Aki's mind churned with the weight of Kang Woo's revelations. It's not that he looks down on us—it's just that Kang Woo has bigger priorities. That eye of his, the way it gazes at everything, isn't about disdain—it's focus. And that quest system? It's driving all of this.
Himeno broke his train of thought, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Shouldn't that quest system be awarded to someone good? Someone noble and selfless? Not an evil, narcissistic overlord like you?"
Kang Woo chuckled, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "The world isn't fair, Himeno. Never has been. I didn't get to the top of Hell by being noble—I claimed it through strength and determination." His smile turned sharper, his tone darkening. "But even kings fall when caught off guard. That's how I ended up stranded here."
Before Aki could respond, a panicked voice came from the spectator seats.
"Uh… Aki? Your brother, who's sitting beside me—he's turning transparent!" Kobeni's hands trembled as she pointed at Taiyo, who was fading like a ghost.
"What?!" Aki's eyes widened in alarm as he turned to look at Taiyo. His heart sank. Taiyo's figure was flickering, becoming less solid with every passing moment.
"Aki!" Taiyo's voice quivered, his small hands reaching out. "What's happening to me?"
Makima observed silently, her yellow-ringed eyes sharp but her lips curved into a faint smile. I guess Aki-kun is maturing. He's not panicking; he's already thinking through the problem, using whatever resources are available to him.
Kang Woo's gaze rested on Taiyo, his expression calm yet critical. "It's impossible for just a mind, without a body—or worse, without a soul—to stay here forever. It seems the connection to the Gun Devil wasn't entirely severed."
Taiyo's voice softened, his fading form trembling. "It's okay, Aki. I believe in you. You've always been my hero. Thank you for showing me—"
"Shhh." Aki cut him off, his voice steady but urgent. "I'm solving this right now, Taiyo. Or rather…" His gaze locked onto Kang Woo. "The solution is standing right in front of me."
Kang Woo raised an eyebrow as Aki stepped forward. "Oh? And what do you plan to do? Beg?"
"No," Aki said, his voice resolute. "Let's bargain. You have the solution—I know it."
Kang Woo smirked, crossing his arms. "You want to negotiate with me? And what exactly can you offer? Your apartment? Your bank accounts?" He chuckled darkly. "You've seen the state of the world. Japan is already mine—Kentaro surrendered it. You're broke, Aki."
Aki's expression didn't falter. "Kang Woo, the Man with a quest system floating above his head—I challenge you. If I manage to punch you in the face for real , you'll help me with what you called the Mind Stone."
Kang Woo's grin faltered slightly. "The Mind Stone? It's just a stone. How do you know I even have it? The only thing I've shown you is the Reality Stone."
Aki's gaze sharpened, his voice steady and deliberate. "You gave yourself away. You mentioned 'a body with a Mind Stone' just a few minutes ago. And then you said you've already collected two stones—Reality and Mind. You were more excited about that than even reclaiming your original powers. That was the giveaway."
Kang Woo stared at Aki for a moment before laughing, the sound both amused and intrigued. "You've been paying attention, haven't you? Fine, Aki Hayakawa. I accept your challenge. But remember…"
Kang Woo's grin turned sharper, more predatory as he began, "The price of failure—"
Makima's calm voice cut through his sentence like a blade, interrupting him effortlessly. "Wait, Kang Woo. You've had your fun, haven't you? You've already achieved what you wanted. Now, let me showcase mine."
Kang Woo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what exactly would that be, Makima?"
Makima smiled faintly, her yellow-ringed eyes shifting to Aki. "Aki-kun, it seems you've impressed me. You're no longer the obedient dog tied to my leash. You've matured . I want to see where that progress takes you."
Kang Woo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "And what's your reward, Makima? The same as Aki's? Do you want the Mind Stone?"
Makima shook her head, her voice calm and resolute. "No. But if possible, I would like to know more about those stones. They intrigue me."
Without hesitation, Kang Woo reached into the air, and with a wave of his wrist, he conjured the glowing red Reality Stone. He tossed it casually toward Makima, who caught it with ease, the shimmering energy humming faintly in her hand.
Kang Woo smirked as he watched her inspect the stone. "What happened to the Makima who always wanted control? You don't need to be humble, Makima. Be greedy, be prideful. You've transcended beyond these 'invalids.'" His tone shifted slightly, carrying a note of reverence. "You are my representative, Makima—the Piety."
Makima's lips curved into a faint smile as she gazed at the stone in her hand, the weight of Kang Woo's words settling over her. "Greed and pride may be your realm, my King, but I serve best when I observe, learn, and act. This Reality Stone… it's a tool. One I'll use to further your will, not my own." Her voice carried both respect and a subtle challenge, as though testing Kang Woo's reaction.
Makima stepped forward, letting her coat fall to the ground. Beneath, she wore a pristine white long-sleeved shirt, a black tie, black pants, and brown shoes. She raised her hand, and from within her soul, the Sword of Darkness, forged through the Commandment of Piety, materialized in a swirl of shadowy energy..
