Player 10,000 Year Later (Chainsaw Man / The Boys) Multiverse later

Kang Woo and Makima stood atop Nue as it soared through the skies, its colossal wings cleaving the air with a deafening rhythm. Hanging from Nue's massive legs, Kishibe and Kobeni swayed precariously, their expressions etched with unease as they clung tightly to the beast on its journey toward Tokyo.

Kang Woo leaned back, a rare moment of calm washing over his features. But suddenly, a brilliant yellow beam pierced the night, a streak of concentrated energy aimed directly at them with lethal precision.

Makima, hovering alongside Nue with her single dark wing unfurled, barely glanced at the incoming threat. With a flick of her wrist and an amused smirk, a shimmering telekinetic shield manifested, bending the trajectory of the beam harmlessly into the distance. The energy detonated in a dazzling flash, far from its intended target.

Kang Woo's eyes narrowed as he raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Isn't Starlight supposed to be with the Young Americans? She's barely 17. How is someone firing a beam like that from two kilometers away?"

Makima's smirk deepened, her tone playful yet tinged with curiosity. "Very interesting. A supe with that kind of range and power, outside of Homelander? Either they're evolving… or someone has been experimenting."

Kang Woo extended his hand, summoning his Authority of Gates. A swirling vortex of darkness opened before him, its malevolent energy contrasting sharply with the bright yellow beam they had just dodged. The portal flickered ominously, beckoning him back to New York.

"Nue," Kang Woo commanded, his voice calm yet resolute, "take Kishibe and Kobeni to Tokyo. I'll catch up soon."

The towering shikigami growled in acknowledgment, shifting course toward Tokyo. As Nue carried them away, Kobeni glanced nervously at Kang Woo. "I hope Kang Woo will be alright," she muttered, her voice trembling.

Kishibe, ever pragmatic, sighed and replied, "He'll be fine. That look in his eyes… I've only seen it once before—when he met Makima for the first time."

Kang Woo stepped through the gate, returning to New York City. Makima followed him, her presence calm yet piercing. She observed his demeanor and said, "I know you didn't ask me to come along, but I can tell you see this as a rare threat. That look… you've had it only twice before—when you first saw me, and when you sensed Lucifero breaking through the world's barrier."

Makima's gaze softened briefly as she continued, her voice low yet resolute. "If this is another threat of that caliber, I want to grow stronger by facing it. I can't always rely on the golden spoon you provide. I need to carve my own achievements, too."

Kang Woo barely glanced at her, his crimson eyes scanning their surroundings. The devastation in New York had worsened, with fires raging and skyscrapers crumbling. The scene resembled a hellish battlefield ripped straight from a Terminator Judgment Day scenario.

In his mind, Kang Woo observed with grim satisfaction, The Terminators I unleashed did their job well.

As he observed the chaos, the first drops of rain began to fall, darkening the scorched ground. Kang Woo tilted his head slightly, his thoughts sharpening. Rain… it usually signifies my triumph—or the arrival of my greatest enemy.

Makima raised her hand, manipulating the falling rain into a sleek, shimmering umbrella with her Darkness Manipulation. The inky black construct hovered effortlessly over their heads, shielding them from the downpour.

Kang Woo broke the silence, his voice calm yet tinged with curiosity. "Makima, what if what you're about to face has the essence of a hero? Or worse… a fully realized hero Gaia successfully created as my counter—the Demon King's nemesis. You said you didn't want to be golden-spooned and wanted to carve your own achievements. But this hero was built to face me, not you. You could lose. I don't mind if you sit this one out—I mean it."

Makima's expression hardened, her resolve unshaken. "I will fight," she said firmly. "If this so-called hero proves to be your weakness, then I'll eliminate them. Whether it's a man or woman doesn't matter. They'll fall like the rest."

Before Kang Woo could reply, a deafening crash erupted nearby. A severed Terminator head plummeted from the sky, embedding itself into the ground with a resounding impact. Smoke and debris clouded the air as a crater formed at the point of impact.

