Chapter 29: Sword Of Promised Conquest : Chaos Excalibur
The eldritch sky created by Kang Woo began to shift and descend. The grotesque, writhing entities above—a mass of thousand mouths and eyes—latched onto Prime Minister Kentaro and Tadashi Hasegawa, the former Minister of Finance. With horrifying precision, the entities consumed the two men, their mouths tearing into their flesh while their countless eyes stared unblinking, reflecting their agony.
But death refused to grant them release. Their bodies remained intact, mangled yet alive, as if some cruel cosmic force denied them the solace of an end. The abominations chewed endlessly, devouring their victims over and over, their screams muffled into guttural noises:
"Hurrggggg!"
"Hooouurrrghh!"
The room was frozen in terror, every spectator unable to move or look away from the horrific scene.
Kang Woo's crimson eyes, now adorned with two pupils each, glowed malevolently, while his sclera darkened into a void-like black. With a wave of his hand, he conjured a dark throne, forged from twisting shadows and pulsating with an aura of pure malice. He sat upon it, his presence exuding dominance and fear, as though he were the very embodiment of an unrelenting nightmare.
As he leaned forward slightly, his voice echoed with a deep, resonant power that seemed to seep into the very bones of those present. "In every realm—this world, the deepest pits of Hell, even across the fabric of existence—there is always a cause, a justification that living beings cling to. A cause they believe justifies their actions. But let me tell you…"
His gaze pierced through the writhing forms of Kentaro and Tadashi as they continued to be devoured. "Sacrificing one life—or a dozen—for the so-called betterment of the whole? It is the most pathetic excuse I have ever heard. Weakness, cowardice, or reckless desperation, that's all it is. And your reasoning, your attempts to cling to this justification… it disgusts me."
Kang Woo's voice turned darker, almost venomous. "This planet, this existence, clings to survival at the cost of everything else. Fear of death, fear of the unknown, and the ultimate fear—the Death Devil."
His eyes, already unnatural with two pupils, began to forcibly twist and turn within their sockets.
Glukhuuk.
The sound of the grotesque transformation echoed in the silent room as his eyes evolved into three-pupil , the dark sclera amplifying the sense of menace. Blood began to seep from the corners of his eyes, trailing down his cheeks. Yet, despite the agony, Kang Woo remained expressionless, as if his humanity—or what was left of it—was nothing more than a distant memory. A single tear, mixed with blood, rolled down his cheek, leaving everyone to wonder if it was sorrow or a remnant of Peter January's lingering humanity.
Kang Woo leaned back slightly, his voice carrying the weight of ancient disdain. "In the unknown years after 2012, there was a so-called prophecy of a great king of terror descending upon this world."
He chuckled, the sound hollow and mocking, before his voice rose into a full-blown laugh. "AHAHAHA! What pathetic, fake, baloney nonsense!"
His eyes glinted with a sharp, dangerous edge as he continued, his tone dripping with mockery. "And yet, in desperation, the entire world placed its burden on two devils to carry out their salvation. The War Devil Fiend and the Chainsaw Devil—what a laughable solution."
He sneered, leaning forward again, his gaze slicing through the room like a blade. "Japan, in its cowardice, formed a cult of fear, spreading war across the world in a futile attempt to make these two devils strong enough to defeat the Death Devil. And their grand plan?" His grin widened, cruel and venomous. "To have the Chainsaw Devil consume the Death Devil… so all of you could transcend death itself."
His words reverberated through the room, sharp and cutting. The grotesque sky pulsed in rhythm with Kang Woo's disdain, as if the eldritch horrors above were an extension of his loathing.
Kang Woo rose from his throne, his towering form emanating finality and dominance. His crimson, three-pupil eyes locked onto the writhing forms of Kentaro and Tadashi as they continued to be devoured. "My question to you, Kentaro and Tadashi, is this: How does it feel? To want to die, to crave the silence of oblivion—yet find that death is now beyond your reach?"
