It's Zero Sum Game

The shadows shielding Aki, Himeno, Quanxi, and Kishibe suddenly dispersed, revealing them once more to the unfolding scene.

Kishibe let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Someone like Makima spreading hope and bringing happiness? I must be mishearing things. I'm sorry, Kang Woo, but I've known Makima for years. She was the most dangerous person in Japan before you showed up. Now, we've got two people to worry about."

Himeno laughed, resting her sword on her shoulder. "Sensei, Kang Woo always talks nonsense. Sometimes, he actually says something meaningful… or he just goes on a rant and makes everyone listen to him."

Makima remained silent for a moment before tilting her head slightly. "I'm going to ignore that part," she said, her voice neutral. "Even I don't believe I'm capable of something like spreading hope or happiness. Let's focus on the task at hand. What should I do with this floating helix pattern?"

Kang Woo studied the glowing double-helix strands hovering before her. "What you're about to do is alter the fundamental rules of this substance—it's similar to rewriting the rules of reality, but on a much smaller scale. The hard part is already over. You managed to calm it down instead of forcing it into submission." He crossed his arms. "Unlike me, who just takes everything I see as an enemy by force."

Makima reached forward, running her fingers lightly along the spiraling DNA strands. Her gaze softened, something rare flickering in her usually controlled expression. "It's beautiful… It's like it's trying to say the right word."

Quanxi, who had been silently watching, finally spoke up. "Balance," she muttered.

Everyone turned toward her.

"In Chinese folklore, this reminds me of yin and yang," Quanxi continued, her voice thoughtful. "Opposing forces that complement each other. Destruction and creation. Fear and peace. Despair and hope."

Makima's yellow-ringed eyes reflected the glowing helix as she considered Quanxi's words.

Kang Woo then spoke, his tone carrying a rare hint of instruction. "Makima, you need to delete the normal requirement for Compound V usage—specifically, the part that limits its effectiveness based on age. That means removing the restriction that differentiates between infants and adults. If done right, even a small amount of this new Compound V will work at maximum efficiency, regardless of when it's injected."

Makima nodded, closing her eyes as she focused. She could feel the intricate details of the energy structure in front of her, its woven strands whispering in silent pulses. Slowly, she reached in, tracing along the helix pattern until she sensed the right one—the infant strand, the one dictating age-based efficiency.

Without hesitation, she plucked it out.

Kang Woo smirked. "Good. Now for the second step—adding a temporary limiter—"

Before he could finish,

Quanxi raised a hand, cutting him off. "I need to interject, Kang Woo."

Kang Woo tilted his head. "Go on, Quanxi."

Quanxi crossed her arms. "Why temporary? Wouldn't it be better to make the enhancement permanent?"

Kang Woo let out a dry chuckle. "You seriously want permanent Supes running around like unchecked war machines? Think about it—if we make the effect permanent, we'll have hundreds of Supes roaming the world unchecked. What do you think happens when a Supe on Homelander's level—goes rogue? One of those alone could wipe out Most devils without breaking a sweat."

Quanxi fell silent, processing the weight of his words.

Makima, still engaged with the DNA strands, simply stated, "Temporary enhancements allow for control. Otherwise, we'd just be creating another Vought problem."

Kang Woo smirked. "That's right . We're not making immortals here—we're making tools. And tools need to have an off switch."

Makima added the temporary limiter, carefully weaving the adjustment into the DNA helix. Once the change was stabilized, she spoke. "How long should I set the temporary effect for?"

Kang Woo didn't hesitate. "Twenty-four hours."

Before Makima could finalize it,

Kishibe interjected, casually lighting a cigarette. "How about seven days?"

Kang Woo narrowed his eyes. "Huh?"

Kishibe exhaled a cloud of smoke before explaining, "Seven days would be better for long-term operations. That way, anyone injected with this stuff wouldn't have to return to headquarters so often."

Aki folded his arms, processing Kishibe's reasoning. "Sensei , you're saying that by making it last a full week, we'd reduce casualties among our comrades, while also cutting hospital costs? Since a temporary Supe would be almost impossible to injure for an entire week?"

Kishibe nodded. "That's right. Honestly, I wouldn't mind being strong for seven days myself."

Kang Woo leaned back slightly, weighing the idea. "Less profit, though. If people don't need to reinject themselves frequently, the product won't be used as often."

Himeno laughed, nudging Kang Woo with her elbow. "You're already the richest man in Japan, and you still want more money?"

