NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30: The Girl with the Collar
After showcasing the Chaos Excalibur, Kang Woo effortlessly desummoned both it and the Divine Axe Rhitta, their immense energies dissolving into nothingness. His multi-pupiled gaze, cold and piercing, turned toward Fami, the Famine Devil, the mangled Falling Devil, Fumiko, and Yoshida. He grinned faintly, exuding a menace that felt suffocating yet casual, as if merely acknowledging them toyed with their very existence.
Ignoring the tension crackling in the air, Kang Woo extended his hand, conjuring a spiraling staircase with a flick of his fingers. The steps descended from the exposed meeting room to the city street below. Without a word, he began his descent, his relaxed posture contrasting sharply with the overwhelming aura he left behind. His focus had already shifted, his agenda entirely his own.
Makima followed close behind, her expression cold and unreadable. As she passed the four frozen under Kang Woo's glare, her yellow-ringed eyes narrowed slightly. She paused just long enough to speak, her voice sharp and laced with cruelty.
"See you soon," she said, her tone devoid of warmth.
The disdain in her voice lingered long after she descended the stairs, leaving the four stunned and silent. Their faces were etched with fear and unease, their breaths caught in their throats.
Above, Aki and Himeno exchanged a glance, doubt flickering momentarily in their eyes. Himeno took a slow drag from her cigarette, exhaling the smoke as if to steady herself.
Suddenly, Makima's voice broke the silence . "Are you both coming or not?"
Aki smiled faintly, his resolve solidifying as he adjusted his sword. "Looks like we're moving," he said.
Himeno smirked, flicking her cigarette away. "There's our cue."
The two followed, descending into the unknown behind Makima and Kang Woo. Also kobeni mysteriously disappeared .
------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in the exposed meeting room above, the tension refused to dissipate. Fumiko, her face pale but her voice steady, broke the silence. "I say we ambush them when the time is—"
Before she could finish, the Falling Devil lunged at her, her half-regenerated form radiating malice. Wrapping her fingers tightly around Fumiko's throat, she lifted her off the ground, her voice trembling with panic and rage.
"ARE YOU FUCKING OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" she screeched, her voice cracking with terror. "You want that monster to bring back the horrifying nightmares from the sky AGAIN?! He spared us, all right, and THAT'S A FUCKING MIRACLE!"
Fumiko choked, clawing at the Falling Devil's grip, her eyes wide with panic. Yoshida stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. "Fami, can you control your slave?"
Fami sighed, unfazed, and issued a curt command. "That's enough, my slave."
The Falling Devil turned her glare toward Fami, venom dripping from her voice. "If you ask me to fight against that monster, I'll kill you first, Master."
Fami hesitated but ultimately nodded. The Falling Devil released Fumiko, letting her collapse to the ground, gasping for air. Without another word, the Falling Devil shrank back into her miniature statue form, her expression frozen in silent fury.
Yoshida's sharp gaze turned to Fami, demanding answers. "What the hell was Kang Woo talking about with the Death Devil?"
Fami took a deep breath, her tone measured but uneasy. "It's about Nostradamus' prophecy. The Death Devil is said to descend around 2020. And just like Kang Woo mentioned, I intended to utilize one of our sisters—the War Devil. She's the easiest to manipulate. All we'd need to do is wage war everywhere to draw out her full power so she can contend with the Death Devil. The Chainsaw Devil was supposed to be our ultimate assurance—since any devil consumed by the Chainsaw Devil has their concept erased permanently."
Kishibe, standing in the corner, let out a dry chuckle, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Huh. Now I get it. But from where I'm standing, that complicated countermeasure isn't necessary anymore." His sharp gaze shifted toward Kang Woo, who continued walking with his group. "Not when there's something far worse already here."
Fami's tone grew bitter, her fear barely masked beneath a thin veneer of composure. "That's no man, nor a mere devil. More like a monster that shouldn't exist in this world at all." Her voice wavered slightly as her thoughts spilled out. "The Falling Devil—one of the primal devils—bowed to him, completely submissive. She's terrified of him, and it's clear she'll keep her mouth shut about what happened. Whatever that being is... this Kang Woo..." She paused, her voice trembling. "Depending on his mood, I believe he could kill the Death Devil. His power, his unpredictability, and that ability to summon anything at will—from that Chaos Excalibur to that nightmare sky—it's all a reflection of his anger. That's not power belong to this world ; that's something catastrophic."