Kentaro could only let out a muffled gurgle of despair: "Hurrgggg…"
Tadashi's trembling form echoed with a similar cry: "Hooouurrrghh…"
Their pitiful sounds were drowned out by the cacophony of monstrous chewing and guttural roars. The thousand mouths continued their gruesome feast, while the thousand eyes observed hungrily, their reflections showcasing every ounce of torment inflicted upon the two men.
Kang Woo leaned back into his throne, his darkened eyes scanning the room, daring anyone to challenge him. His gaze flicked momentarily toward Aki, Himeno, Yoshida, and Fami, each of whom remained silent under the crushing weight of his actions and words.
Yoshida, breaking the silence, leaned toward Fami and whispered, "I don't know what this monster is talking about, but I have a hunch it has something to do with you."
Fami said nothing, her mind racing. How does this monster know about Nostradamus's prophecy? No one leaked it. The only ones who might know are the Future Devil… that goofy tree. But even I don't know where it's gone. And Makima… Makima doesn't know either.
Aki's face grew pale, his thoughts a storm of worry. I need to reason with Kang Woo. The horror in the sky… it's too much. The people of this country won't survive this intensity.
Just as Aki moved to step forward, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder. He turned to see Kishibe, his expression calm yet stern. Without speaking, Kishibe motioned for Aki to stand down.
"I'll handle this," Kishibe said, his voice steady. "At least I can talk to Makima. If anyone has a chance to reason with Kang Woo, it's her."
Aki hesitated but nodded, stepping back reluctantly as Kishibe began to move forward, his eyes fixed on Makima, the only one who might reach the monstrous Kang Woo.
In Makima's mind, thoughts swirled. Is this what my King told me about the Almighty? She glanced at Kang Woo, noting his eyes, now with three irises, bleeding profusely as if the forced activation of such power exacted a terrible toll. That's definitely the Almighty in its forced state...
Makima expression remained composed, though her thoughts grew darker. And my eldest sister, the Death Devil herself… Is she planning to descend? If she does, it would be the most apocalyptic scenario imaginable.
Makima's thoughts deepened as she glanced toward Kang Woo, his overwhelming presence casting a shadow over the room. The old me would be frantically preparing contingencies, desperately searching for the Chainsaw Devil as a countermeasure. But now… She focused entirely on Kang Woo. The moment the Death Devil steps foot on this planet, she will either become my King's slave, be blown to pieces, or be erased from existence entirely.
Her expression softened slightly, though her thoughts turned bittersweet. Even if she permanently dies... she's still my sister. That would be sad.
Kishibe approached her cautiously, breaking her reverie.
Makima greeted him with a faint smirk, her usual calm in full effect. "If you're here to ask about the Death Devil—the strongest of all Primal Devils—I have no idea if or when she'll descend. Nor do I have the slightest clue what Kang Woo is talking about. This is all new to me." Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm, a light jest amid the heavy atmosphere.
Kishibe frowned. "That's a bad joke, Makima. Honestly, the Death Devil isn't even the most terrifying thing right now. The current Kang Woo is far worse."
Makima chuckled softly, her amusement genuine for a moment. She held out a notebook and pen toward him. "Do you want these back or not?"
Kishibe blinked at the sudden gesture but took the items back with a raised brow. "I thought you'd have tossed it somewhere after that suicidal charge against Lucifero days ago."
Makima's smile widened slightly as she tilted her head. "Oh, come on. I wouldn't waste something that valuable. Though…" Her tone turned teasing. "There was a message in there that said, 'Makima is listening and going to kill Makima. I have a plan and will tell you everything.'" She laughed lightly. "It was meant for Quanxi, in case you met her. She'd get the joke."
She smiled faintly, her tone still light. "But you don't need to worry about that kind of thing anymore, Kishibe."
Kishibe gave her a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow. "And why's that?"
