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

(5000 words)

( double chapter will come in another 6 or 7 hours ) 

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes locked with Kang Woo's void-like gaze, the tension between them palpable. Behind Kang Woo stood the three massive wooden doors, two of which were already open, releasing waves of crimson-red oceans that flooded his inner world. Kobeni, her face pale and her body trembling, desperately used her ice abilities to seal the third door. She remained silent, fully aware that if Kang Woo completed his chant and the third door opened, everything—their world would be doomed.

Makima, her mind racing, thought bitterly, I'm completely outmatched. Kang Woo's power… it's beyond anything now. He must have broken through to level 200 or higher. He consumed something again , and the being he just crushed… She glanced at Dormammu, still being choked by Kang Woo. That's Dormammu. And he's nothing more than dust in Kang Woo's hands.

With a guttural growl, Kang Woo's grip tightened. Dormammu, once the feared ruler of the Dark Dimension, disintegrated into a fine mist, his essence vanishing into nothingness. Kang Woo turned his hollow gaze to the vortex surrounding them, his voice calm yet filled with ominous authority. "Sunset."

The sky, once darkened by a crimson hue, now turned pitch black as demonic energy swirled above like a storm. Flames of Voracity erupted from the heavens, resembling a blackened sun. The flames rained down with terrifying force, pouring onto Makima like an endless, burning downpour.

Makima barely had time to react as the torrent of destructive energy struck her, sending her flying backward with incredible force. She broke through the vortex, her body crashing through the chaotic waves of Kang Woo's inner world. Blood spilled from her mouth as she coughed violently, the pain radiating through her body.

I once joked that one day we'd settle it in an arena, Makima thought bitterly, her vision blurred from the impact. It seems my foolish wish has come true. But this isn't the Kang Woo I know. This isn't the man who protected me. She swallowed the blood pooling in her throat. This Kang Woo… he's fighting with the intent to kill me.

As she plummeted toward the sea of blood below, she prepared herself to cushion the impact. But the sea, unlike its previous violent and chaotic state, seemed to submit to her presence. Its surface was calm, as if it had entered a neutral state, and it gently cradled Makima as she landed. She blinked in confusion, the strange behavior of the sea adding to the surreality of the moment.

Suddenly, the sound of reality itself cracking filled the air. Makima's heart sank as Kang Woo stepped through the fissure, his immense presence looming over her like a god descending from the heavens. Behind him, the three massive doors floated ominously, the crimson ocean behind him churning violently. Kobeni clung desperately to the third door, her ice abilities struggling to keep it sealed.

Kang Woo's eyes bore into Makima, his voice dripping with disdain as he addressed her. "Nobodies like you don't belong here."

Makima gritted her teeth, forcing herself to her feet despite the immense pain wracking her body. She locked eyes with Kang Woo, her expression a mixture of determination and sorrow. "Kang Woo… I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to bring you back." Her voice was firm, yet there was an undeniable tremor of emotion behind her words.

Kang Woo tilted his head slightly, his expression devoid of recognition. "Bring me back?" He laughed darkly, the sound echoing across the blood-red sea. "There's nothing to bring back. I am exactly where I belong."

As his words hung in the air, the flames surrounding him intensified, casting an eerie glow across the battlefield. Behind him, Kobeni's voice trembled as she shouted, "Makima! I can't hold this door much longer!"

Makima's sharp eyes flicked toward Kang Woo's back, where she saw a towering castle. It loomed over the blood-red sea, its spires adorned with swirling , casting an ominous red light over the darkened sky. The structure seemed to defy all logic, as if it were tethered to the fabric of the universe itself.( img here) 

Makima's thoughts raced. The red sea… it's responding to his emotions. Right now, he's curious. Maybe… just maybe… I can reach him.

A low chuckle escaped her lips, slowly escalating into a dark, mocking laugh. "Kuhuhu… ahahahaha!" The eerie sound echoed across the sea, reverberating against the castle and resonating within Kang Woo's inner world.

Kang Woo's expression flickered for a moment, irritation flashing in his crimson eyes. "What's so funny, third-rate character?" he asked, his tone sharp and mocking, dripping with disdain.