Through the haze, a radiant light began to shine, cutting through the darkness. The figure stepped forward, their golden glow growing brighter and more intense with every step.

Finally, the figure emerged—Starlight.

Her fierce gaze locked onto Kang Woo, her expression a mix of determination and caution. "Are you the one behind all this?" she demanded, her voice ringing out like a challenge. "The leader of this destruction?"

Kang Woo smirked and snapped his fingers, summoning a holographic status window in front of Makima, allowing her to study their opponent. The details of Starlight's abilities and stats unfolded before her eyes.

 Kang Woo answered Starlight, his voice teasing and cryptic. "Leader? I don't have an organization… yet. So, maybe yes, maybe no."

Starlight clenched her fists, her frustration evident. "FUCKER! I'm asking if you're the one who did this to New York! Are you the one responsible for this destruction?"

Kang Woo only grinned in silent affirmation, his mocking expression all the answer she needed.

Suddenly, the ground around Starlight exploded in a burst of light and electricity, her energy flaring wildly as her emotions reached their peak.

Makima, reading the data on the hologram, narrowed her eyes. Her aura shifted, dark and deadly, as murderous intent radiated from her being.

In her mind, Makima's thoughts. The world succeeded. They've created a hero—a true counter to Kang Woo. But I won't let her become a threat. I'll kill her before she gains full control of her power.

..............................

Name: Starlight (Annie January)

Level: 50 (Broke level cap by 5 levels)

Unique Class: The Chosen One (Hero)

First Awakening Trait: Dazzler (Rank: SS)

Abilities:

Original Power: Electricity Conversion

Sound Conversion (Rank: A)

Light Generation (Rank: S)

Stats:

Strength: 100

Dexterity: 50

Health: 200

Mana: (In Progress: ???%)

Negative Energy: 500

Intellect: ??

Wisdom: 80

Temporary Power via Absorption of Electricity or Nearby Electronics:

Nuclear Energy: 90% (Absorbed a large quantity of T-800 power cells)

Note: Once the nuclear energy inside her is depleted, she will be significantly weakened.

..........................

Makima gripped her Sword of Darkness tightly, her stance shifting as she prepared for battle. Her focus never wavered as she silently resolved, I'll end her before she manages to unlock mana.

Suddenly, Starlight lunged forward with surprising speed, grabbing a T-800 body from the scattered remains around them and using it as a makeshift shield. She hurled another damaged T-800 directly at Makima. In a seamless motion, Makima slashed the flying machine in half, her Sword of Darkness cutting through it effortlessly.

As the broken pieces fell to the ground, Starlight extended her palm, where a glowing sphere of nuclear energy began to swirl .

 Makima's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, she raised her hand, forming her signature pistol gesture. "Bang," she said .

The nuclear energy on Starlight's palm exploded violently, sending a shockwave rippling outward. But to Makima's surprise, instead of harming Starlight, the energy was absorbed into her body. Starlight stood unfazed, her golden glow intensifying as the absorbed power fueled her further.

Makima's expression remained calm, but her thoughts raced. Her power absorbs its own energy, rendering it harmless to her body. If I want to beat her, I'll have to deplete her nuclear reserves. Without that, this fight will be far more difficult.

Suddenly, Starlight unleashed her Light Generation ability at full intensity, creating a blinding radiance that engulfed the battlefield. The brightness, overwhelming and unrelenting, aimed to blind and disorient Makima. But instead of recoiling, Makima grinned.

The surrounding darkness began to shift and writhe like a living entity, shaped by Makima's Darkness Manipulation. The shadows gathered into an enormous, sinister palm that loomed over the battlefield. The sheer presence of the construct seemed to devour Starlight's brilliance.

"Do you know of the Darkness Devil?" Makima taunted, her voice cold and unwavering. "Its power once darkened all of Hell when it appeared. The darkness granted to me by the King… surpasses even that relic."

