Aki's mind churned with the weight of Kang Woo's revelations. It's not that he looks down on us—it's just that Kang Woo has bigger priorities. That eye of his, the way it gazes at everything, isn't about disdain—it's focus. And that quest system? It's driving all of this.

Himeno broke his train of thought, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Shouldn't that quest system be awarded to someone good? Someone noble and selfless? Not an evil, narcissistic overlord like you?"

Kang Woo chuckled, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "The world isn't fair, Himeno. Never has been. I didn't get to the top of Hell by being noble—I claimed it through strength and determination." His smile turned sharper, his tone darkening. "But even kings fall when caught off guard. That's how I ended up stranded here."

Before Aki could respond, a panicked voice came from the spectator seats.

"Uh… Aki? Your brother, who's sitting beside me—he's turning transparent!" Kobeni's hands trembled as she pointed at Taiyo, who was fading like a ghost.

"What?!" Aki's eyes widened in alarm as he turned to look at Taiyo. His heart sank. Taiyo's figure was flickering, becoming less solid with every passing moment.

"Aki!" Taiyo's voice quivered, his small hands reaching out. "What's happening to me?"

Makima observed silently, her yellow-ringed eyes sharp but her lips curved into a faint smile. I guess Aki-kun is maturing. He's not panicking; he's already thinking through the problem, using whatever resources are available to him.

Kang Woo's gaze rested on Taiyo, his expression calm yet critical. "It's impossible for just a mind, without a body—or worse, without a soul—to stay here forever. It seems the connection to the Gun Devil wasn't entirely severed."

Taiyo's voice softened, his fading form trembling. "It's okay, Aki. I believe in you. You've always been my hero. Thank you for showing me—"

"Shhh." Aki cut him off, his voice steady but urgent. "I'm solving this right now, Taiyo. Or rather…" His gaze locked onto Kang Woo. "The solution is standing right in front of me."

Kang Woo raised an eyebrow as Aki stepped forward. "Oh? And what do you plan to do? Beg?"

"No," Aki said, his voice resolute. "Let's bargain. You have the solution—I know it."

Kang Woo smirked, crossing his arms. "You want to negotiate with me? And what exactly can you offer? Your apartment? Your bank accounts?" He chuckled darkly. "You've seen the state of the world. Japan is already mine—Kentaro surrendered it. You're broke, Aki."

Aki's expression didn't falter. "Kang Woo, the Man with a quest system floating above his head—I challenge you. If I manage to punch you in the face for real , you'll help me with what you called the Mind Stone."

Kang Woo's grin faltered slightly. "The Mind Stone? It's just a stone. How do you know I even have it? The only thing I've shown you is the Reality Stone."

Aki's gaze sharpened, his voice steady and deliberate. "You gave yourself away. You mentioned 'a body with a Mind Stone' just a few minutes ago. And then you said you've already collected two stones—Reality and Mind. You were more excited about that than even reclaiming your original powers. That was the giveaway."

Kang Woo stared at Aki for a moment before laughing, the sound both amused and intrigued. "You've been paying attention, haven't you? Fine, Aki Hayakawa. I accept your challenge. But remember…"

Kang Woo's grin turned sharper, more predatory as he began, "The price of failure—"

Makima's calm voice cut through his sentence like a blade, interrupting him effortlessly. "Wait, Kang Woo. You've had your fun, haven't you? You've already achieved what you wanted. Now, let me showcase mine."

Kang Woo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what exactly would that be, Makima?"

Makima smiled faintly, her yellow-ringed eyes shifting to Aki. "Aki-kun, it seems you've impressed me. You're no longer the obedient dog tied to my leash. You've matured . I want to see where that progress takes you."

Kang Woo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "And what's your reward, Makima? The same as Aki's? Do you want the Mind Stone?"

Makima shook her head, her voice calm and resolute. "No. But if possible, I would like to know more about those stones. They intrigue me."

Without hesitation, Kang Woo reached into the air, and with a wave of his wrist, he conjured the glowing red Reality Stone. He tossed it casually toward Makima, who caught it with ease, the shimmering energy humming faintly in her hand.

Kang Woo smirked as he watched her inspect the stone. "What happened to the Makima who always wanted control? You don't need to be humble, Makima. Be greedy, be prideful. You've transcended beyond these 'invalids.'" His tone shifted slightly, carrying a note of reverence. "You are my representative, Makima—the Piety."

Makima's lips curved into a faint smile as she gazed at the stone in her hand, the weight of Kang Woo's words settling over her. "Greed and pride may be your realm, my King, but I serve best when I observe, learn, and act. This Reality Stone… it's a tool. One I'll use to further your will, not my own." Her voice carried both respect and a subtle challenge, as though testing Kang Woo's reaction.

Makima stepped forward, letting her coat fall to the ground. Beneath, she wore a pristine white long-sleeved shirt, a black tie, black pants, and brown shoes. She raised her hand, and from within her soul, the Sword of Darkness, forged through the Commandment of Piety, materialized in a swirl of shadowy energy..

Aki prepared his stance beside her, gripping his Angel Devil sword tightly. His gaze turned to Makima, curiosity laced in his voice. "Ms. Makima… I forgot to ask. Why, when you first met Kang Woo, did you two almost kill each other? And now, you call him 'King.' He's not a king—that much is clear. He just killed a lot of demons, or whatever he calls them. Something greater than devils, as he mocks 'invalids.' Why do you trust him so much?"

Makima's smile didn't waver, her voice steady. "At least someone noticed. For hours, I've called him 'my King,' and no one's bothered to ask why." She exhaled softly, her gaze turning sharper. "I can't blame anyone. After all, the current me can fly, manipulate the strongest darkness, wield Hellblaze, and burn reporters to ash in public. All of that… was granted by Kang Woo."

