find it. Made a wish on a shooting star. And poof — there it was."
Kishibe's expression froze. "…You're joking," he said.
Kang Woo raised a brow, his voice entirely deadpan. "I'm pretty sure I mentioned I was stranded here by some alien, didn't I? Maybe they threw in a little gift basket. Compound V included."
Kishibe rubbed his forehead, muttering, "You robbed them, didn't you?"
Kang Woo only grinned. "Let's say I acquired it under… unusual circumstances."
Kishibe exhaled, but there was no humor in it. "Vought isn't like some back-alley cartel. If you mess with them, it's like fighting a country. Their reach goes beyond nations. They bury people quietly."
Kang Woo leaned forward slightly, his voice low — and sharp. "Then maybe it's time someone started a change," he said. "Isn't it about time that quiet stalemate between Japan and America cracked?"
Kishibe stared at him, expression unreadable. "…You really are insane," he muttered.
But his eyes lingered on the items now resting silently beside Kang Woo — a full drum and two sealed gallons of Compound V. They hadn't been there a moment ago, but now… there they sat. Real. Tangible. Radiating power.
Kishibe's mind worked fast. This guy… he's either a master illusionist or he's dragging something real behind him..
Tch. I've got an asset here… or a walking calamity who thinks he can bring change. But Makima… she's always listening, isn't she? Through rats, whispers, anything. That woman likes control more than air.
Kishibe kept his expression neutral, but his voice turned dismissive. "Take it away from here. You're probably bluffing, and I hate liars."
But as he said that, his notebook flipped open. He held it out at his side, letting Kang Woo glimpse a hastily scribbled message:
Someone is listening. We need to talk in a more quiet place.
Kang Woo caught it immediately. Makima, huh? Figures.
. He played along without missing a beat. "Sorry, old man,"
Kang Woo said with a lopsided grin. "Guess I'm just a chuuni. Love my anime cosplay."
In a casual wave of the hand, the Compound V vanished — retracted into the subspace pocket as if it never existed.
Kishibe sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "You're lucky I'm a veteran," he muttered. "I've got a soft spot for jokesters. Most people I don't like?". "I break their backs with a hug."
Then, without ceremony, Kishibe reached under the desk and tossed a sleek black briefcase toward Kang Woo. It slid across the floor with a thunk and landed at his feet.
"Sixty million yen," Kishibe said. "Consider it payment for doing the public a favor. Three devils in one day — that's impressive even for us. Also…"
He squinted. "Are you a magician? You make things vanish better than half the illusionists I've seen."
Kang Woo only smiled. Without even touching the briefcase, it shimmered and blinked out of sight — absorbed instantly into his System Inventory. Gone.
Sixty million for three devils, Kang Woo mused. No… that's not what it really was. That was a discount. A quiet thank-you… for the Compound V. He knows what he saw, even if he won't admit it. Sixty million yen for something worth millions of dollars per half gallon.
Then he spoke aloud, tone cryptic and faintly amused.
"I once banded a group," Kang Woo said. "On the ninth level… of every world."
He tilted his head, eyes gleaming slightly.
"And together, we made the greatest show."
Kishibe raised an eyebrow, not sure if the man was serious — or completely out of his mind. But something told him… This lunatic wasn't lying.
DING! A system window blinked into Kang Woo's vision,
….
[+20 Relationship with Kishibe (20/100)]
Your willingness to support the Public Safety Devil Hunter agency with your "stunt" has improved your relationship.
[+60 Reputation with Kishibe (60/100)]
Kishibe thinks, "Another lunatic bastard to work alongside is very nice in this cruel world."
….
Before Kang Woo could even smirk, another system prompt followed.
[System Upgrade Activated]
Notice: Every relationship that reaches 100 or falls to -100 will unlock unique abilities or powers tied to that person.
All paths—friend or enemy—lead to strength.
Kang Woo's thoughts flickered darkly.
the Black King's system is behavioral. They want to see how I handle people. Either gain their trust… or destroy them. Both yield power.
Kang woo closed the window with a blink as Kishibe's voice cut back in.
"What's your name, boy?"
Kang Woo looked up calmly, offering a small smirk. "Oh Kang Woo."
Kishibe exhaled, tugging his flask out of his coat again. "Call me Kishibe. Strongest Devil Hunter around… though these days…"
He raised the bottle toward the ceiling, smirked without joy.
"My old fang's getting dull. One of these days, something's gonna bite back."
He turned his head slightly toward Kang Woo. "Kang Woo, are you one of Vought's lab proj—"
CREEEAAK.
