Substitute Ruler Of The 9th Hell

After hearing Kang Woo's declaration that no one in this world could harm him anymore, the room fell silent. Aki, Himeno, Quanxi, and Kishibe exchanged looks but had no words left to offer. The Commandment of Truth had already proven his honesty, leaving no room for doubt.

Without saying a word, Kang Woo approached the pool of crimson liquid, his fingers lightly brushing the surface.

Makima tilted her head slightly, observing him. "Does it have flaws? Or mistakes?"

Kang Woo glanced at her and smirked. "Nope. It's perfect."

In his mind, Kang Woo thought, Looks like my quest is finally complete. My restrictions have been lifted—now I can interfere physically.

With a subtle gesture, Kang Woo invoked his King of Chaos power. The crimson pool shimmered, rippling with an otherworldly glow. In mere moments, the liquid began to transform, rising and reshaping itself. What had been a chaotic pool was now neatly organized into sleek, crystalline vials, each glowing faintly with red energy, their surfaces encrusted with intricate designs resembling gemstones and golden embellishments. (img here ) 

The vials were numbered in the hundreds of thousands, arranged with precision, exuding an aura of power and refinement.

Makima stepped closer, her yellow-ringed eyes reflecting the brilliant glow of the vials. She reached out to pick one up, examining the fine craftsmanship.

"V-25, huh?" Makima murmured, her voice calm yet intrigued.

Kang Woo grinned, folding his arms. "It's easier to contend with Vought's products when we have a name that screams 'evolution' over their V-24."

Kishibe lit a cigarette, exhaling a stream of smoke as he eyed the rows of vials with a skeptical expression. "Is this what you meant earlier? Manipulating reality itself, like when you covered the sky with those horrifying monstrosities?"

Kang Woo gave a single nod, his smirk growing wider.

Himeno wandered closer and picked up one of the vials, holding it to the light. "Kang Woo, you've got a thing for gems and jewelry, aren't you ?" She examined the craftsmanship, shaking her head in disbelief. "Sensei, don't throw these away once they're used, at least give them to me .

Kishibe flicked his cigarette ash to the side. "What kind of idiot would throw away a vial with this level of craft? The moment this thing gets sold, it's worth, what—an entire year of my salary?"

Quanxi crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Hold on. We were tense as Fuck a moment ago, and now we're just… chilling? Pretending Kang Woo is our buddy? He's likely the strongest person in the world, and his morals are questionable at best."

Aki adjusted his stance, speaking with his usual calm tone. "If you can't fight it, better just go with the flow. Overthinking things will just stress you out."

Himeno laughed softly, tossing the vial slightly in her hand before catching it again. "Sounds like survival advice, Aki. Guess we're all just along for Kang Woo's ride now, huh?"

Kang Woo extended his hand, and the smooth surface of the floor rippled as if responding to his will. From the shadows beneath their feet, a series of luxurious, gold-trimmed briefcases materialized, each adorned with sleek black carbon-fiber panels and intricate detailing. The cases gleamed under the faint light, their polished surfaces reflecting a mix of high-tech sophistication and opulent design. Embossed boldly on their sides was the label "V-25", surrounded by delicate geometric patterns that glowed faintly blue, signifying the cutting-edge serum they contained. ( img here )

Makima tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Even the briefcase has a name, huh?"

Himeno picked one up, running her fingers over the pristine craftsmanship. "V-25. You really love branding your stuff, Kang Woo. But seriously—what's with the briefcases?"

Aki crossed his arms, his expression dry. "Himeno-senpai, what did you expect? You want to carry them in a plastic bag like some homeless person?"

Kishibe took a slow drag from his cigarette, grinning slightly. "Better to go with a touch of glamour than to look like a cheapskate, right?"

Kang Woo remained silent, his gaze fixed on the steel door leading to the basement. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing something lurking beyond it—a true threat waiting to surface.

Makima noticed his focus and shrugged, motioning to the others. "Just ignore him. He's in his own world again. Let's pack this up and get moving before he finds another excuse to stir up more trouble."

Himeno, still holding one of the vials, sighed. "The sooner we leave this place, the sooner we get some peace. Let's hurry."

