NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Gravity Magic : Presence of Demon King
( 6000 words alhough i still need to work i can still write my fanfic there will be a gap of 1 day or 2 days every chapter )
Kang Woo stood motionless, watching as the Commandment of Piety carried Makima away, shielding her with its dark aura. His expression remained unreadable, a mask that even the System—tasked with sealing his power and guiding his path—couldn't penetrate.
Yet inside, Kang Woo's mind churned with thoughts and unease.
How did Lucifero, who doesn't belong in this verse, get here? Kang Woo pondered, a creeping sense of responsibility gnawing at him. Why do I feel like this is my fault?
Descending from the sky, he landed at the edge of a massive crater, the scars of his previous battle etched into the landscape. The darkness within the crater seemed to pulse ominously. He noticed three faint magic circles etched into the ground, their presence unmistakably linked to a breach in reality.
However, unlike the other realm where Lucifero needed the likes of Dante, Zenon, and Vanica to facilitate his descent, here there was no sign of any human or devil intervention. The center of the crater, still smoldering with black flames, made Kang Woo realize what he had unintentionally set in motion.
"So… this is my fault," Kang Woo muttered, his voice laced with frustration. He stared at the remnants of his handiwork—a dark comet formed from his Hellblaze attack, which had left an endless burn within the crater. The flames still blazed fiercely, a manifestation of infinite energy.
"The Hellblaze doesn't just extinguish," Kang Woo sighed, the pieces clicking into place. "It's like an infinite power source. And I just accidentally created a perfect gateway for Lucifero to establish his own entry point."
He had used an attack so potent, it pierced not only the earth but the world defenses itself. By colliding with the ground in that catastrophic blast, Kang Woo had effectively paved the way for the Devil King to manipulate the breach and enter this world.
"So… I've accidentally caused an apocalypse. FUCK," Kang Woo muttered. Yet, amidst his frustration, another thought crossed his mind. How the hell are these magic circles even here in the first place? This is the Chainsaw Man verse, mixed with The Boys' verse, not Black Clover. There's no magic concept in this world… at least not until I arrived.
As if sensing his thoughts, the status window appeared, likely displaying a quest or warning to prevent Lucifero's arrival. Kang Woo dismissed it without a second glance. "Authority of Collapse," he uttered, his voice steady.
At his command, the ground beneath the magic circles began to quake. His ability, which caused any object to break down and fall apart, took effect. The first and second circles shattered into dust. But as the second circle crumbled, the third one burst to life.
Countless devils emerged from the circle, coalescing into a tentacled blob. It was grotesque and massive, the size of a castle. One of its tentacles bore four curved horns and a grotesque mouth lined with black, pointed teeth. It was an incomplete form of Lucifero—a monstrous mass that couldn't speak or fully manifest yet, but its presence radiated overwhelming malice.
Kang Woo's eyes narrowed. He already knew what this meant.
"He's really going to manifest, huh?" Kang Woo muttered. He knew he needed to act quickly. In secret, he formed a contingency plan that not even the System would detect. Touching his chest, he activated Authority of Gateway, sending two of his hearts—the Heart of Darkness and Infernal Heart—to designated locations as a backup.
Steeling himself, Kang Woo extended his wrist, summoning a jagged blade with Authority of Blades. He infused the blade with Authority of Extinction, an ability that turned anything it touched into dust. Without hesitation, he slashed at the grotesque mass, the blade tearing through the blob and annihilating it completely.
With the third circle now gone, Kang Woo was momentarily relieved. But then, the status window reappeared right in front of his face, interrupting his thoughts:
.......
Emergency Quest: King's Fall
Objective: Defeat Lucifero's 50% manifestation before it destroys the world.
Become the world champion and be the hero everyone deserves.
Reward: Shop Inventory
........
Kang Woo rolled his eyes, ignoring the manifestation of Lucifero's form behind him. "The reward sucks," he muttered, more annoyed by the System's poor offer than the devil behind him. He grumbled inwardly, 'Be the hero everyone deserves'? What the fuck you want me doing slave labor like Spider-Man, with a broken family because I'm everybody's hero? FUCK YOU!
Lucifero, now partially manifested. "Bow your heads," he commanded, his mere presence dramatically increasing the gravity in the area.
The force of Lucifero's Gravity Magic: Presence of Demon King slammed down, crushing everything around them. Trees splintered, rocks cracked, and even the air itself felt heavy. The immense pressure threatened to force everything—including living beings—into the ground.