Makima's eyes drifted momentarily to Kang Woo, seated on his dark throne like an ominous god. "There won't be any more rats or birds spying on you, nor hidden eyes in every corner of Japan. My wish has already been granted."
She smiled faintly as she looked back at Kishibe. "You can thank him for that," she added, her voice soft but firm, her gaze once again returning to Kang Woo—the one who had given her the love and fulfillment she had craved for so long.
Kishibe chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "It's very funny that we're technically still enemies, and yet here we are having this lighthearted conversation. Kang Woo's bad influence is reaching everyone." He sighed, crossing his arms. "You probably know , I once organized an anti-Makima squad to trap you in Hell. It took six men, sacrificing themselves for the mission. And what happens? Kang Woo shows up instead, asks me how to summon the Hell Devil, and uses it for his own purposes. He didn't just summon it—he easily commanded it like a damn bodyguard and even ordered it to protect me."
Makima smirked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I can see the Hell Devil is doing an excellent job guarding you, Kishibe. Very thorough work."
Kishibe's expression turned serious, his tone losing its edge. "Makima, I'm calling in my favor. Since you borrowed my notebook, I want repayment. Can you ask Kang Woo to clear the sky? It's darkened, filled with those monstrous nightmare creatures, and frankly, I have no contingency for dealing with someone of his caliber."
Makima raised an eyebrow, her smile tinged with amusement. "You do realize that we're standing barely a meter away from him, and he's definitely listening to this entire conversation, right?"
Kang Woo, still seated on his throne, smiled silently, the expression unreadable but undeniably knowing. His attention remained partially fixed on Makima and Kishibe as their conversation unfolded, yet his focus never wavered from the ongoing torture of the Prime Minister and the former Minister of Finance. Their agonized, muffled screams echoed through the room as the eldritch entities continued their gruesome feast, indifferent to the casual discussion nearby.
Makima sighed, her tone carrying that signature mix of playfulness and an edge of sarcasm. "Alright, Kishibe, I'll repay your favor. But don't expect miracles. If Kang Woo decides to drop those nightmares from the sky—judging by the sheer size of those creatures—it's definitely going to kill everyone on this planet except me, Kobeni, and himself. Honestly, that kind of repayment would be so sarcastic it might even amuse me."
Kishibe took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling lazily around him. "At least you're making an effort. That's good enough for me," he muttered dryly.
Makima began her approach toward Kang Woo, her movements deliberate and composed. As she neared .
Kang Woo tilted his head slightly, his glowing, multi-pupiled eyes fixed on her with faint amusement. "Is everyone becoming like me now?" he asked, his voice carrying that sharp humor that cut through the heavy atmosphere. "My crazy influence seems to be contagious. Everyone who meets me starts blurting out their plans like I actually care."
Makima smirked. "I wouldn't know about your so-called influence, but realistically speaking, we still need a country—or at least some leverage against the world." Her tone shifted slightly, becoming more pointed. "And besides, you've said it yourself, haven't you? My mana output is rough. It needs a substantial amount of humans, their thoughts generating negative energy, to smooth it out. Japan's just my backyard; it's easier for me to recharge my magic here."
Kang Woo leaned back into his throne, resting his chin on his hand. "It's difficult, though, isn't it? Human nature doesn't change. They pick fights without understanding the consequences, and even the negative energy they generate is… subpar." He let out a dry chuckle. "Low quality. It needs more of a jolt to be of any use, in my experience."
Makima crossed her arms, her expression remaining calm but her gaze sharp. "You're not wrong. But perhaps the 'jolt' you mentioned could come from your theatrics? After all, they seem… effective."
Kang Woo tilted his head, his smirk growing slightly. "Technically, you don't need to worry about recharging your mana," he said casually. "It only takes a moment—probably three seconds at most. My Commandment is what grants you mana, and every time you run out, it automatically recharges. It's using my infinite mana as a source."
Makima raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Convenient."
"But," Kang Woo continued, his tone sharpening, "there's the bigger problem. There are some good people, like Kishibe, Aki, and Himeno. But let's be honest—the majority of humans? Absolute fucking assholes. That's a fact."