With a casual yet commanding motion, Makima dropped the giant palm of darkness onto Starlight. The crushing shadow plummeted like an executioner's axe, aiming to consume her entirely.

Starlight, reacting in desperation, used her Light Generation in a creative twist. She formed powerful thrusters of light from her palms and feet, propelling herself out of the way at the last possible moment. The darkness collided with the ground, leaving a massive crater where Starlight had stood moments before.

Makima tilted her head slightly, placing a hand thoughtfully on her chin. Her gaze was calm, but her words cut deep. "Do you realize your current power—everything you've absorbed—you're burning through it recklessly? It's dropping very fast."

Starlight froze in mid-air, her mind racing as Makima's words pierced her confidence. She's reading me like a book… The realization was paralyzing, her golden glow faltering for just a moment.

Makima, ever observant, saw her chance. Using her single dark wing for speed, she closed the gap in an instant. With precise brutality, she slammed Starlight's left arm into the ground, pinning it there. Starlight tried to activate her Light Generation, but as her energy reserves drained , she felt the strength losing from her body. Looking down, her pinned arm was covered in web-like tendrils of darkness, binding her in place.

Desperate, Starlight lashed out with her free right arm, aiming to grab Makima's head and turn the tide of the fight. But Makima moved faster. With cold precision, she drew her Sword of Darkness and stabbed it through Starlight's neck, keeping her hand firm on the hilt as she drove the blade deeper.

Starlight's golden glow dimmed, flickering like a dying flame. Her body twitched, caught in the throes of Makima's merciless attack.

Kang Woo approached the scene, his relaxed demeanor a stark contrast to the violent chaos around him. His crimson eyes gleamed with curiosity as he observed the fallen Starlight. "Not going to end her?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with intrigue. "That's not like you, Makima. What changed your mind?"

Makima glanced back at him, a faint smile gracing her lips. "If she becomes an asset in your army, she'll be far more valuable alive. Besides…" Her gaze returned to Starlight, her tone brimming with intrigue. "I'm interested in her Unique Class: The Chosen One."

But before either could act further, something shifted. Thin, vein-like strands of glowing white began to spread from Starlight's neck, resembling a web of silk. Makima's eyes narrowed, her thoughts sharp. Impossible… Mana reinforcement. That's Lucifero's technique!

Without warning, the veins pulsed and detonated in a violent explosion. The force sent Makima flying back, her arm catching the brunt of the blast. As she steadied herself, she glanced at her injured arm, now scorched and leaking an inky black substance. She remained silent, her expression unreadable as she studied her wound.

Kang Woo stepped forward, his movements unhurried but deliberate. His Endo-Sym Armor Mark 50 shifted along his right arm, morphing into a heated blade that glowed with dangerous intensity. Without hesitation, he moved at blinding speed, slicing toward Starlight's wrist. However, the mana reinforcement protected her, forming a thin but impenetrable barrier over her skin like silk.

Starlight staggered back, her eyes wide as she struggled to process what had just happened. What just happened? she thought, panic creeping into her mind. That man… he moved so fast, I didn't even realize it until it was over!

Kang Woo stood still, his blade humming faintly as it cooled. A grin spread across his face, sharp and knowing. "Hmm. Now the pieces of this stupid puzzle are finally falling into place. I made a few missteps earlier, but it all makes sense now."

He raised his right arm, tapping it casually. "The first step was simple: the world planted a parasite in my arm to analyze how mana is utilized—something this world doesn't naturally possess. After all, this world's energy system relies on negative energy, as I've known for some time now. But here's the catch: the world couldn't transfer the benefits of that analysis to just anyone."

Kang Woo's grin widened, his tone almost mocking. "So, it transferred them to someone very close to you, someone tied to you by blood."

Starlight's confusion deepened, but Kang Woo continued, ignoring her bewildered expression. "The second step was implanting the ability to use mana into you. When you absorbed the T-800s' nuclear power, it hindered the mana's full integration. Makima unknowingly gave you a gift by emptying that reserve earlier. When she pinned you, she distributed your nuclear power into the ground, making room for your mana's true potential to finally emerge."