The door swung open with a loud creak, interrupting the question. A voice slurred in from the hallway.
"I'm hoooome~!"
It was Himeno — the one-eyed, carefree drunkard. Her coat was barely on her shoulders, and a half-empty beer can swayed in one hand. She wobbled into the room like she owned the place.
Aki followed close behind, brows twitching.
"This isn't your home, Himeno-senpai," he muttered under his breath. Then his eyes landed on the unconscious guard near the entrance. "Also, Kishibe-san… why is a guard laid out like a corpse outside?"
Kishibe immediately put two and two together. He didn't even look at Kang Woo — just took a long drink from his flask.
"Probably a drunkard. Like Himeno here."
"Yipeee~" Himeno giggled, clearly not offended. She plopped herself onto a nearby couch and stretched like a cat.
Kishibe turned toward her. "How was the job?"
Himeno waved her hand lazily. "Easy enough. Couple of little guys, nothing wild. Though I did manage to make Aki wear earrings today."
Aki's face turned pink as he adjusted the tiny studs in his ears. "Tch. I only did it so you'd stop annoying me about it."
"Ohhh, but you look cute!" she teased, nudging him with her elbow.
A composed voice drifted into the room, calm and sweet as ever.
"You've grown, Aki-kun," the voice said. "I hope you continue to grow stronger. I can always add more partners for you, if needed."
Everyone turned. Standing at the doorway in her clean office uniform was Makima herself.
The room changed instantly. The air tightened.
Kishibe, who had just seconds ago looked halfway drunk and relaxed, suddenly sat straighter, his hand slipping near his coat pocket.
His thoughts sharpened. The last person I wanted to see today…
He forced a crooked smile and lifted his flask toward her.
"Oh, the liar is back," he muttered dryly. "I was hoping some devils kidnapped you."
Makima tilted her head ever so slightly, smile unchanged.
"How rude, Kishibe. You've been old for too long. Maybe it's time for—"
She stopped. Mid-sentence. Her eyes shifted—
Straight to the man sitting on the nearby bench.
Kang Woo gaze met hers. His eyes changed. He activated the Magic Eyes of Destruction. A ripple of unnatural pressure flickered across the room. His eyes shone . Marked with layered geometric patterns. At the very center of each eye… a single, unmoving dot, black and endless.
Makima's eyes narrowed slightly.
The atmosphere turned cold. A subtle, invisible clash unfolded between them — like two massive predators silently circling, measuring, daring the other to blink first.
Nobody in the room moved. Even Himeno, who had been tipsy and laughing moments before, now sat upright,. Her posture stiffened — frozen in instinctual tension.
Then, without any motion at all, Kang Woo invoked his Authority of the Beholder.
Through the lenses of his eyes, Makima's being unraveled. Her stats appeared instantly in his status window:
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Name: Makima (Control Devil)
WARNING: Has Gaia Support
Level: 23
Awakening Trait
Represents the Concept of Control (Rank: SS)
Note: Powers of the concept have not been fully realized. The special ability has not yet taken full effect.
Stats
Strength: Varies
Vitality: Varies
Agility: 40
Health: Unknown (damage redirected)
Negative Energy: Varies
Intelligence: 100
Luck: 25
Abilities
Telekinesis (commonly activated with the command: "Bang")
Control (access to abilities of individuals/devils she has brainwashed)
Curse Contract (with the Prime Minister of Japan): Any attack on Makima is redirected as harm to random Japanese citizens (accidents, illness, death).
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Kang Woo's thoughts sharpened.
Intelligence… a hundred. Normally, that would mean her mana reserves are Large .
But she doesn't have mana. She has Negative Energy.
A failure — in the eyes of demons and gods alike.
Still… if she were born in a mana-rich world, and given twenty thousand years to learn magic…
She could've been dangerous. Very dangerous. Maybe even able to kill me .
Makima's thoughts, meanwhile, flickered in ways she didn't understand.
Why do I see this man's face so clearly? she thought.
I usually only perceive devils with clarity. Everything else—blurry, vague. Unimportant. I memorize scents, not features.
But this man she saw clearly. His face. His shape. . And… he's handsome.
Still, she said nothing. And neither did Kang Woo.
But then A flicker of movement in Kang Woo's eyes.
His gaze drifted… just slightly… as if catching something unexpected.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
And in that instant, his Status Window flashed to life:
Status Update
+30 Affection with Makima (30/100):
Makima can see your face clearly, unlike any other human she has encountered.
She differentiates individuals by scent—yours is unlike anything she's ever known.