His tone grew quieter, and his voice entered Makima's mind telepathically. You do realize that this entire group of higher-ups—the ones you're entertaining and indulging—are the very reason you've never achieved peace. And if we're being realistic, the future won't be any different. It's all the same cycle.
Makima's expression didn't change, but her voice echoed back in his mind telepathically. We need figureheads. Puppets to be controlled. What Stormfront suggested—the Tournament of Heroes—could give us that. Let the people see us as their saviors.
Her gaze flickered briefly to the sky, still darkened and filled with the writhing forms of eldritch horrors. This tournament will give us control of Japan behind the scenes. While the higher-ups take credit for freeing Japan from their debts to America, we'll wield real power. Hailed as necessary evils, we'll own them from the shadows.
Kang Woo chuckled softly, his amusement resonating through the room like a sinister undercurrent. His multi-pupiled eyes scanned the trembling politicians and fear-stricken survivors, his gaze carrying an unspoken declaration of absolute dominance. With a casual wave of his hand, the nightmarish creatures in the sky began to dissipate, vanishing like shadows chased away by light of Divine Axe Rhitta .
The oppressive atmosphere lightened marginally, though the terror in the room lingered. Kang Woo released both Prime Minister Kentaro and former Minister Tadashi from their torturous binds. The two crumpled to the ground, gasping for air, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Kang Woo leaned back into his throne, his tone laced with biting sarcasm. "How about it? You've just earned yourselves a role in my game."
Kentaro remained silent, unable to speak, his body paralyzed by trauma and fear.
Tadashi, however, managed to force himself to his knees. Bowing deeply, he stammered, "Y-yes… I will be grateful for any bidding you command."
Makima observed the scene with a neutral expression, though her thoughts betrayed her outward calm. I'm certain of it now. When Kang Woo's eyes changed from two irises to three, and blood poured from them… that single tear wasn't incidental. It wasn't a weakness. It's tied to me—or perhaps my future self, Nayuta.
Her gaze softened slightly as it rested on Kang Woo. I need to comfort him. Reassure him, at the very least. Tell him that I'm fine, that I'm the happiest devil alive under his rule.
Makima's thoughts deepened. Kang Woo claims he doesn't have a tragic past, but his drastic shift in demeanor—his sheer rage at Kentaro's invocation of 'greater good'—suggests otherwise. He's hiding something. Something that's shaped him profoundly.
Her resolve solidified. As his first wife and devout follower, it's my duty to understand him, to know the depths of what drives him. Only then can I truly stand beside him.
Kang Woo, as if sensing Makima's thoughts, offered no comment. His gaze remained cold and calculating, briefly shifting to the room's terrified occupants. Then, with a casual snap of his fingers, the devastation caused by the Almighty, along with the collateral damage behind the shattered wall where the bowing, mangled half-body of the Falling Devil remained, vanished. The massive five-kilometer crater and widespread destruction in the city of Tokyo simply ceased to exist, as though it had never happened. The city stood restored, untouched, its former chaos erased in an instant.
The sight left everyone stunned. The realization rippled through the room: this being could do whatever he wanted, unbound by conventional limitations.
Aki, standing near Himeno, nudged her lightly with his elbow. "Himeno-senpai, do you have a smoke?" he asked, his tone subdued but steady.
Himeno reached into her pocket, pulling out her pack of cigarettes. Without a word, she handed one to Aki and lit her own. The two lit their cigarettes in unison, taking deep drags before exhaling clouds of smoke that drifted lazily into the tense air.
Breaking the silence, Himeno spoke first. "Aki, you're really thinking of asking Kang Woo to teach you his power ? Not saying he wouldn't—he honestly seems like he wouldn't mind at all. But that 'don't mind' attitude of his?" She exhaled another puff of smoke. "It's... unsettling. Even now, with us talking like this, you know he wouldn't give a damn either way."
