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

Kang Woo stood on the street in front of Futamichi Café, the weight of the world barely a concern on his shoulders. The air was thick with unease, but he seemed unfazed as he turned his crimson gaze toward Kishibe, his expression unreadable.

"Kishibe, does Tokyo HQ's Public Safety Devil Hunter division have a lab?" Kang Woo asked casually, as if he were inquiring about the weather.

Kishibe, caught off guard by the question, gave him a look of pure confusion before responding in his usual dry tone. "We're not a pharmacy, Kang Woo. And we're sure as hell not a hospital."

He paused, taking a drag from his cigarette before continuing. "But if you need medical facilities, all of Tokyo's nearby hospitals are at my disposal. Ever since I was promoted to commander, I can make use of them whenever necessary."

Makima let out a low chuckle, shaking her head slightly. "I should have resigned earlier. Dumped the commander title and handed it over to you, Kishibe."

Kishibe scoffed, flicking ash from his cigarette as he smirked. "Are you being sarcastic, Makima? Your little declaration that Japan was sold to Vought by Prime Minister Kentaro is still causing massive backlash. Luckily, when Kang Woo showed the Prime Minister his place and summoned that… thing… covering the entire sky, the riots just subsided."

Quanxi, who had been listening quietly, suddenly tensed. Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she turned toward Kishibe. "Wait, Kishibe. You didn't tell me it was Kang Woo who summoned that monster covering the sky—even in China."

Kishibe, now the one caught off guard, blinked in surprise. "It covered China too?" His usual composed demeanor cracked for a moment as the weight of that revelation hit him.

Quanxi's thoughts raced at an alarming pace. Even her old partner Kishibe hadn't realized what had happened to the world on that day . The thing that Kang Woo summoned didn't just loom over Japan—it had covered the entire world before vanishing.

A chill ran down her spine as she muttered, "Forget I asked." Then, in a quieter tone, she added, "Thanks, Kishibe… for warning me about Kang Woo earlier."

Kang Woo snapped his fingers rapidly, lost in deep thought. The rhythmic clicks echoed in the quiet street as if his mind was running countless calculations.

Kishibe exhaled smoke and glanced at him. "Should I issue the order to empty a nearby hospital for your experiment, Kang Woo?"

Before Kang Woo could answer, Makima interjected, arms crossed. "What happens if Vought steals Kang Woo's work? After all, Vought still has its claws in Japan. Kang Woo might not care about his achievements—he does everything effortlessly and discards them just as easily—but at the very least, his work should stay in his inventory."

Himeno, who had been watching silently, suddenly blurted out, "Why don't we just create it right here on the street?"

Kishibe turned his head slowly, staring at her with the kind of deadpan look that screamed, Are you an idiot?

Makima only chuckled at the absurdity of the suggestion, while Quanxi remained silent, shaking her head slightly.

Apparently, the moment I arrived back in Japan, no one has been sane enough…

Aki sighed and walked up to Himeno. "Himeno-senpai, there's some beer. Just drink it and be the happy-go-lucky drunkard you always are."

Himeno's face lit up. "Oooooh, beeeer!" she cheered before downing it without hesitation.

Kang Woo, still tapping his fingers, finally spoke. "Kishibe, is there an abandoned mental asylum in Tokyo?"

Kishibe scratched his head before answering. "There is. Might be about ten kilometers from here. Probably already infested with devils, but that won't be a problem since you'll handle them. The equipment, though… it's either been emptied or is rusted beyond use."

Kang Woo smirked, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Then it'll do."

Kang Woo already had the coordinates locked in. Without hesitation, he turned toward Kobeni.

"Kobeni-chan, you stay here with those four," he gestured toward Quanxi's devil fiends before shifting his gaze to Reze. "And you—stay with Kobeni and act like a waitress, just like you usually do."

Kobeni and Reze responded in unison, "Yes, Kang Woo."

Kang Woo then shifted his focus back to the rest of the group. "Quanxi, Aki, and Himeno—you're coming with me. Kishibe and Makima are already party members."

Himeno tilted her head with a grin. "Party members, huh? Now we sound like some kind of RPG guild," she laughed.

Aki, however, wasn't as lighthearted. "Kang Woo, do I even have value when I help you now? You're talented at everything."

Kang Woo glanced at him before responding, "For this job, I need some help."

Aki let out a small chuckle. "Someone like you needing help? I must be mishearing things. But if that's the case… I guess I'm satisfied. At least I can help tone down that self-pride of yours."

Kang Woo merely smirked.

Without another word, shadows beneath their feet surged upward, consuming the group in an instant, teleporting them toward their destination.

However, as the shadows took them, Kang Woo leaned in close to Makima, whispering, "Under no circumstances am I to be physically involved in the creation of the new Compound V variant. There will be a secret maneuver you need to execute. I'll instruct you via telepathy."

Makima responded smoothly, her voice laced with unwavering devotion. "Understood, my husband."

And with that, Kang Woo and Makima were swallowed by the shadows as well, transported to the designated location.