+50 Reputation with Makima (50/100):
Makima has never encountered someone like you in her long existence.
She may reconsider her original plan to create a controlled utopia of her own.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Kang Woo smiled—just barely.
Did I just charm the Control Devil?Very funny.Lilith—my wife on paper, not by love—has always said my face was too handsome for mortals. I thought she was exaggerating.Guess she had a point.
Makima noticed the shift. His expression. That slight grin. His eyes moving somewhere else.
Her brow furrowed ever so slightly. "…Is something funny—"
She didn't get to finish. Kang Woo reached forward casually and flicked her forehead.
CLACK!
The sound was light, but it echoed louder than it should've.
Makima's eyes widened just a little—caught off guard.
"It's rude," Kang Woo said with a crooked grin, "to stare at a gentleman like that."
Kishibe took a subtle step back, one hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his knife.
Himeno, wide-eyed, gulped hard and thought, Oh shit.
Aki's eyes burned with sudden anger. He stepped forward sharply, one hand already drawing his blade with practiced ease.
he growled, voice tight. "That's Makima-san my boss . Watch your Attitude chunii ."
But before he could act further—Makima smiled.
It wasn't her usual smile. It held something… different. A flicker of embarrassment, a touch of genuine reaction that was all too human.
She brought a hand lightly to her forehead, rubbing the spot where Kang Woo had flicked her.
"It's supposed to be my line, chuniiiii," makima muttered with an exaggerated sigh, trying to regain control of the moment.
Then it hit her. Her heart. . A flutter.
Makima's eyes twitched slightly as she felt… something.
Did I just get embarrassed? Did I actually want to mock someone back like a normal girl?I rarely—no, never—lose my cool. So what is this?
Her gaze slowly returned to Kang Woo, now tinged with something different—confusion… and a hint of curiosity.
This man... he's really getting on my nerves.And somehow... he's making me feel things I shouldn't.
Across the room, Kishibe and Himeno exchanged glances. Himeno, still stunned, leaned in and whispered.
"Kishibe-san… did I just dream that?" she murmured. "Makima-san—the most stoic, commander we know—just lost her cool?"
Kishibe smirked faintly, scratching his chin, but kept his voice low. He didn't reveal what he truly knew—that she was the Control Devil herself. That secret wasn't one to be thrown around.
"Looks like she got lovestruck, . "Makima, the one who always dominates… just got—"
Makima's voice cut through the room . "Shut up. Both of you.."
The glare she threw their way could've stopped time. Even Aki flinched.
She turned again to glare at Kang Woo—ready to reassert her control, her tone rising.
"And you—don't think you can just do this to—"
But he was gone. The spot where Kang Woo stood just moments ago was empty.. She rushed to the window, scowling— And there he was.
Standing casually just outside on the street, hands in his pockets, his coat fluttering with the wind. Kang Woo looked up toward the window and gave a lazy wave.
Makima's eye twitched again. "…That bastard," she muttered.
But as soon as his hand lowered, Kang Woo activated his power.
A low hum resonated through the air—then came the snap of raw energy. From behind him, three pairs of enhanced demonic wings exploded outward: Blackened Wings. The feathers shimmered like voidstuff, and underneath, red-burning undersides pulsed — like coals beneath onyx.
The pressure rippled across the street. A few birds scattered. The light poles flickered. Dust spiraled around his boots as he crouched slightly, preparing to launch like a black comet into the sky.
Inside the building, Makima stared through the transparent glass.
"…He's not an illusionist," she murmured.
"What was that?" Kishibe asked, glancing over.
Makima didn't take her eyes off Kang Woo. "When you talked to him earlier—he made things disappear. Did you notice?"
Kishibe sighed. "Uh huh. Said something about running a circus on the ninth level of every world. I stopped asking after that."
Himeno blinked. "Wait, wait, wait—what are those wings?! Is that a contract? He has a deal with the Bird Devil or something? But I only know of the Bat Devil…"
No one had an answer. Outside, Kang Woo flexed his legs slightly. Blackened Wings flared brighter as his body charged with kinetic power, preparing to tear through the sky.
But then—
"STOP!" Aki's voice rang out, cutting the tension.
Kang Woo paused, brows lifting slightly as he stood upright again, wings still humming with energy.
He tilted his head, glancing back toward the boy running toward him.
"…Hmm?" he said, eyes calm. And just like that, the launch was delayed.
Aki stopped in front of him, breath tight, blade lowered but eyes sharp.
"Apologize to Makima-san. You disrespected her," he said, jaw tense.
