After showcasing the Chaos Excalibur, Kang Woo effortlessly desummoned both it and the Divine Axe Rhitta, their immense energies dissolving into nothingness. His multi-pupiled gaze, cold and piercing, turned toward Fami, the Famine Devil, the mangled Falling Devil, Fumiko, and Yoshida. He grinned faintly, exuding a menace that felt suffocating yet casual, as if merely acknowledging them toyed with their very existence.

Ignoring the tension crackling in the air, Kang Woo extended his hand, conjuring a spiraling staircase with a flick of his fingers. The steps descended from the exposed meeting roomto the city street below. Without a word, he began his descent, his relaxed posture contrasting sharply with the overwhelming aura he left behind. His focus had already shifted, his agenda entirely his own.

Makima followed close behind, her expression cold and unreadable. As she passed the four frozen under Kang Woo's glare, her yellow-ringed eyes narrowed slightly. She paused just long enough to speak, her voice sharp and laced with cruelty.

"See you soon," she said, her tone devoid of warmth.

The disdain in her voice lingered long after she descended the stairs, leaving the four stunned and silent. Their faces were etched with fear and unease, their breaths caught in their throats.

Above, Aki and Himeno exchanged a glance, doubt flickering momentarily in their eyes. Himeno took a slow drag from her cigarette, exhaling the smoke as if to steady herself.

Suddenly, Makima's voice broke the silence . "Are you both coming or not?"

Aki smiled faintly, his resolve solidifying as he adjusted his sword. "Looks like we're moving," he said.

Himeno smirked, flicking her cigarette away. "There's our cue."

The two followed, descending into the unknown behind Makima and Kang Woo. Also kobeni mysteriously disappeared .

Meanwhile, in the exposed meeting room above, the tension refused to dissipate. Fumiko, her face pale but her voice steady, broke the silence. "I say we ambush them when the time is—"

Before she could finish, the Falling Devil lunged at her, her half-regenerated form radiating malice. Wrapping her fingers tightly around Fumiko's throat, she lifted her off the ground, her voice trembling with panic and rage.

"ARE YOU FUCKING OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" she screeched, her voice cracking with terror. "You want that monster to bring back the horrifying nightmares from the sky AGAIN?! He spared us, all right, and THAT'S A FUCKING MIRACLE!"

Fumiko choked, clawing at the Falling Devil's grip, her eyes wide with panic. Yoshida stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. "Fami, can you control your slave?"

Fami sighed, unfazed, and issued a curt command. "That's enough, my slave."

The Falling Devil turned her glare toward Fami, venom dripping from her voice. "If you ask me to fight against that monster, I'll kill you first, Master."

Fami hesitated but ultimately nodded. The Falling Devil released Fumiko, letting her collapse to the ground, gasping for air. Without another word, the Falling Devil shrank back into her miniature statue form, her expression frozen in silent fury.

Yoshida's sharp gaze turned to Fami, demanding answers. "What the hell was Kang Woo talking about with the Death Devil?"

Fami took a deep breath, her tone measured but uneasy. "It's about Nostradamus' prophecy. The Death Devil is said to descend around 2020. And just like Kang Woo mentioned, I intended to utilize one of our sisters—the War Devil. She's the easiest to manipulate. All we'd need to do is wage war everywhere to draw out her full power so she can contend with the Death Devil. The Chainsaw Devil was supposed to be our ultimate assurance—since any devil consumed by the Chainsaw Devil has their concept erased permanently."

Kishibe, standing in the corner, let out a dry chuckle, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Huh. Now I get it. But from where I'm standing, that complicated countermeasure isn't necessary anymore." His sharp gaze shifted toward Kang Woo, who continued walking with his group. "Not when there's something far worse already here."

Fami's tone grew bitter, her fear barely masked beneath a thin veneer of composure. "That's no man, nor a mere devil. More like a monster that shouldn't exist in this world at all." Her voice wavered slightly as her thoughts spilled out. "The Falling Devil—one of the primal devils—bowed to him, completely submissive. She's terrified of him, and it's clear she'll keep her mouth shut about what happened. Whatever that being is... this Kang Woo..." She paused, her voice trembling. "Depending on his mood, I believe he could kill the Death Devil. His power, his unpredictability, and that ability to summon anything at will—from that Chaos Excalibur to that nightmare sky—it's all a reflection of his anger. That's not power belong to this world ; that's something catastrophic."

Kishibe's eyes narrowed as he scanned the room, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. He noticed something. "The Hell Devil, Angel Devil, Fox Devil... even Princi, the Spider Devil... all missing." He exhaled slowly, his tone sharper now. "Looks like most of the ones who got contracted by Kang Woo have decided to follow him. Figures. He's not just pulling strings; he's replacing the entire damn orchestra."

Kishibe exhaled a puff of smoke, his sharp eyes narrowing as he shifted his gaze toward Fumiko and Yoshida. "Don't think this makes us allies," he said bluntly, his voice low and firm. "I won't forget what the Prime Minister said about 'the greater good,' and I damn sure won't forget the betrayals of the past. I've seen too much to trust anyone—especially you two."

He took a step forward, his calm yet commanding presence cutting through the residual tension. "But here's the thing," he continued, his tone laced with deliberate weight. "We've got a common problem now, and it needs fixing. The way I see it, I've spent my life building countermeasures—against devils, against Makima, and now..." He gestured toward the stairs Kang Woo had descended , his hand flicking the cigarette. "Against the man who sold me Compound V and promised to repay the favor he owes me by injecting Public Safety Devil Hunters with the adult version of Compound V."

Kishibe flicked the ash off his cigarette, his tone sharpening. "I appreciate that, but I'll do whatever it takes to make sure we don't all get wiped off the map. Call it survival instinct." His gaze turned back to Kang Woo, who was far away now. He took in the enormity of the situation and added, "You're too dangerous, Kang Woo. You grow too fast, and the people you're bringing into your fold make it even harder to predict what's coming next."

He smirked faintly, then shifted his attention back to Fumiko and Yoshida, his eyes hardening. "For now, at least, we have common goals. We need countermeasures against him."

Suddenly, a massive door materialized behind Kishibe,and from it emerged a grotesque six-fingered hand and a maw filled with jagged teeth. The Hell Devil spoke . "I'm still here, human named Kishibe. As the noble one has commanded, I remain to protect you—even against him. However..." The devil paused, its jagged teeth clicking together ominously. "If you truly intend to fight him... if it's to the death... I will not help you. I value my life too much."

Kishibe glanced at the grotesque figure, unfazed. He took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling smoke through his nose as if processing the information. "Noted," he replied coolly, his tone carrying no trace of fear, only quiet acceptance. "Can't say I blame you."

With that, Kishibe turned and began descending the staircase Kang Woo had created. As Yoshida moved to follow, the stairs cracked beneath his feet, refusing to let him step on them. Yoshida recoiled, frowning in frustration, while Kishibe glanced back briefly, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Kang Woo doesn't consider me a threat at all. But the moment he's pissed at someone, he won't forget, Kishibe mused. That guy has a way of making it clear where you stand.

He continued his descent, the weight of the recent chaos lingering in the air, but his demeanor remained steadfast. Unshaken, he headed toward his own business, leaving the others behind.

Back in the meeting room, Prime Minister Kentaro stood frozen, still pale and shaken from the ordeal. The silence was abruptly broken by the sound of the door sliding open. A maid stepped in, her expression concerned yet composed. "Sir, there are reporters gathering outside. They've seen the man called Kang Woo leaving the building. They're rushing toward this place. Should I call law enforcement to manage the situation? You... you look very pale, sir."

Kentaro shook himself from his stupor and straightened up, forcing a semblance of composure. "No need. I'll address them immediately," he said, his tone firm but betraying an underlying unease.

Kentaroturned his gaze toward Yoshida and Fumiko, who stood nearby. "It's time for you to leave. I need to handle the crowds, and I need you to do me a favor," Kentaro said, his expression hardening. His voice grew more serious, the weight of the situation apparent. "Avoid further interactions with Makima and her... monster. If he gets pissed off, it's all over."

Yoshida nodded, his usual calm demeanor steady as he acknowledged the warning. He nudged Fumiko with his elbow, urging her to move. Fumiko, still clutching the wound inflicted by Aki and Himeno, glared at the floor with a mix of frustration and pain. After a moment, she let out a reluctant sigh and muttered, "Yes, I understand," though her tone was sharp, clearly masking her anger.

With a final glance at Kentaro, the two exited, leaving the Prime Minister to face the growing crowd of reporters. As the door shut behind them, Kentaro's composure faltered momentarily, and he let out a shaky breath. His gaze then shifted to Fami, who remained standing, eerily calm amidst the tension.

Kentaro's glare hardened. "You," he said, his voice low and accusatory. "You brought this here. You knew about that monster, didn't you? And still, you—"

Fami didn't flinch. She moved toward the ground, picking up the miniature form of the Falling Devil statue. Her expression was detached, but her eyes glinted with something unreadable. Without a word, she snapped her fingers, and in an instant, she and the statue disappeared, teleporting away instantly .

Kentaro stared at the empty space where Fami had stood, his hands trembling slightly. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to regain composure.

The streets of Tokyo buzzed with the hum of emergency vehicles and the muted chaos of a city trying to recover their sanity as theunimaginable destruction now vanished instantly . Kang Woo strolled through the the panic Tokyo cityas if taking a casual walk, his hands tucked into his pockets. Behind him, Makima followed with her calm, calculating steps . Aki and Himeno trailed close, their postures tense but resolved.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the lingering silence.

"Oyyy, Kang Woo! My contractor, are you forgetting our deal?!" The Angel Devil's voice carried a mix of irritation and mockery as they appeared from behind, arms crossed in feigned indignation. "You suddenly left me with those old men in suits! What kind of partner does that?"

