Chainsaw Man Lights Over "Endless Aspect"

  The group stood in the dimly lit hallway of the 8th floor, the oppressive air thick with unease. The walls, pale and featureless, seemed to close in on them, adding to the sense of disorientation.

  Kobeni's voice, shaky and high-pitched, broke the silence. "I don't understand... How can the same floor lead to itself? Are we—are we stuck?"

  Himeno, her face grim but composed, gave a brief glance at the trembling Kobeni. She stepped forward, making an exaggerated double peace sign with her fingers, trying to lighten the mood despite the situation. "Kobeni, double peace sign and stay put."

  Kobeni, too frightened to even process the request, shakily raised her hands to her face, forming the peace sign as instructed, though her body trembled from the horror of their predicament. The soft click of Himeno's boots echoed as she quickly descended the stairs. But a few seconds later, the sound returned, louder—Himeno had returned, looking no less confused than before, standing now behind Arai.

  She cursed under her breath. "Shit, this is bad."

  Kobeni's eyes widened in panic, her lips unable to form coherent words as she stared at the floor, still unable to comprehend the endless loop. "EH-EHH," was all she could manage, the sound bubbling out from her throat, a mix of fear and disbelief.

  Himeno turned to Aki, who had been unusually quiet. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, his gaze distant but calculating as he processed what was happening.

  "Aki... w-what's going on?" Himeno asked, her voice cracking slightly despite her efforts to remain steady.

  Aki didn't immediately respond. He stood there, his brow furrowed, weighing the options in his mind. "It must be the work of a devil." His tone was calm, almost soothing, though the anxiety in his chest gnawed at him. "Villamor," he called, his gaze shifting to the man standing slightly behind them. "Please, comfort Kobeni for me. We need to stay focused."

  Marcus, still processing the bizarre situation, snapped out of his stupor and shot a look at Aki, then at Kobeni. His expression softened briefly, but only for a moment, before his usual confident air took over. He moved to stand beside Kobeni, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

  Without waiting for anyone else, Aki moved toward one of the rooms down the hall, the door creaking as he turned the handle. The light flickered briefly before bathing the interior in soft, golden light. It was a sterile, almost too-perfect room—two neatly made beds, a television on the opposite wall, tables stacked with nondescript items, and a deep blue carpet that looked like it hadn't been touched in ages. It was pristine, uninviting, almost unnatural.

  Aki took a few steps inside, examining the surroundings. The window caught his attention, and he approached it with cautious curiosity. When he peered outside, a wave of disorientation struck him. The view beyond wasn't a cityscape or even the usual look of an apartment complex—it was another identical room. His throat tightened as he realized the implications.

  He opened the window and stepped through the room as he walked thru the copy and paste room as he takes the handle on the door and opens it, but to his horror, the door that had been behind him in the first room now appeared on the opposite side, leading directly back to the hallway.

  Aki's expression turned grim as he walked back toward the others, stepping into the hallway once more. He stood silently for a moment, observing the confused faces around him.

  Marcus glanced at Aki, who had returned to the hallway, his expression hard and unreadable. Surprise flickered in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a deepening sense of unease. Kobeni, already trembling, looked even more panicked now. She gripped her arms tightly, her wide eyes darting around as though searching for an escape that wasn't there.

  Denji, who had wandered off into one of the rooms, emerged moments later, his usual cocky grin replaced with a frustrated frown. "Hey, none of these rooms lead anywhere. They just loop us right back to the other side," he said, his voice laced with irritation.

  Joe, standing farther down the hall, surveyed the surroundings in silence. His sharp eyes scanned every corner, every crack in the walls, his mind working rapidly. A bead of sweat slipped down his temple, his calm exterior giving way to a rare, subtle flicker of worry. "I see... so we really are stuck," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, the words sinking in like a cold weight.

  Cool Facts Time!

  Hey, it's GG here, and welcome to a fun new section where we drop some cool facts about your favorite characters! ?? Get ready, 'cause here come the facts that will blow your mind! ??

  Fact #1:

  Did you know before the Red Light District Arc from Demon Slayer came out, and back when I was still into Bambietta, the weapon I originally gave Lex was a kusarigama—because, let’s be honest, it looks insanely cool. At the time, I thought it suited him perfectly. But then, Tengen Uzui showed up, and oh my god, he was just so flashy! The way he wielded those massive cleavers was incredible—fast, unpredictable, and ridiculously stylish. I was instantly hooked.

  That’s when it hit me: Lex should totally use dual cleavers. It fits his personality so much better—loud, chaotic, and effortlessly cool. Plus, wielding two giant cleavers isn’t just flashy; it’s also a serious challenge, which makes it even more badass. Don’t get me wrong, a kusarigama is no joke—it’s an insanely technical weapon—but for someone like Lex? That’d be a walk in the park.

  Fact #2:

  Joe from our story is secretly inspired by Joe Goldberg from that TV show "You!" ?? Yeah, it's true. Don't worry, he's not that creepy, though... or is he? ??

  Fact #3:

  Did you know? Whenever the H.G.O. establishes itself in a country and sends in combat and patrol members, the birth rate increases by 20%! ????? (Must be all those heroic vibes, huh? ???♂????♀???)

