NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: Calm Before The Storm
About 35 minutes before Kang Woo faced off against Lucifero and confessed to Makima, he found himself in a surreal predicament caused by his own bold, and perhaps reckless, experiment. Desperate for more firepower, Kang Woo had attempted a risky feat, combining Authority of Stillness with his Demon King Magic: Ruler. He pumped both infinite demonic energy and infinite mana into the spell, and the result was a catastrophic success—a swirling void that ripped open a Space Between Time, reminiscent of the one from the Fairy Tail world.
Now, Kang Woo stood in a swirling expanse of timeless chaos, suspended in the Time Rift. His grievous wounds seemed to have paused in their pain and bleeding, as the effects of time itself had come to a standstill within the rift. Only his body movements remained unaffected, free to move in this strange realm where time had no hold. The endless expanse stretched out before him, filled with fractured moments and distortions. His eyes widened as he stumbled upon a massive, familiar form: the lifeless, petrified corpse of Acnologia in his dragon form.
Kang Woo's mouth fell open in shock, and he rubbed the back of his neck, taking in the colossal sight. What the hell did I just get stranded in? he thought silently, feeling the weight of his own reckless actions.
Determined to seize this strange opportunity, Kang Woo activated Authority of Predation, summoning a grotesque, eldritch mouth lined with jagged teeth, resembling some eldritch abomination. The massive maw extended outward and devoured Acnologia's petrified corpse. As he watched the corpse vanish into his power, he murmured to himself, "If I fought you now, I'd be dead. But you're not the Acnologia that rampaged in Fairy Tail… you're something else."
A sudden surge of energy coursed through him, and he sensed the essence of Arcane Dragon Slayer Magic. However, he decided to rename it Arcane Demon King Magic. The function remained the same: the ability to blast pure mana or non-elemental magic damage, just like Acnologia. However, Kang Woo's version could be infused with any Authority or skill he possessed, making it even more formidable and versatile.
A sudden surge of energy coursed through him, and he felt the essence of Arcane Dragon Slayer Magic. Yet, he chose to rename it Arcane Demon King Magic. Its function remained the same: the ability to blast pure mana or non-elemental magic damage. However, Kang Woo's version had a twist—it could be infused with any Authority or skill he possessed, making it exceptionally versatile and deadly.
Kang Woo frowned, still puzzled. Why is Acnologia's corpse here, in the Space Between Time? He recalled that Acnologia was once a human who turned into a dragon after slaying too many dragons, gaining the power to transform at will. Who killed him? Kang Woo wondered. And why is this version different? He realized this Acnologia seemed weaker, likely because it had failed to fully conquer the Space Between Time like the version in Fairy Tail, who had grown far stronger after devouring it. I'd need to cheat my way out to beat the endgame version of you, Kang Woo mused, but this one? Yeah, I could handle you.
Taking a step forward, his foot landed on something solid. He glanced down and saw a stack of dusty old books scattered on the ground. The titles read: Black Arts: Ankhseram Magic, Living Magic, and Immobilization Magic. Kang Woo's eyes widened with a mix of excitement and disbelief.
"Ahhhh," he grinned, "am I in some kind of treasure trove from the Fairy Tail world? And Acnologia is just dead right here?" He sighed, shaking his head with mock exasperation. "Oh well, this is gonna take a while… , gotta learn, gotta learn." With that, he crouched down and eagerly flipped open the ancient tomes, ready to absorb every bit of magic knowledge they contained.
Kang Woo took his time learning Living Magic and Immobilization Magic, integrating them into his ever-growing arsenal. But he held off on studying Ankhseram Magic. If I got cursed like Zeref… he pondered, it could be a real problem. The current me could still be vulnerable to such a curse. Better be cautious, especially since it's tied to Ankhseram, a god from Fairy Tail. I need more of my power back first.
overlapped spades, and it hovered in place, exuding an aura of ancient, immense power. Curiosity piqued, Kang Woo reached out and grabbed the book. As he flipped through its pages, he quickly recognized the contents. Isn't this book supposed to belong to Lucius Zogratis? he thought, surprised. The grimoire contained spells related to Soul Magic, as well as those of Lucius's siblings: Blood Magic, Bone Magic, and Body Magic.