Kang Woo stopped in his tracks, turning his head slightly with a faint smirk. "If I stayed for another minute in that exposed meeting room," he said, his tone dry but laced with amusement, "I might've sunk Japan and turned it into the next Atlantis. So, I left. You're welcome."

The Angel Devil blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Kang Woo's nonchalant remark, before throwing his hands up. "Unbelievable. You can't just—"

Before they could finish, Aki interjected, his voice sharp with exasperation. "Aren't your theatrics by summoning monsters in the sky already enough?"

Kang Woo turned fully, his crimson multi-pupiled eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light. His grin widened, exposing a hint of mischief. "Nope."

Makima chuckled softly, her voice smooth and teasing as she addressed Aki. "Aki-kun, you need to open your mind if you want to deal with him."

Aki's expression soured, his frustration barely contained. "Open my mind? That's easy for you to say. You're the one encouraging him."

Himeno stepped in with a smirk, lighting a cigarette. "Relax, Aki. You might actually learn something from the guy. Or… he'll just drive you insane first." She exhaled a puff of smoke, her tone light but carrying a hint of sarcasm.

The Angel Devil sighed dramatically, waving his hand as if to dismiss the tension. "Fine, whatever. But next time, don't leave me behind. Do you even know how boring those bureaucrats are? They think their egos can scare me. Spoiler alert—they can't."

Kang Woo gave a small laugh, the sound low and rumbling. "Noted. But if you want me to take you seriously, don't complain about suits when you wear one so casually."

The group moved forward, their dynamic a mix of tension and banter. Above them, the sky, now clear of the eldritch horrors, seemed to mock the destruction that had just been erased.

Makima's gaze flickered toward Kang Woo, her expression unreadable as she observed him interacting so effortlessly with the group. "So, what's next, my King?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of curiosity.

Before kang woo gonna answer , The rain came suddenly, a soft drizzle turning into a steady downpour that soaked the streets of Tokyo.

Himeno let out a dramatic groan, staring at the sky as drops extinguished the faint glow of her cigarette. "Ahh, my cigarette time is snuffed out. Rain usually means something's happening. Maybe Japan really will turn into Atlantis—though, to be honest, I still don't know what Atlantis even is," she joked, a sly grin on her face.

Aki gave her a flat look, brushing water off his face. "Himeno-senpai, are you drunk?"

Himeno smirked, tossing the wet cigarette aside. "Not yet, but I will be drunk tonight," she teased, her tone as carefree as the rain cascading around her.

Makima, unfazed by the sudden weather, raised a hand. With a flicker of darkness manipulation, a sleek, shadowy umbrella materialized above Kang Woo, shielding him from the rain. "Here," she said softly, her yellow-ringed eyes meeting his.

Kang Woo glanced at the umbrella, then shook his head with a faint smile. "No need. I want to feel the rain this time. Let it embrace me."

Without hesitation, Makima snapped her fingers, the umbrella dissolving into nothing. She stood beside him, her pristine composure untouched as the rain soaked through her hair and clothes. "Then I'll embrace it too," she said, dismissing any semblance of protection.

Makima's fingers twitched again, and umbrellas appeared above Aki, Himeno, and the Angel Devil, the dark constructs shielding them from the relentless downpour.

Himeno smirked, peeking up at her new shadowy shield. "Makima, you're really helpful, you know that?" she teased, her tone carrying a playful edge.

Makima didn't respond, her focus remaining on Kang Woo as the two of them stood side by side, rain cascading down their faces. For a moment, the chaotic energy surrounding them seemed to quiet, leaving only the sound of rain pattering against the empty streets.

The Angel Devil sighed, casually spinning the umbrella with their finger. "You two enjoying your dramatic moment or something?"

Himeno chuckled. "Let them have it. It's not every day you see a maniac enjoying a walk in the rain."

Aki shook his head, muttering under his breath, This group is going to drive me insane.

Suddenly, a voice broke the calm, muttering to itself as it approached. "If I remember correctly, the forecast said noon with clear skies… But before this, I saw those monstrosities covering the sky."

A young woman rounded the corner, her gaze fixed on the ground until she accidentally bumped into Kang Woo. She stumbled back, freezing when her eyes met his. His three-pupiled crimson gaze, surrounded by dark sclera, bore into her like a force of nature. She gulped, her thoughts spiraling in panic. Why do his eyes look just like the monsters covering the sky earlier?

The woman raised her hands defensively, her voice trembling. "Sir, please don't kill me if I've offended you! I'm terribly—"

Before she could finish, Himeno burst into laughter, doubling over. "Huahahaha! Kang Woo, my guess was right! You really do look like a monster now."

Kang Woo's gaze lingered on the woman for a moment, then softened. His eyes returned to their normal state—one pupil glowing crimson—his sclera shifting back to white. In his thoughts, he assessed the woman. This is Reze. Probably shouldn't terrify her on our first meeting.

With calm movements, Kang Woo bent down to pick up a discarded plastic bottle from the ground. Holding it in his hands, he closed his palms together. When he opened them again, a small, delicate bunny made of pure white fur sat in his hands, twitching its nose.

The woman gasped, her fear melting into surprise and awe. "Wahhhh, mister, you're not too scary after all! And you can do street performer tricks like a magician! I wonder if magic is real…"

Makima watched the scene unfold, her gaze lingering on Kang Woo. Her thoughts, however, were far from lighthearted. My King deactivated his Almighty and created life from a trash bottle. His reality warping is both terrifying and beautiful—an unfathomable balance, depending entirely on his mood.

Kang Woo handed the bunny to the woman without a word, his expression unreadable. She hesitated but carefully cradled the tiny creature in her hands, her earlier panic forgotten.

"You're… amazing," she whispered, her voice tinged with admiration and confusion. After a pause, she added, "My name is Reze, and you, mister, managed to capture this young girl's attention."

Reze glanced at the rain falling steadily around them and continued, "Still raining, huh? Mister, how about you come to the café where I work? Futamichi. I'll treat you as thanks—"

Before she could finish, Kang Woo ignored her, raising his hand to craft something out of thin air. A faint hum resonated as a negative energy detector materialized in his palm, glowing faintly before an arrow appeared above his head, pointing off into the distance. Without hesitation, Kang Woo began walking forward, his focus entirely on the arrow.

Makima followed his lead, turning slightly to Reze. "Thank you, but as you can see, my King is busy," she said with a polite but distant tone.

Aki raised an eyebrow, glancing at the glowing arrow above Kang Woo's head. "Not the strangest thing I've seen today," he muttered.

Himeno chuckled, lighting another cigarette despite the rain. "I've changed my mind. He really could create a hundred beers if he wanted." She nudged Aki with her elbow. "Aki, we've got to ask Kang Woo how to spawn beers and cigarettes. It's practically a life skill at this point."

Aki sighed. "Sure, sure, Himeno-senpai. Whatever you say."

The Angel Devil, following behind, spoke in their usual sarcastic tone. " Is my contractor finally going to grant what we agreed on, or is he just finding new ways to prolong it?"

As the group moved further away, already three meters from Reze, she called out, raising her voice to ensure she was heard over the rain. "Mr. Kang Woo, I'm going to treat you if you come to my café! You better come, all right, Mr. Kang Woo?"

Makima turned her head slightly toward Kang Woo, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "That Reze woman could be a candidate for your harem," she teased smoothly. "Or perhaps your second wife or concubine. As your first wife, it's my duty to sort out what kind of co-wives are worthy of being by your side."

Kang Woo's expression remained calm, though his lips curved into a faint grin. "Priorities first. I need to find the largest source of negative energy or a conduit nearby."

As the group continued forward, the negative energy detector in Kang Woo's hand suddenly began emitting a distinct sound: thuuut, thuuut, thuuut, thuuut. His gaze locked onto the building ahead of them. It was none other than Futamichi Café.

Makima raised an eyebrow, her teasing smirk deepening. "Are you here to hunt for women, or are you sticking to your priorities?"

Kang Woo's grin widened slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Both, actually. Bonus and luck come to the winner."

The group exchanged glances, Aki shaking his head while Himeno stifled a laugh. The Angel Devil sighed, muttering under his breath. "This is going to be a long day…"

Suddenly, a faint whoosh echoed through the rain as Kobeni approached from a distance, skating effortlessly across the wet streets using her ice abilities—a gift granted to her by Kang Woo. Her usually timid voice rang out as she neared. "Kang Woo! I'm sorry for leaving you with those suits in the meeting room. They were… really annoying."

Kobeni came to a halt, her cheeks slightly flushed from exertion and nerves. "But to make up for it…" She opened her bag, revealing a neatly packed container. "I managed to create the best ramen I've ever made!"

Kang Woo's expression softened slightly as he reached out and ruffled Kobeni's hair, his touch surprisingly gentle. "The best chef in the world, and now you're on Uraume's tier. I see," he said with a grin.

Kobeni blinked in confusion, her face turning redder. "Uraume? Who's that?"

Kang Woo waved it off casually. "Forget about it. What matters is that your ice abilities are showing very good mastery now. Impressive."

Kobeni's lips quivered as she nodded, her embarrassment apparent. "Th-thank you, Kang Woo…"

Makima, watching the interaction with a smirk, chimed in, her tone laced with teasing. "I guess Reze is going to be your third wife, then."

Kang Woo glanced at Makima, his grin returning. "Probably," he replied .

Kobeni's face turned even redder as she fumbled with the ramen container, unsure of how to respond.

Himeno, meanwhile, leaned over to Aki, chuckling softly. "I swear, he's collecting wives like it's a hobby. What's next, an official roster?"

Aki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm not even going to try to make sense of this anymore."

Kang Woo's grin lingered as the group entered the cozy but somewhat dimly lit café. The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the sound of rain outside, giving the place a melancholic charm.

Behind the counter, the café's boss, a grizzled older man with a towel slung over his shoulder, looked up from wiping a mug. "Welcome. Just so you know, we're short on waitstaff right now, so if you order, you'll have to pick up your food at the counter."