Kang Woo, however, was prepared. He activated Darkness Manipulation, enveloping himself in a shield that absorbed some of the impact. The gravity pressed down heavily, but Kang Woo remained standing, his body slightly weighted but not overwhelmed.
As a "clink" echoed in his head, Kang Woo knew his adaptation ability had kicked in, beginning to adjust to the intense gravity. He turned to face Lucifero, getting a clearer view of the entity's current form.
Lucifero stood tall, his four bat-like wings unfurled menacingly. Four curved horns pointed upward from his temples and sides, his long, light-colored hair flowing like shadows. His eyes were dark, with red irises and vertical slit pupils, and his bony fingers ended in dark-colored claws. His lower body was covered by a long, dark-colored skirt, giving him an almost regal yet menacing appearance.
"Are you the one who interfered with my arrival and left me in this weakened state?" Lucifero demanded, his voice resonating with authority.
Kang Woo didn't need to use his Authority of Beholder to check Lucifero's stats—he could sense it just from their brief encounter. Lucifero's level was clearly higher than his own, but his physical body wasn't as durable as his imposing aura suggested. It gave Kang Woo an opportunity to exploit if things came down to a direct clash.
"Sorry, earth's closed today," kang woo replied with a smirk, his tone both casual and taunting. "You're supposed to be off causing havoc with your Dark Triad buddies, not here. So, I'm giving you a chance to pack up your overgrown horns and go back to wherever you came from."
Lucifero's eyes narrowed, his irritation boiling over. With a swift motion, he lunged forward, his claws slicing through the air and puncturing Kang Woo's darkness shield. "Well, that speed's definitely on the A-Train level maybe even higher," Kang Woo muttered
Kang Woo didn't flinch. Instead, he swiftly summoned Hellblaze just inches above Lucifero's hand. The dark flames ignited instantly, catching the devil off guard.
In Kang Woo's mind, the plan was simple: Lucifero's gravity can slam down physical and magical attacks, but if I summon the flames just above his hand… it's a guaranteed hit. The explosion of heat and darkness enveloped Lucifero's hand, burning it and disfiguring the once-intimidating claw.
Lucifero recoiled in shock, his face twisted with pain and disbelief. No one had ever dared to harm him like this before. "How dare you harm me!" Lucifero bellowed, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at Kang Woo.
Kang Woo, maintaining his cool demeanor, silently enveloped his body in a layer of darkness, reinforcing his defenses. He knew now that Lucifero's speed was beyond normal perception, making him a dangerous adversary. But the sight of the permanent wound on Lucifero's hand gave Kang Woo a better understanding of what he was dealing with.
Preparing for another attack, Kang Woo summoned his Authority of Blades, combining it with the destructive force of Authority of Extinction in his left arm. He aimed to clash directly with Lucifero's other claw. But suddenly, his darkness manipulation vanished.
Kang Woo barely had a moment to react. Lucifero's claw was already upon him, and there was no time to counter or dodge. Blood splattered as Lucifero's claws pierced one of Kang Woo's hearts, and in a brutal motion, severed his left arm. Kang Woo's body was thrown back, pinning him against a nearby cave wall. Blood dripped from his mouth, and his face turned pale, almost as if he had been frozen in shock.
Lucifero loomed over him, shouting with absolute rage. "The unforgivable one who dared to harm me… is you."
Despite the pain and the blood trickling down his body, Kang Woo's expression remained unreadable. His eyes flickered with calculation. He shifted his gaze slightly away from Lucifero and muttered, "Oi… System or should I say, Gaia? Release my seal or at least change the reward… give me a reason to bother with this fight."
Kang Woo had already pieced together the cause of the world's instability. The breach in reality wasn't just a random occurrence it was a consequence of his immense power being suppressed by Gaia . The weakening of Gaia's defenses couldn't contain the sealed force within Kang Woo, leading to the rapid deterioration of the world's barriers. And now, beings from other verses were exploiting these cracks.
Lucifero's voice rumbled with contempt. "Look at me, human, and despair. Tell me, who are you talking to?"
Kang Woo didn't bother turning his gaze, deliberately ignoring the towering devil. His disinterest only stoked Lucifero's rage, but before the devil could react, a status window formed in front of Kang Woo's face. It flashed a message in a mocking tone: "Do you want to be stripped of more power?"