Kang Woo chuckled, the sound low and ominous. "But there's a flaw. The current you can only use one power resource at a time. Nuclear power, negative energy, mana—you can't wield them all simultaneously. From where I'm standing, that's a pretty pathetic limitation."

Starlight's fists clenched, her frustration boiling over. "What are you talking about?!" she shouted, her voice trembling with both anger and fear.

Kang Woo's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with a mix of mockery and amusement. "Oh? You didn't even realize the truth about your own family? Your brother, Peter January."

At the mention of her brother's name, Starlight's rage surged. Her body trembled as she shouted, "What do you know about Peter? Is he dead because of that accident? Everyone mocked me, saying I couldn't save him when I was just a child. Was it you? Did you kill him? Were you behind that accident? Talk before I—"

She froze mid-sentence as Kang Woo's appearance began to shift. His jet-black hair turned a vibrant blonde, cascading like molten gold under the eerie glow of the battlefield. His features softened subtly, taking on an uncanny resemblance to someone buried deep in her memories.

Starlight's hands covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. "No… No, that's not possible. He's dead. I saw him burn in that house fire," she choked out, her voice breaking.

Kang Woo's grin widened, his amusement palpable. In his mind, he thought, The fools at Vought—when Madelyn Stillwell or her lackeys say 'long lost,' it's always their twisted way of covering up secrets. To the public, Peter January died in a house fire, just a tragic accident. But in reality? He was imprisoned at Sage Grove Center. A forgotten experiment for the 'greater good.'

Kang Woo's grin widened, his voice dripping with mock patience. "After escaping Sage Grove Center and finding myself stranded in Aokigahara Forest , I thought about meeting you—telling you my story, maybe even recruiting you from Young Americans. But there was no time for that then, and certainly not now. I was busy recovering my powers."

Starlight's light flickered erratically as her emotions boiled over. She stepped forward, her voice shaking with desperation and fury. "What story?! Tell me now!"

Kang Woo chuckled, his tone calm but firm, his eyes gleaming with dark intent. "I'll tell you everything… once I drag you to Millennium Castle."

With that, Kang Woo casually dropped a small object resembling a mini-brush deep into the earth below. The item vanished instantly, its purpose hidden, yet the air seemed to hum with latent energy. A future plan set into motion.

Kang Woo's gaze locked onto Starlight, and he raised his hand, his voice sharp as he spoke a single word: "Qualkreis."

The battlefield around Starlight crackled with energy as a series of Reishi constructs erupted from the ground, glowing with an ethereal light. They crackled like lightning, encircling her from all sides before solidifying into large Heilig Bogen—massive Quincy bows crafted entirely of spiritual energy. Without warning, the constructs released volleys of Heilig Pfeil, enormous arrows of light that rained down upon Starlight with relentless precision.

Kang Woo's grin widened into a taunting smirk. "Now, show me, Starlight. Show me what it means to be the 'hero' of this world."

Starlight, her golden light flickering with intensity, gritted her teeth as she summoned all her strength. "I'll show you," she hissed through clenched teeth. "I'll show you what a real hero can do!"

Raising her hands, she channeled her Light Generation, forming a dazzling shield of radiant energy. The first wave of arrows struck the shield, deflecting harmlessly, but the force shook the ground beneath her, cracking it as the pressure mounted. Despite her fierce declaration, her body was trembling, her movements slowing. The truth was undeniable—the current her was already on the verge of collapse, her energy nearly spent.

Sensing her vulnerability, the Qualkreis changed its strategy. The second batch of Heilig Pfeil stopped mid-air, redirecting their energy toward the surrounding battlefield. The arrows struck the ground, shattering large stones, which then hovered ominously before hurtling toward Starlight from all directions. Trapped, exhausted, and struggling to hold on, she managed to summon her mana reinforcement, protecting her body like a thin veil of impenetrable silk.

