Player 10,000 Year Later (Chainsaw Man ,The Boys) Multiverse later

by xanderzone23

A powerful Gamer MC, the Demon King, descends upon the chaotic crossover world of Chainsaw Man and The Boys, a place where he doesn't belong. With unmatched strength and cunning, he seeks to reclaim his full power—and he fully intends to gather the most captivating women for his harem along the way. Gamer MC . Harem, lemons in the future.

31. The Almighty

After hearing Kang Woo's declaration that no one in this world could harm him anymore, the room fell silent. Aki, Himeno, Quanxi, and Kishibe exchanged looks but had no words left to offer. The Commandment of Truth had already proven his honesty, leaving no room for doubt.

Without saying a word, Kang Woo approached the pool of crimson liquid, his fingers lightly brushing the surface.

Makima tilted her head slightly, observing him. "Does it have flaws? Or mistakes?"

Kang Woo glanced at her and smirked. "Nope. It's perfect."

In his mind, Kang Woo thought, Looks like my quest is finally complete. My restrictions have been lifted—now I can interfere physically.

With a subtle gesture, Kang Woo invoked his King of Chaos power. The crimson pool shimmered, rippling with an otherworldly glow. In mere moments, the liquid began to transform, rising and reshaping itself. What had been a chaotic pool was now neatly organized into sleek, crystalline vials, each glowing faintly with red energy, their surfaces encrusted with intricate designs resembling gemstones and golden embellishments.

The vials were numbered in the hundreds of thousands, arranged with precision, exuding an aura of power and refinement.

Makima stepped closer, her yellow-ringed eyes reflecting the brilliant glow of the vials. She reached out to pick one up, examining the fine craftsmanship.

"V-25, huh?" Makima murmured, her voice calm yet intrigued.

Kang Woo grinned, folding his arms. "It's easier to contend with Vought's products when we have a name that screams 'evolution' over their V-24."

Kishibe lit a cigarette, exhaling a stream of smoke as he eyed the rows of vials with a skeptical expression. "Is this what you meant earlier? Manipulating reality itself, like when you covered the sky with those horrifying monstrosities?"

Kang Woo gave a single nod, his smirk growing wider.

Himeno wandered closer and picked up one of the vials, holding it to the light. "Kang Woo, you've got a thing for gems and jewelry, aren't you ?" She examined the craftsmanship, shaking her head in disbelief. "Sensei, don't throw these away once they're used, at least give them to me .

Kishibe flicked his cigarette ash to the side. "What kind of idiot would throw away a vial with this level of craft? The moment this thing gets sold, it's worth, what—an entire year of my salary?"

Quanxi crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Hold on. We were tense as Fuck a moment ago, and now we're just… chilling? Pretending Kang Woo is our buddy? He's likely the strongest person in the world, and his morals are questionable at best."

Aki adjusted his stance, speaking with his usual calm tone. "If you can't fight it, better just go with the flow. Overthinking things will just stress you out."

Himeno laughed softly, tossing the vial slightly in her hand before catching it again. "Sounds like survival advice, Aki. Guess we're all just along for Kang Woo's ride now, huh?"

Kang Woo extended his hand, and the smooth surface of the floor rippled as if responding to his will. From the shadows beneath their feet, a series of luxurious, gold-trimmed briefcases materialized, each adorned with sleek black carbon-fiber panels and intricate detailing. The cases gleamed under the faint light, their polished surfaces reflecting a mix of high-tech sophistication and opulent design. Embossed boldly on their sides was the label "V-25", surrounded by delicate geometric patterns that glowed faintly blue, signifying the cutting-edge serum they contained.

Makima tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Even the briefcase has a name, huh?"

Himeno picked one up, running her fingers over the pristine craftsmanship. "V-25. You really love branding your stuff, Kang Woo. But seriously—what's with the briefcases?"

Aki crossed his arms, his expression dry. "Himeno-senpai, what did you expect? You want to carry them in a plastic bag like some homeless person?"

Kishibe took a slow drag from his cigarette, grinning slightly. "Better to go with a touch of glamour than to look like a cheapskate, right?"

Kang Woo remained silent, his gaze fixed on the steel door leading to the basement. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing something lurking beyond it—a true threat waiting to surface.

Makima noticed his focus and shrugged, motioning to the others. "Just ignore him. He's in his own world again. Let's pack this up and get moving before he finds another excuse to stir up more trouble."

Himeno, still holding one of the vials, sighed. "The sooner we leave this place, the sooner we get some peace. Let's hurry."

But even as they moved to secure the briefcases, Kang Woo's silence carried an unspoken tension, a quiet acknowledgment of the danger that lay just beyond that steel door.

The group worked swiftly, filling the sleek briefcases with vials of the glowing red serum. Each briefcase opened to reveal an interior lined with luxurious crimson padding, illuminated with soft, ambient lighting that highlighted the carefully arranged vials. The vials were packed in meticulous rows, with the label "V-25" prominently displayed on the lids, exuding both sophistication and power. The inside of the briefcases also featured ornate gold embellishments, complete with a frame-like panel that listed intricate details about the serum—a testament to Kang Woo's flair for grandeur.

Quanxi, leaning against the wall with a tired expression, muttered, "Almost done. Still… it's funny. Even the inside of these things has the number 25 on everything. What are you, branding obsessed?"

Aki inspected one of the briefcases and counted silently. "Each of these holds hundreds of vials. That means, realistically, this can support about…"

Kishibe, always sharp, chimed in. "Twenty Supes. Twenty people with powers comparable to Stormfront, imbued with awakened curse energy."

Quanxi raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that overkill? Twenty people with powers like Stormfront sounds like a waste. Who needs that many?"

Makima, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming, spoke matter-of-factly. "If you can't overwhelm a Primal Devil with one or two individuals, you overwhelm it with numbers. But those numbers need to have value. This serum is designed to give your Public Safety Devil Hunters the strength to stand on equal footing with high-threat devils during operations."

Kishibe took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling thoughtfully. "Makima, I've been wondering. When are you planning to return to Public Safety as commander? It's clear as day you're a more experienced leader than most presidents."

Makima didn't even flinch, her voice cold and sharp. "Drop dead, Kishibe. My decision to resign is final. I follow Kang Woo alone. My heart and soul belong to him."

Kang Woo, standing silently, suddenly felt his hands emitting a dark, shadow-like aura. It cascaded downward like liquid darkness, thick and ominous, even catching Kang Woo off guard.

Himeno chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Heh. Are you trying to put on a show now, Kang—"

Makima's sharp gaze immediately silenced her, the weight of her presence cutting through the air like a blade. "Quiet, Himeno," she said flatly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The sound of something falling interrupted the silence—a distinct tick tick tick tick echoed as pools of darkness, mixed with shadow, dripped from Kang Woo's arms onto the floor. The liquid appeared almost alive, its ominous presence filling the room with unease.

Makima stepped closer, her expression calm but her voice laced with concern. She whispered to Kang Woo, "I can guess there's something your body can't contain anymore."

Kang Woo glanced down at the shadowy substance and sighed. "Technically, this wasn't supposed to happen." His crimson eyes narrowed slightly, realization dawning on him. "I see… Peter January's body—the one I'm currently inhabiting."

Makima's whisper grew more pointed. "The body can't keep up with your pace. You're regaining your former power at an incredible rate, Kang Woo. It's only natural it would start breaking down."

Kang Woo remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing. Behind this steel door lies the Mimic from the "Edge of Tomorrow" universe, its Omega—the core—currently in an inactive, hibernation state due to the lack of water. It's a valuable prize, with its army functioning as a time-loop mechanism. But if they slip from my grasp… it'll be a minor annoyance at best. The real issue is the Alpha guarding the door. If I kill it by mistake, it will reset the day. And since I'm outside the timeline, I don't know where I'll end up if it resets the day while I'm in this weakened state, with my power fluctuating so much.

Makima broke his train of thought by placing her hand gently on his. Her touch was grounding, steadying. "We can come back for your prize behind this door later," she said softly. "Right now, you need to rest. You haven't taken a break—not even after your fight against Dormammu."

Kang Woo closed his eyes briefly, taking in her words, then nodded. "Well… it doesn't matter right now." He glanced back at the group and gestured toward the exit. "Let's get out of this asylum."

The group stepped outside, the chilling air of the night hitting their faces. The tension from earlier seemed to dissipate slightly as they left the eerie asylum behind. Kang Woo stopped abruptly, turning back to face them. His crimson eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and challenge.

"I'm not dumb," Kang Woo began, his voice cutting through the quiet. "I can see it in all your faces—you saw my weakness. Frankly, even I'm surprised to have something like this. This might be the only other window of opportunity to strike me down." His words hung in the air like a gauntlet thrown down before them.

Makima immediately moved beside Kang Woo, her yellow-ringed eyes sharp, as if daring anyone to act.

But Kang Woo raised a hand, stopping her. "No need, Makima. I'm curious about their answer."

Makima hesitated for a moment before nodding, stepping slightly back but still keeping a watchful eye on the group.

Aki stepped forward first, his voice steady but carrying a hint of gratitude. "I'm indebted to you, Kang Woo. You gave me both curse energy and magic. Thanks to that, my revenge against the Gun Devil will finally become a reality."

Himeno followed, her usual lighthearted tone softening as she glanced at Aki. "I just follow my kouhai, but… personally, I'm also indebted to you, Kang Woo. You made my dreams come true. Aki finally accepted me as his wife." She smiled warmly at Aki, who awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

Quanxi crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "There's still Makima, so the idea of striking you down is kind of a joke. Besides," she added with a smirk, "even if you're weakened, the chance of me killing you is… very, very low."

Kishibe took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "Let's shift topics, huh? Since we all just got some nice gifts from the crazy man standing in front of us, I'd say we owe him a welcome party. Division 4 style. Drinks, anyone?"

Himeno's eyes lit up. "Ooh, drinks! Count me in!"

The group burst into laughter, the sudden break of tension warming the air around them. Even Kang Woo, while silent, seemed to appreciate the levity of the moment.

Makima's voice, however, echoed softly in Kang Woo's mind through telepathy. My king, although you may have lost the emotion of joy, the feeling can still be restored. It's not gone forever.

Kang Woo smirked slightly, his expression unreadable. Restored? he thought, though he didn't reply. Instead, he simply followed the group, his steps calm yet deliberate, the faintest glimmer of something—perhaps curiosity—lingering in his eyes.

Kang Woo looked up at the vast expanse of the sky, his crimson eyes narrowing as if peering into a distant past. In his thoughts, he mused, Gogonnash, the Pit Lord, and his battalion of Fel Guards… The ones I commanded to reclaim the orcs thousands of years ago have finally fallen. What's done is done. Time to focus on the present.