Kishibe's eyes narrowed as he scanned the room, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. He noticed something. "The Hell Devil, Angel Devil, Fox Devil... even Princi, the Spider Devil... all missing." He exhaled slowly, his tone sharper now. "Looks like most of the ones who got contracted by Kang Woo have decided to follow him. Figures. He's not just pulling strings; he's replacing the entire damn orchestra."
Kishibe exhaled a puff of smoke, his sharp eyes narrowing as he shifted his gaze toward Fumiko and Yoshida. "Don't think this makes us allies," he said bluntly, his voice low and firm. "I won't forget what the Prime Minister said about 'the greater good,' and I damn sure won't forget the betrayals of the past. I've seen too much to trust anyone—especially you two."
He took a step forward, his calm yet commanding presence cutting through the residual tension. "But here's the thing," he continued, his tone laced with deliberate weight. "We've got a common problem now, and it needs fixing. The way I see it, I've spent my life building countermeasures—against devils, against Makima, and now..." He gestured toward the stairs Kang Woo had descended , his hand flicking the cigarette. "Against the man who sold me Compound V and promised to repay the favor he owes me by injecting Public Safety Devil Hunters with the adult version of Compound V."
Kishibe flicked the ash off his cigarette, his tone sharpening. "I appreciate that, but I'll do whatever it takes to make sure we don't all get wiped off the map. Call it survival instinct." His gaze turned back to Kang Woo, who was far away now. He took in the enormity of the situation and added, "You're too dangerous, Kang Woo. You grow too fast, and the people you're bringing into your fold make it even harder to predict what's coming next."
He smirked faintly, then shifted his attention back to Fumiko and Yoshida, his eyes hardening. "For now, at least, we have common goals. We need countermeasures against him."
Suddenly, a massive door materialized behind Kishibe, and from it emerged a grotesque six-fingered hand and a maw filled with jagged teeth. The Hell Devil spoke . "I'm still here, human named Kishibe. As the noble one has commanded, I remain to protect you—even against him. However..." The devil paused, its jagged teeth clicking together ominously. "If you truly intend to fight him... if it's to the death... I will not help you. I value my life too much."
Kishibe glanced at the grotesque figure, unfazed. He took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling smoke through his nose as if processing the information. "Noted," he replied coolly, his tone carrying no trace of fear, only quiet acceptance. "Can't say I blame you."
With that, Kishibe turned and began descending the staircase Kang Woo had created. As Yoshida moved to follow, the stairs cracked beneath his feet, refusing to let him step on them. Yoshida recoiled, frowning in frustration, while Kishibe glanced back briefly, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Kang Woo doesn't consider me a threat at all. But the moment he's pissed at someone, he won't forget, Kishibe mused. That guy has a way of making it clear where you stand.
He continued his descent, the weight of the recent chaos lingering in the air, but his demeanor remained steadfast. Unshaken, he headed toward his own business, leaving the others behind.
Back in the meeting room, Prime Minister Kentaro stood frozen, still pale and shaken from the ordeal. The silence was abruptly broken by the sound of the door sliding open. A maid stepped in, her expression concerned yet composed. "Sir, there are reporters gathering outside. They've seen the man called Kang Woo leaving the building. They're rushing toward this place. Should I call law enforcement to manage the situation? You... you look very pale, sir."
Kentaro shook himself from his stupor and straightened up, forcing a semblance of composure. "No need. I'll address them immediately," he said, his tone firm but betraying an underlying unease.
Kentaro turned his gaze toward Yoshida and Fumiko, who stood nearby. "It's time for you to leave. I need to handle the crowds, and I need you to do me a favor," Kentaro said, his expression hardening. His voice grew more serious, the weight of the situation apparent. "Avoid further interactions with Makima and her... monster. If he gets pissed off, it's all over."
Yoshida nodded, his usual calm demeanor steady as he acknowledged the warning. He nudged Fumiko with his elbow, urging her to move. Fumiko, still clutching the wound inflicted by Aki and Himeno, glared at the floor with a mix of frustration and pain. After a moment, she let out a reluctant sigh and muttered, "Yes, I understand," though her tone was sharp, clearly masking her anger.
With a final glance at Kentaro, the two exited, leaving the Prime Minister to face the growing crowd of reporters. As the door shut behind them, Kentaro's composure faltered momentarily, and he let out a shaky breath. His gaze then shifted to Fami, who remained standing, eerily calm amidst the tension.
Kentaro's glare hardened. "You," he said, his voice low and accusatory. "You brought this here. You knew about that monster, didn't you? And still, you—"
Fami didn't flinch. She moved toward the ground, picking up the miniature form of the Falling Devil statue. Her expression was detached, but her eyes glinted with something unreadable. Without a word, she snapped her fingers, and in an instant, she and the statue disappeared, teleporting away instantly .
