(10.000 words )
Makima kept her gaze fixed on Kang Woo's left hand.
His back palm had returned to normal — skin smooth and unremarkable — but she knew what she'd seen. That eye. Crimson and alive. Radiating hostility, intelligence… purpose. It wasn't human. And it wasn't a devil either. At least, not one she'd ever encountered.
The vines that had surged forth earlier — so close to piercing her — were silent now, dormant. But in her mind, the sensation still lingered. Not fear.. But something that edged close. Something that scraped against the instincts even she had buried deep.
Makima narrowed her eyes slightly. It feel like… the Angel Devil's touch. No… something outside my knowledge Something wrong.
Kishibe, now more serious than ever, stood with arms folded and an expression that had long since dropped the teasing.
"Kang Woo," he said, tone even but cautious, "are you really an alien? earlier, you said something about getting dumped by one. Stranded here."
Kang Woo didn't turn to face him. He simply spoke, voice low and calm. "Aliens didn't like me,". they cast me out."
Kishibe stared at him for a long moment. A cryptic answer, he thought.. First Makima… now this guy. I should make a new list. Two people I never want to deal with if I can help it. One — Makima. Two — Kang Woo.
Meanwhile, Makima blinked and thoughtful. When he unleashed that orb…
She recalled the moment clearly. Her senses stretched far, thanks to the rats she had embedded throughout the city. Through their shared gaze, she had seen it all.
Dozens of people collapsed. Some couldn't move. Some fell to their knees. All of them overwhelmed. But… not all of them. There were exceptions.
Her gaze slowly returned to Kang Woo. The tension had mostly faded from her posture, but the curiosity in her tone remained sharp.
"Kang Woo, I'm more curious now than before. What's that orb called?"
Kang Woo didn't answer right away. He shifted his weight, looking upward slightly — like a storyteller about to begin a fable only he remembered. His voice came calm, but layered with something older.
"It's called the Commandment," he said. "More specifically… the Commandment of Love."
Makima's eyes narrowed. Himeno leaned in, intrigued. Aki stayed tense, gripping his blade loosely.
Kang Woo continued. "It enforces a penalty. Anyone who stands before me — or within a certain radius — with hatred in their heart will be rendered powerless. They won't be able to harm, attack, or inflict pain on anyone. Not until that hatred disappears."
Himeno blinked. "That's… practically every human or devil. One emotional slip-up and they're helpless. That's overpowered. Like, RPG cheat-code tier."
Aki frowned, still wary. "A power like that… it has to have a weakness, right?"
Kang Woo turned his gaze to Aki, lips curving into a half-smile. "You're right, The weakness is me."
"If I slip up… if I allow hate into myself then the commandment binds me too. Under no circumstances can I allow hatred to take root."
The silence that followed was filled with unspoken tension. Kang Woo could read it on their faces — Makima, calculating… Aki, suspicious… Himeno, curious and confused… and even Kishibe, who was pretending not to care while watching him with an old wolf's stare.
They all had the same unspoken question circling their heads.
How the hell does this man have that kind of power?
Kang Woo leaned slightly forward, reading the room like a book. he said, voice taking on the tone of a lecturer . "Let me tell you how the Commandments were made."
Kang woo stepped over to a nearby bench and sat down, resting one arm across the backrest casually. The others, despite themselves, listened.
"Long ago… in a realm darker and deeper than any devil's den — a demon king ruled. A true sovereign of the Demon Realm. But power attracts rebellion, and so… to bring his realm under absolute control, he decided to split his ability ."
A pause. Kang Woo gestured with two fingers.
"Not in two halves. That would breed civil war. Instead, he divided it into ten pieces. Ten sacred orbs. Each one carried a 'Commandment.' Laws of existence… bound by will. One of them—" he raised his left hand slightly "—was the Commandment of Love."
Makima's gaze sharpened , its like secrets that she didn't know unfold .
Kang Woo went on. "The story of the Commandment of Love… is a tragedy. The Demon King had a son. Estarossa. A kind boy. Cowardly. Couldn't even hurt a bug. A failure in the eyes of demons."
Himeno tilted her head, frowning softly.
"And so," Kang Woo continued, "his father gave him the Commandment of Love — thinking maybe it would awaken something within him. And it did… just not what he hoped."
"It twisted Estarossa. A boy who couldn't feel hatred… who couldn't allow it in others… surrounded in a world of cruelty and monsters. He went mad. Kindness became obsession. He believed the only way to bring peace… was to force everyone to kneel."
Kang Woo's tone dropped lower. "By love… or by force."
Himeno, drunk or not, broke the silence with a half-laugh, half-blurted line.
"So wait—Kang Woo, you… what, just picked it up off the ground one day while Estarossa put it down?"
Aki leaned in, his voice low and serious, whispering into her ear, "Himeno-senpai… Kang Woo probably killed Estarossa."
Himeno buzz dulled instantly. Her eyes widened as the realization crept into her thoughts. "Ooh… that's… really tragic."
But before the atmosphere could settle, Makima — calm, composed, and always analytical — tilted her head slightly, voice laced with curiosity and quiet suspicion.
"Isn't that supposed to be Devil King rather than Demon King?"
Kang Woo met her gaze, an unreadable glint in his eyes. "Ah… that's a story for another time, Makima,"
His eyes lingered on her — studying her expression, the angle of her posture, the slight tension around her shoulders. She was clearly intrigued. Not just by the power, but by him. His nature. His unpredictability.
"You seem very interested in the orb," Kang Woo said casually. "Would you like a closer look?"
Without waiting for a response, he raised his left hand. "Jikkai."
The air shifted — dark and heavy — as the black orb materialized once more, floating above his palm. The Commandment of Love.
It hovered in silence — swirling, breathing, alive.
Even though it didn't activate, a cold sweat rippled down Aki's spine. He tensed on instinct. Himeno gripped the fabric of her coat just slightly. Even Kishibe — who had seen too much to be afraid of anything — felt his fingers flex with latent wariness. The orb pulsed, ominously.
"All we need to do is not hate," Kishibe muttered dryly, keeping his distance. "Right, Kang Woo?"
Kang Woo merely floated the orb forward, closer—slowly—until it hovered near Makima's face.
And she moved., Makima raised her hand and let the orb settle into her palm. It simply sat there, spinning in place — humming with dark resonance.