Makima steadied herself, wiping the blood from her mouth with deliberate precision as her smirk grew wider. "It's just… amusing," she began, her voice carrying an air of challenge. "It's like a fairy tale. A wretched being like me—an invalid in your eyes—was promoted by none other than the Demon King himself. I became his first wife."

Her words seemed to cut through Kang Woo's composure, though his face betrayed nothing. He remained silent, but a strange flicker of confusion passed through his crimson gaze. Something about her words… felt familiar, like a missing puzzle piece struggling to fit into the fragmented memories swirling within him.

Makima's sharp instincts kicked in as she noticed the subtle shift in his demeanor. She pressed on, her tone softening slightly. "And that Demon King… is you, Kang Woo."

The red sea stilled momentarily, the swirling chaos seeming to pause as if holding its breath. Makima's darkness manipulation, which had been suppressed, began to return. She felt its energy gathering around her once more, albeit faintly.

Kang Woo's gaze sharpened, his voice laced with both intrigue and mockery. "Under normal circumstances, I would kill you without a second thought. But for a nobody like you to dare say such things…" He paused, tilting his head slightly, his tone growing darker. "There must be something wrong in your head."

His words hung in the air like a challenge as he raised Chaos Excalibur, its dark energy pulsating menacingly. "I won't even waste my magic on someone like you. Attack whenever you like, and once you're satisfied, get lost."

Makima's gaze locked with Kang Woo's as her memories flooded back like waves crashing against a shore. Each flash of her past fueled her determination. The first memory was of Aokigahara Forest, when she was on the brink of death before Kang Woo had saved her. Then, fleeting but cherished moments with her former subordinates—Aki, Himeno, and even Kishibe—flashed through her mind. She even recalled her training with the Ancient One, the wise mentor who taught her to manipulate the very fabric of space and time.

But the final memory was the one she held closest to her heart. It was the last meaningful conversation she had with Kang Woo before his berserk transformation:

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Kang Woo's smirk softened slightly, and he looked at Makima with a hint of amusement. "Tell me, you've got one soul in your body, right?"

Makima raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Of course. Are you seriously asking that? Every sentient being has just one soul."

"Exactly," Kang Woo continued, unfazed by her teasing. "But with just that one soul, using your Soul Dominion Enchantment trait, you managed to steal my Zogratis Legacy Magic. The grimoire moved its allegiance to you, even though you're only at half my level."

Makima blinked, genuinely surprised. "Really? It actually moved to me?" She let out a skeptical laugh. "I mean, I'm level 45, and you're—well, you're twice that."

Kang Woo chuckled, leaning slightly closer. "The reason the book shined brighter when I held it is because my soul is always battle-ready. Plus, there's a little difference between us. Right now, I carry around 10 million souls in my body."

Makima recalled the fleeting, ghostly movements she'd once seen in his pinky finger, and her eyes widened slightly. Kang Woo leaned in further, smirking. "Congrats. Your one soul? Turns out it's worth more than 10 million of mine."

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The flashback ended, and Makima's hand snapped up, forming the shape of a finger pistol. Her movements were deliberate, her focus razor-sharp. She infused a part of her own soul into the attack, combining her Control Ability with Warp Space Matter Magic. Her voice was calm yet laced with resolve as she whispered, "Bang."

A gleaming Soul Bullet shot from her fingertips, streaking toward Kang Woo with incredible precision. It hit its mark, striking him in the chest with a resounding impact.

Kang Woo barely flinched, his crimson eyes narrowing as he gazed at the point of impact. "What are you trying to achieve?" he asked, his tone cold and unimpressed.

Suddenly, something shifted. From the point where the Soul Bullet struck, a soul chain materialized, glowing faintly as it extended from Kang Woo's chest and connected to Makima's. The connection between them was palpable, their energies entwining in a way that even Kang Woo couldn't immediately decipher.

His thoughts raced. Is she trying to drain my mana? No, impossible—both my mana and demonic energy are infinite. They can't be reduced. No… she's trying—

Makima smirked, her voice steady as she interrupted his thoughts. "That's right. I'm not trying to drain you—I'm trying to rob you. The ability you've always called the Almighty Ability."