The rocks slammed against her, breaking apart harmlessly upon contact with the reinforcement. But it wasn't enough to keep her conscious. Her body, pushed far beyond its limits, gave out. Starlight collapsed, fainting as her light dimmed and the battlefield fell into a tense silence.

Kang Woo turned his crimson gaze to Makima, his expression unreadable as he asked , "Do you still want to continue?"

Makima smiled, her calm demeanor unwavering. She stepped toward Starlight's unconscious form, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her head up. Raising her Sword of Darkness, now infused with the fiery wrath of Hellblaze, Makima's voice turned icy and deliberate. "The next time this sword strikes, it will burn your soul. Don't think your mana reinforcement will save you."

Before the blade could descend, Starlight's body shimmered, her form becoming intangible and fading like a mirage. Kang Woo's eyes narrowed, his crimson gaze darkening as his fist clenched. His voice, dripping with venom, cut through the silence. "Gaia… That lump of shit. The world itself couldn't bear to lose its precious champion."

Unsatisfied, Kang Woo raised his hand, summoning the forbidden power of Chrono Anasthasis. Time twisted and reversed around the battlefield as Starlight's intangible form reconstituted, her body locked in an unbreakable Chrono Stasis field. Kang Woo smirked at the sky, his tone mocking. "Is this what you expected me to do, Gaia? Let her go? Epic Fail ."

Suddenly, the air shimmered as a massive hologram materialized in the sky, displaying text in bold, glowing letters. Both Kang Woo and Makima stared up at it as it began to display a message:

Release her, or Japan will sink.

Makima's amused smile returned, sharper and more dangerous than before. "So, you're the one my husband calls Gaia. The one who sealed his powers as a god in this world. The world's system itself… Not very impressive," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You resort to holograms and can't even show yourself."

The hologram shifted, new text flashing into view:

Watch your tongue, mere concept of control. You are still under my grasp. The world has a deep connection to you.

Another message followed almost immediately:

Kang Woo, return what you stole from me and step into the cage I prepared for you. In exchange, Makima will be left untouched. Consider this punishment for threatening me once.

Kang Woo chuckled, his smirk widening into a grin of pure amusement. "Heh. Now you're starting to sound like me, Gaia. Demanding more, threatening destruction. I've got to admit… I'm impressed."

Makima, turned her attention to Kang Woo. "What's your play, my King?" she asked, her tone unwavering. "Gaia's desperate enough to try this—because it knows it's losing control."

Kang Woo crossed his arms, his smirk deepening as he stared up at the hologram. His voice carried an eerie calm. "Let's get straight to the point, Gaia. You can't touch Makima, not the way you think. My Commandment is inside her. The most you could do is strip her of her Four Horsemen title, weakening her severely. But I don't like that idea at all. What's mine is mine. What my wife has—her looks, power, appearance, even her personality—is mine alone."

With that, Kang Woo pulled Makima into his embrace, holding her firmly by his side. A single tear slid down makima cheek, not from fear, but from a mix of gratitude and awe. Her King, her husband, was willing to defy the very world itself for her. Even if it meant plunging everything into chaos.

Kang Woo's tone turned colder, sharper. "I've got a counteroffer, Gaia. Meet my demands—right now—or I stop the Earth's rotation."

Before Gaia could respond, the ground began to tremble violently. The entire planet seemed to groan under an impossible force. Suddenly, entire islands and continents rose 100 centimeters into the air, suspended as though gravity itself had been rewritten.

The hologram flickered erratically before new words scrawled across its surface, panicked and disjointed:

WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!

Kang Woo's grin turned into an outright laugh, his amusement filling the air. "What did I do? Oh, just experimenting. Always wanted to create a flying island. Looks like I've succeeded."

