Meanwhile, in another part of the library, Kang Woo and Kobeni sat together, a rare moment of peace enveloping them amidst the grand archives. Kobeni shifted nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. "Kang Woo… why did you pick me? As your cook, as your second wife? And why did you give me this ice ability? It doesn't feel like mana—it feels like… it's part of me."

Kang Woo leaned back, his crimson eyes gleaming with faint amusement. "Makima said the same thing. Now you too, huh, Kobeni-chan?" He exhaled softly before continuing, his tone turning serious. "I didn't like how your father and family treated you. They saw you as nothing more than a tool to exploit, and it pissed me off. I wanted to give you a better life. I wanted you to be happy, to be free, and… to be my second wife."

Kobeni's eyes widened, her hands trembling slightly. "Makima is the Control Devil. With your Commandment, you elevated her into a demon—a higher rank. Will I… need to become a demon too? I'm scared, Kang Woo. And what value does someone like me even have to a Demon King like you?"

Without hesitation, Kang Woo leaned in and kissed Kobeni gently, silencing her doubts. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she felt the warmth of his lips.

He pulled back, his voice soft but firm. "You've been treated like filth by your family for so long that you've started to believe it yourself. That's my fault for not noticing how deep that wound runs. I'm sorry for my ignorance. But listen to me, Kobeni—you have something Makima doesn't. Something rare. You have luck. Right now, it's dormant, not manifesting as an active ability, but it will, one day. And when it does, it'll change everything."

Kang Woo gently cupped her face, his crimson gaze piercing into her soul. "And don't forget—I've already marked you. The day we made our bond intimate, you became mine, Kobeni. Nothing will ever change that."

Kobeni broke into sobs, burying her face in his chest as she clung to him. Through her tears, she managed to speak, her voice shaky but filled with gratitude.

"I… I don't deserve this. I've been nothing but useless my entire life. My family treated me like trash, and I believed them. I thought I was weak, unworthy, just… a burden. But you—" she looked up at him, her eyes glistening with a mixture of awe and love— "you saw something in me when no one else did. You gave me a place, a purpose, a future. Even when I doubted myself, you never did.

You've made me feel like I'm worth something for the first time in my life, Kang Woo. And even if I don't have Makima's strength or power, I promise I'll do everything I can to stand by your side. Thank you… for choosing someone as worthless as me to be your second wife ."

Kang Woo smiled, brushing away her tears with his thumb. "You're not worthless, Kobeni. You're mine. And that's more than enough."

( lemons )

Kobeni's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and desire. "Kang Woo," she whispered, her voice trembling, "please… heal me. Mark me again. Make me yours."

Kang Woo's crimson eyes burned with a primal hunger as he leaned in, his breath hot against Kobeni's trembling lips. "You asked for this," he growled, his voice low and rough, a promise of what was to come. His hands, strong and unyielding, gripped her hips, pulling her closer until their bodies were flush against each other. The heat of his skin seared hers, and she could feel the hard length of him pressing insistently against her thigh.

He didn't need to be told twice. With a swift, almost brutal motion, he tore away the last remnants of her clothing, leaving her bare and vulnerable before him. His gaze raked over her body, taking in every curve, every inch of her soft, pale skin. She shivered under his scrutiny, her nipples hardening in the cool air, her pussy already wet with anticipation.

Kang Woo's cock throbbed, thick and heavy, as he positioned himself between her legs. He didn't bother with foreplay, didn't waste time with gentle touches or sweet words. This was about claiming her, about reminding her who she belonged to. With a single, powerful thrust, he buried himself inside her, stretching her tight, wet pussy to its limits.

Kobeni cried out, her nails digging into his back as she was filled completely by him. "Ahhh! Kang Woo! It's so big… just like last time!" she gasped, her voice breaking as he began to move, his hips slamming into hers with a relentless rhythm.

He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "You're mine, Kobeni. Every inch of you. And I'll never let you forget it." His words sent a shiver down her spine, and she clung to him, her body trembling with pleasure as he fucked her with a raw, animalistic intensity.

Kang Woo's hands gripped her hips, holding her in place as he pounded into her, each thrust driving her closer to the edge. Her pussy clenched around him, tight and wet, as she moaned his name, her voice a desperate plea for more. "Kang Woo… please… don't stop… I need you… I need you to heal me…"

He growled, his cock throbbing inside her as he felt her walls tighten around him. "You're mine, Kobeni," he repeated, his voice rough with desire. "And I'll mark you again and again until there's no doubt in your mind who you belong to."

With a final, powerful thrust, he buried himself deep inside her, his cock pulsing as he released his seed, filling her completely. Kobeni cried out, her body convulsing with pleasure as she came, her pussy milking him for every drop.

Kobeni's mouth watered as she gazed up at Kang Woo's thick, throbbing cock, still slick with their combined juices. She reached out, her hand wrapping around the shaft, feeling it pulse in her grasp."kang woo , you're still hard," she purred, her voice husky with desire."I need to taste you again."

Without waiting for permission, she leaned forward, her tongue darting out to lick the weeping tip. She moaned at the salty, musky flavor, her eyes fluttering shut in pleasure. She swirled her tongue around the head, savoring the texture and taste before taking him into her mouth, inch by delicious inch.

Kobeni's lips stretched wide as she took more of Kang Woo's thick shaft into her eager mouth.

"slurp slurp "

Her eyes watered as he hit the back of her throat, but she didn't gag, didn't pull away. Instead, she moaned around him, the vibrations sending shockwaves of pleasure through his body.

"AhhKobeni..." Kang Woo groaned, his fingers tightening in her hair as he began to thrust into her mouth. "your mouth are make me unleashing my primal urge again ..."