Her expression softened as she continued. "Let me humor you, Aki. I almost died in Aokigahara Forest. Kang Woo rescued me. He gave me the warmest hug and the love I'd craved for centuries. But then… he died against Lucifero." Her voice faltered slightly, carrying a heavy weight. "When that happened, I was shattered. My revenge Is meaningless as lucifero almost killed us ."

Her gaze sharpened, her smile returning. "And then we saw it. Kang Woo returned. He came back stronger than ever. He didn't just defeat Lucifero—he obliterated him, launching him into space with a miniature sun."

Makima chuckled suddenly, her laughter soft and infectious. "Huhuhu… Hahahaha… Now I understand why Kang Woo speaks so much nonsense. It's satisfying… and it pisses people off! No wonder he does it so often."

From the magic circle, Himeno, still standing with Angel Devil, rolled her eyes. "Makima, you sound just like Kang Woo now—rambling nonsense."

Makima glanced at her, a hint of amusement still in her eyes. "No, sorry. It's just that I've come to understand something. Speaking too much is oddly satisfying… and very effective at irritating people. Kang Woo does it with style."

Makimapaused, regaining her composure. "But I digress. I may have received hugs and love, but I am the embodiment of control. I am the Control Devil. Without purpose, without a goal, I am nothing. Kang Woo gave me that purpose."

Makima raised her sword, its dark energy crackling. Her voice rose with conviction. "He confessed what he truly is—the true heir, the ruler of Hell itself, the Demon King. He entrusted me, a wretch from the uppermost Hell, with the Commandment of Piety."

Her yellow-ringed eyes burned with unwavering loyalty. "He asked me, an invalid being, to stand as his first wife. There is no happiness that can compare to this—an eternal adventure by his side."

Her voice softened as she addressed Aki. "Even though I am over a century old, to him, I am but a child. Kang Woo has lived for millennia, his wisdom and power far beyond our comprehension."

Makima turned back to Kang Woo, her voice filled with devotion and pride. "He is my King. He is my purpose. The Demon King—Anos Voldigoad."

Kang Woo approached Makima, his expression shifting to something almost affectionate as he reached out and ruffled her hair. "Yes, yes, good promotion program," he said with a smirk. "But stop promoting me, or foolish and crazy people might actually be too afraid to pick a fight with me, all right? And stop calling me 'Anos'—that's just a chuuni name I made up to scare demons, nothing more."

Makima tilted her head and mockingly stuck out her tongue at him. "Consider that revenge for teasing me too much. And for the record, 'Anos' is a wonderfully demonic name. Unlike 'Kang Woo,' which sounds like the name of a sucker."

Kang Woo's smirk faltered, and he rolled his eyes. "You did that on purpose, didn't you? I swear, I'm going to invent memory-wiping device just for moments like this."

Himeno, still standing within the magic circle, let out a tired sigh, her hands on her hips. "Ahhh,that's it. The real final boss, the ultimate enemy, has been standing right in front of us this whole time. And not only that—he's been teaching us his abilities! What a crazy day."

Aki crossed his arms, his expression calm but thoughtful. "Well, I'm not surprised. The Falling Devil—the Primal Devil itself—was terrified of him. And the Hell Devil? It was actually grateful for being granted some of Kang Woo's blood." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he added, "That tells you everything you need to know about the kind of power we're dealing with."

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glinted with a sharp, confident edge as she turned toward Aki. "Shall we continue, Aki? If you can land even a scratch on me, you win, and you'll get Kang Woo's Mind Stone to save your brother. But if I kill you more than three times within this magic circle, I win—your brother disappears, and the Mind Stone is out of the equation. Deal?"

Himeno stepped forward, her fists clenched. "Let me join in—"

Aki raised a hand, cutting her off. "Himeno-senpai, I'm sorry, but you need to sit this one out. This is between me and my former superior, someone I respected deeply." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Himeno and Angel Devil exchanged uneasy glances before retreating across the ice bridge to the spectator seats. They sat beside Taiyo, whose body was growing more transparent by the second, though his mind lingered, still aware of the unfolding battle.

Himeno leaned forward, her voice steady but laced with worry. "Don't lose, Aki. I won't permit you to lose."

Kang Woo clapped his hands together, drawing Aki's and Makima's attention. "Are you ready, Aki Hayakawa?"

Aki nodded, gripping his Angel Devil sword tightly, the blade glowing with the fiery essence of Blazing Courage.

"And you, Makima the Piety?" Kang Woo's tone carried a teasing reverence.

Makima smirked inwardly, her thoughts betraying her amusement. Makima the Piety. What a nice, high-ranked demon name. I like it. She nodded as well, stepping into position and her Sword of Darkness with a tight Grip.

Kang Woo raised his hand, signaling the start. "Fortis fortuna adiuvat.fortune favors the bold ."

Aki charged forward, his Angel Devil sword igniting with a fierce blue flame as he swung it with precision and force. Makima met him head-on, her Sword of Darkness leaving a trail of shadow as their blades collided with a deafening CLANG. Sparks flew, illuminating the magic circle as the clash of power sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

Makima moved with graceful lethality, each swing of her blade calculated and swift. Her fighting style bore an eerie resemblance to Zeldris's demon swordsmanship, her strikes relentless and unyielding. Aki parried her attacks with difficulty, the weight of each blow forcing him back, his grip tightening on his sword.

Makima pressed her advantage, her movements like a storm. She spun and brought her blade down in a devastating arc. Aki barely managed to sidestep, the tip of her sword grazing his arm and leaving a thin line of blood.

"You're faltering, Aki," Makima said, her tone calm yet taunting. She lunged forward, her blade cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Aki gritted his teeth, channeling the fiery energy of Blazing Courage into his movements. He swung his sword upward, creating a wall of blue flames to block her advance. Makima sliced through the fire with ease, her sword dispersing the flames as though they were mere illusions.

Makima's blade came dangerously close to his throat, forcing Aki to twist and roll away. He landed on his feet, breathing heavily but refusing to back down. I can't lose. Taiyo's counting on me.