Kentaro stared at the empty space where Fami had stood, his hands trembling slightly. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to regain composure.
--------------------------------
The streets of Tokyo buzzed with the hum of emergency vehicles and the muted chaos of a city trying to recover their sanity as the unimaginable destruction now vanished instantly . Kang Woo strolled through the the panic Tokyo city as if taking a casual walk, his hands tucked into his pockets. Behind him, Makima followed with her calm, calculating steps . Aki and Himeno trailed close, their postures tense but resolved.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the lingering silence.
"Oyyy, Kang Woo! My contractor, are you forgetting our deal?!" The Angel Devil's voice carried a mix of irritation and mockery as they appeared from behind, arms crossed in feigned indignation. "You suddenly left me with those old men in suits! What kind of partner does that?"
Kang Woo stopped in his tracks, turning his head slightly with a faint smirk. "If I stayed for another minute in that exposed meeting room," he said, his tone dry but laced with amusement, "I might've sunk Japan and turned it into the next Atlantis. So, I left. You're welcome."
The Angel Devil blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Kang Woo's nonchalant remark, before throwing his hands up. "Unbelievable. You can't just—"
Before they could finish, Aki interjected, his voice sharp with exasperation. "Aren't your theatrics by summoning monsters in the sky already enough?"
Kang Woo turned fully, his crimson multi-pupiled eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light. His grin widened, exposing a hint of mischief. "Nope."
Makima chuckled softly, her voice smooth and teasing as she addressed Aki. "Aki-kun, you need to open your mind if you want to deal with him."
Aki's expression soured, his frustration barely contained. "Open my mind? That's easy for you to say. You're the one encouraging him."
Himeno stepped in with a smirk, lighting a cigarette. "Relax, Aki. You might actually learn something from the guy. Or… he'll just drive you insane first." She exhaled a puff of smoke, her tone light but carrying a hint of sarcasm.
The Angel Devil sighed dramatically, waving his hand as if to dismiss the tension. "Fine, whatever. But next time, don't leave me behind. Do you even know how boring those bureaucrats are? They think their egos can scare me. Spoiler alert—they can't."
Kang Woo gave a small laugh, the sound low and rumbling. "Noted. But if you want me to take you seriously, don't complain about suits when you wear one so casually."
The group moved forward, their dynamic a mix of tension and banter. Above them, the sky, now clear of the eldritch horrors, seemed to mock the destruction that had just been erased.
Makima's gaze flickered toward Kang Woo, her expression unreadable as she observed him interacting so effortlessly with the group. "So, what's next, my King?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of curiosity.
Before kang woo gonna answer , The rain came suddenly, a soft drizzle turning into a steady downpour that soaked the streets of Tokyo.
Himeno let out a dramatic groan, staring at the sky as drops extinguished the faint glow of her cigarette. "Ahh, my cigarette time is snuffed out. Rain usually means something's happening. Maybe Japan really will turn into Atlantis—though, to be honest, I still don't know what Atlantis even is," she joked, a sly grin on her face.
Aki gave her a flat look, brushing water off his face. "Himeno-senpai, are you drunk?"
Himeno smirked, tossing the wet cigarette aside. "Not yet, but I will be drunk tonight," she teased, her tone as carefree as the rain cascading around her.
Makima, unfazed by the sudden weather, raised a hand. With a flicker of darkness manipulation, a sleek, shadowy umbrella materialized above Kang Woo, shielding him from the rain. "Here," she said softly, her yellow-ringed eyes meeting his.
Kang Woo glanced at the umbrella, then shook his head with a faint smile. "No need. I want to feel the rain this time. Let it embrace me."
Without hesitation, Makima snapped her fingers, the umbrella dissolving into nothing. She stood beside him, her pristine composure untouched as the rain soaked through her hair and clothes. "Then I'll embrace it too," she said, dismissing any semblance of protection.
Makima's fingers twitched again, and umbrellas appeared above Aki, Himeno, and the Angel Devil, the dark constructs shielding them from the relentless downpour.
Himeno smirked, peeking up at her new shadowy shield. "Makima, you're really helpful, you know that?" she teased, her tone carrying a playful edge.
Makima didn't respond, her focus remaining on Kang Woo as the two of them stood side by side, rain cascading down their faces. For a moment, the chaotic energy surrounding them seemed to quiet, leaving only the sound of rain pattering against the empty streets.
