Angel Devil, seated nearby, shrugged casually. "More like he doesn't care who listens to his rants. Might as well turn it into a public lecture at this rate."
Reze stifled a laugh, glancing between the group and Kang Woo. "Well, this should be fun. I'll grab a seat." She quickly settled at an open table, her curiosity piqued.
The Soviet Union gave me a secret message just moments ago, Reze thought, her mind racing. They want me to capture the man beside Makima. As if that's even remotely possible. Makima herself, even after resigning from Public Safety Devil Hunter, is supposedly stronger than ever. I heard she now has wings and can fly—something she couldn't do before. But the man beside her… it's not Aki or Angel Devil. It's Kang Woo.
Her gaze flicked toward Kang Woo, who remained seated, exuding a calm yet commanding presence. Kang Woo… she thought, he's far more dangerous than Makima herself. Are you fucking kidding me? Look at his eyes—that multi-pupiled, crimson gaze. He looks like he could blow this entire world apart just because he's in a bad mood.
Himeno's hand suddenly landed on Reze's shoulder, breaking her spiral of thoughts. "Reze, you seem lost in your head. You okay?"
Reze blinked, snapping out of it, and quickly forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just… a bit overwhelming, you know? Kang Woo becoming the new owner of Futamichi Café and all. And then before the rain, there were those monsters in the sky… It terrified everyone."
Angel Devil leaned back, folding his arms. "Those monsters? Yeah, that was all Kang Woo. He was pissed off at Public Safety Devil Hunter HQ."
Reze's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"
Aki added, his tone resigned. "Yeah, Kang Woo basically gave everyone PTSD. He's like a walking apocalypse, just… casually."
Reze gulped, her forced smile fading as silence settled over her. What kind of being am I sitting near?
Makima remained quiet, her yellow-ringed eyes observing Reze with a calculating gaze. The old me… I would've already controlled or killed you, Reze, for putting on that fake smile. But my husband, the Demon King himself, gave you a bunny. That alone makes you an anomaly in his eyes—a rare exception.
Makima leaned back slightly, keeping her thoughts to herself. I'll wait and see. For now.
Kang Woo stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention as he conjured a stick and a board from thin air. The gesture, reminiscent of a teacher preparing a lecture, felt oddly absurd given the gravity of his presence. It bore an uncanny resemblance to Zeref teaching Mavis, with an air of authority mingled with sarcasm.
"Mana," Kang Woo began, tapping the board, "has many different names, actually. Etherano, Magicule, Magicka—but I call it mana because it's universal. Mana is an essential aspect of every mage that has ever existed, serving as their source of magic power, which is used to cast spells."
He glanced around, his tone growing more deliberate as he continued. "This energy is naturally present in the environment and within every living being. Because of this, it's common knowledge that everyone can use magic to some extent. Individuals born with a strong affinity for mana and exceptional reserves of magic power are said to be 'loved by mana.'"
Kang Woo paused for a moment, smirking faintly. "At the same time, those who possess no mana and are unable to use magic at all are extremely rare. They're said to be 'hated by mana.'"
The room grew still as his words sank in. Reze, Aki, Himeno, and even Angel Devil found themselves oddly captivated, despite the absurdity of Kang Woo teaching them like an eccentric professor.
Then, with a dramatic wave of his hand, Kang Woo's tone shifted, dripping with sarcasm. "But here's the problem with this world—this world sucks."
The group blinked, startled by his bluntness.
"This world runs on fear-based power and negative energy," Kang Woo continued, his voice growing louder. "Sure, that's nice and all, but it stays like that for fucking forever!" He jabbed the stick at the board for emphasis, his frustration practically radiating from him.
Reze couldn't help but stifle a nervous laugh, her earlier apprehension giving way to a strange mix of amusement and confusion. "Is this… a magic lecture or a rant?" she murmured under her breath.
Himeno raised a hand, her brow furrowed as realization struck. "Wait, Kang Woo… don't tell me your power is like some kind of RPG game. You use magic spells to fire off your power, right?"