Kang Woo's eyes widened slightly, but then he smiled, a rare flicker of genuine amusement breaking through his stern demeanor. Fucking girl… he thought to himself, his smirk returning as he silently admired her audacity.

Kang Woo smirked, a flicker of genuine amusement in his crimson eyes as he felt the pull from the soul chain still connecting him to Makima. Her audacity was undeniable, and it brought a rare, almost twisted smile to his face. Fucking girl, he thought again, marveling at her defiance.

He raised his hand, activating Purgatorial Storm. A massive dome of chaos erupted in front of him, obliterating everything within a 6-kilometer radius. The storm mirrored the horrors of Purgatory itself—scorching heat, freezing cold, and toxic ground, all warped by distorted time. Inside, one minute in reality stretched into an agonizing year of suffering. Yet, the dome was precisely directed, sparing Kobeni, who still clung desperately to the third door, struggling to keep it sealed.

Makima, however, bore the brunt of the storm. Her breathing grew labored, each exhale a painful mix of frost and fire as the chaotic environment battered her body. Yet, despite the agony, the soul chain remained taut, connecting her to Kang Woo.

Kang Woo's gaze flicked to his hand, now slightly damaged, a sliver of blood trickling down his knuckles. His smirk returned as he realized her ploy. Ah, the nobody shares her damage with me through the chain… Clever, he mused.

Makima, still clinging to the soul chain, hung on despite the impossible odds. Her body trembled from the torment, but her thoughts remained sharp. It's impossible to rob his abilities outright, she acknowledged silently. But at least I can reinforce the chain.

Kang Woo, unimpressed, waved his hand. The red sea parted beneath Makima, revealing a massive, endless abyss. The gaping maw of the void threatened to swallow her whole as the soul chain began to loosen.

"Give up and accept your fate," Kang Woo commanded, his tone final and absolute.

The chain slackened as Makima began to sink, the abyss pulling her down. Kang Woo turned his back, satisfied that this would end her. But as he prepared to sever their connection entirely, something felt off. His instincts flared as he sensed movement—her trajectory didn't follow the natural pull of the abyss.

No… she's not sinking. She's—

Makima used the momentum of the storm and the trajectory of her fall to propel herself directly toward Kang Woo, the soul chain acting as her anchor. She crashed into him with force, her body slamming into his with enough impact to make him stumble. His hand reflexively reached out, catching her wrist mid-motion as her fingers formed the telltale shape of a pistol aimed directly at his face.

Chaos Excalibur materialized in Kang Woo's other hand, its edge pressing coldly against Makima's neck, a silent threat. Both remained locked in the moment, their faces inches apart, the storm raging around them.

Makima abandoned her finger-pistol gesture and instead pressed Chaos Excalibur deeper against her neck, drawing a thin line of blood. Her voice was calm yet heavy with emotion as she spoke. "It's okay, Kang Woo. It's okay if you want to kill me. If you hold a grudge against me… I'll accept it."

Kang Woo's crimson eyes narrowed in confusion. His grip on the sword tightened as he growled, "Are you being suicidal, girl?"

Makima smiled faintly, her yellow-ringed eyes softening. "I'm not suicidal, Kang Woo. I just want to know what I can give you. You already have everything. If I can't give you anything of value, then at least let me bring you back to the loving husband you are."

Kang Woo blinked, and for a moment, something deep within him stirred. A torrent of suppressed memories surged to the surface, unearthing moments he hadn't realized had been buried under layers of demonic energy and chaos. He recalled a day when Makima, furious at his endless teasing, had pressed a finger pistol to his forehead.

"Do it," Kang Woo had said with a mischievous grin. "You're the kind of person who shoots first and asks questions later, aren't you?"

Makima, exasperated, had pinched his cheeks in retaliation, muttering about how infuriating he was. Kang Woo, amused and charmed by her fiery nature, had later bestowed the Commandment of Piety upon her. He remembered saving her at Aokigahara Forest, the fierce determination in her eyes when she declared she wanted to make him her property. It wasn't her power that captivated him—it was the life, the color, the chaos she brought into his otherwise empty, lonely existence.