Her expression didn't change at first… but her pupils did. They tightened.
Her breath hitched, just slightly. Something inside her recognized This thing was tethered to existence itself. It vibrated on the same frequency as the environment, as reality. Its presence echoed with laws older than what she knows ..
Makima's fingers tensed."…Very real,". "And very unknown. Whatever you've brought here, Kang Woo… I don't think you're an illusionist. Or just some wandering circus traveler."
"The condition isn't severe, No hate… On paper, I could've brought this home and put it to use."
She stepped forward — closing the distance between them until only three meters remained between her and Kang Woo.
"But… every living being needs hate sometimes. If you take that away… …" Her eyes flicked up to meet his. "It leads to madness."
Kang Woo gave a small smile — amused, testing.
Makima took another half-step closer. "I haven't said what I'm most curious about, And I'm going to say it now."
"This may be the first time I, Kishibe, Aki, and Himeno have seen you. But I have a feeling… that you already knew us. . So… Mind sharing how?"
Kang Woo leaned back slightly, his smile widening into something more playful. "No," he said bluntly. "I'm not sharing what I know."
And with that— "Kuhito."
The orb vanished instantly. The weight in the air lifted — as if a storm cloud had just been sucked back into the sky. The Commandment of Love retreated, pulled back into the unseen subspace sealed beneath Kang Woo's will.
Makima's eyes narrowed. "Kang Woo… let's duel. You and me. Like Aki did. If I—"
"Mikhail," Kang Woo said quietly, cutting her off.
At once, a ring of Zaiphon runes flared to life — forming a barrier between them. Mikhail's eye opened with a pulsing red gleam.
"Yes, Master," came the ancient voice.
In that same instant, three pairs of wings exploded from Kang Woo's back. Enhanced. Demonic. The Blackened Wings shimmered into existence — feathers forged of voidstuff, pulsing with the glow of red-hot embers beneath jet-black surface.
Makima stopped mid-sentence.
Kang Woo turned — clearly preparing to leave.
And she watched. Silent. Fixated on those wings. On the runic barrier between them. On the mystery.
Then Ping.
A system notification flared into view.
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Quest Activated:
Title: First Meeting with the Control Devil
Description: The Control Devil, also known as Makima, is intrigued. She wants to know more about you. Indulge her interest… or perhaps make her heart stir, like you did with that playful forehead flick.
Objective: Accept Makima's challenge to a duel. Ensure that even you are entertained.
Reward: Ring of Lucis, Draupnir Ring
Hidden Reward: Unknown
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Kang Woo's grin twitched upward. Without a word, his wings dissolved into mist. The runic barrier faded. The tension cracked like a spell breaking.
Makima raised an eyebrow, smug now. A playful smirk curled her lips.
"Oh? Did my looks entertain you, ?" she teased, voice lilting.
Kang Woo tilted his head. "No, But I need to know what kind of duel you're proposing."
Makima's smirk never faltered, but inside, her thoughts ran sharp and cold.
I can't let my identity as the Control Devil be exposed here. If Aki and Himeno knew… they'd look at me with disgust. Kishibe… he might not care, as long as I side with humanity.
She flicked her gaze briefly to each of them—measuring, weighing. Then, she straightened and offered Kang Woo a new kind of smile. One that masked everything behind practiced charm.
"Let's duel in swordsmanship," she said. "If I win, I demand one thing from you — an answer. You'll answer a question I ask, truthfully."
Kang Woo arched an eyebrow. "You seem more like a marksman to me, Not a swordsman."
Makima only offered a small shrug. Then, she turned toward Aki, who was still stiff from the earlier fight , and raised her hand in a subtle gesture. "Aki, your katana, please."
There was no hesitation. He moved immediately.
"Of course, Makima-san," Aki said, unslinging the blade and offering it with both hands.
Makima took the weapon, unsheathing it with a clean whisper of steel. The light caught the edge as she lifted it, testing the balance, expression unreadable.
"I can assure you, Kang Woo, not even your Commandment can affect me."
Kang Woo didn't respond. Instead, with a faint shimmer of space distorting around his right hand, he summoned his weapon — the Rakshasa Blade.
A blood-red greatsword surged into existence. The blade was forged from the essence of the Starscourge —.
Makima's eyes narrowed slightly. And then—The Rakshasa Blade blurred. In a single heartbeat, it cleaved downward — and Makima's katana shattered on contact. The steel split like glass, fragments flaring off into the dirt as the force of the blow sent a jolt through her arms.
She hadn't even registered the movement.
Makima blinked. Once. Then again. Her broken hilt still sat in her hands.
Her thoughts stirred, unspoken. Kang Woo… is actually a very good swordsman?
She glanced at the enormous blade in his one-handed grip — easily longer and heavier than anything most could wield with both arms. And he's wielding it like a toy. With one hand.
Kang Woo tilted his head slightly, teasing now, his lips curling into a crooked smile.
"Got any other sword for the duel to continue?" he asked casually.
Makima let out a short exhale through her nose — something between amusement and annoyance.
Damn chunni, she thought, though she couldn't help the corner of her mouth rising into a smirk.
"Give me a few minutes," she said aloud.
Without another word, she pulled out her phone with smooth precision and dialed.
" . . I need a ride."
Barely a minute passed before the sound of tires on asphalt echoed down the road. A sleek black sedan pulled up in silence — windows tinted, engine barely humming.
Makima turned her gaze back toward Kang Woo one last time.
I've never felt this kind of pressure from anyone before… But more than that, I've never felt this… pull. This need to reach someone so utterly unknown.
She smiled — just slightly — then pointed at him with two fingers like a mock threat.
"Kang Woo. Stay right here,". "This isn't over yet."
Then she slipped into the back seat of the sedan, the door shutting behind her with a clean click.
The car pulled away into the street, vanishing into the city's veins.
Kang Woo just sighed, Rakshasa Blade fading into smoke. He sat back down on the bench nearby, stretching one leg out and draping an arm over the backrest. Waiting.
A moment later, the bench creaked.
Kishibe sat beside him, flask still in hand, eyes sharp despite his usual laid-back posture. "You a hybrid, ? . or one of those Vought failed lab experiments?"
Kang Woo didn't turn to him. His gaze remained on the horizon, where Makima's car had vanished.