  Fact #4:

  Did you know that becoming a mercenary is a popular career choice in many third-world countries? This is because they often can't afford to create their own agencies or hire foreign services for devil hunting. As a result, many countries, especially from Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, have begun advertising mercenary services to these nations. The governments, looking for more affordable options, start reaching out to hire them.

  While the services of these mercenaries aren’t exactly cheap, they are still a fraction of the cost compared to maintaining a full-fledged devil hunting organization or buying services from major agencies like the H.G.O. So, for countries with limited budgets, these mercenary groups become a practical choice—even though they may not have the same level of training, resources, or reliability. But when it comes to cost-effectiveness, they often seem like the better deal.

  Fact #5

  Did you know that to become a blacklist mercenary, you have to break a major rule that separates them from regular mercenaries? This rule often involves committing acts of international terrorism or something equally extreme, though the specifics can vary. Becoming a blacklist mercenary is no easy feat, and hiring one is even harder. They are extremely difficult to get ahold of, but once you do manage to hire them, they have a reputation for getting the job done with 100% success—as long as the H.G.O.'s Elite Combat Members and Devil Hunters aren’t involved. In other words, while these mercenaries are skilled and reliable, they can still face serious obstacles when dealing with top-tier H.G.O. forces.

  Alr thanks for listening lets head back to the story!!

  The group stood in the unnerving stillness of the sterile, unnaturally perfect room. Aki, calm yet visibly tense, leaned against the window, his gaze distant and fixed on the unchanging scene outside, which only served to deepen the growing sense of isolation. The cold, steady light filtered through the glass, casting long shadows in the otherwise immaculate room.

  Denji, ever the master of distraction, sprawled out across the bed, trying to pass the time with an indifferent stare. His thoughts wandered aimlessly, his restlessness unable to be fully suppressed. Power, on the other hand, sat at the edge of the bed where Denji rested, legs crossed, her sharp eyes scanning the room with a mix of disdain and boredom. She idly twirled a strand of her hair as she let out an occasional mutter under her breath.

  Kobeni, on the second bed, appeared far more distraught. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow with exhaustion and terror, and her hands trembled slightly as they clutched at the edge of the mattress. The reality of their endless loop weighed heavily on her, her mind struggling to make sense of it all.

  Himeno, ever the picture of calm, leaned against the wall near the door, the glow of her cigarette illuminating her face as she took slow, deliberate puffs. Her expression was unreadable, but a faint crease of worry lined her brow. She flicked the ashes onto the floor, her mind lost in thought as the heavy silence hung in the air.

  Arai stood tall, his posture rigid, as though trying to hold onto some semblance of control in the midst of chaos. He didn't speak much, but his eyes constantly scanned the room, alert and vigilant, as if expecting something to change at any moment. Beside him stood Joe, ever stoic, his eyes narrowed in quiet contemplation, though there was an edge of tension in his stance that betrayed his growing unease.

  Marcus, meanwhile, sat at the small table in the corner, rifling through the supplies they'd gathered. His analytical mind buzzed with urgency, picking apart their meager rations. Even if they rationed the food carefully, the supplied would last four people for 2 day's if given 3 meals a day three days if rationed, but there is more than 4 of us in our group the supplies wont last that long, starvation seemed inevitable unless they figured out a way to escape this endless trap.

  His fingers hovered over the half-filled bag of guns and ammunition next to him. Marcus wasn't sure if they'd even need the weapons, considering the devil responsible for this might not be interested in a fight at all—just their slow demise. The idea of a devil trapping them and leaving them to rot is making him panic, as he feels the air in the room heavier.

  "I don't like this," Marcus muttered to himself, eyeing the supplies again. "We're running out of time, and this place feels like it's designed to break us down."

  Marcus leaned forward slightly, his voice light but carrying an undercurrent of forced optimism as he sat beside Kobeni, who was still shaking. "Hey, you know... since we've got nothing else to do, how about we talk about why we became Devil Hunters? Or for us Batch Members, at least. Maybe it'll help take our minds off... all this," he said, offering a small, almost playful chuckle. On the outside, he was trying to sound relaxed, but inside, his mind was running a mile a minute, panic simmering just below the surface. He knew if they let the despair take over, they'd be finished.

  "I'll go first," Marcus continued, his voice steady. "I became a Batch Member so I could help my parents out. At the time, I had a few relatives who were Batch Members, so I had some backing. Plus, I'm a scholar, so you could say becoming a Batch Member was the easiest and most logical choice for a guaranteed salary. And, well, it's pretty good, too," he added with a grin, trying to keep things light. He glanced at Joe, giving him a knowing look. "And Joe here? He used to be a mercenary, hired by the H.G.O. But when they offered him a job here, he accepted and got settled in the city. He had to be watched and checked for a while, but now? Well, Joe's a decent guy, so they don't need to keep tabs on him anymore," he finished, smiling confidently, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

  Joe stood quietly nearby, his usual calm demeanor unshaken by the grimness of the situation. He nodded, acknowledging Marcus's words with a slight tilt of his head, but didn't say anything. His expression remained unreadable, the faintest trace of something lurking in his eyes.

