—
They emerged seconds later in a different part of the Citadel — far from the central chaos of the capital. A serene overlook greeted them, framed by sleek glass walls and shimmering metal beams. The suite was quiet, elegant, and peaceful. Stars glimmered across the void outside, hanging like frozen diamonds beyond the artificial atmosphere dome.
Kang Woo and Makima sat in the open-air lounge, surrounded by floating lights and softly humming machinery. The breeze was gentle. Artificial, but convincing.
Kang Woo leaned back, arms resting on the rail.
"So," he said, eyes narrowing slightly. "How's your first space adventure, Makima?"
Makima sat beside him, her posture relaxed, but her gaze still sharp as ever. She looked up at the starfield, letting the silence stretch before she replied.
"…I never thought the movies I watched about space and aliens were real," she murmured. "Though I always theorized that Mikhail — the eye on the back of your left hand — was extraterrestrial in origin."
Her voice dropped into something almost wistful.
"But I never expected to be invited into the middle of all this. Actual space travel. Citadels . It's surreal."
Makima tilted her head slightly toward him. "I suppose you do that to people."
Then her lips curved, just barely. "Kang Woo… let's play a game."
Kang Woo turned slightly, his gaze flicking toward her.
Makima's voice stayed casual, but there was steel beneath it."If I can guess one thing about you correctly, you'll have to answer me truthfully. And … I want you to plant a Zecht between us. Like the one you made with Evil Morty."
Kang Woo blinked once, then chuckled low in his throat.
"Zecht."
A shimmer rippled through the air as he spoke the word. A magic circle formed beneath them,. Runes twisted into place in the air around them The vow coiled its presence around their souls.
Kang Woo spoke, voice low and firm. "There are some questions I absolutely won't answer."
Makima's eyes narrowed slightly, but her tone remained smooth. "I want the truth. We'll have many discussions, many questions over time… but only two of them will be absolute. Just two. And those, I need answered, Kang Woo."
Kang Woo smile curling on his lips. "As long as it's convenient."
Makima interpreted the word as agreement — as a yes. But Kang Woo hadn't lied. To him, "convenient" wasn't a promise. It was a shield. It meant: if I feel like it.
Makima gave a small nod, apparently satisfied.
"Those are my only terms. That's all. … you also can guess something about me too. If you're right, I'll answer your question truthfully — and the two questions you choose, I'll answer without hesitation. No matter what they are."
Kang Woo extended his hand. "Deal."
The magic circle beneath them flared with light — a silent thrum shaking the air — before slowly fading into nothingness. The Zecht was sealed. Two signatures etched into the contract of silence and truth.
Makima leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing with thought. "Kang Woo… you're not human, not a devil, not a fiend, or even a hybrid. And you're definitely not from my world. That's for—"
"Correct," Kang Woo interrupted calmly, not even letting her finish.
Makima blinked, her lips parting — slightly irritated. "…I wasn't finished," she muttered, more amused than angry, though her voice carried a note of tension.
"I just simplified things," Kang Woo replied, expression unreadable. "A shortcut. Now, your question. Please."
Makima frowned faintly, caught off guard. Eh? Does he really want me to ask right now? No delay? No maneuvering? I thought he'd try to negotiate, stall, or—
Flick. From kang woo
Makima winced slightly as a finger tapped her forehead.
She rubbed the spot with a small scowl, expression puffed and pouty. "Stop flicking my forehead," she snapped — a little too defensive . The tsundere tone wasn't lost on her or him.
Kang Woo just smiled and raised a hand — then gently laid it atop her head. A soft headpat.
"There, there. Sure, tsundere princess. Sure."
Makima didn't move. Her thoughts tangled for a moment. His hand… he's gentle. Truthful. Why does this feel...
She stiffened slightly. Wait—why am I complimenting my adversary?
Her eyes narrowed, composure slowly returning. Then she turned toward Kang Woo and asked quietly, voice firm:
"How long have you been aware of my true identity?"
Kang Woo tilted his head, feigning confusion. "About what? That you're a woman who didn't have any friends?"
Makima flinched, mouth twitching.
"No," she snapped, cheeks flushing with a touch of red. "About me being the Control Devil, damn it. How long have you known? It's like you've—" She paused, suspicion rising. "—it's like you've been to my world before…"
Kang Woo smirked. "Makima, your face's a bit pink and reddish. Are you being lovetr—"
Before he could finish, Makima slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Please," she said sharply, voice low, eyes glowing with seriousness, "answer my question. This one is my absolute request. No diverging, around it.
Makima slowly lowered her hand, relaxing again into her seat with a controlled breath. I forgot he talks like that… I'm losing my composure, she thought, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. But I won't lose this one.
Kang Woo leaned back, arms casually draped behind his head.
"From the moment I was stranded in your world… I already knew you were there."
Makima's eyes sharpened. "Then it's confirmed—you've been to my wor—"
"Hello, I'm not finished, my dear Control Devil. Please shut up," Kang Woo cut in with a wide grin, his tone far too cheerful. "…Sillet and biscuit."
Makima blinked. "Sillet and… biscuit?"
