NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Tree of Qliphoth
As Kang Woo stood there, still enveloped in the warmth of Makima's embrace, his sharp senses caught a shift in the atmosphere. From deep within the massive crater below, something ancient stirred. The energy in the air thickened, an unsettling heaviness pressing down from all directions. Kang Woo's gaze sharpened, and there it was a faint, three-point magic circle forming in the depths. It was no ordinary phenomenon; reality itself had been breached, and whatever was awakening was far more dangerous than anything this world had encountered before.
Makima, still clinging to Kang Woo, hadn't sensed it yet. The disturbance was too subtle for anyone but someone of Kang Woo's caliber to notice in its early stages. But he knew. She hasn't picked it up yet, he thought, feeling the weight of what was to come. But I do… and whatever this is, it's not from this realm.
Kang Woo's mind raced. The dark energy radiating from the crater wasn't just any devil's aura. It was something far worse a devil from the other realms. A leader. Gravity magic… and it's going to tear through the world barrier, he realized, a grim look crossing his face. If even 25% of this being manifests… no one in this world can stop it.
His thoughts snapped back to Makima. She was still hugging him, unaware of the full danger below. He couldn't afford to wait any longer.
"Makima," Kang Woo said, his voice calm but filled with an unspoken urgency. "I need you to listen carefully."
Makima, still holding him, lifted her head slightly, sensing the sudden shift in his tone. But before she could ask, her own senses flickered to life. A familiar feeling washed over her, one she recognized all too well. Something was breaching reality from the crater below them. She stiffened, her grip tightening around him instinctively. Its the same oppressive energy she had felt when powerful forces broke into their world before.
"You sense it now, don't you?" Kang Woo asked, his tone still low, but there was no hiding the gravity of the situation anymore. "What's below us... is something not from this world."
Makima's heart raced as she looked up at him, her usual composed demeanor slipping just a bit. For the first time in a while, there was uncertainty in her eyes.
"Listen to me very carefully, and do exactly as I say," Kang Woo continued, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity she rarely saw in him. "If you see a white creature with wrinkled skin, four bat-like wings, and four curved horns pointing upward… and if I'm nowhere to be found, that means I'm dead."
Makima's breath hitched, her eyes widening in shock. "W-What?!" The words didn't make sense at first Kang Woo was unbeatable, wasn't he? How could he even be talking about death? Her heart sank as panic surged through her. No one nothing should be able to kill him, she thought, her mind scrambling to comprehend the situation. The idea of losing him, her future husband, her greatest protector, struck her like a wave of cold dread.
"Dead?" she repeated, her voice trembling with disbelief. She was used to always being in control, but this this was a fear she hadn't anticipated. Her grip on Kang Woo tightened even more, her eyes filled with fear and concern.
Kang Woo's expression didn't change. He remained but the concern behind his words was clear. "Makima, promise me… if that happens, gather everyone you know and go into hiding. Stay in a bunker. Don't try to fight it."
Makima could only stare at him, her mind racing with the terrifying thought that something was powerful enough to frighten Kang Woo. Something powerful enough to kill him. The man she thought invincible was now warning her about the very real possibility of his death and that shook her to her core.
"But... but you can't die..." she whispered, her voice trembling as she clung to him tighter, her heart filled with fear. Kang Woo… afraid?
For the first time, Makima wasn't sure if she could protect what mattered most to her.
Makima tightened her hold on Kang Woo, her grip almost desperate. the idea of losing him too unbearable. "I'm coming with you," she said fiercely, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm going to help you win, no matter what. I won't let you fight this alone."
But Kang Woo didn't respond. His face was unreadable, set in a mask of determination. Without a word, he activated the Commandment of Piety. Dark tendrils of energy snaked out, wrapping around Makima with a strength that brooked no argument.
"W-What are you doing?!" Makima's eyes flashed with anger and concern as she struggled against the darkness. "Kang Woo! Let me go! I can help you! I won't just stand by and let you face this alone!"
Kang Woo didn't look back. His gaze remained fixed ahead, his back to her as he waved a silent goodbye. "I'm glad I met you when I came to this world, Makima," he said . There was no turning back for him now.
Makima's breath caught in her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she knew it, they were streaming down her face uncontrollably. "No… NO!" she screamed.
Makima struggled against the Commandment's grip, but it was too late—the darkness was already carrying her toward the entrance of the Aokigahara forest, pulling her away as fast as it could, separating her from the man she desperately wanted to protect.