But even as they moved to secure the briefcases, Kang Woo's silence carried an unspoken tension, a quiet acknowledgment of the danger that lay just beyond that steel door.

The group worked swiftly, filling the sleek briefcases with vials of the glowing red serum. Each briefcase opened to reveal an interior lined with luxurious crimson padding, illuminated with soft, ambient lighting that highlighted the carefully arranged vials. The vials were packed in meticulous rows, with the label "V-25" prominently displayed on the lids, exuding both sophistication and power. The inside of the briefcases also featured ornate gold embellishments, complete with a frame-like panel that listed intricate details about the serum—a testament to Kang Woo's flair for grandeur.( img here ) 

Quanxi, leaning against the wall with a tired expression, muttered, "Almost done. Still… it's funny. Even the inside of these things has the number 25 on everything. What are you, branding obsessed?"

Aki inspected one of the briefcases and counted silently. "Each of these holds hundreds of vials. That means, realistically, this can support about…"

Kishibe, always sharp, chimed in. "Twenty Supes. Twenty people with powers comparable to Stormfront, imbued with awakened curse energy."

Quanxi raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that overkill? Twenty people with powers like Stormfront sounds like a waste. Who needs that many?"

Makima, her yellow-ringed eyes gleaming, spoke matter-of-factly. "If you can't overwhelm a Primal Devil with one or two individuals, you overwhelm it with numbers. But those numbers need to have value. This serum is designed to give your Public Safety Devil Hunters the strength to stand on equal footing with high-threat devils during operations."

Kishibe took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling thoughtfully. "Makima, I've been wondering. When are you planning to return to Public Safety as commander? It's clear as day you're a more experienced leader than most presidents."

Makima didn't even flinch, her voice cold and sharp. "Drop dead, Kishibe. My decision to resign is final. I follow Kang Woo alone. My heart and soul belong to him."

Kang Woo, standing silently, suddenly felt his hands emitting a dark, shadow-like aura. It cascaded downward like liquid darkness, thick and ominous, even catching Kang Woo off guard.

Himeno chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Heh. Are you trying to put on a show now, Kang—"

Makima's sharp gaze immediately silenced her, the weight of her presence cutting through the air like a blade. "Quiet, Himeno," she said flatly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The sound of something falling interrupted the silence—a distinct tick tick tick tick echoed as pools of darkness, mixed with shadow, dripped from Kang Woo's arms onto the floor. The liquid appeared almost alive, its ominous presence filling the room with unease.

Makima stepped closer, her expression calm but her voice laced with concern. She whispered to Kang Woo, "I can guess there's something your body can't contain anymore."

Kang Woo glanced down at the shadowy substance and sighed. "Technically, this wasn't supposed to happen." His crimson eyes narrowed slightly, realization dawning on him. "I see… Peter January's body—the one I'm currently inhabiting."

Makima's whisper grew more pointed. "The body can't keep up with your pace. You're regaining your former power at an incredible rate, Kang Woo. It's only natural it would start breaking down."

Kang Woo remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing. Behind this steel door lies the Mimic from the "Edge of Tomorrow" universe, its Omega—the core—currently in an inactive, hibernation state due to the lack of water. It's a valuable prize, with its army functioning as a time-loop mechanism. But if they slip from my grasp… it'll be a minor annoyance at best. The real issue is the Alpha guarding the door. If I kill it by mistake, it will reset the day. And since I'm outside the timeline, I don't know where I'll end up if it resets the day while I'm in this weakened state, with my power fluctuating so much.

Makima broke his train of thought by placing her hand gently on his. Her touch was grounding, steadying. "We can come back for your prize behind this door later," she said softly. "Right now, you need to rest. You haven't taken a break—not even after your fight against Dormammu."

Kang Woo closed his eyes briefly, taking in her words, then nodded. "Well… it doesn't matter right now." He glanced back at the group and gestured toward the exit. "Let's get out of this asylum."

The group stepped outside, the chilling air of the night hitting their faces. The tension from earlier seemed to dissipate slightly as they left the eerie asylum behind. Kang Woo stopped abruptly, turning back to face them. His crimson eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and challenge.