Makima glanced at him, she wiped her tear away. "You're truly insane, my King," she murmured, her voice soft yet filled with admiration. "You kept your word. You're willing to stand against the world for me, even though it's not necessary. I… I'm willing to die for you, for your safety, if you ever chose to abandon me. Kang Woo, you've given me something no one else could—a sense of love, the warmth of a hug, and the feeling of being truly alive. The world never did that for me."

Kang Woo turned to her, his expression softening for just a moment. He reached out and ruffled her hair playfully, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Save the praising and dialogue for later, Makima. Right now, I've got a world to torture."

The hologram flickered again as Gaia began scanning the Earth's core. The readings turned chaotic as Gaia's sensors picked up an anomaly—half of the Earth's core was shrouded in a dark, inky substance.

Kang Woo, noticing Gaia's reaction, chuckled. "What you're looking at is Ichimonji's shikai. A small part of it, anyway. When I dropped that mini brush earlier, I wasn't just playing around. If the ink spreads and covers the entire core, the Earth will lose its name and, eventually, its meaning."

The hologram buzzed with panic, the message appearing in bold text: STOP THE INK FROM SPREADING, OR WE ALL DIE. EARTH'S ROTATION WILL STOPPED, AND THE MASSIVE PORTION OF YOUR SEALED POWER, KANG WOO, WILL BE DESTROYED.

Makima smirked, her tone light and teasing. "If the world dies, we'll just head to the Millennium Castle, right?"

Kang Woo laughed, his amusement evident. "Of course. Moving to another universe has always been on my list."

Meanwhile, the Earth's rotation slowed further, and the ink encroaching on the core had spread to three-fourths of its surface. The imbalance sent tremors across the planet, but Kang Woo and Makima remained unfazed.

Makima glanced around and said, "I'm naming this floating landmass Control Island."

Kang Woo shook his head, smirking. "No, Blood Island sounds better."

The hologram flickered violently before displaying a single, desperate message: WHAT DO YOU WANT?!

Kang Woo and Makima exchanged a glance, their expressions alight with satisfaction. Both grinned mischievously as Makima leaned forward, her voice dripping with amusement. "That's what we've been waiting for."

As the Earth trembled and the ink continued to consume the planet's core, Kang Woo remained composed, his eyes gleaming with authority. He stepped forward, his voice calm yet commanding. "Zecht."

A massive magic circle materialized in the air, its intricate designs glowing with energy. The circle split in two, one half hovering before Gaia's projection and the other before Kang Woo. The intricate spell pulsed with power as Kang Woo continued, "Focus your will onto this. Zecht is a spell used to bind promises. Break the contract, and your very source will self-destruct. First rule: no lies."

The hologram flickered violently before Gaia's will began to focus on its half of the circle. The energy brightened, resonating with Kang Woo's unwavering presence. As the spell solidified, Kang Woo's smirk deepened. "Now, my demands."

He raised his hand, his tone cold and deliberate. "I want Makima's code. Her origin in this world. In a form I can hold."

Gaia hesitated for a fraction of a second before complying. The air shimmered, and an orb of radiant energy began to materialize before Kang Woo. The sphere, glowing with a deep red and golden hue, pulsed gently like a heartbeat. Kang Woo reached out, taking the orb in his hand and examining it briefly before turning to Makima.

With a smile, he extended the orb toward her. "Congratulations. You're just like me now. A true nexus in this world. You won't be affected by Gaia's influence or this world's rules anymore."

Makima accepted the orb, her expression composed yet filled with subtle admiration. As the orb dissolved into her form, she felt a rush of liberation, her connection to Gaia severed entirely. For the first time, she was truly free.

Makima looked at Kang Woo, her voice soft but resolute. "You've given me freedom in a way I never imagined. I owe you everything, my King."

The hologram flickered, and new text appeared across its surface, the letters sharp and demanding:

NOW FOR MY DEMAND. I WANT NO HARM DIRECTED TO THE WORLD EVER AGAIN. SINCE ZECHT, FROM WHAT I SEE, IS TWO-WAY, YOU CAN'T BREAK THE PROMISES EITHER.