As the shadows transported Kishibe, Quanxi, Aki, and Himeno, the sensation of weightlessness filled the space around them. The transition between locations was seamless, yet it left an eerie silence in its wake.

Quanxi narrowed her eyes slightly before speaking. "Does Kang Woo control shadows? I've never seen a Shadow Devil myself, and I don't believe in magic either… Is this one of his abilities?"

Aki let out a small sigh. "Like I said before… it's complicated. And Quanxi, why didn't you just ask Kang Woo yourself when you met him?"

Quanxi went silent, her lips pressing into a thin line. She didn't dare to speak further.

Kishibe, with a cigarette lazily hanging from his mouth, exhaled smoke before smirking. "She's too afraid Kang Woo will roast her again."

Annoyed, Quanxi's sword flashed, slicing through Kishibe's cigarette in an instant, the severed tip burning out before it hit the ground. "I'm still tempted to kill you, Kishibe," she muttered, irritation flashing in her expression.

Kishibe only chuckled. "You're too hot-headed for that."

Suddenly, Kang Woo's voice echoed through the shadows, his tone as casual as ever. "Didn't love and hate always complement each other?"

Before anyone could respond, Kang Woo and Makima materialized out of the shadows, stepping onto solid ground as if they had never left.

Kang Woo smirked at the scene before him. "Can you two just make up already and get into a relationship?"

Kishibe's smirk widened slightly as he thought to himself, Why do I feel like, because of Kang Woo's unpredictable nature, I might actually end up with Quanxi?

Quanxi's eyes flickered toward Kang Woo, irritation still simmering in them. "When I manage to get what you're offering, Kang Woo, I'm still gonna kill you."

Kang Woo only scoffed. "Those kinds of threats are reserved for jackasses. Better pick your opponent wisely, Quanxi."

As the group approached the abandoned asylum, still sixty meters away, the eerie silence of the area settled in around them. The decaying structure loomed ahead, a husk of forgotten horrors now infested with devils.

Himeno stretched her arms behind her head, glancing at Kang Woo. "It's unusual for someone like you to not teleport us directly to the destination. What's with the new method, Kang Woo?"

Kang Woo, unfazed by the question, formed a quick hand seal. Shadows rippled beneath him, and from within, two figures emerged.

"Divine Dogs."

From the 10 Shadows Curse Technique, twin wolves rose from the dark, one pure white, the other black. They stood tall, regal yet menacing. Each bore three distinct dots on their forehead—symbols of the Jewel of Turning Back on the Road and the Jewel of Plenty respectively.

The moment they appeared,

Himeno let out a delighted gasp, immediately wrapping her arms around the white one. "Kang Woo, I want this one! The white one is mine—I'm claiming it!"

Kang Woo ignored her completely, instead turning to Quanxi, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's a Curse Technique called 10 Shadows. It allows me to transport myself or others via shadows… or summon creatures like these."

Quanxi blinked, visibly confused. Her usual composed demeanor cracked slightly as she tried to process the information.

Makima, standing beside Kang Woo, let out a small chuckle. "He likes to talk and explain things. You'll get used to it eventually."

Quanxi exhaled, rubbing her temple. "Uhh… I'm more confused now. Aki said your ability is magic, but now you're calling this a Curse Technique. I've never heard of Curse Techniques before."

Kang Woo smirked, already expecting the confusion. "What I bestowed upon Aki is both Magic and a Curse Technique. It was part of his request—he wanted to learn my abilities and participate in my experiments. Though, Magic is superior to Curse Techniques, as it is more purified and doesn't rely on fear or negative energy."

Aki, overhearing, nodded. "My Azure Resolve, which is my magic, burns higher than my Blazing Courage, my Curse Technique."

Kang Woo nodded approvingly. "I'm glad the hierarchy of power remains intact… and it will stay that way."

As they neared the asylum, just five meters away, Quanxi spoke up, her voice carrying curiosity. "Can anyone learn Curse Techniques, at least on their own, without going through you?"

The question made Kang Woo stop in his tracks, an irritated expression flashing across his face.

Sensing the shift in mood, Kishibe gripped his dagger, while Quanxi tightened her hold on her sword, preparing for the worst.

However, as she glanced at Kishibe, she noticed something unusual—he wasn't focused on the asylum or the devils inside… he was watching Kang Woo intently.

Kang Woo smirked, teasing. "Why are you looking at me like I'm about to kill everyone?"

Kishibe didn't lower his weapon. "Precaution is necessary when dealing with someone like you. The old Anti-Makima Squad methods are useless against you, after all."

Makima chuckled, tilting her head. "You talk like that while the person in question is standing right in front of you, Kishibe. How nice~."

Kang Woo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "No need to be so serious. I'm only irritated because there are hundreds of devils inside—and I don't feel like going on a hunting spree yet."

With that, Kang Woo bit his fingertip, a few drops of blood falling onto his palm. With precise movements, he drew an eye symbol in his own blood.

He then turned to Makima, his tone steady. "You will do this in the future when I'm not around. I'll teach you what hierarchy really means."

Makima nodded without hesitation, her expression unreadable.

Kang Woo raised his palm, the eye symbol glowing ominously.