"If I broke out of a lab, you'd be missing a state. Maybe two. Fortunately for you… I'm just an alien to this world."
Kishibe snorted. "There it is again. The 'alien' thing. First I thought it was metaphor. Now I'm sitting next to a guy with an eyeball in his palm ."
He glanced sideways at Kang Woo. "Gotta say, alien's starting to sound like the normal part."
Aki and Himeno joined them, sliding into place like they belonged there.
Himeno leaned over and gave Kang Woo a friendly pat on the back, smirking.
"I think you're a great chunni. Emo enough. That eyeball of yours… Mikhail, right? Mind if I talk to it?"
Aki stiffened immediately. "Himeno-senpai, I strongly suggest we don't do that."
Himeno blinked at him.
Aki added flatly, "That thing made the Fox Devil piss itself. I'd rather not risk anyone else."
Kishibe snorted, swirling the flask. "You read too much occult crap, Aki."
But Aki didn't flinch. His tone was steady, his eyes sharp.
". It's instinct. That… thing in his hand? It disdains everyone. Called us 'low … except Kang Woo."
Kang Woo's gaze drifted — not because of the words, but because the black sedan had returned.
Its doors opened with quiet efficiency. Makima stepped out. Her heels clicked once against the pavement before she stopped in front of the nearest table. In her hands, a sleek black briefcase. She set it down calmly, her expression unreadable as ever.
"I need space," makima said evenly. "Aki. Himeno. Kishibe. Turn around. I don't want any government secrets leaking."
Himeno blinked and raised a brow. "Wait, what about Kang Woo? Isn't he supposed to turn around too, Makima-san?"
Makima didn't even glance back. "Does he look like someone who cares about anything else?"
Aki sighed and said, "Himeno-senpai. Give them space."
Himeno muttered under her breath, "Fine, fine," and turned.
With the others now respectfully facing away, Makima opened the briefcase.
Click. Inside were three very distinct — and dangerous — components:
The first, a slick black firearm with a twisted grip: a fragment of the Gun Devil, forged into a one-handed pistol.
The second, a pulsating dark-red shard of meat sealed in reinforced casing — unmistakably part of the Bomb Devil.
And last — carefully cushioned in dark velvet — the red-hilted longsword once wielded by the Angel Devil. A single-edged cleaver-like blade said to carry the weight of a hundred years in every strike.
Kang Woo, still relaxed, peeked slightly from the side, chin in hand as he squinted at the arrangement.
He whistled once, low. "…That's a terrible combo," he said plainly. "If you're trying to fuse those, it might just explode."
Makima gave him a sideways glance, the faintest smirk curling her lips. "Quiet, "You need to graduate from anime one of these days."
She lifted her hand, and with a small gesture, her signature control chains slid out from her palm —.
this is the first time I'll try fusing devils through my own direct contract, she thought.
She focused, directing the chains toward the Bomb Devil fragment and the Gun Devil pistol.
The instant they touched— A thunderous blast rocked the bench, the street, the entire corner of the building. A fireball roared up like a sudden inferno — but was quickly smothered.
Dozens of shimmering zaiphon runes had already activated around the perimeter, flaring gold and black as Mikhail's protective field held firm — shielding bystanders from the blast.
But the blast radius had just enough room to catch its two primary participants.
When the smoke cleared… both Makima and Kang Woo stood there.
Their clothes were intact — the runes had done their job — but both their faces were now covered in thick, comical black ash. Cartoonishly smeared, like something out of Tom and Jerry after a TNT mishap.
Himeno, who had peeked slightly despite the warning, burst out laughing.
"Bwahahahaha! Makima-san, are you… are you enjoying this with Kang Woo,"
She doubled over, practically crying with laughter.
Aki peeked out too, biting his lower lip, trying so hard not to laugh — but failing. His shoulders trembled with the effort.
Makima, deadpan, didn't wipe the ash off her face. She just stared at Kang Woo, her bangs a little frizzed from the blast.
"What, gonna roast me now?"
Kang Woo didn't blink. He slowly grinned, ash still smeared across his cheeks.
"No," he said. "It's just… we really enjoy this banter. And laughter."
He gave her a mock toast with his imaginary wine glass.
And for a second… Makima almost smiled again.
Then Kang Woo turned his eyes back to the blast site.
The Bomb Devil fragment? Now reduced to a fine scatter of ash. Useless.
The Gun Devil component? Cracked, warped — barely recognizable. Likely unsalvageable without extensive regeneration.
He sighed and stepped forward, wiping his hand across his own cheek. Darkness rippled from his palm and the soot melted away in moments. With a second motion, he passed his hand in front of Makima's face too.
The lingering black smudges vanished — all of it compressed into a single marble-sized blot that rolled off his finger and vanished into the ground.
Makima blinked once. Then tilted her head, voice smooth, sarcastic. "So, , how is the great, magnificent Kang Woo going to help his poor opponent — you know, the one who proposed a duel against him — when she's now out of weapons?"
Kang Woo merely shrugged. "Your choice," he replied. "Do you want my help or not?"
Makima narrowed her eyes at him… then took a long, deliberate inhale through her nose. "…Fine, I need help."
Then, instantly — with zero transition — her voice turned mocking. "Please help me, chuuni," she said with a mocking bow. "Oh great chuunibyo damn NEET."
She smirked with satisfaction, arms crossed like a smug cat.
Kang Woo simply stood there. Unfazed."…That's the most polite request I've heard in a century," he said, deadpan.
Then his expression shifted. A faint shimmer of red lit up the back of his left hand as the eye of Mikhail snapped open, pupil contracting like a focused lens.
The moment it did, Mikhail's voice boomed out,: "Master, Zaiphon is not carved like Norse runes. It is spoken, manifested. It attacks, defends, detonates on contact, propels movement — and heals grievous wounds. But it does not inscribe."
Kang Woo smirked faintly. "Right. So I can't just engrave it on a blade, huh? That's fine."
He raised his hand, stretching the fingers slightly. "But your Zaiphon did seal Verloren's body inside the Pandora Box. So… it'll do just fine for this."
Makima's eyes flicked from the eye to the master.
Mikhail hovered a moment, and then strange, glowing alphabets emerged — curved and geometric — floating gently between Makima and Kang Woo in a loose spiral.