Kang Woo smirked. "That's how I stay the richest. This isn't some charity program. After I give one ton to Quanxi and maybe another to Kishibe, I'm selling the rest to the black market or the highest bidder."

Makima, still working on finalizing the limiter, spoke without looking up. "Let's sit this one out, Kang Woo. Seven days is a reasonable balance. Besides, we can increase the price—make it even more expensive if Vought tries selling their own variant like V-24. Our product is already superior to theirs."

Kang Woo chuckled. "V-24 isn't even a real product yet. But I like that suggestion, Makima."

With that, Makima locked in the adjustment, finalizing the new seven-day limiter.

Makima, still focused on stabilizing the DNA helix, spoke without looking up. "What about the superpowers? Every Supe will have immense durability and strength, but what about their innate abilities? We don't want them getting random superpowers with unpredictable quality—sometimes excellent, sometimes complete garbage."

Kang Woo looked around at the group—Quanxi, Himeno, Aki, and Kishibe—noting the anticipation on their faces. It was obvious they wanted a say in this decision.

With a smirk, he glanced at Makima. "We're like parents now, huh? These four kids suddenly demanding things."

Makima let out a soft chuckle. "And if we don't fulfill their demands, they'll probably be a pain in the ass—just like kids chasing after their dreams."

Kang Woo sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright. Let's hear it—what do you guys want?"

The room erupted into chaos as all four of them spoke at once.

Himeno threw her hands up excitedly. "Super lasers! And flying! Definitely gotta be able to fly!"

Aki rubbed his chin, thinking seriously. "Hmm… It should be able to shoot Curse energy. Maybe blades that materialize? And what about summoning devils from the ground?"

Kishibe, ever practical, leaned forward. "Electrokinesis. I saw Stormfront using it to fly and fire lightning blasts. I wonder if I could use it like that."

Quanxi, as expected, had the most tactical response. "Invisibility. Translucent's ability would be useful for stealth missions."

Makima sighed. "Looks like the kids broke loose."

Kang Woo grinned. "You all really expect me to just give you whatever you want, huh?" He leaned back slightly, stretching. "I'll allow two traits. That's all. Discuss among yourselves and decide which two you want."

The room erupted in another wave of arguments, each voice trying to be louder than the others.

Kang Woo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, let me rephrase this in a language and IQ level you guys can actually understand," he said dryly. "Since some of you are numbskulls, let me make it simple—the helix can only add two more traits. If we add more than that, it destabilizes and explodes. Got it? Now, argue among yourselves, figure out what you want, and come back when your minds are actually made up."

Aki, Himeno, Quanxi, and Kishibe exchanged glances before huddling together, lowering their voices into a more serious discussion.

Kishibe was the first to speak. "Electrokinesis should be the first one. It's really versatile—it can shoot lightning, create plasma blasts, and even let you fly."

The others nodded in agreement.

Quanxi said. "Now for the second one. Any ideas? At least something that gives two powers at once, like Stormfront."

Aki scratched his chin. "Himeno-senpai and I don't know much about Supes, but… I have a suggestion. Something similar to Kang Woo's commandment ability."

Quanxi raised an eyebrow. "Commandments? I don't know much about those. Give me an example."

Aki glanced at Kang Woo before explaining. "What if everyone who carries hatred toward Kang Woo becomes powerless and incapable of hurting him?"

Quanxi clicked her tongue. "That's cheating. I hated Kang Woo before, so… did that already happen to me?"

Kishibe smirked, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "No. That's because Kang Woo hides the commandment orb or retracts it whenever he wants. He's got full control over it."

Quanxi scoffed. "Figures. That bastard really does play by his own rules."

The four of them continued debating,

while Kang Woo simply leaned back, watching with amusement. "I swear, you guys act like kids at a candy store."

Makima, standing beside him, smirked. "And you're the indulgent parent who lets them argue before picking for them anyway."

Himeno tapped her chin before speaking. "Curse energy manipulation, like what Aki has, seems more reasonable since it's more like a trait-based ability."

Aki, however, shook his head. "That one was bestowed by Kang Woo, Himeno-senpai. It wasn't some altered genetic trait or anything like that."

Quanxi, still clearly unfamiliar with the concept, narrowed her eyes. "There it is again—curse energy. I still don't get it. Where does it even come from, exactly?"

Aki exhaled, taking a moment to explain. "It's like negative energy—the same kind that devils produce. But instead of it being something that feeds on fear, curse energy is a refined form that humans can tap into. That's why my techniques are called curse techniques, rather than just 'negative energy techniques.'"