Kobeni hummed in approval, her tongue working the underside of his cock, teasing the sensitive vein that ran along the length. She looked up at him, her gaze hazy with desire, as she picked up the pace, taking him deeper with each bob of her could feel his balls tightening, could taste the first hint of his pre-cum as it dripped onto her tongue.

Suddenly, Kang Woo grabbed Kobeni and pinned her down on the floor. He began to choke her, his grip tight around her slender throat. Kobeni's eyes widened in shock, and she gasped for air as she clawed at his hands, trying to break free. "Kang Woo,"she managed to choke out, her voice barely above a whisper, "You suddenly became a different person!"

KangWoo's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint. "You don't get to make demands," he growled, his voice low and menacing."This is your fault, 're the one who brought this out in me."

Before she could reply, he mounted her, pinning her hips in a mating press. Kobeni squirmed beneath him, feeling his thick cock pressing against her swollen, sensitive folds."Kang Woo," she pleaded,"my wombis already so full. It can't take much more!"

Kang Woo snarled, his eyes blazing with a savage hunger as he pinned Kobeni down, his grip on her throat unrelenting."Shut up," he growled, his voice rough with lust. "You don't get to make demands. This is all your fault, did this to me."

He ground his hips against hers, his thick, heavy cock slapping against her swollen pussy lips, smearing her juices around her entrance. "You wanted this, remember? You begged me to take you, to claim you, to make you mine. Well, that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Kobeni whimpered beneath him, her body trembling with a mixture of fear and desperate, aching need. "Kang Woo, please," she gasped out, her voice strained and breathless. "It's too much... I can't..." But Kang Woo paid no heed to her pleas.

Kang Woo silenced her protests with a fierce, bruising kiss, his lips crushing against hers as he rutted into her, the obscene sound of flesh slapping against flesh echoing through the room. Pap pap pap, his thick shaft battered against her puffy, soaked folds, the head parting her lips on each forceful thrust, before dragging out with a wet squelch that left her whimpering and gasping for air.

Kobeni's struggles turned to limp submission as pain and pleasure short-circuited her brain."Brand me," she whimpered against his devouring mouth, "make me your slave.I'll be your whore, Kang Woo. Yours!"

He snarled, teeth baring. Yes. Fuck yes. He'd make her his. Forever. Widening his stance, he rammed his cock home, his heavy balls slapping her ass.

Kang Woo slammed into Kobeni's sopping pussy again and again, his engorged shaft spreading her open, hitting depths she never knew existed as her body surrendered to his feral claiming.

Kobenicunt spasmed, milking his driving cock as she keened like a bitch in heat."Yes, yes! Fuck me! Fucking breed me, master!" she screamed.

He roared, hips pistoning brutally, each snap forward throwing her up the floor as his weight held her pinned. Her back would be bruised, cunt raw and gaped when he was finished marking her, branding her as HIS and no one else's. Forever.

Sweat poured off him, making his muscles gleam as they flexed and rippled, tendons standing out on his neck from straining to power his thrusts.

Kang Woo continued his relentless assault on Kobeni's helpless body, pounding into her with animalistic grunts and snarls. Her legs were forced wide apart, ankles locked over his shoulders as he drove into her, his thick shaft splitting her open with brutal force.

"Fuck, your cunt is gripping me so tight," Kang Woo growled, sweat dripping down his face and chest. "Like it's trying to milk my cum."

"Yes, fill me Master!" Kobeni begged, back arching as ecstasy wracked her trembling form."Give me your seed! Breed me!"

Her impassioned cries seemed to set off something primal within Kang Woo. His rhythm turned erratic as he chased his release, hips jack hammering into hers.

"I'm close,"he snarled through gritted teeth, muscles seizing."Gonna pump you full...fucking breed this pussy!"

The two lovers collapsed together in a sweaty tangle of limbs, hearts racing as they caught their breath. Kang Woo's softening cock remained nestled inside Kobeni's hot, slick cunt as he nuzzled her neck affectionately."That was good ," he murmured, pressing tender kisses along her collarbone

."this is the second time I felt like this ."Kobeni sighed dreamily and draped her arms around him.

Kobeniadmitted shyly."Being claimed by you like that...it was the most amazing my whole body and soul belonged to you."

Kang Woo raised his head to gaze at her tenderly."Because they do," he affirmed, reaching up to stroke her flushed cheek

Kang Woo, still buried deep inside Kobeni's hot, slick cunt, suddenly shifted his hips, stirring her sensitive flesh as his cock began to harden gasped, her arms tightening around him as she felt his arousal return.

"Master," kobeniwhispered, her voice thick with renewed desire, "you're not satisfied yet, are you?" Kang Woo growled low in his throat, his eyes flashing with barely restrained lust. He didn't need to answer, didn't need to confirm her suspicions. The hard, thick length of him pressing against her innermost depths was proof primal urge to claim her, to brand her as his, was rising again, demanding to be sated.

And Kobeni, her body still trembling from their last intense session, felt her own desires kindling arched beneath him, her pussy clenching around his cock as if to welcome him home. "Take me again, master,"

suddenly kang woo gone missing .Kobeni's heart raced, her skin prickling with an eerie coldness as she stood there, fully clothed, Kang Woo's presence already fading from her body like a mist in the morning sun.

"What's happening?" kobeni whispered, her voice quavering as she looked around the room, desperately trying to make sense of the sudden shift in reality.

(lemon ends)

,

As Makima stood in the New York Sanctum, surrounded by an ever-growing glow that signaled her return to her own era—the time of the Lost Books—she cast a lingering glance at the Ancient One.

"This feels like an awfully long transition to pull me back," Makima said, her voice calm yet tinged with curiosity.

The Ancient One, standing nearby, released Makima's hand and gave her a small, knowing nod. "Transitions are never as immediate as we might expect. It gives us time to reflect." She lifted her hand in a slow wave, her serene expression betraying a hint of sadness.