Makima narrowed her gaze, intrigued. tone was almost irritated at how unfamiliar it felt. "Mind telling me what this… Zaiphon actually is?"
Kang Woo didn't answer right away. He just smiled again — that lazy, unsettling smile that never quite gave away what he was thinking. "If used correctly," he said at last, voice smooth, "it can blow a country off the map in a single strike."
Then, without any theatrics, he extended his hand. A pulse of mana flickered from his palm — not much, just enough. He focused it, weaving it precisely through the fractured parts of the pistol. The Gun Devil's remnants responded violently at first, but Kang Woo's mastery pressed them down like a veteran smith hammering a rebellious flame. The cracks sealed.
Next, he turned to the longsword — the Angel Devil's blade. One precise cut from the edge of his finger removed the hilt entirely, clean and fast, leaving behind a beautiful, single-edged blade shimmering with holy potency.
Now came the interesting part. Kang Woo's eyes gleamed with that chaotic, old spark. He activated a power long buried in the blood of the stars.
The abilities of the Quincy King — awakened. Thin threads of spiritual energy — like blue-silver motes — spiraled around him and into the components. They fused naturally, almost willingly. The blade snapped into the rebuilt pistol's frame, forming a hybrid weapon — a gunblade forged from demon, angel, and divine sorcery alike.
[ Notification: Quincy King Ability Level Increased — Apprentice → Sternritter ]
Kang Woo stared at the message hovering in his vision and chuckled under his breath.
"Hoooh. Very interesting indeed," he murmured. "I might become Father of quincy now."
Makima, who couldn't see what he saw, leaned ever so slightly to the side — gaze sharp with amused suspicion. "Hoooh?" she echoed, teasing. "The chuuni brain takes over again. I swear, no one ever knows what you're thinking. Maybe you should share your grand visions with your companions beside you... so they don't feel left out."
Kang Woo ignored the jab entirely. Still holding the new weapon, he looked at her and said plainly: "Makima. You get one chance. One name."
He stepped closer, extending the weapon — the first and only time he'd ever offer this kind of gesture. "I'm only doing this once. Name it well."
Makima took a breath, her voice calm but laced with hidden sharpness. "Red Leash."
From the bench, Kishibe didn't even turn his head. He took a long drag from his cigarette, eyes fixed on the sky, then muttered:
"Very in-character of you, Makima. Always wanting to dominate what you want. Funny part is… the person helping you is the one opponent who won't be dominated."
Kang Woo said nothing. Instead, he moved to the floating Zaiphon runes still suspended in the air. With deliberate precision, he selected the glyphs one by one, arranging each in perfect alphabetical sequence.
A pulse of reality stitched itself into place. The final rune flared red. The weapon responded.
Red Leash was born. The fusion shimmered, then solidified. A beautiful, brutal gunblade emerged — its frame forged in sleek crimson, modeled like a semi-automatic Beretta yet extended with a blade fused to the barrel. . It looked like Hyperion from FFVIII, only more volatile.
Kang Woo spun it once in his hand, then, with a flick of his wrist, tossed it toward Makima.
She caught it easily — and as her fingers wrapped around the grip, something clicked. The sword immediately responded to her will. Chains rippled through the hilt like nerves awakening — the Control Devil's presence bleeding into it without resistance.
Makima smiled. "Are you sure you want to do this, Kang Woo?" she teased, lifting the weapon slightly. "You might lose… and become my doggy."
A moment of silence. Then— Kang Woo summoned the Rakshasa Blade once again — the massive, red greatsword appearing with a heavy shimmer in his hand. The air quaked around it.
His eyes narrowed. "The dreamers, need to awaken to reality. …And it seems you're the one still dreaming."
Makima's gaze slid sideways — toward the bench where her subordinates sat: Aki, Himeno, and Kishibe. Silent witnesses.
"I suppose," she said lightly, "you're all going to ignore my order to look away from this fight?"
Himeno gave a half-shrug, grinning. "Come on, Makima-san… we've never actually seen you fight before."
"I'm with Himeno-senpai on this," Aki added, leaning slightly forward. "This is too rare."
Kishibe didn't speak. Just calmly sipped from his flask, watching with his usual detached focus.
Makima sighed with faux reluctance. Suddenly— BANG! A hidden gun flashed in her left hand — the shot aimed dead at Kang Woo's chest.
But in the span of less than a breath—
Kang Woo's Rakshasa Blade spun with impossible speed. The enormous weapon rotated once — just once — and intercepted the bullet midair. He caught it.
The bullet clinked once against the tip of the sword, slowed by sheer rotational force… then dropped harmlessly to the pavement.
Makima's eyes flicked to the bullet, then back to Kang Woo. He caught it… with a sword that big?
Makima's thought lingered: I would've accepted deflection. Or no damage. But to catch it—with that monster of a blade—?. That's… "Absurd," she whispered under her breath.
Himeno elbowed Aki, stifling a laugh. "Aki, I'm sure you can do that too, right?" she teased.
Aki didn't even blink. His reply came flat, honest. "Himeno-senpai… we've dealt with yakuza, and devils, … but I've never seen anyone catch a bullet with a sword. Let alone sword that big ."
And before another word could be said—
Kang Woo vanished. A red-black distortion warped around him—like space bending for his will alone—and in a blink, he appeared right in front of Makima. Warp Strike.
Makima's eyes widened. That speed—there was no time to think, only to react.
She brought Red Leash up in time catching the strike, but the sheer weight behind it rattled her wrists. Her heels slid slightly on the pavement. Her pistol dropped, clattering to the ground.
. She gritted her teeth and grabbed the blade with both hands, struggling to brace herself against the raw pressure of the Rakshasa Blade. Sparks hissed from the contact. Her eyes locked with Kang Woo's—unmoving, calm. He wasn't serious at all.
Makima's heart skipped a beat , So—she made a gamble.
From her pocket came a tiny cylinder. Click.FLASH! A flash grenade erupted between them.
Makima ducked slightly behind her arm, shielding her eyes.
Kang Woo didn't even flinch. The burst faded. He stood there, completely unaffected, sword humming with silent contempt.
Makima had already jumped back, sliding several meters across the asphalt to put distance between them.
"That red greatsword… is it made of Zaiphon, too?"