"I'm not dumb," Kang Woo began, his voice cutting through the quiet. "I can see it in all your faces—you saw my weakness. Frankly, even I'm surprised to have something like this. This might be the only other window of opportunity to strike me down." His words hung in the air like a gauntlet thrown down before them.

Makima immediately moved beside Kang Woo, her yellow-ringed eyes sharp, as if daring anyone to act.

 But Kang Woo raised a hand, stopping her. "No need, Makima. I'm curious about their answer."

Makima hesitated for a moment before nodding, stepping slightly back but still keeping a watchful eye on the group.

Aki stepped forward first, his voice steady but carrying a hint of gratitude. "I'm indebted to you, Kang Woo. You gave me both curse energy and magic. Thanks to that, my revenge against the Gun Devil will finally become a reality."

Himeno followed, her usual lighthearted tone softening as she glanced at Aki. "I just follow my kouhai, but… personally, I'm also indebted to you, Kang Woo. You made my dreams come true. Aki finally accepted me as his wife." She smiled warmly at Aki, who awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

Quanxi crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "There's still Makima, so the idea of striking you down is kind of a joke. Besides," she added with a smirk, "even if you're weakened, the chance of me killing you is… very, very low."

Kishibe took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "Let's shift topics, huh? Since we all just got some nice gifts from the crazy man standing in front of us, I'd say we owe him a welcome party. Division 4 style. Drinks, anyone?"

Himeno's eyes lit up. "Ooh, drinks! Count me in!"

The group burst into laughter, the sudden break of tension warming the air around them. Even Kang Woo, while silent, seemed to appreciate the levity of the moment.

Makima's voice, however, echoed softly in Kang Woo's mind through telepathy. My king, although you may have lost the emotion of joy, the feeling can still be restored. It's not gone forever.

Kang Woo smirked slightly, his expression unreadable. Restored? he thought, though he didn't reply. Instead, he simply followed the group, his steps calm yet deliberate, the faintest glimmer of something—perhaps curiosity—lingering in his eyes.

Kang Woo looked up at the vast expanse of the sky, his crimson eyes narrowing as if peering into a distant past. In his thoughts, he mused, Gogonnash, the Pit Lord, and his battalion of Fel Guards… The ones I commanded to reclaim the orcs thousands of years ago have finally fallen. What's done is done. Time to focus on the present.

Breaking the silence,

Kang Woo spoke, his tone steady yet laced with finality. "Makima, unfortunately, what I've lost will remain lost. However… unknown factors are always welcome."

Makima inclined her head slightly, her yellow-ringed eyes fixed on him with unwavering loyalty. "Yes, my king. I suppose this time, it's for your slumber."

As Kang Woo stared at the heavens, he noticed fragments of blue light shimmering faintly across the night sky. These were pieces of his bestowed power—fragments he had once granted to Gogonnash and his Fel Guards. A faint smirk played across his lips as he raised his hand toward the sky.

"Gogonnash has finally Died," Kang Woo said softly, his voice carrying a rare hint of reverence. "You've done well to follow me all this time. Now… come back to me. Be mine again, once more."

The fragments of light began descending, streaking through the sky like shooting stars, their glow intensifying as they approached Kang Woo. Each shard returned to its rightful owner, merging with him in a cascade of blue energy. As the final piece was absorbed, a familiar sound filled the air—a steady tick tick tick tick.

Suddenly, Kang Woo's form began to shift and dissolve, his body melting into a swirling liquid of darkness. The shadowy mass surrounded Makima, encasing her in a cocoon-like structure. The darkness pulsed around her, crackling with energy before dispersing into nothingness.

Makima stood in the center of the fading darkness, her expression calm but resolute. She touched her chest lightly, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "So, this is what Kang Woo meant when he said he would compress his heart into me. And now… I will take the mantle in his stead."

In her thoughts, she acknowledged the shift. As you said, my king… our power has merely swapped. The Almighty is now at my disposal, while the Age of Gods resides in you, safeguarding your slumber. Until you awaken, I will ensure your vision persists.

Aki's voice broke through her contemplation, hesitant but sharp with observation. "Ms. Makima… your eyes. They're different. One of them… it's like Kang Woo's—it has multiple pupils."

Makima blinked, her usual composure momentarily faltering. "Hmm?"