Makima closed the distance in an instant, her strikes growing faster and more precise. Aki's parries became increasingly desperate, his movements less about offense and more about survival. Her blade danced around his defenses, forcing him to retreat further into the circle.

Finally, Aki spotted an opening. As Makima brought her sword down in a powerful vertical strike, he sidestepped and countered with a fiery slash of his own. The blue flames surged toward Makima, forcing her to leap back, giving Aki a moment to breathe.

"You're learning," Makima remarked, a faint smile on her lips. "But it's not enough."

She lunged again, her blade a blur as it clashed against Aki's in a flurry of sparks. Aki stumbled under the pressure, but just as Makima's sword seemed poised to strike him down, he channeled all his strength into a final, desperate swing. The clash of their blades sent a shockwave that pushed them both back, leaving Aki barely standing and Makima completely composed.

Aki stood, breathing heavily, his grip on the Angel Devil sword trembling. Makima, on the other hand, remained completely composed, her expression unreadable.

In her thoughts, Makima analyzed his technique. That's Aki's curse technique, Blazing Courage… but the energy surrounding it is blue. Blazing Courage shouldn't be blue—that's the color of Azure Resolve. I can differentiate mana and negative energy by scent, and there's something peculiar here… Should I use the Blacklight Biomass Kang Woo granted me?

Aki readied his stance again, this time keeping his distance from Makima. He wasn't advancing recklessly, his gaze sharp and calculated.

Makima's faint smile returned, this time more teasing. "Aki-kun, you won't get another chance like that. When I—"

"Ms. Makima," Aki interrupted, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "Even when you were my superior, I wasn't reckless around you. And now… you've said it yourself. There's a Commandment of Piety inside you. That means there are surprises, traps, and contingencies—just like Kang Woo. The moment I lose focus, I know I'll be caught in one."

Makima paused, her thoughts shifting. He's correct. I'm not as intricate as Kang Woo, who always has a thousand plans in motion, but I was indeed planning to test the limits of mana reinforcement. Kang Woo's Blut Vene Anhaben is a fascinating combination of offense and defense… and perhaps I was subconsciously replicating his approach.

Makima chuckled softly, tilting her head. "I suppose Kang Woo has indirectly taught you, hasn't he? In his own… unique way."

Aki's grip on his sword tightened, his determination unwavering. "Indirect or not, it doesn't matter. I'll keep pushing forward, no matter how unpredictable you or Kang Woo are."

Makima smiled faintly, dismissing her sword with a casual flick of her wrist. She stepped forward toward Aki, her hands slipping into her pockets, her movements unhurried and confident.

Aki, steadying his breath, focused intently, his thoughts racing. Time to use what I've learned from Kang Woo—always have a plan, no matter the situation.

As Makima's boot touched the ground, a sudden flare of heat erupted beneath her. She paused, her smile deepening slightly as she realized she had stepped on a landmine of flame. In her thoughts, she mused, Ah, so this is the work of Azure Resolve—Aki's magic. Clever.

Before she could take another step, the landmine detonated in a massive burst of blue flames. The shockwave sent a rush of air through the battlefield, and Aki kept his gaze locked on the spot where Makima stood, unmoving, his sword ready for the next strike.

But then, a sound cut through the clearing smoke.

BANG.

Aki gasped, his body jerking as he felt his heart shatter from within. He stumbled backward, his vision darkening momentarily before collapsing to the ground. The smoke cleared, revealing Makima standing unharmed, her fingers in the shape of a pistol . A faint shimmer surrounded her—a barrier formed by her mana reinforcement.

Makima tilted her head slightly, her thoughts calm and analytical. Hmm. The Blut Vene Anhaben that Kang Woo uses is more elegant and noble in its structure. How can I replicate those intricate veins of energy?

Aki's body dissolved into light and reformed within the magic circle, whole again. He coughed slightly, regaining his composure as he stood. "I forgot…" he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. "She's the Control Devil. Her means of attack aren't always straightforward, but they're lethal."

Makima smiled faintly, her tone calm but teasing. "I'm glad you remembered. Two more times, Aki, before you lose. Make them count."

Without warning, she raised her finger again and whispered, "Bang."

A telekinetic force surged toward Aki, aiming for his head. This time, however, Aki was ready. He had watched the trajectory of her previous attack and managed to calculate its path. Just before the invisible bullet could reach him, he raised his left hand to block it. The force tore through his hand, leaving a large, bloody wound, but it spared him a fatal blow.

She won't keep that barrier forever, Aki thought, gritting his teeth against the pain as he sprinted toward Makima, his eyes locked on her. I'll bet everything on her shieldrunning out before she can strike again.

Makima's smile widened slightly as she prepared to fire another shot. Just as her finger rose, the faint shimmer of mana reinforcement surrounding her flickered and disappeared. Her thoughts raced. My mana is depleted for now. I see why Lucifero kept his reinforcement so close to his body—it's far too costly otherwise.

Aki seized the opportunity, lunging forward with his angel devil sword imbued with Azure Resolve. The blade glowed with intense blue flames as it cut through the air toward Makima. Yet, as Aki closed in, Makima's smile never faltered.

In an instant, a shield of writhing flesh formed in front of her—a manifestation of the Blacklight Biomass Kang Woo had granted her. Aki's blade tore through the shield, shredding it apart, but before he could land his strike, Makima's hand shot forward and caught the blade mid-swing.

Aki's eyes widened in disbelief as Makima held his blade effortlessly, her hand unscathed. Blue veins began to spread across her skin, pulsating with a faint light. Makima's voice was calm, almost triumphant. "Yes, mana reinforcement is costly. But through Kang Woo's Blut Vene Anhaben, I found inspiration."

Her grip on the sword tightened as she stared at Aki, her smile growing. "I call it Mana Veins."

Makima's calm exterior didn't waver, even as Aki's surprising plan unfolded. She held the Angel Devil sword in one hand, its Blue flames flickering against her Mana Veins, while her other hand formed a familiar pistol gesture. Her mocking tone carried across the battlefield as she addressed Aki. "Any last words for the loser? Or perhaps a grateful speech—you've been fond of those."