Makima tilted her head, her sharp gaze narrowing slightly. "Are you really not going to ask me to stop Strange's half-existence in the era of the Lost Books? Instead, you wish me to convince Kang Woo to free the souls trapped in the Dark Dimension? Why?"

The Ancient One's expression softened, her voice calm yet resolute. "Perhaps the other half of Strange—the one who resides in the future—will find a way to convince the corrupted Strange. But even if that fails, the souls in the Dark Dimension deserve a chance at freedom. That, at least, is something within your reach—and perhaps your husband's will."

As the glowing light intensified around Makima, signaling the inevitable pull of time, she allowed herself a rare moment of genuine emotion. Her voice softened as she looked at the Ancient One. "This is the first time I've had a friend and teacher. I'm very grateful. See you later, Ancient One."

The Ancient One smiled warmly, her tone filled with quiet confidence. "And perhaps, one day, you'll return with a story of how your world—and this multiverse—changed."

With a final flicker of light, Makima disappeared, her form dissolving into the glow and leaving the Ancient One standing alone in the sanctum, the faint hum of mystic energy lingering in the air.

Makima reappeared in the grand, ancient halls of the Lost Library, where the mystical artifact Macchina di Kadavus rested in its ornate containment. O-Bengh greeted her with a warm smile, his tone laced with his usual lightheartedness.

"Oh, you're back, Control Devil! How was the trip?" he asked cheerfully.

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes narrowed slightly as she replied with biting sarcasm, "The worst adventure ever."

O-Bengh chuckled, unfazed as always. "Oh, I'm sure you enjoyed it more than you let on. You're just being shy."

Makima didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, she froze for a moment, her senses sharpening as a faint trace of magic flickered in the air—dark, otherworldly, and unsettlingly familiar. Her sharp gaze scanned the surroundings, her posture rigid. The disturbance wasn't just a vague sensation; it was a specific kind of energy that sent a ripple of unease through her.

At the same moment, she noticed something else. Kang Woo's presence had vanished. Her connection to him was usually steady and unshakable, but now it felt as though he had moved beyond her immediate reach. Her thoughts immediately turned to Kobeni, who had been with Kang Woo during one of his "therapy sessions" in another part of the library.

This magic… Makima thought, her sharp mind piecing the puzzle together. It's the same energy I sensed on the Ancient One—the mark tied to the Dark Dimension. Kang Woo sensed it before me, didn't he? Of course, his power is very unique and many varieties . He can detect things far more easily. But now…

She paused, inhaling deeply. For the first time, she realized her own abilities had evolved. She could smell the magic lingering in the air. Though it wasn't as effortless as Kang Woo's innate sensing, it was a new skill—one she had begun to understand and hone. The realization brought a mix of irritation and pride.

Makima's thoughts turned sharp and possessive. Kang Woo, whatever this is, you'd better not handle it alone. No one interferes with what is mine.

Her yellow-ringed eyes darkened slightly as she turned her focus back to O-Bengh. "Kang Woo has disappeared. And this magic…" She paused, her tone calm but chilling. "It's tied to the Dark Dimension."

O-Bengh's playful demeanor shifted, his face becoming more serious. "The Dark Dimension? That's not something to take lightly. What do you think is going on?"

Makima paused, inhaling deeply once more to sharpen her senses. She could still faintly detect the residue of Dark Dimension magic, but it wasn't enough to pinpoint Kang Woo's location. Her sharp yellow-ringed eyes flickered with a possessive glint as she turned her focus back to O-Bengh.

"Nothing to concern yourself with, O-Bengh," makima said coldly. "I'd prefer you focus on Doctor Strange before he destroys this whole library."

O-Bengh raised an eyebrow but nodded, the seriousness of the situation evident in his expression. "Right. Just be careful," he said before leaving the room.

Makima gave a curt nod, her gaze already shifting toward another part of the library where she knew Kobeni was. She strode through the vast, ancient halls with purpose, her every step measured and deliberate. The air grew heavier as she approached, and she could hear soft, stifled sobs echoing faintly through the corridors.

As she entered the chamber, she found Kobeni sitting on the floor, her hands clutching her knees as tears streamed down her face. She looked up at Makima, her expression one of anguish.

"Kobeni-chan," Makima said, her tone calm but firm. "What happened?"

Kobeni sniffled, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Kang Woo… he disappeared. So suddenly… I don't know where he went."

Makima's gaze softened for a brief moment, though her composure remained unshaken. She inhaled deeply, letting her senses expand and analyze the magic lingering in the air. In her thoughts, the conclusion became clear. Kang Woo has been taken. Kidnapped, perhaps. But doubting his ability to free himself would be an act of stupidity. He's a Demon King, after all.

Her voice was steady as she spoke, steering the conversation to a safer topic. "Let's change the subject, Kobeni-chan. Have you learned any basic magic of this universe?"

Kobeni hesitated, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I can read… but it feels like I'm not learning as quickly as everyone else. And the ice abilities Kang Woo gave me… they're more like an innate power, not magic."

Makima nodded thoughtfully, her sharp mind already at work. "I see. Let me think for a moment."

Makima's gaze softened for a fleeting moment before her sharp composure returned. She carefully analyzed the lingering magic in the air, her mind racing. The only one who truly knows the extent of Kobeni's abilities is Kang Woo, she thought. And he's not here to provide insight. Yet.

Breaking the silence, Makima's voice was calm and resolute. "Kobeni-chan, let's return home. To our true home—Futamichi's basement, or as it is now… The Hidden Wonderland."

Kobeni looked up, her eyes wide with concern. "But shouldn't we rescue Kang Woo?"

Makima's expression remained steady, though her smirk grew faintly. "To doubt that he's weaker than us is an act of foolishness, Kobeni-chan. He is far stronger—and the most important man in the multiverse. Both you and I are his wives, and it is our role to welcome him back, not worry needlessly. He will carve our path forward, as he always has. Remember, he has already slain beings far more powerful than even the ruler of the Dark Dimension."