Kang Woo ignored the explanation, his gaze sharp as he scanned the place. "How much for this café?"

The boss froze mid-wipe, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What?!" In his thoughts, panic and confusion swirled. Is there seriously someone interested in buying this place? To be honest, business has been terrible. The only thing keeping this afloat is Reze bringing in a few customers.

Kang Woo snapped his fingers sharply, the sound echoing through the room. "Yo, eyes on me. I asked—how much for this café?"

The boss hesitated, his hands gripping the counter. "Fifteen million yen," he said finally, his voice trembling slightly. "That includes the property and furnishings."

Himeno's eyes narrowed as she stepped forward, jabbing a finger toward the boss. "Are you kidding? This place barely gets any customers! You're ripping him off, you cheapskate!"

The boss smirked, his confidence suddenly returning. "That's my price. Take it or leave it," he said, crossing his arms, though the sweat forming on his brow betrayed his unease.

Before Himeno could retort, Kang Woo calmly raised a hand. With a flick of his wrist, a heavy thud reverberated through the room as a 2-kilogram gold bar embedded itself into the wall beside the boss, sinking partway into the wood.

The café fell silent. The boss's mouth hung open as he stared at the gleaming gold, his face pale.

Kang Woo's dark sclera eyes glowed faintly as he spoke, his voice low and commanding. "That's my offer. Take it or leave it."

The boss swallowed hard, realizing the weight of the situation. "Y-yes, sir," he stammered, quickly straightening. "Let me prepare the documents right away." He scurried toward the back, his bravado completely deflated.

Himeno leaned back, crossing her arms with a satisfied smirk. "Now that's how you handle cheapskates." She glanced at Aki, grinning. "You taking notes, Aki?"

Aki sighed, shaking his head. "At this point, nothing surprises me anymore."

Makima's calm voice broke through. "That gold bar is two kilograms and of very high quality. At current rates, it's probably worth around 29 million yen." She glanced at Kang Woo with an arched brow. "From what I see, you just paid nearly double the café's asking price. Quite over the top."

Himeno blinked, her smirk faltering slightly. "Ehh? Then what's the point of—"

Kang Woo interrupted, his tone casual yet deliberate. "Dramatic entrance first. Money can come later."

Makima nodded knowingly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "As expected."

Himeno rubbed the back of her neck, her expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "I swear, everything about you is unnecessarily extra."

Reze pushed open the door to Futamichi Café, mumbling under her breath as droplets of rain rolled off her dress . "Yeah, yeah, cheapskate… You'll probably cut off my payment next…" Her voice trailed off when she saw the scene before her.

The café boss stood behind the counter, a stack of official documents in his hands, which he promptly handed over to Kang Woo. The man's posture was stiff, his face pale with a mix of irritation and submission.

Reze blinked, confused. "Uh… did I just miss something while I was walking in the rain?"

The café boss glanced at her, then gestured toward Kang Woo. "This man will be your new owner, Reze. He just bought the café."

Reze's jaw slackened as she struggled to process the information. "Wait… what? With what, exactly, boss?"

The man sighed and pointed toward the two-kilogram gold bar still embedded in the wall, glinting under the dim café lights.

Reze's thoughts spiraled as she stared at the gold. Is Kang Woo really that rich? No wonder he ignored me when I said I'd treat him. I was offering him a free coffee when he could probably buy the whole district…

Meanwhile, Kang Woo sat at one of the café tables, seemingly staring at empty air. To anyone else, his expression appeared vacant, but in reality, he was examining his shop inventory, visible only to him .

Makima sat beside him, her posture poised and calm. She casually observed the café, her expression neutral but her thoughts sharp. Even now, my King's mind is leagues ahead. Everything he does is deliberate.

The café boss cleared his throat awkwardly, holding out the stack of documents. "Here it is—the deed and all the rights to Futamichi Café. I hope you have great success with it."

Kang Woo, however, didn't even acknowledge him, his gaze still fixed on his invisible interface. The boss's eye twitched, irritation creeping into his demeanor as he muttered under his breath. "At least say something, you—"

Makima's sharp voice cut him off, cold and commanding. "If you value your life, do not disturb him." She turned her yellow-ringed eyes toward the man, her calm tone carrying an edge of finality. "Thank you for your service. I believe it's time for you to leave."

The café boss stiffened, swallowing hard. "O-of course," he stammered.

The café bossturned toward the gold bar embedded in the wall, gripping it tightly in an attempt to pull it out. His efforts were in vain, the bar unmoving,What the…? It won't budge. What kind of devilis this? he thought, his frustration mounting.

Himeno, watching from the side, burst out laughing. "Huaahahaha! That's what you get, cheapskate! No strength to pull it out—it's karma. Allow me, the lucky woman, to pull off anything!"

Stepping forward, she gripped the gold bar confidently, putting her back into it. "Here we go!" she exclaimed, tugging with all her might. After a few moments of struggle, she froze, staring at the unyielding bar. "Ehh? It won't move either!"

Aki smirked, unable to resist teasing her. "Himeno-senpai, it looks like the gold bar doesn't take kindly to drunkards."

Himeno shot him a glare. "Oh, shut up, Aki." She crossed her arms in defiance, then gestured toward him. "If you think you're so great, you try pulling it out!"

With a sigh, Aki stepped forward, gripping the bar with both hands. After a few moments of futile effort, he stepped back, adjusting his suit. "It's not about muscles, Himeno. This thing just doesn't want to move."

Himeno grinned slyly. "Sounds like someone who doesn't have enough muscle to me."

The Angel Devil, who had been watching silently, rolled their eyes and turned toward the café boss. "Old man, do you have a rope lying around?"

The café boss blinked in confusion. "A rope? Uh… yeah, I have one in the back. But what for?"

Reze, still standing nearby with an exasperated look, chimed in, crossing her arms. "To pull that gold bar out and leave you filthy rich, of course. Come on, let's get this done."

The boss nodded hesitantly and disappeared into the back to retrieve the rope.

Himeno leaned on the counter, smirking at Reze. "You're pretty quick to jump in. Don't tell me you're after a share of the riches too?"

Reze shrugged, her voice light but with a hint of curiosity. "Not really. I just want to see if it's even possible to pull it out. Besides…" Her gaze drifted toward Kang Woo, who sat quietly, his focus seemingly elsewhere. "I'm starting to think he planted that thing as a test or something. You don't meet people like him every day."

Makima's calm voice broke through the murmurs. "Nope. Kang Woo isn't in the mood to bully anyone right now. From the way he's staring, he's probably searching for something important."

The café boss returned with the rope, handing it over to Reze. With Aki's help, they attached it securely around the embedded gold bar. Reze grabbed one end, followed by Aki, Himeno, Angel Devil, and the boss himself, forming a makeshift tug-of-war team.

Reze raised her voice with determination. "Alright, on my count! One!"

Aki joined in. "Two!"

Himeno grinned, taking the lead. "Three!"

The group heaved in unison, the rope straining under their combined effort. Despite their best attempts, the gold bar didn't budge.

"It's not moving at all!" Angel Devil grumbled, his voice laced with sarcasm as he strained against the pull.

"Keep pulling!" Reze shouted, her tone resolute.

Makima, standing apart, made a subtle gesture with her hand. Her movement was imperceptible, unnoticed by anyone else. Whatever she did, it remained her quiet secret.

Suddenly, the gold bar came loose, flying from the wall with a loud clunk as it hit the floor. The group stumbled backward in surprise .

The café boss wasted no time, scooping up the gold bar with both hands, his eyes gleaming with giddy excitement. "Thank you, everyone! Without you, I'd never have gotten it out. Now I'm filthy rich!"

As he dashed toward the exit, he shouted over his shoulder, "I'M FILTHY RICH! I'M FILTHY RICH!" His voice echoed down the street as he disappeared into the distance.

Reze stood there, arms crossed, watching the spectacle unfold. "A cheapskate turned filthy rich… What rotten luck I have," she muttered, shaking her head.

Himeno chuckled, brushing off her hands. "Well, at least he's out of the picture now. Guess the café's all yours, Kang Woo."

Kang Woo finally shifted his gaze from the invisible air he had been fixated on. "Alright. Thank you, everyone, for getting rid of the old man," he said.

His attention turned toward the Angel Devil. "Time to fulfill our bargain."

Kang Woo raised his hand and uttered, "Authority of Gates." A swirling portal materialized in the middle of the café, its edges shimmering faintly as it revealed a serene beach environment. The sound of waves crashing gently against the shore carried through the portal. "After you, Angel," Kang Woo said, gesturing for him to enter.

The Angel Devil hesitated briefly before stepping forward and walking into the portal, his expression neutral.

Himeno smirked, leaning casually against the counter. "Not going to use your shadows to travel this time?" she teased, her tone playful.

Kang Woo didn't dignify her comment with a response, moving toward the portal without breaking stride. Makima followed close behind, her calm and unwavering demeanor unshaken.

Aki frowned slightly. "Uh, Ms. Makima… isn't this supposed to be private for Angel Devil and Kang Woo?"

Makima glanced at him briefly, her tone as composed as ever. "Even without his approval, I will always stay by Kang Woo's side unless he orders me otherwise. And besides, Angel Devil's problems are mostly my fault."

Kang Woo waved his hand as he crossed the portal's threshold, closing it behind him with a flick of his wrist.

Reze, still standing by the counter, stared at the now-empty space where the portal had been. "Uh… it's not normal. There's no way a person can create a portal like that. That takes the power of a Hell Devil or some kind of high-grade devil," she said, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Himeno shrugged, her grin unfazed. "You'll get used to it."

Aki adjusted his jacket and added, "No one really knows where Kang Woo's power comes from. It might be mana, since Kang Woo told Makima that her current power came from something inside her body—something he called a commandment that produces mana. Still don't understand what that even means, though." He turned his gaze toward Reze. "Reze, you seem pretty knowledgeable about devils. Who told you all that?"

