Recap: After defeating the fused second-stage Time Eater through teamwork, synchronization, and strategy, the Maxes finally succeed in protecting the Candy Cosmos—at least temporarily. With the battle seemingly over, the atmosphere briefly calms as the family reflects on the fight and the sacrifices made along the way.
However, the peace does not last for long.
Without warning, the entire Candy Cosmos begins raining with strange purple-and-black liquid from the sky above. At first mistaken for distorted energy, Kail quickly realizes the horrifying truth—
it is drool.
As Chrona protects everyone with a space barrier, the group watches in shock as the strange liquid begins dissolving entire sections of the Candy Cosmos itself. Yu then reveals a hidden barrier above the realm by unleashing his Spiritual Candy Cosmos Technique: Sugar Rush, exposing what lies beyond the sky.
On the other side of the barrier—
countless Time Eaters can be seen pressing themselves against the surface while drooling endlessly into the Candy Cosmos below. Behind them lies a massive distorted playground realm filled with broken playground structures, floating clocks, and warped scenery that appears fused together with the Time Eaters themselves.
As the group struggles to process what they are seeing, Adam realizes the strange realm feels familiar.
And moments later—
Chrona comes to a horrifying realization.
The distorted realm beyond the barrier…
is her realm.
Setting: Candy Cosmos
Kail's eyes immediately widen in shock.
Kail (In Shock):
"HOWWWWWW COULD YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR REALM WAS BEING ATTACKEDDDDDDD!!!!!"
Genesis tilts his head in confusion.
Genesis (With a confused expression):
"Chrona had a realm?"
Adam glances toward Genesis.
Adam (With a calm expression):
"Well, she did fall from the sky when she first appeared."
Meanwhile—
Chrona isn't paying attention to either of them.
She continues pacing back and forth frantically.
Her hands grip her hair.
Her breathing becomes uneven.
Chrona (panicking):
"THIS IS BADDDDDDD!!!"
"LIKE REALLY REALLY BADDDDDDD!!!"
"WHAT AM I GOING TO DOOOOOOO?!"
Max 4 watches her nervously before scratching the back of his head.
Max 4 (With a confused expression):
"I'm confused."
"That's your realm, right Big Sis Chrona?"
"So how did you not know until now?"
(He looks upward.)
"Because I didn't sense anything in the sky at all."
"Did the rest of you sense anything?"
Nobody answers.
Because Chrona is still pacing.
Still muttering to herself.
Still completely lost in panic.
Suddenly—
Kail marches over and grabs both of Chrona's shoulders.
Kail (with a concerned look):
"HEYYYYYYY CHRONAAAAAA!!!!"
Chrona immediately jumps.
Adam watches quietly from the side.
Adam (With a calm but confused expression):
"Shaking her is going to make it worse."
(His eyes narrow slightly.)
"What could possibly be so important up there that it would make her act like this?"
A brief silence fills the Candy Cosmos.
Genesis places a finger against his cheek as he begins thinking.
For a moment—
everyone waits.
Then Genesis' expression slowly changes.
Genesis (With his finger against his face as he gathers his thoughts):
"I think it was the Time Eaters."
Max 4 lets out a tired sigh as he looks up toward the distorted sky.
Max 4 (with a tired expression):
"What CAN'T these purple and black ugly balls do?"
Kail immediately looks toward Genesis in confusion.
Kail (with a confused expression):
"What do you mean it was the Time Eaters?"
"We could sense them perfectly fine."
Genesis scratches the side of his face while thinking.
Genesis (with a thinking expression):
"Yeah…"
"But that was only when they entered the Candy Cosmos."
"Before that?"
"I didn't sense a thing."
"Not even a little bit before they entered the realm."
A brief silence fills the group.
Then—
Yu slowly nods.
Yu (With a calm but serious expression):
"That's right."
"I didn't sense anything before they entered the realm either."
"And once I realized that fact…"
(His eyes slowly shift toward the sky.)
"I knew they had to be hiding somewhere."
"Inside the realm…"
"…or outside of it."
Kail slowly folds her arms as she thinks about everything Yu had just said.