Kang Woo glanced at her, smirking faintly. "Yeah, but not in the way you think." He gestured at the board, ready to elaborate. "Most people who use magic—let's call them 'mages'—draw mana from the environment. For example, to obtain mana, mages in training have to undergo intense meditation. It's the most effective way to absorb mana from the air around them."
The group listened intently, their earlier amusement giving way to genuine curiosity.
"Mages train their nervous systems and their wisdom for magic," Kang Woo continued. "This allows them to become vessels for magic power. Inside every mage's body, there's a 'container' where Ethernano—or mana—is stored. This container determines their limits. Every time they cast a spell, the mana within that container lessens. But don't worry, it replenishes over time, automatically absorbing mana from the atmosphere to restore itself."
Himeno tilted her head, nodding slowly. " it's like in games, right? When you're out of MP, you just have to wait for it to recharge?"
Kang Woo grinned. "Exactly. That's the general idea. The amount and size of that container vary between individuals, and it can expand with further meditation and training. But…" He straightened, his expression growing sharper, "I'm not like most mages."
The group leaned in slightly, sensing the shift in his tone.
"I don't need wands, grimoires, or staves to channel my power," Kang Woo declared. "I could fire off a fireball the size of a building a thousand times in a row without exhausting myself."
Reze blinked in disbelief. "A thousand times?"
"Correct," Kang Woo said, his gaze unwavering. "The reason for that? I've achieved something beyond ordinary magic users—I have a mana generator inside my soul. It produces a constant, limitless supply of mana, independent of the environment."
Angel Devil crossed his arms, his expression skeptical but intrigued. "So you're basically a walking mana factory?"
Kang Woo chuckled. "More or less. Though I make an exception for Lucius's Grimoire." He glanced at Makima, his expression softening slightly. "Some spells are stuck there, and I'm not going to risk separating them. Right, Makima?"
Makima nodded, a small smirk forming on her lips. "Keep that book closer, my King. I'm ready to claim it when the time comes."
Himeno leaned back with a grin. " what you're saying is… you've got cheat codes for life?"
Angel Devil interrupted, his tone thoughtful. "How about this, Kang Woo? You said this world runs on negative energy. Why not teach humans how to absorb it? We devils, even Makima, aren't exempt from this rule. We still need negative energy and fear to empower ourselves. For example, Aki—when he's scared, negative energy leaks from outside his body. What if, instead of fearing it, he focuses it inward and develops his own power?"
Angel Devil's crimson gaze sharpened as he continued. "Besides, when you borrowed my power, you didn't use mana. You used some other energy—more evil and malevolent than negative energy itself."
Aki nodded slowly. "That might work. It might not be as versatile or efficient as mana, but it could still give us techniques and powers of our own. Kang Woo, I think your second power might be easier to teach than mana. If what Angel said is true, that means it's a power equal to mana itself, right? Since it's in the same category as negative energy?"
Makima interjected, her tone unusually serious. "That second power Kang Woo possesses… it's his original power. Kobeni-chan, come here. Don't forget to hug me."
Kobeni hesitated for only a second before rushing to hug Makima, her cheeks reddening as Makima gently patted her head.
Aki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ms. Makima, if you're trying to make theatrics like Kang Woo right now, this really isn't the time."
Makima turned her yellow-ringed gaze toward him, her tone even. "Aki-kun, I'm not joking. You have no idea—no idea—what his original power entails. There's a good reason he doesn't teach it. The negative energy of our world? It's just breadcrumbs—invalids compared to his power."
She paused, her expression growing darker. "I've seen it once. When he was… upset. A reporter wouldn't stop bothering me, and Kang Woo lost his patience. The aftermath was horrifying enough to still make me uneasy."
The atmosphere in the café shifted as tension grew thick in the air. Before anyone could process Makima's warning, the doors were slammed open by a drenched figure. Rain poured heavily outside, the storm accompanied by an ominous howling wind.
A figure stepped inside—a disheveled man with wild eyes, laughing maniacally. "You're all cheese… and I'm here to devour every single piece!"
Reze's eyes widened, her thoughts racing. The Typhoon Devil… he's the one who caused the storm earlier. He must have lured us here on purpose!