Her heart broke as the sight of Kang Woo growing smaller and smaller in the distance, until finally, he was gone from view. Makima slammed her fists against the dark barrier, her voice hoarse from crying. "KANG WOO! COME BACK! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME!"
But it was no use the Commandment of Piety had its orders, and it obeyed without question.
Kang Woo stood alone now, the silence around him thick and oppressive. He stared down into the crater, his thoughts churning. Lucifero... The name weighed heavily on his mind, a harbinger of the danger to come. What the fuck is happening in this world?
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Meanwhile, Makima, being carried by the dark orb that was the Commandment of Piety, whispered in desperation. "Kuhito," she said, recalling what Kang Woo had told her—the word meant to retract the Commandment of Piety to an unknown space. But nothing happened.
"Kuhito," she repeated, her voice trembling. "Kuhito, you hear me? Kuhito."
The Commandment of Piety only spun in the air. Then, engraved on its surface, cold and indifferent, appeared the words: No. Sorry.
Makima's voice fell silent.
She could only helplessly watch the man she wanted to protect, the man she loved, facing death—unable to do anything,
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Meanwhile, Kishibe, Aki, and Himeno, who had already arrived at the entrance of the Aokigahara forest thanks to the Hell Devil transporting them, glanced around warily. Nearby, Barem Bridge—who was still pinned down by the darkness Kang Woo had used to bind him—groaned in frustration.
"Hey!" Barem called out, his voice laced with irritation. "Now that you're back, maybe you can ask Kang Woo to release me from this damn binding."
Kishibe remained silent, staring at Barem with cold eyes. Aki and Himeno, still disgusted by Barem's mockery of both Makima and their comrades, looked at him with disdain. Aki clenched his fists.
"How about no," Aki said coldly.
Himeno smirked and gave Barem a pointed look. "You've got a lot of nerve, Barem," she muttered, stepping forward with an ominous glint in her eyes. Aki followed her lead. Before Barem could protest, Aki kicked him squarely in the face, and Himeno followed up with a swift kick to Barem's balls . Barem let out a pained groan.
"Shut up," Aki hissed, leaving him sprawled on the ground in pain.
Suddenly, a dark cocoon arrived, descending from the air in front of them. Aki and Himeno turned to face it, their eyes narrowing in caution. Barem, still recovering from the brutal kicks, looked at the dark object in fear and confusion.
"Hey, you two juniors!" Barem croaked, still grimacing in pain. "Attack that dark object! Do something!"
Aki, still seething with anger, and Himeno, equally pissed off, shot Barem a cold glare. They both ignored him. Instead, Aki kicked him again, making him fall silent in agony.
Inside the dark cocoon, Makima who had been silently observing recognized the voices outside. Her subordinates, Aki and Himeno, were there, as well as the traitor Barem Bridge. She felt a mix of relief and frustration. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she noticed that the tendrils within the dark cocoon were gently fixing her appearance, repairing her tear-streaked face and the battle-worn clothes stained from her earlier confrontation with the Baba Yaga Devil.
Makima, feeling a surge of annoyance, glanced at the Commandment of Piety hovering beside her. "Are you the new housewife now?" she asked sarcastically, her voice cold as she eyed the dark orb.
The Commandment of Piety simply spun in the air, and again, words engraved themselves on its surface: No.
Makima sighed, regaining her cold persona as she steeled herself for what was to come. The danger that Kang Woo was about to face was unlike anything she had ever encountered, and she could feel her heart tightening with dread. But she couldn't afford to break now. She had to be strong.
Her mind turned to the man she had just been separated from. Kang Woo… if you die, she thought to herself, her inner voice trembling with resolve, I will find that white creature, and I will kill it. I'll tear it apart piece by piece. Your request to keep me safe means nothing if my future husband is taken away from me. Her eyes narrowed in cold fury. For a life… it's a life in return.
Makima was then released from the dark cocoon, with the Commandment of Piety hovering beside her. Kishibe stayed silent, watching her carefully. Aki stepped forward and addressed her. "Ms. Makima, I take it Kang Woo was successful in rescuing you?"
Makima nodded. "Yes, I'm grateful for Kang Woo's assistance," she said, her gaze briefly flickering toward Barem Bridge, who was still pinned down by darkness. She remained calm and composed, her mind calculating her next steps.