Aki, bloodied and exhausted, met her gaze unwaveringly. "None. I've said enough. Finish this round, Ms. Makima."

Makima's smile remained as she whispered, "Bang." The invisible force struck Aki, killing him for the second time. His body dissolved into light, and Makima released the Angel Devil sword, watching it fall to the ground.

Before she could fully relax, the sword suddenly moved on its own, surging toward her. Makima raised her hand and caught it once more, her Mana Veins flaring to life to block the sudden attack. Her sharp eyes darted toward Angel Devil in the spectator seat, one of his eyes closed in exhaustion as he extended his hand.

"Usage: 100 years," Angel Devil murmured, his voice strained.

Makima's brow twitched in irritation as she deflected the sword's energy. "Kang Woo, next time, no spectators allowed to interfere in a fight."

Kang Woo, standing calmly on the sidelines, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Focus on your opponent, Makima."

Makima was surrounded by red flames , yet she stayed composed. Her thoughts shifted as she analyzed the situation. Blazing Courage… But where is Aki? Shouldn't he have respawned by now?

Her answer came in the form of a massive crater suddenly forming on the battlefield, as though it had existed all along. Her sharp gaze darted upward, and she saw Aki high in the sky, his legs gone but his resolve burning brighter than ever.

Makima's lips curled into a faint smile, amusement tinged with respect. It seems Aki has learned Kang Woo's method well—plans within plans. He used every distraction to his advantage.

She quickly pieced together his strategy. Aki had already respawned and used Himeno's water magic, imbued with its alcohol properties, as a propellant. The scattered liquid, untouched by his flames, had created the perfect launch pad to propel him into the sky. Now, Aki was descending rapidly, his body enveloped in Azure Resolve, and he held his original katana, reclaimed in the chaos.

Makima instinctively raised her palm, prepared to unleash a Hellblaze Bomb. Dark flames began to gather, crackling with raw destructive power. But just as quickly, she dismissed them with a flick of her wrist. No need, she thought, closing her eyes briefly. The moment I let myself get distracted, I already lost. No need for cheating. A faint smile tugged at her lips. Kang Woo, even if you won't admit it, I know you want Aki to have his own happy ending. And as I grow stronger,Nayuta's my future self becomes more intertwined with me, I realize just how terrible a devil I've been without you. But maybe… you'll see this as me trying to make things right.

Makima stood still, lowering her guard as the blue flames surrounding Aki erupted into a massive explosion. The shockwave tore through the battlefield, the force rippling like a storm. When the smoke cleared, Aki's katana was embedded in Makima's shoulder. The sight stunned him.

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes met Aki's, her voice calm but edged with something almost maternal. "You've won, Aki-kun. It looks like your path is now your own."

ang Woo clapped slowly, his grin wide. "This winning round belongs to Aki Hayakawa."

Reze, watching from the sidelines, furrowed her brow, her thoughts racing. Did Aki just beat the Control Devil? Or… is there something I'm missing?

Himeno, on the other hand, couldn't contain her excitement. She jumped up, pumping her fists in the air. "Woohoo! Aki just won! He actually beat Makima! Hell yeah!"

At the center of the magic circle, Aki sat, exhausted and legless, the toll of the battle evident on his face. His voice, however, was steady as he asked, "Ms. Makima… why did you hold back? You could've won this round easily with that dark flame at your palm. It could've wiped me out in an instant."

Makima tilted her head, her smile faint. "I don't know," she said lightly. "Maybe I just wanted to give you a parting gift on good terms. Or…" She paused, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Maybe there's an invisible panelyou can't see, but I can. Something akin to what Kang Woo always sees when he looks at his system quest. Who knows?"

Makima raised her hand in her signature finger-pistol gesture, smirking as she aimed it at Aki. "Do you want me to kill you again? Because sitting here legless is quite a pathetic display."

Aki sighed, shaking his head. "No, I'll handle it myself." He conjured the red flames of Blazing Courage, stabbing himself in the chest without hesitation. His body dissolved into light before reforming moments later, fully healed and standing once more within the magic circle.

Kang Woo stepped forward, the ice bridge forming beneath his feet, creating a path toward Taiyo in the spectator seats.. Behind him, Makima and Aki followed closely, both silent, their thoughts lingering on the events that had just unfolded.

Reaching the center of the seats, Kang Woo waved his hand, summoning a lifeless body from his system inventory. The figure appeared humanoid, its metallic form gleaming faintly under the artificial light. Its forehead bore a glowing gem—the Mind Stone, nestled in the synthetic skull.

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes narrowed as she studied the figure. "It's not human," she remarked, her voice calm but curious. "But it resembles one."

Kang Woo turned his gaze toward her, his tone casual yet instructive. "This is Vision—a synthezoid. His body is made from vibranium, the hardest metal on Earth. Not this Earth, obviously," he added with a smirk. "This one's too preoccupied with devils and the endless power struggle between Vought and the rest. Vision was created by Ultron, with the assistance of Helen Cho, and brought to life by the Mind Stone."

Kang Woo leaned closer to Vision's lifeless form, his crimson eyes gleaming as he spoke. "But what we need isn't him—it's the stone on his head. And his body if necessary …" He tapped the vibranium shell with his finger. "It's a shame. Vibranium is a fascinating material. I was planning to create my own version of Ultron. But," he said, his tone shifting as he straightened, "a deal is a deal."

Without hesitation, Kang Woo placed his hands on Vision's skull. . With a sickening crack, he forcefully broke open Vision's forehead, extracting the glowing Mind Stone from its place. The faint hum of the stone's energy resonated in the air as Kang Woo held it up, inspecting it briefly before turning his gaze to Aki.

"What a shame," Kang Woo muttered, his voice laced with a faint trace of disappointment. "The potential for Ultron could've been extraordinary. But, as I said, I honor my deals."