Kang Woo rested the blade lazily against his shoulder, smirking just a little.
"If it was made with Zaiphon," he replied calmly, "it wouldn't have been able to clash with your Red Leash. Forged long before Zaiphon , in a realm where stars die ."
Then, casually: "Mikhail. I need to use Zaiphon."
The eye on the back of Kang Woo's left palm flared wide open, pulsing with eerie life. "Yes, Master."
A storm of glowing, alphabetic Zaiphon characters began carving themselves into the sky—burning red-orange against the clouds like scripture from a forbidden age.
Makima chuckled, almost gleeful. " Even you need help from a floating eyeball. What a disappointment of a man."
Mikhail's voice immediately cracked out—sharper than before. "You're mistaken, invalid creature. Master has never needed me to use It. His mana output alone is vast enough to channel even the world systems.."
And then— The air shifted.
BOOM!BOOM!BOOM! A wave of Zaiphon sigils launched from above, raining down like artillery—each one a rune-shaped warhead, igniting on impact with a shockwave of heat and force.
Makima raised Red Leash just in time—CLANG!CLANG!—blocking the first few strikes as they exploded against her defense. Shrapnel of light and pressure whirled across the street.
She grit her teeth, every muscle bracing as more Zaiphon fell like judgment itself. Another barrage struck.
Makima stumbled back slightly, blade sizzling from impact. Her thoughts raced.
Tch… this Zaiphon…. It's more powerful than fear-fueled based devil ability ,…This is bad. I might actually lose.
A sudden silence. The sky-runes ceased their glow. The air stilled.
And Kang Woo, still standing calmly in the eye of the storm, raised his hand lazily and taunted, "Look out."
Makima's eyes snapped downward. The ground beneath her shimmered—cracking with eerie veins of shadow, like reality was splitting open. Her instincts screamed.
She leapt backward just in time. FWOOOOOM! A massive tornado of darkness exploded where she stood—howling upward like a dragon's roar, spiraling with cursed winds and gravity-warping force. It nearly consumed her whole.
She landed yards away, skidding, breathing hard—but already on guard.
And then she saw them. Dozens of spectral swords now circled Kang Woo — glinting like divine blades from another plane. They floated with cold precision, orbiting him like satellites.
Kang Woo raised a single finger."Watch out for the rain."
Royal Retribution The sky lit up. CRASH!BOOM! A storm of swords descended — a hundred phantom blades raining down like judgment. Makima bolted into motion, weaving between strikes, blade parrying where she could, others narrowly missing.
But she was smiling now — exhilarated,. Kang woo has multiple forms of combat . That damned eyeball is only an assistant. how much more he's hiding.
From across the courtyard, Aki stepped forward, eyes sharp as he took in the cratered streets, and the force tearing the plaza apart. "…Should we interfere?" he asked lowly.
Kishibe didn't flinch. He took a drag of his cigarette and spoke flatly."No civilians are harmed. Let them finish."
He exhaled smoke. "But I'll say this — I've seen monsters, devils, hybrids, even Weapon Humans…"
Kishibe stared at Kang Woo, who now stood like an emperor commanding the very air. "…But I never expected this. If Kang Woo joined Public Safety and his name got out …He'd be called the strongest."
Kang Woo watched as the spectral blades continued to rain down like divine punishment, each crash of metal against stone echoing through the street . Makima danced beneath the storm—swift, graceful, deflecting where she could, evading where she couldn't—but she knew. She was outnumbered.
Her eyes flicked toward the cracked pavement beneath her. A moment later—without hesitation—she dove into the nearest breach in the street, vanishing into the sewers below. The moment she dropped, a veil of rats poured in after her, covering her escape. The storm of blades continued above, slicing through air and light, but the Control Devil had retreated into the shadows beneath the city.
Kang Woo didn't follow. He felt it before he saw it. A pulsing shift of presence.
Hundreds of rats swarmed from every alley, every crack in the city, their beady eyes glowing .
Kang Woo narrowed his eyes. She's pissed now.. She doesn't even care if they see her for what she really is.
He stood still as the swarm grew — hundreds became thousands, converging unnaturally into a single point. Makima's body reformed from the writhing sea of rodents, elegant and eerie, the blade Red Leash already in her hand mid-motion.
Her slash connected — a clean strike across Kang Woo's exposed arm. But it stopped there. Makima blinked.
Kang woo looked down at the place she struck, eyes calm.
Makima's eyes narrowed , she retreated , make some distance . With no hesitation, she pointed her hand toward him and spoke coldly: "Rip him to shreds."
The swarm obeyed. Like a tidal wave, the rats surged toward Kang Woo — thousands moving as one, clawed and fanged and ruthless.
But Kang Woo. Instead, his eyes gleamed faintly, lips curling into a half-smile.
He snapped his fingers. The spectral swords above twisted and turned — now redirecting, aiming downward in synchronized precision.
SHING—SHING—SHING—SHING!
A storm of blades cut through the swarm mid-charge, slicing through bodies, vaporizing them into plumes of twitching shadow. The air hissed with violence.
And amidst the chaos, Kang Woo's voice cut through. "Think you can kill me?"
Another snap — a fresh volley of phantom swords ignited in the air. "I'd love to see you try."
Makima she raised her right hand into the shape of a gun — index finger extended, thumb cocked.
"Bang," she whispered.
An invisible force screamed through the air — her signature telekinetic shot — aimed straight at Kang Woo's head. CLANG! A spectral sword twisted in mid-air, intercepting the invisible bullet and deflecting it with a sharp, ringing note that echoed through the empty street.
Makima's eyes widened slightly. Then a smile tugged at her lips. it's exhilarating.
She tilted her head just a little, eyes locked with Kang Woo's.
"You sure you want to hold back?" she teased. "Rats are practically limitless."
Kang Woo chuckled, unbothered, eyes glowing faintly with amusement. "And you're only using two contracts, Shouldn't you be using all you've got, eh?"
Makima said nothing at first. She only smiled like someone who just heard a secret spoken aloud.
He really knows what I am.And he doesn't expose it. He plays along. Even when he's ten steps ahead.
But she had one last card to play. Without a word, a radiant halo shimmered into existence above her head. Her voice rang out, cool and absolute:
"Usage 1000 years."