Breaking the silence,

Kang Woo spoke, his tone steady yet laced with finality. "Makima, unfortunately, what I've lost will remain lost. However… unknown factors are always welcome."

Makima inclined her head slightly, her yellow-ringed eyes fixed on him with unwavering loyalty. "Yes, my king. I suppose this time, it's for your slumber."

As Kang Woo stared at the heavens, he noticed fragments of blue light shimmering faintly across the night sky. These were pieces of his bestowed power—fragments he had once granted to Gogonnash and his Fel Guards. A faint smirk played across his lips as he raised his hand toward the sky.

"Gogonnash has finally fallen," Kang Woo said softly, his voice carrying a rare hint of reverence. "You've done well to follow me all this time. Now… come back to me. Be mine again, once more."

The fragments of light began descending, streaking through the sky like shooting stars, their glow intensifying as they approached Kang Woo. Each shard returned to its rightful owner, merging with him in a cascade of blue energy. As the final piece was absorbed, a familiar sound filled the air—a steady tick tick tick tick.

Suddenly, Kang Woo's form began to shift and dissolve, his body melting into a swirling liquid of darkness. The shadowy mass surrounded Makima, encasing her in a cocoon-like structure. The darkness pulsed around her, crackling with energy before dispersing into nothingness.

Makima stood in the center of the fading darkness, her expression calm but resolute. She touched her chest lightly, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "So, this is what Kang Woo meant when he said he would compress his heart into me. And now… I will take the mantle in his stead."

In her thoughts, she acknowledged the shift. As you said, my king… our power has merely swapped. The Almighty is now at my disposal, while the Age of Gods resides in you, safeguarding your slumber. Until you awaken, I will ensure your vision persists.

In her thoughts, she reflected on the exchange. As you said, my king… our power has merely swapped. The Almighty is now at my disposal, while the Age of Gods resides in you, safeguarding your slumber. Until you awaken, I will ensure your vision persists.

Aki's voice broke through her contemplation, hesitant but sharp with observation. "Ms. Makima… your eyes. They're different. One of them… it's like Kang Woo's—it has multiple pupils."

Makima blinked, her usual composure momentarily faltering. "Hmm?"

Himeno, quick to act, pulled a small compact mirror from her pocket. "Good thing I always carry this," she said, handing it to Makima.

With a glance, Makima inspected her reflection. One of her eyes retained its familiar yellow-ringed appearance, but with an unnerving addition—two pupils now occupied the space. The other eye had transformed entirely, glowing with a crimson hue and the same twin pupils Kang Woo's had.

Makima studied her reflection calmly, but her thoughts betrayed a sense of awe mixed with unease. Kang Woo wasn't joking when he said the Almighty would transfer to me temporarily. It's… incredible. But still, it's terrifying. Aki and Himeno can feel it—they know the weight of what this means.

Aki exhaled sharply, his voice tinged with worry. "Ms. Makima, did you just inherit the Almighty? That ability… we don't even fully understand it. And Kang Woo used it to completely annihilate us before."

Himeno, trying to lighten the tension, let out a nervous laugh. "Please don't inherit Kang Woo's horrifying personality along with his powers. I'm gonna start calling you 'Miss' from now on, Ms. Makima." She grinned awkwardly but clearly meant every word.

Makima closed her eyes, and the twin pupils faded, her gaze returning to her signature yellow-ringed stare in both eyes. "Don't worry," she said, her voice calm but carrying a weight that silenced further questions. "This is… unexpected for me, too."

Kishibe, always direct, chimed in. "So, is Kang Woo inside you now?"

Makima gave a small, almost teasing smile. "Yes, he is inside me."

Quanxi crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "In sleep mode, I'm guessing?"

Makima's teasing smile grew slightly wider. "Maybe," she said playfully, though her tone left it open to interpretation, keeping the group slightly on edge.

Her yellow-ringed eyes swept over Quanxi, Himeno, and Aki as something new caught her attention. I see, she thought, her smirk fading slightly. So this is how Kang Woo perceives the world. Stats and levels floating above everyone's heads… and none of them pass level 20. What a horrifyingly pitiful state this lower universe exists in. We've all been relying on someone like Kang Woo… because the rest of us are so weak.

Her lingering gaze was enough to make

Aki shift uncomfortably. "Ms. Makima," he said, his voice tinged with unease, "you're staring at us too much… It's kind of scary."

Makima's smirk returned, sharp and almost condescending. "Oh, Aki, it's just… you're incredibly weak. Even with your magic and curse energy."

Himeno frowned, looking between them. "I still don't get it, Makima. What are you talking about?"

Makima waved a hand dismissively, her teasing demeanor back in full force. "Forget it. Just Kang Woo's rants infecting my mind. Pay it no mind."

But her attention shifted momentarily, her yellow-ringed eyes flickering as she stared at the floating status window only visible to her.

….

Regain Power Quest: The Remaining Days of Humiliation

(Status: Complete)

Objective:

Yhwach was once capable of using Soul Distribution, either by touching someone or making them drink his blood.

You already possess Quincy King Power, including The Almighty, but Quanxi mistakenly believes you are giving her a new variant of Compound V.

Instead, the new variant contains fragments of your Demon King Soul, making it capable of performing Auswählen on a massive scale—wiping out China's entire population in an instant.

Reward:

The Compulsory (Schrift from Pernida, NOT including his evolution-based Governance ability).

Knowledge of all Hado Spells (Kido spells from Bleach).

The Location of Satella, the Witch of Envy (Re:Zero Universe).
(Note: The rewards belong exclusively to Kang Woo, not to his envoy.)

Defeat Condition (Custom Added Restriction):

Due to the extreme risk of your power and quest system being unable to keep up with your player level, a handicap has been enforced:
- Kang Woo must not physically participate in the creation of the new Compound V variant.
- Verbal commands, persuasion, or manipulation of subordinates are still allowed.

….

Makima's expression remained neutral, but her thoughts churned. He really did restrict himself. And wiping out China's population with a single spell ? That's probably the second-most evil plan I've ever heard from you, Kang Woo. You never cease to impress me… or terrify me.

She glanced briefly at the others, none of them aware of the scope of the choices Kang Woo constantly balanced. In her mind, she spoke softly, Rest well, my king. I'll see your plans through. Even if they're monstrous.

Makima glanced at the group, her calm demeanor unwavering. She addressed them with a slight tilt of her head. "Where do I drop you?"

Quanxi blinked, her arms crossed. "Dropped?"

Aki smirked faintly. "Quanxi, did you forget? Ms. Makima can open portals to anywhere. Through her, you can go wherever you like. Or… do you want to join Division 4 at the welcome party Sensei Kishibe mentioned?"

Himeno leaned closer, her teasing grin lighting up her face. "Heeeh? Ms. Makima, joining a party? What is this, sneaking off to have fun while Kang Woo is still asleep inside your body? He might get mad, you know."

Makima smirked faintly, countering without hesitation. "Didn't you all have plenty of privacy to discuss everything? At least without me eavesdropping?"

Kishibe exhaled smoke from his cigarette, a chuckle escaping him. "Drop Aki and Himeno off near Fujimono Restaurant. As for me and Quanxi, we'll tag along with you to Futamichi Café first."

Without further comment, Makima slipped on her infinity sling ring, smoothly tracing a circle in the air. Sparks burst forth, forming a shimmering portal. She gestured toward it. "Here you go, Aki-kun, Himeno-kun."

Aki took a step forward, glancing curiously at Makima. "Ms. Makima, did Kang Woo teach you how to make portals like this? Or is this something you figured out on your own?"

Makima's expression didn't change, but her tone sharpened slightly. "Are you going to keep talking or step through?"

Himeno laughed, nudging Aki lightly. "Don't be pushy, Ms. Makima, all right, all right. We're going." She waved casually as she stepped into the portal, Aki following close behind.

Makima opened another portal, golden sparks flickering as it expanded into a stable gateway leading to the streets near Futamichi Café. She gestured toward it with a composed expression. "After you."

Kishibe smirked, tilting his head toward Quanxi. "Ladies first."

Quanxi rolled her eyes but stepped through without complaint. Kishibe followed, hands in his pockets, and after ensuring the portal remained stable, Makima stepped in last. The moment they emerged onto the familiar streets, the faint aroma of fresh coffee . A peaceful scene—at least, it should have been.

But Makima's gaze immediately sharpened.

Kobeni stood near an imposing pillar of ice. Encased within was none other than Fami—the Famine Devil—her sister. The frozen structure glowed under the streetlights, jagged formations tracing along its surface like a hastily constructed prison.

Makima sighed, already exhausted by the sight.

"Kobeni-chan," she spoke with the tone of someone dealing with an expected nuisance. "Is my sister being an asshole again?"

Kobeni, visibly rattled, nodded frantically. "She is. She wanted to talk to you, but she got impatient and started taking hostages… She even summoned her Guillotine Devil and attacked Quanxi's devil fiend group. I had to freeze her with my ice manipulation."

Quanxi's eyes narrowed dangerously as she turned toward her fiends. They stood stiffly in place, their expressions somewhere between wary and irritated.

"Is this true?" she asked, her tone edged with tension.

Pingtsi, shifting uncomfortably, gave a short nod. "Yes. Fami—the Famine Devil—was being aggressive toward us."

Makima rubbed her temple with a slow, measured motion before exhaling through her nose. "Of course she was."

Her yellow-ringed eyes glowed slightly as she gazed at the frozen figure of her sister, the ice refracting her image in distorted reflections. "Fami, you've always been impatient, but I didn't expect you to stoop so low as to attack Futamichi Café's customers."

Makima gathered a flickering dark flame in her palm, the ominous energy twisting like a living shadow. "Hellblaze," she murmured, her voice steady.

The cursed flames engulfed the frozen structure, melting Kobeni's ice prison in seconds. As the last shards shattered, Fami collapsed forward, coughing violently.

"Haaah— khhh! haaahhh! Haaahhh! Cough! Cough! Khhhkk!"

She gasped for breath, her body trembling slightly as she adjusted to the sudden release. Still, Makima didn't flinch, merely watching her sister struggle.

"Here I am," Makima said flatly. "Now speak. Don't waste my time."

Fami, still catching her breath, wiped her lips before finally looking up, her golden eyes dark with urgency. "Nostradamus' prophecy… The coming arrival of the Death Devil on Earth in July 2020. It's said to be followed by the extinction of humanity, and Devils taking over, leading to a global Age of Devils."

Makima raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Uh-huh. Our eldest sister, the Death Devil, will arrive. So what?"