Why is this book still here? Kang Woo wondered. Shouldn't it have vanished when Lucius died in the Space Between Time? Or maybe… Before he could finish his thought, the book's center began to shine brightly. The magic within seemed to recognize Kang Woo, resonating with his energy. Just like in Black Clover, where only those compatible with a grimoire could wield its power, the book acknowledged him as its new master.
Flipping further through the pages, Kang Woo's eyes widened as he discovered Time Magic, the same power once wielded by Astaroth, the devil who had contracted with both Lucius Zogratis and Julius Novachrono. Ah, so that's why the book remains here, he realized. It was probably under Astaroth's influence for a while. A situation similar to Asta's five-leaf grimoire, which is inhabited by a devil. But in this case, the book's power remains, while Astaroth himself is either gone or has ventured somewhere else.
Turning his gaze to the Black Arts: Ankhseram Magic tome, Kang Woo smirked. "Yeah, this could work," he said, using Authority of Predation to devour the Black Arts book. Suddenly, his status window flashed a warning: You have been cursed. Alarmed, Kang Woo quickly opened the Grimoire of Lucius Zogratis. With a determined expression, he placed his hand on his temple and activated Soul Magic.
Soul Magic… he reflected, this magic attribute allows the user to manipulate the souls of themselves and others. Because a person's soul is the root of their life, spirit, and magic power, by altering the soul, the user can affect any of these aspects. Or, in this case, cleanse his own soul from the god's curse. Concentrating deeply, he purified his soul, feeling the curse lift.
When it was finally done, Kang Woo let out a chuckle. "I've got a treasure trove here, and I managed to learn everything with the bonus of no curse on my body at all." A grin spread across his face as he began combining his newly acquired knowledge. Merging Black Arts: Ankhseram Magic, Living Magic, and Immobilization Magic into a singular skill, he named it Black Arts to simplify things.
Kang Woo then glanced around as the Time Rift began to contract and become smaller. "Ah, now I understand," he murmured. "Lucius, Zeref, and Acnologia's belongings are here because they died in this void of the Space Between Time, unable to escape." His eyes narrowed as he felt the pull of the void, the realization sinking in.
I knew one day it would come to this, he thought grimly. His life force was being steadily drained by the consuming void, exacerbated by the massive chest wound inflicted by Lucifero and the destruction of all his hearts. Yet, Kang Woo's smile widened, defiant even in the face of annihilation. "Myriad Demon Palace… open!" he declared.
His body morphed into a shifting, slime-like figure as the Authority of Predation manifested into a monstrous, eldritch entity. A grotesque, giant mouth formed, an abomination with jagged, interlocking teeth, devouring everything in its path. The creature consumed the encroaching void, absorbing the Time Rift energy as Kang Woo's very essence surged with newfound power.
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Kang Woo opened his eyes, finding himself back in the present, lying comfortably in his luxurious bedroom within the Millennium Castle. The room was adorned with crystalline pillars and shimmering chandeliers that cast an ethereal glow, while elegant drapes framed the expansive windows, revealing a celestial sky painted with stars. ( img here )
He glanced down to seeing Makima lay atop his stomach, naked, her face smeared with white liquid. To his right, Kobeni slept, her pajamas barely concealing her swollen belly. Kang Woo's mind flashed back to the intense moments he had just relived . Kang Woo let out a small chuckle. I really do get flashbacks quite often, he thought.
Leaning over, he kissed Kobeni's forehead gently. "Looks like I was a bit rough on you," he said softly, his voice tinged with guilt. "I'm sorry, Kobeni-chan." Turning to Makima, he ruffled her hair affectionately before carefully moving her to his left side.
Sitting up, Kang Woo took a moment to gaze at the vast sky visible from behind the bed. With a sigh, he conjured a smoke, the tendrils curling around his fingers as he took a deep drag, the nicotine soothing his frayed nerves.. As he exhaled, his eyes drifted to the distant blue planet of Earth, a serene yet powerful sight from his current home on the moon.
I lost something when I devoured the Space Between Time by opening one of my gates inside my body, he thought, a faint unease settling over him. But I don't understand what it is.