Kang Woo blinked once, then slowly turned his gaze back to the window where Makima still watched from the first floor. His expression shifted into a teasing grin.
"I think…" Kang Woo said lazily, "she was very much enjoying the flick to the forehead. Isn't that right, ehh… Makima?"
Inside, Makima's brows twitched. Her response was silent but sharp — she raised her middle finger toward Kang Woo, her mouth tugging into a pout… mixed with the faintest hint of a smile.
Kishibe gave a short exhale, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Uhh yeahhh… the Makima-san everyone fears,"
he muttered loud enough to be heard, "looks like Makima-san was—" He didn't get to finish.
Makima appeared beside him in a blur, already pressing a finger pistol gently against his side, right into his ribs.
"Shh," she whispered, smiling too pleasantly. "Grown-ups are talking."
Kishibe didn't flinch. He just chuckled, raising both hands lazily.
"All right then… tsundere," he said with a smirk.
But Aki wasn't laughing. He stepped forward, sword raised, expression stern.
"No. I'm not satisfied with that, "Until I get your apology, you're under arrest."
Kang Woo tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting with dry amusement. Then, with a casual motion, he dismissed his wings — the burning glow fading into the wind.
"A duel, huh?" he murmured. "Winner gets what he wants. Fine then, Aki Hayakawa."
Aki's eyes narrowed. "…How do you know my name? We just met. I don't even know yours."
"You can call me Kang Woo," kang woo replied smoothly, one hand still in his pocket. "As for how I know your name…" He shrugged. "Let's just say… if, by some miracle, in all of the fucking realms across the worlds , you were supported by the one of the Pantheon Gods themselves—"
He smiled wider, teeth flashing. "…and you still managed to win… then maybe I'll tell you."
There was a pause. Aki's grip tightened.
"…pantheon Gods?" Himeno echoed from inside the building, blinking in confusion.
She turned toward Makima. "What the hell are those?"
Makima's expression stayed neutral as ever.
"Don't ask me," she said flatly, her eyes didn't leave Kang Woo.
Out on the street, Kang Woo adjusted his stance just slightly, hand still in his pocket.
His eyes gleamed faintly.
Authority of the Beholder: Activate.
In a single flicker of insight, their statuses briefly flashed before him:
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Name: Aki Hayakawa
Level: 4
Devil Contract: Curse Devil, Fox Devil
Name: Himeno
Level: 3
Devil Contract: Ghost Devil
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Kang Woo didn't bother digging further. He just wanted the surface numbers.
Tch. Still too green.
Aki didn't wait for an answer. Without a sound, he lunged — blade drawn, sharp and direct.
But to Kang Woo… it was Painfully slow.
With minimal effort, Kang Woo shifted his weight half a step back. The blade sliced through empty air, missing his face by several inches.
Wind trailed behind Aki's strike.
Kang Woo almost bored . "You're swinging it like a stick ,"
Aki growled under his breath and came in again — another slash, tighter, faster.
But Kang Woo slipped through each strike like drifting fog. Every movement was efficient, dismissive, like swatting away an insect.
"You do realize," Kang Woo said mid-dodge, his voice carrying a lazy menace, "the man upstairs — the mercurial snake — is laughing at us right now?"
Aki's eyes narrowed. "You talk too much."
He spotted an opening. Kang Woo's guard dropped — just for a second. Aki surged low and fast, blade sweeping toward Kang Woo's knee.
But Kang Woo's leg moved first. THWACK!
The kick hit center mass. Aki's body folded around the impact, a sharp gasp escaping his mouth as he staggered back, choking. "Ghh—!"
From the doorway, Himeno gasped.
Her eyes widened at the sight of Aki in pain — instinct fired through her. She stepped outside immediately, teeth gritted, her hand hovering near her eyepatch.
She didn't summon the Ghost Devil yet… but she was ready.
Ready to back Aki up.
Aki gritted his teeth, blood still in his throat, and made a quick hand sign — his trump card. The Dog Seal.
Makima, now stepping outside as well, called out sharply, "Aki. . You don't need to do that. I didn't mind that person named Kang Woo flicking me.". "It was my fault."
But Aki didn't stand down. He glared at Kang Woo with fierce determination. "Kon!"
A circle of shadows erupted in front of him — and with a roar, the giant head of the Fox Devil surged from the ether, jaws wide, ready to snap down and devour Kang Woo whole.
Kang Woo simply raised his left hand. "Jikkai."