Kishibe, listening intently, clicked his tongue. "I guess , it's personality-based, huh? That means whoever gets it will have their curse techniques influenced by who they are… which also means we don't know if someone will end up with something completely garbage or insanely powerful."

Himeno shrugged. "At least if we gain the ability to use curse energy, we keep it permanently, right?"

Aki narrowed his eyes at her. "Himeno-senpai… you just made that up, didn't you?"

Himeno grinned and dodged the question. "Let's just ask Kang Woo. He's basically an all-knowing parent who has everything anyway."

Aki sighed, already tired. "Whatever you say, Himeno-senpai."

Without hesitation,

Himeno turned to Kang Woo. "Alright, Kang Woo. For the first ability, we've decided on Stormfront's electrokinesis. But for the second one, we want curse energy manipulation." She crossed her arms. "I have a question, though. Is curse energy manipulation permanent or not? Since it feels more like unlocking something rather than bestowing a power."

Kang Woo leaned back, cracking his neck before answering. "On curse energy? Yeah, it's permanent. But the quality is still random. You sure you still want that?" He paused, rubbing his chin. "And… I have a feeling that not everyone can use curse energy. Like there's some kind of rule in this world that just can't be broken. But I don't plan on altering it—I'm not running a charity foundation."

Quanxi clicked her tongue. " it's a gamble, then."

Kang Woo smirked. "Yeah. And there's a second problem I think you need to hear. The moment you awaken curse energy, since it's still technically purified negative energy from devils…" He tapped his forehead. "It's like painting a giant bullseye on your head."

Himeno blinked. "Kang Woo , explain that in a way dumbasses like us can understand."

Makima chuckled, her voice laced with amusement. "It means that if you permanently unlock curse energy, devils will start targeting you day and night, trying to consume it. As the Control Devil, I personally love when negative energy is concentrated in one place—it's… refreshing."

Kishibe took a slow drag from his cigarette. "heh , we get a new ability, but we end up with another problem, huh?"

Kang Woo shrugged. "In this case, it's completely fine not to be special. Being a normal person isn't that bad."

Makima added, almost teasingly, "There's a certain comfort in being ordinary."

Kishibe squinted. "Then explain why Aki isn't being hunted day and night by devils, even though he already has curse energy."

Kang Woo smirked. "That's because Aki's Magic source—his mana—is a higher grade than curse energy. It probably instills a natural sense of hierarchy among devils, so they instinctively avoid him."

Quanxi leaned forward, smirking. "Then just bestow us magic, too."

Without missing a beat, Kang Woo casually flipped both middle fingers toward Kishibe and Quanxi.

"Fuck you. I don't get paid enough for that."

Kishibe exhaled a puff of smoke, smirking. "Technically, you don't get paid at all. The only time I ever gave you money was that 58 million yen during our first meeting."

Kang Woo scoffed. "And look at how much bullshit I've had to deal with since then." He cracked his neck before shifting his gaze back to the group. "Now, what's it gonna be? You still want to go through with getting curse energy installed or not?"

Kishibe didn't hesitate. "Just get it done, Kang Woo. Life as a Public Safety Devil Hunter is a gamble—anyone can die at any time. The ones still alive are just the insane ones who've seen too much."

Kang Woo smirked. "Good luck with that."

Without saying another word, he activated telepathy, speaking directly into Makima's mind. Makima, you don't need to execute the secret maneuver anymore. This is an unexpected development—since they actually want to use curse energy now, we're going all in.

Makima responded instantly, her voice smooth inside his mind. Understood, my husband. And while we're at it, you'd better tell me about your evil plan later too. All of it.

Kang Woo grinned slightly but didn't answer.

Instead, Makima turned her attention back to the floating helix. She began integrating Stormfront's electrokinesis, ensuring the trait fused properly into the Compound V structure. Then, following Kang Woo's instructions, she concentrated her mana into her fingertips, tainting the helix with her own blood.

As Makima finished her adjustments and sealed the helix, marking the alteration as complete, the Compound V in the pool suddenly turned a deep, crimson red.

Himeno took a step back, her brows furrowing. "Kang Woo, why the hell did it turn blood red? This looks like some horror movie shit."

Kang Woo waved a hand dismissively. "Abandoned asylum. Probably just forgot to clean the pool."

Aki crossed his arms. "Red like that is a bad omen, Kang Woo."