Unbeknownst to Kang Woo, a small part of his emotions had been stripped away. If this loss continued unchecked, he would gradually become more like his old self—the cold, unfeeling ruler he had once been during his days in the 9th level of Hell.
Makima, knowing that Kang Woo had woken up, stirred from her own rest. The rough night they had shared six hours ago had left her feeling weak and unrested. Using her darkness manipulation, she cleaned herself up and fashioned a new black dress. The dress was elegant, with a high neckline, long, flowing sleeves, and a form-fitting silhouette that flared slightly at the hem, enhancing her graceful allure.
She noticed Kang Woo standing by the window, his eyes locked on Earth with a hint of anger. Makima walked over and stood beside him, offering silent support, her presence meant to ease the storm of emotions within him.
Kang Woo whistled as he looked at Makima, a hint of admiration lighting up his eyes. "So, you can use darkness manipulation to fashion yourself new clothes now, huh?"
Makima nodded, a proud smile spreading across her lips as she slicked her hair back with a graceful motion. With newfound confidence, she began to hum a tune, then softly sang the lyrics she had glimpsed from the Commandment of Piety's memory. It was a song she had seen Kang Woo create the commandment to, but she didn't quite understand its origin.
"Shine bright, once more
Guide me to you
Smile bright, once more
This time I will never let you go," she sang, her voice melodic .
Kang Woo's eyes widened in surprise. "Where did you hear that song?"
Makima's smile softened as she turned to him. "You did. You sang it while creating the Commandment of Piety."
Kang Woo looked her over, his gaze lingering on her elegant black dress. "Just like at the beach, huh?" he remarked, his eyes playful.
Makima tilted her head in confusion. "Hmm?"
With a grin, Kang Woo used his King of Chaos power, warping reality once more. The view beyond the window of his bedroom transformed into a breathtaking beach scene, complete with golden sand and gentle waves, all impossibly set on the moon's surface. The sky retained its celestial beauty, yet now glowed with the colors of a serene oceanic paradise.
Makima chuckled, her expression amused. "You just can't stop showing off to your wife, can you?"
Kang Woo extended his hand to her and smiled. "Walk with me."
Makima took his hand, her heart lightened by the whimsical beauty he'd created, and together, they stepped into the dreamlike beachscape. After a few steps, Kang Woo spoke, his tone thoughtful. "You must be wondering why, even as a Demon King, I somehow managed to lose or, well… die to Lucifero."
Makima only nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Kang Woo paused, then widened his eyes in mock horror. "Wait, did I just spill the beans? You didn't even ask!"
Makima chuckled and reached up to ruffle his hair, leaning in to whisper softly, "I think I've had the worst influence on you, my Demon King. Consider this my revenge—your bad habits have infected me so much that I've fallen completely in love with you, utterly obsessed. At this rate, I might even start worshipping you."
Kang Woo snorted and patted her head gently. "Don't worship me, Makima. Or should I say, there's no need. Even gods don't deserve to be worshipped—they're just a waste of space, anyway."
Makima laughed, the sound ringing through the serene moonlit beach. "True, true. But you're the only waste of space I'd bother to admire."
Kang Woo burst out laughing. "Wow, so now I'm a 'waste of space' you'd admire? Thanks, that's exactly what I needed for my ego today."
Makima grinned, her laughter mixing with his. "You're welcome, oh mighty Demon King. It's not like you need more ego, but I'm happy to help inflate it."
As they continued walking along the moonlit beachscape, Kang Woo's expression grew serious. "A massive portion of my power is sealed," he admitted.
Makima's demeanor shifted instantly, her amusement evaporating. Alarm and anger flashed in her eyes. The thought of him having been vulnerable enough to die once, the idea that she almost lost him, made her blood run cold. Her voice turned icy. "By who?" she demanded.
Kang Woo's gaze drifted to Earth, the blue and green planet housing humans, devil hunters, Supes, and devils who had managed to escape Hell. He stared at it for a long moment, and Makima followed his gaze, piecing together the fragments of information.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she blurted out, "Don't tell me the one who sealed you is…"
Kang Woo nodded slightly, a wry smile playing on his lips. "The world itself… or should I call it Gaia."