The Angel Devil sighed, casually spinning the umbrella with their finger. "You two enjoying your dramatic moment or something?"
Himeno chuckled. "Let them have it. It's not every day you see a maniac enjoying a walk in the rain."
Aki shook his head, muttering under his breath, This group is going to drive me insane.
Suddenly, a voice broke the calm, muttering to itself as it approached. "If I remember correctly, the forecast said noon with clear skies… But before this, I saw those monstrosities covering the sky."
A young woman rounded the corner, her gaze fixed on the ground until she accidentally bumped into Kang Woo. She stumbled back, freezing when her eyes met his. His three-pupiled crimson gaze, surrounded by dark sclera, bore into her like a force of nature. She gulped, her thoughts spiraling in panic. Why do his eyes look just like the monsters covering the sky earlier?
The woman raised her hands defensively, her voice trembling. "Sir, please don't kill me if I've offended you! I'm terribly—"
Before she could finish, Himeno burst into laughter, doubling over. "Huahahaha! Kang Woo, my guess was right! You really do look like a monster now."
Kang Woo's gaze lingered on the woman for a moment, then softened. His eyes returned to their normal state—one pupil glowing crimson—his sclera shifting back to white. In his thoughts, he assessed the woman. This is Reze. Probably shouldn't terrify her on our first meeting.
With calm movements, Kang Woo bent down to pick up a discarded plastic bottle from the ground. Holding it in his hands, he closed his palms together. When he opened them again, a small, delicate bunny made of pure white fur sat in his hands, twitching its nose.
The woman gasped, her fear melting into surprise and awe. "Wahhhh, mister, you're not too scary after all! And you can do street performer tricks like a magician! I wonder if magic is real…"
Makima watched the scene unfold, her gaze lingering on Kang Woo. Her thoughts, however, were far from lighthearted. My King deactivated his Almighty and created life from a trash bottle. His reality warping is both terrifying and beautiful—an unfathomable balance, depending entirely on his mood.
Kang Woo handed the bunny to the woman without a word, his expression unreadable. She hesitated but carefully cradled the tiny creature in her hands, her earlier panic forgotten.
"You're… amazing," she whispered, her voice tinged with admiration and confusion. After a pause, she added, "My name is Reze, and you, mister, managed to capture this young girl's attention."
Reze glanced at the rain falling steadily around them and continued, "Still raining, huh? Mister, how about you come to the café where I work? Futamichi. I'll treat you as thanks—"
Before she could finish, Kang Woo ignored her, raising his hand to craft something out of thin air. A faint hum resonated as a negative energy detector materialized in his palm, glowing faintly before an arrow appeared above his head, pointing off into the distance. Without hesitation, Kang Woo began walking forward, his focus entirely on the arrow.
Makima followed his lead, turning slightly to Reze. "Thank you, but as you can see, my King is busy," she said with a polite but distant tone.
Aki raised an eyebrow, glancing at the glowing arrow above Kang Woo's head. "Not the strangest thing I've seen today," he muttered.
Himeno chuckled, lighting another cigarette despite the rain. "I've changed my mind. He really could create a hundred beers if he wanted." She nudged Aki with her elbow. "Aki, we've got to ask Kang Woo how to spawn beers and cigarettes. It's practically a life skill at this point."
Aki sighed. "Sure, sure, Himeno-senpai. Whatever you say."
The Angel Devil, following behind, spoke in their usual sarcastic tone. " Is my contractor finally going to grant what we agreed on, or is he just finding new ways to prolong it?"
As the group moved further away, already three meters from Reze, she called out, raising her voice to ensure she was heard over the rain. "Mr. Kang Woo, I'm going to treat you if you come to my café! You better come, all right, Mr. Kang Woo?"
Makima turned her head slightly toward Kang Woo, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "That Reze woman could be a candidate for your harem," she teased smoothly. "Or perhaps your second wife or concubine. As your first wife, it's my duty to sort out what kind of co-wives are worthy of being by your side."
Kang Woo's expression remained calm, though his lips curved into a faint grin. "Priorities first. I need to find the largest source of negative energy or a conduit nearby."
As the group continued forward, the negative energy detector in Kang Woo's hand suddenly began emitting a distinct sound: thuuut, thuuut, thuuut, thuuut. His gaze locked onto the building ahead of them. It was none other than Futamichi Café.
Makima raised an eyebrow, her teasing smirk deepening. "Are you here to hunt for women, or are you sticking to your priorities?"