"Absolute Order."

The asylum lit up from the inside, glowing with an eerie radiance as the devils within reacted instinctively to Kang Woo's power.

His voice echoed with unshakable authority.

"From this dark pact, you all will no longer refuse orders from me—the highest ranked of the deepest hell."

A surge of power rippled through the area, and in an instant, Kang Woo issued his decree.

"Get the fuck out. And fuck off—far away from here."

A stampede followed as hundreds of devils came rushing out of the asylum. Twenty of them knew their place and immediately fled, disappearing into the distance.

However, the remaining two hundred and eighty hesitated. They entertained the thought of defying Kang Woo.

That single thought was their final mistake.

Without a second to resist, all of them exploded at once, their bodies turning into blackened ash,

Makima watched with intrigue, finally speaking up. "I'll be the one doing that in the future? I didn't expect… this."

Kang Woo turned to her, his crimson pupils glinting. "Time will tell. Or maybe… experience."

Kishibe wasn't surprised by Kang Woo's display of power—he had seen enough to know that trying to gauge his limits was pointless. Quanxi, however, gulped slightly, a faint shiver running down her spine.

Can he do that to everyone? she thought. If that's the case, there won't be fights anymore… it'll just be a one-sided massacre.

Kang Woo turned toward Aki and Himeno, his expression unreadable. "I don't care if my identity is discovered anymore. I have more important things to do. That said, I do enjoy watching this world's reaction when they finally realize what I am."

Himeno felt something off. She had seen Kang Woo act indifferent before, but this… this was different. Kang Woo has changed drastically, she thought. He used to be cautious about his identity as the Demon King. If that became known, no one would even try to fight him… something's wrong.

Aki, however, stepped forward, his expression firm. "I'll do the opposite of what you want."

Kang Woo raised an eyebrow, amused.

Aki continued, "If your identity is exposed, no one will have hope anymore. The difference between you and everyone else is too obvious. At the very least, people still have hope when fighting devils. That's what keeps them going."

Kang Woo smirked but said nothing.

Kishibe, meanwhile, furrowed his brow in confusion. "What's so dangerous about his identity?"

Aki let out a small sigh. "Sensei… I'll tell you later. But not now—it's not the right time."

As the group arrived at the entrance of the abandoned asylum in Tokyo City, the air around them felt thick with a lingering, unseen presence. Though the devils infesting the place had been eradicated, an eerie silence remained, making even the most hardened among them uneasy.

Kang Woo pushed open the doors, the old, rusted hinges groaning under the weight of time. As he stepped inside, he made his way to the reservation desk, rummaging through scattered papers in search of a map of the facility.

Himeno wrapped her arms around herself, a slight shiver running through her. "Even though the devils have been cleared out, this place still gives me the creeps…"

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine as she heard a familiar voice—the whisper of the Ghost Devil, the very entity she was contracted with.

Warn Kang Woo. Do not open the basement. No matter what.

Himeno's eyes widened slightly, but before she could react,

Makima's sharp senses picked up on the exchange. He just killed the ruler of the Dark Dimension… and we're supposed to be wary of some basement in a local hospital? Laughable.

Himeno hesitated for a moment before leaning toward Aki, whispering, "Ghost Devil just warned me—there's something in the basement. A real threat."

Aki barely reacted, his tone dry as he whispered back, "Seeing Kang Woo, he'll just charge in first, think later… or cause a ridiculous amount of collateral damage in the process."

Before either of them could say more,

Kang Woo smirked, his voice dripping with amusement. "Even if you were using telepathy like those high-tech spy movies, I can still guess what you're thinking." He stretched lazily before turning back to the group. "That can come later. Right now, I need a big pool inside this asylum. Every asylum has one, right?"

As Kang Woo continued searching for the map, Makima's voice cut through the silence.

"Found it, Kang Woo."

Both Kang Woo and Makima studied the map carefully. The pool was exactly where Kang Woo expected it to be—near the basement. The layout of the asylum revealed a staircase that connected to a much lower level. That was where the basement was located.

Makima smirked. "Should I call it fate that trouble keeps knocking on your door, Kang Woo?"

Kang Woo let out a small chuckle, his crimson pupils gleaming. "Wrestling with death and putting your life on the line—that's what makes life thrilling." He flicked the map before rolling it up. "That said… I have a feeling this won't be a local problem."

His eyes shifted, pulling up something only he could see.

A system window appeared before him, the reason why he had suddenly chosen to help Quanxi earlier. He had already seen this quest a few minutes ago, back when he was still at Futamichi Café.

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Regain Power Quest: The Remaining Days of Humiliation

Objective:

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

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

-Instead, the new variant actually 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).

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.

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

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

Kang Woo had already seen it coming, but that defeat condition he added was incredibly annoying.

Satella from Re:Zero… he mused.

He had already confirmed that other universes were real, especially after consuming half of the Dark Dimension. However, the quest system had always worked within this world's constraints.

Now, something had changed.

The rewards had been upgraded—no longer limited to this universe alone.

And yet…

What's inside that basement?

Was it just a local problem? Or was it something far more unknown?