  Arai, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, decided to chime in, his voice surprisingly warm as he leaned against the wall, trying to push away the lingering fear. "I wanted to become a Devil Hunter to make my parents proud, just like my father. He was a Devil Hunter too, supporting us with his work. I remember the scariest stories he'd tell me and my brother before bed. Hell, I still remember some of those stories, even now. But I wanted to experience what he went through—to understand the hardships he faced, and the happiness he found in his work. I wanted to carry that legacy for when I eventually got married and started a family of my own. To give them the same things my father gave us." His tone softened with nostalgia, a small, almost wistful smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

  The room fell into a brief silence, the weight of Arai's words hanging in the air. It wasn't a cheerful tale, but it was something that gave a small glimpse of hope—a reason for fighting, even when the odds seemed insurmountable

  As the atmosphere in the room shifted as Kobeni, visibly shaken, looked up at Arai, her eyes glistening with the remnants of her tears. Slowly, her trembling hand wiped her face, and she tried to steady her breath. Arai smiled gently at her, his eyes warm with understanding.

  "Hang in there, Kobeni," Arai said softly, his voice steady yet comforting. "We're all scared. Every single mission could be our last. But I hope, no matter what happens, you'll find happiness—especially for your brother. He's got a bright future ahead of him, and I know you want to see him succeed."

  Kobeni, feeling the weight of Arai's words, hesitated. She looked down, clearly uncomfortable talking about her past. The unease in her posture was palpable as she shifted on the bed.

  "I... I never wanted to become a Devil Hunter," she began, her voice faltering. "It wasn't my choice. I was just... forced into it by my parents." She paused, and a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "My brother's gifted, you see. He's smart, talented... So they made me get the job. It was either that, or I become a prostitute" her voice broke as tears began to fall once more.

  Marcus, sitting nearby, immediately leaned forward. His face softened, and he handed her a small handkerchief wrapped around a homemade chocolate bar. The gesture was simple but filled with care.

  "Here," Marcus said quietly, offering it to her. "It's a little treat for you."

  Kobeni hesitated for a moment, but as she took the handkerchief, her fingers brushed the chocolate, and she couldn't help but feel the faintest warmth in the kindness of the gesture.

  Marcus gently caressed her head, offering a sense of comfort with his words.

  "Here, it's a little treat for you," Marcus said gently, caressing Kobeni's head. His voice softened as he spoke, the words carrying more weight than he intended. "My mother used to give me this kind of attention after I saw a devil for the first time. I was asleep at the time, and she was in the kitchen. She loved making surprise chocolate for me whenever I woke up. It was just a regular day, until she saw the devil."

  He paused, his expression darkening as the memory resurfaced. "I'm not sure what kind of devil it was, but it was terrifying. Every time you looked away, it moved. So my mother kept her eyes on it while she called my uncle and my father about it. I woke up to the sound of sirens blaring, and my father's heavy footsteps. He came in, took me in his arms, and we waited outside."

  Marcus's gaze turned distant as he continued. "I remember some really high-ranking combat members arriving. I think some of them were elite, though I was too young to really understand who they were. The devil was in a cage, a tall, thin, humanoid figure. It was so tall, I thought it could blend into the trees or bushes without anyone noticing. It had light green skin, wide eyes, and long, razor-sharp nails. Its teeth were huge and flat, like it was grinning, but it never moved—just stood there, covering its body with its spindly hands."

  His voice faltered slightly, a quiet bitterness slipping in. "I'll never forget how terrifying it was. It was so big that even though it didn't move, you could feel its presence just by looking at it. Thankfully, my mother wasn't hurt, but after that, she would hum a tune every night before I went to bed—a tune from the radio she listened to all the time. It became our routine. She would check every nook and cranny in my room, and always look out the window before tucking me in. She just wanted to make sure I was safe... that we were safe."

  "I want some chocolate!" Power exclaimed boldly, her voice cutting through the silence of the room. Marcus chuckled and nodded, reaching into his bag. "Sure, here." He handed Power a neatly wrapped chocolate bar, which she eagerly tore into, savoring the sweet taste without a care in the world.

  As Power indulged in her treat, Marcus turned his attention to the rest of the group. "Do you guys need any?" he asked, his gaze moving from one person to the next. His eyes lingered for a moment on Aki, who seemed oddly distracted.

  "Uh, hey, Alpha," Marcus called out, teasing lightly, "what are you looking at? Is something catching your eye?"

  Aki blinked, snapped back to the present, and wiped a sweat drop from his forehead. "The clock," he replied, his voice low and tense. "It's been stuck at 8:18 for a while now. In every single room, it's the same. 8:18. That means... there's a chance time is frozen on the 8th floor. If that's true, then no one's coming."

  The words hung in the air, a heavy silence following Aki's revelation. The hum of the A/C seemed to grow louder, amplifying the suffocating stillness that had settled over the group. Denji was fast asleep, his face contorted in a grimace as if wishing all of this were just a bad dream. Power, on the other hand, continued eating the chocolate with a blissful expression, completely unfazed by the grim turn of events.

  Kobeni, unable to hold back any longer, cried even harder, her sobs wracking her body as she leaned into Marcus's shoulder for support. He didn't flinch, his own expression a mixture of concern and helplessness as he let her use him for comfort. Arai and Himeno exchanged shocked glances, their faces pale as the weight of Aki's words sank in. Meanwhile, Joe remained stoic, his poker face impenetrable, but the tension in his posture was unmistakable.