Above the café, the Typhoon Devil itself loomed in the dark sky, its monstrous form swirling with destructive winds. Its voice echoed, rumbling like thunder. "I need your heart, man beside Makima! Kang Woo! Your power will be mine!"
Kang Woo didn't even bother to look at the intruders. His calm demeanor remained unchanged as he stood by the board, the stick in his hand tapping idly against it.
"Authority of Predation," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
In an instant, the air around the serial killer warped as a thousand grotesque mouths materialized out of nowhere. They opened wide, fangs glistening, and descended upon the man.
"What is this?! AAAAAARGH!" the serial killer screamed as the mouths tore into him. The sound of ripping flesh and his agonized cries filled the room, sending chills down everyone's spines.
But it didn't stop there. The mouths grew larger, spreading across the sky. Their monstrous forms swirled like a storm of their own, rising high enough to confront the Typhoon Devil.
The Typhoon Devil's form quivered in the stormy skies as it realized the truth of what it faced. "This… this power…" it stammered, its voice shaking. "I've heard stories in Hell… a man with a thousand mouths who devoured demons greater than us devils… I thought it was a myth…"
The Typhoon Devil's swirling winds faltered as the mouths closed in. Its voice grew desperate, trembling with fear. "No… I'm fucked—!"
Its words were cut off as the mouths swallowed it whole, tearing its massive body apart and devouring it in seconds. The skies above cleared, the once-raging storm silenced as if it had never existed.
Kang Woo remained silent, his gaze calm as he lowered his hand. The Authority of Predation dissolved, and the thousand mouths vanished .
Reze, frozen in place, couldn't look away. That… wasn't just power. That was something out of a nightmare.
Makima glanced at Kang Woo, her expression unreadable but her thoughts racing. He didn't even flinch. This is what makes him terrifying. My King… even the demons of Hell whisper his name in fear.
Angel Devil sat back, stunned into silence, while Himeno muttered under her breath, "What the fuck was that?"
Aki swallowed hard, gripping his sword tightly. "That wasn't… mana. That wasn't even negative energy it's the same he did before at the sky …"
Kang Woo exhaled deeply, breaking the tension in the room with his calm voice. "It's called Demonic Energy," he began, his tone even but carrying an undeniable weight. "The highest tier of energy—pure evil, powerful, and utterly destructive. It's a cut above mana or negative energy. The reason I make my mana limitless and playful is to give myself a bit of a goofy, less threatening nature. Demonic energy, though? That's a different beast. Crazy and all-consuming."
He paused, his dark sclera eyes glinting faintly. "And currently, I'm the only one who owns it. The rest of those who had it… I ate them. And killed them."
The silence was suffocating. Reze's hands trembled slightly as she tried to process his words. Angel Devil remained seated, his crimson gaze fixated on Kang Woo, unsure whether to speak or stay silent. Even Himeno, typically quick with a quip, was at a loss for words.
Kang Woo tapped the board lightly with the stick again, as if signaling a shift in tone. "Alright. New lecture time." His smirk returned, softening the heavy atmosphere, though his words were no less serious. "I'll reveal a bit of a story—something Makima already knows. As for what I did to the reporter that Makima mentioned earlier…" He trailed off, his grin fading momentarily. "I won't repeat that here. I was just testing the ground then. Let me tell you now: this world is fragile. Very fragile."
His gaze shifted toward Kobeni, who had remained frozen near Makima. "Kobeni, you can return to your seat. Makima was just being concerned you might have a heart attack if you thought I'd pull something like that again."
Kobeni nodded quickly, her voice shaky as she replied, "T-thank you, Kang Woo…" She hurried back to her seat, clutching the edge of the table like a lifeline.
Kang Woo's tone grew more direct as he continued. "Now, let's talk about your Hell. The one devils like Angel and Typhoon here come from." He gestured toward Angel Devil, though his expression was neutral. "Your Hell? It's the uppermost layer. When devils die, they reincarnate there. It's a cycle for invalids."
Angel Devil's expression twitched, caught between indignation and resignation. "Invalids? Really?"
"Sorry to mock you," Kang Woo said, though his tone didn't sound apologetic. "But your layer isn't even the first. It's… basic. The Hell I come from, the 9th layer, is where demons, not devils, reside. The demons there fire off magic and demonic energy whenever they like. It's their playground."
