ALL NOVEL Chapter 57: The Dark Dimension
One Hour Before Kang Woo Pummeled Dormammu
The void of the Dark Dimension rippled ominously, a realm filled with incomprehensible structures and swirling mists of black and violet energy. Kang Woo found himself abruptly pulled into this dimension without warning. His crimson eyes gleamed faintly, his expression calm but calculating. This isn't supposed to happen, he thought. In this version of the multiverse, the Dark Dimension can't act on its own. Someone… or something… is interfering.
His body relaxed, but his mind raced. Years of battle-hardened instincts kicked in. No panic. Prioritize.
Kang Woo began scanning his surroundings, his senses heightened. His Authority of Beholder activated, allowing him to perceive every detail of the strange, twisted dimension. Among the countless floating structures and glowing fissures, his attention locked onto three distinct objects:
A broken zanpakutou , its surface marred with deep cracks, wrapped in rusted chains at the hilt.
A lifeless figure with orange hair, slumped motionless against the jagged ground.
A faintly glowing Quincy Cross, embedded into the ground like a gravestone, its dim light pulsating weakly.
Kang Woo's crimson eyes narrowed. These aren't just remnants… they're symbols. Echoes of something greater.
As he moved closer to investigate, his Authority of Beholder suddenly alerted him to an immense presence approaching—one that dwarfed his current power. Kang Woo's face darkened. Dormammu.
The air thickened with oppressive energy as the gargantuan, otherworldly form of Dormammu emerged from the shadows. His appearance was terrifying, even more imposing as he was fully empowered by the Dark Dimension. His colossal, semi-transparent visage pulsed with violet and black energy, the sheer weight of his aura threatening to crush anything in its path.
Kang Woo quickly assessed the situation, his mind running through possibilities. I'm not ready for this fight. Not yet. Dormammu's level is at least 140 right now, while I'm still at 110. with my Authority of Beholder, I'd just be a beacon for his wrath.
Without hesitation, Kang Woo suppressed all his energy. He shut down his ten hearts, halting every ounce of life force in his body. His aura vanished entirely as he collapsed to the ground, feigning death.
The towering form of Dormammu loomed closer, his voice resonating like a storm.
"Another corpse… they keep appearing here. Perhaps the remnants of the Ghost Rider… or some unfortunate soul lost to my domain."
Dormammu paused, his massive form hovering near Kang Woo's motionless body. For a moment, it seemed as though the dark entity would inspect him further, but then Dormammu turned away, disinterested.
The void began to ripple again as Dormammu's form receded, fading into the distance. Kang Woo remained still, his body perfectly mimicking the stillness of death. Only when the oppressive aura had completely vanished did he reactivate his hearts, one by one, the rhythmic sound of life returning to his chest.
Sitting up slowly, Kang Woo exhaled deeply, his expression calm but his voice betraying a hint of frustration.
"That was too close," he muttered to himself. His crimson eyes burned brighter, reflecting his growing resolve.
"I almost died here in very stupid way ."
As he looked back at the strange items he had been investigating, he watched them vanish into thin air, dissolving into the void. Kang Woo clicked his tongue. "Of course. Guess I'll never get a break."
He began leaping across floating planets and fractured structures, each jump taking him further into the strange terrain. The warped laws of the Dark Dimension didn't faze him; his movements were swift and deliberate.
Suddenly, he halted mid-step. A figure had materialized before him—a Spirit of Vengeance. Its skeletal visage glowed with an ethereal flame, and chains coiled around its body like a shroud. The Spirit floated closer, its hollow, resonant voice echoing in the void.
"Thank you… for killing Lucifer."
Kang Woo stared at it for a second, his expression completely deadpan. Then he shrugged. "Yeah, cool. You're welcome ."
The Spirit's fiery eyes flickered as if expecting something more. But Kang Woo had already started walking again, muttering under his breath. "Honestly, this is just like everyday ."
The Spirit of Vengeance remained in place, baffled, as Kang Woo vanished into the distance, muttering about how annoying it was that even ghosts wanted to have a conversation with him.
If anyone had been watching, they might have sworn they saw the Spirit of Vengeance awkwardly scratching its fiery skull, utterly confused by the Demon King's casual dismissal.
Kang Woo continued walking aimlessly through the fractured void of the Dark Dimension, his expression indifferent to the surreal chaos surrounding him. Suddenly, a familiar oppressive presence materialized in his path. Mephisto, the infamous Lord of Hell, appeared in a swirl of crimson flames, his sharp grin stretching wide.
"Let's strike a deal, human," Mephisto began, his voice smooth and cunning. "I can get you anything you desire. Power? Freedom from the bonds of—"
Kang Woo didn't even slow down. He walked straight past the demon lord, his gaze fixed forward.