Reze stiffened, her thoughts racing. Ah, I slipped up. Shit! She forced a casual smile, trying to downplay her reaction.

Sensing the tension in the air, Himeno waved it off with a laugh. "Waitress! Bring me three bottles of beer. Kang Woo agreed to treat me, so I'm cashing in."

Aki sighed, rubbing his temples. "Himeno-senpai, you're just robbing Kang Woo's favor."

Reze quickly seized the opportunity to deflect the conversation. "Yes, I'll bring the beer! And I'll make the best coffee for your male partner over there," she said, motioning toward Aki with a polite smile before disappearing into the back to prepare the drinks.

As she walked away, her mind churned. I need to be more careful. These people… they're sharper than they look.

Himeno leaned back in her seat, her grin widening as she stretched. "Ah, this is going to be fun. Let's see how long this café stays 'normal' with Kang Woo running the place."

Kobeni, who had been silently observing the chaos, finally spoke up, hesitating as she raised her hand. "Wait, I wanted to order—oh, she already left."

Himeno turned to Kobeni, a playful smirk forming as she rubbed her cheek against Kobeni's. "Don't worry. We can get drunk together later, right? Uh… what's your name again?"

Blinking in confusion, Kobeni mumbled, "Kobeni Higashiyama…"

"Right, Kobeni-chan! We'll get drunk together later," Himeno declared with a teasing laugh.

Still visibly perplexed, Kobeni nodded slowly. "O-okay…" she said, her tone unsure as she tried to process what she had just been dragged into.

Kang Woo, Makima, and the Angel Devil walked along the serene shoreline, the soft crashing of waves filling the air as they approached a lone wooden house nestled on the beach. The sight of the house made Angel slow his pace, his gaze narrowing in recognition.

"Why did you bring me here, contractor—?" Angel started, but as his eyes flicked toward Makima and the environment around him, his expression shifted. His breathing became shallow as flashes of memory surged forward, unbidden and raw.

The Angel Devil's last memory, after he had come to the human world, resurfaced in vivid detail. He remembered a coastal village, a place where people had accepted him despite being a devil. A young woman stood out in those memories—a woman he described as "The one I loved, and the one who loved me." He recalled the warmth of the community and the happiness he felt for the first time in his existence.

But then, as the memory unfolded, the image of Makima appeared. He remembered her standing on that very beach, her expression calm and commanding.

"Show me your powers," she had said.

He had refused at first. He hadn't wanted to harm anyone. But Makima had insisted, her voice cold and inescapable. His mind went blank after that. Hours later, he had awoken surrounded by death. The lives of everyone in the village—his community, his lover—absorbed into him.

Angel Devilmind snapped back to the present, and Angel turned to Makima, his face contorted with rage and anguish. "Makimaaaaaa!" he shouted.

Kang Woo let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Hahhhhhhh. I suppose it's my job to clean up your mess, Makima."

Makima's expression remained composed, though her tone carried a tinge of resignation. "I had many problems in the past," she said softly, her gaze meeting Kang Woo's. "Back then, I needed power, and I had to make difficult decisions. But you're not here to kill him, are you? After all, you brought him to the place where he first experienced the human world."

Kang Woo's eyes darkened, his sclera turning black as a palpable weight filled the air. "Presence of the Demon King."

Angel Devil was suddenly pinned to the ground by an overwhelming force, the gravity pressing him into the sand. His rage flared as he shouted at Kang Woo. "Contractor! Are you going to kill me too? Are you covering for her sins now?!"

Kang Woo's voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. "Quiet." His crimson gaze bore into Angel, who froze under the weight of his words. "I'm thinking… about how to bring them back."

Angel's wide eyes met Kang Woo's. "Huh? What did you just say?"

Kang Woo stood silently, his dark sclera eyes gleaming as an unseen force seemed to pulse around him. He raised his hand, and the air around the beach crackled with an eerie energy. "King of Chaos ," he said, his voice calm yet resounding. A faint glow surrounded him as the veil between life and death began to ripple.

The Angel Devil stared in shock as spectral forms began to materialize—shimmering fragments of souls once lost. Kang Woo reached into his inventory and pulled out Lucius's Grimoire, flipping it open with precision. He began chanting, his voice steady and commanding.

"Body… bone… blood… and lastly, soul. All of them are magic. Let the beginner paladin creation commence."

The ground shifted, and skeletal forms began to rise from the sand. Bones assembled with meticulous accuracy as flesh and blood knitted themselves together. Each figure took shape, and soon, the once-lost villagers stood before them, their eyes fluttering open as life returned to them.

The young woman who had loved the Angel Devil stepped forward, her gaze filled with wonder. "Angel… I had the strangest dream. It felt like you… absorbed us."

Angel Devil froze, hiseyes wide with disbelief. Without hesitation, he rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her and the others. Tears streamed down his face as he clung to them tightly. "I've been lost for so long," he cried. "My memories of that time were gone… but now I can see you all again. I can hug you. I missed you so much!"

The villagers embraced him, their confusion giving way to relief and joy as they recognized their devil-turned-savior.

Makima approached Angel Devil, her expression softer than usual. "To even things out," she said, her tone measured but sincere, "you are fired from Public Safety Devil Hunter. You're free now, and no harm will come to you."

Angel Devil looked at her, his eyes still wet with tears. "You… you're serious?"

Makima nodded. "You have my word, Angel."

Kang Woo, who had been silently observing, finally spoke, his tone as sharp as ever. "The current you has no position in Public Safety Devil Hunter. You resigned yourself, remember? And let's not forget you publicly caused severe panic in Japan after your resignation, sparking all that bullshit about Kentaro selling the country to Vought."

Makima turned to him with a small smile, her yellow-ringed eyes glinting. "Shhh. It's my dramatic moment. Don't ruin it, my King." She smirked faintly and added, "And besides, I still have strings to pull."

Kang Woo raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with mock irritation. "Not going to say you're impressed that I just brought the dead back to life like that?"

Makima chuckled softly, her smirk widening. "Kang Woo, you created a millennium castle on the moon in mere moments and spawned nightmares in the sky. I've started to get used to your theatrics. I've put it in my mind that anything impossible is about to become possible with you around."

Kang Woo rolled his eyes but said nothing, turning his gaze back to the villagers as they reunited. The beach was now filled with life and laughter—a stark contrast to the tragedy that had once unfolded there.

Kang Woo paused for a moment, his hand hovering mid-air as he prepared to use his Authority of Gates.

The Angel Devil called out. "Wait… Kang Woo. Thank you for everything, but… I heard from human tales that angels are creations of gods. Are you a god, Kang Woo?"

Kang Woo turned to him, his dark sclera eyes gleaming faintly, his expression unreadable. "Do me a favor and put this in your head: there are no good gods or demons. They both play humans and low-tier demons like billiard balls. Except for Makima—her case is unique. She's not just a devil, but The Control Devil herself."

Makima tilted her head slightly, her yellow-ringed eyes calm but with a subtle curiosity. "Indeed. But you seem to have a deep grudge against gods, aside from the current world system, Gaia."

Kang Woo smirked faintly. "I've had my fair share of dealings with them, Makima," he replied cryptically.

Angel Devil's gaze shifted to Makima, his expression hardening. "I will never forgive you, Makima. Not for what you've done."

Makima's response was cold and indifferent, her voice measured. "The feeling is mutual. And I don't care about the death or the lives lost, anyway."

Angel Devil sighed, his anger simmering but no longer boiling over. His focus returned to Kang Woo. "However… I trust you, Kang Woo. When we made our bargain, you promised to unlock my deepest memories. Instead, you resurrected them all." He paused, hiseyes flickering with determination. "I'm coming with you. I want to see what other miracles you're capable of."

Kang Woo raised an eyebrow, amused. "You've just climbed out of the deepest pit this world has to offer, and now you want to jump back in? Humor me."

Angel Devil's voice steadied, his conviction clear. "No one—no one—can resurrect people like you just did. From what I see, the energy you wield is beyond this world's comprehension. It's something that can be considered godlike, and I want to understand more."

Makima remained silent, but in her thoughts, she analyzed Kang Woo's power. That energy… it's his mana . It's pure—purer than any energy I've ever encountered. Even the fragment of it within me, from the Commandment of Piety, pales in comparison to what he truly wields.

Kang Woo finally spoke, his tone sharp yet commanding. "I'll allow it, but put this information in your head: under no circumstances are you to reveal that I can resurrect people. Understand?"

Angel Devil nodded solemnly. "Noted. But… I can still visit this place, right? And why don't you want anyone to know? You could be considered a messiah—a god."

Kang Woo let out a low chuckle, his gaze turning distant. "I don't like being worshiped, nor do I have any obligation to save everyone. I came to this world to satisfy my boredom, nothing more." He turned back toward the wooden house and the villagers, now happily reunited. "As for visiting this place, it's simple. I'll put a permanent gateway at the café. Easy, right?"

Angel Devil blinked in surprise. "A… permanent gateway? You can just do that?"

Kang Woo grinned faintly, raising his hand. "You'll see soon enough. Now let's move.

The young woman stepped forward, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Angel Devil. "Angel… are you leaving us again? We'll miss you if you go."

Angel Devil hesitated, hiseyes softening. "No, I'm not leaving forever. I'm just off to work—a job probably unlike any other in this world. But I'll come back soon, I promise. See you later."

She nodded reluctantly, watching as Angel turned and followed Kang Woo and Makima toward the shimmering portal. The gateway led them back to the café, and with a soft hum, it closed behind them.

Himeno, now several beers in and sitting casually at a table, noticed their return and raised her bottle in greeting. "Oy, Angel! How does it feel to get a reward from Kang Woo? Something grand and miraculous, I bet."

Angel Devil's lips curved into a mock frown as he slouched into a chair, adopting a fake expression of sadness and confusion. "It's… problematic. Not worth it at all."

Himeno laughed, nearly spilling her drink. "Ah, I see how it is. Even miracles come with a price, huh?"