Makima flashed back to Kang Woo's battle with Lucifero on Earth. She remembered vividly how Kang Woo, after his resurrection, had used his newfound power to launch Lucifero to the moon with a miniature sun.
"Can you hear me, Gaia?!" he had roared, his voice booming with unrestrained authority. "Let's just say… even if I didn't get the reward I threatened you for, I'm still capable of blowing this world to pieces!"
Makima returned to the present, a shiver running down her spine. "Now I understand," she whispered, her voice steady yet filled with awe. "Why you speak of Gaia's name… and why you talk about destroying this world. You have a huge grudge against the planet itself."
Makima's confusion deepened, her usually composed demeanor unsettled by this revelation. "I never quite grasped the concept of the planet being alive," she murmured, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "But I guess I'll have to accept this reality... that the very planet I, and everyone else, inhabit is sentient. Especially after witnessing Lucifero's rampage and your power system based on mana, which defies any knowledge we have in this world. It's making me more… open and flexible."
Kang Woo nodded, his expression shifting to a more serious tone. "Let me show you something that might make you believe it more." With a flick of his hand, he conjured Makima's status window. Usually, only he could view it, but he had modified it temporarily so Makima herself could see. The glowing text appeared before them:
.....................…
Name: Makima (Control Devil)
WARNING: Has Gaia Support
Level: 45 (Max Level Cap)
First Awakening Trait: Represent Concept of Control (Rank: SS)
The power has not fully realized yet
Second Awakening Trait: Soul Dominion Enchantment (Rank: SSS)
Abilities:
Telekinesis (Usually activated with the command "BANG")
Controlled Abilities , from individuals or devils she has successfully brainwashed
Hellblaze (Rank: S) ( Obtained via Commandment )
Darkness Manipulation (Rank: S) (Obtained via Commandment)
Commandment of piety (Rank : S)
Strength: 100
Dexterity: 60
Health: 100 (High-ranking demon regeneration via Commandment)
Mana: 1200 (Obtained via Commandment)
Negative Energy: 1000 (Boosted via Commandment)
Intellect: 100
Wisdom: 150
...........................…..
Makima's eyes widened in disbelief as she absorbed the details. "The world grades us with levels?" she exclaimed, shocked at how much her power had grown after absorbing what Kang Woo had given her.
Kang Woo smirked, pointing to the line that read WARNING: Has Gaia Support. "That's why I said you're worth more than the Earth itself," he added, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I have a score to settle with the world, but keeping its champion closer—I mean you, Makima—is much more fun, right?" His tone was amused as he continued, "And like I mentioned before, you're the one supported by the world itself, granted emergency power whenever needed. You're like the world's defender, chosen to protect this place whether you want to or not."
Makima stood there, momentarily silent, before a small, amused smile curved her lips. "So... I'm the world's chosen guardian now? How fitting, and yet deliciously ironic, that I ended up married to the one person whose power this world felt the need to seal away."
As she processed everything, Makima's thoughts raced in a whirlwind. Oh no, she panicked silently, I thought it was someone else—or maybe gods—but do gods even exist in our world? Kang Woo's reality is so different, coming from the 9th level of Hell. I just hope he doesn't actually destroy the world. As much as I hate the Prime Minister of Japan, there are things I've grown to care about. Even Aki-kun and Himeno-kun suddenly hugging me was… a bit nice, though nothing compared to Kang Woo. He's the one who filled my heart and made my world view colorful.
Kang Woo, noticing the tension in her eyes, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry," he said, his voice softer now, "I won't blow off this world just because some world system made a stupid decision. In fact, I'm a bit grateful. Because of that, I got to meet you and make you my first wife."
His eyes softened further. "Well," he added with a chuckle, "I do hope I can see Nayuta, your future self, one day. But that can only happen if you die, and honestly, I don't like that idea at all."
Makima felt warmth spread through her chest, his words soothing her concerns and bringing a small smile to her lips. "Can you tell me about Nayuta?" she asked, her voice gentle. "Since you always talk about her… I know you have your own sources, and if it's too heavy, I understand. But at least tell me what she looks like, her goals, and her personality."