Mephisto faltered mid-sentence, his grin wavering as confusion flashed across his face. "Wait… Are you ignoring me?"
Kang Woo muttered under his breath, not even sparing Mephisto a glance. "Another one. Is it 'Bother the Demon King' day or something?"
For the first time in millennia, Mephisto found himself at a loss. His schemes and charisma were legendary, yet this mortal—or demon, or whatever Kang Woo was—had simply walked away without so much as an angry glare or a dismissive retort.
"Unbelievable," Mephisto muttered to himself, watching Kang Woo vanish into the distance. "Who does that?"
Finally, Kang Woo found a quiet spot on one of the countless miniature planets floating in the chaotic abyss. The fractured terrain offered a stable surface, and the surrounding silence was a welcome reprieve from the endless disruptions.
He sat down cross-legged, pulling a small bento box from his inventory. The box had been carefully packed by Kobeni, filled with chicken katsu ramen. The warm aroma rose as he opened it, a stark contrast to the cold void surrounding him.
Picking up his chopsticks, Kang Woo began eating. His movements were mechanical, almost routine. He chewed slowly, his crimson eyes staring into the void. The flavors were exactly as they should be—the crunch of the chicken katsu, the rich broth, the noodles cooked to perfection.
And yet…
It tastes the same, but something's missing, Kang Woo thought, his brows furrowing slightly. What is it?
A faint flicker of unease crossed his mind. He couldn't place the feeling at first, but as he continued eating, the realization hit him: Joy. The emotion of satisfaction… it's not there.
Kang Woo set the bento box down, his chopsticks still in hand. The thought churned in his mind, an unfamiliar weight pressing down on him.
Unbeknownst to him, his reckless decision to open one of the doors to the Demonic Sea within himself was beginning to take its toll. The demonic energy, vast and unrelenting, was seeping into his soul, eroding parts of his humanity. Bit by bit, fragments of his emotions were slipping away, leaving behind an emptiness he couldn't fully understand yet.
Sitting there in the quiet of the Dark Dimension, Kang Woo stared into the void, the half-finished ramen in his hands. The King of Demons was starting to lose pieces of himself, and he hadn't even realized it.
Kang Woo remained seated, his body still and eyes closed, his consciousness delving deep into the pitch-black abyss within himself. In this state, he observed his own core—a swirling mass of endless darkness, pulsating with raw demonic energy.
He named it Demonic Art of Creation, a force that allowed him to shape weapons, authorities, or manifestations of his will through his Ten Thousand Demon Core. The core seemed to whisper promises of boundless power, a testament to the King of Demons' dominion over the multiverse.
Unaware of his internal exploration, Mephisto materialized in the dark realm outside Kang Woo's body. Flames flickered around the demon lord as he took in the surreal sight of Kang Woo sitting cross-legged with a half-eaten bento box at his side.
The demon lord tilted his head in confusion. "A picnic… in the Dark Dimension?" Mephisto muttered to himself, his sharp red eyes narrowing. "What kind of lunatic does that?"
Clearing his throat, Mephisto decided to try again, his tone carrying a smooth, persuasive edge. "Human, I've returned with a better offer. I can strike you a deal—abilities beyond your wildest dreams, power that could rival even the gods. Just name your price."
Kang Woo, however, showed no reaction. His eyes remained closed, his focus entirely inward. He was crafting something deep within his core, his thoughts locked onto refining his Demonic Art of Creation.
Mephisto's confident grin faltered as he stared at Kang Woo's unresponsive figure. "What the—?" His voice trailed off as he scanned the area, his senses reaching out. The aura surrounding Kang Woo was faint, but something about it felt… wrong. Mephisto's brows furrowed as he analyzed further. The more he searched, the more his confusion turned to unease.
"This human…" Mephisto muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "What are you?"
He stepped closer, cautiously probing Kang Woo's presence. That was when Mephisto felt it—a faint trace of something terrifyingly familiar. His eyes widened in disbelief. No… it couldn't be.
The oppressive energy lingered, coiled around Kang Woo like a dormant storm. It was faint, but unmistakable—a remnant of Lucifer. The realization hit Mephisto like a hammer.
"You…" Mephisto whispered, taking a step back instinctively. "You're the one who killed Lucifer?"
Kang Woo's eyes opened slightly, glowing crimson with a faint, swirling pattern. He glanced at Mephisto briefly, his expression flat and devoid of interest.
His voice cut through the oppressive silence. "Are you still here?" His tone was low, laced with annoyance, and carried a weight that made Mephisto involuntarily flinch. Without waiting for an answer, Kang Woo closed his eyes again, resuming his meditation as if the Lord of Lies himself was nothing more than a passing nuisance.