Kang Woo's eyes narrowed, his irritation evident. Without responding to Lucifero's provocation, Kang Woo made a sudden decision. He shifted his body slightly to the left, ignoring the excruciating pain and—much to Lucifero's shock—shredded three more of his hearts in the process. Blood spurted from his wounds, and Lucifero's claws retracted in instinctive disbelief.
Lucifero's eyes widened in horror. "Are you fucking mad?"
Kang Woo, his face now paler and blood still dripping from his lips, stared back with unwavering resolve. "Release my King of Chaos power… or watch Lucifero run wild in this world. And trust me—no one here has enough firepower to stop him. Even that smug Darkness Devil would be torn apart."
The system window flickered briefly before displaying a new message: "You have two contingency hearts—are you trying to bluff me?"
Kang Woo's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Check both of the hearts, then talk to me," he replied, his tone unwavering.
Gaia, or the entity behind the system, seemed to hesitate. It began a frantic search, sweeping through every corner of the planet. The first heart, the infernal heart , was located in a remote, cold chamber, visibly deteriorating—barely alive. But the second heart, the Heart of Darkness, wasn't anywhere on the planet.
Kang Woo, sensing Gaia's frantic efforts, spoke again, "The missing one? That's the Heart of Darkness. And it's not on this planet anymore—it's somewhere in space or maybe even on the moon."
There was a silence—both from Lucifero and from the system window. The Devil King, sensing a shift in the atmosphere, narrowed his eyes, unsure of the direction this confrontation was taking. But he could feel that Kang Woo was leveraging something beyond his immediate comprehension.
Kang Woo's smile faded, replaced by a cold resolve. "I'm done with this world," he said, voice firm. "Your mess is your own."
The system window remained silent. Kang Woo's threat was real; he wasn't a mere pawn to be toyed with.
Lucifero's piercing eyes glinted with curiosity as he tilted his head. "Human, what's your name?" he asked, his voice low and almost intrigued.
Kang Woo didn't even turn to acknowledge the question. His gaze remained fixed on the distant void, deliberately dismissing Lucifero's presence.
Infuriated by the silent defiance, Lucifero lunged, stabbing three of Kang Woo's remaining four hearts with his sharp, bony claws. Blood gushed from the wounds.
"Now you're down to your last life, human," Lucifero hissed. "I'm impressed you have multiple hearts. You're more like a monster than a human. Work for me and tell me who you're speaking to."
Kang Woo remained silent, eyes still looking past the Devil King. The clink sound in his head signaled the final stage of his adaptation to Lucifero's gravity magic. His mind raced with the familiar sense of new possibilities as the adaptation began morphing into a new ability: gravity manipulation
Ignoring Lucifero's demands, Kang Woo redirected his attention to the system window that had been looming before him. "Add three rewards in total," he demanded, his voice clear and firm despite his condition. "King of Chaos power, Alucard's Heart, and a discount on the Shop Inventory. Oh, and the Shop Inventory itself all those rewards must be unchangeable and locked to me, gifted solely to me."
The system window , text displaying in a furious tone: "Do you think I'm something you can play with?"
Kang Woo chuckled softly, his voice barely audible but full of dark amusement. "Then goodbye, cruel world," he muttered, his words carrying the weight of finality.
The system, faced with the real risk of losing both Kang Woo and the chance to prevent Lucifero's rampage, hesitated. In those precious moments of indecision, Kang Woo's intentions were clear—he was ready to let the world burn rather than be manipulated.
The system window flared in desperation, displaying a final plea: "What about Makima? You would rather—"
Kang Woo's expression darkened. His eyes narrowed as he stopped reading. He shaped his arm into a jagged blade using Authority of Blades, lunging forward toward Lucifero, a reckless move that spoke more of defiance than self-preservation.
"Gravity Magic: Presence of Demon King," Lucifero intoned, slamming down an immense gravitational force. Kang Woo was crushed to the ground, the pressure shattering his bones and pinning him helplessly. Though he had already adapted to the intense gravity, Kang Woo let the force push him down, maintaining the appearance of being utterly overwhelmed—a strategic ruse to make Lucifero believe he was truly helpless.
Lucifero, with a cruel smirk, stomped on Kang Woo's chest, shattering his last remaining heart. The world seemed to still as Kang Woo's body fell lifeless, his blood pooling in the crater he had created.
"Suicidal human," Lucifero sneered, feeling a rare sense of triumph. He spread his wings, preparing to ascend above the destruction, leaving Kang Woo's lifeless body behind in the crater. Kang Woo fell as his life force drained away, his Infernal Heart stored in a cold, distant location shutting down its vitality. It felt like the end, a goodbye to this cruel world.