Fami's expression turned desperate as she stepped forward, her tone more persuasive now. "Don't you understand? This will be the end of everything. The normal life you enjoy, the mundane moments—everything will cease. Even I… I like pizza, I like Chinese food, I like living like this. But once she arrives, it's all over!"

Makima barely listened. Her attention shifted to the coverless grimoire floating beside her, its pages spinning wildly as if responding to the topic at hand. With a slight wave of her hand, she willed the book to stabilize. Its form shimmered before reforming into Lucius' Grimoire—the very artifact Kang Woo once held.

Yet, despite its transformation, something was off.

The book still doesn't recognize me as its owner, she mused. It doesn't shine as brightly as when Kang Woo held it. After all, it originally belonged to him… and I am still inferior at soul manipulation compared to him.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. So even with The Almighty, there are things I can't completely control. Interesting.

Fami, still desperate, pressed on. "Work with me, Control Devil Makima. If we act together, we can use Kang Woo to defeat—"

Makima's head snapped toward her, her expression immediately darkening. "Huhhhhh?"

Fami froze as Makima took a slow step forward, her presence suddenly suffocating.

"The fuck did you just say?" Makima's voice was quiet, but the weight behind it sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Fami hesitated. "I-I mean—"

"You mean control him, right?" Makima clarified, her yellow-ringed eyes flashing with something between amusement and pure, cold rage.

Then, she burst into laughter.

"Fufuffufu… Ahahahahahaha! !"

Makima clutched her sides, laughing like she had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

Finally, she stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as her smile became something far more dangerous.

"Are you fucking retarded?" she sneered, tilting her head mockingly. "Did all that sugar rot your brain or something?"

Makima's expression remained unreadable as she took a slow step toward Fami, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming with something between disdain and amusement. "Do you have slightest idea who you're talking about ?"

Fami fell into momentary silence, her brows furrowing slightly. She didn't fully understand what Kang Woo was. Sure, she had seen his power, but even she hadn't grasped the true depth of it.

Makima scoffed, flipping through the pages of Lucius' Grimoire idly with one hand while keeping her other hand raised. "I'm more worried about Kang Woo beheading our dear eldest sister than whatever doomsday you're panicking over," she said casually. "When Kang Woo kills something, he kills it permanently. Conceptually. Even Death itself. If he doesn't behead her, he might just depower you instead."

Fami's eyes widened slightly. "That's—"

Makima ignored her, watching the pages turn, her mind already working ahead. Body, blood, and bone. Kang Woo always had a habit of combining elements. I should test it for myself.

Fami clenched her fists, trying to steady her argument. "Are you really that confident in Kang Woo? That he's unbeatable? Everyone falls eventually. If he gets arrogant, if he underestimates the—"

Makima moved faster than Fami could react.

"Body Compression."

A sickening crack echoed through the air as Makima's right arm suddenly bulged with surging veins, glowing red and pulsating with raw power.

"Jets of Blood."

The compressed energy shot forward in a violent burst, the sheer force of it warping the air. Fami barely had time to register it before Makima followed up immediately—

"Bone Palm."

A massive, jagged bone erupted from her outstretched hand, slamming into Fami's stomach with devastating force. The impact sent her rocketing across the sky, her body blurring as she was launched far into the distance, breaking the sound barrier with an ear-splitting BOOM.

The combined force of the body compression, blood propulsion, and the giant bone strike ensured that Fami didn't just fly—she was catapulted far into the horizon.

Makima casually rolled her wrist, watching the aftershock ripple through the air. "Hmph. That sent her farther than I thought."

Quanxi's devil fiends quickly gathered around her—Pingtsi, Cosmo, Tsugihagi, and Long—all of them moving in unison, instinctively seeking the presence of their leader.

Pingtsi, looking slightly irritated, tugged at Quanxi's sleeve. "Mistress Quanxi, we're still hungry. The café food wasn't enough. Can we eat some more?"

Quanxi sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Kishibe, you're covering the bill at the restaurant, right?"

Kishibe groaned, exhaling a puff of smoke. "There goes my salary… I thought replacing Makima would get me more beer and smokes, but shit , my wallet's bleeding out just the same." He shook his head. "I'll be broke before the night's even over."

Before he could say anything else, Cosmo suddenly stepped forward, her usual blank expression shifting ever so slightly as she focused on Makima.

"You're very lucky," Cosmo murmured, her voice oddly clear and precise—an unusual deviation from her usual babbling. "Control Devil of all beings … you managed to meet that man. Most devils don't even know about him. But you—of all beings—not only met him, but he granted you something beyond any devil or even primal devil could ever obtain."

Quanxi's eyes widened slightly. Cosmo was speaking normally. That almost never happened. Something inside her stirred—something deeper than mere curiosity.

Makima, however, remained composed, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming with quiet pride. "This is the second time someone's told me that," she said smoothly. "And yeah… I'm very grateful for it. More than that, I'm proud that I was chosen by Kang Woo."

For a few moments, Cosmo simply stared at her.

Then, without warning, her expression shifted again.

Her lips curled, and her entire demeanor seemed to reset. Her mouth opened, and she reverted to her usual self, suddenly babbling in a rhythmic chant.

"Halloween. Halloween. Halloween. Halloweeeeeeen."

Makima watched without reaction. But Kishibe and Quanxi exchanged glances, their interest in Kang Woo only deepening.

Kishibe took another drag of his cigarette. " I really need to ask about that guy later."

Makima, ignoring him, raised a hand and effortlessly created another portal— opening near Fujimono Restaurant. The golden sparks flickered as the swirling gateway stabilized.

"If you want to know more about Kang Woo," she said, gesturing toward the portal, "ask Aki and Himeno. I have something else to do first." She placed a hand on her chest, as if feeling something within herself. "Now that he's asleep inside me, I'm gaining more of his accelerated development. His artifacts… they'll be the key to understanding him better."

Kishibe exhaled slowly before stepping toward the portal. "Yeah, yeah. I still plan on asking you later, Makima."

Quanxi, along with her devil fiends, followed close behind, stepping through the gateway.

Without another word, Makima waved her hand, and the portal closed. She stood there for a moment, letting the silence settle around her.

Makima sat at the nearest table, crossing her legs with perfect composure as she pulled out the Book of Mirror Dimension and Mystic Arts Magic. Her fingers traced the ancient cover as she let out a small breath.

I hope The Almighty works in understanding Sanskrit…

Closing her eyes momentarily, she then reopened them, activating The Almighty once more. Her pupils shifted—two irises forming within each eye. The world around her subtly warped, her perception expanding.

The moment she touched the book, a flood of knowledge surged into her mind. The intricate workings of the Mirror Dimension, the manipulation of mystic energies, all of it transferred into her as if she had studied it for years.

She smirked. Even though I don't have Future Transformation or Instant Adaptability like Kang Woo… learning through foresight is truly incredible.

Her gaze then shifted to Lucius' Grimoire, still resting beside her. A flicker of something stirred in her chest—curiosity.

Sorry, Kang Woo, but my desire to be your equal is calling me.

Without hesitation, she placed her hand on the grimoire and activated The Almighty, willing the future knowledge of the book to flow into her.

…

Nothing happened.

Makima's smirk disappeared.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she focused harder, eyes gleaming as she pushed her ability further.

Still… nothing.

The future was completely blacked out.

A cold realization crept into her mind. Kang Woo said The Almighty only works if I have even the smallest chance of winning… That means…

Her fingers tightened around the book.

That means I have a 0% chance of unlocking the grimoire's secrets.

Makima clicked her tongue in irritation.

Shit.

Makima sighed, shaking off her frustration as Kobeni approached from the café kitchen, carrying a milkshake in hand.

"Here it is, Makima. A milkshake for you," Kobeni said with a nervous but genuine smile.

Makima arched an eyebrow. "I didn't order a milkshake, Kobeni-chan."

Kobeni shrugged, placing it on the table. "Just wanted to start a friendly conversation."

Makima hummed in response, eyeing the glass for a moment before noticing Kobeni glancing at her eyes—her yellow-ringed eyes with two pupils in each. The girl's gaze lingered, hesitation clear in her expression.

"I take it… Kang Woo is asleep now?" she asked.

Makima gave a small nod.

Before the conversation could continue, Reze walked over, setting a tray down as she served Kobeni. "Kobeni, you made a milkshake, but you forgot to make one for yourself."

Kobeni scratched the back of her head. "Ah, sorry, Reze. I'm a bit clumsy."

As Reze turned her gaze toward Makima, her eyes suddenly widened in shock. Her hands trembled, and the milkshake she was holding slipped from her fingers. However, Kobeni reacted quickly, snatching it out of the air before it could hit the ground.

Reze's face paled. "Makima… did you get those terrifying eyes because you killed Kang Woo?"

Silence fell over the table.

Makima's expression darkened immediately as she stared at Reze, her yellow-ringed, two-pupil eyes gleaming.

"Are you an idiot?" she said flatly. "Kang Woo just killed something that could be called a god. I wouldn't even have a chance of killing him, Reze. And that's a very bad joke—don't ever say something like that again."

Reze swallowed, realizing her mistake. "I won't repeat it," she said quietly.

Makima leaned back in her chair, resting her chin against her palm. "Good. Because I'm loyal to him alone.."

Kobeni stayed silent, awkwardly sipping her milkshake.

Reze, still tense, finally spoke again. "That means you gained his Almighty power, Makima—the ability that suddenly let him one-sidedly beat Aki. But even I don't fully know what it actually does… or how strong it really is."

Makima responded without hesitation. "Temporarily. If Kang Woo awakens, his borrowed ability will return to him."

She sighed, ready to dismiss the topic entirely. "That's enough talk. Did either of you see a middle-aged man? Pale skin, high cheekbones, stubble, and long ragged black hair with brown highlights… standing behind you right now?"

Reze's eyes widened as she instinctively turned around—but saw nothing. She frowned. "If you're trying to prank me, Makima—"

Makima's entire body tensed.

Her mind processed it instantly. I'm the only one who can see him.

Her voice turned sharp. "Kobeni, Reze—get behind me. NOW."

Kobeni and Reze, recognizing the seriousness in her tone, obeyed immediately, stepping back.

Standing before her was a middle-aged man. He had pale skin, high cheekbones, and stubble. His long, ragged black hair had brown highlights, and his attire consisted of a tattered white dress shirt with an upturned collar and cuffs, black pants, low-heeled boots, and a long, amorphous black overcoat with burgundy highlights that flared out into ragged ends. A pair of brown-tinted, semi-transparent wrap around sunglasses covered his eyes.

Makima had never seen him before. And yet… there was something about him that felt off. It was as if he didn't belong to this world at all.

She quickly molded her darkness manipulation into the shape of a blade, readying herself against the unknown figure.