Makima crossed her arms, her expression unreadable as she watched the scene unfold. "Efficient as always, my King," she remarked. "But now that we have the stone, what happens next?"

Kang Woo glanced at the glowing Mind Stone in his hand, then at Taiyo, whose transparent form flickered faintly in the light. "Now," he began, his tone as steady as his movements, "let me begin what I like to call repair time. I'll stabilize his mind here in the Hidden Wonderland, but keep this in mind, Aki: Taiyo's soul remains tethered to the Gun Devil. He won't move to the surface or Japan's streets. His mind will stay here, at least for now, because I don't want people asking why the fuck there's a stone on Taiyo's forehead, and I sure as hell don't want my shit getting stolen."

Aki's gaze shifted to Taiyo, who stood nearby, his form faintly shimmering. "Taiyo, what do you think? Is this okay with you?"

Taiyo shrugged, a faint smirk on his lips. "I don't mind, heartless bastard. It's way comfier here than being stuck in the Gun Devil's stomach."

Aki's expression softened, guilt flickering in his eyes. "That's on me. I taught your name to him… I'm sorry for that. But don't worry—this guy here…" He gestured toward Kang Woo. "His name is Kang Woo, and he's going to save you."

Kang Woo rolled his eyes, muttering, "Whatever," as he stepped toward Taiyo. Carefully, he placed the Mind Stone on Taiyo's forehead. The glowing gem began to emit threads of golden light, weaving around Taiyo's form like delicate, intricate stitches in a tapestry. The stabilization process was slow, but steady.

"Now we wait," Kang Woo said, stepping back and crossing his arms. "And while we do, let me explain something. This Mind Stone? It's real. It originated in this universe. There's no second Mind Stone, no duplicates, no resets. This is unique—and irreplaceable."

With a wave of his hand, Kang Woo conjured a hologram in the air, depicting six glowing stones, each radiating immense energy. "Before the universe began, six singularities existed. The Big Bang condensed these singularities into concentrated crystals and sent them hurtling across the cosmos. These are the Infinity Stones, each representing a different aspect of the universe: Space, Mind, Reality, Power, Time, and Soul."

The hologram shimmered as Kang Woo continued, his tone casual but sharp. "Only beings of immense power can harness them. Except for the Mind Stone—it's just a glorified 'mind.' Kind of sucks at its job, really."

Makima raised an eyebrow, her tone edged with dry humor as she replied, "Only you, Kang Woo, would call powerful artifacts like that 'suck at their job.'"

Should I tell the Soviet Union that the ruler of hell itself has descended into our world? Reze thought, her expression unreadable as she observed the interaction. No one would believe me anyway. I'm just an agent—a Bomb Devil hybrid. But I need to ask this, even if it sounds ridiculous.

Reze, who had remained quiet, finally spoke up. "Kang Woo, how do you know all this? It's like you're not just from the deepest part of hell or a Demon King—it's like there's more. Like you've had these stones before."

Kang Woo smirked, tilting his head slightly as he teased her. "What's this? Is the waitress asking her boss about his hobbies now?"

Himeno chimed in, unable to resist the chance to prod Kang Woo further. "Yes, Kang Woo. And as Aki pointed out earlier, you seem more interested in these stones than even regaining your own power."

Kang Woo's smirk faded slightly, his tone dropping to something sharper. "That's outside your line, Himeno. Makima's already told you all far more about me than I intended. It's getting annoying."

Makima's playful smirk immediately faded, her posture straightening as she recognized the shift in his tone. He's not joking this time, she realized. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I didn't know."

Kang Woo's expression softened slightly as he leaned in, planting a kiss on Makima's cheek. "It's okay," he said, his voice gentler. "Just pick your jokes more carefully next time."

Makima nodded, her yellow-ringed eyes flickering with understanding. Even when he's annoyed, he doesn't completely lose his temper. That's what makes him… different.

Aki crossed his arms, his tone deliberate. "Then I'll change Reze's question: how powerful are these stones, and why don't we—"

Kang Woo raised a finger, cutting him off mid-sentence with a sharp glance. "The Power Stone, for example," he began, his voice calm but deliberate, "has enough power to flatten your planet's surface and kill everyone on it."

The room fell silent as the gravity of his words sank in.

Aki's face paled. "What the hell? That's… ridiculous. Something like that actually exists?"

Himeno's jaw dropped, her voice tinged with disbelief and rising panic. "You're joking, right? That's—how the fuck is that even fair? That's not power—that's annihilation!"

Angel Devil crossed his arms tightly, his usual deadpan expression giving way to genuine unease. " you're saying this Power Stone can just wipe us all out? Great. Just fantastic. And here I thought you were alreadyscary, but now there's something out there that's worse."

( according to angel devil mind since he doesn'tknow what kang woo fully capable )

Taiyo, flickering faintly as his form stabilized further, managed a weak chuckle. "Well, uh, I guess being stuck in the Gun Devil's stomach isn't as bad as that. Thanks, Kang Woo. That's comforting."

Kang Woo smirked slightly at their reactions, clearly entertained by their unease. "As for your second question," he continued, turning his crimson gaze to Aki, "why don't we just grab the Soul Stone? Let's just say… it's complicated."

Aki frowned, his voice cautious but firm. "Complicated how?"

Kang Woo's smirk faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. "First off, I don't think the Soul Stone will be served to us on a silver platter like the Reality or Mind Stones. I know exactly where it is and what fucking trial I'd have to go through to get it—and trust me, I hate the idea of going through that trial. Second," he paused, his voice dropping, "the Soul Stone's job isn't as straightforward as you think. Sure, it deals with souls—but not in a way that would help you. In your brother's case, his original soul is stuck inside the Gun Devil. If we used the Soul Stone, it wouldn't pull his soul back. No. It'd kill your brother's original soul and replace it with a new one."

Aki froze, his hands balling into fists. "You're saying it would erase him completely?"