Makima, observing quietly, leaned back in her chair, her yellow-ringed eyes unwavering. He speaks so casually of it, yet I know the truth. Even his words are restrained. The true scale of his power is something only I have glimpsed—and even I can barely comprehend it.
Reze, attempting to calm her nerves, forced a weak laugh. "you're saying devils are basically… bottom-tier in your eyes?"
Kang Woo shrugged, his casual demeanor contrasting with the weight of his words. "In the grand hierarchy? Yes. Devils are bottom-tier. No offense." He gestured toward Angel Devil with a half-hearted motion, not quite apologetic but factual. "And those higher in the hierarchy, they have names—names that carry their legacy and power. Lucifer, Belphegor, Dantalion, Crocell… they're not just titles. They define their very essence and why they stood where they did."
Angel Devil's expression darkened slightly, but he said nothing, his gaze fixed on Kang Woo.
Aki broke the silence, his tone deliberate but questioning. "If this demonic energy is as powerful as you say, why not just teach us that? Why bother with mana or negative energy at all?"
Kang Woo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "That's the problem, Aki. My demonic energy isn't like mana or negative energy. Its nature is fundamentally different. It's… devouring." His dark sclera eyes glinted faintly as he continued. "For example, when I killed one of the Seven prince who ruled the 9th Hell—Lucifer or Satan, take your pick—their demonic energy had its own unique nature. Lucifer's was shredding, reducing everything to dust. When I devoured him whole, there was a clash of power between his nature and mine."
He smirked, his confidence radiating as he added, "Of course, I won."
The room remained still as Kang Woo elaborated. "But that's the issue. My demonic energy became part of me—an extension of my being. If I were to give it to you, it wouldn't empower you. It would consume you. One of its core traits is to devour everything until nothing remains. So if I handed it to you? Congratulations. You'd be devoured, just like Lucifer."
Himeno leaned back, her earlier grin replaced by a frown. "That's… horrifying."
Reze nodded, her voice tinged with unease. " basically, it's not something you can share without killing us."
"Exactly," Kang Woo replied, his tone calm. "That's why I don't teach it. And as for why I'm here…" He paused, glancing at Makima, whose expression remained composed. "That's probably running through all your minds. Except Makima's, of course. She already knows. I told her."
Reze raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "why are you here?"
Kang Woo shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. I just… ended up stranded here. And to satisfy my boredom."
Makima leaned forward slightly, her yellow-ringed eyes glinting with a knowing look. "And yet, despite being stranded, my King, you've already rewritten the rules of this world to suit you."
Kang Woo's smirk deepened as he leaned back slightly, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "No, I'm not going to bring a gateway to the 9th layer of Hell here. Nor am I going to make this world have Rich mana environment . You know why, Himeno, Aki?" He turned his gaze toward the group, his crimson eyes gleaming with intensity. "Japan was almost destroyed just because Lucifero existed here for a moment."
Aki's brows furrowed in recollection. "Lucifero… you mean the one we fought alongside Makima and Kishibe? We almost get killed , but you intervened and launched him into space, right?"
Kang Woo nodded with a faint smirk. "Exactly. Not to be confused with Lucifer, though. They're both demons, but Lucifero is from the Qliphoth Underworld. His power is entirely based on mana—or what you might call devil mana. When I exposed even a small amount of my mana at Aokigahara Forest, it created a gateway from his world to yours. The energy acted like a beacon, drawing him here."
Himeno raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with concern. "And if the atmosphere here were rich with mana?"
Kang Woo's smirk grew more sardonic. "Then you'd have an all-you-can-eat buffet of apocalyptic disasters. Every otherworldly being—UFOs, aliens, predators, you name it—would be drawn here like moths to a flame."
Reze, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke, her voice tinged with incredulity. "So you're saying… making this planet mana-rich would basically invite every cosmic horror imaginable to come and wreck us?"
Kang Woo tilted his head slightly. "Yeah, it's a cruel reality. But…" His voice trailed off, and a flicker of curiosity crossed his face. Slowly, he removed the cloth covering his right arm, revealing exposed flesh and a writhing parasite embedded within.