Silently, she gave a mental order to the Baba Yaga Devil still enslaved by the Commandment of Piety to hide itself deep beneath the earth, submerging into the dirt. Its terrifying house form needed to be kept out of sight for now. I can use my power to enslave Barem, she thought, considering her options, but I can't expose myself as the Control Devil yet. And besides, since the contract between me and Kentaro, the current Prime Minister of Japan, has been severed, my power is weakening. I doubt I can affect someone of Barem Bridge's caliber for a while, at least not until my power is restored. She glanced at the Commandment of Piety, almost amused by how it seemed like a caretaker orb, constantly watching over its user. A small, knowing smirk crossed her lips.
Suddenly, Barem Bridge spoke, his voice strained from being pinned down. "Makima… I'm glad you're safe. The Prime Minister requests a meeting with you—now."
Before Makima could respond, Kishibe was the one to answer, his tone casual but laced with suspicion. "You've been pinned down ever since Kang Woo got here, and Makima was rescued. That darkness won't let you move a muscle. So, tell me… how the hell did you suddenly get in contact with the Prime Minister?" His voice lowered dangerously as he added, "What are you hiding, Flamethrower Hybrid?" Kishibe's words were a direct hit, referring to Barem Bridge's transformation via his contract with the Flamethrower Devil.
Barem's face twisted in anger. "Shut up, dog," he spat. "Your fangs have grown dull. This is between me and—"
Before he could finish, Makima's voice cut through the tension like ice. "Aki-kun, Himeno-kun," she said in her usual cold, authoritative tone. "Did you kick Barem Bridge?"
Aki and Himeno both stiffened, exchanging quick glances of shame. They nodded, expecting some form of punishment for their actions.
Makima, however, walked toward Barem slowly, her footsteps deliberate. Barem, thinking she was about to free him, let out a breath of relief. "Thank you for your understanding, Makima—"
But before he could finish, Makima's boot connected with Barem Bridge's balls , delivering a swift and painful kick that left him gasping in shock. The move caught everyone off guard especially Barem, who was now doubled over in agony.
Makima turned back to Aki and Himeno with a calm but commanding tone. "Next time, kick him harder."
Himeno, barely able to suppress her laughter, leaned in to whisper to Aki. "Kang Woo's got a bad influence on her… and I kinda like it."
Aki, biting back a grin, nodded in agreement. "Yeah… I'm satisfied."
Makima then turned to Kishibe, her cold demeanor returning as she spoke. "Kishibe, you still have your phone, right? If so, contact every settlement near the Aokigahara forest. Have them evacuated by Public Safety Devil Hunter personnel. Things are going to get very dangerous."
Kishibe, despite his usual stoic demeanor, smiled slightly. There was something very human about Makima at that moment, a side of her he liked more than her usual cruel and calculating persona. "I've got my phone, and I'll do as you say. Civilians take priority right now," he replied, his voice carrying its usual steady calm.
As Kishibe worked on making the necessary calls, he glanced back at Makima. "Where's Kang Woo?" he asked, his tone as casual as ever.
Makima's expression didn't shift much, still as cold and composed as ever. "Off to save the world… or get himself killed," she replied. Though her tone was cool, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of concern behind her words.
Kishibe noticed the slight change but chose to keep silent about it, simply nodding as he continued his work.
Makima then addressed the group, her voice firm. "You all might want to evacuate from here. There will be a threat greater than Baba Yaga Devil soon, and Kang Woo himself said he might not survive."
Kishibe, still calm, took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "I'll stay," he said with his usual laid-back confidence. "It's been a while since I've seen a real threat. Besides, someone has to be here when things go south."
Aki, his face set with determination, stepped forward. "I'm not leaving either," he said firmly. "If something happens, I'm going to be here to fight. I owe it to everyone to see this through."
Himeno smirked, placing a hand on Aki's shoulder. "Well, if Aki's staying, then I'll have to stick around too," she said lightly, though there was an undertone of seriousness. "Someone's got to keep him from doing anything suicidal."
Makima nodded in acknowledgment, her cold mask still in place, but she seemed to approve of their decision.
Suddenly, Barem Bridge, having been released from the darkness that pinned him down for unknown reasons, transformed into his Flamethrower Hybrid form. He aimed his fiery attack straight at Makima.