Aki prepared his stance beside her, gripping his Angel Devil sword tightly. His gaze turned to Makima, curiosity laced in his voice. "Ms. Makima… I forgot to ask. Why, when you first met Kang Woo, did you two almost kill each other? And now, you call him 'King.' He's not a king—that much is clear. He just killed a lot of demons, or whatever he calls them. Something greater than devils, as he mocks 'invalids.' Why do you trust him so much?"
Makima's smile didn't waver, her voice steady. "At least someone noticed. For hours, I've called him 'my King,' and no one's bothered to ask why." She exhaled softly, her gaze turning sharper. "I can't blame anyone. After all, the current me can fly, manipulate the strongest darkness, wield Hellblaze, and burn reporters to ash in public. All of that… was granted by Kang Woo."
Her expression softened as she continued. "Let me humor you, Aki. I almost died in Aokigahara Forest. Kang Woo rescued me. He gave me the warmest hug and the love I'd craved for centuries. But then… he died against Lucifero." Her voice faltered slightly, carrying a heavy weight. "When that happened, I was shattered. My revenge Is meaningless as lucifero almost killed us ."
Her gaze sharpened, her smile returning. "And then we saw it. Kang Woo returned. He came back stronger than ever. He didn't just defeat Lucifero—he obliterated him, launching him into space with a miniature sun."
Makima chuckled suddenly, her laughter soft and infectious. "Huhuhu… Hahahaha… Now I understand why Kang Woo speaks so much nonsense. It's satisfying… and it pisses people off! No wonder he does it so often."
From the magic circle, Himeno, still standing with Angel Devil, rolled her eyes. "Makima, you sound just like Kang Woo now—rambling nonsense."
Makima glanced at her, a hint of amusement still in her eyes. "No, sorry. It's just that I've come to understand something. Speaking too much is oddly satisfying… and very effective at irritating people. Kang Woo does it with style."
Makima paused, regaining her composure. "But I digress. I may have received hugs and love, but I am the embodiment of control. I am the Control Devil. Without purpose, without a goal, I am nothing. Kang Woo gave me that purpose."
Makima raised her sword, its dark energy crackling. Her voice rose with conviction. "He confessed what he truly is—the true heir, the ruler of Hell itself, the Demon King. He entrusted me, a wretch from the uppermost Hell, with the Commandment of Piety."
Her yellow-ringed eyes burned with unwavering loyalty. "He asked me, an invalid being, to stand as his first wife. There is no happiness that can compare to this—an eternal adventure by his side."
Her voice softened as she addressed Aki. "Even though I am over a century old, to him, I am but a child. Kang Woo has lived for millennia, his wisdom and power far beyond our comprehension."
Makima turned back to Kang Woo, her voice filled with devotion and pride. "He is my King. He is my purpose. The Demon King—Anos Voldigoad."
Kang Woo approached Makima, his expression shifting to something almost affectionate as he reached out and ruffled her hair. "Yes, yes, good promotion program," he said with a smirk. "But stop promoting me, or foolish and crazy people might actually be too afraid to pick a fight with me, all right? And stop calling me 'Anos'—that's just a chuuni name I made up to scare demons, nothing more."
Makima tilted her head and mockingly stuck out her tongue at him. "Consider that revenge for teasing me too much. And for the record, 'Anos' is a wonderfully demonic name. Unlike 'Kang Woo,' which sounds like the name of a sucker."
Kang Woo's smirk faltered, and he rolled his eyes. "You did that on purpose, didn't you? I swear, I'm going to invent memory-wiping device just for moments like this."
Himeno, still standing within the magic circle, let out a tired sigh, her hands on her hips. "Ahhh, that's it. The real final boss, the ultimate enemy, has been standing right in front of us this whole time. And not only that—he's been teaching us his abilities! What a crazy day."
Aki crossed his arms, his expression calm but thoughtful. "Well, I'm not surprised. The Falling Devil—the Primal Devil itself—was terrified of him. And the Hell Devil? It was actually grateful for being granted some of Kang Woo's blood." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he added, "That tells you everything you need to know about the kind of power we're dealing with."
Makima's yellow-ringed eyes glinted with a sharp, confident edge as she turned toward Aki. "Shall we continue, Aki? If you can land even a scratch on me, you win, and you'll get Kang Woo's Mind Stone to save your brother. But if I kill you more than three times within this magic circle, I win—your brother disappears, and the Mind Stone is out of the equation. Deal?"
Himeno stepped forward, her fists clenched. "Let me join in—"
Aki raised a hand, cutting her off. "Himeno-senpai, I'm sorry, but you need to sit this one out. This is between me and my former superior, someone I respected deeply." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Himeno and Angel Devil exchanged uneasy glances before retreating across the ice bridge to the spectator seats. They sat beside Taiyo, whose body was growing more transparent by the second, though his mind lingered, still aware of the unfolding battle.
Himeno leaned forward, her voice steady but laced with worry. "Don't lose, Aki. I won't permit you to lose."
( the rest will come since i am very busy these days )