From deep within her pact with the Angel Devil, Makima summoned the forbidden technique — a red spear drawn from a millennium's worth of lifespan. Above her, three golden, humanoid effigies appeared — floating in the air, arms outstretched. Between them, a swirling, starlit void yawned open.
Makima masked the build-up behind her wall of rats — thousands of them flooding the battlefield, clashing with Kang Woo's spectral swords like fire against fire, chaos against order.
If you survive this… we'll talk more, Kang Woo.
Then, without hesitation — she fired. The blood-red spear screamed through the air and struck its target dead-on.
KRAKKOOM!
A wave of force erupted from the impact point.. The rats disintegrated from the sheer force of it. The air itself stood still.
Makima took a breath, hand lowering slightly. Her eyes gleamed.
"I win, Kang Woo," she called. "See ya on near pub —"
Her words cut off. The smoke cleared. The spear Absorbed.
Kang Woo stood exactly where he had been,. The energy of the blood-red spear now converted to healing properties around his body, devoured.
Floating around him were dozens of radiant Quincy bows — precise, ethereal, terrifying in their stillness. Like the limbs of judgment ready to fire.
Makima took a step back on instinct. Hellblaze erupted. A black inferno surged from behind Kang Woo, devouring the remaining sea of rats in an instant. . No remains. Just flickers of red within the pitch-black flame.
Kang Woo began walking forward. Closer. Makima Couldn't move . She was staring into something incomprehensible.
Kang Woo stopped just a foot away, then lifted a hand — offering it with a cocky half-smile. "Had fun, Makima?"
Makima blinked. And then — almost as if something cracked in her — she smiled too.
"Yeah. Very," she said. Her fingers reached for his hand.
From the courtyard bench, Himeno threw her arms in the air and shouted, "That's totally wicked!"
Aki, less amused, glanced at the street — scorched, cracked, some lamp posts melted. "Makima-san, the streets are… kind of destroyed."
Kang Woo followed his gaze and shrugged with an unapologetic grin. "We could just say an alien invasion happened. Sounds cooler."
Makima sighed. "That's not how it works, I'll handle the topside reports. You all — get some rest. You've earned it."
Kishibe, arms crossed and cigarette tucked between two fingers, gave her a look. "You're the one who needs to cool off . That was a damn war."
Himeno leaned forward, smirking. "Makima-san, you didn't tell us you had all those devil contracts. Is that why you told us to look away?"
Makima's smile returned — calm, composed, but with the faintest twitch of playfulness.
"If people know your abilities, they'll be more prepared for them, Besides… I only revealed them because I didn't expect Kang Woo to be this powerful."
Makima's smile didn't fade. In fact, it sharpened just slightly — something colder behind the curve of her lips.
She turned her eyes to Kishibe. "Kishibe, "I know what you talked about with Kang Woo when you shooed him away before."
Kishibe didn't flinch. He exhaled smoke, voice steady. "I suppose… no one can keep secrets from you."
Makima didn't press further. Instead, she turned — eyes now on Kang Woo. "But before anything else let me be clear: I will not interfere with the Compound V Kang Woo brought you. If you want to implement it on Public Safety personnel, go ahead."
"But in exchange, I want a sample."
Kang Woo gave a light exhale, then raised his left hand. "Do your thing, Mikhail."
Mikhail's eye flared open on Kang Woo's palm, glowing violently for a moment.
From the darkness behind Kang Woo, subspace folded open like tearing paper. A large metal drum rolled out — followed by two glowing gallons of volatile liquid.
Makima tilted her head, mildly impressed. "That floating eyeball is the one who makes things disappear,"
she mused aloud. Then, teasing, "Any chance you'll switch sides and serve me instead of Kang Woo?"
Mikhail's voice snapped like thunder, ancient and furious. "Fuck off, low creature."
Makima blinked, then chuckled. "…Rude,"
But she didn't seem offended. If anything, she looked amused.
Kang Woo's system flared silently in his mind.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
[ Quest Completed ]
Title: First Meeting with the Control Devil
Description: The Control Devil, also known as Makima, is intrigued. She wants to know more about you. Indulge her interest… or perhaps make her heart stir, like you did with that playful forehead flick.
Objective: Accept Makima's challenge to a duel. Ensure that even you are entertained.
Reward: Ring of Lucis, Draupnir Ring
Hidden Reward (Unlocked): Blades of Chaos — Awarded for stirring emotion in a devil long thought to be emotionless.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
A pulse echoed through Kang Woo's soul. A burning weight reawakened in his grip.
The Blades of Chaos manifested beside his Rakshasa Blade. He caught it without effort.
"…Good to be back," Kang Woo murmured to himself, lips curling faintly.
Makima, still adjusting the collar of her coat, glanced sideways at him. Her eyes narrowed playfully.
" You need medication. Talking to yourself like that," she teased.
Kang Woo didn't respond to the jab as he disperse his summoned weapon . He looked at all of them — Aki, Himeno, Kishibe, Makima. His expression softened just enough to pass for sincerity.
"See you guys later, Next time we meet… I hope it'll be more peaceful."
And then— FOOM. The Blackened Wings erupted. Three pairs of immense, demonic wings tore into view behind Kang Woo,
Just before he could launch himself, Kishibe barked from the bench, cigarette between his lips: "Wait—Kang Woo!"
Kang Woo paused, turning his head slightly.
Kishibe asked, brow raised "You sure you wanna give me a $10 million compound worth , For the 60 million yen I gave you ? , I don't mind. But you sure?"
Kang Woo chuckled. "I've still got about many tons of it stored with Mikhail."
He lifted one hand lazily. "And besides… that 60 million yen? That's more than enough for what I'm about to do next."
He didn't elaborate. With one beat of his wings the sky cracked open. He launched upward, the force breaking through cloud cover, trailing a black comet streak into splitting the sky itself.
Himeno leaned back on the bench, gaze tilted upward where the sky had only just begun to heal.
"I saw a black comet yesterday," she muttered. "Must've been him, right?"
Aki, arms crossed, said nothing — but the way his eyes tracked the sky said he was thinking the same.
Makima remained still, lips parted slightly as her thoughts turned inward. "Is there any person, who can do what Kang Woo just did?"
Yet within her, something more pressing stirred. A realization. A frustration.