But then, a status window flared to life, its message spreading far beyond Kang Woo's location, reaching space, the cold storage, and his dying form.
...….
Grand Quest: Demon King Ascension
Objective: Defeat Lucifero's 50% Manifestation Before It Destroys The World.
There can only be one Demon King in this world. Kill him and take your place as the true ruler.
Reward:
-Shop Inventory with Discount
-King of Chaos Power (Allows Kang Woo to use reality-warping abilities associated with Chaos, Cath Palug, and Arthur, including creating his own realm akin to Camelot).
-Alucard's Heart (Contains 10 million souls of varying quality and grants immortality akin to Alucard's , At Level 0 allowing Kang Woo to create a river of death and summon a tsunami of blood with his collected familiars).
Note: Ordered by Kang Woo, Threatened by Kang Woo, and lastly… FUCK YOU, KANG WOO.
...…
The message flared defiantly, displaying its anger and frustration. In the cold storage where his Infernal Heart rested, the words echoed.
And in the crater, Kang Woo lay bleeding, yet his lips twisted into a confident, victorious grin.
"I won… exactly as planned," he whispered, his eyes alight with triumph, the same chilling resolve that mirrored the infamous smirk of Light Yagami.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, five minutes before Kang Woo's dying moment, Kobeni was in a luxurious hotel kitchen, trying to perfect a ramen dish to thank him for saving her. Suddenly, a grotesque heart I infernal heart ) dropped onto the floor with a dull thud, pulsing with dark veins and tentacle-like extensions. It had a predatory eye in the center and small, fanged mouths lining the edges.
Panicking, Kobeni grabbed a kitchen knife, ready to stab the heart. But before she could, the heart spoke, "Wait! It's me, Kang Woo!" Kobeni's hands trembled, confused and scared.
"You… look scary," she stuttered. "How do I know it's really you?"
The heart, with a hint of amusement, replied, "You make the best ramen in the world."
Recognizing Kang Woo, Kobeni dropped the knife and hugged the heart. "It is you!" she said, relieved.
"Listen carefully," Kang Woo's voice urged. "Put this heart in cold storage. Keep it cold—very cold. On the brink of death, but not dead."
"But… shouldn't I keep you safe?" Kobeni asked.
"No," the heart replied firmly. "I need it to look like it's dying. Just don't kill it."
Despite her confusion, Kobeni agreed. She carefully placed the heart on a metal rack inside a walk-in cold storage room, setting the temperature as low as possible. Cold mist enveloped the heart.
"Good… Thank you, Kobeni," Kang Woo's voice echoed softly.
Kobeni closed the door, lingering with her hand on the handle as she stared at the sealed room. She whispered to herself, "Please… stay alive, Kang Woo."
Inside the cold storage, the heart's predatory eye slowly closed, entering a state of suspended animation a heart on the edge of life and death.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Kang Woo's plan was already in motion. He had expected Lucifero's arrival to push Gaia into a catastrophic state, but having Gaia comply with all of his requests was an unexpected bonus. With this, he thought, I can weaken my main body by transferring all the debuffs from the Infernal Heart. This would make it easier for Lucifero to believe he's winning, since the King of Devils is sharp enough to sense threats. I need to leave myself in a convincingly dying state and make Gaia comply with my orders, releasing more of my dangerous power. Kang Woo knew the system couldn't strip him of his power—it was his creation after all. Moreover, Gaia was struggling to maintain a grip on the largest portion of his strength as its own life force weakened bit by bit.
Observing his status window, Kang Woo noticed the modified quest appearing in multiple locations: cold storage, space, and his bleeding, nearly dying body. A dark chuckle escaped him.
"I won… exactly as planned," he muttered, satisfaction clear in his voice.
But the reality was harsh. All his hearts were destroyed, and his adaptation had focused on Lucifero's gravity magic, not healing. His darkness manipulation wasn't enough to restore them. He was out of options. Using the Heart of Darkness would take too long; by then, Lucifero would have plunged everything into chaos.
"Dying is GAY," he scoffed.
With no other choice, he activated Demon King Magic: Ruler and combined it with Authority of Stillness. Unlike the tricks he had pulled with Denji, this time he focused on a singular objective—creating a catastrophic failure.
Channeling his infinite demonic energy and combining it with his infinite mana, he poured everything into the technique. The result was unexpected a swirling void materialized in front of him.