Kobeni wiped her tears, her determination slowly returning. "You're right, Makima. I'll do my best. But how do we return to our home? Kang Woo is the one who can open the gateway with his bare hands."

Makima's smirk widened ever so slightly as she stood tall, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming with confidence. Without a word, she raised her hand and slipped on her Infinity Sling Ring. Making a circular gesture, she conjured a portal that shimmered with vibrant sparks, revealing the path to The Hidden Wonderland.

"I've gained a very good understanding of magic in this universe, Kobeni-chan," Makima said, her voice calm and commanding.

Kobeni's expression shifted from awe to relief, her lips curling into a grateful smile. "You're amazing, Makima ."

With a composed nod, Makima stepped through the portal first, her stride exuding control and purpose. Kobeni followed closely behind, her resolve steady as they returned to the sanctuary Kang Woo had created—a home awaiting the return of its king.

At the heart of The Hidden Wonderland, where Kang Woo's reality-warping prowess had transformed a once-forgotten basement into a breathtaking realm, the sky shimmered with vivid auroras. Towering ice castles stretched into the heavens, their crystalline spires glistening in the magical atmosphere, while the frozen expanse beneath bore the testament of his unimaginable power.

A portal crackled to life, its radiant sparks signaling the arrival of Makima and Kobeni. As they stepped through, the cool air embraced them, the scene before them nothing short of majestic.

"Home sweet home," Makima remarked, her voice laced with satisfaction as her sharp gaze swept over the breathtaking environment.

Kobeni nodded in agreement, a faint smile touching her lips. However, their moment of peace was interrupted when they spotted Reze, the waitress of Futamichi Café, lounging atop a pile of gold, lost in thought. Her dreamy expression made it clear she wasn't entirely grounded in reality.

Makima's piercing yellow-ringed eyes narrowed slightly as she approached. With a swift kick, she sent a chunk of the gold pile tumbling to the floor. " wake up, Reze. What's going on?"

Reze blinked, startled out of her daydream. Her gaze flitted between the scattered gold and Makima, her cheeks reddening slightly. "I just realized that the upper stairs where Futamichi Café is located aren't fit to decorate properly. And… there's not enough space to store Kang Woo's artifacts."

Makima sighed softly, her sharp mind already crafting a solution. "You're overthinking it, Reze. Start small. Focus on what you can manage today."

Reze nodded hesitantly, her fingers fidgeting with a loose strand of hair. "Yeah, let's start—" She froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening as realization struck her. "Makima! You've returned!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with both relief and worry. "But… where's Kang Woo?"

Makima's expression remained calm, though her gaze hardened slightly. "Kang Woo has been abducted by an alien. But don't worry," she added, her voice steady and resolute. "He will be back."

Reze gasped, her worry evident. "An alien? How—?"

Makima interrupted with a faint smirk, her tone reassuring but firm. "It's nice to see your consciousness fully back in your body, Reze. Focus on that. Kang Woo will take care of himself, as he always does."

Reze nodded, still shaken but visibly trying to compose herself. The weight of Makima's presence grounded her, as it always did, even in moments of uncertainty.

,

At the main interior of Futamichi Café, where customers were typically served . At one table sat Quanxi and her group of devil fiends—Pingtsi, Long, Cosmo, and Tsugihagi—all seated together, their expressions ranging from indifferent to mildly intrigued. Across from Quanxi, Kishibe leaned back casually in his chair, his usual nonchalant demeanor intact.

At a different table, Himeno and her new husband, Aki Hayakawa, were seated. Aki carefully examined one of Kang Woo's artifacts—a single-edged weapon with a somewhat curved pommel. His eyes narrowed as he turned it in his hands.

"This thing feels more like a katana," Aki remarked thoughtfully, his voice low as he studied the weapon.

Himeno smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "I'm surprised you're taking an interest in Kang Woo's junk. You do realize he just throws things like that away, right?"

She teased him further, her tone playful. "What if Kang Woo gets mad when he finds out you took one of his treasures?"

Aki's expression remained steady as he replied, "Himeno-senpai, Kang Woo literally threw an Infinity Stone onto a starship the size of a city, causing it to crash-land. I don't think he's worried about this."

Himeno laughed, her voice light but her words carrying a hint of irony. "Maybe he'll like it once he realizes its true value. Or maybe he'll just call it junk like everything else."

Quanxi, overhearing the conversation, furrowed her brow slightly in confusion. "Infinity Stones? What are those?" she asked, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. In her thoughts, she added, I've lived a long time, and I've never heard of these so-called Infinity Stones.

Kishibe took a sip from his glass before chiming in, his tone as dry as ever. "Probably something like Chaos Excalibur. A mystery this world never had, and one that makes no sense to anyone except Kang Woo."

Quanxi leaned back in her seat, her intrigue only deepening. "Sounds like something worth understanding,"

Aki turned the sword over in his hands, his expression thoughtful. "What's this sword called again, Himeno-senpai?"

Himeno tilted her head slightly, her playful smirk still in place. "Orcrist."

Aki struggled to repeat the word, his face scrunching up in concentration. "Orrrrcrrrr... uh, what?"

Himeno chuckled softly, leaning back in her chair. "You can just call it the Goblin Cleaver. That's what it said in the floating description when Kang Woo's artifacts started falling from the sky."

Quanxi, seated a few tables away, raised a brow as her thoughts grew sharper. Grown adults cosplaying from a 1937 children's book, huh? How... childish.

Suddenly, a faint blue glow began to emanate from Orcrist. Aki blinked, holding the sword up slightly. "Himeno-senpai, the sword's glowing blue."

Himeno glanced at it nonchalantly. "Well, it's a nice color, don't you think, Aki?"