Kishibe flicked his cigarette, watching the pool with narrowed eyes. "Alright, Kang Woo. Now it's time for you to answer me."

Kang Woo sighed dramatically. "Sure, sure. What is it?"

Kishibe didn't break eye contact. "What's your angle? If you weren't interested, you'd have just ignored this whole thing. But suddenly, you're all in, whipping up this horrifying red liquid." He took a slow drag from his cigarette. "And I know damn well you're not the heroic type. In fact, you're probably a hundred times worse than Makima."

Makima smirked. " I'm the benchmark for everything now, huh?"

Kishibe ignored her. "What do you really gain from this? And no lies."

Kang Woo let out a low chuckle. "You want the horrifying truth or an acceptable lie?"

Aki, Himeno, and Quanxi just stared at him, their faces practically screaming this guy is really getting on our nerves.

Kishibe exhaled. "I pick my poison. Give me the horrifying truth."

Kang Woo's smirk didn't waver. "If you're worried about Quanxi, she'll be fine. I still honor my deal—I won't kill her. But if she gets bold, I'll still seal her up and deliver her straight to you." He tilted his head slightly. "But here's your real answer. In this world, there's only one rule…"

His crimson eyes gleamed as he uttered his next words.

"It's a zero-sum game."

Silence fell over the room.

Kishibe crushed his cigarette under his boot, staring at Kang Woo with unreadable eyes. "That's all you're giving me?"

Kang Woo shrugged. "That's all you need to know."

Aki narrowed his eyes. "I'm not satisfied. There's some kind of commandment that forces you—even you—to tell the truth, right?"

Kang Woo smirked lazily. "Maybe yes, maybe no."

Aki didn't back down. "Yeah, there is. You gained Commandment of Truth —bring it out, Kang Woo."

Kang Woo sighed, rolling his shoulders before raising his hand. "Fine. Let's try it."

With a simple motion, he uttered, "Jikkai."

A dark orb of energy materialized in front of him, its presence suffocating and absolute.

Quanxi took an instinctive step back, eyes locked onto the floating sphere. "Is that… a commandment?"

Kishibe nodded, watching the dark orb carefully. "Yeah. But the one Kang Woo used that day was Commandment of Love, not Commandment of Truth. That means the penalty for breaking it this time will be different."

Kang Woo smirked. "This one's simple. Anyone who lies turn to stone including me ."

Aki didn't hesitate. "Then answer this—does this involve our lives? Quanxi, Himeno, me, and Sensei Kishibe."

Kang Woo didn't even blink. "No. Not a single one of you is involved."

Aki exhaled, relieved but still wary. "Then… why are you doing this?"

Kang Woo's smirk didn't fade. "Because it's a zero-sum game. A relationship of take and give. You gain something, you lose something. Nothing more, nothing less."

A heavy silence settled in the room once again.

Himeno crossed her arms, looking at Kang Woo like he was a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. "You really do have a way of making things sound way more ominous than they need to be, you know that?"

Kang Woo simply grinned. "That's what makes it fun."

Kishibe took a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly before speaking again. "Then here's my last question, Kang Woo. The current you—if everyone, and I mean everyone on this planet—Vought, devils, even the Primal Devils—if they all came together to take you down…" He narrowed his eyes. "Would you still be able to keep that smirk?"

Kang Woo tilted his head, his grin never wavering. "That window where I was defeatable? It closed a few days ago."

The air in the room seemed to tighten.

Kang Woo rolled his shoulders, voice carrying a finality that sent a chill through the space. "The last chance to beat me was back when you, me, and Makima first met. Even then, it was almost impossible, but there was a chance—a very small chance."

His crimson eyes gleamed, almost amused. "The current me? Even if the sun exploded, I wouldn't get a single speck of dust on my clothes."

Quanxi scoffed, arms crossed. "You must be lying, right? That orb is just a bluff."

Aki, however, didn't look convinced. He shook his head. "He's not lying. Commandments are dangerous to both their wielder and those around them. They enforce rules that can't be broken until they're dispelled or dismissed."

Quanxi glanced at Kang Woo again, her expression unreadable. " That means you're saying…"

Kang Woo smirked. "I've outgrown this world's concept of balance."

Himeno exhaled, rubbing her temples. "You say that so casually, like it's nothing."

Kishibe let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "Well, guess I'll have to live with that answer."

The weight of Kang Woo's words settled over the group, and for once, no one had anything left to say.