Makima leaned back, crossing her arms. "Sometimes. They're more obedient than you."
Then her eyes flicked toward his left hand — toward the eye embedded in his palm. Her tone shifted, sharper.
"First, I need to confirm. Third time's the charm. And this time — in front of Kang Woo."
She leaned slightly forward.
"Mikhail. I know you can hear me, you red eyeball. Kang Woo's power… it's never been about Zaiphon, right?"
The eye flared — glowing crimson as the presence behind it stirred.
A voice emerged — cold, sharp, contemptuous.
"Shut up, low creature. You've already heard it twice. My master's power has never been Zaiphon. So what do you want?"
Makima held her ground, unbothered. "Good. Then I'll ask the real question."
She turned her gaze back to Kang Woo.
"What is your power, exactly? I've seen too much… but I've never understood it."
Kang Woo didn't speak right away.
Then, without shifting posture, he slowly raised one hand — and answered.
"Hellblaze." In that instant, black fire erupted from his palm.
Makima's eyes widened, but she kept her composure. That flame… the same one that made the Fox Devil bow in submission. The one Kang Woo used to overwrite Aki's contract, to chain the Fox as his servant instead .
Her curiosity sparked further.
She reached out — slowly, tentatively — fingers aiming for the black fire. I need to understand this.
But before her fingertips could brush it, SLAP.
Kang Woo smacked her hand away with a swift flick of the wrist.
"Don't touch it, princess," he said plainly. "Might be dangerous to you."
Makima puffed her cheeks slightly — tsundere irritation surfacing for just a second. "You just shifted topics," she muttered. "Don't act like showing off counts as an answer."
Kang Woo tilted his head, the smirk never leaving his face. "Do you want the short version or the long version?"
Makima exhaled slowly. "How about… the long version."
Kang Woo straightened slightly, clearing his throat with exaggerated flair. "Long ago—"
"Alright, forget it," Makima cut in, rubbing her temple. "Short version."
Kang Woo snapped his fingers with mock satisfaction. "I made it with my own bare hands. BAAM. Hellblaze."
Makima closed her eyes, leaned back against the lounge chair, and released a long breath like a retreat into temporary silence. Her expression softened, but her mind remained in motion.
I only get one more shot… one more question he must answer. But this man… he's too unpredictable. Too slippery.
She didn't notice the quiet glow from Kang Woo's palm, nor the slight shimmer in the air.
From the back of Kang Woo's left hand, Mikhail whispered with quiet amusement. "Master… I think you broke her."
Kang Woo stretched, flexing his hand lazily. "They say the Control Devil is some ancient hag. Can play the long game. But grandma's—"
"I can hear that," Makima snapped, one eye open, voice dry and flat. "Tell your eyeball and your unmedicated mouth to stop talking."
Kang Woo dispersed the black Hellblaze from his palm with a casual flick of his wrist. The air rippled slightly, and Mikhail obediently faded, his presence sealing itself as Zaiphon runes floated lazily around them like dust motes catching artificial starlight.
Makima felt something shift.
Then, right in front of her, glowing red Zaiphon symbols formed into clear, floating script — Kang Woo's handwriting dancing like a projection, teasingly deliberate.
Though you say I mustn't talk, I really like to write.
There are two things I forgot to mention.
First, you have telekinesis you command with your signature hand-pistol gesture — using your index finger and saying, "Bang."
And second…
You might not even realize it yourself,
but you crave an equal relationship…
and a lot of hugs and love.
Makima's brow twitched.
The first line she could accept — Kang Woo had seen her use the gesture, even if it didn't affect him. But the second?
Makima's expression darkened instantly. But she lifted her hand slowly, forming that same familiar pistol shape with her fingers — index pointed, thumb cocked back.
Her voice was low. "…The first one is acceptable. But the second one… that's personal."
Her hand began to lower . Kang Woo was already in motion. He leaned forward, caught her wrist mid-drop, and gently — almost playfully — guided her hand up. His forehead lowered until her extended finger pressed against it.
kang woo voice dropped into a near-whisper. "Do it. You're the type to shoot first, ask questions later… right?"
Makima's hand trembled for just a second before she slowly exhaled, calming herself down. The light around them dimmed, Zaiphon runes finally fading like fireflies in retreat.
Her voice came out dry and scolding, but layered with thinly-veiled irritation.
"…Are you trying to die that badly, huh? A chuunibyou with a god-tier ego — you're the worst type. The I-wanted-to-control-him-but-he'd-rather-die- type. Do you just… live to make my job harder?"
Kang Woo's grin only widened. "Just judging whether you're worthy to become mine."
Makima's eyes twitched. Her finger still rested against his forehead. Then, without warning, she leaned in and whispered softly—
"…Bang."
No telekinetic force. No shattering impact . She hadn't activated anything. didn't even try.
"…Can you let go of my finger now?" she said through tight lips.
Kang Woo gently released her hand without comment.
Then Makima snapped. Her arms shot out — both hands clamped onto Kang Woo's cheeks with iron grip — and she began pulling, squishing, and pinching with furious restraint.
"You… are the most ANNOYING CHUUNIBYOU IDIOT I'VE EVER MET!" she shouted, face flushed, voice cracking from the forced whisper-yelling.