Aki, leaning against the counter, turned toward Kang Woo with a curious expression. "Kang Woo, can you finally teach me how to use your power? This mana-based stuff still doesn't make any sense to me."

Kang Woo raised a hand, signaling for a moment of peace. "Give me a break, alright? I need a moment." He stretched slightly, sitting at one of the café chairs.

Makima, ever observant, leaned in with a teasing smirk. "Maybe you should give Lucius's Grimoire to me, Kang Woo. It's clearly tiring you out."

Kang Woo glanced at her, his expression unreadable but tinged with faint amusement. "Didn't I tell you? Until you've fully mastered your Soul Dominion Enchantment Traits, you've still got a long way to go, my cute little devil."

Makima pouted—a rare and disarming sight that seemed to amuse Kang Woo even more. She playfully balled her fist and gave him a light punch on the back, her tone lighthearted. "I'll catch up faster than you think," she muttered, crossing her arms but keeping a faint smirk.

As the moment passed, Reze emerged from the kitchen, holding a tray with a steaming cup of coffee. She approached the group, her movements smooth and purposeful. "Here it is, coffee for the male partner," she said with a small smile, placing the cup in front of Aki.

Aki took a sip, assessing it thoughtfully. "Not too sweet, but not as bitter as black coffee. Did you give me the standard customer blend, Reze?"

Reze gave a small shrug, her tone casual. "Not everyone likes black coffee. I just follow the standard requirements for most orders."

Aki nodded in approval, his demeanor calm. "Not bad, then. Thanks."

Reze turned her attention to Kobeni, her expression brightening slightly. "How about you, young lady? What would you like to order?"

Kobeni hesitated for a moment before answering shyly, "A milkshake would be nice. My current… uh, nature is kind of ice-focused, so it fits."

Reze nodded, noting it down. She then turned her gaze to Kang Woo, her smile tinged with curiosity. "And how about you, Mr. Rich Guy? Right now, it's on the house, you know."

Makima interjected with a sarcastic tone. "He owns the café now, remember?"

Reze blinked, a flicker of realization crossing her face before she laughed softly. "Right, right. Still, I'd like to hear what the boss wants to order."

Kang Woo glanced at her briefly before speaking. "Just call me Kang Woo. Let the others order first—I'm still thinking."

With that, Kang Woo's gaze shifted back to the invisible air, his focus locked on something beyond anyone else's perception.

Curious, Reze leaned closer to Makima and whispered, "Does Kang Woo have a habit of spacing out or getting stunned in the middle of conversations?"

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes flickered as she observed Kang Woo's still form. "He's not stunned," she replied in a hushed but certain tone. "He's looking for something. Even I can't see what he's focusing on right now. Aki's request to learn about mana must've triggered something more complex—it's rare to see him so absorbed."

Reze nodded thoughtfully, filing the information away before quietly disappearing into the kitchen.

Kang Woo remained seated, his gaze fixed on the invisible air in front of him, muttering to himself with an exaggerated sense of dismay. His voice carried just enough for Makima to catch snippets of his inner turmoil. "Huhuhu… I have literally all the items I've ever needed to ascend or achieve my chuuni dreams… and yet, not a single one of them grants proper power bestowal. The only option is the Extremis Virus, and that's serum-based, not mana-based."

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes flickered with concern as she observed him, her expression softening slightly. "Kang Woo, are you feeling a bit stressed?" she asked, her tone gentle yet curious.

Kang Woo barely registered her words as he continued his monologue, listing out the absurd array of artifacts and weapons stored in his inventory. "Book of Vishanti, Divine Axe Rhitta, Playful Cloud, Owl Quinque, Quincy King Spiritual Energy, Vision's Body including the Mind Stone, Darkhold, Chaos Sword Excalibur, Kamutoke Dagger, Dragon Kagune, Zanpakuto: Ichimonji, Kyoka Suigetsu, Endo-Sym Armor Mark 50… I have them all! And I still have a leftover balance of 5 million malevolent points after my evil deeds being count again !"

Makima's eyebrow twitched slightly at the sheer extravagance of his inventory, though her concern lingered. "Then what's the problem?" she asked carefully.

Kang Woo finally broke from his list, his gaze turning toward Aki briefly before he slumped slightly in exasperation. "The problem," he said, dragging out the words for dramatic effect, "is that there's no mana in the air. None. Anywhere. On this entire planet!"

Makima blinked, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "No mana at all?"

Oh, I just remembered, Makima thought, Kang Woo's world and mine are fundamentally different. Here, there's only negative energy. But Kang Woo… he said himself that he comes from the 9th deepest level of Hell and is the Demon King. Everyone from that level wields magic and demonic energy like it's second nature. If beings like them ever surfaced here, this world would be finished in an instant.

Makima raised her hand and conjured a small, dark-colored flame—Hellblaze—letting it dance on her palm before dismissing it with a flick of her wrist. Her thoughts drifted as she examined her hand. This power of mine… it was bestowed by Kang Woo through the Commandment of Piety. I nearly forgot its origin.

Kang Woo groaned again, leaning back as if his predicament weighed the entire world on his shoulders. "None! Not a speck. How am I supposed to grant mana-based power to these people if the atmosphere itself doesn't support it? I'd have to change the very fabric of the air!"

Makima placed a hand on her chin, suppressing a small smile at his dramatic display. "I see… that does sound troublesome," she replied, her voice laced with a faint hint of amusement.

Kang Woo, meanwhile, drifted into thought. Should I give Aki and Himeno a Schrift, like a Quincy? No, that's a terrible idea. I don't have the proficiency of Yhwach to manage Auswählen properly. I'd risk killing them rather granting them strength .

Aki sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Then it's hopeless. The only way I can achieve my revenge is to make devil contracts as usual… or wait until you perfect Compound V for adults, which will take a while."

Kang Woo let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Let me vent my frustrations and play the role of a good teacher for once."

He stood up,his dark sclera eyes glimmered faintly. His presence seemed to ripple through the café, and the faint tension in the room shifted. Kang Woo's frustration had turned into a quiet resolve, and it was clear to everyone present that something was about to change.

Makima watched him, her expression unreadable but her yellow-ringed eyes tracking his every move. He's always so deliberate… even his frustrations carry weight.

Suddenly, Reze appeared from the kitchen, balancing a tray. "Thank you for waiting! Here are your orders,and here is bonus for the female partner " she said, placing a milkshake in front of Kobeni and a fresh coffee for Himeno.

Kobeni took the milkshake and nodded with a faint smile. "Thank you."

Reze glanced at Kang Woo, who was already on his feet, moving with purpose. " Kang Woo's consciousness has returned to the ground, I see," she teased lightly. "Did I miss something again?"

Himeno leaned back with a grin, pointing a thumb toward Kang Woo. "The crazy maniac just announced he's going to become a teacher and teach us about mana ."

Aki, leaning on the café table , added dryly, "To vent his frustrations."

Himeno chuckled and gestured toward Reze. "You're welcome to join us, by the way. Kang Woo's feeling generous enough to let everyone listen in."

Angel Devil, seated nearby, shrugged casually. "More like he doesn't care who listens to his rants. Might as well turn it into a public lecture at this rate."

Reze stifled a laugh, glancing between the group and Kang Woo. "Well, this should be fun. I'll grab a seat." She quickly settled at an open table, her curiosity piqued.

The Soviet Union gave me a secret message just moments ago, Reze thought, her mind racing. They want me to capture the man beside Makima. As if that's even remotely possible. Makima herself, even after resigning from Public Safety Devil Hunter, is supposedly stronger than ever. I heard she now has wings and can fly—something she couldn't do before. But the man beside her… it's not Aki or Angel Devil. It's Kang Woo.

Her gaze flicked toward Kang Woo, who remained seated, exuding a calm yet commanding presence. Kang Woo… she thought, he's far more dangerous than Makima herself. Are you fucking kidding me? Look at his eyes—that multi-pupiled, crimson gaze. He looks like he could blow this entire world apart just because he's in a bad mood.

Himeno's hand suddenly landed on Reze's shoulder, breaking her spiral of thoughts. "Reze, you seem lost in your head. You okay?"

Reze blinked, snapping out of it, and quickly forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just… a bit overwhelming, you know? Kang Woo becoming the new owner of Futamichi Café and all. And then before the rain, there were those monsters in the sky… It terrified everyone."

Angel Devil leaned back, folding his arms. "Those monsters? Yeah, that was all Kang Woo. He was pissed off at Public Safety Devil Hunter HQ."

Reze's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"

Aki added, his tone resigned. "Yeah, Kang Woo basically gave everyone PTSD. He's like a walking apocalypse, just… casually."

Reze gulped, her forced smile fading as silence settled over her. What kind of being am I sitting near?

Makima remained quiet, her yellow-ringed eyes observing Reze with a calculating gaze. The old me… I would've already controlled or killed you, Reze, for putting on that fake smile. But my husband, the Demon King himself, gave you a bunny. That alone makes you an anomaly in his eyes—a rare exception.

Makima leaned back slightly, keeping her thoughts to herself. I'll wait and see. For now.

Kang Woo stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention as he conjured a stick and a board from thin air. The gesture, reminiscent of a teacher preparing a lecture, felt oddly absurd given the gravity of his presence. It bore an uncanny resemblance to Zeref teaching Mavis, with an air of authority mingled with sarcasm.

"Mana," Kang Woo began, tapping the board, "has many different names, actually. Etherano, Magicule, Magicka—but I call it mana because it's universal. Mana is an essential aspect of every mage that has ever existed, serving as their source of magic power, which is used to cast spells."

He glanced around, his tone growing more deliberate as he continued. "This energy is naturally present in the environment and within every living being. Because of this, it's common knowledge that everyone can use magic to some extent. Individuals born with a strong affinity for mana and exceptional reserves of magic power are said to be 'loved by mana.'"