Kang Woo stared at the phenomenon, a sphere of pure distortion. "In the Fairy Tail world, the Space Between Time was created from distortions in time," he muttered, recalling lore from another world. "It was formed when time tried to fix itself. A magic of nothingness neither light nor dark. No one is supposed to exist within it, yet here it is, created by my failures."
The void's pull grew stronger. Kang Woo grinned. "Acnologia, the Dragon King, survived within it… why can't I?"
With one last smirk, Kang Woo let the swirling chaos of the Space Between Time consume him. His laughter rang out, escalating into a wild crescendo.
"Kuhuhu… AHAHAHAHAAHAHA!"
The sound echoed through the void until it gradually faded into nothingness.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the entrance of Aokigahara Forest, within the protective sphere created by the Commandment of Piety, the air felt heavy from the lingering effects of Lucifero's Gravity Magic: Presence of Demon King. The range of its pressure spanned nearly 10 kilometers, but the Commandment's shield managed to lessen its crushing force for the group.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Himeno tried to lighten the mood. She leaned towards Aki with her usual smirk. "Aki, want to smoke?"
Aki, visibly annoyed, shot her a sideways glance. "Senpai, we're in a sealed orb with limited oxygen, and you want to smoke?"
Himeno, ever unfazed, grinned back at him. "Well, the world's about to end, Aki. Might as well go out doing what we love, right?"
Aki couldn't help but sigh. "Fine, Himeno-senpai," he muttered, giving in and lighting up his cigarette. Kishibe followed suit, exhaling a thin stream of smoke with his signature nonchalant demeanor.
Makima watched them, raising an eyebrow. Her voice was dripping with dry sarcasm as she spoke, "Looks like I'm the only one with any sanity left."
Kishibe, without missing a beat, glanced at her and smirked. "Sanity's overrated," he muttered, taking another drag.
Himeno's gaze shifted towards Barem Bridge, still outside the shield, trapped in his flamethrower hybrid form. The immense gravity pressed him mercilessly into the ground, preventing any movement. A mischievous glint appeared in Himeno's eyes as she turned back to the group. "Should we offer him a smoke too?"
Makima chuckled softly, a rare sound that came out more like a dark, amused murmur. "Kuhuhuhu… Maybe you should throw it outside and see what happens," she suggested.
Himeno, taking the idea to heart, pulled out a cigarette and tossed it just outside the shield. As soon as the cigarette passed beyond the protective barrier, it didn't even make it a full centimeter before it was violently slammed into the ground, crushed flat by the immense gravitational force.
Eyes wide with fascination, Himeno reached for another cigarette, eager to see if it would have the same effect. But before she could pull off another stunt, Aki firmly grabbed her hand. "Please, Himeno-senpai, don't do that," he pleaded, his voice a mix of concern and exasperation.
Makima, still maintaining her dry demeanor, added, "Be careful. If the shield breaks, we'll end up like Barem."
As the gravity of their situation sank in, Kishibe was the first to notice something amiss. His sharp eyes narrowed as he muttered, "Do you hear that? Sounds like… cracks."
Aki, straining his hearing, nodded with growing tension. "Yeah… I hear it too."
Himeno's usual carefree demeanor began to fade as she glanced around anxiously. "Uh, guys… the shield is cracking," she said, her voice trembling slightly with panic.
Makima's calm facade faltered, replaced by urgency. She turned to Aki and Himeno, her voice firm and steady. "Aki, Himeno… do you trust me?" she asked, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "What I'm about to do might change things between us, but I need you to trust me now."
Without a second thought, Aki nodded, his voice resolute. "Understood, Miss Makima."
Himeno, extinguishing her cigarette, gave a nervous grin. "Well, the world's about to end anyway, right? Might as well trust you."
Kishibe, watching the exchange with a hint of amusement, couldn't help but mutter, "Stop saying the world's about to end. We're all just crazy enough to survive this."
Makima extended her hand, an ethereal chain materializing from her fingertips. It glowed with an otherworldly light, pulsing as if alive. She drove the chain into the Commandment of Piety's shield, and a surge of dark, negative energy flowed from her into the barrier. The cracks that had begun to spread halted, and the shield regained its durability.
Aki's eyes widened. "Miss Makima, what… what are you doing?" he asked, his voice filled with both awe and concern.
Without turning back, Makima answered, "Stabilizing the shield. To do that, I'm transferring the negative energy within me into it."
Himeno, now looking serious, couldn't help but ask, "Negative energy? What's going to happen to you, Miss Makima?"