Kang Woo replied, his voice low and unyielding. "That's a fucking bad situation, right? You'd save Taiyo's body, but what would be inside wouldn't be Taiyo. It'd be someone else entirely—a stranger wearing your brother's face."

Himeno visibly shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself as she tried to process the information. "That's… horrifying. Why does something like that even exist?"

Angel Devil sighed, shaking his head in dismay. "It's just one bad thing after another. I'm not sure whether I should be thankful or terrified that Kang Woo seems to know all this."

Kang Woo's smirk returned as he glanced at Taiyo, who was silent but listening intently. "The easiest solution," Kang Woo said, his voice matter-of-fact, "is to kill the Gun Devil. Take it down, and all the souls it's consumed—including Taiyo's—will be released. Easy peasy."

Taiyo nodded slightly, a small, tired smile crossing his lips. "Well, I guess that's the plan, then. Sounds simple enough, right? Just kill the scariest devil ever made.

Kang Woo's smirk deepened as he looked at Taiyo, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "For you all, taking down the Gun Devil will be hard as hell. But for me? Easy. Just kill the invalid, who copy my soul-devouring technique, and it's done. Though, to be honest, I hate it when some invalidmimic my devouring powers without paying me a proper tribute. Still…" He shrugged casually, "I don't think I should interfere in someone else's vendetta, huh?"

Aki stepped forward, his palm igniting with the fierce blue flames of Azure Resolve. His expression was resolute, unwavering. "Kang Woo," he said firmly, his voice steady, "I will be the one to kill the Gun Devil. Not you. It's my target, and I'll bring Taiyo's soul back with my own hands—using the power you granted me."

Himeno stepped up beside Aki, her tone equally determined. "As Aki's partner—and his lover—I'll stand by his side, no matter what." She took a swig from a flask of water-alcohol she'd conjured using Lucky Drunkard, the faint smell of booze wafting in the air. "Guess that makes me his backup, huh?"

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glimmered with amusement as she watched the two of them. "A drunkard and a former orphan. What are the odds?" Her teasing tone carried an edge, her faint smile mischievous.

Kang Woo chuckled lightly, folding his arms. "Fortune favors the bold, anyway," he said, his voice tinged with mock indifference. "Who am I to judge? Besides…" His gaze lingered on Aki and Himeno for a moment longer before he turned away. "Every good vendetta needs a little chaos to spice things up."

Kang Woo's crimson gaze shifted to Taiyo, where the Mind Stone pulsed faintly on his forehead, stabilizing his form. Kang Woo smirked, satisfied. "The Mind Stone did its job. Your form's stabilized. You're welcome."

Without waiting for a reply, Kang Woo leaped gracefully from the spectator seats to the ground, landing on the edge of the magic circle. He leaned casually against the spectator wall, arms folded, his expression indifferent.

As if on cue, Makima followed, mimicking his pose as she leaned on his right side.

Kang Woo tilted his head slightly toward her. "How's the Reality Stone?"

Makima raised her hand, the stone materializing briefly in liquid form, floating above her palm. "Is this stone really that complicated?"

Kang Woo's expression shifted to mild amusement. "Yeah. But I didn't expect it to turn into aether immediately ." He reached out, his fingers brushing the liquid as it solidified back into the Reality Stone. Twirling it between his fingers, he added with a smirk, "I'm thinking of making it into a necklace. Or maybe a ring. Haven't decided yet."

Makima nodded, her yellow-ringed eyes glancing at him thoughtfully. Kang Woo's attention drifted, as it often did, to the invisible air before him. He stared intently, his focus on something only he could see.

Suddenly, more figures joined them. Kobeni and Reze leaned against the wall on Makima's other side, mirroring her pose. Moments later, Aki, Himeno, and Angel Devil leaned on Kang Woo's left side, creating a line of spectators.

Kang Woo let out an exaggerated sigh, his voice dripping with mock annoyance. "I get why Makima's clingy—she's always been like that. But all of you? What's this about? Starting to feel like a damn family photo."

Reze smirked, her tone playful. "I'm just a humble waitress. Bootlicking the boss might get me a raise, right?"

Kobeni pouted, crossing her arms. "I just don't want to lose to Makima."

Kang Woo turned his gaze to his left, raising an eyebrow at the others. "And you?"

Aki shrugged, his tone dry but curious. "You're staring at something again. Is it your quest system? Or something more interesting? You've got to share it with the rest of the class."

Himeno grinned wickedly. "I'm just here to piss you off."

Angel Devil, ever deadpan, nodded in agreement. "Same. It's fun."

Kang Woo groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I attract the absolute worst kinds of people." His exasperation, however, was betrayed by the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Kang Woo waved his hand, summoning a massive hologram that displayed his shop inventory in intricate detail. The light from the hologram bathed everyone in an otherworldly glow as Kang Woo casually navigated through the list, his demeanor relaxed, almost bored.

The inventory was an overwhelming showcase of impossible items:

...…

Benevolent Points Inventory:

Book of Vishanti – 2,000,000 Benevolent Points: 1x already bought in inventory and only 1 stock.

Divine Axe Rhitta – 750,000 Benevolent Points: 4x already in inventory and bought.

Playful Cloud – 200,000 Benevolent Points: 2x already in inventory and bought.

Owl Quinque – 150,000 Benevolent Points: 3x already in inventory and bought.

Quincy King Spiritual (excluding Almighty) – 1,000,000 Benevolent Points: 1x.

Vision's Body (including Mind Stone) – 750,000 Benevolent Points: 1x (Mind Stone: 1 stock available).

...

Malevolent Points Inventory:

Darkhold – 1,500,000 Malevolent Points: 1x already bought in inventory and only 1 stock.

Chaos Sword Excalibur – 900,000 Malevolent Points: 1x already bought in inventory and only 1 stock.

Kamutoke Dagger – 400,000 Malevolent Points: 3x already in inventory and bought.