But before the flames could reach her, the Commandment of Piety acted swiftly. Its dark tendrils of energy wrapped around Makima, creating a shield with its darkness manipulation, blocking the flames with ease. The orb spun in the air, and once again, words engraved themselves on its surface: Sorry, got caught off guard.
Makima couldn't help but smirk in her thoughts. Truly a caretaker orb...
Barem Bridge, his face twisted with anger, sneered at her. "Makima, this is your last chance! Come with me to the Prime Minister, or you're nothing but a traitor!" His voice was filled with a mix of menace and desperation, as if his fate was tied to this final act.
Aki unsheathed his katana, ready to strike. Himeno summoned the ghostly hand of her Ghost Devil, prepared to defend them. Kishibe gripped his knife, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.
Makima, unfazed by Barem's threats, spoke in her cold, commanding tone. "Tell the Prime Minister I will kill him later for leaving me to die in that forest."
Barem, his fury growing, prepared another blast of flames. His face was twisted in rage as he aimed to kill them all, but before he could launch his attack, the Commandment of Piety spun faster and displayed an ominous new warning in large engraved letters: Lucifero has arrived in this world.
Makima's heart skipped a beat. Though she didn't know exactly who Lucifero was, she remembered Kang Woo's urgent warning. The reality of the threat dawned on her instantly. Her cold facade gave way to a sharp command, her voice filled with urgency. "Aki, Himeno, Kishibe get near me, NOW! Forget about Barem!"
Without hesitation, the group moved closer to Makima, gathering around her as the Commandment of Piety shielded them. The gravity in the air became oppressive, an intense, overwhelming force pressing down on everything around them. Barem Bridge, who saw the group's movement as a chance to strike, prepared to launch his attack only to be pinned down by a sudden, crushing weight.
The air grew heavier by the second. Around them, the trees of Aokigahara snapped like twigs under the intense gravitational pressure. Boulders cracked and crumbled, crushed by the invisible force. Barem's body was pinned mercilessly to the ground, unable to move, his eyes wide with fear as the sheer intensity of the gravity bore down on him.
The Commandment of Piety reacted quickly, creating a protective shield around Makima, Aki, Himeno, and Kishibe, lessening the effects of the overwhelming gravity within its protective barrier.
Kishibe glanced at the crumbling landscape outside the shield, taking a slow drag from his cigarette before saying, "Makima, can you, uh… drop the cold persona for a second? What exactly did Kang Woo warn you about?" His usual stoic tone remained, but his eyes were focused and sharp, realizing the gravity literally and figuratively of the situation.
Makima, her expression still strict, responded in a steady, unwavering voice. "Kang Woo said, If you see a white creature with wrinkled skin, four bat-like wings, and four curved horns pointing upward… and if I'm nowhere to be found, that means I'm dead. Do not try to fight it."
Aki, his face tense, took in the words. "So… this is a world threat," he said grimly, gripping his katana tightly.
Himeno, trying to lighten the tension in her own way, let out a small sigh. "Wish I could get drunk before the world ends."
Makima turned and glared at her sharply, her voice cutting through the tension. "Please don't say that. That would mean Kang Woo is dead."
Aki clenched his fists and, with his usual resolve, spoke up. "There must be something we can do to help him. We can't just stand here and do nothing."
Makima's eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and understanding. She looked at Aki, then at the others, before her gaze shifted toward Barem, who was being pressed into the ground by the overwhelming gravity. The harsh reality of their situation was undeniable. She sighed slightly before responding, her voice colder than ever but laced with practicality.
"Yes… there is something you can do," Makima said, her tone stern. "Do nothing. Stay inside this shield, or you'll end up like Barem there." Her eyes gestured toward Barem Bridge, his body pinned to the ground, completely helpless under the intense gravitational force.
Preview :
As Makima was carried farther away by the Commandment of Piety, Kang Woo watched her disappear into the distance. A grin slowly spread across his face as he stood at the center of the crater
He muttered to himself, a spark of excitement in his eyes, "Alright, let's go… Yagami Light level to aizen master plan. Shall we?"
Note :
Sorry I'm Late hey everyone, I just wanted to drop a quick note. I've been pretty tired from working non stop, so I think I need a break for about 3 days to recharge. Thank you all so much for reading my stories and for your support! Don't forget to drop a power stone if you're enjoying the journey. Your encouragement means the world to me, and I'll be back soon, stronger than ever.
Thanks again!