Aki, his mind racing to connect the dots, interrupted her. "Miss Makima… you're a devil, aren't you?" he said, the realization dawning on him. But then, he pressed further, "What kind of devil are you?"
Makima's voice was composed as she admitted, "Yes, Aki-kun. I'm a Control Devil."
Kishibe sighed, scratching his head. "What I'm about to tell you might be a bit of a shock," he said, addressing both Aki and Himeno. "Makima's on our side… or at least she is now. And from what I can tell, Kang Woo's bad influence has rubbed off on her. He's messed with her head enough to make her a bit more focused on him, and maybe a little less manipulative."
Makima smirked subtly, acknowledging Kishibe's comment without denying it. However, before anyone could respond, a dark, oppressive presence pressed down on them. It was Lucifero's devil mana immense and suffocating, threatening to drive anyone within range insane. The feeling was not too close , only about 100 meters away, looming just outside the shield.
Himeno, usually cheerful, felt the madness closing in on her, her eyes going wide in fear. She was about to scream when Aki quickly clamped his hand over her mouth, holding her tightly. He turned to Makima with a silent, pleading look, begging for her help.
Understanding the unspoken request, Makima nodded. She leaned in close to Himeno, meeting her panicked gaze, and whispered softly, "Calm."
The tension in Himeno's eyes slowly faded, and she relaxed, giving Aki a thumbs-up to signal that she was okay.
Makima then raised a finger to her lips, silently signaling for the group to remain absolutely quiet. Everyone held their breath, bracing themselves for what might come next.
Suddenly, something landed heavily just a few meters outside the shield. The figure that stood before them was tall and monstrous it was Lucifero. With four bat-like wings spread menacingly and four curved horns jutting upward from his temples and the sides of his head, his skin was covered in deep wrinkles. Long, light-colored hair framed his terrifying face, and his eyes—dark sclera with red irises and vertical slit pupils gazed ahead with an air of absolute authority. His thin, bony hands ended in dark, pointed claws. Lucifero didn't pay any attention to Makima's group due to the Commandment of Piety shield, which was highly effective at camouflaging them from his perception.
Aki's heart raced as he stared at the creature, his thoughts spinning. Is this what Kang Woo warned us about? He recalled Kang Woo's words, a chilling realization washing over him: If you see a white creature with wrinkled skin, four bat-like wings, and four curved horns pointing upward…
Himeno, who had barely regained her composure, repeated a mantra in her mind: Calm myself. Think happy thoughts. She struggled to hold onto any semblance of stability, her cheerful facade slipping.
Kishibe's usually casual demeanor had vanished. He shot Makima a silent, questioning look—a clear, unspoken What are the plans?
But when Kishibe turned his attention to Makima, his eyes widened. Makima had fallen to her knees, looking utterly helpless. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, her usual composure shattered. It was a rare sight one that sent chills down even Kishibe's spine.
Makima remembered Kang Woo's parting words with painful clarity: "If I'm nowhere to be found, and you see this creature, that means I'm dead."
Makima's tears poured freely now, the realization crushing her spirit. In her mind, she replayed the moment they were separated, the last time she had seen Kang Woo alive. He hadn't turned to look back at her, his focus resolute as he walked away, waving a silent goodbye.
"I'm glad I met you when I came to this world, Makima," Kang Woo's voice echoed in her thoughts.
It was too much for her to bear. Makima's silent scream held all the anguish of someone who had lost everything her property, her lover, and her future husband.
Aki and Himeno rushed to her side, their own fear momentarily set aside. They wrapped their arms around her, offering what little comfort they could. They knew no words would be enough to console her, but their presence was an attempt to share the unbearable weight of her pain
Makima took a deep breath, wiping away her tears with a deliberate gesture. She gently placed her hands over Aki's and Himeno's, giving them a nod to indicate she was a bit better. Then, turning to Kishibe, she made a subtle hand gesture that conveyed a clear message: Where's your pen and notebook?
Kishibe, always prepared, knew exactly what she meant. It was something of an inside joke between them Kishibe's tactic for conveying secret messages to someone without Makima's birds or rats being able to eavesdrop. Ironically, this time, it was Makima herself who was making the request.
With a resigned sigh, Kishibe handed over his notebook and pen. Makima, keeping her composure steady, quickly wrote out her plan.
I'm going to evacuate all of you to a nearby Public Safety Devil Hunter building. The name of that white creature is Lucifero. From what I can deduce, the horns signify he is the King of Devils likely even stronger than Kang Woo.