Dragon Kagune – 500,000 Malevolent Points: 1x already in inventory and bought (limited to one; subsequent purchases may yield lower-grade items).

Zanpakuto: Ichimonji, Kyoka Suigetsu – 1,200,000 Malevolent Points: 2x already in inventory and bought. Only 1 stock each

Endo-Sym Armor Mark 50 (with Extremis App and Virus) – 600,000 Malevolent Points: 3x already in inventory and bought.

...…

Current Points:

Benevolent Points: 0 (No good deeds currently.)

Malevolent Points: 50,000,000 (Evil deeds from past hell and ongoing actions counted.)

...

Note:

Points can be converted at a 2:1 ratio between Benevolent and Malevolent Points.

Two items must be sacrificed to increase the number of available items in the shop inventory.

,...…

Himeno squinted at the hologram, her arms crossed. " all that shit you were saying about already having all these items… not bullshit, huh? You've really been hoarding all this, and we didn't even know these things existed."

Aki sighed, his fingers rubbing his temples. "Ms. Makima told me I'd need to broaden my perspective to deal with you, Kang Woo. But looking at this…" He gestured vaguely toward the hologram. "I think I need to shut off all my logic and just be a good listener."

Makima's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Smart move, Aki-kun."

Reze, watching the hologram, narrowed her eyes, her thoughts spinning. To Kang Woo, all of this must feel like a game. He's not just powerful—he's got a system that lets him grow endlessly. Whatever he wants, he can eventually get.

Makima broke the silence, her yellow-ringed eyes fixed on Kang Woo. " what are you going to delete, Kang Woo? I assume this is the first time you've considered doing that to expand the shop inventory."

Kang Woo tilted his head slightly, his crimson eyes locked on the hologram. "Let me think for a while," he said, his tone as casual as if he were deciding what to have for dinner.

Kang Woo made a dismissive hand swipe, scrolling through thelist in his hologram inventory with clear disinterest. "Ugh, too long," he muttered. "Let's cut to what matters." With a quick flick of his fingers, he navigated to specific items.

With another casual swipe, he deleted Vision's Body (including Mind Stone), Owl Quinque, Dragon Kagune, and Chaos Sword Excalibur. As soon as the fourth item was removed, the hologram displayed a bright, pulsing message: Wait.

Aki furrowed his brow, stepping closer to Kang Woo. "Uh… that's four items, Kang Woo. Are you sure you don't need them back? I mean, some of those sounded pretty useful."

Kang Woo shrugged, clearly unbothered. "Sometimes you've gotta switch it up," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "It's like flipping coins in a bull-run market—if there's any crypto in this world, that is."

Makima shook her head, clearly unimpressed. "Kang Woo," she said with a sigh, "some of those were one-of-a-kind. Is the system being limited, or…?"

Kang Woo didn't even pause as he replied, "More like they're unique to this world. If it's listed as one stock, it means it's the only one available here. Simple."

Reze smirked, folding her arms as she leaned slightly closer. "And you found them by cheating your way out, didn't you?" she teased, her tone playful but laced with an edge of curiosity.

Kang Woo didn't miss a beat as he replied to Reze's teasing. "It's not cheating—it's a system shop granted to me, fair and square. It all depends on your points. You don't find these things through conventional means because, frankly, you'd suck at it."

Reze's smirk wavered for a moment, and she crossed her arms tighter. Still as frustrating as ever, this man is, she thought, rolling her eyes internally.

The hologram flickered and updated itself, the words Shop Inventory Updated glowing brightly as the new list appeared:

...

Benevolent Points Inventory: (Modified Filter)

Eye of Agamotto (carrying the Time Stone) – 1,000,000 Benevolent Points

Dragon Slayer Sword (Guts' sword) – 250,000 Benevolent Points

Arata Proto (Kakuja Armor) – 200,000 Benevolent Points

Arms Inventory (Tower of God version) – 100,000 Benevolent Points

...

Malevolent Points Inventory: (Modified Filter)

Tesseract (Space Stone) – 1,500,000 Malevolent Points

Crimson Beherits – 800,000 Malevolent Points

Yukimura 3/3 Quinque – 50,000 Malevolent Points

Casket of Ancient Winters – 500,000 Malevolent Points

,

Kang Woo's gaze lingered on the updated inventory as his thoughts wandered. With the King of Chaos, I've managed to modify the inventory system. Some items, like the Infinity Stones, are beyond mere reality-warping. They can only be brought into my possession if they already exist in the universe. The points-based system operates on a give-and-take relationship, much like a binding vow or a Nen restriction—you sacrifice something to gain something.

Himeno from her spot glanced at the hologram and immediately recognized a name. Her brow furrowed as she pointed at the list. "Wait… why is Guts' Dragon Slayer Sword on there? And Crimson Beherits?! Is the system in your head planning to pull off an Eclipse here, Kang Woo?"

Kang Woo's lips curled into a devilish grin. "Do you want me to?"

Himeno recoiled slightly, her face scrunching in disgust. "Of course not! That's a horrifying ritual! Have you even read Berserk? No way I'm signing up for anything that involves that nightmare."

Kang Woo chuckled, clearly entertained. "Relax. I wasn't serious. Even I wouldn't touch the Eclipse ritual with a ten-foot pole. But it's fun watching you all squirm."

Makima, leaning against the wall as usual, gave Kang Woo a side-eye. "You enjoy your dramatics too much," she muttered, though there was a faint trace of amusement in her voice.

Meanwhile, Aki and Angel Devil exchanged a glance, both too uneasy to comment on the bizarre additions to the inventory. Reze, on the other hand, leaned forward with genuine curiosity. "And the Time Stone?" she asked, pointing at the Eye of Agamotto. "Is that going to be your next big thing?"

Kang Woo smirked. "That can come later. Besides…" He glanced at Aki. "Your wife's probably going to chime in soon and say something like, 'Hey narcissistic jerk, why don't you share your rewards with us?'"