Before Aki could respond, Quanxi stood abruptly, her sharp gaze fixed on the glowing weapon. She strode toward their table with purpose, her fiends exchanging curious glances behind her.

"Wait a second," Quanxi said, her tone more serious than usual. She stopped just short of Aki and leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. "That's the real deal. A goblin cleaver. Straight out of the books." She gestured at the glowing blade. "And the real one was just casually thrown away by Kang Woo?"

Himeno shrugged, looking unconcerned as she sipped her drink. "You sound surprised, Quanxi. For Kang Woo, that's just Tuesday."

Aki looked at the sword again, his grip tightening slightly as the blue glow pulsed faintly. "It's not just glowing for decoration, is it?"

Quanxi smirked slightly, her curiosity now fully piqued. "Not a chance. If it's glowing, it's detecting something nearby. What else did Kang Woo 'throw away' here?"

Suddenly, Kishibe shifted closer to Aki and Himeno, his weathered face unusually serious. "Quanxi," he said, his voice low but firm, "I need to intrude here. This is important."

Quanxi nodded, her attention snapping to Kishibe. "Go on."

Kishibe took a deep breath, leaning forward slightly. "My former Student," he said, gesturing toward Aki, "is getting stronger. I see Kang Woo's training has been effective."

Aki only nodded, his expression unreadable but his focus unwavering.

Kishibe continued, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention. "From the look in both your eyes, it seems you know something about Kang Woo—at least enough to understand who and what he is. For the people of Japan, his presence might be an easing force now, but initially? It terrified them. Even primal devils." His tone dropped further, laced with a mixture of awe and gravity. "I have the right to know. I was one of the first people to meet him. Back when he was in beggar's clothing."

Quanxi tilted her head, her usual calm composure giving way to curiosity. "Terrified a primal devil? Really?"

Kishibe nodded solemnly. "The Falling Devil—one of the primal devils—was terrified of him. It didn't dare look him in the eye or make any sort of eye contact."

Quanxi's expression tightened, her thoughts racing. My instincts were right. The Control Devil is following this man, Kang Woo. If even a primal devil is terrified of him, a peaceful resolution is more than acceptable—it's a necessity. Anything else would be a suicide mission.

Aki remained stoic, his grip on the glowing Orcrist steady. "I don't want to lie, and I don't want to tell you anything," he said firmly, his tone final.

Himeno smirked, breaking the tension with a playful jab. "It was Makima who knew first, since Kang Woo told her what he is. And, as surprising as it sounds, Makima started talking a lot about him."

Quanxi blinked, her sharp expression giving way to disbelief. "Makima? Talking too much? Someone as cold and composed as her?" Her tone dripped with incredulity. "I'm very fucking late on everything, aren't I?"

Himeno chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "Yeah, she talked about what he is—to us, anyway. But here's the thing: we're not telling you either."

Quanxi's frown deepened. "Why not?"

Himeno shrugged nonchalantly. "Kang Woo gets annoyed when people talk about his true identity. He didn't mind Makima knowing, but he wasn't thrilled about her sharing it with us, even if it was in private. I can't blame her, though. The current Makima is… well, very devoted to him. She's his first wife, after all."

Aki nodded, his expression unchanging. " Himeno and I respect one of Kang Woo's wishes—we don't talk about what he is unless he says so."

Quanxi leaned back, crossing her arms as her mind churned with the implications. "Makima—a control devil as calculating as her—is now devoted to him. And even she can't keep her mouth shut about him." She scoffed softly, almost amused despite herself. "This Kang Woo really is something else."

As the sparkle portal opened near the cashier counter, everyone turned their attention toward it. Reze stepped forward, carrying the glowing Arkenstone in her hands. Its light shimmered like an aurora, casting vibrant hues across the room. Reze's expression was a mix of irritation and confusion.

"Makima," Reze began, holding the stone up, "you want me to put this glowing gem in a spot where it's very easy to get stolen? Right here, where the customers are served?"

Kobeni stepped out of the portal next, her gaze fixed on the stone. "This Arkenstone is prettier than the Infinity Stones," she murmured, awe evident in her voice.

Makima, the last to emerge from the portal, closed it behind her with a flick of her wrist. Her tone was calm and commanding as always. "Kang Woo's trinkets can be summoned back if needed. Besides, this old café could use a theme—something that exudes richness."

The room fell silent as Quanxi and her devil fiends tensed. Quanxi gulped, her eyes locking onto Makima. Seeing her former superior—the Control Devil herself—once more sent a chill down her spine. Kishibe, meanwhile, simply observed quietly, his expression unreadable.

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes swept across the room, quickly assessing the situation. Her gaze landed on Aki, who was still holding Kang Woo's glowing sword. A sly smirk tugged at her lips. "Aki-kun," she teased, her tone light but edged with sharpness, "shouldn't the Angel Devil sword ,angel devilgave you be enough? And now you're stealing from someone you supposedly hate?"

Aki glanced down at the sword in his hands, then looked back at Makima, unfazed. "Kang Woo is just annoying. But he's… a good person. That's all."

Makima's smirk faltered slightly as something clicked in her mind. She turned her attention back to Aki and Himeno, her tone becoming serious. "Aki-kun, Himeno, you didn't tell Kishibe or Quanxi what Kang Woo is… right?"

Aki shook his head. "We didn't tell them anything."

Himeno chimed in, her voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. "I'm not like you, Makima. We don't go around spilling secrets. We've gotten smarter—and maybe even turned 180 degrees, like you did."

Makima's smirk returned, this time tinged with genuine relief. "Ohhh, I'm very thankful. My major mistake didn't add up."

The tension in the room was broken by the sound of heavy, labored breathing.