The group froze, their eyes widening at the grotesque sight.
Makima's yellow-ringed eyes flicked toward the parasite, her tone calm yet calculated as she spoke. "Starlight. She had mana, didn't she? She even caught me off guard with her mana reinforcement. That parasite is a successful project—it managed to allow The Supe to wield both mana and negative energy. But…" Her voice lowered slightly, her expression sharpening. "She has to choose one energy supply every time she uses her light generation. She can't wield both simultaneously, right?"
Kang Woo, his face unreadable, responded telepathically to Makima. No need to tell them about Gaia or anything deeper. They're already spinning from this cruel reality.
Makima gave a subtle nod, keeping her composure intact.
Kang Woo addressed the group again, his tone more reflective. "What's confusing to me is this: even though there's no mana in the air here, she was still able to use it automatically. At first, I thought the world had suddenly upgraded itself, maybe started producing mana in small amounts—enough to sustain her abilities but not endanger everyone."
He paused, his expression hardening. "But I was wrong. The world hasn't changed. It's still the same outdated system that's been in place since before I got here. And that brings me to the real question…"
He glanced at the parasite on his arm, his crimson gaze narrowing. "How can she use mana, even though this world doesn't have any? Where is it coming from?"
Himeno broke the silence with a smirk. "Kang Woo, didn't you say yourself that you've got Peter January's personality mixed up in you? Part of Peter January is inside you now, right? And Starlight's real name is Annie January, isn't it?"
Aki raised an eyebrow, glancing at Himeno. "That tentacle that's an extension of Kang Woo you ate must be making you smarter, Himeno-senpai. I'm impressed."
Himeno pouted and lightly smacked Aki on the head. "Hey! I'm explaining something to my kouhai. Be a good kouhai and listen to your senpai!"
Aki rubbed his head, muttering, "Sure, sure…"
Himeno continued, crossing her arms. "Anyway, my theory—because I really love RPGs and I still play them—is that the parasite might have already served its purpose. Maybe it converts negative energy into mana. That would explain how she's able to use it."
The room fell silent as everyone considered her words.
Kang Woo blinked, his expression shifting slightly. "Did I… just miss a small detail?"
Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glinted with mild amusement as she leaned back in her chair. "That's not a small detail, Kang Woo. That's a big one."
Kang Woo exhaled deeply, brushing a hand through his hair. "Alright, Angel Devil, I've been too busy ranting to address your earlier question. Let me do that now. You asked why I don't just teach Aki how to use negative energy since it already exists in this world, right?"
Angel Devil, sprawled lazily in his chair, yawned and gave an unenthusiastic nod. "Yeah… obviously."
Kang Woo's crimson gaze narrowed slightly as he smirked. "Have you ever heard of trying to teach a pet store bird to fly near space like a Mach 1 jet? That's the kind of situation we're talking about here. Negative energy, while it might seem impressive in this world, is very, very, veryyyyyyy far beneath me. So far beneath me that it's like Himeno's theory about the parasite—it didn't even cross my mind. You could say that my highest-ranked status makes me prone to underestimating things and being, well… a bit of a dickhead."
Himeno snorted, barely suppressing a laugh. "At least you're self-aware."
Reze tilted her head, watching Kang Woo with a mix of curiosity and unease. "what you're saying is… teaching negative energy is beneath you because it's just too basic?"
Kang Woo nodded, his smirk deepening. "Exactly. But hey, give me some credit. At least I'm admitting my flaws while I contemplate ways to make things… less boring for me."
Reze's thoughts churned. This man… the one I'm supposed to capture for the Soviet Union… is narcissistic, powerful, moody, unpredictable—and yet, somehow funny. But why do I feel this warm thing in my chest?
Kang Woo turned his gaze toward her, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, this man is narcissistic, moody, and feeling something warm in his chest. Blah, blah, blah."
Reze stiffened, her eyes widening. He's reading my mind?!
Kobeni, sensing the tension, spoke up hesitantly. "Kang Woo, do you want my milkshake? You seem… stressed."
Kang Woo waved her off. "Nah, I'm fine."