Aki sighed, his tone resigned. "Well, that's Himeno-senpai. She always speaks first."

With a quick motion, Kang Woo tapped the hologram and purchased six Arms Inventory (Tower of God version). A moment later, a series of floating, futuristic armory devices appeared, shaped much like the one in the image. The sleek devices were curved and white, with dark segments housing various components. Each one hovered in midair before settling in front of Aki, Himeno, Angel Devil, Kobeni, Makima, and Reze. ( img here )

Kang Woo gestured casually toward them. "There. I'm one step ahead—not being a cheapskate. You can think of these as mobile inventories. Say 'dismiss,' and they'll disappear. Say 'visible mode ,' and they'll materialize again. They function as storage spaces, capable of carrying as many weapons as you can fit."

Makima, inspecting hers with mild interest, asked, "And what happens if we lose it?"

Kang Woo sighed, clearly unimpressed with the question. "It's bound to your presence, Makima. You can't lose it unless you die. And if that happens, there won't be a blue sky anymore in this world."

Kobeni, nervously fidgeting, spoke up. "Please don't joke like that, Kang Woo… I still live here, you know."

Ignoring her anxiety, Kang Woo tapped the hologram again and made another purchase. The hologram shimmered as a new item appeared: Yukimura 3/3 Quinque. He handed one to each member of the group: Aki, Himeno, Angel Devil, Kobeni, Makima, and Reze.

"This is called a Quinque," Kang Woo explained as they examined their new weapons. "It's far superior to your conventional swords. The blade is long and tapered, similar to a katana. The '3/3' means it has three forms—it can split into three swords when needed. When inactive, it can collapse into a compact iron stick for easier storage. Or, if you don't want to carry it, just put it in your inventory."

Reze tilted her head, a playful smirk on her lips. "Are you a Santa now? Handing out fancy gifts to everyone?"

Kang Woo rolled his eyes but smirked faintly. "Hardly. I just wanted Himeno to stop mocking me for a while. This is the first time I've shown my shop inventory to everyone, and what I actually want isn't even there."

Himeno, never one to back down, grinned mischievously. "Oh, you know you love my bullshit, Kang Woo—"

"Sorry, Himeno-senpai, I need to interrupt," Aki cut her off, stepping forward with a serious expression. "Kang Woo, I need to ask—what could possibly be more valuable than these Infinity Stones you keep talking about? You literally have two of them now, although one is in Taiyo's forehead and the other is in Makima's hands. And two more could be bought if you wanted. Is there really something more important?"

Kang Woo's smirk faded into something sharper, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly as he crossed his arms. "Yes, Aki. There is something far more importantthan these'paperweight stones.'."

The group fell silent, their curiosity palpable. Himeno muttered under her breath, "Far more important, huh? Figures he'd find something even crazier than planet-killing stones."

Kang Woo's smirk sharpened as the group grew quiet, their attention fixed on him. Pressing through his inventory menu, his crimson gaze lingered on a new note that had appeared:

"To update and add more items: Buy all available items and delete the current stock."

Makima, noticing his pause, tilted her head. "That note wasn't there before, was it?"

"Nope," Kang Woo replied casually, though his tone carried a faint edge of suspicion. Without hesitation, he flicked his hand and selected 'Buy All Items.'

The room trembled slightly as the shop inventory processed his command. Suddenly, a cascade of powerful artifacts materialized around him, clattering onto the ground like treasures pulled from a vault:

Eye of Agamotto (carrying the Time Stone) ,Dragon Slayer Sword (Guts' Sword) 3, Arata Proto (Kakuja Armor) 5 ,Tesseract (Space Stone), Crimson Beherits, Casket of Ancient Winters

The sound of steel and artifacts hitting the floor echoed ominously. The hum of magical energy filled the room, making everyone freeze.

Angel Devil, usually unfazed, blinked as he surveyed the pile. "Some of these… have duplicates. You're hoarding now?"

Makima stepped forward, picking up a Crimson Beherit between her fingers. The crimson egg shimmered ominously in the light. "It seems some of the items were bought for his collection. Or maybe…" Her lips curled into a faint smirk. "You're turning into Santa Claus again."

Himeno's gaze narrowed as she took a step back, eyeing the Beherit warily. "Kang Woo, didn't you literally just say you weren't going to pull off an Eclipse ritual? That's a Crimson Beherit in her hand! You know what that thing does, right?"

Makima interrupted smoothly, holding up the Beherit and inspecting it with fascination. "Himeno, Kang Woo had to buy all the items to update his shop inventory. It's not like he's planning anything… yet. But if you want to target someone foolish enough to pull off an Eclipse, you can ask me."

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glinted with confidence as she added, "I've realized it's impossible to keep up with Kang Woo. His power is returning too quickly, even with the Commandment of Piety inside me. As he grows stronger, I risk being left behind… and as his first wife, it's my goal to remain his equal. If I want to make Kang Woo my property, as I've already declared before him, I need to at least be able to keep up with him."

Himeno shot her an incredulous look. "You've read Berserk, haven't you? Or watched the anime? This isn't some joke. You sound way too casual about this. Pulling a Griffith is a horrifying thing to do ."

Makima turned her gaze to Himeno, her expression calm but with an unsettling edge of amusement. "That's the genre I enjoy. And yes, I've read Berserk. I like the idea of power—of control. If I were to pull a Griffith…" She trailed off, smirking faintly, "…I'd find the loopholes first."

Himeno paled, her tone hushed. "Makima, that's not funny. That's real. Kang Woo's shop isn't just fiction. Those Crimson Beherits or any artifacts he boughtthey're real items.

Reze, observing silently, finally spoke up, her voice tinged with curiosity. " Kang woowhy buy duplicates? Why three of Guts' swords? Why five of the Kakuja Armors?"

The room fell into silence again as everyone's gaze turned toward Kang Woo, waiting for an answer. Kang Woo kept silent, only staring at the hologram above him.