Kang Woo paused for a moment, smirking faintly. "At the same time, those who possess no mana and are unable to use magic at all are extremely rare. They're said to be 'hated by mana.'"

The room grew still as his words sank in. Reze, Aki, Himeno, and even Angel Devil found themselves oddly captivated, despite the absurdity of Kang Woo teaching them like an eccentric professor.

Then, with a dramatic wave of his hand, Kang Woo's tone shifted, dripping with sarcasm. "But here's the problem with this world—this world sucks."

The group blinked, startled by his bluntness.

"This world runs on fear-based power and negative energy," Kang Woo continued, his voice growing louder. "Sure, that's nice and all, but it stays like that for fucking forever!" He jabbed the stick at the board for emphasis, his frustration practically radiating from him.

Reze couldn't help but stifle a nervous laugh, her earlier apprehension giving way to a strange mix of amusement and confusion. "Is this… a magic lecture or a rant?" she murmured under her breath.

Himeno raised a hand, her brow furrowed as realization struck. "Wait, Kang Woo… don't tell me your power is like some kind of RPG game. You use magic spells to fire off your power, right?"

Kang Woo glanced at her, smirking faintly. "Yeah, but not in the way you think." He gestured at the board, ready to elaborate. "Most people who use magic—let's call them 'mages'—draw mana from the environment. For example, to obtain mana, mages in training have to undergo intense meditation. It's the most effective way to absorb mana from the air around them."

The group listened intently, their earlier amusement giving way to genuine curiosity.

"Mages train their nervous systems and their wisdom for magic," Kang Woo continued. "This allows them to become vessels for magic power. Inside every mage's body, there's a 'container' where Ethernano—or mana—is stored. This container determines their limits. Every time they cast a spell, the mana within that container lessens. But don't worry, it replenishes over time, automatically absorbing mana from the atmosphere to restore itself."

Himeno tilted her head, nodding slowly. " it's like in games, right? When you're out of MP, you just have to wait for it to recharge?"

Kang Woo grinned. "Exactly. That's the general idea. The amount and size of that container vary between individuals, and it can expand with further meditation and training. But…" He straightened, his expression growing sharper, "I'm not like most mages."

The group leaned in slightly, sensing the shift in his tone.

"I don't need wands, grimoires, or staves to channel my power," Kang Woo declared. "I could fire off a fireball the size of a building a thousand times in a row without exhausting myself."

Reze blinked in disbelief. "A thousand times?"

"Correct," Kang Woo said, his gaze unwavering. "The reason for that? I've achieved something beyond ordinary magic users—I have a mana generator inside my soul. It produces a constant, limitless supply of mana, independent of the environment."

Angel Devil crossed his arms, his expression skeptical but intrigued. "So you're basically a walking mana factory?"

Kang Woo chuckled. "More or less. Though I make an exception for Lucius's Grimoire." He glanced at Makima, his expression softening slightly. "Some spells are stuck there, and I'm not going to risk separating them. Right, Makima?"

Makima nodded, a small smirk forming on her lips. "Keep that book closer, my King. I'm ready to claim it when the time comes."

Himeno leaned back with a grin. " what you're saying is… you've got cheat codes for life?"

Angel Devil interrupted, his tone thoughtful. "How about this, Kang Woo? You said this world runs on negative energy. Why not teach humans how to absorb it? We devils, even Makima, aren't exempt from this rule. We still need negative energy and fear to empower ourselves. For example, Aki—when he's scared, negative energy leaks from outside his body. What if, instead of fearing it, he focuses it inward and develops his own power?"

Angel Devil's crimson gaze sharpened as he continued. "Besides, when you borrowed my power, you didn't use mana. You used some other energy—more evil and malevolent than negative energy itself."

Aki nodded slowly. "That might work. It might not be as versatile or efficient as mana, but it could still give us techniques and powers of our own. Kang Woo, I think your second power might be easier to teach than mana. If what Angel said is true, that means it's a power equal to mana itself, right? Since it's in the same category as negative energy?"

Makima interjected, her tone unusually serious. "That second power Kang Woo possesses… it's his original power. Kobeni-chan, come here. Don't forget to hug me."

Kobeni hesitated for only a second before rushing to hug Makima, her cheeks reddening as Makima gently patted her head.

Aki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ms. Makima, if you're trying to make theatrics like Kang Woo right now, this really isn't the time."

Makima turned her yellow-ringed gaze toward him, her tone even. "Aki-kun, I'm not joking. You have no idea—no idea—what his original power entails. There's a good reason he doesn't teach it. The negative energy of our world? It's just breadcrumbs—invalids compared to his power."

She paused, her expression growing darker. "I've seen it once. When he was… upset. A reporter wouldn't stop bothering me, and Kang Woo lost his patience. The aftermath was horrifying enough to still make me uneasy."

The atmosphere in the café shifted as tension grew thick in the air. Before anyone could process Makima's warning, the doors were slammed open by a drenched figure. Rain poured heavily outside, the storm accompanied by an ominous howling wind.

A figure stepped inside—a disheveled man with wild eyes, laughing maniacally. "You're all cheese… and I'm here to devour every single piece!"

Reze's eyes widened, her thoughts racing. The Typhoon Devil… he's the one who caused the storm earlier. He must have lured us here on purpose!

Above the café, the Typhoon Devil itself loomed in the dark sky, its monstrous form swirling with destructive winds. Its voice echoed, rumbling like thunder. "I need your heart, man beside Makima! Kang Woo! Your power will be mine!"

Kang Woo didn't even bother to look at the intruders. His calm demeanor remained unchanged as he stood by the board, the stick in his hand tapping idly against it.

"Authority of Predation," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

In an instant, the air around the serial killer warped as a thousand grotesque mouths materialized out of nowhere. They opened wide, fangs glistening, and descended upon the man.

"What is this?! AAAAAARGH!" the serial killer screamed as the mouths tore into him. The sound of ripping flesh and his agonized cries filled the room, sending chills down everyone's spines.

But it didn't stop there. The mouths grew larger, spreading across the sky. Their monstrous forms swirled like a storm of their own, rising high enough to confront the Typhoon Devil.

The Typhoon Devil's form quivered in the stormy skies as it realized the truth of what it faced. "This… this power…" it stammered, its voice shaking. "I've heard stories in Hell… a man with a thousand mouths who devoured demons greater than us devils… I thought it was a myth…"

The Typhoon Devil's swirling winds faltered as the mouths closed in. Its voice grew desperate, trembling with fear. "No… I'm fucked—!"

Its words were cut off as the mouths swallowed it whole, tearing its massive body apart and devouring it in seconds. The skies above cleared, the once-raging storm silenced as if it had never existed.

Kang Woo remained silent, his gaze calm as he lowered his hand. The Authority of Predation dissolved, and the thousand mouths vanished .

Reze, frozen in place, couldn't look away. That… wasn't just power. That was something out of a nightmare.

Makima glanced at Kang Woo, her expression unreadable but her thoughts racing. He didn't even flinch. This is what makes him terrifying. My King… even the demons of Hell whisper his name in fear.

Angel Devil sat back, stunned into silence, while Himeno muttered under her breath, "What the fuck was that?"

Aki swallowed hard, gripping his sword tightly. "That wasn't… mana. That wasn't even negative energy it's the same he did before at the sky …"

Kang Woo exhaled deeply, breaking the tension in the room with his calm voice. "It's called Demonic Energy," he began, his tone even but carrying an undeniable weight. "The highest tier of energy—pure evil, powerful, and utterly destructive. It's a cut above mana or negative energy. The reason I make my mana limitless and playful is to give myself a bit of a goofy, less threatening nature. Demonic energy, though? That's a different beast. Crazy and all-consuming."

He paused, his dark sclera eyes glinting faintly. "And currently, I'm the only one who owns it. The rest of those who had it… I ate them. And killed them."

The silence was suffocating. Reze's hands trembled slightly as she tried to process his words. Angel Devil remained seated, his crimson gaze fixated on Kang Woo, unsure whether to speak or stay silent. Even Himeno, typically quick with a quip, was at a loss for words.

Kang Woo tapped the board lightly with the stick again, as if signaling a shift in tone. "Alright. New lecture time." His smirk returned, softening the heavy atmosphere, though his words were no less serious. "I'll reveal a bit of a story—something Makima already knows. As for what I did to the reporter that Makima mentioned earlier…" He trailed off, his grin fading momentarily. "I won't repeat that here. I was just testing the ground then. Let me tell you now: this world is fragile. Very fragile."

His gaze shifted toward Kobeni, who had remained frozen near Makima. "Kobeni, you can return to your seat. Makima was just being concerned you might have a heart attack if you thought I'd pull something like that again."

Kobeni nodded quickly, her voice shaky as she replied, "T-thank you, Kang Woo…" She hurried back to her seat, clutching the edge of the table like a lifeline.

Kang Woo's tone grew more direct as he continued. "Now, let's talk about your Hell. The one devils like Angel and Typhoon here come from." He gestured toward Angel Devil, though his expression was neutral. "Your Hell? It's the uppermost layer. When devils die, they reincarnate there. It's a cycle for invalids."

Angel Devil's expression twitched, caught between indignation and resignation. "Invalids? Really?"

"Sorry to mock you," Kang Woo said, though his tone didn't sound apologetic. "But your layer isn't even the first. It's… basic. The Hell I come from, the 9th layer, is where demons, not devils, reside. The demons there fire off magic and demonic energy whenever they like. It's their playground."

Makima, observing quietly, leaned back in her chair, her yellow-ringed eyes unwavering. He speaks so casually of it, yet I know the truth. Even his words are restrained. The true scale of his power is something only I have glimpsed—and even I can barely comprehend it.

Reze, attempting to calm her nerves, forced a weak laugh. "you're saying devils are basically… bottom-tier in your eyes?"