Reze gulped, her thoughts spiraling. He's not just powerful; he's terrifyingly invasive. What's he planning?
Before she could dwell further, Kang Woo flicked her forehead lightly, startling her. "Ow!" she yelped, rubbing her head.
"Just show me a room already," Kang Woo said, his tone sharp but not hostile. "I need a basement. I don't care about the size—just a room. I need to finish solving Aki's problem. I don't like doing half-assed jobs."
Reze hesitated, still caught off guard by the flick, before reluctantly nodding. "Fine… follow me." She led the way, her steps quick but cautious, Kang Woo following closely behind with Makima trailing right behind him.
As they descended the stairs, Reze glanced back at Makima. "Shouldn't you just stay with the rest in the café, Makima?"
Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glimmered as she replied smoothly, "I'm just going to go wherever my King goes."
Kang Woo glanced over his shoulder with a faint smirk. "One day, I'm going to turn you into a bat and have you hanging off my shoulder. You're way too sticky."
Makima chuckled softly and leaned forward, wrapping her arms lightly around Kang Woo from behind. "Then I'll just keep drinking your blood," she teased, her tone playful yet carrying an edge of possessiveness.
Reze rolled her eyes as she reached the basement door, trying to ignore the strange dynamic between the two. She opened the door with a creak and gestured toward the cramped space. "Here we are. It's pretty tight and usually used for the café's fridge or inventory. Definitely not a place for meditation or anything fancy."
Kang Woo jumped down into the dimly lit basement, scanning the area. He crouched slightly, placing his palm on the ground as a faint hum vibrated through the air. "The negative detector didn't lie, huh?" he murmured. "This place acts as a conduit for negative energy, but it's only enough for two or three people at most. Huh…"
Reze leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms as she smirked. "Too much ranting, Mr. Rich Guy. Now you've officially gone insane."
Makima, who had descended after Kang Woo, shook her head. "Not quite. Kang Woo's just found a treasure trove—or something valuable." Her voice carried a hint of admiration as she watched him work.
Kang Woo glanced at Reze with a teasing smirk. "If this place is occupied for training or experiments, you won't complain, right?"
Reze rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "It's the last place I want to be—"
Before she could finish, Kang Woo touched the cold wall of the basement and began to chant with a playful grin, his tone melodramatic. "Let it go, let it go… I don't care what they're going to say… The cold never bothered me anyway."
As his chant concluded, the entire room shimmered, the atmosphere shifting with a powerful hum of energy. The air turned frigid, and frost began to creep along the walls, the once-cramped and dimly lit basement expanding and transforming before their very eyes. Shards of ice erupted from the ground, forming intricate crystalline structures that spiraled upward, glowing faintly with an ethereal blue light. ( img here )
The ceiling disappeared entirely, replaced by a dome of shimmering auroras dancing across a starry sky. The floor beneath their feet became a sprawling expanse of polished ice, reflecting the light of floating, glowing runes that hovered in the air like frozen fireflies. Grand pillars of jagged ice jutted out in symmetrical patterns, their surfaces etched with arcane symbols that pulsed softly, resonating with Kang Woo's energy.
In the center of the room, an enormous circular platform carved from gleaming sapphire-like ice appeared, adorned with complex magical arrays. The arrays glowed faintly, emanating a cold but invigorating energy, as though the space itself was alive with untapped potential.
Reze stumbled, her footing slipping on the ice as she fell to her knees, her mouth agape. For a
moment, she was utterly speechless, staring in awe at the breathtaking transformation.
Makima stepped forward gracefully, her yellow-ringed eyes glinting with amusement as she observed the transformed space. "You really do love ice-themed aesthetics," she teased, her voice soft but tinged with admiration. "Just like your Millennium Castle—it always depends on your mood."
Kang Woo turned to her with a small grin. "I figured it suited the occasion. Besides…" He gestured to the grandeur around them, his voice light but smug. "Why not give everyone a little taste of what real magic looks like?"
Reze finally managed to find her voice, still sitting on the floor. "This… this is insane. How did you…?"
Kang Woo leaned against one of the newly formed crystalline pillars, watching Reze with amusement as she struggled to process the grandeur around her. "Have you ever heard of Alice in Wonderland? In the rabbit hole, there's a country filled with magical beings. Mine's still a work in progress."