Mephisto, who prided himself on his composure, found himself caught off guard. This wasn't a reaction he was used to, and it left him standing awkwardly in the suffocating void. His thoughts raced. Nah, it can't be him—the one who killed Lucifer. He's probably just his champion… maybe someone who got lucky and escaped with power.
The oppressive silence continued until Kang Woo's crimson eyes snapped open, glowing with a sudden, fiery rage. "Get me a fucking job. Payment can come later, you fucker."
Mephisto's confidence, already shaken, wavered even further. In his mind, he scrambled to make sense of what was happening. This guy… he reminds me of that half-demon who threatened to kill me unless I paid his goddamn electric bill. What is it with these lunatics?
Clearing his throat, Mephisto attempted to recover his composure. "Actually, there's a… situation. A demon. Blackheart."
Kang Woo immediately cut him off, his tone flat but seething with disdain. "Didn't Dante already finish that job?"
Mephisto flinched again, cursing under his breath. "My son is… complicated."
Kang Woo narrowed his eyes, his gaze boring into Mephisto as if peeling away the very essence of his being. "Complicated," he repeated, his tone mocking. "Sounds like a you problem."
Mephisto gritted his teeth, his usual charm and manipulation utterly useless. "Look, Blackheart has resurfaced, and he's causing problems I can't ignore."
Kang Woo leaned back slightly, smirking as he picked up his half-eaten bowl of ramen. "And what's in it for me, huh? You're not exactly known for paying your debts, Mephisto."
The Lord of Lies felt a bead of sweat form on his ethereal forehead. "I'll owe you a favor," he offered reluctantly, his voice tinged with desperation.
Kang Woo's smirk widened, his fangs glinting in the dim light of the Dark Dimension. "A favor from you? That's worth less than the bowl of ramen I'm eating." He took another bite, savoring the moment as Mephisto's patience visibly thinned.
Mephisto, defeated but not willing to leave empty-handed, bowed his head slightly. "Fine. What do you want?"
Kang Woo's smirk vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, menacing glare. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed Mephisto by the throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. Mephisto's flames flickered wildly, his composure shattering under the Demon King's iron grip.
Kang Woo's voice was low and laced with a dangerous edge. "Let me tell you something I've realized. I've lost something. I don't know what it is yet, but it's gone. And right now, I want someone—no, something—to be destroyed. I don't care if it's a outer gods or worse. There is nothing you can do to me, and your so-called favor? It's worth less than nothing."
Mephisto's ethereal face twisted in both fear and fury as he struggled to speak. "I… I get it! Fine! Blackheart is here—I managed to suppress him back into the Dark Dimension, but if Dormammu finds him, it'll spiral out of control. Don't kill him outright. Just… don't let Dormammu get to him."
Kang Woo's grip tightened for a moment before he released Mephisto, sending him stumbling backward.
The Lord of Lies coughed, adjusting his collar with a forced calmness. "I'll make a beacon. It'll show you exactly where Blackheart is."
With a snap of his fingers, Mephisto conjured a glowing, fiery sigil that hovered in the air. "There. That's your target. But remember, this isn't just some game."
Kang Woo didn't respond, his crimson eyes locked on the sigil. His wings of voracity unfurled, dark and immense, casting a shadow that seemed to consume the very light of the dimension. With a flicker of energy, he invoked his Authority of Sky, combining it with the predatory hunger of his wings.
In a split second, Kang Woo launched himself into the air, his figure a blazing dark comet streaking across the chaotic void of the Dark Dimension. The sheer force of his departure caused ripples to spread through the twisted reality, leaving Mephisto standing alone, visibly shaken.
As the dark comet faded into the distance, Mephisto muttered to himself, his tone laced with unease. "What the hell have I just unleashed?"
In his thoughts, however, Mephisto's mind churned with opportunistic schemes. If that human dies, maybe I can claim his soul with a more tempting deal. Blackheart is formidable, but damn this Dark Dimension—it weakens my power here. Except for my fiery pocket dimension, my realm is far from true Hell. And still… why does this human have such a powerful demonic essence inside his body?
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At Another Part of the Dark Dimension Blackheart, surrounded by jagged obsidian structures and swirling mists, paced angrily. His claws clenched as his dark energy crackled around him. "Damn my father! He sent me here as puni—"
Suddenly, the air shifted violently. A blazing dark comet came crashing down, slamming into Blackheart with devastating force. The shockwave shattered the surrounding terrain, throwing debris into the air.