Kang Woo shrugged, his casual demeanor contrasting with the weight of his words. "In the grand hierarchy? Yes. Devils are bottom-tier. No offense." He gestured toward Angel Devil with a half-hearted motion, not quite apologetic but factual. "And those higher in the hierarchy, they have names—names that carry their legacy and power. Lucifer, Belphegor, Dantalion, Crocell… they're not just titles. They define their very essence and why they stood where they did."

Angel Devil's expression darkened slightly, but he said nothing, his gaze fixed on Kang Woo.

Aki broke the silence, his tone deliberate but questioning. "If this demonic energy is as powerful as you say, why not just teach us that? Why bother with mana or negative energy at all?"

Kang Woo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "That's the problem, Aki. My demonic energy isn't like mana or negative energy. Its nature is fundamentally different. It's… devouring." His dark sclera eyes glinted faintly as he continued. "For example, when I killed one of the Seven princewho ruled the 9th Hell—Lucifer or Satan, take your pick—their demonic energy had its own unique nature. Lucifer's was shredding, reducing everything to dust. When I devoured him whole, there was a clash of power between his nature and mine."

He smirked, his confidence radiating as he added, "Of course, I won."

The room remained still as Kang Woo elaborated. "But that's the issue. My demonic energy became part of me—an extension of my being. If I were to give it to you, it wouldn't empower you. It would consume you. One of its core traits is to devour everything until nothing remains. So if I handed it to you? Congratulations. You'd be devoured, just like Lucifer."

Himeno leaned back, her earlier grin replaced by a frown. "That's… horrifying."

Reze nodded, her voice tinged with unease. " basically, it's not something you can share without killing us."

"Exactly," Kang Woo replied, his tone calm. "That's why I don't teach it. And as for why I'm here…" He paused, glancing at Makima, whose expression remained composed. "That's probably running through all your minds. Except Makima's, of course. She already knows. I told her."

Reze raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "why are you here?"

Kang Woo shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. I just… ended up stranded here. And to satisfy my boredom."

Makima leaned forward slightly, her yellow-ringed eyes glinting with a knowing look. "And yet, despite being stranded, my King, you've already rewritten the rules of this world to suit you."

Kang Woo's smirk deepened as he leaned back slightly, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "No, I'm not going to bring a gateway to the 9th layer of Hell here. Nor am I going to make this world have Richmana environment . You know why, Himeno, Aki?" He turned his gaze toward the group, his crimson eyes gleaming with intensity. "Japan was almost destroyed just because Lucifero existed here for a moment."

Aki's brows furrowed in recollection. "Lucifero… you mean the one we fought alongside Makima and Kishibe? We almost get killed , but you intervened and launched him into space, right?"

Kang Woo nodded with a faint smirk. "Exactly. Not to be confused with Lucifer, though. They're both demons, but Lucifero is from the Qliphoth Underworld. His power is entirely based on mana—or what you might call devil mana. When I exposed even a small amount of my mana at Aokigahara Forest, it created a gateway from his world to yours. The energy acted like a beacon, drawing him here."

Himeno raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with concern. "And if the atmosphere here were rich with mana?"

Kang Woo's smirk grew more sardonic. "Then you'd have an all-you-can-eat buffet of apocalyptic disasters. Every otherworldly being—UFOs, aliens, predators, you name it—would be drawn here like moths to a flame."

Reze, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke, her voice tinged with incredulity. "So you're saying… making this planet mana-rich would basically invite every cosmic horror imaginable to come and wreck us?"

Kang Woo tilted his head slightly. "Yeah, it's a cruel reality. But…" His voice trailed off, and a flicker of curiosity crossed his face. Slowly, he removed the cloth covering his right arm, revealing exposed flesh and a writhing parasite embedded within.

The group froze, their eyes widening at the grotesque sight.

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes flicked toward the parasite, her tone calm yet calculated as she spoke. "Starlight. She had mana, didn't she? She even caught me off guard with her mana reinforcement. That parasite is a successful project—it managed to allow The Supe to wield both mana and negative energy. But…" Her voice lowered slightly, her expression sharpening. "She has to choose one energy supply every time she uses her light generation. She can't wield both simultaneously, right?"

Kang Woo, his face unreadable, responded telepathically to Makima. No need to tell them about Gaia or anything deeper. They're already spinning from this cruel reality.

Makima gave a subtle nod, keeping her composure intact.

Kang Woo addressed the group again, his tone more reflective. "What's confusing to me is this: even though there's no mana in the air here, she was still able to use it automatically. At first, I thought the world had suddenly upgraded itself, maybe started producing mana in small amounts—enough to sustain her abilities but not endanger everyone."

He paused, his expression hardening. "But I was wrong. The world hasn't changed. It's still the same outdated system that's been in place since before I got here. And that brings me to the real question…"

He glanced at the parasite on his arm, his crimson gaze narrowing. "How can she use mana, even though this world doesn't have any? Where is it coming from?"

Himeno broke the silence with a smirk. "Kang Woo, didn't you say yourself that you've got Peter January's personality mixed up in you? Part of Peter January is inside you now, right? And Starlight's real name is Annie January, isn't it?"

Aki raised an eyebrow, glancing at Himeno. "That tentacle that's an extension of Kang Woo you atemust be making you smarter, Himeno-senpai. I'm impressed."

Himeno pouted and lightly smacked Aki on the head. "Hey! I'm explaining something to my kouhai. Be a good kouhai and listen to your senpai!"

Aki rubbed his head, muttering, "Sure, sure…"

Himeno continued, crossing her arms. "Anyway, my theory—because I really love RPGs and I still play them—is that the parasite might have already served its purpose. Maybe it converts negative energy into mana. That would explain how she's able to use it."

The room fell silent as everyone considered her words.

Kang Woo blinked, his expression shifting slightly. "Did I… just miss a small detail?"

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glinted with mild amusement as she leaned back in her chair. "That's not a small detail, Kang Woo. That's a big one."

Kang Woo exhaled deeply, brushing a hand through his hair. "Alright, Angel Devil, I've been too busy ranting to address your earlier question. Let me do that now. You asked why I don't just teach Aki how to use negative energy since it already exists in this world, right?"

Angel Devil, sprawled lazily in his chair, yawned and gave an unenthusiastic nod. "Yeah… obviously."

Kang Woo's crimson gaze narrowed slightly as he smirked. "Have you ever heard of trying to teach a pet store bird to fly near space like a Mach 1 jet? That's the kind of situation we're talking about here. Negative energy, while it might seem impressive in this world, is very, very, veryyyyyyy far beneath me. So far beneath me that it's like Himeno's theory about the parasite—it didn't even cross my mind. You could say that my highest-ranked status makes me prone to underestimating things and being, well… a bit of a dickhead."

Himeno snorted, barely suppressing a laugh. "At least you're self-aware."

Reze tilted her head, watching Kang Woo with a mix of curiosity and unease. "what you're saying is… teaching negative energy is beneath you because it's just too basic?"

Kang Woo nodded, his smirk deepening. "Exactly. But hey, give me some credit. At least I'm admitting my flaws while I contemplate ways to make things… less boring for me."

Reze's thoughts churned. This man… the one I'm supposed to capture for the Soviet Union… is narcissistic, powerful, moody, unpredictable—and yet, somehow funny. But why do I feel this warm thing in my chest?

Kang Woo turned his gaze toward her, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, this man is narcissistic, moody, and feeling something warm in his chest. Blah, blah, blah."

Reze stiffened, her eyes widening. He's reading my mind?!

Kobeni, sensing the tension, spoke up hesitantly. "Kang Woo, do you want my milkshake? You seem… stressed."

Kang Woo waved her off. "Nah, I'm fine."

Reze gulped, her thoughts spiraling. He's not just powerful; he's terrifyingly invasive. What's he planning?

Before she could dwell further, Kang Woo flicked her forehead lightly, startling her. "Ow!" she yelped, rubbing her head.

"Just show me a room already," Kang Woo said, his tone sharp but not hostile. "I need a basement. I don't care about the size—just a room. I need to finish solving Aki's problem. I don't like doing half-assed jobs."

Reze hesitated, still caught off guard by the flick, before reluctantly nodding. "Fine… follow me." She led the way, her steps quick but cautious, Kang Woo following closely behind with Makima trailing right behind him.

As they descended the stairs, Reze glanced back at Makima. "Shouldn't you just stay with the rest in the café, Makima?"

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glimmered as she replied smoothly, "I'm just going to go wherever my King goes."

Kang Woo glanced over his shoulder with a faint smirk. "One day, I'm going to turn you into a bat and have you hanging off my shoulder. You're way too sticky."

Makima chuckled softly and leaned forward, wrapping her arms lightly around Kang Woo from behind. "Then I'll just keep drinking your blood," she teased, her tone playful yet carrying an edge of possessiveness.

Reze rolled her eyes as she reached the basement door, trying to ignore the strange dynamic between the two. She opened the door with a creak and gestured toward the cramped space. "Here we are. It's pretty tight and usually used for the café's fridge or inventory. Definitely not a place for meditation or anything fancy."

Kang Woo jumped down into the dimly lit basement, scanning the area. He crouched slightly, placing his palm on the ground as a faint hum vibrated through the air. "The negative detector didn't lie, huh?" he murmured. "This place acts as a conduit for negative energy, but it's only enough for two or three people at most. Huh…"

Reze leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms as she smirked. "Too much ranting, Mr. Rich Guy. Now you've officially gone insane."

Makima, who had descended after Kang Woo, shook her head. "Not quite. Kang Woo's just found a treasure trove—or something valuable." Her voice carried a hint of admiration as she watched him work.

Kang Woo glanced at Reze with a teasing smirk. "If this place is occupied for training or experiments, you won't complain, right?"

Reze rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "It's the last place I want to be—"

Before she could finish, Kang Woo touched the cold wall of the basement and began to chant with a playful grin, his tone melodramatic. "Let it go, let it go… I don't care what they're going to say… The cold never bothered me anyway."