As she wrote, the ground began to stir, an unsettling number of rats creeping in from all directions as if awaiting their command. Makima kept writing, her strokes are precise .
I'm going to teleport you via these rats to a nearby Public Safety building. Find the people you know, and lead them to the safest bunker available. Also, bring Prime Minister Kentaro I'm going to kill him later, after I've dealt with Lucifero. A life for a life. Lucifero took Kang Woo from me and killed him, and because of Kentaro's interference, I couldn't save Kang Woo and I couldn't equal kang woo in power and forced his hand to evacuate me since I am weak now . kentaro severed my contracts of immortality and power, leaving me weakened.
Aki read the words, his eyes widening in alarm. Seeing the finality in her handwriting, he quickly spoke up. "Wait, Miss Makima—"
But before he could say more, Makima snapped her fingers. The rats swarmed forward, wrapping around Aki and Himeno in a living wave. They barely had time to react before they were enveloped, their bodies disappearing from sight as the rats transported them to safety.
Makima turned her gaze towards Kishibe. "Any last words, Kishibe?" she asked, her tone devoid of emotion. "Since we've always hated each other."
Kishibe smirked, lighting his cigarette with his usual casual ease. "Good luck with your revenge," he said. "If you somehow die, I'll be the one to kill Prime Minister Kentaro."
Makima let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She snapped her fingers once more, and the rats surged around Kishibe, their numbers overwhelming as he submerged into them and vanished, teleported to a nearby Public Safety Devil Hunter building.
Left alone , Makima stretched her arms and neck, rolling her shoulders as if preparing for an impending battle.. As she adjusted herself, she noticed a subtle movement from the corner of her eye.
The Commandment of Piety orb spun slowly, its ethereal light dimming and brightening in a rhythmic pulse. Then, as it slowed its rotation, words appeared, glowing on its surface:
I got a plan. A bad one. Do you want to hear it?
Makima raised an eyebrow, her mind racing with possibilities. A caretaker orb and a Control Devil who lost a massive portion of her abilities what are the odds of dying here? she thought grimly. But she wasn't one to back down from a challenge. Steeling herself, she responded , "Let's hear it."
Meanwhile, Lucifero, who was still surveying his surroundings, muttered to himself, his voice low and full of disdain, "This world… it doesn't have mana. The only one I sensed using magic was that suicidal human." He glanced around as if searching for something—his sharp, cruel eyes seeking out any hint of magic in the air.
His gaze then fell upon Barem Bridge, who was still trapped in his flamethrower hybrid form, pinned down by the oppressive force of Lucifero's gravity magic. With a casual wave of his hand, Lucifero lifted the pressure, allowing Barem to breathe once more.
Barem's eyes widened, and he began coughing violently, gasping for air. Cough! Cough! Hack! The sounds of his rough, ragged breaths echoed through the land .
Just as he caught his breath, Lucifero's clawed hand shot forward, seizing Barem by the throat. Barem's eyes bulged in panic, his body thrashing weakly in a futile attempt to escape the iron grip.
Lucifero's expression remained cold and emotionless as he lifted the hybrid off the ground. "Tell me, low creature," he demanded, his voice cold and menacing, "what are you? And why is this world devoid of mana?"
Before Barem could even think to respond, Makima appeared silently beside Lucifero. She had taken advantage of the momentary lapse in Lucifero's focus, as he had briefly deactivated his gravity magic to fully interrogate Barem.
Makima formed her familiar pistol gesture with her hand, channeling her telekinesis, charged by Darkness Manipulation. Her negative energy had been fully replenished, thanks to the Commandment of Piety. This power was the same one she had used to teleport her group over a wide distance using rats—an ability only possible with her commandment-enhanced reserves, despite losing her immortality contract with the Prime Minister when it was severed.
She aimed directly at Lucifero's head and calmly uttered, "Bang."
Lucifero's instincts flared, and he dodged with unnatural reflexes. The telekinetic bullet grazed his horn instead, breaking off a piece of it with a loud CRACK. The broken fragment fell to the ground, and Lucifero's eyes widened in shock before narrowing in rage.
"You… FUCKING WHORE!" Lucifero's roar shook the air, and in his fury, he reactivated his full gravity magic. "Presence of Demon King!"
The gravity around them became unbearably intense. Makima was instantly slammed into the ground, the pressure crushing her limbs and pinning her in place. Lucifero raised his foot, prepared to stomp her into the dirt.