Normally… I can see anyone. Anywhere.
Even across the globe — through rats, crows, insects. I've spied on men buried underground and devils locked in Prisons .
But not him....And judging by that launch, that trajectory… Kang Woo is probably near orbit by now.
She tilted her head ever so slightly toward the clouds.
"…Not even the Control Devil can watch him," she whispered to herself, lips curling faintly in both amusement and unease.
Kishibe exhaled a long drag from his cigarette, letting the silence linger before breaking it flatly.
"So, further question… how the hell are we gonna implant Compound V into the personnel?"
Aki didn't respond. Just crossed his arms and stared down the ruined street, brows furrowed.
Makima folded her arms, thoughtful. "I've heard… injecting it into infants is the easiest way to produce 'Supes.' Just like America did. But we still have morality. Barely."
Himeno leaned forward, chin in palm. "So we need to ask Kang Woo again, don't we?"
Kishibe glanced sideways at Makima, half-smirking. "Don't worry. If there's someone who can find him again, we already have one."
Makima's eyes sharpened, and she leaned in closer, voice dropping to a hush only Kishibe could hear. "You know I can spy on everyone . But I can't track Kang Woo. You want to know why?" Because my crows don't fly that high. They can't reach ten thousand meters."
Kishibe let out a low chuckle, the sound more like a dry cough.
"So much," he said, puffing smoke from his nose, "for the commander of Public Safety Devil Hunters."
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The meeting room felt heavier than usual — long metal table, florescent lights overhead, and the faint hum of a projector in standby. They sat around it: Kishibe slouched with his usual indifference, Aki upright and tense, Himeno spinning a pen between her fingers, and Makima leaning back with polite authority.
Aki glanced at the blue gallon container marked with strange warning "So… Kishibe-san, you're saying this stuff… this Compound V… will make us stronger? That it'll reduce casualties in our fights against devils?"
Kishibe didn't look up right away. He tapped his smoke against the ashtray, then muttered flatly, "Have you ever seen the seven movies made by Vought?"
Aki blinked. "The what?"
Makima sighed, folding her hands. "Aki-kun… seriously? Living under a rock like that?" I'll explain briefly. Think of it this way: you're fighting a devil — something like the Bat Devil. No Devil contracts.. Just you and your sword."
She looked him dead in the eye. "Do you honestly think you'd come out unscathed ? "
Aki didn't answer. The room grew quiet.
Then— Himeno's voice cut through, light and a bit uncertain.
"Uh… Makima-san? There's an sphere . Floating. Right beside you."
Makima turned her head slowly. There it was — hovering like a smug specter just past her shoulder.
The Commandment of Love. A faint glow pulsed from it, and across its surface, etched as if by some invisible flame, words shimmered into view:
"Consider it a bonus. I gave you Red Leash. Take this for a while too. Also… a nurse outfit would be nice."
Makima's eye twitched. She inhaled sharply. "…Shitty chuuni."
With no hesitation, she grabbed the orb and flung it. It crashed through the nearest window spinning off into the open air.
Still fuming, Makima raised her hand, made a finger pistol, and sneered,
"Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang."
But the orb only spun.
Makima blinked once. Her face froze. A shiver trickled down her spine.
"…Oh no," she whispered. "I forgot."
A sharp pulse surged through her chest — the faintest seed of irritation, of prideful anger she'd let bloom for just a second. That was all it took. The Commandment of Love responded immediately.
Makima's legs buckled. Her breath caught in her throat as a wave of unseen force crushed her down to her knees. Her muscles trembled, powerless. Strength fled her limbs
Aki and Himeno bolted from their seats. "Makima-san?!"
But Makima only clutched the table edge, eyes wide with disbelief. "I let hate in," she muttered, "for just a second…"
Aki and Himeno quickly moved in, steadying her.
"Makima-san hang on to us —" Aki's voice was tight with concern as he and Himeno helped lower her gently into her seat. Her legs were still weak, her breath shallow.
"Don't mind me," Makima muttered, trying to wave them off despite her trembling fingers. Her eyes didn't meet theirs. They stayed locked on the broken window, on the spot where the orb had spun away.
"I'm gonna track you, Kang Woo. Even if you're on the other side of the world ."
Kishibe, arms crossed, leaned against the far wall with his ever-present cigarette."How's it feel, being the one under someone else palm for once? Reverse of your usual game, isn't it?"
Makima didn't respond. She stared straight ahead, flushed with something between embarrassment and quiet fury. Her voice dropped, nearly a whisper. "Think happy thoughts… think happy thoughts…"
Aki raised a brow. "Makima-san you talking to yourself …?"
"I need to purge the hate. Just a little longer," Makima hissed through gritted teeth. "Then I'll be back to normal."
Himeno exchanged a look with Aki, then sat beside Makima, leaning forward with a half-grin. "Makima-san, you're kinda adorable like this."
Makima shot her a glare, but her knees still weren't cooperating.
From the window, the distant glint of the Commandment orb floated far off — unbothered, spinning slowly… like it was laughing.
Makima leaned back in her chair, still pale, her breath slightly uneven.
"The meeting will continue later… after my strength returns, Also, I think you two should stay away from me for now. That Commandment really has a nasty condition."
Aki stepped forward, unsure. "Makima-san… I can help. Let me help you up for this day ."
Makima shook her head slowly, managing a faint smile despite the situation.
"My strength will always be downgraded if I still carry hate, . Don't worry. I'll calm myself… eventually. You both go home. Pick up your paychecks from the receptionist."
Himeno didn't argue. She simply reached out and grabbed Aki by the shoulder.
"Come on, Aki. Let's go."
Aki gave Makima one last look, hesitant. "Call me, Makima-san. Just in case you need anything."
Makima exhaled, closing her eyes for a second to steady herself. When she opened them again, she turned toward the only one still in the room—Kishibe.
A mischievous glint sparked in her tired gaze.
"If you want to put me down six feet under, Kishibe… now's the right time."
Kishibe didn't even flinch. He just leaned back slightly, smoke curling from his lips as he took another drag of his cigarette. "I don't care what kind of monster you are, As long as you're on humanity's side… I'll let anything slide."
Kishibe exhaled a slow breath, his cigarette burning low between his fingers. "…Before you calm yourself down," he said, his tone shifting just slightly — less cynical, more curious — "mind theorizing something for me?"