More memories flooded in. Kang Woo recalled the serenity he'd felt during quiet moments with her, like when they lay side by side in the Millennium Castle. Despite reigning over the Ninth Hell and having everything, he'd always felt a void—his emotions stripped from him during his rise to power. But now, in Makima's presence, that void seemed smaller, less suffocating.

The realization hit him like a wave. It's not about her power. It's not about her ambition. It's her presence—her laughter, her fire, her unwavering devotion. That's what I needed.

Without a word, Kang Woo released Chaos Excalibur. The blade vanished, and with a single motion, he shut all the doors of Myriad Demon Palace. The oppressive red sea and the stormy, chaotic universe around them began to transform. The sea shifted into a tranquil, crimson expanse, reflecting an aurora-filled sky that shimmered with breathtaking colors. The storm subsided, replaced by a serene beauty that mirrored the newfound clarity in Kang Woo's heart.(img here)

He extended his arms, pulling both Makima and Kobeni close. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, his embrace wasn't driven by dominance or power—it was warm, almost gentle.

"I remember you both," Kang Woo said, his voice low but filled with certainty. "You're my wives. The only stars that can light my dark sky."

Tears streamed down Kobeni's cheeks as she buried her face into Kang Woo's chest, her voice trembling. "Welcome back, Kang Woo… my husband. The one who appreciates my cooking."

Makima, her own tears falling freely, looked up at him with a mixture of relief and love. "Welcome back, my Demon King… the one who saved me, who gave me the familial love and hugs I craved. My Kang Woo… the one called Anos Voldigoad."

Despite the raw emotions of the moment, no tears escaped Kang Woo's eyes. His sorrow had been stripped from him, leaving only a quiet understanding. Yet, even without tears, the love and gratitude in his embrace spoke louder than words. In that moment, surrounded by the calm crimson sea and the aurora above, the three of them shared a bond that transcended their struggles—a bond forged in love, ambition, and unshakable devotion.

Kang Woo sat on the tranquil crimson sea, the shimmering aurora casting a surreal glow over him, Makima, and Kobeni. His expression remained calm, though his crimson eyes glinted with faint curiosity. "Did your world blow off because of me, or not?"

Kobeni hesitated, glancing at Makima for reassurance before answering. "About to, actually. The sky… reality itself was tearing apart."

Kang Woo leaned back slightly, his tone almost matter-of-fact. "This is the second time I've opened that door outside the Ninth Hell. Each time, the consequences are... messy." He turned his gaze toward them, his tone now edged with suspicion. "But before we continue—how did you get in here? This place is isolated. No one can access it."

Kobeni immediately looked to Makima, silently urging her to explain. Makima cleared her throat, her voice composed but laced with a hint of nervousness. "Uh… I used the Space Stone and combined it with the Infinity Sling Ring. But it's not just that—it's also because of my connection to you, Kang Woo. Remember? Your Commandment of Piety is embedded in my body and soul."

Kang Woo narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze piercing as he processed her words. After a moment, he smirked faintly. "And you decided to pull that soul chain stunt using that same connection. Trying to bluff me by pretending to rob my Almighty Ability, but in truth… you just wanted to get closer to me." He chuckled softly. "I can't underestimate you anymore, Makima."

Makima's lips curled into a sly smile. "So, does that mean I've earned Lucius' grimoire now?" Her tone was playful, but there was a hint of genuine hope in her voice.

Kang Woo shook his head, his smirk widening. "Nope. Your soul abilities still suck."

Makima's smile twisted into a pout as she reached out and pinched his cheek, much to his mild annoyance. "At least I deserve some kind of reward! I just saved our world—and by default, my universe—from you."

Kang Woo's laughter was deep and quiet, resonating like a low rumble across the serene sea. " Name your reward, Makima."

Makima leaned closer, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming with both mischief and sincerity. "I want what I've always wanted from you, Kang Woo. Stay with me—by my side. Forever."