Meanwhile, deep within the man's thoughts, something stirred.

Ichigo was supposed to be dead. And yet…
Why do I feel him inside this woman? Alive once again?

Makima tightened her grip on the shadow-forged blade, her yellow-ringed eyes narrowing.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

The man—silent—simply stood there.

Old Man Zangetsu tried to speak, but no voice came out. His eyes narrowed behind his brown-tinted sunglasses, his thoughts racing. This is bad. I never thought I'd be this weak. And in that woman's eyes… His gaze flickered toward Makima's twin pupils, glowing with the power of The Almighty. That's the very ability used by Yhwach himself. If my estimations are correct, Yhwach hasn't even recovered from his nine-year slumber yet…

Realizing he had no time to waste, Old Man Zangetsu raised his blade. Instead of attacking, he pressed the sharp edge against the café wall, carving words into the surface:

"I am not your enemy. But if possible, awaken the man inside as soon as you can. When he awakens, tell him this name—Zangetsu."

With that, he turned, his form dissolving into shadows before disappearing completely.

Makima lowered her sword slowly, staring at the message left behind. "Did you both see that writing on the wall?" she asked.

Reze, who had been watching her the whole time, frowned. "Makima… I think you need some beer. You've been talking to yourself for the past three minutes."

Kobeni, however, shook her head. "Reze, you don't get it. There was something there—something only Makima could see. Those twin pupils of hers… they're the requirement."

Makima remained silent, staring at the wall for a long moment before her thoughts drifted. Zangetsu… who are you?

Makima deactivated The Almighty, her twin pupils fading back into her usual yellow-ringed eyes. The moment she did, the writing carved into the café wall vanished without a trace.

Her fingers twitched slightly as she processed this revelation. It's connected to Kang Woo… through The Almighty. More mysteries to be solved while my king sleeps.

She exhaled, pressing a hand to her temple before glancing toward Reze. "Reze, you listed every item that fell from the sky at Hidden Wonderland, right?"

Reze crossed her arms. "I did. I wrote everything down." She tilted her head slightly. "But don't you have a better memory than me? Didn't you say you remember everything Kang Woo says—including his rants?"

Makima gave a small nod. "I need to double-check. I might have missed something."

Reze shrugged. "Alright, I'll go grab it," she said before turning and heading off.

Kobeni shifted uneasily. "Makima… that middle-aged man who was behind us—he's gone now, right?"

Makima's gaze lingered on the now-blank wall before nodding. "He's gone." Her voice was calm, but a calculating edge remained. "But I want to test something."

She reactivated The Almighty.

Instantly, the writing reappeared, carved back into the wall as if it had never left.

Makima's expression remained unreadable, but her mind was racing. it truly is tied to The Almighty. That means… She clenched her fingers slightly before allowing The Almighty to fade again, watching as the words disappeared once more.

As the flames of Aki's blue fire consumed the devil's corpse, the alleyway near Fujimono Restaurant briefly flickered with eerie light. The charred remains crumbled into nothingness, leaving only a bullet-shaped fragment—a piece of the Gun Devil.

Aki bent down, picking up the piece and inspecting it carefully before pocketing it. The weight of it felt familiar, yet distant—another reminder of his long-standing revenge.

Himeno stretched her arms, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Kang Woo sure makes our job a hell of a lot easier."

Aki exhaled, standing up. "Himeno-senpai, before we met him, we were constantly outgunned. If a devil was too strong, all we could do was run or pray we survived. But the magic he bestowed on us… the curse energy and mana—it's raised our fighting power to a level where we can actually stand our ground."

Himeno smirked. "And yet, you're still surprised about a newbie welcome party?"

Aki gave her a flat look. "A welcome party for Division 4? Seriously?"

Himeno grinned. "Yep. The new Division 4 that Kishibe mentioned is officially formed, but the members never got a proper chance to meet each other. This is supposed to be their first real bonding moment."

Aki sighed. "Himeno-senpai, we're not even part of Division 4. And yet, here we are… crashing their gathering like we're members of the team."

Himeno nudged him with her elbow. "Aren't you the same kouhai who keeps intruding on things when it suits you?" She smirked. "Didn't you practically barge into Kang Woo's lessons? Asking him to teach you mana, begging him to give you curse energy?"

Aki rolled his eyes, rubbing his temple. "I never begged."

Himeno tilted her head, her smirk softening into something more thoughtful. "Do you still have feelings for Ms. Makima, Aki?"

Aki didn't answer right away. Instead, he gently cupped her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Nope. Now I'm free, and you're my wife," he said simply. His voice carried no hesitation, only certainty.

Himeno blinked, then chuckled. "Well, that's good to hear." But after a moment, she sighed. "Still… I want Ms. Makima to come to the party. We don't know where she and Kang Woo will end up. The two of them can literally go anywhere now."

Aki nodded slightly. "Yeah. It wouldn't be a surprise if they just disappeared to another world at this point."

Himeno let out a huff. "I mean, did you see Kang Woo? The guy opened a rift with his bare hands. That's something straight out of a comic book."

Aki only smiled, as if he had long since accepted the absurdity that came with Kang Woo's presence.

But Himeno wasn't done. Her curiosity lingered, deeper now. "Seriously though… what's with that twin pupil thing? The eyes that both Kang Woo and Ms. Makima have now?"

Aki's expression turned unreadable. "It's the Almighty," he said quietly. "A power we can't understand. All I know is, when we fought him, we lost."

Himeno frowned. "We lost three times. And we still don't know how we lost. We just… lost." She shook her head. "And now Makima has it too. As long as Kang Woo sleeps."

Aki didn't respond this time, simply continuing forward in silence.

Himeno exhaled, her voice lowering. "But there's one thing I'm even more curious about," she murmured. "Kang Woo… is he really a ruler who was betrayed? Or is he just on some ridiculous vacation and got stranded in this world?"

Aki finally spoke, his voice low. "Which do you prefer, Himeno-senpai?"

Himeno sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'd rather it be the first one," she admitted. "If Kang Woo really is a ruler of Hell who was betrayed and now on the run from his own kind, that at least makes sense. It means there's a reason he's here, a reason he's acting the way he does. But if it's the second one…" Her voice trailed off for a moment before she shook her head. "You saw what he did, right? As he regains his power, Kang Woo can literally command any devil like a king ordering his subordinates. And honestly, I don't want to know how many armies he actually has at his disposal."

Aki nodded slightly. "Yeah… Kang Woo being asleep right now is probably a good thing." He exhaled, his tone quieter. "But between all of that, what unsettles me the most isn't his past, or even his power."

Himeno glanced at him. "Then what is it?"

Aki's hand unconsciously clenched at his side. "The Almighty," he muttered. "That twin-pupil eye he and Makima have now. It gives me the creeps."

Himeno frowned. "Why?"

Aki's gaze darkened. "Because it's like we're already being judged as losers, no matter what decision we make."

Himeno stayed silent for a while, processing his words. The weight of Kang Woo's existence loomed over them—over everything.

But after a moment, Aki lightened the mood, forcing a smirk.

"Himeno-senpai, you just joined the party for the drinks, right?"

Himeno blinked before breaking into a grin. "Obviously." She waved a hand casually. "Let's get back to the topic. We can use this chance to get Makima drunk and make her spill what the Almighty actually is… and maybe even answer my question about Kang Woo."

Before Aki could respond, footsteps approached them from the alley's entrance. Kishibe and Quanxi emerged from the shadows, their expressions unreadable.

"Talking in an alleyway, huh? My disciple, you might get jumped by a stalker," Kishibe commented dryly, lighting a cigarette.

Himeno rolled her eyes. "Sensei, before anyone gets the chance to jump us, they'll be turned into ashes by Aki's magic."

Kishibe's eyes narrowed slightly, his usual relaxed demeanor sharpening. "Enough jokes. It's time you tell me what Kang Woo really is and where he comes from."

Aki let out a slow breath. "Azure Resolve."

As soon as he uttered the words, a dome of blue flames erupted around them, sealing them inside a protective sphere. Himeno followed immediately. "Lucky Drunkard."

A secondary layer of water formed inside the fire dome, ensuring any conversation within wouldn't be heard from the outside.

Quanxi observed the barriers with mild intrigue. "All this just for a conversation?"

Aki's eyes locked onto Kishibe's, unwavering. "For privacy," he said firmly. "Kang Woo's identity might shake the entire structure of power we know. If devils ever find out who he truly is… it'll either send them into chaos, or something even worse."

Kishibe took a slow drag of his cigarette, exhaling before muttering, "I'm listening."

Aki met his gaze with the same seriousness. "Let me explain this world's structure of Hell first. You already know devils reside there, right? But that's just the uppermost layer. Kang Woo… he comes from the deepest part of Hell."

Kishibe raised an eyebrow. "Deepest part? So Hell has multiple levels?"

Aki nodded. "Yeah. But before I get into that, put this in your head—devils and demons are completely different. Devils, the ones we hunt, only use negative energy. But demons…"

Quanxi, catching onto his train of thought, finished his sentence. "Like Kang Woo."

"Yeah," Aki confirmed. "Demons wield mana—pure magic—whenever they want. Kang Woo has another power too, but I think that's something only he can properly explain. I've seen it myself, and even now, it's terrifying. It's not magic. It's something else entirely—his original power."

Himeno leaned back slightly, exhaling. "And beyond that, he's the ruler of the deepest layer of Hell—the Demon King. We actually heard that part from Makima first. Kang Woo was annoyed when she just promoted him in front of us without a second thought."

Kishibe scoffed. "Why would that annoy him? Shouldn't he be proud? If people know him as the ruler of Hell, that's just more prestige."

Himeno gave a lopsided grin. "That's the thing. Kang Woo likes to fight. If his identity got exposed, no one would dare challenge him—at least, no one worthy. That's why he kept it under wraps for so long. But recently…" Her smirk faded slightly, her voice dropping. "You heard him yourself. He doesn't care anymore. He's letting his identity be known. That's what really surprised us—Kang Woo's personality just changed."

Kishibe took a slow drag of his cigarette, his expression unreadable as he exhaled the smoke into the night air.

"Oi, Hell Devil, come over here," he commanded.

His eyes flickered toward the six-fingered, gaping maw of the Hell Devil that had just been summoned, its massive form looming beside him like an unnatural shadow.

"So, it's true then?" Kishibe asked, voice even. "Kang Woo's a Demon King? That's why you obeyed him without question after he gave you his blood?"

The Hell Devil grinned—an eerie, gaping expression filled with malice and something dangerously close to reverence. "That's right, human named Kishibe. The noble one is indeed the Demon King."

Quanxi remained silent, arms crossed, her sharp gaze flickering between the devil and Aki.