Kail (with a curious look):
"Ohhhh…"
"So THAT'S why you didn't want us to fight."
Yu nods calmly.
Yu (With a calm expression):
"That's one reason why."
"So I could learn about their power…"
"…and understand the way they fight through my sons."
Yu's expression remains calm.
But before he can continue—
Yu (calmly):
"But the other reason—"
FWOOSHHHH!!!!
Chrona suddenly vanishes.
Everyone's eyes widen in surprise.
Without a single warning—
Chrona shoots straight into the sky toward the distorted realm above them.
Chrona (panicking): I CANT LET THEM DESTROY IT!!
Kail's eyes widen as she watches Chrona disappear into the sky.
Kail (with a worried expression):
"CHRONA WAITTTTTTT!!!"
But Chrona is already gone.
Racing toward the distorted realm above them as fast as she can.
Max 1 looks up in confusion.
Max 1 (with a confused expression):
"I can't let them destroy it…?"
"What does that mean?"
Genesis continues watching Chrona fly higher and higher.
For once—
he doesn't look excited.
He looks thoughtful.
Genesis (With a calm voice):
"Chrona has her reasons."
"She's the laid-back type."
"So if she's worried…"
"…then there's probably a very good reason."
Adam keeps his eyes fixed on the sky.
Watching Chrona disappear further into the distance.
Adam (With a calm expression):
"We should go and make sure she's okay."
Kail lets out a long exhausted sigh.
Kail (with a tired expression):
"Ughhhhhh…"
"I'm so tired of thisssssssss."
"First Eve won't wake up…"
"…and now Chrona's gone all haywire."
"What is going onnnnnnn?"
Genesis' thoughtful expression slowly fades.
A soft smile appears on his face as he looks toward Kail.
Genesis (with a soft smile):
"Don't worry, Kail."
"We'll figure everything out…"
"…and get everything back to normal."
"K?"
Kail crosses her arms and looks away with a small pout.
A faint blush appears on her face.
Kail (with a cute pout):
"…K."
Adam's eyes widen slightly.
Adam (with a shocked but calm expression):
"Wow."
"Mother, you didn't yell or raise your voice at Father."
"That's a surprise."
Kail immediately points at Adam.
Kail (With a flustered expression):
"SHUT UPPPPPP ADAMMMM!!!"
"UGHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"LET'S GOOOOOO ALREADYYYYYY!!!"
"AND PUT AN END TO THESE TIME EATERS ALRIGHTTTTTT?!!"
Adam lets out a small sigh.
Adam (with a calm expression):
"Now I'm getting yelled at."
Everyone begins preparing to follow after Chrona.
But then—
Yu's expression suddenly changes.
His eyes widen.
Almost as if he had sensed something unexpected.
Something powerful.
Something moving.
Fast.
Yu (With a shocked expression):
"Wait…"
"Something is coming."
Then all of a sudden—
the sky above Chrona's realm begins radiating with dark distorted energy.
The energy twists and spirals violently as it shoots toward Chrona.
Chrona immediately panics and pushes herself even faster toward her realm.
But then—
FWOOSHHHH—
something suddenly appears beside her.
A humanoid figure.
So fast that nobody can make out its appearance.
The figure raises its leg—
preparing to strike.
Then it speaks.
???
"Not so fast."
Chrona (with a confused expression):
"What the—?"
BOOOOOOM!!!!
A kick is launched directly toward Chrona.
She barely manages to dodge at the last second—
but the force behind the attack alone sends her flying across the Candy Cosmos.
Kail (with concern):
"CHRONAAAAAA!!!!"
FWOOSHHHH!!!!
Kail immediately vanishes.
A moment later—
she catches Chrona before she can crash into the dissolving Candy Cosmos.
Kail (worried):
"Chrona, are you okay?"
Chrona quickly steadies herself before looking back toward the sky.
Shock fills her face.
Chrona (shocked):
"What in the world was that?"
"That wasn't a regular Time Eater."
Then all of a sudden—
the distorted energy surrounding the Time Eater begins fading away.
The violent purple-and-black aura slowly dissipates into the atmosphere—
revealing what had been hiding inside it all along.