Kang Woo gave a small shrug. "Slang. From a place where six crazy people are always talking over each other. Don't mind it."
Makima stared at him blankly. Then gave a soft exhale to calm herself.
Kang Woo stretched his arms slightly and said, "That day… when I first met you at the Tokyo branch of Public Safety Devil Hunters—where you came back from a mission with Aki and Himeno, and the three of you met with Kishibe. Funny thing, I was already there. Just sitting in the guest area."
He turned his head toward her with a small smile.
"That was the same day I was first stranded in your world."
Makima arched a brow, lips curling into a faintly smug line. "Then I suppose… the second theory I recently constructed must be correct. Like Evil Morty, you're aware of my world beforehand. Probably because of how absurdly large your head is."
Kang Woo chuckled. "Satisfied?"
Makima crossed her arms lightly, gaze narrowing. "I'm not done guessing."
"Didn't we agree to take turns?" Kang Woo asked, grinning. "A lot more fun that way, no?"
Makima didn't answer at first. She studied him in silence.
This guy… she thought, he plans things in layers. Like nesting traps under every conversation. I'm starting to feel like I'm dancing on his palm.
Then she leaned forward slightly, voice light but edged.
"Kang Woo, I'd like to add a challenge. If I guess multiple things about you correctly, the number of questions I can ask rolls forward — meaning if I guess three truths, you owe me three answers. Deal?"
Kang Woo gave a small, amused tilt of the head. "Zecht only applies to the first agreement. Are you sure you trust me to answer the rest truthfully?"
Makima smiled — the smug kind, deliberate and razor-thin.
"Oh, I'm sure,". "But I just realized… you're very arrogant. Probably just as much as a Rick. But unlike them, you have just enough sanity not to implode."
Kang Woo didn't reply. He smiled in silence, letting her feel confident in the assumption.
That's a mistake, Makima, he thought calmly. I've read Chainsaw Man over a hundred times. By the time I'm done, you'll be the open book — not me.
Then, casually, he spoke.
"First," Kang Woo began, his tone smooth, almost relaxed, "you have three sisters. The Death Devil — I don't know her true name, but she commands the Falling Devil and likes to go around borrowing your sister's nickname. That sister being the Famine Devil — Fami. The real Fami, though?" He tilted his head slightly. "Nervous type. Bit of a scaredy-cat. But she can drain life from land and people."
Makima's eyes narrowed.
"Second," he continued without pause, "you've got a contract with the Japanese Prime Minister. Clever move. Every time someone tries to hurt you, the damage gets redirected to one of the country's citizens. Around 127 million lives, if I recall correctly. Makes you basically untouchable."
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Third," Kang Woo smirked. "You're a bit of a Chainsaw Devil fangirl. You and your sisters, actually. Kind of funny how you jump every time he's in danger — though you hide it well. Not well enough."
Makima remained silent, though the muscle near her jaw twitched.
"Fourth," he said, drawing out the word, "you want to use the Chainsaw Devil to erase all devils from the world. Which — if you ask me — is a pretty terrible plan. I mean, do you really think erasing fear is sustainable?"
And then he leaned forward slightly, voice lower, teasing.
"And fifth… you've got seven dogs at home. Seven. Pretty ironic, considering how much you like to talk about control."
He gave a shrug, pretending to stretch, before adding almost like an afterthought:
"And yeah — you seemed really happy when I handed over ownership of Denji. The current Chainsaw hybrid. The moment I transferred him to you, you had that look. That little victory smile."
Makima blinked. Then blinked again. Her thoughts tangled, the silence between them almost too sharp.
He read me like an open book… How? Every secret—laid bare. Did he just read my mind?
Kang Woo leaned back slightly, eyes half-lidded, then added with mock realization, "Oh, right. I almost forgot your favorite sister — the War Devil, Yoru. The numbnuts who screams, 'I'm not stupid!' every time someone gives her a side-eye."
Makima exhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Kang Woo… can you just skip to the part where your guess streak stacks to seven and I'm now forced to answer every question you like? I think I regret playing this game with you."
Kang Woo tilted his head. "My question . That's not for me actually ."
His voice softened slightly, words more pointed. "That one you need to answer to yourself. ." His eyes fixed on hers. "Why are you following me all the way to the Citadel of Ricks? You already got what you wanted — Denji is in your possession. Your little utopia should be closer than ever."
Makima posture stiffened as her mind stalled. There was an answer, but the words didn't exist yet. Her thoughts couldn't catch it.
She looked down, as if her gaze could dig out the truth from the floor.
Kang Woo, watching, exhaled quietly and let the tension loosen. "Uhh,", "you can throw a question at me if you want. While you're still figuring that one out."
Makima chuckled . Then looked back up at him, a teasing light slipping into her eyes. "Are you drunk, Kang Woo?" She smirked faintly. "Because right now… you're acting like a Rick. And that means you don't have any friends either."
Kang Woo gave a dry snort. "Wow. Harsh. You kiss your dogs with that mouth?"
Makima leaned back, crossing her arms. "Sometimes. They're more obedient than you."