  The group, paralyzed by the realization that time might have stopped for them, couldn't escape the gnawing fear that they were trapped—alone in a frozen moment with no way out.

  As the clock continued its endless tick at 8:18, the sterile light of the hallway cast an eerie glow. Joe, Aki, and Arai moved cautiously through the empty halls, their footsteps echoing faintly against the polished floors. Each room they passed was unnervingly identical, the monotonous décor adding to the sense of entrapment. Meanwhile, Denji was still fast asleep in one of the rooms, sprawled across a bed, blissfully unaware of the tension that filled the air.

  "Denji. Denji, rise and shine. Denji!" Himeno's playful voice broke through the silence as she leaned over, poking his cheek repeatedly. Denji groaned, letting out a long yawn as his eyes fluttered open.

  "Ugh... Did we manage to find a way out?" he mumbled groggily, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

  Himeno smiled softly at him, though her expression carried a hint of weariness. "Hate to break it to you, but not yet," she replied, her tone light but tinged with resignation. "While you were snoozing, we found out the power and electricity are still working, though it doesn't do us much good in here. On the bright side, we managed to scavenge some food from the rooms the guests abandoned when they ran."

  She gestured to the second bed, where a plastic bag sat filled with various food items—a mishmash of snacks and leftovers hastily left behind. Denji's eyes lit up momentarily at the sight of the food, his stomach growling audibly.

  "Not exactly gourmet," Himeno added with a chuckle, "but it'll keep us going."

  Denji stretched his arms with a loud sigh, glancing around the room. "Man, I was hoping all this was just a bad dream. Guess not, huh?"

  Himeno ruffled his messy hair playfully. "Afraid not. But don't worry—we'll get out of here. Somehow." Despite her words, her eyes briefly darted toward the clock on the wall, still frozen at 8:18.

  The weight of their predicament lingered heavily in the room, but Denji's presence, even groggy and unkempt, seemed to bring a fleeting sense of normalcy to the moment.

  A small grin spread across Denji's face as he turned to Himeno. "I see. So, where's everyone else?" he asked, his tone carrying a mix of curiosity and lingering drowsiness.

  Himeno leaned against the wall, crossing her arms as she replied. "Well, Joe, Aki, and Arai are still searching for the devil. Non-stop. Me and Marcus told them to take a break, but you know how they are—they wouldn't listen. Said it's something important."

  Denji raised an eyebrow. "And Kobeni?"

  Himeno let out a small sigh. "She had a full-blown panic attack earlier. Poor girl couldn't calm down, so we managed to get her to lie down in another room. Marcus is with her right now, keeping an eye on her."

  Denji nodded, a flicker of sympathy crossing his face before he caught himself. "And Power?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly. "Did something happen to her?"

  As Denji finished his question, the door to the room suddenly burst open with a loud bang. Power, standing in the doorway, looked completely unfazed as she struck a dramatic pose. Her long red horns gleamed in the dim light, and her wild grin stretched from ear to ear.

  "Listen up, everyone!" she yelled, her voice booming and far too energetic for the atmosphere. "I, Power, the future Prime Minister of the world, have had enough of this boring situation!"

  Denji blinked, staring at her in confusion, while Himeno sighed, rubbing her temples. "Oh no, not again."

  Power, undeterred by the lack of applause, continued on her rant. "I've decided it's time for a change, a big change! After saving humanity from an unspeakable evil—by accident—I'm going to be awarded the Nobel Prize for not destroying the entire world!" Her eyes lit up, her wild imagination already in overdrive. "And then, once I accept the Nobel Prize, I'll use my new powers as Prime Minister to—drumroll, please—implement 100% taxes on every single human being! No exceptions! Everyone will pay taxes and bow to me as I sit on my massive throne made of all the tax money I collect!"

  Denji, still half-asleep, raised an eyebrow. "100% taxes? Won't that make people... uh, broke?"

  Power grinned even wider. "Exactly! Everyone will be miserable and completely broke! They'll have nothing left to do but serve me as I sit in my glorious palace! The people will cry out for mercy, but I'll laugh, laugh at their pain! Oh, the sweet, sweet cries of misery will be music to my ears!"

  Denji couldn't help but shake his head. "You've really thought this through, huh?"

  Power's eyes sparkled with wild enthusiasm as she strutted across the room, hands on her hips. "Of course! I'll force everyone to pay tribute to me in ways they never even dreamed of! And when they're done bowing at my feet, I'll make them do all the chores I can't be bothered to do! I'll have them clean my imaginary castle, fetch me snacks, and—" She paused, realizing she had no idea how taxes worked beyond "making people miserable." "Um... I'll think of more stuff later, but for now, behold, I am your future leader!"

  There was a long pause, the rest of the group staring at her, stunned into silence. Denji raised a hand. "So... you're just bored, right?"

  Power glanced over at Denji, grinning. "Of course I am! And this is way more fun than just sitting around and waiting. Time to make the world really interesting!"

  Himeno, still rubbing her forehead, muttered, "You're out of your mind."

  Power threw her head back, laughing. "That's what makes me great! Soon, all of humanity will know—Power will rule!" She took a dramatic pause, eyes wide with excitement. "But, uh, first, I need to figure out how to become Prime Minister... anyone got a plan for that?"