Kang Woo's smirk widened, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement. In his thoughts, he mused, My Zecht is different—designed for enslavement and torment. It doesn't bind me to anything unless I choose it. But… I do enjoy trolling this lump of shit world.

Out loud, Kang Woo said, his tone feigning compliance, "Sure, sure, that's how it works. No harm to the world, right? But let me remind you—when you pick a fight with me, you'd better be ready to catch my fist, too."

Makima, standing by his side, added with a venomous grin, her voice laced with disdain, "It's kill or be killed, you fucking lump of shit."

Kang Woo, unfazed, continued, "That means… change your demands."

The hologram flickered, its earlier panic replaced by a calmer, albeit strained, tone. It displayed: YOU LET MY CHAMPION GO FROM HARM NOW.

With a snap of his fingers, Kang Woo released Starlight from her Chrono Stasis. She collapsed to the ground, unconscious but alive. Kang Woo smirked as he looked at the trembling hologram. "Done. Now, as for my second demand… I want both the Hero Creation Orb and 100 Hero Seeds."

The hologram hesitated, flickering violently before the text appeared: HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HERO CREATION AND SEEDS? THAT IS NOT PART OF THE DEAL.

Kang Woo chuckled darkly, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. "Oh, the moon looks closer, doesn't it? Beautiful, isn't it? That's what happens when the Earth slows down. You feel that tension building, don't you? Careful now."

The tremors beneath their feet grew stronger, the balance of the planet teetering as Kang Woo's words hung in the air. Finally, beside him, 100 Hero Seeds and a Hero Creation Orb materialized, floating ominously.

Kang Woo reached out, the items absorbing into his being effortlessly. He felt their energy coursing through him, a new well of potential for granting powers and creating future followers. His grin widened, triumphant and menacing.

Turning back to the hologram, he said mockingly, "You just saved yourself from being turned into a floating lump of debris in space. Congratulations."

Makima's voice suddenly echoed in Kang Woo's mind through telepathy. Should I demand all of your power returned? I don't have any wishes left. Mine has already been granted.

Kang Woo responded with a mental chuckle. Nope. That's my problem to handle. Besides, I'd like to torture this lump of shit a bit more in future encounters. Use the wish for yourself. There are limitless possibilities waiting for you.

Makima gave him a subtle smile, her amusement evident. The hologram flickered again, displaying: RETURN THE FLOATING PARTS OF THIS PLANET TO THEIR PROPER GRAVITY.

Kang Woo's eyes gleamed with mischief as he raised his hand. "Time Sovereignty: Rewind."

Suddenly, the floating islands and continents reversed their unnatural ascent and gently settled back into their rightful positions, the Earth's tremors subsiding. The chaos he had unleashed was undone in an instant.

Makima stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she addressed the hologram. "I want full control of the moon's trajectory and rotation."

Kang Woo's telepathic voice cut through her mind with a playful tone. Did you just read Berserk before all of this?

Makima's lips curled into an evil smile. There's always a possibility this world can pull something unexpected out of its depths. I want to be prepared. I want to control it and make it my own.

The hologram comply to makima demands , an orb containing the power to control the moon materialized beside her. Makima reached out, absorbing the orb effortlessly, her body glowing briefly as the newfound power fused with her.

Makima turned toward Kang Woo, her expression calm yet resolute. "I just want to be equal by your side, Kang Woo. That's all."

Kang Woo's grin widened, his eyes glinting with intrigue. "If that's your goal, we'll need Crimson Beherits. Without those, pulling off the horrifying plan you're brewing won't even be possible."

The hologram flickered violently as Gaia prepared to issue its final demand. Its words appeared in bold, commanding text: NOW, AS FOR MY FINAL DEMAND—

Kang Woo interrupted, his tone sharp yet laced with mockery. "The moment you say your final demand, the next one will be ours. That's the rule for a loser. Your turn ends, and ours begins immediately."

In his thoughts, Kang Woo mused with dark amusement, I'm not done torturing this pathetic system yet. I want to break it further, drive it mad.