The Hell Devil's voice deepened, reverberating in the air. "However, not all devils know about demons. Many don't even believe they exist. And that is how it should be. If devils ever found out the truth… if a war ever broke out… it would not be a fight."

The air seemed to grow colder.

"It would be a slaughter," the Hell Devil finished.

Kishibe crushed the butt of his cigarette against his boot, letting out a slow, unimpressed sigh. "Shit. Now that's a crazy thing to drop in the middle of the street."

"And," the Hell Devil added, its voice tinged with something close to resentment, "among all devils… Makima was the one chosen to meet him. Not only that, she carries a fragment of his power inside her body."

Himeno raised an eyebrow, curious. " , you're saying she's special?"

The Hell Devil let out a low, hollow chuckle. "Special? . If I were to put it bluntly… she's more demon than devil now."

Quanxi crossed her arms, eyes sharp with interest. "Hell Devil, when you met Kang Woo—how did it feel?"

The Hell Devil didn't answer right away. Instead, it remained silent, its six-fingered hand twitching slightly as if the question itself was unsettling.

Kishibe took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly. "He's a demon, right? A whole different race—stronger than devils, capable of one-sidedly beating you down without effort. And yet, you admire him."

The Hell Devil let out a slow, rattling breath before finally responding. "Admire? Hah. I'll add something to that—I respect him, yes, but only because it's business." Its mouth twisted into something akin to a grin. "He gave me his blood, a substance more valuable than the combined blood of every living thing in this world. In exchange, I serve him. But if he were to order me to abandon guarding you, human named Kishibe, I'd do it without hesitation."

Kishibe flicked the ash off his cigarette. "Tch. Figured as much."

Aki's expression darkened. "Then you're saying it's all about survival. You don't serve him out of loyalty."

The Hell Devil chuckled, the sound hollow and eerie. "Loyalty? You misunderstand, boy. You already heard the Falling Devil screaming like a madwoman, claiming that the world had ended because that thing is here." The Hell Devil's expression stiffened, as if recalling something dreadful. "She wasn't wrong. She wasn't in a catatonic state—she was telling the truth."

Silence fell upon the group as the weight of those words settled in.

"The sooner the noble one leaves, the better," the Hell Devil continued, voice dropping into something quieter, something darker. "You humans have no idea what happened in Hell when that incident occurred. And I won't describe it to you." Its body trembled slightly. "Because it's too terrifying."

Kishibe exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his gaze sharp. "Fragment of Kang Woo's power… you mean his Commandment, right?"

The Hell Devil's six-fingered maw twitched before its voice rumbled low. "I've spoken enough. The noble one ordered me to guard you, human named Kishibe—not to talk too much about him."

And with that, the six-fingered arm of the Hell Devil vanished into the shadows, dissipating as if it had never been there.

Quanxi, arms crossed, turned her attention toward Aki. "So, what's this about The Almighty?" she asked, her tone skeptical. "I've heard Makima has it now. And you're planning to make her reveal what it can do?"

Aki adjusted his coat, his expression unreadable. "I'll tell you on the way," he said simply.

Without waiting for a response, he started walking toward Fujimono Restaurant, the others following close behind.

The Fujimono Restaurant was lively, filled with the rowdy voices of Division 4, along with Quanxi's devil fiends. Plates clattered, drinks flowed, and the atmosphere had settled into something that felt almost normal—almost.

A semi-drunk Himeno suddenly stood up, wobbling slightly as she raised her glass. "OI OI, everyone! I want us to make a toast!"

Fushi, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow. "For who, Himeno-senpai?"

Himeno grinned widely, swaying a little. "To the fuckin' crazy tyrant who just descended on this world! The ruler of he—mmph!"

Aki, moving swiftly, clamped a hand over her mouth before she could finish the sentence. "She's just drunk. Don't mind her," he said quickly, flashing a forced smile.

Kishibe, watching the scene unfold, took a slow sip from his glass before glancing at Quanxi. "Reminds you of the old welcome parties, doesn't it?"

Quanxi smirked, tilting her head slightly. "I remember," she said dryly. "I punched you multiple times back then. You kept pressing me, even when I told you I wasn't interested. I only go for women."

Kishibe let out a chuckle, taking another drag from his cigarette. "Yeah. I was younger and dumber back then. Thought I could convince you otherwise."

Quanxi rolled her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "You couldn't."

The conversation was interrupted as Himeno finally managed to pry Aki's hand off her mouth, only to immediately take another swig of her drink.

"Oi, oi, don't act like we're not all thinking about him," she muttered, her voice slightly slurred. "Kang Woo changed everything. And we're all just along for the ride now, whether we like it or not."

A female Division 4 member leaned forward, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Kang Woo? You mean the guy always beside Makima? I heard the Prime Minister passed a new rule—no one's allowed to harm him or Makima, no exceptions. What's up with that?"

Himeno, now far deeper into her drunken haze, slammed her glass onto the table. "HE IS A DE—!"

Before she could finish, Aki moved swiftly, clamping his hand over her mouth while Kishibe, acting just as fast, grabbed her arms and tied them behind her chair with the ease of someone who had done this before.

Aki, forcing a laugh, addressed the group. "Let's just enjoy the party, yeah? The food's still warm, and the beer's still flowing."

The group hesitated for a moment but, seeing how unfazed Kishibe and Aki were, shrugged it off and continued drinking, ignoring Himeno's muffled protests as she wiggled against her restraints.

Kishibe took a drag of his cigarette. " She talks too much when she's drunk. Better safe than sorry."

Aki sighed, loosening his tie. "She's going to be pissed when she sobers up."

Suddenly, the restaurant door swung open, and Kobeni and Reze stepped inside. Kobeni looked around nervously before bowing slightly. "Sorry I'm late. This place was a bit hard to find for me."

Before she could even settle in, Himeno—who had somehow freed herself from the ropes and tape—waved enthusiastically. "Kobeni! Come sit next to me!"

Aki gave her a deadpan look. "You escaped already? Are you really drunk, Himeno-senpai? Or are you faking it—like how Kang Woo always does?"

Himeno grinned, tilting her head. "Do I get a reward for fooling you?"

Aki exhaled, shaking his head before pulling her down gently, resting her head on his thigh. "101 on how to handle Himeno-senpai," he muttered, earning chuckles from the group.

Kishibe smirked, watching the scene unfold. "Guess it's official now, huh?"

Quanxi took a sip of her drink, smirking. "They've been circling each other long enough."

The rest of the group nodded in amusement, the tension from earlier completely dissolved. Seeing Aki and Himeno settle into their relationship, even in this chaotic setting, added an unexpected warmth to the gathering.

Aki then said, "Reze, where's Ms. Makima? She should've come with you both if you arrived together."

Reze shook her head. "Makima will catch up later. She needed to handle something first."

One of the Division 4 members spoke up, raising his glass. "Since this is an orientation, juniors in Public Safety Devil Hunters should stand up, introduce themselves—name, age, devil contracts."

Aki frowned slightly. "That's sensitive information. Only trusted folks should be sharing that."

Despite the hesitation, Arai stood up. "My name is Hirokazu Arai. Age 20. However, my Fox Devil contract was severed… I don't know why."

Aki's eyes narrowed. The Fox Devil really only contracted me, huh? Kang Woo, your order to the Fox Devil was really harsh, but I appreciate it. That means I'm the only one who can summon it now.

The Division 4 member turned his gaze toward Kobeni. "Your turn."

Kobeni's expression darkened slightly. "I don't like being ordered by someone else. The only ones who can order me are Kang Woo or Makima."

The same Division 4 member scoffed. "But you're a juni—"

Suddenly, the temperature in the restaurant plummeted.

A cold, suffocating pressure filled the air.

Kobeni's eyes glowed faintly in the dim lighting as she stared the man down. "I don't want to harm you," she said, her voice eerily calm. "But you remind me of my abusive father."

The air grew heavier.

"Do you still want to continue?" she asked.

Himeno, sensing the tension, quickly raised her glass and grinned. "I'd prefer if we just introduced what we like instead. That's a better bonding moment, right, Kobeni-chan?"

Kobeni hesitated for a moment before her expression softened slightly. She gave a small smile. "What I like, huh?" Her voice dropped slightly, almost wistful. "If Kang Woo can return to his laughing, kind self… that would be more than enough for me. Also… I want to be the best cook for Kang Woo."

Madoka, who had been listening quietly, raised an eyebrow. "What's with this Kang Woo talk? Feels like he's the hot topic of the event tonight."

Before anyone could answer, Himeno suddenly turned to Fushi. "Hey, Fushi, where's your new guy?"

Fushi didn't respond immediately. He exhaled slowly, his fingers gripping his glass a little tighter. "Last night," he finally said, "he died fighting a devil."

The table went completely silent.

Aki was the first to speak. "My condolences, Fushi."

The weight of loss settled over the group, a grim reminder of the reality of their line of work. Fushi sighed, rubbing his temple. "It was his first mission. I told him not to act recklessly, but some people… they don't get a second chance."

Quanxi, who had been casually sipping her drink, set her glass down with a quiet clink. "That's how it is," she muttered. "Newbies don't last long unless they're built for it."

Kishibe nodded, exhaling a long puff of smoke. "Survival rate in this job is abysmal. But that's gonna change."

He casually pointed toward the briefcase sitting beside him, the sleek metal casing adorned with the unmistakable logo—V-25.

Aki's gaze flicked toward it, brows furrowing slightly. "Kishibe-sensei… we're really going to use it? Right here and now? The vial Kang Woo created?"

Before Kishibe could respond, a sudden flash of golden sparks swirled in the air near the entrance. A portal flickered open, its edges crackling with energy. From it, Makima stepped through effortlessly, holding a plastic bag in one hand.

She barely glanced at the stunned expressions on the faces of Division 4 before her lips curled into a teasing smile. "Kishibe, weren't you suspicious of Kang Woo's creation before?"

Kishibe let out a grunt, taking another drag from his cigarette. "Still am. Doesn't mean I won't use it."

Aki immediately stood up, pushing his chair back. "Ms. Makima, please—sit in my place."

Makima merely nodded before settling into the offered seat with an elegant motion. She turned toward a passing waitress and, with an easy tone, said, "One beer for me."

The entire group, especially Division 4, froze for a moment.

Madoka, mouth slightly open, finally found his voice. "M-Ms. Makima… since when do you just open portals like that?"

Makima, completely unfazed, took off her gloves and adjusted her cuffs. "A few hours ago."

Aki and Himeno exchanged glances, while Kishibe merely chuckled, shaking his head.

Quanxi leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So you're picking up some of Kang Woo's habits now, huh?"

Makima merely smirked, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming under the dim restaurant lights. "Perhaps."

