The hallway stretched quiet and dim, bathed in the low hum of fluorescent lights. Kang Woo and Makima walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. The air between them was thick — not hostile, but heavy with the weight of what had just unfolded. Makima opened her mouth, ready to speak,
but Kang Woo beat her to it. His tone was calm — too calm. "I'm not mad," he said, eyes forward. "Not even angry. But I'll admit… this is the boldest move you've ever made. And if you lose, I'll be the one to take the backlash — all of it."
Makima's composure faltered, her voice trembling just slightly. "Then why accept it, Kang Woo? This isn't what I wanted. I just wanted to be closer to you — not for you to throw your life away. I am very, very s—"
"Enough apologies," Kang Woo cut in gently, though his tone carried quiet gravity. He stopped walking, turning toward her. His gaze softened just a little. "Let me explain my point of view first. I'll make it clear enough so you understand."
Makima swallowed, voice tight. "I need to speak plainly. This is what the Black King wants , puts you in the most danger. I only tried to lessen your burden. I wanted to gather strength so I could catch up to you, not escalate things into a gamble like this. If I lose… I don't know if I could forgive myself for putting my husband at risk."
Kang Woo's gaze drifted past her for a moment, distant and stony. "You know what I am—planets, territories, practically unlimited mana and demonic energy. People who challenge me tend to lose. The only time I lost wasn't in a fair fight — it was an ambush. Quick, dirty, and sudden.
Kang Woo's gaze hardened, his tone calm but unwavering. "In a normal fight, they only ever have one outcome—to lose themselves." He let the words linger, then continued with quiet conviction.
"But Makima… I am your foundation. You carry my name now, and this circumstance can't be avoided in the coming confrontations with what lies out there. The moment you became my wife, the universe took notice. Countless beings will come for you—entities that exist even beyond logic—because challenging the Demon King's first wife is how they'll try to measure their worth."
He took a slow step closer, his voice steady and deliberate. "And I just killed Dis—the Crimson King. The ultimate De facto of evil is gone."
His eyes met hers, softer now, but still burning with purpose. "Whether you win or lose isn't what matters. What matters is that you grow stronger. Every day. Make sure you're better than the version of yourself from the day before."
Makima's breath trembled as tears welled in her eyes. She wiped them away slowly, touched—because beneath all his steel and chaos, she could feel the truth in his words.
"But it doesn't change the fact," she said softly, "that if the Black King wins, his plan to free himself—and kill you—will come that much closer."
Kang Woo exhaled, calm but firm. "It won't. I already know his pattern. And Makima, remember this—if you ever lose a fight one day, make sure you don't die. I can resurrect you easily enough… but dying too often isn't healthy."
Makima's eyes widened slightly. "You can… resurrect me?"
Kang Woo nodded, voice steady but serious. "Yes, I can. But that's not the point. Dying and coming back messes with your head. Makes you a little whacko. So, if possible—try to avoid that, alright?"
Makima hesitated, her gaze lowering slightly. " I did die multiple times before," she admitted quietly. "Back when I still had my damage transferal contract."
Kang Woo gave a faint, humorless smile. "That's different , Transferal damage isn't the same as being killed directly. Some gods can end you outright." His tone hardened, carrying quiet warning. "So make sure you don't visit the afterlife too often before I bring you back.
In the lab section, the air was quiet except for the faint hum of machines. The Black King leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, arms folded, looking like he was either asleep—or bored enough to destroy the room.
Power broke the silence first, groaning dramatically. "What's taking them so long? I'm hungry!"
Kobeni glanced nervously at her. "Uh, Power-chan, I already gave you sausage and ramen earlier. Shouldn't that be enough?"
Power slammed her fists on the table, puffing her chest proudly. "More meat! More rameeen! And all for Power!"
Himeno sighed, leaning back with a half-smile. "Honestly, it's probably a good thing they're taking their time. Aki and I already have a feeling about what their 'solution' might be… and it's terrifying."
Aki exhaled, trying to stay calm. "Himeno-senpai, that's probably just your imagination. Makima-san wouldn't be that reckless." He paused, then added dryly, "Though… Kang Woo's bad influence already knocked a few points off her intelligence."