Blackheart groaned as he struggled to rise, his glowing red eyes narrowing in fury. But before he could fully process what had happened, a fist wreathed in dark flames connected with his face, sending him sprawling again.
Wiping ichor from his lips, Blackheart snarled and turned toward his assailant. Standing before him was Kang Woo, his dark wings of voracity folded menacingly behind him. His crimson eyes gleamed with a cold, unrelenting intensity, his entire form radiating an aura of absolute authority.
Blackheart growled, his voice dripping with venom. "Who the hell are you?"
Kang Woo stood silently, his piercing gaze locked onto the demon. His silence was more oppressive than words, exuding a commanding presence that made the air around them feel heavier.
The ground beneath them cracked and splintered, reacting to the sheer pressure of Kang Woo's aura. Blackheart's rage bubbled to the surface as he bared his jagged teeth. "You dare—"
Another punch cut him off mid-sentence, this one even stronger, sending him crashing into a jagged rock formation. The impact left deep cracks in the stone as Blackheart slumped forward, stunned.
Kang Woo stood motionless, his expression cold and unreadable, maintaining an eerie silence. The oppressive aura around him did all the talking.
Blackheart groaned, pulling himself up. Fury twisted his expression as he raised his hand, summoning flames that roared to life, swirling with a crimson intensity. "Let's see how you handle this," Blackheart sneered, his voice brimming with malice. "This is hellfire itself—the wrath of Hell!"
The searing flames surged toward Kang Woo in a blinding wave of red heat, threatening to engulf everything in their path.
Kang Woo remained unflinching. In his thoughts, he activated a devastating combination of his abilities: Authority of Blades, Authority of Explosion, and Authority of Slashing. His expression remained stoic as he quietly thought, Gram.
In an instant, a radiant red sword materialized in his grip. Its ominous glow cut through the darkness as if it were a beacon of destruction. Kang Woo raised Gram and swung it with precision, unleashing a devastating slash. The sword's energy cleaved through the hellfire, dispersing it into harmless sparks. The shockwave from the slash continued forward, its sheer force slicing cleanly through Blackheart's arm.
Blackheart stumbled back, clutching the stump where his arm had been moments ago. "Ahhh, my arm—or is that what I should be saying?"
A grin spread across his face as his arm regenerated instantly, dark tendrils of energy weaving the limb back together.
With a low chuckle, Blackheart straightened himself, his tone shifting to one of feigned admiration. "Not bad for a human. You have a decent amount of demonic energy—I'm impressed. How about this? Join me in my ranks. Serve under my command, and together, we can overthrow Mephisto."
Kang Woo stood motionless, his gaze unwavering as Blackheart rambled on about his supposed invincibility. His crimson eyes flickered briefly, catching sight of something in the distance: three distinct objects suddenly materializing 200 meters away. The Quincy Cross, the zanpakutou with chains, and the orange-haired lifeless figure.
Blackheart, ever the cunning opportunist, noticed the objects as well. His jagged teeth flashed in a malicious grin as he bolted toward them with unnatural speed, his intentions crystal clear.
But Kang Woo was faster.
In an instant, Kang Woo appeared directly in Blackheart's path, his movements so swift it seemed as though he had bent time itself. Before Blackheart could react, a blade pierced his chest. But it wasn't Gram—it was Chaos Excalibur, the gleaming weapon radiating an unholy, reality-warping energy, gripped firmly in Kang Woo's hand.
Blackheart staggered, his mouth opening in a triumphant laugh despite the blade impaling him. "Did you forget? I am immortal—" His voice cut off abruptly as his body began to convulse.
A sudden, horrifying realization struck Blackheart. His regeneration wasn't activating. The cells that had once woven his body back together were failing. No, it was more than that—the very fabric of reality seemed to twist around him, nullifying his existence. He felt his strength draining, his immortality stripped away as if it were never his to begin with.
Kang Woo's cold voice broke the silence, devoid of emotion. "Authority of Predation."
A massive, gaping black maw appeared, engulfing Blackheart entirely. The dark void consumed him, distorting the surrounding space as the Authority devoured not just Blackheart's body but his very soul. Blackheart's final, desperate words echoed faintly as the void closed around him.
"Wait! Wait! I still have—"
And then, silence.
The air grew still as Kang Woo stood amidst the swirling remnants of Blackheart's power, now absorbed into his being. His body pulsed with dark energy, an unholy mixture of his own power and the remnants of Blackheart's strength. Chaos Excalibur gleamed faintly in his grip, its aura as menacing as ever.
Without a word, Kang Woo turned his attention back to the three items. Ignoring the fading traces of Blackheart's existence, he began walking toward them, his expression calm, his presence an unrelenting force. The Demon King had no time for distractions—his true objective lay ahead.