Makima casually touched her chest, feeling the steady but slowed rhythm of Kang Woo's heartbeat within her. It was calm—serene, even.

His emotions… they might be stabilizing, she mused internally. And this place, the peaceful atmosphere around me—it's easing his heartbeat. I can only hope that, when he wakes, the joy he lost begins to return.

She settled into the seat Aki had offered, adjusting herself comfortably.

Quanxi studied her with an amused expression. "So… how the hell did someone like you end up being chosen by Kang Woo?"

Makima barely reacted, only glancing at Aki and Himeno. "I assume you two already told them about his identity?"

Aki exhaled. "Only to Kishibe and Quanxi. We didn't tell Division 4."

One of the female members of Division 4 perked up, leaning forward with curiosity. "Oooohhh, what's this? More secrets about him? Ohhh—wait, is Kang Woo your boyfriend, Ms. Makima?"

Makima turned toward her without hesitation. "He is my husband."

A brief silence followed.

Then—several Division 4 members reacted at once.

"Wait—what?"
"H-husband?! That escalated fast!"
"Hold on, when did that happen?!"

Himeno just grinned, sipping her drink, while Kishibe smirked like he already knew this was coming.

Quanxi, however, narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly still processing that information.

Makima, unfazed, leaned forward slightly. ", Quanxi, would you like me to reveal his identity right here and now? Not that I mind."

Aki's face tensed immediately. "Please don't, Ms. Makima. Kang Woo's origins and identity need to be safeguarded. If word gets out… we don't know what kind of chaos it could cause."

Quanxi drummed her fingers against the table, eyeing Makima carefully before scoffing. "Tch. Fine. Keep your secrets for now."

Makima smirked and summoned Lucius' Grimoire.

Aki's eyes widened slightly. "Ms. Makima… isn't that Kang Woo's book? The one that lets you use his personal magic?"

Makima gave a small nod. "Indeed, Aki-kun."

With a flick of her wrist, the grimoire floated mid-air, hovering 100 cm above the table, its pages flipping open as though responding to her will.

Then, Makima summoned another book—The Book of Bandit's Secret, the artifact connected to her Skill Hunter ability.

Without hesitation, she picked up a nearby pen and began writing inside it, carefully copying the Bone Magic description from Kang Woo's grimoire into her own.

Himeno raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I thought only Aki snitched Kang Woo's stuff, but you too, Ms. Makima?"

Makima, without pausing in her writing, simply responded. "The grimoire is only loyal to Kang Woo. However, as long as he is asleep… at the very least, I want to copy the magic that Kang Woo treasures."

Kishibe, who had been drinking quietly, finally spoke up, his voice tinged with amusement. "let me get this straight—you're sitting there, casually taking notes from a certain man's book while he's asleep inside you?"

Makima gave him a calm smile. "I prefer to call it… preserving valuable resources."

Aki sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yeah, because that makes it sound any less suspicious."

Quanxi scoffed. "And people think I'm reckless."

Himeno snickered, nudging Aki. "See? Even Makima can't resist looting his stuff. You're not the only one with sticky fingers."

Makima flipped another page, still calm. "He will understand."

A beat passed.

Kishibe took another sip of his drink before muttering, "Or maybe he'll find it amusing. Hard to tell with that guy."

Makima only smirked at that, continuing her writing as the atmosphere in the restaurant remained warm and lively.

After a minute, Makima finally stopped writing, tapping the pen against the open pages of Bandit's Secret. "Pretty long," she mused, closing the book. "Still, I hope it's worth it."

Before she could put it away, Himeno suddenly snatched Lucius Grimoire from the table and flipped through its pages. "How many magic spells are stored in this thing?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Makima didn't seem fazed. "The only ones I can see currently are three—Body, Blood, and Bone."

Kishibe exhaled a long puff of smoke, tilting his head slightly. "The only ones you can see? You mean if Kang Woo held it, more would unlock? Like, for example, the time magic you used earlier?"

Makima didn't acknowledge the question. Instead, she placed a hand over the grimoire and uttered, "Eternal Fang."

In an instant, countless jagged bones shot out from her palm, spiraling upward like an array of spears. They punched through the ceiling, sending small chunks of debris scattering across the table.

The restaurant manager immediately panicked, slamming his hands against the counter. "HEY! You're gonna pay for that!"

Without even glancing at him, Makima casually pulled a large diamond from her pocket and tossed it toward him. The jewel landed on the counter with a heavy clink.

"Shut your mouth," she said flatly, her yellow-ringed eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "Before I buy this whole restaurant."

The manager's anger immediately dissolved the moment his eyes locked onto the diamond. He hesitated, gulped, then quickly stuffed the gem into his pocket, muttering, "Uh… yeah. No problem. My mistake."

Himeno, still watching the bones protruding from Makima's hand, wrinkled her nose. "Cool… but disgusting."

Makima retracted the bones, letting them sink seamlessly back into her skin as if they had never existed.

Kobeni, who had been silently sipping her drink, finally spoke. "Ms. Makima, did you really have to use magic inside the restaurant?" Her tone was slightly exasperated, but her voice remained quiet.

Makima simply smiled. "Testing its application in different environments is necessary."

Quanxi, unfazed by the display, propped her chin up on one hand. "So? How does it feel, using his magic?"

Makima glanced at Lucius Grimoire, then at her own Bandit's Secret.

"Efficient," she admitted, her voice even. "But still incomplete. This grimoire isn't truly mine. It only responds to me because Kang Woo is asleep."

Kishibe, sitting across from her, narrowed his eyes slightly, swirling the liquor in his glass. "And when he wakes up?"

Makima met his gaze without hesitation. "Then it will return to him. The spell Eternal Fang I used earlier wasn't from Lucius Grimoire—it was through my Book The Bandit's Secret."

A heavy silence settled over the table.

Then—

Himeno, already slightly drunk, grinned and slapped Aki's back. "Oi, Aki, I bet you wouldn't last five minutes using magic like that!"

Aki shot her a deadpan look. "I wouldn't even try."

Laughter erupted across the table, breaking the tension. The rowdy atmosphere of Division 4's gathering took over once again, the earlier heaviness dissolving into alcohol-fueled amusement.

Kishibe shook his head, taking a sip of his drink. "This is the weirdest welcome party I've ever attended."

Makima leaned back slightly, fingers tapping against the Bandit's Secret, her expression unreadable. But inside her chest, Kang Woo's heartbeat remained steady, slow—serene.

Perhaps… he really is at peace.

Her yellow-ringed eyes flickered toward the Lucius Grimoire once more. Should I advance now using The Almighty to learn? Some pages are still missing, but… maybe, like Zangetsu's circumstances, it won't grant me the future sight I want. However… Her pupils sharpened slightly. It might let me see the descriptions that were previously transparent.

Before she could act, Aki interrupted her thoughts.

"Ms. Makima."

Aki's voice pulled her back to the present. He wasn't looking at her book—he was staring straight at her, his expression serious.

"I'm not going to ask about Kang Woo or whatever's between you two," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But… do you know the full details of The Almighty's abilities?"

A small smile tugged at Makima's lips as she reached for her glass, taking a slow sip of beer. Then, as if answering both his question and her own decision, she closed her eyes—and when she opened them again, her Almighty activated.

Two pupils appeared in each of her Yellow - ringed eyes.

"If you manage to outdrink me and get me drunk…" Makima's smirk widened. "I'll tell you."

Himeno nearly choked on her drink, slamming the glass down on the table. "Gulp—! There it is!" she gasped. "The terrifying eyes! The eyes that judge everyone as losers!"

Kishibe exhaled through his nose, swirling his drink lazily. "So this is The Almighty." He gave Makima a side glance, then muttered, "Kang Woo's version had three pupils—crimson. Yours are yellow, and only two."

Quanxi hummed, tilting her head slightly. " That means Kang Woo's and Makima's versions… aren't the same ?."

"Like it's inferior to his," Kishibe added bluntly.

Makima didn't react, simply taking another sip of her beer.

Aki suddenly raised his hand. "Waiter. One beer for me too."

Himeno, grinning like a maniac, slammed her fist on the table. "I'll take another too!"

Several other Division 4 members perked up at the challenge, their competitive instincts kicking in.

"Oh, hell yeah, a drinking match with Makima?"

"She's gotta lose eventually, right?"

"Does she even get drunk?"

Makima rested her chin on one hand, looking at them all with amusement.

Minutes passed.

She had downed eighteen large glasses of beer—and still showed no signs of dizziness.

Meanwhile, Aki and Himeno were face-down on the table, barely conscious, drooling slightly as their bodies gave up on processing the alcohol.

Makima, completely unbothered, continued writing. She transcribed the body magic spells from Lucius Grimoire into her own Bandit's Secret, calmly jotting down each detail.

Kishibe exhaled through his nose, watching her. "You're really taking this chance to copy everything Kang Woo has, huh?"

Makima didn't even glance up. "If you can't have the original, make a copy." A small smirk tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what your country always does, right, Quanxi?"

Quanxi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're talking shit about China now?"

She leaned back, arms crossed. "I heard my country is planning to make another sun."

Makima didn't stop writing. She didn't even look at Quanxi. Instead, she remained utterly silent.

A brief moment passed.

Quanxi clicked her tongue. "Not surprised, huh?"

Makima finally responded, still focused on her notes. "They should just stick with their red sun flag instead of trying to create an actual sun."

She flipped a page, continuing to write. "Most countries bullshit about their capabilities, but the most realistic goal for our civilization isn't making another sun—it's colonizing the moon."

She tapped the pen against the page. "And yet, they haven't even managed to do that."

The table went quiet.

Quanxi let out a short chuckle. "Cold as always, huh?"

Makima ignored the remark as she flipped the pages of Lucius Grimoire, stopping at a newly unlocked section—Astaroth's Time Magic.

The Almighty had given her access to it, but as her eyes scanned the ancient text, she frowned. The language…

It was even more incomprehensible than Sanskrit.

Even though I unlocked the Time Magic section… she thought, if I can't understand the language, then it's useless to me.

Quanxi leaned over slightly, peering at the page. "More like stupid scribbles to me."

Before Makima could respond—

"BLAGGHHH—!"

A loud, disgusting retch tore through the restaurant.

Himeno, without warning, puked her guts out.

The entire Division 4 group freaked out as she hunched over, vomiting with zero hesitation.

Madoka recoiled. "Shouldn't Himeno-senpai be kissing someone instead of puking!?"

Fushi burst out laughing. "Himeno-senpai really outdid herself this time—this is her dumbest moment yet!"

But then—

The puke landed directly onto Lucius Grimoire.

A sickening splat echoed through the room.