"I hate you! You dragged me to this stupid Citadel full of drunk Ricks! You gave me Denji, like it's some evil move! You talk like a dramatic villain! You were supposed to be under my control—not make me lose my composure! I HATE YOU!"
Kang Woo just let her rant, cheeks pinched sideways into a ridiculous pouty expression — eyes half-lidded, as if this were just another Tuesday.
As Makima finally dropped her arms and slumped back into her chair, red-faced and huffing,
Kang Woo calmly rubbed his now sore cheeks. "…Technically, you've never met a real chuuni before," he said dryly. "Also…"
He tilted his head. "…Aren't you more of a tsun-tsun-tsun-tsun-tsun-dere?"
Makima didn't respond immediately. Her thoughts coiled in quiet disarray.
I hate this guy. But I still want him. What is this feeling…?
Kang Woo clapped his hands once, as if shifting the air itself.
". I'll tell you about my abilities — specifically the Hellblaze part."
Makima immediately perked up, lips twitching into a small, satisfied smirk.
"Also," she added quickly, folding her arms again but clearly invested, "the flying. You flew into Earth's orbit like a black comet. That's not something a devil should do. Maybe Homelander — sure, he's the strongest supe — but you?"
She pointed now. "And don't think I forgot about the portable forge. The one that just appeared out of nowhere and let you craft actual relics like it was a cooking recipe. And then—"
She jabbed a finger at him. "—the Hellblaze."
Kang Woo raised an eyebrow. "Wooh, so many demands. You sure all this will make you happy?"
Makima puffed her cheeks slightly and turned her head with an exaggerated "hmph," voice barely above a mumble. "Yes. They are. Hmph."
Kang Woo stretched his hand out lazily toward the open air.
"Authority of Color combined with Authority of Explosions."
Makima gave him a side glance. "Kang Woo… is your chuuni brain taking over again?"
Before he could even reply—
BOOM. A thunderous burst rocked the air, and the night sky above the Citadel lit up.
Thousands of fireworks exploded like a supernova carnival — vibrant arcs of crimson, violet, and starlight gold cascading across the void. It wasn't just a fireworks display. It was orchestrated madness — each explosion synchronized like musical notes in a grand symphony. Trails of stardust spiraled, curved, then collided mid-air into dazzling glyphs and monstrous flares.
Makima stared — not blinking.
The Citadel sky looked like it was celebrating New Year's Eve, the birth of a galaxy, and the end of time all at once.
Her gaze slowly turned back to him. "You did that , "Didn't you."
Kang Woo leaned back, smug as a star god.
"I have many Authorities. That's my primary suite. I tend to… make use of them."
Makima muttered under her breath. "Still not as crazy as you flying into orbit like a black comet."
Kang Woo smirked.
"Oh? Then how about this—the Forge of the Huldra Brothers itself?"
He snapped his fingers once. , the Portable Forge of the Huldra Brothers materialized beside the table ,
Makima leaned forward slightly. Her expression shifted — not with skepticism, but something close to awe.
"…Huldra Brothers?" she asked softly.
Kang Woo gave a casual nod, gesturing toward the runes.
"Legacy of dwarven blacksmiths who forged weapons for gods — though they themselves were mortal. This forge can craft anything, as long as the material is sufficient."
He met her gaze directly, eyes steady. "Impressive, right?"
Makima squinted at the forge, then let out an exaggerated sigh. "Looks like an old scrapyard to me."
Kang Woo didn't flinch. He simply tilted his head, arms folding with casual certainty.
"And that 'scrapyard' is the one that forged the Ring of Narya — the very one on your finger right now," he said. "That's not some knockoff you'd find in the Citadel's black markets, Makima. And, you sure as hell wouldn't find it in your world. Nobody there could even imagine how to make it."
Makima glanced down at her hand, lips curling ever so slightly.
"But you can find it in Lord of the Rings, Kang Woo, . "I know what the Ring of Narya is. I read it recently."
Kang Woo groaned playfully. "Heyyy, at least give me some credit. I gave you the most beautiful ring in your world can have ."
Makima lifted her hand, studying the red-gold gem. "…And I won't part with it,". . Since you gave it to me."
Kang Woo didn't respond at first. He simply lifted his hand. "Hellblaze."
A sudden hiss echoed as a dark, crackling flame spawned in the center of the table — flickering black with faint purple edges, its heat warping the air but giving off no light.
Makima's eyes narrowed as she stared into it, but she didn't reach forward.
Kang Woo noticed the tension and spoke plainly. "Don't touch it, Makima. It can burn your soul. Kill immortals. And it can't be extinguished — unless I will it."
Makima gave a slow, respectful nod. Her eyes never left the flame.
Kang Woo leaned back slightly, explaining further. "The demon race has it innately. Some species are born with it. Others can obtain it — usually by drinking red demon blood, harvested in hell."
Makima's gaze shifted slightly. "In hell," "there are no demons. Only devils. Each one a manifestation of fear itself. There's no such thing as red demons."
Kang Woo shrugged, as if amused. "Maybe you didn't search enough. Most of your time is spent on Earth now… and not in Hell.". "You're looking through a keyhole and calling it the whole world."