Kang Woo nodded, understanding her curiosity. With a flick of his hand, he conjured a screen using his reality-warping abilities. On it, an image of Nayuta appeared. She had short, messy black hair, intense golden eyes that seemed to pierce through everything, and a mischievous smile that held a hint of playful defiance. She wore an oversized white shirt, exuding a mix of innocence and immense, raw power.
"She's like you," Kang Woo said, "but with your goals already achieved. The tragedy is, even after she brought so much change, the Japanese government and the people messed everything up. They got caught up in their fear of a prophecy about the Death Devil appearing to bring the apocalypse."
He scoffed, a hint of dark amusement playing at his lips. "It's honestly ridiculous. Does the power level in this world really have to be so low for them to panic over a prophecy? It's like they're helpless sheep, easily shaken."
Makima ignored Kang Woo's rant, her eyes focused on the image of her future self on the screen. Her hand lifted slowly, resting gently on the hologram as if trying to touch Nayuta. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, a determined smile forming on her lips.
"Don't worry," she whispered, her voice steady yet full of emotion. "This Control Devil incarnation has already fulfilled her goals. She found a crazy nut job with chaotic tendencies—someone who's pissed me off so much, breaking my cold persona over and over. But…" Her smile softened as she glanced at Kang Woo. "I like it. And I love him more than anyone. I hope you know that I'm the happiest devil… living in the happiest time."
Makima took a breath, her voice steady and resolute. "Here's the thing," she began, her gaze unwavering. "I could hold off on my plans to wipe out everyone in Japan. Maybe you're right—this world might never let me have the life I truly want. But if that's the case, then the one keeping me alive and happy is, ironically, the world's greatest enemy from where I stand."
Makima stepped closer to him, her eyes alight with unwavering devotion. "Kang Woo, I will do everything in my power to help you reclaim what's yours. I may not be as strong as you, with your millennia of experience… but as your first wife , I will stand by you and support you in any way I can."
Kang Woo smiled, thinking to himself, So she did hear me rant about Nayuta. He replied, "Well, you didn't exactly tell me about your plan to kill everyone in Japan anyway. But I have a great idea about how to get my power back." He glanced down at his right pinky finger, where a swirl of countless souls from his Alucard Heart ability danced like a ghostly spiral. In his right palm, a vortex of reality-warping energy from his King of Chaos ability shimmered and pulsed. "See?" he continued, "One of my ideas has already come to fruition, and both of these powers are being reclaimed."
"One way or another, Gaia will have no choice but to give it up," Kang Woo declared.
Makima's expression shifted to one of concern. "Why are you so confident that the world will just give up your power?" she asked.
Kang Woo's confident smile deepened. "You might not see it, and even I haven't fully seen it yet, but the world system is weakening. It's struggling to keep my immeasurable power from reuniting with me, and it's wearing itself out in the process. That's why beings like Lucifero have suddenly appeared in your world. The world system is breaking apart."
Makima's thoughts raced, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. Ah, so my husband is the reason Lucifero went on a rampage and nearly brought about an apocalypse? Her grin widened as she murmured to herself, "What a maverick my husband is. He always has plans, even now, and he's ready to reclaim his power no matter what. The world never did give me happiness anyway."
Kang Woo noticed her mumbling and chuckled inwardly. Makima… she doesn't even realize she's speaking out loud, huh?
Makima quickly composed herself, her eyes full of determination. "Kang Woo, can you teach me more about mana?" she asked earnestly. "Even with the Commandment, Lucifero nearly destroyed everything with just half his strength. I need to understand how to use it better."
Kang Woo noticed Makima's request and chuckled, his amusement clear. "Not here," he replied.
Makima tilted her head, confused. "Hmm?"
Kang Woo explained, "The moon, where Millennium Castle resides, doesn't have enough energy to teach you properly. You still need negative energy to smooth your mana output. We'll need to head to Earth for that."
He then activated his Authority of Gates, opening a shimmering portal to Tokyo. As the gateway materialized, Kang Woo and Makima stepped through it. The bustling lights of Tokyo sprawled before them, vivid and alive.
Makima smirked teasingly. "Kang Woo, can I see your level stats? Since you showed me mine. Level doesn't say everything, but if I'm higher than you, I'm making a claim—I'll promote myself and make you my property," she joked with a playful glint in her eyes.