Makima froze.

The entire table fell into an immediate, suffocating silence as everyone stared in horror.

The grimoire—normally an artifact of absolute power—was now stained with vomit.

And since Kang Woo was asleep, the book couldn't repair itself.

Makima's eye slowly stared down at the ruined page.

Complete, dead silence.

Kishibe took a casual sip of his drink, watching her reaction. "...You enjoying your time here, Makima?"

Makima didn't look at him.

She simply exhaled sharply through her nose, fingers tightening on the book.

Then, flatly, she muttered:

"Worst time here."

The table exploded with laughter.

The laughter died instantly as an unnatural shift rippled through the air.

Suddenly—

The puke was gone.

Aki and Himeno, who had just been completely wasted, were now completely sober, as if they had never touched alcohol in the first place.

The group turned toward Makima.

Her two-pupil eyes were as eerie as ever—but now, her left eye was no longer yellow-ringed.

It was crimson.

Kishibe's cigarette paused halfway to his lips. A cold realization settled in his gut.

"Party's over," he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Thanks for coming, everyone, but we've got more important matters to discuss."

The Division 4 members, sensing the shift in tone, didn't argue. One by one, they stood and exited, along with the restaurant staff. The manager and waitress quickly followed, leaving only Makima, Kishibe, Aki, Himeno, Quanxi , reze , kobeni , and quanxi devil fiends behind.

Himeno, now fully aware of her surroundings, blinked as she looked down—

At the Lucius Grimoire.

Still tainted in her puke.

Her face went pale.

"I—I'm so sorry, Makima—"

"Save your apologies," Makima interrupted, not even looking at her. "I just discovered something."

A single drop of red splattered onto the grimoire's stained cover.

Makima raised a hand, touching her cheek.

Blood.

A thin, steady trickle ran from her left eye—the one that had turned crimson.

Aki, Kishibe, and Quanxi immediately tensed.

Makima's fingers pressed against the corner of her eye, feeling the slow warmth of the blood seeping down her face. Her expression remained calm, but in her mind—

I only used a small part of Almighty's future transformation… and yet, it's already taxing me?

Not to mention… I see no future where the grimoire restores itself. That's surprising.

Aki hesitated before speaking. "...Ms. Makima, can I ask—"

Makima didn't even glance at him.

"After my eye stops bleeding."

Makima exhaled softly, raising her hand. Darkness curled around her fingertips before slithering up to the corner of her eye, the shadows pressing against the wound like living threads, mending it enough to stop the bleeding. It wasn't perfect, but it would do.

She lowered her hand, the darkness dissipating.

"Do your fiends want to know about the Almighty, Quanxi?" Makima asked, her voice smooth yet unreadable.

Quanxi's expression didn't change, but her eyes sharpened. "Leave my fiends out of this."

Aki, who had been watching silently, finally spoke up. "Ms. Makima, are you finally going to tell us the secrets of the Almighty?"

Makima closed her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them, her gaze sharper than before. "Normally, I wouldn't. But what Himeno did just now…" She gestured toward the still-tainted grimoire. "It forced me into a breakthrough. More parts of its ability have unlocked." A slow smirk played on her lips. "So consider it a thanks."

Aki tensed. "What… does that mean?"

Makima leaned forward slightly, her yellow-ringed and crimson eyes gleaming under the dim light. "It means I want to see how you all react. How insane will you become when you hear the truth? Will you believe my words? Or will you suddenly resign from your jobs?"

Himeno forced a chuckle, but there was an edge of unease in her voice. "Still scary as ever, Makima."

Without another word, Makima raised her hand. Darkness surged from her palm, forming a dense, shifting dome that enveloped them—sealing the conversation within an impenetrable void.

Reze tilted her head, watching Kobeni with mild curiosity. "Kobeni, don't you want to join the conversation about Kang Woo's secrets?"

Kobeni didn't look up from her drink. "I already know about the Almighty," she murmured. "Kang Woo told me. It's a terrifying ability." She took a small sip before adding, "But he also said only Makima has the right to explain it, not me."

Reze raised an eyebrow, sensing something unspoken behind those words, but before she could press further, Kobeni turned her attention to one of Quanxi's devil fiends—the one called Pingtsi.

Kobeni frowned slightly. "It looks like you want to say something," she said, setting her drink down. "Your name is Pingtsi, right?"

Pingtsi nodded hesitantly. "Yes. I… I just wanted to ask," she hesitated before her voice lowered. "Will my mistress… be killed by Kang Woo?" Her hands clenched into fists, her expression unreadable. "If I must, I'm willing to trade my—"

"Hey!" Kobeni cut in, her voice sharper than usual. "No bad words like that."

Pingtsi blinked, startled.

Kobeni's grip on her glass tightened slightly. "Kang Woo is asleep," she said slowly. "Though… most of his good side is on its way to disappearing." Her voice wavered ever so slightly at the end.

Reze narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"

Kobeni remained silent for a moment, then suddenly wiped at her eyes, brushing away a single tear before anyone could call attention to it.

"Don't mind me," she muttered. "Just being myself, that's all."

The sudden crack echoed through the space as the darkness surrounding Makima, Kishibe, Aki, Himeno, and Quanxi shattered .

Quanxi frowned, crossing her arms. "Why did the dome shatter? You haven't explained anything yet."

Himeno, still feeling bold despite the heavy atmosphere, smirked and nudged Makima. "She probably wanted to make a spectacle. Just like Kang Woo."

Makima didn't respond to the teasing, her expression unreadable. But in her mind—

Even just using a small part of the Almighty's future transformation is this taxing? She clenched her fingers subtly. And it's only affecting the abilities Kang Woo bestowed upon me via the Commandment. Even my Darkness Manipulation… But the magic I learned myself remains unaffected. That's useful to know.

With that thought, she blinked once, and her twin pupils faded. The eerie crimson in one eye disappeared, leaving only her usual yellow-ringed gaze.

Kishibe exhaled, watching her closely. "I'm guessing whatever the Almighty did to you was too taxing. Forced you back to normal, huh?"

Makima didn't answer him directly. Instead, she lifted her hands into a swift motion, forming a seal. Within seconds, a ripple ran through the space, and suddenly—

The world around them twisted.

The restaurant faded away, and in its place stood a strange, reflective realm. Infinite reflections of their surroundings stretched out, shifting subtly, as if the world had become a distorted glass maze.

Aki's breath hitched slightly. "Ms. Makima… what is this place?"

Makima lowered her hands, surveying their new surroundings. "You can call it the Mirror Dimension," she said calmly. "It's a parallel dimension. It exists alongside the real world, but access to it requires special means. What happens here won't affect the real world, and vice versa."

Himeno raised an eyebrow. "So… we're being imprisoned here, huh?"

The group all turned to her at once.

Himeno blinked. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

Quanxi let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing her temple. "Stop saying things like that. You puked on her book earlier, and now she's not controlling us like she used to… You're lucky she isn't the old Makima I remember."

Himeno gulped slightly at that, but Makima waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. I won't do that," she said, though there was an edge to her voice. "But you and Kishibe always have this habit of comparing me. Before I met Kang Woo, and after I met Kang Woo… Is there really such a difference?"

Without hesitation, Kishibe and Quanxi both responded at the same time.

"Yes," they said in unison.

Without hesitation, Kishibe and Quanxi both responded at the same time.

"Yes," they said in unison.

Makima's expression didn't change, but a flicker of something—something unreadable—crossed her eyes as she processed their words.

She exhaled softly. "Before this conversation continues, let me make one thing clear," she said. "I don't care if you spread this information, but understand one thing—this Almighty ability does not belong to me. It belongs to Kang Woo. It only manifests while he's asleep. I do not own it."

Himeno opened her mouth, clearly ready to throw in another teasing remark, but before she could speak, Aki swiftly elbowed her side.

Himeno winced, rubbing her ribs, but stayed silent.

Kishibe, unbothered as ever, nodded. "Understood. Anything else?"

Makima crossed her legs and leaned back slightly. "I've said enough," she murmured. "Now… The Almighty allows me to see the future."

Kishibe raised an eyebrow. "Like the Future Devil?"

Makima chuckled at that.

So this is what it feels like, Kang Woo? she mused internally. When people try to compare your abilities to something inferior? When I used to measure your power with concepts from this world? It really is irritating.

She clicked her tongue before speaking again. "Don't compare it to an invalid race that I used to belong to," she said, her tone laced with disdain. "That Future Devil you're referring to—it can only see glimpses. Useless fragments of the future that do nothing but terrify its contractor. In contrast, the Almighty allows Kang Woo to observe all possible futures at once—like countless grains of sand blowing in the wind."

Aki furrowed his brows. "Grains of sand? What do you mean by that, Ms. Makima?"

Makima's gaze sharpened. "It means that Kang Woo doesn't just see a future—he sees all of them simultaneously," she explained. "Every possibility, every choice, every outcome. And because of that, he can act accordingly. He can counter any opponent before they've even made a move—because to him, they already have."

Himeno groaned, rubbing her temples. "That's… that's just unfair. Like, completely unfair. How do you even fight against that?"

Quanxi leaned back, arms crossed, her lips curling in slight irritation. "Tch. Seeing all futures at once is already broken enough, but you're telling me he can just… counter any move because he's already seen it happen? That's not skill—that's just straight-up cheating."

Kishibe chuckled, taking another sip of his drink. "If you're gonna call it cheating, then it's the kind of cheating only someone like him can pull off."

Aki exhaled sharply, his hand tightening into a fist. "That still doesn't explain something," he muttered. "Me, Himeno, and the Angel Devil fought against Kang Woo before. And somehow, we lost—not once, not twice, but three times in a row." His eyes flickered toward Makima. "What the hell was that?"

Makima closed the grimoire in her lap with a soft thud, tilting her head slightly. "You think what I told you was already a cheat, Himeno-chan?" Her yellow-ringed gleamed. "There's more."

Himeno raised an eyebrow, looking wary. "More?"

Makima smirked. "The second ability of the Almighty is future transformation. Kang Woo called it that himself."

Quanxi's brows furrowed. "Future transformation?"

"The mechanism is simple," Makima continued. "The Almighty doesn't just let Kang Woo see the future. It lets him rewrite it."

Silence.

Aki clenched his jaw. "Rewrite…?"

Makima leaned forward slightly, her voice slow, deliberate. "He can alter future events surrounding him as he sees fit. He doesn't need to react, doesn't need to strategize like a normal person. He simply defeats you in the future repeatedly until that future becomes reality."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Himeno's face twisted in disbelief. "What kind of bullshit is that?!"

Quanxi clicked her tongue, looking genuinely irritated now. "So even if we somehow pulled off a miracle and landed a hit on him, it wouldn't even matter. Because in his reality, we never did."