Aki glanced at her, his cigarette balanced between his fingers. "From where I'm standing, we're stuck in a cycle. Us—the humans—and, by default, the Public Safety Devil Hunters. We're stagnant. We suffer heavy losses all the time, and so many of our comrades die. I don't want to lose anyone anymore, Himeno-senpai. Especially not you."
Himeno raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on her lips. Her tone turned sarcastic, though there was a glimmer of admiration in her voice. "And, as always, wherever you go, I'll be right there to keep you alive, no matter what."
Suddenly, the television in the meeting room flickered on, cutting through the quiet. A news broadcast flashed across the screen:
"Breaking News: The destruction that created a five-kilometer-wide crater out of nowhere And the aftermath of what appears to have been a battle between the captain of The Seven and an individual named Kang Woo—has mysteriously vanished. The city itself appears unharmed. We are still trying to—"
Before the reporter could finish, a loud BANG echoed through the room. The television shattered into pieces, silenced by Makima's signature pistol-like hand gesture. She lowered her fingers, her tone calm and sharp as she remarked, "It's been getting far too noisy lately."
Kang Woo stepped forward, his towering form casting a shadow over the trembling Prime Minister Kentaro. He leaned down slightly, his voice low and commanding. "When I win the Tournament of Heroes, I expect ownership of the entire country of Japan. You and the other ministers will serve as nothing more than figureheads."
Kentaro's head snapped up, and he bowed deeply, his voice trembling as he shouted, "YES, EMPEROR!"
The other ministers followed suit, bowing and echoing in unison, "YES, EMPEROR!"
Kang Woo stood tall, his multi-pupiled eyes glowing faintly, the room falling utterly silent under the weight of his absolute authority.
Breaking the silence, Kishibe let out a dry chuckle, taking a long drag from his cigarette. " Should I call you 'Emperor' too, or just Kang Woo?"
Kang Woo glanced at him, his expression unreadable, though his tone carried a hint of amusement. "Just call me Kang Woo. Besides, I'll own everything behind the scenes anyway."
Kang Woo shifted his gaze, his voice turning sharper. "I take it you're still staying with Public Safety Devil Hunter? I admire loyalty, but even then, it's filled with incompetent wretches and weak personnel. That's something I plan to fix permanently with Compound V—specifically designed for adults as part of the deal. But I want to know your reason. Why stay with them despite their flaws? I wonder."
Kishibe tapped the ash off his cigarette, his tone casual yet firm. "I'm still thinking about that. Probably because I'm already old and it's hard to move anywhere else except where I'm stationed. Second, there's going to be a new generation of Public Safety Devil Hunters. Someone's gotta train them, at least set them on a better path when they're imbued with Compound V—so they don't turn into a bunch of egotistical maniacs like The Seven from Vought."
Kishibe took another drag, exhaling slowly before continuing. "And for the third reason... You're too dangerous, Kang Woo. Your power grows too fast, and after what you've shown today, it's clear you can literally do whatever you want. Someone's gotta be the counter to that." He smirked slightly. "I'm even thinking of forming an anti-Kang Woo squad in the future. Hope you don't mind."
Kang Woo's smirk widened, his voice calm yet laced with a challenge. "You're welcome to try if you want to defeat me. But make sure it's interesting." He paused, his tone sharpening slightly. "However, I need to clarify something: I was already powerful long before I came to this invalid world. It's just that I had... complications and was caught off guard."
The weight of his words hung in the air, a reminder that his current dominance wasn't born of chance but the result of a power that had been suppressed, now unleashed. Kishibe's smirk faltered for a moment as he absorbed the statement, his cigarette burning slowly between his fingers.