Reze furrowed her brows, her lips parting as if to respond before hesitating. "There's no Alice in Wonderland in this world," she finally said, her voice tinged with frustration. "And I've spent my whole life fighting just to survive, to—"
She froze mid-sentence, realizing what she'd just admitted. Did I just slip up again? Damn it!
Makima, standing nearby, reached out and gently patted Reze's head, her touch both soothing and disarming. "Maybe you need to relax a bit," she suggested, her tone unusually soft.
Reze, startled by the gesture, quickly nodded. "Yeah, sure. I'll… I'll call the rest here." She hurried toward the main room, her mind racing as she tried to regain her composure.
As Reze disappeared, Makima turned her yellow-ringed gaze to Kang Woo, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You're aware that Reze is a spy from the Soviet Union, aren't you?"
Kang Woo smirked, his crimson gaze fixed on the shimmering auroras above. "Uh huh. Of course. I just prefer the Soviet Union to retire and rebrand itself as the Tsar Kingdom, if possible."
Makima chuckled softly, a rare sound that seemed to echo lightly in the ice-encased chamber. "And why would you want that?"
Kang Woo shrugged, his tone light but tinged with his usual arrogance. "Because it'd be far more entertaining to see history bend itself into something unexpected. Besides, I'm bored of the Cold War theatrics."
Makima didn't reply, but her smile deepened as she silently observed him.
--------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in the café's main room, Himeno leaned back with a teasing grin. "So, Aki, you still trust Kang Woo, huh? Even after he said it's impossible for us to learn mana?"
Aki crossed his arms, his expression calm but firm. "I trust him. He's not the type to bullshit. Sure, he's the definition of evil and a liar, but he's trying hard for us. I can tell."
Angel Devil, lounging lazily nearby, interjected, "I don't know what he's planning for you two, but trust me—Kang Woo doesn't do things halfway. Whatever he's cooking up, it'll blow your minds. That's just how he is."
Himeno smirked, taking a sip of her beer. " That miracle you two pulled off at the beach—it was worth it, huh?"
Angel Devil stiffened slightly, his expression faltering. "Tch… I slipped up. Damn it," he muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed with himself.
Before anyone could press further, Reze burst into the room, her breath slightly ragged from running. "You guys didn't tell me he could do this!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with both shock and excitement.
Aki frowned, his curiosity piqued. "Do what?"
Himeno, still holding her beer, chuckled. "He probably made another portal to some crazy place… or maybe released more monsters." She casually took another sip, unbothered by the idea.
Reze shook her head, her expression serious. "No, he just created another world. An ice-themed world. In the basement."
Himeno froze mid-sip, her eyes widening as the gravity of Reze's words sank in. "He… what?" The beer slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor as she stared in disbelief.
Aki's usually composed demeanor cracked as he stared at Reze. "He what?" he echoed, his tone incredulous.
Reze nodded rapidly, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm not joking. It's like stepping into another dimension. Ice everywhere , auroras in the sky—it's insane! I thought he was just ranting, but now I—" She cut herself off, her words failing to capture the grandeur of what she had witnessed.
Kobeni, who had been quietly sipping her milkshake, finally spoke up. "Oh, you all didn't know, huh?" Her tone was casual, but her words carried an edge of disbelief. "When Kang Woo showed up and walked on that dark platform towards the exposed meeting room at HQ Public Safety Devil Hunter—when the sky darkened behind him—you remember the castle, right?"
Aki frowned. "Yeah, there was a castle. What about it?"
Kobeni stirred her milkshake lazily. "That castle? It's on the moon. He created it—probably recently. He called it Millennium Castle. Sorry, I didn't mention it before. I just assumed you already knew since you guys saw him show up that way to deal with the higher-ups."
The room went silent. Himeno's jaw dropped, and Angel Devil's bored expression shifted into something resembling shock.
Aki blinked, once, then twice, trying to process her words. "He created a castle… on the moon?"
Kobeni nodded nonchalantly, taking another sip of her milkshake. "Yeah. I've been there. He invited me once. It's… something else."