"Haaah... Haaah..." Pingtsi, one of Quanxi's beloved devil fiends, clutched her chest, her breathing erratic. Her wide eyes were filled with terror as she stammered, "Miss Quanxi… permission to kill myself. Something inside the Control Devil… is far more horrifying than even primal fears."

Quanxi immediately rose, her blade drawn in an instant. Her protective instincts flared, though her tone remained steady as she turned to Pingtsi. "Idiot. Calm yourself. I'm here to protect you."

Pingtsi's voice cracked with desperation as she shook her head. "You don't get it, Mistress Quanxi. That… thing inside her… it doesn't belong here. It's something deeper—something catastrophic. It's a world-ending disaster just by existing."

Makima's sharp yellow-ringed eyes flickered with annoyance and intrigue. She raised her hand, summoning tendrils of darkness manipulation that lashed out, binding Quanxi tightly before she could make a move.

Quanxi tensed against the bindings, her blade trembling in her grip, but she didn't resist further. Makima's voice was calm yet commanding as she approached Pingtsi, her dark aura palpable but controlled.

In her thoughts, Makima reflected with a hint of surprise. I didn't expect a devil from my world to detect the Commandment of Piety inside me… Kang Woo's power is far-reaching, even here.

Makima crouched slightly, placing a firm yet gentle hand on Pingtsi's trembling shoulder. Her tone was cold but measured. "Calm yourself. I'm not going to harm you, and I couldn't care less about you or your group. I have no interest in meddling."

Pingtsi's breathing steadied under Makima's touch, and she nodded silently, her terror subsiding into quiet submission.

Makima stood, releasing the dark bindings on Quanxi, who still held her blade at the ready. "Pretend I'm not here," Makima said bluntly, her tone dismissive. "I have other matters to tend to."

Makima seated herself at an empty table, pulling out a magical tome inscribed with teachings on the Mirror Dimension Magic. Ignoring everyone else in the room, her sharp yellow-ringed eyes scanned the intricate text. Her thoughts churned as she deciphered the ancient Sanskrit within.

The Ancient One is truly frustrating. She should have forced me to learn this directly. Instead, she left me to struggle through this convoluted language on my own.

Suddenly, a chair scraped against the floor. Makima's gaze flicked upward, her expression remaining cold as Kishibe seated himself across from her.

Without looking up from her tome, Makima spoke, her voice icy and calm. "Why are you bothering me, Kishibe? I've given my word. No birds, no rats, no devils—nothing is spying on you or any Japanese civilian. Now, are you inviting me to trouble?"

Kishibe leaned back in his chair, lighting a cigarette, his demeanor as casual as ever. "Hey, at least give me some credit. If I hadn't humored him and let him stay when Kang Woo showed up in those beggar clothes—despite clearly not being a beggar—you'd never have met your so-called king."

Makima's eyes narrowed slightly, her hand pausing on the page as she tilted her head. Her tone remained steady. "Your point?"

Kishibe exhaled a plume of smoke, his gaze sharp but calm. "I just find it strange, that's all. Someone like you—Makima, the Control Devil—devoted to anyone. It contradicts everything about your origin. You were built to dominate, not serve."

Makima's eyes flicked toward him briefly before returning to her tome. She remained silent, her expression unreadable, though her fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the book.

Makima's fingers tightened momentarily on the edge of her tome as Kishibe's words lingered in her mind. She thought to herself, Not progressing anything is idiocy anyway. With that, she snapped the book shut and, without a word, slipped on her Infinity Sling Ring. With a smooth motion, she conjured a portal on the wall beside her, its edges glowing faintly.

Stepping through, Makima emerged in a bustling Tokyo pizza café, her commanding presence instantly turning heads. The cashier, a young waitress, straightened nervously upon recognizing her. "It's Makima, the hero! How can I—"

Makima cut her off with a sharp tone. "I want a cheese pizza, a beef pizza, and one with tuna. Here." She dropped $300 on the counter. "Keep the change and make it quick."

The waitress ignored the glowing portal behind Makima, focusing instead on the sudden and overwhelming request. Moments later, another waitress appeared with the order, the pizzas still steaming hot and ready.

Makima arched an eyebrow, mildly impressed. "That was fast."

The first waitress, attempting to be conversational, replied nervously, "We only heard rumors that you love pizza… you and your slave…"

Makima's gaze sharpened instantly, and her voice dropped an octave, cutting through the air. "Slave?"

The second waitress hesitated before sliding a folded newspaper across the counter toward her. "It's in today's headline…"

Unfolding it, Makima scanned the bold print, her yellow-ringed eyes narrowing dangerously. The article read: "Do not harm Makima and the man beside her. We've dubbed him Makima's slave—the man named Kang Woo."

A flicker of fire erupted in Makima's palm as she incinerated the newspaper with her Hellblaze, her restrained fury radiating off her in waves. Her thoughts churned darkly. My Demon King being called a slave? This is unacceptable. It's infuriating.

The waitress who handed over the newspaper gulped audibly, her hands trembling. "I-Is something displeasing you, Makima?"

Makima's cold gaze fixed on her, the air around her seeming to freeze despite the hellish flames still licking at the remains of the paper. "Just give me the pizzas."

The waitress quickly boxed the pizzas and handed them over, her movements rushed and nervous. With the boxes in hand,

Makima stepped back toward . "I'm going back to where I came from."

Without another glance, Makima stepped through the glowing portal, leaving the café in a state of tense silence. As the portal disappeared, the staff exchanged wide-eyed glances, each silently resolving to never mention the article again.

At Futamichi Café, Makima stepped through her glowing portal, holding several pizza boxes. She walked with measured steps, exuding her usual composed yet commanding presence. Placing the boxes on the table, she seated herself opposite Kishibe, who watched her with a curious gleam in his eye.

Aki was the first to break the silence. "Ms. Makima, now you can open portals like Kang Woo?"