A humanoid figure.
The entire Candy Cosmos grows quiet.
Standing nearly ten feet tall—
the creature possesses a dark distorted body with pure white eyes completely lacking pupils.
Its mouth stretches unnaturally across its face—
filled with dozens of razor-sharp teeth.
Long black hair flows down its body—
reaching past its feet like a living shadow.
Its lean muscular frame is covered with a horrifying ten-pack—
making it appear far more human than any Time Eater before it.
And somehow—
that only makes it more disturbing.
A twisted smile slowly spreads across its face.
Then—
its white eyes lock directly onto Eve.
The creature's smile grows wider.
Time Eater (with an evil smile):
"Now then…"
"It's time to devour the root cause of my existence."
"EVEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!"
The Time Eater's energy suddenly erupts throughout the entire Candy Cosmos.
Dark distorted energy spreads across the realm like a storm—
causing the atmosphere itself to grow heavier.
Immediately—
Yu and the Maxes rush toward Adam and the sleeping Eve.
A massive barrier forms around them as they prepare to protect her at all costs.
Yu (with confidence):
"Protect Adam and Eve no matter what!"
"UNDERSTAND?!"
The Maxes immediately strengthen the barrier.
All Maxes:
"YES SIRRRRRRRR!!!"
Meanwhile—
Genesis stands quietly nearby.
Completely unaffected by the pressure.
A small butterfly lands on his finger as he casually plays with it.
He glances toward Chrona and Kail.
Genesis (while playing with a butterfly):
"Chrona and Kail…"
"Go ahead without us."
"It doesn't feel nice seeing Chrona panic like this."
(He smiles softly toward Kail.)
"And it doesn't feel nice seeing you worry like that either, Kail."
Chrona immediately points toward her realm.
Chrona (panicking):
"COME ONNNNN MOMMMMMM LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
Kail nods without hesitation.
Kail (with a concerned look):
"Okay."
"Let's go, Chrona."
(She looks back toward Genesis.)
"But Genesis…"
"Don't take forever, K?"
Genesis smiles.
Genesis (with a soft smile):
"I'll try not to."
FWOOSHHHH!!!!
Kail and Chrona immediately teleport toward Chrona's realm.
The moment they disappear—
the Maxes continue maintaining the barrier around Eve.
Adam quietly watches them leave.
Then he carefully places Eve down in the center of the barrier.
Adam (With a calm expression):
"I'll handle this."
Adam steps through the barrier.
A golden light begins shining throughout the Candy Cosmos as he summons the Book of Genesis.
The pages slowly turn on their own.
Golden energy radiates from the book as Adam faces The Time eater directly.
Adam (with a calm but serious expression):
"You Time Eaters are the reason Eve is asleep and won't wake up, right?"
"Then listen carefully."
"You are going to wake her up."
"Right now."
The Time eater stares at Adam for a moment.
Then—
he suddenly makes a disgusted face.
Time eater (with a disappointed look):
"Ewwwwww…"
"Stop calling me a Time Eater."
"It's getting old."
A smile slowly spreads across his face.
Time eater (smiling):
"Call me Devour."
"It suits me perfectly."
He begins laughing to himself.
Devour:
"And you said I'm the reason she isn't waking up?"
"Man…"
"You couldn't be more wrong."
Adam's expression changes slightly.
Adam (with a confused look):
"What do you mean?"
Devour's smile widens.
His white eyes remain locked on Eve.
Devour (with a smile):
"I'm not the reason."
"She is."
A brief silence fills the Candy Cosmos.
Devour:
"This is all her fault."
"She is the reason I'm here."
"She is the reason why everything is happening."
His distorted energy begins slowly spreading around him once again.
Devour:
"I must devour and consume all of you."
"All of time."
"All of space."
His smile stretches wider than before.
Devour:
"Eve created me."
"She is the reason I exist."
"And she is the reason everything is going to be destroyed."
Adam's expression immediately twists into confusion.
Adam (with a confused expression):
"What are you even talking about?"
"How could Eve possibly create something as evil and twisted as you?"
Devour's smile widens.
Almost as if he had been waiting for Adam to ask that question.