Himeno leaned forward, slapping the table. "And you didn't think to mention this earlier?"
Kobeni shrugged. "I thought you already knew."
Aki sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, finish your milkshake, Kobeni. We're going. It's time to meet this crazy maniac again and figure out what's going on."
Kobeni nodded quickly, standing up with her milkshake in hand. "On my way."
Himeno shook her head, still trying to wrap her mind around the revelation. "A castle on the moon… and now an ice world in the basement. What's next, Kang Woo?"
Angel Devil smirked faintly, leaning back in his seat. "Knowing him? Something even crazier."
The group, including Reze, made their way down to the basement, their steps hesitant as they prepared themselves for whatever Kang Woo had conjured. But no amount of anticipation could have readied them for the sight that greeted them.
The once-cramped basement had transformed into an otherworldly spectacle. Towering crystalline structures of ice rose from the ground, glowing faintly with an ethereal blue light. The polished floor shimmered like a mirror, reflecting the soft glow of floating runes that hovered midair, and above them, the ceiling was no longer visible—replaced by an endless, starry sky streaked with shimmering auroras.
Kang Woo sat on a throne-like structure carved entirely from ice, exuding an air of calm power, while Makima stood beside him, her yellow-ringed eyes surveying the group with quiet amusement.
Himeno froze in her tracks, her eyes wide. "Are we… living in a game, Aki?"
Aki, standing beside her, looked equally bewildered but managed to keep his composure. "I don't know, Himeno-senpai. I'm… very confused. Though, to be honest, the snow is making me a bit angry."
Himeno turned to him, frowning. "Angry? What's wrong, Aki?"
Aki's expression hardened slightly as he avoided her gaze. "Nothing. Just… a terrible memory, that's all. Nothing more."
Angel Devil, ever the skeptic, leaned against one of the icy pillars, his gaze wandering across the vast expanse. "I had my doubts when Kang Woo talked about putting a permanent gateway to the beach," he admitted. "But now… ahh, this is beyond crazy."
Kobeni, clutching her half-finished milkshake, nodded as she took in the breathtaking scene. "It's just like Millennium Castle. Another ice theme. Does he… have a thing for ice?"
Kang Woo, seated on the ice throne, finally glanced up at them, his crimson pupils gleaming faintly in the ethereal light. "Took you long enough," he remarked, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of amusement.
Makima, standing beside him, added with a small smirk, "Welcome to his latest creation. I hope you enjoy the cold."
Kang Woo stood up from his throne, his movements graceful yet commanding, as his crimson gaze swept over the group. "I'll give you the honors, Reze. What will you name this place? After all, it's right below Futamichi Café."
Himeno, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, grinned mischievously. "Hehhh, Kang Woo the crazy maniac, giving the world to his new wife. How romantic."
Kang Woo raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unimpressed. "I don't plan on naming it Millennium Castle 2, that's for sure."
Reze, still caught up in the surreal atmosphere, pondered for a moment before speaking. "Skrytaya Strana Chudes ( скрытая страна чудес)."
The room fell silent, confusion evident on everyone's faces—except for Kang Woo and Makima. The two exchanged a knowing glance before Kang Woo chuckled softly. "Are you sure? In English, that translates to 'Hidden Wonderland.'"
Reze nodded, her voice steady despite the weight of everyone's gazes. "It's like Alice in Wonderland… if that kind of story existed here. Or if books like that were even a thing in this world."
Angel Devil tilted his head, clearly unimpressed. "Hidden Wonderland? Sounds like a fairytale knockoff."
Makima, however, tilted her head slightly, her yellow-ringed eyes glinting with amusement. "Fitting, in a way. A place so surreal it defies logic, much like Kang Woo himself."
Himeno crossed her arms, still grinning. "I'm not sold on the name, but hey, it's your Wonderland. Just don't start wearing bunny ears, Kang Woo."
Kang Woo smirked. "Don't tempt me, Himeno. Now that you mention it…"
The group collectively groaned as Himeno burst out laughing, her teasing clearly having hit its mark. Reze, despite herself, smiled faintly, her thoughts drifting as she gazed around the breathtaking landscape of ice and light.