Makima smirked faintly as she settled in. "Even better, Aki-kun. I can travel worlds just like Kang Woo."

Himeno leaned forward slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Makima, this Strangeyou've been with—what's he like?"

Makima waved her hand dismissively, cutting her off. "He's a good man. Holds great titles—M.D., Ph.D.—but he's stubborn. Stubborn enough that he'd probably destroy his own world before he'd destroy his own universe."

Her sharp yellow-ringed eyes shifted to Kishibe, who had been silently observing her. "What do you want, Kishibe?"

Kishibe leaned back, his cigarette dangling loosely from his lips. "Anything about Kang Woo… and this mana power he has."

Makima's gaze sharpened as she placed her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her hand. "I'll consider it, but only if your lesbian friend here," she gestured at Quanxi with a slight smirk, "joins us. Then we can start our conversation."

Quanxi raised an eyebrow, her devil fiends shifting uneasily in their seats. "What's the catch?"

Makima's smirk widened slightly, her tone cold and calculated. "We trade. I lack some information on events that are unfolding, so I'll offer what you need to know about Kang Woo—but not his origins or identity. Only what's relevant."

Kishibe exhaled a slow plume of smoke, nodding slightly. "A take-and-give relationship, huh?"

Makima's voice turned colder, her gaze unwavering. "I prefer barters. Equal information exchange. If what you offer is worthless, we end it here."

The room grew tense as Kishibe exchanged a glance with Quanxi. Both knew Makima wasn't one to make idle threats, and her calm demeanor only underscored her deadly seriousness.

Kishibe exhaled another plume of smoke, his gaze steady as he processed the tension building in the room. The sharpness in Makima's voice lingered, a quiet reminder of her deadly nature.

Quanxi, leaning back in her chair, broke the silence first. "I'll start. Why is Pingtsi so afraid of you?"

Makima turned her piercing yellow-ringed eyes to Kishibe. "Kishibe, you're aware of my former contract with that backstabbing Prime Minister Kentaro, aren't you?"

Kishibe nodded slowly. "Yeah. You had 127 million lives shielding you from harm. Any damage you took was redistributed as illnesses or random deaths among Japanese civilians."

Makima tilted her head slightly, her smirk widening. "what's inside me is far greater than that. This tiny planet we inhabit wouldn't be able to contain the magnitude of what Kang Woo has given to me."

Kishibe's eyes narrowed, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "You mean Kang Woo's Commandment?"

Makima raised a finger, silencing him with an icy stare. "Wait your turn, Kishibe. Now it's mine." Her gaze turned to Quanxi, her smirk still intact. "Why are you here, Quanxi?"

Quanxi met her gaze evenly, her expression unwavering. "To capture Kang Woo and deliver him to the Chinese government."

The room fell silent for a moment before Makima let out a soft chuckle, her tone dripping with disdain. "Go ahead. Try. You'll probably end up in pieces anyway."

Quanxi's sharp eyes narrowed as she leaned slightly forward. " Makima, you'll protect Kang Woo?"

Makima tilted her head, her smirk growing wider, a low chuckle escaping her lips. "Huhuhu… No, Quanxi. Protect him? That's unnecessary. Let me put it this way—if there were 100,000 primal devils, not just a few hundred as there actually are, including my sisters, the Four Horsemen, it still wouldn't be enough to scratch his skin."

She leaned back in her chair, her voice growing colder and more mocking. "All they'd manage to do is annoy him. And then, Quanxi… you'd suddenly find yourself dead before you even realized what happened."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Makima's words pressing down on everyone present. Quanxi's devil fiends exchanged uneasy glances, the fear in their eyes unmistakable. Even Quanxi herself stiffened slightly, her expression guarded as she processed Makima's chilling confidence.

Kishibe broke the silence with a low chuckle, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Well, that settles it. Quanxi, maybe you'd better rethink that plan of yours."

Makima's gaze lingered on Quanxi, her smirk never fading. "by all means, go ahead and try. It'll be… entertaining."

The room remained tense, the silence broken only by the faint crackle of Kishibe's cigarette. Quanxi's devil fiends shifted uneasily, the weight of Makima's words still hanging in the air. Quanxi herself was unusually quiet, her sharp eyes fixed on Makima, though her expression betrayed her inner turmoil.

Quanxi finally said, her voice calm but edged with disbelief. " BullshitMakima no one is that powerful. Are you lovesick for this man, Kang Woo?"

Makima's smirk deepened, her tone colder now. "Thengo ahead. Fight him. I won't stop you."

Quanxi fell silent, her thoughts racing. The Makima before her wasn't the same terrifyingly calculating Control Devil she once knew. This Makima was more talkative, almost approachable—yet her aura of dominance remained unmistakable. Her silence spoke volumes.

Kishibe, sensing the tension, exhaled a long plume of smoke and leaned forward. "My turn now, Makima. What was your end goal before meeting Kang Woo? And what is it now, after meeting him?"

Makima's eyes shifted toward Kishibe, her smirk softening slightly. "Before meeting Kang Woo, I had a very simple, yet impossible, goal. I wanted to find the Chainsaw Devil, control him, and erase the concepts of devils that were harmful to humans. My ultimate end goal? To experience familial love—hugs, affection, a home." Her voice grew quieter, almost reflective. "But that was a fantasy. I'm a devil. Humans feared me. That was a fact, and it made my dream impossible."

She paused, her yellow-ringed eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she continued. "Now, after meeting Kang Woo… that's complicated. Give me a moment to arrange it in a sentence that you can actually understand."

Makima's thoughts churned, her inner voice a mix of irritation and reluctant amusement. I can't spill the entire story like some pretentious scholar. I need to make myself more valuable. Kang Woo, your personality is rubbing off on me too much. Quanxi might be right—I'm lovesick and possessive. But I know it's practically impossible to reach Kang Woo's level. He's regaining his lost power so fast I can't keep up. Even something as powerful as the Power Stone, which could obliterate most beings, is trash to him.