The hologram steadied, as if reluctant to proceed, before it displayed its demand: MY CHAMPION, STARLIGHT—ANNIE JANUARY—CAN USE HER MANA FREELY. YOU WILL NOT TAKE THAT ABILITY FROM HER. THIS IS MY FINAL DEMAND.

Kang Woo raised a hand in casual agreement. "Done," he said nonchalantly. "Now, for my final demand—let's conclude this delightful game of blackmail."

His tone shifted, and suddenly, he began to speak in an incomprehensible language, one known only to him, Makima, and Gaia. Each word carried an ominous weight, vibrating with cosmic significance. The moment his demand was uttered, the air around them thickened, the very fabric of reality seeming to strain under the power of his will.

Makima, who had been silent, suddenly burst into laughter . "AHAHAHAHAHA! Kang Woo… You're beyond evil incarnate. No, you're the embodiment of every evil that's ever existed!" Her voice echoed with both admiration and incredulity.

The hologram froze, its text appearing in a panicked, disjointed sequence: I REFUSE. IT WILL BE THE END OF THIS WORLD—AND EVERYTHING WITH IT.

Kang Woo leaned forward, his crimson eyes burning with malicious glee. "Refuse, and you self-destruct. Comply, and the end of the world is on your hands. Either way, not my problem. Tick-tock, Gaia."

Makima, her voice rich with mockery, added fuel to the fire as she gazed at the hologram. "I'm sure Kang Woo's demand, for a lump of shit like you, is an order that can't truly be refused. That's just Kang's nature—he always takes whatever he wants. But, you can still postpone it, right, Kang Woo?"

Kang Woo's grin widened, exuding pure amusement. He raised his hand, forming a glowing, blurred orb of Reishi that pulsed with a hypnotic light. "Absorb this," he said, his tone almost playful. "It'll grant you a postponement—a minimum of 30 days. Maximum? Well, if I forget, congratulations. This world is saved. Right, Makima?"

Makima nodded with a sly smile. "Right."

The hologram hesitated, then absorbed the Reishi orb. The text flickered back to life, written in a reluctant, almost defeated tone: FINE. POSTPONEMENT ACCEPTED. 30 DAYS MINIMUM . MAXIMUM. IF YOU FORGET, THE WORLD IS SAVED.

Kang Woo's voice was laced with mocking approval. "Exactly. Like that."

With a final flicker, the hologram disappeared, retreating into silence as Gaia acknowledged its temporary defeat.

Makima let out a satisfied sigh, stretching her wing slightly. "What a nice haul. And I have to admit, this is the first time I've ever picked a fight with the world itself. It's… satisfying."

Kang Woo chuckled, raising his hand to open a swirling portal with his Authority of Gates. The vortex shimmered, revealing a passageway to Tokyo. Kang Woo glanced at Makima and motioned toward the portal. Just as they were about to step through, a strained voice called out from behind them.

"Wait! I'm not finished yet!" Starlight's voice cracked, raw with defiance.

Kang Woo turned slightly, his expression one of mild amusement. The rain, which had momentarily stopped during his chaos-inducing standoff with Gaia, began pouring again, soaking the battlefield in an eerie calm. He looked at Starlight, his tone soft but mocking. "Fix your wounds, my dear sister. Wait for me. Your time will come."

Defying her pain, Starlight lunged forward, her Light Generation propelling her like a missile toward Kang Woo.

But Makima, ever composed, raised her hand and called upon her Control Power. The ground beneath Starlight cracked and shifted as massive rocks surged upward, coiling around her like living chains. Starlight struggled, her golden light flickering, but the bindings tightened, rooting her to the ground.

Makima smirked, following Kang Woo into the portal. As she stepped through, she cast one final glance at Starlight, her voice laced with condescension. "Brat. Savor this moment."

The portal closed behind them, leaving Starlight bound and alone in the pouring rain, her golden light dimming against the relentless storm.