Kang Woo's crimson eyes softened, the faintest flicker of an emotion he could no longer name crossing his face. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?"

Makima smiled knowingly. "You wouldn't have it any other way."

Kobeni, watching the exchange, finally relaxed, her face breaking into a shy smile. " I guess that means I still have a lot to learn about dealing with a Demon King."

Kang Woo glanced at her, his smirk returning. "You've already earned your place here, Kobeni. Both of you have."

Kang Woo leaned back slightly, his crimson eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he addressed Makima. "Still, there's something you're hiding, Makima. Something you really want to ask. I'm tired of secrets, so just ask."

Makima hesitated for a moment before leaning in closer, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and determination. "Right, Kang Woo. You've always looked at me with pity and love… but I've also seen hate and sadness. I can't help but feel it's directed at me, not Nayuta. May I know why?"

Kang Woo exhaled deeply, his gaze softening as he met her eyes. "I don't hate you, Makima. I genuinely love you. But what I hate… is the fate stored for you. Why you had to be like this—what you had to endure for centuries. You were finally granted what you've wanted, but the world still demands more from you."

Makima's expression darkened, her voice sharp as she said, "Should I kill Gaia? The world itself? Since it's your enemy, then by default, it's mine too. I've realized that the world itself is a damn asshole."

Kang Woo smirked slightly but shook his head. "Gaia can wait. And don't kill it—if you kill Gaia, your world will explode. Fine by me if you want it gone, but I doubt that's what you really want."

Kobeni interjected quickly, her voice trembling. "No, Kang Woo! Not that! I… I still love my world."

Makima sighed and nodded in agreement. "Forget that suggestion. You're right. It's not worth it."

Kang Woo's tone grew more serious as he continued. "The second part of the answer is… my emotions have been stripped from me."

Makima's brows furrowed in confusion. "Stripped? What does that mean?"

Kang Woo's gaze grew distant. "My joy and sorrow… they're gone. For example, if you somehow died—permanently, killed by someone—I wouldn't be able to shed tears. I wouldn't feel anything. As I gained power at an unnatural speed, opened the door behind me , devouring my enemies and growing stronger, I lost more and more parts of myself."

Makima's eyes softened, a twinge of pain crossing her face. "You… can't feel joy or sorrow anymore?"

Kang Woo shook his head slightly. "No. Not in the way I used to. Power has its cost, Makima. And for me, that cost was the ability to truly feel. I gained dominion over my enemies, but I lost what made me… human."

Makima reached out, her hand resting gently on his. "Then we'll find a way, Kang Woo. Together. If we can bring even a sliver of that humanity back to you… we will. You don't have to face this alone anymore."

Kobeni, standing nearby, nodded with quiet determination. "We're here for you. No matter what."

Kang Woo's gaze remained steady, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he listened to Makima's proposal. He let out a deep sigh, shaking his head slightly. "Nope, it's impossible, Makima. I've lived for 10,000 years. Most of that time, I've been consumed by boredom and anger. This path… it's just what comes with it."

Makima, undeterred, leaned closer, her yellow-ringed eyes filled with determination. "Kang Woo, how about this? You live inside me."

Kang Woo blinked, his head tilting slightly. "What?"

Makima smirked faintly. "You become a smaller version of yourself—miniature. You reside inside my body and soul, sleeping or doing whatever it takes to find peace or a solution. At the very least, it's a stalemate. It's an option."

Kang Woo raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lips twitching into a smirk. "Mini me inside you? That's… unconventional."

Before the conversation could continue, Kang Woo placed his hand on Kobeni's shoulder. A faint pulse of energy flowed through her, and suddenly, her abilities surged. A new facet of her ice power awakened.

"Now, don't tell me I'm unfair, all right, Kobeni-chan?" Kang Woo said, his smirk widening slightly. "I've just upgraded you."

Kobeni's eyes widened as she felt the rush of power within her. "Thank you, Kang Woo," she said softly, a mixture of awe and gratitude in her voice.

Turning back to Makima, Kang Woo's expression shifted slightly, his smirk softening. "I don't like the idea of becoming 'mini-me.' Instead, how about this: I compress my heart and embed it into your soul. You'll have two hearts—yours and mine—until I wake up or something pisses me off enough to intervene."