She straightened slightly and spoke, her tone calm yet resolute. "I'll answer regarding my past goal first. My ultimate goal has already been granted by Kang Woo—I've gained familial love and affection. I'm the happiest devil, and those moments with him are the happiest of my life."

Quanxi chuckled, crossing her arms with a smug expression. "Told you—you're lovesick, Makima."

Makima's smirk returned, unfazed. "Now my goal is simple. I want to keep up with Kang Woo, even if it's only at 10 percent of his progress. That's enough for me, and I'd be more than satisfied."

Kishibe leaned forward, exhaling smoke with a hint of amusement. "Heh, someone like you admitting there's something you can't control is surprising."

Before Kishibe could say more, Makima interrupted sharply. "Before we continue, let me address what's on your mind. Even though Kang Woo has already told you this that he is regain his strength back not growth , butyou're still thinking about how fast he's growing stronger, right?"

Kishibe nodded slightly, his expression contemplative. "Yeah, I still think about it. If he can do it, that means we can too, right? Maybe through Compound V or some other method he's discovered."

Makima pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling in exasperation as her thoughts spiraled. Someone crazier than me, thinking they can become as powerful as Kang Woo. It's as stupid as a regular devil claiming they could ascend to a primal devil. Even now, I've reached the state of a high-ranking demon only because Kang Woo bestowed a fragment of his power to me. He's a Demon King, and in his eyes, all devils—including the primal ones—are invalids. What a low-level world mine is. I can't wait to show them the multiverse someday.

She sighed audibly, fixing Kishibe with a sharp gaze. "You really don't understand, do you? Kang Woo's power isn't something anyone can replicate. Not through Compound V, not through any shortcut. You'd have better luck trying to rewrite the laws of existence itself."

Kishibe leaned back in his chair, a sly smirk tugging at his lips. "From a devil who liked to control everything, now subservient to someone else? What a role reversal. But I have to say, you've changed, Makima. You're almost… humble. You're settling for just 10 percent of Kang Woo's progress, and you're even grateful for it? What happened to you?"

Makima's eyes narrowed as she interrupted, her tone sharp and commanding. "Your turn is exhausted, Kishibe. Now it's mine." She crossed her legs, her gaze unwavering as she continued. "I'm already aware that you're the current commander of Public Safety Devil Hunters since I resigned. It's obvious—no one else is more capable than you. My question is, are you and your buddies trying to recruit me again, or not?"

Kishibe took a drag from his cigarette, the smirk never leaving his face. "At the very least, if we recruit you, Kang Woo would soon follow. You two are like two peas in a pod. Having him on our side would help prevent more unnecessary losses. Right now, Vought has declared a Tournament of Heroes against us, and in a few days, it's clear that none of us are capable of fighting The Seven or their supes head-on. Except Kang Woo."

The weight of Kishibe's words lingered in the room, casting a heavy silence. Quanxi remained still, her expression inscrutable, though her thoughts betrayed the concern she wouldn't voice. I never thought Japan's situation was this bad. Vought is practically a country unto itself. Without Makima, this place is weaker than I ever imagined. And now, Kang Woo… he's their only hope.

Makima stayed silent, her eyes narrowing as she processed Kishibe's offer.

Quanxi broke the tension. "I think this is my final question—and, strangely enough, it's the same one Kishibe and I share." She glanced at Kishibe, who nodded in agreement before speaking.

"What happened to you, Makima, when you went with Kang Woo?" Kishibe's voice carried curiosity and something deeper, something guarded.

Makima offered them a faint smile, enigmatic and distant, as though she was about to answer. But then her gaze shifted sharply. She sniffed the air subtly, her expression hardening. Magic? Her yellow-ringed eyes darted toward the window. She stood abruptly, her movements calculated and deliberate, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

Aki, seated nearby, noticed the sudden tension and turned toward her. "Ms. Makima? Is something—"

Preview :

Before he could finish, the sky outside cracked with an unnatural, thunderous sound. The tear spread like jagged glass, revealing a swirling vortex of darkness. From it, a massive ball of dark energy plummeted, hurtling toward the street outside. The impact sent shockwaves through the area, shaking the café but leaving it largely intact.

The energy dissipated, revealing a humanoid figure within—Dormammu. His form was smaller now, human-sized, but unmistakable. His face retained the dark, shimmering texture of his cosmic essence, glowing faintly with cracks of violet energy coursing through him. His body was visibly battered, wounds etched across his figure, and black ichor seeped from deep gashes as if the Dark Dimension itself was bleeding through him. His once-overwhelming aura now flickered weakly, but even in this state, his presence was oppressive.

Makima pinched the bridge of her nose again, her expression twisted into mild annoyance. "It reeks of the Dark Dimension," she muttered.

Aki turned toward the scene, his eyes widening. "Uh… what?"

Before anyone could process further, another figure descended through the fractured sky, landing with a resounding crack that shook the ground. The newcomer's landing was deliberate, a classic superhero pose with a blade in hand.

It was Kang Woo.

His form was commanding, yet terrifyingly altered. His entire body was cloaked in a black, flame-like goo that clung to him, writhing as if alive. His eyes gleamed with an intricate crimson-red pattern, pulsing with otherworldly energy. In his hand was the Chaos Excalibur, its blade radiating an unstable mix of dark and golden light, as if it could split realities with a single swing.

Kang Woo's voice cut through the air, dripping with disdain. "Anything else, Dormammu? Other than your pathetic power from the Dark Dimension?" His tone was cold, calculated, and mocking.

Dormammu staggered slightly but straightened, his fractured form glowing faintly as he glared at Kang Woo. "You… you dare insult me after this?!" His voice, though weakened, still carried an echoing resonance that chilled the air.