  There was a long, awkward silence.

  "Maybe start by not torturing humanity?" Denji suggested, as dryly as possible.

  Power beamed, completely ignoring the sarcasm. "Good idea, Denji! I'll torture them later. After I get my Nobel Prize!"

  Himeno slapped a hand to her face, exasperation evident in her gesture, while Denji let out a long, drawn-out sigh. Power, however, was completely unfazed, as usual. Marcus, ever the problem-solver, tossed Power another piece of chocolate from his stash.

  "Here, Power. I think Kobeni wouldn't mind if you ate her chocolate," Marcus said, offering the sweet treat with a half-hearted smile.

  Power grinned like a mischievous child, taking the chocolate with gusto. "Perfect!" she cheered, shoving the entire piece into her mouth. "I'll save her some for later... if she's lucky!"

  Himeno raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to Marcus. "Marcus, how is Kobeni doing? Is she awake?" she asked, her tone a mixture of concern and curiosity.

  Marcus nodded, his expression a bit more serious. "Yeah, she's awake. She's eating right now, trying to calm down." His voice softened, an underlying concern for Kobeni creeping in despite the chaotic atmosphere around them.

  Denji, still clearly hungry and annoyed by the lack of sleep, perked up immediately. "Food? Holy crap, I want some food!" His stomach grumbled loudly, practically begging for a meal.

  Power, not one to be left out, raised her hand high in the air, her eyes wide with determination. "I want meat!!!"

  Marcus looked a little overwhelmed, his usual calm demeanor faltering just slightly under the weight of the demands. "Um, well, we don't have meat on the menu. We've got nothing to cook it with, unfortunately," he explained, trying to keep things practical. "But, I hope you don't mind some bread, beans, canned tuna... and, you know, all that other stuff we've got stashed away."

  As Marcus expression is neutral but with a hint of determination. "Alright, I'll prepare something for you, Power. I don't mind, as long as you're happy with it." His voice was calm, though a faint flicker of weariness could be heard beneath the surface.

  Power, grinning like a mischievous child, waved her hand dismissively. "Meat is meat! I'll take whatever!" she exclaimed, eyes wide with unrestrained enthusiasm.

  Marcus chuckled softly at Power's usual antics. "Alright, alright," he said with a slight shake of his head. "I'll get something together." He then turned his gaze to Himeno, "How about you Himeno are you hungry"

  "No thanks, I'm not that hungry," Himeno replied, her tone casual as she leaned against the wall. She waved her hand as if dismissing the very thought of food, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Besides, I don't need to add more to my plate."

  Marcus nodded in understanding, though he couldn't help but smile at her laid-back attitude. "Alright, if your stomach starts growling later, don't worry—I'll make sure you get a proper meal," he said with a light-hearted wink.

  "Now, let's head to the next room," Marcus added, turning toward the hallway. "I left my supplies there. Follow me." He motioned for the group to follow, his steps steady but his mind still racing with the situation they were in. Despite the chaos, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of duty, even if it was just preparing meals for his team.

  As Marcus led the group down the hallway, the sound of the clock ticking endlessly at 8:18 filling the otherwise tense silence. The distorted repetition of time created an unsettling atmosphere, as if they were trapped in a loop that never moved forward. The group entered the next room, the hum of the A/C cutting through the stillness, its cold air doing little to soothe the anxiety that hung in the air.

  Himeno leaned against the wall, casually puffing on a cigarette, her eyes narrowed in thought as she glanced out the window. She watched Marcus through the frame, who was carefully feeding Kobeni. The young woman sat huddled under a blanket, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she ate, her gaze unfocused and distant, like she wasn't entirely present in the moment. The food provided some comfort, but it couldn't erase the fear that still clung to her.

  Meanwhile, Denji sat nearby, happily devouring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, his carefree expression betraying the gravity of the situation. He seemed entirely consumed by the food, blissfully unaware of the ominous clock, the quiet tension between the others, or even the fact that they were stuck in a never-ending loop. To him, it was just another day, even if everything around him screamed that it was anything but ordinary.

  Himeno watched Marcus carefully tending to Kobeni, her cigarette dangling between her fingers. She took a final drag, realizing the tobacco was nearly burned down to the filter. With a soft sigh, she retrieved her pocket ashtray, extinguishing the spent cigarette before snapping the container shut. Slipping it back into her jacket, she pulled out her pack of smokes, only to discover there was just one left. A pang of disappointment crossed her face as she plucked it out.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Well," she muttered to herself, holding up the lone cigarette like it was some rare treasure, "looks like this is my last one."

  As she lit it, Power noisily cracked open a can of tuna, drawing everyone's attention. She dug into it with zero decorum, practically inhaling the contents before licking her lips with an exaggerated motion. Turning her attention to Himeno, she gave her a playful grin.

  "You surprise me, human," Power said, her voice laced with amusement. "You don't seem distressed at all. Most of you weaklings would be crying by now." She leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming with mischief while himeno lights her cigar.

  Himeno blew a puff of smoke, her demeanor unbothered. "Well, taking a break while the others are busting their asses has its perks," she replied coolly. "That, and the nicotine helps. Aki and the others can keep playing heroes. I'm just recharging." She exhaled another stream of smoke, her tone casual yet self-aware.