The glass door hissed open, cutting through the low hum of the lab. Kang Woo and Makima stepped inside, their presence heavy enough to still the room.
Aki immediately approached, tension written across his face. "Makima-san, think about this. if Kang Woo ever loses control, we're all dead. Gone. No second chances."
Makima didn't even glance at him. Her eyes were fixed on the Black King. "I accept, Black Shit. Let's get this over with."
Himeno groaned under her breath. "Sensei… you got any liquor? I think I want to drink as much as I can before we die—since apparently the third maniac is Makima-san herself."
Without a word, Kishibe reached into his coat, pulled out a silver flask, and handed it over. "Brought a spare. Every time Kang Woo shows up, my nerves need therapy."
Himeno took it, clinking her flask against his. "Can't argue with that."
Both of them tilted their heads back and drank, the burn of alcohol marking their quiet toast to impending madness.
The Black King opened one eye, a knowing smile curling across his face.
Kang Woo straightened and said, "I still hold half of the system's core. I'm about to make a small… modification."
The Black King's grin deepened. He already knew Kang Woo was clever—using the Quest System like this was dangerous. The system itself could be exploited by its administrators, especially by the Black King, who served as both its source and counterpart to Kang Woo. Binding Makima to its rewards and penalties through such a contract was unprecedented; she had never been placed in a condition like this before.
This kind of power was never meant for an NPC-class being—it was reserved for higher entities. In simple terms, Makima could be given impossible conditions by the Black King himself, ensuring her loss by default. Kang Woo's presence was vital; as a full-fledged higher being, he was one of the few capable of modifying the Quest parameters if Makima were to be cheated—or granting her certain advantages to even the odds.
The Black King chuckled under his breath. " We both own half and half anyway—ever since your reactive evolution managed to rob a slice of mine."
He snapped his fingers. The air rippled violently, and words—ancient, alien, eldritch—unfolded before Makima like veins of burning light. The Division 4 members watched in awe and confusion; none of them could read a single symbol. Only Kang Woo and Makima could understand the impossible language written across the air.
The text shimmered, forming into coherent words that carried divine authority.
[Black King Type Quest]
Title: The Complete Philosopher's Stone
Description:
Ah, how adorable. The Control Devil—now half Quincy, half Commandment hybrid, and a full-time lunatic by association—dares to challenge me, the Black King, in alchemy.
She doesn't even understand the foundations of magic. No runic sequences, no mana lattice, no structural formulas. Her spells? Hand-me-downs from that madman Kang Woo—Hellblaze and Quincy Art, two incompatible forces stitched together by sheer audacity. And yet, here she stands, trying to outdo a god.
Pathetic… but amusing.
-If Makima can surpass me—even by one miserable percent—in crafting a true Philosopher's Stone, I lose.
-But if she fails to even scratch the surface… she loses, and I win. Simple.
Reward (if she wins):
Makima will ascend from Devil to Player, gaining direct access to the system itself. Should I, in my infinite generosity, find a god or alien being capable of replicating the Architect's test once given to Jin Woo, she will receive her parameters immediately .
Penalty (if she loses):
Kang Woo must release me at will, unchained and free to move beyond his sea . My leash expands to 500 meters, and no mortal, devil, or fool will perceive me unless I desire it.
Comment:
Honestly, I'm doing this for the comedy. Watching a Devil try alchemy is like watching a caveman build a starship.
Choice: [Y/N] (One-time only, signed with your own blood)
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Makima stood frozen, the glowing symbols still pulsing before her eyes like living veins of light . Her fate, her evolution, and her chance to stand beside Kang Woo as his equal all balanced on one impossible choice.
Aki's voice broke the silence, cautious but urgent. "Makima-san… what does it say? Those words in front of you—what do they mean?"
Makima gave a small, bitter smile, sarcasm slipping into her tone. "If I lose," she said dryly, "I'm basically making Kang Woo's life even worse than it already is."
Himeno took a long drink from her flask, eyes half-lidded. "Oh shit…" she muttered under her breath.
Kishibe, sitting cross-legged beside her, raised his own flask in grim agreement. "Oh fuck," he corrected flatly. "That's more accurate."