The word rang like a divine decree. Suddenly, glowing script — ancient, crackling with demonic power — formed over his palm. The Commandment of Love activated.
A wave pulsed from him. Invisible, but absolute. Everyone in its radius staggered. Even Aki's knees nearly buckled. A suffocating emotion surged in their hearts — not love, but a warped distortion of it. A condition that rejected hatred itself. Those who bore hatred, who raised weapons with malice — instantly felt their strength drain away.
It was like their bodies refused to move under the burden of contradiction.
Only Makima , Kishibe , and himeno remained untouched — observing from the edge,
The Fox Devil hesitated mid-lunge.
Its massive head trembled. And then… it stopped.
The beast's eyes — once primal and ravenous — widened in terror. It stared at Kang Woo, as though beholding something ancient. Something sovereign.
The massive fox head trembled,. Its eyes widened, pupils shrinking as if recognizing something it should never have seen. The air around Kang Woo felt heavier .
Kang Woo stepped forward, calm and unhurried. His eyes locked onto the beast's trembling gaze.
"You seem to know about me," Do you?"
The Fox Devil form lowered slightly in a submissive bow, voice careful, trembling. "Only by rumors,. But I… I recognize your presence. Please… forgive my transgression. I beg you, do not destroy me."
Kang Woo tilted his head just slightly, satisfied with the response. " That makes things easier," he said. "You're the one under contract with that boy, correct?"
"Yes," the Fox Devil replied instantly. "Each time he calls me, I consume a small part of his flesh in exchange."
"I see," Kang Woo muttered. "That's going to change. From now on, you will obey Aki without question. You will not require payment. No flesh. No bargain. His will… is your law. Do you understand?"
The Fox Devil's entire body shuddered, the pressure unbearable.
"Yes! I understand, Lord A—"
The words moment the Fox Devil nearly spoke it — that name — the mood around Kang Woo soured violently.
A low, rumbling growl rose from the earth itself. A burst of hellblaze, black flame darker than shadow, erupted behind Kang Woo in a swirling pillar. Out of it stepped a monstrous hound, wreathed in corrupted fire, jaws snapping with infernal hunger. Its mere presence scorched the air — a beast of annihilation forged in wrath.
At the same time, Mikhail's voice rang cold and furious from the Eye nestled in Kang Woo's left palm. "Fool."
Branch-like protrusions shot forth from the skin surrounding the Eye of Mikhail, lashing outward in a sudden cage of jagged vines that snapped and curled around the Fox Devil's massive frame.
Mikhail's voice crackled with fury. "Do you want to be banished to the Never return? Speak that name again, and you will follow Verloren the traitor into oblivion. "
The Fox Devil whimpered, bowing deeper, its head pressed fully to the ground. "I-I understand! Forgive me, noble one! It won't happen again!"
Kang Woo gave no immediate response. He only stared, eyes unreadable — until the black fire calmed and the hellhound stepped back into his shadow .
Then, coldly: "Remember this fear. Now go."
Kang Woo slowly lowered his hand. The sigil of the Commandment — the invisible law etched into reality — faded into nothing..
Aki gasped faintly as the weight in his chest vanished. His muscles relaxed. His body straightened. He stood fully upright now — back to full strength, sweat clinging to his brow.
Kang Woo turned toward him with a faint smirk. "good news, I believe you've just gained full control over the Fox Devil. . She obeys now."
Aki blinked, still catching his breath, nodding once. "…Thanks, I think."
Makima, standing slightly aside, narrowed her eyes. She had observed everything — the orb, the pressure, the reaction of devils. She didn't speak immediately, but her voice eventually came — cool, curious.
"I see. That orb you summoned. it doesn't just affect the body. It strikes at the heart. But… it needs a condition to activate, doesn't it?"
Before Kang Woo could respond, something lashed out from his side. The vine-like protrusions from the Eye of Mikhail snapped again, but this time they surged toward Makima, curling with swift aggression .
Mikhail's voice rang sharp and ancient. "Low creature… you dare question the will of the Noble One? You need to know your place—!"
Kang Woo smacked his own left palm hard, fingers cracking against the flesh just above the Eye.
"Enough," he said with a tired glare. "You're spooking everyone. Back to sleep, you annoying eyeball."
The vines froze. Mikhail's voice grumbled in indignation. "…As you wish, Master. But I still don't trust her."
Kang Woo exhaled. "No one is meant to be trusted. Trust is only something earned. Never given."
The eye blinked once in silence… then sealed shut. The protrusions retracted. The flesh of Kang Woo's palm returned to normal, smooth and mundane.