Makima tilted her head, still seated, eyes half-lidded. "Kang Woo?"
Kishibe nodded once. "Yeah. I don't buy that he's just some alien. That's too easy."
Makima let the silence linger, as if weighing her words. "…Mikhail," "the red eye on the back of Kang Woo's palm — that's the alien."
She leaned back, gaze drifting toward the broken window "Kang Woo himself… he isn't from this world. He uses probably Zaiphon — an energy that doesn't rely on fear, or contracts . And it's definitely not some Compound V accident cooked up in a lab."
Makima eyes narrowed. "He's something that doesn't belong in any of our categories."
Kishibe took a slow drag from his cigarette, his gaze heavy. "You're saying he's a third party… something outside everything we know. Even you?"
Makima just smiled faintly — a tired, knowing kind of smile. "I'm saying," she murmured, "that we've never had a word for what he is. But the fox devil… called him the noble one. And it was terrified ."
"It acted like if it said the wrong thing, it'd die permanently. That means Kang Woo was here — stranded, — at least for a specific period of time. . Long enough for some devils to remember."
Kishibe looked off toward the night sky, the glow of distant city lights spilling through the window.
"Kang Woo once said," he muttered, "there's someone watching us from upstairs. There's something out there ,even the devils don't talk about. That watches the whole world — and he knows it."
Kishibe leaned forward slightly, the cigarette now resting between two fingers, smoke curling toward the ceiling.
"Makima," he said, voice low, "is Kang Woo a monster like you? The kind that sides with humanity… or something worse?"
Makima didn't answer right away. Her eyes stayed on the sky for a few more seconds before she exhaled — slow, calm — and finally turned back to him. Her posture relaxed, the tension that had gripped her earlier now fading. Her emotions had stabilized, at least for now.
"…Looks like I can speak a bit clearer," she murmured. "I need to rephrase something."
"The Zaiphon technique — the runes , the sky-borne strikes — all of that is something Mikhail assists Kang Woo with. It's not truly his power. He borrows it, . But Kang Woo's actual power? It's . Opposite in nature. Something that clashes with the foundation Zaiphon's built on."
Kishibe squinted slightly, as if recalling something. "Mana," he said. "Is that right?"
Makima nodded once, slowly "Yes. Mana. That's what Mikhail called it. But beyond that… I don't know what the hell that is."
She leaned back slightly, folding her arms as her gaze flicked toward Kishibe again.
"As for your question — whether he sides with humanity or not…"
Makima exhaled. "Kang Woo doesn't give a shit about anything."
Kishibe tilted his head, listening carefully.
Makima added. "…But Mikhail does, That red eyeball? That thing cares.. And if there's anything in this world we should actually be worried about. That eyeball can launch weapons capable of wiping a country off the map with just one command."
Kishibe stayed silent, staring at her,
Makima's tone grew sharper — more certain now. "But as long as Kang Woo is alive… Mikhail will obey him. That's the only leash holding that thing back."
Kishibe nodded slightly, eyes half-lidded. "Mikhail shows disdain for everyone except his master,. "But I've got a feeling… Kang Woo's far stronger than that eye on the back of his palm. And that thing's already terrifying. But why is Mikhail so loyal to him—loyal enough that he'd kill us just for looking at his master the wrong way?"
Makima didn't disagree. Instead, she changed the subject. "Kishibe,". "Do you have someone who can track weather patterns?"
Kishibe raised a brow. "What for?"
Makima said "Kang Woo flies too fast — normal detectors can't keep up. But wind disruption, condensation trails, high-altitude vapor fluctuation… something's gotta give him away."
Kishibe exhaled slowly. "Maybe. But it's not like he's flapping wings through clouds. The guy moves like a black comet. Weather alone won't be enough."
Makima's eyes narrowed, thoughtful."Still, I owe you a favor now. I can't track his movement directly — the crows don't reach high enough, and even I can't link to anything that fast.…But I can predict where he might land. Or where he might idle."
Kishibe's cigarette dipped slightly as he leaned forward, his voice level but lined with meaning. "I'm gonna cash that favor now, Stop spying on me. Completely. And I'll do what I can — find someone or something that can track weather shifts."
Makima didn't blink. "Consider it done, I won't spy on you… unless it threatens my interests or the country's safety. No exceptions beyond that."
Kishibe gave a wry smirk, rising from his chair with a stretch of his back. "I'm satisfied with how you paid your debt. That's a rare thing, Makima. And I'll take my leave."
He turned, stepping toward the exit — but paused one last time at the door.
"Oh, and by the way…" he glanced back over his shoulder, smirking faintly. "You noticed it, haven't you? You're acting different. Not quite the cold untouchable queen everyone's scared of."
Makima's eyes twitched, barely — a flicker of something bristling in her gaze.
"—Kishibe," she started, sharp enough to cut steel.
But the door had already closed. He was gone.
Makima stood still for a long moment, her eyes fixed on nothing — yet everything. The Commandment hovered nearby . Like it was watching. Judging. Or maybe just listening.
She let out a breath — low, slow, and drawn from somewhere deeper than she liked to admit.
"Kang Woo…" she muttered, voice nearly swallowed by the room's emptiness. "Your personality really affects me. And I hate it."
Her hand drifted instinctively to her side. With practiced ease, she unsheathed Red Leash. The red gunblade hissed in the sterile air, gleaming under the room's pale light. Zaiphon runes pulsed faintly along the length of the blade — a rhythm that matched her own heartbeat, though she'd never admit it.
Her emotions had stabilized. Her strength was back. Everything was as it should be. Almost.
Makima stood tall once again, posture immaculate, her gaze sharpened into something unreadable. But her mind—was not still. Why did I ask Kishibe?
I could've done it myself. I've tracked devils across oceans. I've made many of my opponent kneel without lifting a hand. I didn't need anyone. …Am I softening? Ridiculous.
And yet… the thought pressed in again.
Or is it because I met Kang Woo? That irritating bastard with wings and an eye that calls me a "low creature." Her jaw tensed. She let out a slow exhale.
"…My heart feels strange." The words came flat. Quiet. But not empty.
Makima eyes flicked down to the blade. "Red Leash… if I fall any further, you'd better be sharp enough to cut me loose."