Devour (with an evil smirk):
"Think of it like this…"
"I am the consequence of her actions."
"And actions always have consequences."
Devour slowly raises his hand.
Dark distorted energy gathers above his palm.
Then—
a First Stage Time Eater suddenly emerges from it.
The creature lets out a distorted screech as Devour points it directly toward Eve.
Devour (smiling):
"Watch."
The First Stage Time Eater immediately releases distorted energy toward Eve.
The moment the energy touches her—
Eve's body begins becoming covered in purple-and-black distortion.
Eve (screaming in pain):
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Everyone's eyes widen in horror.
Max 1 (in shock):
"HOWWWWWWWWW?!?!"
"SHE CAN'T FEEL PAINNNNNNNN!!!!"
Max 4 (with concern):
"FOCUS ON THE BARRIERRRRRRRRR!!!!"
The barrier around Eve immediately begins trembling from the distorted energy.
The Maxes grit their teeth as they pour even more power into it.
All Maxes (focused):
"SPIRITUAL CANDY COSMOS TECHNIQUEEEEEEEEEE—"
"UNITED CONNECTIONNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!"
All of a sudden—
right as the Maxes finish their technique—
Devour vanishes.
FWOOSHHHH!!!!
A distorted blur flashes across the battlefield.
Then—
silence.
The Maxes slowly look down.
Their eyes widen.
Their bodies have all been cut in half.
All Maxes (shocked):
"So fast…"
Before any of them can react—
their bodies begin fading into particles of light.
One by one—
they return to Eve.
Devour stands on the opposite side of the battlefield.
Holding Eve in one arm.
A smile stretches across his face.
Devour (with a confident expression):
"You want to know something, Adam?"
But before Devour can continue—
Adam suddenly turns around.
Fury burns within his eyes.
The Book of Genesis opens instantly.
Golden light erupts throughout the Candy Cosmos.
Adam (with fury):
"GET AWAY FROM HERRRRRRR!!!"
"WRITING MAGIC SPELL TECHNIQUE—!!!"
But then—
the pages stop turning.
The golden light vanishes.
And the Book of Genesis crumbles away like ashes in the wind.
Adam freezes.
His eyes widen.
Adam (with confusion):
"…My magic?"
Devour's smile grows wider.
Devour (with a confident expression):
"LOVE MAKES YOU WEAK!!!"
FWOOSHHHH!!!!
Yu immediately charges forward.
Candy blade in hand.
Without hesitation—
he swings downward.
BOOOOOOOM!!!!!
Devour raises his distorted arm blade—
catching Yu's attack head-on.
A massive shockwave explodes throughout the Candy Cosmos.
Yu stares down at Devour with absolute determination.
Never saying a word.
Never backing away.
Devour's eyes light up with excitement.
Devour (with excitement):
"OHHHHHH WOWWWWW!!!"
"INCREDIBLE!!!"
"YOUR SWORD IS EXHILARATING SUCH A POWERFUL PASSION!!!"
Then—
his excitement suddenly disappears.
Replaced by disappointment.
Devour (with a disappointed look):
"Too bad it's wasted on a troublemaker like her."
Without warning—
Devour throws Eve high into the air.
Yu's eyes immediately follow her.
Just for a second.
And that was enough.
FWOOSHHHH!!!!
Devour's blade flashes.
Yu's body is split in half.
The Candy Blade slips from his hand.
Devour immediately bursts forward.
Laughing.
His distorted arm blade aimed directly at Adam.
Devour (with a smile as he dashes toward Adam):
"NOW BECOME MY FIRST MEAL!!!"
Adam stands frozen.
His magic gone.
His book gone.
His mind filled with confusion.
Devour's blade closes in.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
Then—
CRACK.
Two fingers suddenly stop the blade.
The entire Candy Cosmos falls silent.
Devour's eyes widen.
For the first time—
his attack hasn't moved an inch.
Standing in front of Adam—
Genesis casually holds the distorted blade between two fingers.
A butterfly remains resting on his shoulder.
Genesis (with a soft smile):
"Sorry."
"I got lost in thought."
End of Chapter 18 — Stage 3