Himeno, quick to act, pulled a small compact mirror from her pocket. "Good thing I always carry this," she said, handing it to Makima.

With a glance, Makima inspected her reflection. One of her eyes retained its familiar yellow-ringed appearance, but with an unnerving addition—two pupils now occupied the space. The other eye had transformed entirely, glowing with a crimson hue and the same twin pupils Kang Woo's had.

Makima studied her reflection calmly, but her thoughts betrayed a sense of awe mixed with unease. Kang Woo wasn't joking when he said the Almighty would transfer to me temporarily. It's… incredible. But still, it's terrifying. Aki and Himeno can feel it—they know the weight of what this means.

Aki exhaled sharply, his voice tinged with worry. "Ms. Makima, did you just inherit the Almighty? That ability… we don't even fully understand it. And Kang Woo used it to completely annihilate us before."

Himeno, trying to lighten the tension, let out a nervous laugh. "Please don't inherit Kang Woo's horrifying personality along with his powers. I'm gonna start calling you 'Miss' from now on, Ms. Makima." She grinned awkwardly but clearly meant every word.

Makima closed her eyes, and the twin pupils faded, her gaze returning to her signature yellow-ringed stare in both eyes. "Don't worry," she said, her voice calm but carrying a weight that silenced further questions. "This is… unexpected for me, too."

Kishibe, always direct, chimed in. " is Kang Woo inside you now?"

Makima gave a small, almost teasing smile. "Yes, he is inside me."

Quanxi crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "In sleep mode, I'm guessing?"

Makima's teasing smile grew slightly wider. "Maybe," she said playfully, though her tone left it open to interpretation, keeping the group slightly on edge.

Her yellow-ringed eyes swept over Quanxi, Himeno, and Aki as something new caught her attention. I see, she thought, her smirk fading slightly. So this is how Kang Woo perceives the world. Stats and levels floating above everyone's heads… and none of them pass level 20. What a horrifyingly pitiful state my universe power level . We've all been relying on someone like Kang Woo… because the rest of us are so weak.

Her lingering gaze was enough to make

Aki shift uncomfortably. "Ms. Makima," he said, his voice tinged with unease, "you're staring at us too much… It's kind of scary."

Makima's smirk returned, sharp and almost condescending. "Oh, Aki, it's just… you're incredibly weak. Even with your magic and curse energy."

Himeno frowned, looking between them. "I still don't get it, Makima. What are you talking about?"

Makima waved a hand dismissively, her teasing demeanor back in full force. "Forget it. Just Kang Woo's rants infecting my mind. Pay it no mind."

But her attention shifted momentarily, her yellow-ringed eyes flickering as she stared at the floating status window only visible to her.

.................................................

Regain Power Quest: The Remaining Days of Humiliation

(Status: Complete)

Objective:

Yhwach was once capable of using Soul Distribution, either by touching someone or making them drink his blood.

You already possess Quincy King Power, including The Almighty, but Quanxi mistakenly believes you are giving her a new variant of Compound V.

Instead, the new variant contains fragments of your Demon King Soul, making it capable of performing Auswählen on a massive scale—wiping out China's entire population in an instant.

Reward:

The Compulsory (Schrift from Pernida, NOT including his evolution-based Governance ability).

Knowledge of all Hado Spells (Kido spells from Bleach).

The Location of Satella, the Witch of Envy (Re:Zero Universe).

(Note: The rewards belong exclusively to Kang Woo, not to his Substitute.)

Defeat Condition (Custom Added Restriction):

Due to the extreme risk of your power and quest system being unable to keep up with your player level, a handicap has been enforced:

 - Kang Woo must not physically participate in the creation of the new Compound V variant.

 - Verbal commands, persuasion, or manipulation of subordinates are still allowed.

..............................................................................….

Makima's expression remained neutral, but her thoughts churned. He really did restrict himself. And wiping out China's population with a single spell ? That's probably the second-most evil plan I've ever heard from you, Kang Woo. You never cease to impress me… or terrify me.

She glanced briefly at the others, none of them aware of the scope of the choices Kang Woo constantly balanced. In her mind, she spoke softly, Rest well, my king. I'll see your plans through. Even if they're monstrous.