Makima smiled, her voice soft but resolute. "I don't mind, as long as it makes you better."

Kang Woo nodded, his expression becoming thoughtful. "All right, but I'll share something with you first." He bit his finger, drawing a small drop of blood. As it dripped onto the crimson sea, it sizzled and began to spread, creating an intricate pattern.

"Once upon a time," Kang Woo began, his tone steady and calm, "a Quincy King discovered something… unnatural. He could share his spirit with others. Eventually, he found an even more potent method—engraving letters, signifying abilities, directly onto another's soul. By drinking his blood in a ritual, others could inherit fragments of his power. They called it the Schrift."

Makima listened intently, her eyes locked on Kang Woo.

"What I'm about to do for you, Makima, is different but similar," Kang Woo continued. "You'll become my other half. While I rest, you'll hold dominion over demons. You'll be my second-in-command, and I'll grant you a power akin to my Almighty."

Makima's gaze didn't waver as she replied, her voice steady. "I'll carry it with pride, Kang Woo. Whatever it takes to help you and to stay by your side."

Makima's steady gaze never faltered as Kang Woo extended his hand, the crimson drop of his blood glistening on his finger. Without hesitation, she leaned forward and drank it, the taste burning with an otherworldly intensity as it surged through her body.

Kang Woo's crimson eyes glinted as he spoke, his voice firm yet calm. "I bestow upon you Schrift : A, the same as mine. It will be called Age of Gods. Its power, for now, is simple: any ability energy categorized as magic or negative will be nullified the instant it comes into contact with your body. But that's only the beginning. As you learn to understand the multiverse, as you grow stronger, more powers will unlock. It will evolve with you."

Makima felt the energy coursing through her veins, her body adjusting to the overwhelming might of the Schrift. She steadied herself, her voice unwavering. "Didn't you hate gods, Kang Woo? Why name it after them?"

Kang Woo chuckled softly, a rare moment of amusement. "I despise the gods, true. But not their era. The Age of Gods—the time when mortals knew freedom and lived by clear rules, provided the gods were benevolent—was one of the most remarkable eras. The gods themselves are the problem, not what they represented."

Makima smirked, the corner of her lips curling mischievously. "So, you're saying gods are just a bunch of assholes wasting space?"

Kang Woo tilted his head, his smirk matching hers. "Exactly. Just like that."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Speaking of which, I forgot to mention something important about the Almighty ability, Makima. There's a small chance that our Schrifts might swap."

Makima blinked, her smirk fading into confusion. "Swapped? What do you mean?"

Kang Woo leaned back slightly, his crimson eyes sharp with thought. "It means my Almighty might transfer to you, and your Age of Gods could transfer to me. It's a rare occurrence, but given our connection through the Commandment of Piety, it's not impossible." He glanced at Kobeni as well. "Keep this under wraps. Both of you. And that includes you, Kobeni."

Kobeni nodded quickly, her expression tense. Makima frowned slightly. "Why keep it secret?"

Kang Woo smirked again, his voice calm but with an edge. "Because Almighty is an instant-win power in most situations. If the world learned about it . they'd go insane trying to comprehend it."

Makima raised an eyebrow, her tone almost teasing. "Aki and Himeno are already insane enough for following you. But… what makes this Almighty so overwhelming?"

Kang Woo's tone shifted, becoming more instructional. "The first primary ability of Almighty is future observation. It allows me to see all possible futures simultaneously, as if I'm observing countless grains of sand blowing in the wind. I can act accordingly, using the knowledge I gain to anticipate and counter any opponent."

Makima tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "… like the Future Devil? It can see the future too."

Kang Woo rolled his eyes. "Don't insult me. That's a third-rate power. An invalid. Almighty doesn't just see the future—it transforms it."

"Transforms it?" Kobeni asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Kang Woo said, his voice taking on an ominous tone. "Future transformation. It's the second ability. It means I can alter the future itself. For example, let's say Angel Devil's head suddenly gets smashed, or Aki gets stabbed during training. It doesn't matter if those events haven't happened yet—I simply do them in the future, and they become reality instantly."