Kang Woo remained silent, a small smile playing on his lips as he conjured a status window for her to see. Makima's eyes widened in shock, reading the incredible stats:
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Player Name: Oh Kang Woo
Level: 90 (Fifth Awakening – Breaking the World Limit cap: ERROR, ERROR)
First Awakening Trait: Authority of Predation (Rank: ???)
Second Awakening Trait: World Hunger (Rank: A)
Third + Awakening Trait: Infernal Summoner (Rank: ???)
Third – Awakening Trait: Mythic Summoner (Rank: ???)
Fourth Awakening Trait: Ruler of Demonic Energy (Rank: A-SSS)
Fifth Awakening Trait: Chrono-Void Ascendancy (Rank: EX)
Abilities Conceived by Kang Woo, Inspired by Many Things and His Own Originals:
Ten Thousand Demon Core (Rank: ???)
Hellblaze (Rank: S)
Adaptation (Rank: SS)
Demon King Magic: Ruler (Rank: SSS)
Supreme Deity Magic: Sovereign (Rank: SSS)
Darkness Manipulation (Rank: S)
10 Shadows of the Zenin Clan (Rank: C-S)
Anos Voldigoad's Abilities (Status: 10%)
King of Chaos (Rank: EX, 50% Ascension )
Alucard's Heart (Rank: A-SSS)
Space Between Time (Rank: EX)
Black Arts (Rank: S)
Arcane Demon King Magic (Rank: SS)
Zogratis Legacy Magic (Rank: A-SS , requires Grimoire of Lucius)
Gravity Manipulation (Lucifero version, Rank: SS)
Stats:
Strength: 200
Dexterity: 150
Health: 400
Mana: Infinite
Demonic Energy (Unique Stat): Infinite
Intellect: 200
Wisdom: 120
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Makima blinked once, twice, and then a third time, trying to process what she was seeing. Level 90, breaking the world's limit cap and causing it to error… The world cap is 45, and he's doubled that? Her thoughts swirled, trying to make sense of it. Five awakening traits… I only have two, and even I don't fully understand them. Are these like some kind of perks or skills?
Her gaze shifted to his abilities, all fourteen of them, while she herself only had six some of them bestowed by the commandment . And that mana and demonic energy of his… unique stats, meaning no one else in this world has them but him. It's ironic that I'm the only one here with mana, and even that was gifted to me through his commandment. She bit her lip, impressed and awestruck. I've heard from games that anything beyond A-rank is likely S-rank, and he has so many abilities ranked as S. And then there's EX… I'm certain that's something far greater than S ,category .
Makima couldn't help but admire him. She had known her husband was powerful, even with his sealed strength, but this… this was something else entirely. Even sealed, he's too strong, she thought, her heart pounding. How did I get lucky enough to be by the side of a being this overwhelming? A smile curved her lips, a mixture of pride and awe washing over her. He truly is my chaotic, unstoppable Demon King.
Makima glanced at one of the abilities. "Zogratis Legacy Magic, Rank: A-SS, requires Grimoire of Lucius," she read aloud, then turned to Kang Woo, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What's a grimoire, anyway?"
Kang Woo raised an eyebrow, looking thoroughly amused. "Seriously?"
Makima's expression flattened into a classic deadpan. "Yes, seriously. Do you think I had time to watch anime and become an otaku while I was chasing the Chainsaw Devil?" Her lips curled into a teasing grin. "Unlike you, I don't spend my time creating elaborate abilities or naming things like some chuuni king."
Kang Woo winced, mock offense flashing in his eyes. "Hey now, who are you calling chuuni king ?"
Makima chuckled. "Oh, you know exactly who." Her grin widened. "You, my dramatic husband, with your grand titles and reality-warping theatrics. Didn't your demon name come from that chuuni mind of yours?"
Kang Woo sighed theatrically. "Yare yare daze." He reached into his system inventory and pulled out Lucius's grimoire.( img here )
The grimoire glowed dimly in his hand, its cover adorned with golden, spiraling patterns and four glowing spade-shaped symbols. Dark, ethereal wisps seemed to dance around it.
He held it out to Makima, who took it carefully. The moment she touched it, the shining light immediately faded away.
"Ehhh?" Makima blinked, looking utterly bewildered.