  Denji, sitting nearby with a sandwich half-stuffed in his mouth, suddenly perked up. He eyed the cigarette in Himeno's hand, noting the red-striped logo on the side of the familiar CityDel brand. A random thought popped into his head, and with zero filter—as always—he blurted out, "Hey, Himeno. I get why you think Aki's a handsome dude and all, but isn't he kinda... boring? He's got his job stuck so far up his ass, it's like he's married to it or something."

  Himeno froze for a split second before a laugh escaped her lips, a genuine and hearty sound. She shook her head as she looked at Denji, amused by his bluntness. "You really don't hold back, huh?" she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "But yeah, you're not entirely wrong. Aki's got a stick up his ass most of the time, but it's kinda charming in a way, right?" Himeno chuckled again, leaning back against the wall, the smoke swirling around her head in lazy tendrils. "I guess someone's gotta be the serious one. Otherwise, this group would be in absolute chaos. You know, more than usual."

  Power, still licking tuna from her fingers, grinned widely. "I think Aki's too uptight. He could learn a thing or two from me. Like, how to have fun!" She paused, squinting at Denji. "You're the only one here who's not afraid to speak your mind, so I'll give you some credit. Maybe I'll keep you around for a bit longer."

  Denji shrugged, his usual carefree attitude intact, despite the weight of the situation around them. "Yeah, well, I just say what comes to mind. It's not like I'm gonna let all the weird stuff get to me. Besides, food's good, so I'm good."

  Himeno took another drag from her cigarette, watching the banter unfold with mild amusement. The chaos that surrounded them, the eerie stillness of time, and the tension of the situation were all somehow made more bearable by the simple exchanges between the group. She let the smoke roll from her lips slowly, savoring the moment of calm in the midst of everything else.

  "Fair enough," she said with a lazy smile, looking between Denji and Power. "You both have a way of making things seem less... tense. I could use more of that. It's getting harder to focus with all this damn stillness."

  Power, finishing off her tuna, grinned wildly at Denji. "Food, huh? If only it were all that simple. The world's not just about food and fun, you know." She paused, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "But I'd say you're right for once. I might stick around if you keep being fun. You're less boring than the others. Maybe I'll make you my underling."

  Denji raised an eyebrow, finishing his sandwich. "Underling? What, you want me to be your sidekick or something? How about I be the one calling the shots for once?" he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.

  Himeno chuckled, flicking the ash from her cigarette. "This is the part where you two start throwing down, right?" she teased. "Don't worry, I'll be the referee."

  Power puffed up her chest, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, no need to fight over it. We all know I'd win anyway." She smirked

  The door creaked open suddenly, breaking the group's banter. Aki stepped into the room, his usual composed demeanor slightly strained. "Himeno, do you have a cigarette?" he asked, his voice calm but with a subtle edge of urgency.

  Himeno glanced at him, the cigarette dangling lazily from her lips. She smirked, tilting her head as she exhaled a puff of smoke. "Sorry, last one," she teased, pointing to the lit cigarette between her fingers.

  Aki walked toward her, undeterred. "I let you borrow mine before, Himeno. It's only fair."

  Himeno arched an eyebrow, her teasing smile growing wider. "Well, since it's you..." she said, her tone playful yet lazy. With a shrug, she pulled the cigarette from her lips and handed it over.

  Aki took the cigarette and drew a slow inhale, his movements calm and deliberate. Denji, who had been silently watching the entire exchange, couldn't hold back any longer. "You guys should just kiss already," he blurted out with a mischievous grin.

  Aki's face twitched with irritation. "Shut up," he snapped, glaring at Denji.

  Himeno, however, let out a soft chuckle, clearly amused by Denji's antics. She leaned back against the wall, watching as Aki took another drag from the cigarette, his expression unreadable.

  Aki exhaled slowly, his composure returning. "We have a problem," he said, his tone turning serious. "The devil we killed earlier... it's grown bigger."

  Before anyone could react, rushed footsteps echoed down the hallway, and the door burst open. Joe appeared, panting heavily. "Hayakawa! The devil—it's gotten even bigger!" he exclaimed, his voice tight with urgency.

  Behind him, Arai followed, his face pale with dread. A loud crash reverberated through the building, making everyone freeze for a moment. Arai's horrified gaze darted toward the source of the noise.

  The group quickly moved toward the hallway, the tension palpable as they stepped outside to face the new threat.

  What awaited them was a grotesque, towering mass of flesh, barely contained by the narrow corridors. The creature's warped body was a horrific amalgamation of writhing flesh, disjointed limbs, and grotesque faces that jutted out like tumors. Eyes of various sizes and colors darted wildly in every direction, while the mouths on the heads stretched into unnatural, smiling grins. The sickening stench of decay filled the air, and the creature's presence seemed to make the space feel even tighter, suffocating.

  Marcus and Kobeni emerged from the room, both stunned into silence at the sight. Kobeni clutched the blanket draped around her shoulders, her trembling even more pronounced now.

  Himeno's eyes widened as she took in the monstrous form. Her voice broke the silence, barely above a whisper. "So it trapped us... and now it shows its true self. What kind of devil is this?" she muttered, equal parts shock and disbelief.