Kobeni gulped, her hands trembling slightly. "That's terrifying…"

Makima nodded, her tone serious. "That really is an instant-win power, Kang Woo. How do you even counter something like that?"

Kang Woo shrugged. "You can't. But it's not all-powerful. It only works where I have a chance to win. And places without time, like the Demonic Sea, render it useless."

He smirked as he added, "Makima, you can tell anyone about Almighty if you want. Watching the world spiral into insanity might actually be interesting. But Kobeni? Not you."

Kobeni blinked in surprise. "Why not me?"

Kang Woo chuckled, his crimson eyes glinting mischievously. "Because you're a lucky duck, and I like it."

Kobeni's face scrunched up in mock frustration. "I'm a bit jealous, Kang Woo. Why does Makima get to have all the fun?"

Ignoring her complaint, Kang Woo turned back to Makima. "Now, let's move on to the third ability of Almighty—Instant Adaptability."

Makima's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "Will Age of Gods have sub-powers like that? It's quite enticing to have multiple abilities from one Schrift."

Kang Woo shrugged. "Maybe. I'm not sure yet. But let me explain Instant Adaptability: anything that attempts to harm me is rendered powerless. The Almighty immediately adapts to any threat, making me impervious to harm in every way. In simpler terms, everything I see becomes powerless before me."

Makima blinked, her usually calm demeanor slipping into one of incredulity. "That's the most cheating ability I've ever seen in my entire life."

Kang Woo smirked. "There are plenty more ridiculous abilities out there. You'll need to broaden your perspective as we travel together, Makima. Trust me, you've only scratched the surface."

Makima crossed her arms, still processing the sheer absurdity of the Almighty. "What happens if Almighty gets transferred to me ? "

Kang Woo's expression shifted into one of mild curiosity. "That's the real question, isn't it? I don't know if you'd be able to wield it at full power or just access fragments of its abilities. The transfer would be temporary—when I wake up, everything would return to normal. But if it does switch… well, I guess we'll find out together."

Makima smirked, her confidence returning. " If it happens, I'll make sure to put your Almighty to good use."

Kobeni, still sulking slightly, muttered, "Maybe you should try sharing it with me, Kang Woo. Just once."

Kang Woo chuckled lightly at Kobeni's suggestion. "No, Kobeni-chan. You already have an overpowered ability I unlocked for you—Severed World. You'll figure it out eventually."

Kobeni tilted her head, confused but intrigued. "Severed World?"

"You'll see soon enough," Kang Woo said with a smirk, leaving her both curious and slightly nervous.

Makima, ready to return home, slid her Infinity Sling Ring over her finger and attempted to open a portal. She gestured confidently, but nothing happened. The air remained still, unyielding.

"It's not working?" Makima muttered, her brow furrowing.

Kang Woo crossed his arms, his expression amused. "It's a one-way trip, Makima. The Demonic Sea isn't your typical realm. You don't leave unless I allow it."

With a wave of his hand, Kang Woo activated his Authority of Gates. Instead of a portal, a jagged crack in reality appeared, sharp and shimmering like shattered glass suspended in the air. The edges of the crack glowed with faint, chaotic energy, radiating Kang Woo's immense power.

Makima stared at the fractured reality, her sharp instincts immediately noticing the difference. "That's not a normal gate… It's more destructive."

Kang Woo examined the crack with a faint grin. "Looks like my Authority just got upgraded. Probably means 35 percent of my power has returned."

Makima's eyes widened. "Thirty percent? Just how powerful are you going to be when you hit 50 percent?"

Kang Woo didn't answer directly. Instead, he smiled knowingly, a mixture of mystery and confidence on his face. "You'll find out when the time comes."

Makima sighed but couldn't help smirking at his arrogance. Kobeni, still trying to process what "Severed World" meant, followed closely behind as the three of them stepped through the jagged gateway, leaving the crimson sea and aurora-lit sky behind.

The reality around them shifted, and with every step, the trio moved closer to their home.