Aki let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. That explains everything now." He exhaled sharply. "It wasn't that we lost three times in a row…"

Makima's smirk deepened.

"It's that you never had a chance to win in the first place."

Himeno threw her hands up, her voice rising in frustration. "I don't believe it! It's just like some hacker in a video game—it's UNFAIR!"

Kishibe let out a low chuckle, tilting his head as he flicked the ashes off his cigarette. "I think you already accepted it, though," he mused. "Technically, you did experience it firsthand a few minutes ago. You just had your future rewritten, didn't you?"

Himeno froze.

"Oh… shit." Her eyes widened as the realization hit her like a truck. "My puke—it's just gone. And my drunk state—I was completely wasted, and now I feel like I never even touched alcohol in the first place…"

Makima smirked. "You catch on fast, Kishibe," she praised. "Though I merely placed you both in a future where you were already sober and the table was clean." She flicked a glance at Himeno. "Simple, really."

Quanxi clicked her tongue, arms still crossed, but her gaze was sharp—analyzing. "But it taxed you, right?" she noted. "You're not Kang Woo. That's why you deactivated the Almighty."

Makima's smirk didn't falter. "You say that as if you're planning something, Quanxi."

Quanxi's lips curled into a knowing smirk of her own. "Just measuring your weaknesses. Maybe yours will affect Kang Woo, too." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Watch your back, Makima."

For the first time, the tension in the air thickened—Makima's gaze darkened, but her expression remained unreadable.

A slow, deliberate pause.

Then—she chuckled. A soft, amused sound, almost entertained.

"You're welcome to try," Makima said smoothly, swirling her beer in its glass. "But remember, even if you do try—" her yellow-ringed eyes gleamed, "I'll already know how it ends."

Aki let out a long, exhausted sigh while Kishibe massaged his temples as if trying to ward off a migraine.

Makima then leaned forward slightly, placing her chin against her knuckles. "Ohhh, but we're not done yet. How about the last Almighty ability? Should I add another one to make you more desperate and confused? Or would you rather we end this conversation here?"

Aki, Himeno, Quanxi, and Kishibe all looked like they were running on fumes—mentally drained from everything they had learned. The weight of Kang Woo's power was crushing. Every single ability of his seemed less like something mortal beings could comprehend and more like a cosmic cheat code.

Kishibe, still holding his drink, let out a dry chuckle. "We already know how low our abilities rank compared to Kang Woo… so why not add more? Let's just stack the insanity to its breaking point, huh, guys?"

Aki groaned, rubbing his face with both hands. "The Demon King of the Deepest Hell has something like this… I'm fucked. I was actually dumb enough to try and fight him."

Himeno, despite everything, patted Aki's back in an attempt to lift his spirits. "Then that just means we tell him, 'Hey, Kang Woo, don't use the Almighty! If you do, that means you're a loser!'" She grinned, clearly joking—but even her expression carried an edge of hopelessness.

Quanxi, however, remained silent. Her arms were crossed, her face impassive—but even she looked resigned to the situation.

Makima, watching their reactions with amusement, took another slow sip of her beer before continuing, "Oh? You think that's bad? Then let me tell you about the last ability of the Almighty… the one that will really make you desperate."

She set her drink down, her gaze sharp.

"The third ability… is instant adaptability."

Aki slowly turned his head toward her, dread already forming in his gut. "Instant what?"

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes gleamed. "Anything Kang Woo sees through the Almighty—any attack, any technique, any ability—will immediately become useless against him."

She let the words sink in before delivering the final blow. "Once he's seen it, it will never work on him again. He adapts instantly and becomes completely immune to it. In other words…"

She smirked.

"Any attack he witnesses with the Almighty is permanently ineffective on him."

Aki blinked.

Himeno just stared.

Quanxi finally looked away, shaking her head in disbelief.

Kishibe downed his drink in one go and slammed the glass onto the table. "Of course he does."

Himeno leaned back, letting out a deep, exhausted sigh. "That's Fuckeddddd , basically, the only way to even stand a chance against him… is if we kill him before he ever sees us attack."

Makima tilted her head slightly, amused. "Mmm, if you can even manage that."

Aki exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "That's insane. It's not even a fight at that point. You can't beat someone like that."

Makima smirked. "Now you understand."

Kishibe tapped his fingers against the table. "This… this is why the Falling Devil lost her damn mind when she realized what kang woo capable of , huh?"

Makima nodded, her voice carrying a sense of finality. "That's right."

A heavy silence followed.

Then—Himeno, of all people, let out a dry laugh. "You know what? I'm done. I quit. I don't even wanna think about this anymore." She slumped forward, groaning into her arms.

Aki gave her a look. "You quit? You just said you'd tell him not to use it because it would make him a loser."

Himeno peeked up from her arms. "Yeah, but I'd be saying it as a joke. I wasn't actually planning on trying to fight him!"

Kishibe chuckled, shaking his head. "Welcome to the world of absolute despair."

Quanxi just took a long sip of her drink, sighing. "I hate this."

Makima, satisfied with the reaction, simply leaned back in her chair, taking another slow sip of her beer.

"You should've known from the start," she said smoothly. "You were never meant to win."

Kishibe took a slow drag of his cigarette, his eyes sharp despite the usual exhaustion behind them. "Even in despair, there's always hope."

Quanxi scoffed, swirling the liquor in her glass. "Kishibe, are you seriously trying to cheer us up? That's not helping."

Kishibe smirked. "I'm just saying—even someone like him has a weakness." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Makima, I think you've had your fun watching us squirm. Now, I want something in return."

Makima tilted her head, intrigued. "Oh? And what exactly do you want, Kishibe? The old dog of Public Safety Devil Hunters, now replacing me as the commander after my resignation." She let out a small, mocking laugh. "The man who once led an Anti-Makima squad… now wants to form an Anti-Kang Woo squad? That's suicidal."

Kishibe shrugged. "I know he has a weakness. And you know it too."

Makima's smile remained, but the air around her seemed to still.

Kishibe tapped the table. "Kang Woo already told you, didn't he? And that grimoire—" He motioned toward the Lucius Grimoire, still tainted with Himeno's puke. "It still hasn't repaired itself. That means there's something Kang Woo can't alter, right?"

Himeno suddenly sat up, her eyes lighting up with a mix of realization and desperation. "That's right! There's hope, Aki! A chance to beat him!"

Aki, however, groaned, rubbing his temple. "Whatever you say, Senpai. Can I just smoke, please?"

Makima observed them for a moment before chuckling softly. "You're being quite pushy, Kishibe." Her gaze sharpened. "What makes you think he has one? And even if he does—" she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into something more dangerous, "—what makes you think that I, the Demon King's first wife, would ever tell you?"

Kishibe smirked, unfazed. "Because you've been measuring his heartbeat this entire time."

Silence fell over the table.

Kishibe exhaled a cloud of smoke. "You came to this party on purpose. And every so often, your hand drifts to your chest. You've been monitoring Kang Woo's heartbeat, whether he likes it or not. Even now." His eyes flickered with amusement. " I bet Kang Woo's enjoying this—watching us react, seeing us struggle."

Makima's smirk widened, but this time, it was something more… personal.

"That's right," she admitted, finally confirming it. "I intend to restore what he lost. And everything that was taken from him—" Her yellow-ringed eyes gleamed. "—by whatever means necessary."

Then, she froze.

Her hand instinctively shot to her chest.

Aki immediately noticed the shift. His expression tightened. "Ms. Makima… is Kang Woo—?"

"He awoke." The words left Makima lips just as the entire room was swallowed by an eerie, unnatural silence.

Then—

Darkness erupted from Makima, spilling out like ink, thick and pulsating with an unnatural life. Eyeballs surfaced from the liquid, shifting and rolling in all directions as it punctured through the Mirror Dimension and forced its way into the real world.

Everyone staggered back.

Himeno felt the hairs on her arms rise. "The hell is that?!"

Makima barely acknowledged the reaction, her gaze locked onto the swirling mass of darkness. "I didn't intend to wake him up," she muttered, her voice colder now, calculated. "But his mood suddenly shifted—"

Kishibe's grip tightened around his cigarette. "Shifted? You mean because of our conversation?"

Makima shook her head. "No. It's not about the Almighty's weakness. It's something else."

The darkness thickened, writhing like a living entity.

"But since we're on the subject," Makima added, her voice eerily casual, "The Almighty does have a weakness."

The words made the room feel smaller, like the walls had just closed in.

Aki's throat went dry. "...A weakness?"

Makima nodded. "Two, actually." Her fingers twitched slightly, as if testing something unseen. "The first—The Almighty requires even the smallest chance of success. If an opponent has a literal zero percent chance of victory… then Kang Woo loses."

Silence.

Aki's fingers curled into fists. "...That means if someone is completely untouchable, immune to all possible outcomes, then—"

"Kang Woo cannot change the inevitable," Makima finished for him.

Himeno's jaw clenched. "...That's a big 'if'."

"The second weakness," Makima continued, ignoring her, "is that The Almighty only functions in environments where time exists."

Himeno blinked. "Wait, time? What do you mean—?"

Makima didn't answer. Instead, she clasped her hands together in a single, decisive motion.

The Mirror Dimension shattered.

Reality snapped back into place.

The group found themselves standing in the restaurant once more. But before they could process the transition, Makima's head turned sharply toward Kobeni.

"Where is Kang Woo?" Her voice was steady, but urgent.

Kobeni, still shaken, hesitated. "...You mean the—" She swallowed, glancing toward the street. "The darkness? The one filled with eyes?"

Makima nodded once.

Kobeni pointed toward the entrance. "He… went outside."

Slowly, Makima turned.

Her gaze drifted toward the open streets.

There—

The writhing abyss of darkness coalesced, twisting, folding into itself. The mass shrank, reshaping, reforming—until it no longer resembled an amorphous void.

Instead, standing beneath the flickering streetlights, Kang Woo emerged.

His frame was different now—broader, more defined, his coat missing entirely, revealing the sheer muscularity of his build. His right hand gripped an unfamiliar sword, its dark surface reflecting the moonlight. Beneath him, water pooled, rippling outward from where he stood, and in its reflection—

A single red eye, filled with pulsating roots.

Then—

Kang Woo opened his eyes.

His pupils—now adorned with the unmistakable pattern of the Magic Eyes of Destruction—gleamed under the night sky.

"Ahhh…" He exhaled, stretching his neck slightly. "A sudden awakening is nice."

His lips curled into something wicked.

"Such a wonderful dream. Particularly…" He chuckled, eyes half-lidded, his gaze carrying something far more sinister.

"Nightmares are the most enjoyable."