As his chant concluded, the entire room shimmered, the atmosphere shifting with a powerful hum of energy. The air turned frigid, and frost began to creep along the walls, the once-cramped and dimly lit basement expanding and transforming before their very eyes. Shards of ice erupted from the ground, forming intricate crystalline structures that spiraled upward, glowing faintly with an ethereal blue light. ( img here )

The ceiling disappeared entirely, replaced by a dome of shimmering auroras dancing across a starry sky. The floor beneath their feet became a sprawling expanse of polished ice, reflecting the light of floating, glowing runes that hovered in the air like frozen fireflies. Grand pillars of jagged ice jutted out in symmetrical patterns, their surfaces etched with arcane symbols that pulsed softly, resonating with Kang Woo's energy.

In the center of the room, an enormous circular platform carved from gleaming sapphire-like ice appeared, adorned with complex magical arrays. The arrays glowed faintly, emanating a cold but invigorating energy, as though the space itself was alive with untapped potential.

Reze stumbled, her footing slipping on the ice as she fell to her knees, her mouth agape. For a

moment, she was utterly speechless, staring in awe at the breathtaking transformation.

Makima stepped forward gracefully, her yellow-ringed eyes glinting with amusement as she observed the transformed space. "You really do love ice-themed aesthetics," she teased, her voice soft but tinged with admiration. "Just like your Millennium Castle—it always depends on your mood."

Kang Woo turned to her with a small grin. "I figured it suited the occasion. Besides…" He gestured to the grandeur around them, his voice light but smug. "Why not give everyone a little taste of what real magic looks like?"

Reze finally managed to find her voice, still sitting on the floor. "This… this is insane. How did you…?"

Kang Woo leaned against one of the newly formed crystalline pillars, watching Reze with amusement as she struggled to process the grandeur around her. "Have you ever heard of Alice in Wonderland? In the rabbit hole, there's a country filled with magical beings. Mine's still a work in progress."

Reze furrowed her brows, her lips parting as if to respond before hesitating. "There's no Alice in Wonderland in this world," she finally said, her voice tinged with frustration. "And I've spent my whole life fighting just to survive, to—"

She froze mid-sentence, realizing what she'd just admitted. Did I just slip up again? Damn it!

Makima, standing nearby, reached out and gently patted Reze's head, her touch both soothing and disarming. "Maybe you need to relax a bit," she suggested, her tone unusually soft.

Reze, startled by the gesture, quickly nodded. "Yeah, sure. I'll… I'll call the rest here." She hurried toward the main room, her mind racing as she tried to regain her composure.

As Reze disappeared, Makima turned her yellow-ringed gaze to Kang Woo, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You're aware that Reze is a spy from the Soviet Union, aren't you?"

Kang Woo smirked, his crimson gaze fixed on the shimmering auroras above. "Uh huh. Of course. I just prefer the Soviet Union to retire and rebrand itself as the Tsar Kingdom, if possible."

Makima chuckled softly, a rare sound that seemed to echo lightly in the ice-encased chamber. "And why would you want that?"

Kang Woo shrugged, his tone light but tinged with his usual arrogance. "Because it'd be far more entertaining to see history bend itself into something unexpected. Besides, I'm bored of the Cold War theatrics."

Makima didn't reply, but her smile deepened as she silently observed him.

Meanwhile, in the café's main room, Himeno leaned back with a teasing grin. "So, Aki, you still trust Kang Woo, huh? Even after he said it's impossible for us to learn mana?"

Aki crossed his arms, his expression calm but firm. "I trust him. He's not the type to bullshit. Sure, he's the definition of evil and a liar, but he's trying hard for us. I can tell."

Angel Devil, lounging lazily nearby, interjected, "I don't know what he's planning for you two, but trust me—Kang Woo doesn't do things halfway. Whatever he's cooking up, it'll blow your minds. That's just how he is."

Himeno smirked, taking a sip of her beer. " That miracle you two pulled off at the beach—it was worth it, huh?"

Angel Devil stiffened slightly, his expression faltering. "Tch… I slipped up. Damn it," he muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed with himself.

Before anyone could press further, Reze burst into the room, her breath slightly ragged from running. "You guys didn't tell me he could do this!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with both shock and excitement.

Aki frowned, his curiosity piqued. "Do what?"

Himeno, still holding her beer, chuckled. "He probably made another portal to some crazy place… or maybe released more monsters." She casually took another sip, unbothered by the idea.

Reze shook her head, her expression serious. "No, he just created another world. An ice-themed world. In the basement."

Himeno froze mid-sip, her eyes widening as the gravity of Reze's words sank in. "He… what?" The beer slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor as she stared in disbelief.

Aki's usually composed demeanor cracked as he stared at Reze. "He what?" he echoed, his tone incredulous.

Reze nodded rapidly, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm not joking. It's like stepping into another dimension. Ice everywhere , auroras in the sky—it's insane! I thought he was just ranting, but now I—" She cut herself off, her words failing to capture the grandeur of what she had witnessed.

Kobeni, who had been quietly sipping her milkshake, finally spoke up. "Oh, you all didn't know, huh?" Her tone was casual, but her words carried an edge of disbelief. "When Kang Woo showed up and walked on that dark platform towards the exposed meeting room at HQ Public Safety Devil Hunter—when the sky darkened behind him—you remember the castle, right?"

Aki frowned. "Yeah, there was a castle. What about it?"

Kobeni stirred her milkshake lazily. "That castle? It's on the moon. He created it—probably recently. He called it Millennium Castle. Sorry, I didn't mention it before. I just assumed you already knew since you guys saw him show up that way to deal with the higher-ups."

The room went silent. Himeno's jaw dropped, and Angel Devil's bored expression shifted into something resembling shock.

Aki blinked, once, then twice, trying to process her words. "He created a castle… on the moon?"

Kobeni nodded nonchalantly, taking another sip of her milkshake. "Yeah. I've been there. He invited me once. It's… something else."

Himeno leaned forward, slapping the table. "And you didn't think to mention this earlier?"

Kobeni shrugged. "I thought you already knew."

Aki sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, finish your milkshake, Kobeni. We're going. It's time to meet this crazy maniac again and figure out what's going on."

Kobeni nodded quickly, standing up with her milkshake in hand. "On my way."

Himeno shook her head, still trying to wrap her mind around the revelation. "A castle on the moon… and now an ice world in the basement. What's next, Kang Woo?"

Angel Devil smirked faintly, leaning back in his seat. "Knowing him? Something even crazier."

The group, including Reze, made their way down to the basement, their steps hesitant as they prepared themselves for whatever Kang Woo had conjured. But no amount of anticipation could have readied them for the sight that greeted them.

The once-cramped basement had transformed into an otherworldly spectacle. Towering crystalline structures of ice rose from the ground, glowing faintly with an ethereal blue light. The polished floor shimmered like a mirror, reflecting the soft glow of floating runes that hovered midair, and above them, the ceiling was no longer visible—replaced by an endless, starry sky streaked with shimmering auroras.

Kang Woo sat on a throne-like structure carved entirely from ice, exuding an air of calm power, while Makima stood beside him, her yellow-ringed eyes surveying the group with quiet amusement.

Himeno froze in her tracks, her eyes wide. "Are we… living in a game, Aki?"

Aki, standing beside her, looked equally bewildered but managed to keep his composure. "I don't know, Himeno-senpai. I'm… very confused. Though, to be honest, the snow is making me a bit angry."

Himeno turned to him, frowning. "Angry? What's wrong, Aki?"

Aki's expression hardened slightly as he avoided her gaze. "Nothing. Just… a terrible memory, that's all. Nothing more."

Angel Devil, ever the skeptic, leaned against one of the icy pillars, hisgaze wandering across the vast expanse. "I had my doubts when Kang Woo talked about putting a permanent gateway to the beach," he admitted. "But now… ahh, this is beyond crazy."

Kobeni, clutching her half-finished milkshake, nodded as she took in the breathtaking scene. "It's just like Millennium Castle. Another ice theme. Does he… have a thing for ice?"

Kang Woo, seated on the ice throne, finally glanced up at them, his crimson pupils gleaming faintly in the ethereal light. "Took you long enough," he remarked, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of amusement.

Makima, standing beside him, added with a small smirk, "Welcome to his latest creation. I hope you enjoy the cold."

Kang Woo stood up from his throne, his movements graceful yet commanding, as his crimson gaze swept over the group. "I'll give you the honors, Reze. What will you name this place? After all, it's right below Futamichi Café."

Himeno, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, grinned mischievously. "Hehhh, Kang Woo the crazy maniac, giving the world to his new wife. How romantic."

Kang Woo raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unimpressed. "I don't plan on naming it Millennium Castle 2, that's for sure."

Reze, still caught up in the surreal atmosphere, pondered for a moment before speaking. "Skrytaya Strana Chudes ( скрытая страна чудес)."

The room fell silent, confusion evident on everyone's faces—except for Kang Woo and Makima. The two exchanged a knowing glance before Kang Woo chuckled softly. "Are you sure? In English, that translates to 'Hidden Wonderland.'"

Reze nodded, her voice steady despite the weight of everyone's gazes. "It's like Alice in Wonderland… if that kind of story existed here. Or if books like that were even a thing in this world."

Angel Devil tilted his head, clearly unimpressed. "Hidden Wonderland? Sounds like a fairytale knockoff."

Makima, however, tilted her head slightly, her yellow-ringed eyes glinting with amusement. "Fitting, in a way. A place so surreal it defies logic, much like Kang Woo himself."

Himeno crossed her arms, still grinning. "I'm not sold on the name, but hey, it's your Wonderland. Just don't start wearing bunny ears, Kang Woo."

Kang Woo smirked. "Don't tempt me, Himeno. Now that you mention it…"

The group collectively groaned as Himeno burst out laughing, her teasing clearly having hit its mark. Reze, despite herself, smiled faintly, her thoughts drifting as she gazed around the breathtaking landscape of ice and light.

( yo give me a review allright )