Kang Woo then turned toward the exposed wall behind him, his steps slow and deliberate. Extending his hand, he summoned Chaos Excalibur. Even in its sealed state, the blade exuded a sense of immense power and regality. It appeared as a broadsword with an exceptionally wide blade, its grip resembling a swirling dark cosmic void, emanating chaotic energy. The cross-guard had a hollow, sharp diamond shape that matched the pommel, while the rain guard was adorned with jewels radiating a faint, regal glow.( img here )
Without hesitation, Kang Woo shattered the blade with his bare hands, shards scattering around him like fragments of stars. Holding the hilt aloft, he pointed it toward the sky. Instantly, the darkened heavens above responded. The Divine Axe Rhitta's radiant light descended from above, while the darkness of the sky folded into the shattered blade. The energy fused into Chaos Excalibur, transforming it before their eyes.
In its second form, the handle of Excalibur took on a black-and-white square design, crowned with a round knob and adorned with two small wings—one a white bird, the other a black bat. The blade elongated slightly, etched with intricate markings of alternating black and white, representing the unity of Yin and Yang. It radiated an air of perfect balance yet unleashed chaos, embodying its paradoxical nature.( img here )
Makima, watching the transformation with awe, broke the silence with her calm, reverent tone. "Is that your former sword, my King? The one thought lost and now reclaimed in all its glory?" Her words carried admiration, her crimson-ringed eyes shining faintly in fascination.
Kang Woo gave her a brief glance, his expression unreadable. "No. I just created it recently. It allows me to focus my damage on a single target more effectively." He held the blade up, its gleaming surface reflecting the dim light. "But it's still not enough. It's not on par with me—yet."
Makima's smile widened slightly, her voice laced with admiration. "Then perhaps it is only a matter of time before it becomes worthy of you, my King."
Kang Woo's smirk returned, sharper now. "No. I finish it right here and now."
Suddenly, the eldritch abominations that had vanished earlier reappeared, this time far larger, their grotesque forms covering the entire planet's sky. The world seemed to tremble under their presence, but unlike before, they moved with clear purpose, obeying Kang Woo's will.
These nightmares—the manifestations of Kang Woo's King of Chaos power, capable of warping reality itself on par with the legendary King of Chaos Arthur—now responded to his calm, focused intent rather than his emotions. His dark sclera glowed ominously as his multi-pupiled eyes gazed upward. The abominations swirled and compressed, flowing into Chaos Excalibur like a torrent of cosmic energy.
The sword underwent yet another transformation, its form shifting into a single-edged katana. A half-circle adorned the top of the handle, flanked by four golden wings . This final form of Chaos Excalibur exuded unparalleled power and purpose. It was no longer just a weapon; it was the embodiment of Kang Woo's ideals and might. As the last of the sky's nightmares were absorbed into the blade, the sky cleared, revealing the noon sun and a serene blue horizon. (img here )
Kang Woo lowered the blade, letting its energy settle. Turning to Kishibe, he teased, "There. I've cleared the sky back to normal for you. Satisfied?"
Kishibe took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling smoke slowly as he replied, "That's a horrifying demonstration. However, I thank you, Kang Woo. You've returned the sky to normal and, for once, didn't make things worse than they already are."
Makima stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the sword with unwavering admiration. "This sword…" she said softly, her voice carrying her signature mix of curiosity and reverence. "It's a reflection of you, my King. A symbol of your power, your will, and your essence. What will you name it?"
Her words carried an almost theatrical weight, her tone perfectly timed to emphasize the importance of the moment.
Kang Woo's smirk widened, his gaze shifting between Makima and the blade. "Chaos Excalibur," he said, his voice resonating with finality. "The name 'Chaos' represents me—I despise foolish order and stagnation. I'll do whatever it takes to change it, even if it means burning the entire world to ash. And 'Excalibur'... in a world not this one, there was a sword of promise called Excalibur. A sword that symbolized victory. But this sword?" He raised it slightly, the wings glowing faintly. "This one promises conquest—not just of a world, but of all existence."
Makima smiled, her admiration unwavering. "A fitting name, my King. A sword as boundless as the one who wields it."
( note there will be a double chapter but no promises just incase i am very busy )