But before he could strike, the Commandment of Piety orb, which floated near Lucifero's chest, began to glow with increasing intensity. Without warning, a Hellblaze explosion erupted from the orb, sending waves of dark flames surging into Lucifero's chest.
Lucifero staggered back, roaring in pain as the Hellblaze flames seared his chest. His skin burned and blackened, revealing patches of raw, scorched flesh. He clutched at his chest, his eyes filled with confusion and anger.
Makima, still pressed against the ground, had a flashback to a message engraved on the Commandment's surface:
Lucifero is an arrogant dickhead. But one Hellblaze explosion near his devil heart, which Kang Woo theorized is in his chest, could kill him. That is where his heart is most vulnerable.
Makima muttered through gritted teeth, "The head needs to be severed…"
The Commandment orb spun once more, displaying a new set of words:
As long as his devil heart survives, he can come back at any time. Did you notice one of his hands is damaged? That's likely my master Kang Woo's doing. All Hellblaze damage is difficult to regenerate. Kang Woo's Hellblaze is unique—it targets the soul.
Makima, still pinned by the crushing gravity, strained her neck to catch a glimpse of Lucifero's hand. The charred, mangled state of his fingers stood out, a testament to Kang Woo's Hellblaze. But despite the visible damage, Lucifero's chest—where his devil heart resided—remained mostly intact, its defenses barely dented by the attack.
Lucifero grinned maliciously as he stepped closer, looking down at her with disdain. "That orb belonged to the suicidal human, didn't it?" he sneered. "The one I crushed. He gave you this pathetic trinket," he said, his eyes shifting momentarily to the Commandment of Piety, not recognizing its true nature. Dismissing it, he continued, "You should've seen his face. He charged at me like a fool, thinking he could win."
Makima's breath hitched, tears welling in her eyes as she felt the weight of the situation. She couldn't deny the feeling that this might be the end. But then, her mind flashed back to her last moments with the Commandment of Piety. She remembered seeing words engraved on its surface: Ishimeyoma Shigai Eniwa Kota Garakachi Wa Natore.
Makima had been confused when she first saw it. Desperate for an answer, she had asked the Commandment, "What does it do? You wouldn't show me this without a reason. Is this one of Kang Woo's secrets?"
The orb's response had been cautious, almost solemn as it written on its surface : "This command was made for commandments fusion with demons in Kang Woo's world. There are no demons here only devils. And Lucifero is no ordinary devil; he's the King of Devils in his realm, the Qliphoth underworld ."
It continued, "In Kang Woo's world, the dangers were far greater. He wielded these Commandments with mastery. I don't know what will happen if you use this here, Makima. But if it's a last resort… it's worth a try. It's been an honor to accompany you."
Makima clenched her teeth, knowing she had no other choice. She took a deep breath and started chanting . "Ishimeyoma Shigai Eniwa Kota Garakachi Wa Natore."
The Commandment responded immediately, enveloping her in a cocoon of dark energy. She could feel it fusing with her, merging deep within until she could sense its presence like a heartbeat. Inside, Makima felt her strength growing beyond anything she had ever achieved, even with the contract she had once held with the Prime Minister. Knowledge poured into her, each one revealing more of the true nature of Hellblaze and Darkness Manipulation.
Outside, Lucifero's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he watched the cocoon pulse with dark energy. "What is this?" he muttered, taking a cautious step back.
The cocoon cracked and then exploded, sending a shockwave rippling through the ground. Lucifero was thrown back, skidding a few meters before coming to a stop. He looked up, and his eyes widened in surprise.
From the shattered remnants of the cocoon, Makima emerged. Her appearance had changed dark energy radiated off her, and a single black wing extended from her back, giving her the ethereal image of a fallen angel. She held out her hand, watching as flames of Hellblaze danced on her palm. But this time, She could manipulate the flames with ease.
Lucifero's expression turned to one of anger and confusion. "What have you done?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Makima took a steadying breath, the newfound knowledge now engraved deep within her soul. "I've embraced the power that Kang Woo left behind," she replied, her voice resolute and unwavering.
Preview :
Tears welled up in her eyes, but this time they weren't from despair. She had doubted Kang Woo before, thought he might have lied about his power. But now she knew his strength, his Commandments, and the Hellblaze were real, and they were his. He had truly left her with a gift. A legacy.
With renewed determination, she whispered softly, "I'm sorry for doubting you, Kang Woo… I understand now."