Kang Woo's grin widened slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Both, actually. Bonus and luck come to the winner."
The group exchanged glances, Aki shaking his head while Himeno stifled a laugh. The Angel Devil sighed, muttering under his breath. "This is going to be a long day…"
Suddenly, a faint whoosh echoed through the rain as Kobeni approached from a distance, skating effortlessly across the wet streets using her ice abilities—a gift granted to her by Kang Woo. Her usually timid voice rang out as she neared. "Kang Woo! I'm sorry for leaving you with those suits in the meeting room. They were… really annoying."
Kobeni came to a halt, her cheeks slightly flushed from exertion and nerves. "But to make up for it…" She opened her bag, revealing a neatly packed container. "I managed to create the best ramen I've ever made!"
Kang Woo's expression softened slightly as he reached out and ruffled Kobeni's hair, his touch surprisingly gentle. "The best chef in the world, and now you're on Uraume's tier. I see," he said with a grin.
Kobeni blinked in confusion, her face turning redder. "Uraume? Who's that?"
Kang Woo waved it off casually. "Forget about it. What matters is that your ice abilities are showing very good mastery now. Impressive."
Kobeni's lips quivered as she nodded, her embarrassment apparent. "Th-thank you, Kang Woo…"
Makima, watching the interaction with a smirk, chimed in, her tone laced with teasing. "I guess Reze is going to be your third wife, then."
Kang Woo glanced at Makima, his grin returning. "Probably," he replied .
Kobeni's face turned even redder as she fumbled with the ramen container, unsure of how to respond.
Himeno, meanwhile, leaned over to Aki, chuckling softly. "I swear, he's collecting wives like it's a hobby. What's next, an official roster?"
Aki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm not even going to try to make sense of this anymore."
Kang Woo's grin lingered as the group entered the cozy but somewhat dimly lit café. The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the sound of rain outside, giving the place a melancholic charm.
Behind the counter, the café's boss, a grizzled older man with a towel slung over his shoulder, looked up from wiping a mug. "Welcome. Just so you know, we're short on waitstaff right now, so if you order, you'll have to pick up your food at the counter."
Kang Woo ignored the explanation, his gaze sharp as he scanned the place. "How much for this café?"
The boss froze mid-wipe, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What?!" In his thoughts, panic and confusion swirled. Is there seriously someone interested in buying this place? To be honest, business has been terrible. The only thing keeping this afloat is Reze bringing in a few customers.
Kang Woo snapped his fingers sharply, the sound echoing through the room. "Yo, eyes on me. I asked—how much for this café?"
The boss hesitated, his hands gripping the counter. "Fifteen million yen," he said finally, his voice trembling slightly. "That includes the property and furnishings."
Himeno's eyes narrowed as she stepped forward, jabbing a finger toward the boss. "Are you kidding? This place barely gets any customers! You're ripping him off, you cheapskate!"
The boss smirked, his confidence suddenly returning. "That's my price. Take it or leave it," he said, crossing his arms, though the sweat forming on his brow betrayed his unease.
Before Himeno could retort, Kang Woo calmly raised a hand. With a flick of his wrist, a heavy thud reverberated through the room as a 2-kilogram gold bar embedded itself into the wall beside the boss, sinking partway into the wood.
The café fell silent. The boss's mouth hung open as he stared at the gleaming gold, his face pale.
Kang Woo's dark sclera eyes glowed faintly as he spoke, his voice low and commanding. "That's my offer. Take it or leave it."
The boss swallowed hard, realizing the weight of the situation. "Y-yes, sir," he stammered, quickly straightening. "Let me prepare the documents right away." He scurried toward the back, his bravado completely deflated.
Himeno leaned back, crossing her arms with a satisfied smirk. "Now that's how you handle cheapskates." She glanced at Aki, grinning. "You taking notes, Aki?"
Aki sighed, shaking his head. "At this point, nothing surprises me anymore."
Makima's calm voice broke through. "That gold bar is two kilograms and of very high quality. At current rates, it's probably worth around 29 million yen." She glanced at Kang Woo with an arched brow. "From what I see, you just paid nearly double the café's asking price. Quite over the top."
Himeno blinked, her smirk faltering slightly. "Ehh? Then what's the point of—"
Kang Woo interrupted, his tone casual yet deliberate. "Dramatic entrance first. Money can come later."
Makima nodded knowingly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "As expected."
Himeno rubbed the back of her neck, her expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "I swear, everything about you is unnecessarily extra."
( note :looks like there wont be a double chapter since i was too sick also stay way from corona chan )