  The devil's many eyes swiveled to focus on the group, its twisted smiles widening as if in mockery. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on everyone, the air thick with the promise of violence yet to come.

  All of the mouth speak with synchronization as they look at the group of humans "Humans...Stupid Humans... I want to make a contract" the devil spoke as all of the mouths speak as Aki looks at the devil wanting everyone to calm down as he nods trying to buy some time for his team to think "Alright what are your terms?" As the eyes of the devil shows a hint of glee and fascination towards Aki "I want to feast on the corpse of a human name Denji dead or alive, it does not matter bring him to me and I shall set you all free" The devil's grotesque mouths moved in perfect synchronization, their collective voice reverberating through the corridor like a distorted chorus. "Humans... stupid humans... I want to make a contract," it declared, its many eyes gleaming with a sinister mix of malice and fascination as they scanned the group.

  Aki stepped forward, his expression calm but resolute, motioning subtly for everyone to stay composed. He knew they needed time to assess the situation, and panicking wouldn't help. "Alright," he said evenly, his voice steady. "What are your terms?"

  The devil's monstrous form seemed to shudder with delight, its numerous faces contorting into grotesque grins. The eyes darted toward Aki, lingering on him with an unsettling intensity. "I want to feast on the corpse of a human named Denji," it replied, its words dripping with malevolence. "Dead or alive, it does not matter. Bring him to me, and I shall set you all free so choose wisely human you shall be thankful for my my act I am a patient being."

  The devil's grotesque chorus echoed down the hallway, sending a chill through the group as it spoke in perfect, synchronized unison. "Humans... stupid humans... I want to make a contract," it hissed, its many eyes flashing with dark amusement. The faces on its flesh writhed, mouths stretching into wide, twisted grins that seemed to mock the humans before them.

  Aki, standing at the forefront, assessed the situation carefully, his jaw set in determination. He made a subtle gesture, signaling for the others to remain calm. Panicking would only make things worse. He knew how devils like this one operated—its terms were a twisted game, and if they were to survive, they needed to think clearly. "Alright," Aki said, his voice even and controlled, "What are your terms?"

  The devil's massive form seemed to pulse with satisfaction, its many faces contorting into expressions of glee. Its eyes locked onto Aki, studying him with an unnerving intensity that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. "I want to feast on the corpse of a human named Denji," it said, its words dripping with malevolent hunger. "Dead or alive, it does not matter. Bring him to me, and I shall set you all free."

  The creature paused, as if savoring the moment, before its faces cracked into even more unsettling grins. "Choose wisely, human," it continued, its voices slithering through the air. "You shall be thankful for my act. I am a patient being, after all."

  Aki's heart raced, but his outward demeanor remained calm, his mind already working through the possibilities. The devil's offer was twisted, but it was clear that it saw Denji as its prize. What it was really offering wasn't freedom, but an exchange—one life for another, a devil's bargain.

  He shifted his gaze toward the rest of the group. There was a brief flicker of unease in the air, as everyone processed the devil's chilling demand. Denji, standing slightly off to the side, raised an eyebrow, but his usual carefree demeanor didn't show any real sign of fear. He seemed more intrigued than scared, though his hand subconsciously hovered near the chainsaw mechanism hidden under his jacket.

  The devil's eyes glimmered with anticipation, waiting for Aki to make his move. The choice seemed simple on the surface, but Aki knew the stakes were far higher than the devil let on. Whatever their next steps were, they would have to be careful—because in the world of devils, nothing came without a cost.

  Aki's gaze remained focused on the devil as he turned his head toward Marcus, his expression unreadable. "Villamor, any thoughts?" he asked, his voice calm but urgent, trying to gauge the situation through Marcus's perspective.

  Marcus, still visibly shaken but trying to compose himself, met Aki's eyes. The panic in his mind was hard to ignore, but he forced himself to think clearly. "Yeah..." Marcus muttered, his voice tight as he scanned the grotesque form of the devil. "It wants Denji for something, but I can't think straight right now. I'm not sure what kind of devil this is. I've never seen anything like it before." His words were edged with uncertainty, but he tried to steady himself, knowing that panicking wouldn't help.

  Taking a deep breath, Marcus shifted his focus toward Kobeni, who was visibly trembling. Her hands were clenched into fists, her eyes wide with fear as she watched the devil's monstrous form loom over them. Marcus instinctively moved toward her, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer her some comfort in the midst of the chaos. His touch was gentle, but his mind was racing, trying to make sense of what was happening.

  Meanwhile, the devil seemed to take great pleasure in the group's unease. Its many mouths stretched into grotesque grins, and all its eyes fixed on the humans, a chilling, synchronized hunger in their gaze. The grotesque chorus of voices filled the air again, their tone taunting and dark. "Humans... stupid humans... I will wait," the devil hissed, its voice mocking. "You can think on it. But do not take too long, or your freedom will be forfeit."

  Aki's jaw clenched. He needed more time to think, to understand the devil's true intentions. But every second they wasted made the stakes higher. "We can't afford to make a rash decision," he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting between the others. Denji, who had been standing off to the side, was still eerily calm, his expression inscrutable as he glanced between the devil and his team.

  As Marcus continued to help Kobeni relax, gently speaking to her, the air seemed to thicken with tension. The devil's eyes followed every movement, every breath, its glee palpable in the silence that had overtaken the room. There was something deeply unsettling about the way it observed them, as if it relished every second of their discomfort.