Makima bit into her thumb, crimson welling against her teeth, and pressed it to the glowing sigils. The eldritch script pulsed—hungry—and accepted the offering. The air warped as the contract sealed itself, the words shifting and rearranging midair into a countdown:
[Preparation Period: 1 Day Remaining]
Time Limit: 23:59:59
Note: The Black King must remain outside the hotel for the duration. Due to the Eternity Devil's localized time dilation, one day inside equals roughly two minutes outside.
The light dimmed. Silence followed.
The Black King's grin widened, jagged and knowing.. He could feel the tampering—small, deliberate. Kang Woo had rewritten a line of the Quest, tilting the odds ever so slightly in Makima's favor.
Still clinging to hope, the Black King mused darkly. He truly believes she might succeed. His eyes flickered with cruel amusement. But it's impossible. She barely grasps the foundation of magic. That idealism of yours… that'll be your undoing, Demon King of Tyranny—Anos Voldigoad.
A low, rising laughter rumbled from his chest—deep, hollow, and endless. His body began to distort, his form collapsing inward as the air around him warped violently. Space folded like paper, dragging light itself toward him.
In seconds, the Black King's entire figure became a spiraling void—a black hole of writhing darkness consuming itself. His voice echoed from within the vortex, distorted and mocking.
"Haha… too bad, Kang Woo. These will be the last days your sanity stays intact."
The vortex twisted one final time and the Black King was gone.
Kang Woo exhaled, cracking his neck. "Glad that parasite's gone… at least temporarily."
Aki frowned, unease lacing his voice. "Gone?, that thing might threaten every life out there—"
Kang Woo waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. The Black King's on the balcony. Time dilation's still active—outside, it's only been two minutes at most."
Aki paused, letting that sink in. He finally nodded, accepting the explanation, and turned toward Makima. With a slight bow, he said, "Makima-san… I apologize. I might've made things harder than they already are."
Makima shook her head, her expression calm but edged with quiet weight. "If you want to apologize," she said softly, "do it to Kang Woo. He's the one who'll suffer the backlash if I fail."
Aki crossed his arms, frowning. "I respect Kang Woo, to a degree—but his recklessness endangers everyone around him. This time's no different. What happens if that evil twin of his takes over? We'd all be screwed. Kang woo have you ever think about that?"
Kang Woo tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk curving his lips. "You said you wanted to understand me, Aki? Then here it is."
Aki exhaled, irritation flickering in his tone. "I said I wanted you to teach me how to defend myself, not complicate—"
Kang Woo cut him off, voice low and sharp. "If you pray for rain, be ready for the mud. "
Makima's eyes narrowed slightly. "Kang Woo. What are my chances against the Black King in alchemy?"
Kang Woo didn't hesitate. "Nigh impossible under normal circumstances."
Kobeni's eyes widened. "So that means, Kang Woo, you'll—"
Kang woo interrupted flatly. "Necromancy—for extracting and controlling souls.
Black Magic—for handling the destructive and chaotic aspects of the fusion.
Alchemy—for the transmutation and condensation process itself.
Soul Manipulation—for merging souls without destabilization or loss."
He looked over at Makima. "You only manage to use Soul Manipulation. Your trait is rare—legend-tier, even. But you don't have any Necromancy. No Black Magic . And as for Alchemy… this is your first day even watching it."
Makima swallowed. I'm in big trouble.
Denji raised his voice, pointing a finger toward Kang Woo. " is this some joke to you? You're letting our former boss fight an unwinnable battle, and you're tossing your life around like you've got nine damn cats!"
Aki said nothing—but inside, his thoughts were razor sharp. Kang Woo… you're gambling more than just your own life. You're gambling with the lives of everyone on this planet.
Kang Woo turned toward them, his tone edged and absolute. "I'm not finished explaining , you stooges."
He stepped up beside Makima, placing a hand on her shoulder with quiet certainty. "Like I said—under normal circumstances, this would be impossible. But we don't do things normally, do we?"
He looked Makima in the eyes.
"This is just the first step. Makima will become the greatest magician world has ever seen. From the moment I met her, I knew—she was destined for Greatness"