  "Stay calm," Aki said, his voice steady, though there was a flicker of urgency beneath the surface. "We'll figure this out. We need a plan." His gaze returned to the devil, whose form shifted and rippled, almost as if it were growing in response to the group's fear. They didn't have much time.

  As Joe stepped out from one of the rooms, his footsteps heavy with purpose, a light machine gun in hand, the devil's many eyes immediately shifted toward him. For the first time, there was a flicker of surprise in the devil's grotesque expression as it locked onto Joe's form. Before anyone could fully process what was happening, Joe pulled the trigger.

  "BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!!"

  The deafening sound of the machine gun filled the corridor as the group scrambled back, instinctively seeking cover. Bullets tore through the devil's monstrous flesh, leaving smoking holes in the grotesque mass. Each shot seemed to do more damage than the last, the devil's flesh visibly writhing and spasming in pain.

  "IT HURTS!!! IT HURTS!!!" The devil's many mouths cried out in unison, their chorus of agony reverberating through the room. The mass of flesh twitched violently, and its disfigured heads turned toward Joe, their eyes glowing with fury and desperation.

  Before Joe could fire another round, the devil's grotesque form seemed to react, forcing its fleshy limbs to crawl toward him, its mouths snapping open as if to consume him whole. The air grew thick with its unrelenting hunger.

  Joe Lights a Molotov and With a swift SWWOOOOSSHH!!!, Joe tossed a Molotov cocktail toward the devil. The glass bottle shattered against its grotesque body, and the liquid ignited in a burst of flame.

  "AAAAHHH!!!" The devil howled in agony as the fire erupted across its body, writhing and thrashing as it tried to extinguish the flames. The horrid, smoky stench filled the air as the devil's once-grinning faces contorted into masks of pain.

  Joe didn't hesitate. He quickly retreated toward the group, his eyes wide with adrenaline as he sprinted back to the safety of his teammates. As he approached, his breath ragged, he called out, his voice sharp with urgency.

  "Move! Move! Get back!"

  The group shuffled back even further, the tension in the air palpable as they regrouped. The devil, now burning and writhing in pain, continued to scream, its once towering presence momentarily weakened. The flames licked at its flesh, but even as it burned, it remained terrifyingly resilient.

  As Joe rejoined the group, the heavy strap of his light machine gun draped across his chest, his hand gripping the weapon like his life depended on it. His breath came in quick, ragged gasps, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. Marcus, his face flushed with relief after narrowly avoiding the devil's wrath, let out a short, incredulous laugh. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand and, still catching his breath, leaned back against the wall with an exaggerated sigh.

  "God...," Marcus muttered, shaking his head. "Sorry, guys. I kind of forgot to mention that Joe here can be... a little unpredictable sometimes." He shot Joe a playful, almost apologetic grin. "But hey, look on the bright side, at least we're not dead yet."

  With that, Marcus casually threw up a fist and bumped it against Joe's shoulder, his posture relaxed now, his usual cocky confidence beginning to return in the wake of the chaos. "I'll buy you all a drink after this, alright? Hell, I'll buy the whole damn bar. Least I can do after nearly getting us all turned into devil chow." His chuckle was lighthearted, the tension of the moment momentarily lifting.

  As the group regained some composure, Marcus' self-assured grin was back in full force, a little mischief glinting in his eyes. He was ready for whatever came next.

  Aki's sharp eyes flickered from Marcus and Joe back to the devil, his brow furrowing as he analyzed the situation. The devil's grotesque form was healing at an alarming rate, the wounds that Joe's gunfire and Molotov cocktail had inflicted slowly closing up, but still, the devil remained eerily still. Its many eyes watched the group with a malevolent, calculating malice, a cold, unnerving stare that felt almost like it was waiting.

  "No need to apologize, Marcus," Aki said calmly, his voice low but steady. "In fact, I want to thank him." He gave Joe a brief, almost imperceptible nod before turning his focus back to the devil, his gaze sharpening.

  He took a step forward, his mind working quickly as he observed the creature. "It's not attacking. It's not making any moves," Aki pointed out, his voice taking on a more analytical tone. "It says it wants to make a contract with us to kill Denji, but why? Why would it go through all this trouble when it could just kill us all, right now?"

  The devil's eyes flashed with a faint glimmer of something unsettling—perhaps amusement, perhaps disdain—but its many mouths remained silent, their grotesque smiles still fixed. The group watched, tense, as Aki continued to probe the creature with his eyes, searching for any clue, any hint as to why it would hesitate.

  Aki's mind raced through possible scenarios, weighing every potential risk. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this situation. The devil could have killed them all in an instant—after all, it had the power to heal rapidly, to overwhelm them with its grotesque, overpowering presence. Yet, instead, it had offered a contract.

  He shifted his stance, his eyes narrowing. "Whatever its plan is, it's not just about survival or killing us. There's something deeper here," he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.

  The tension in the room grew thicker as everyone awaited the devil's next move—or any further clues to reveal its true intentions.

  Marcus slowly stood up, the playful demeanor he had maintained earlier now gone, replaced by a razor-sharp focus. His previous nonchalance vanished, and he adjusted his stance, his fingers absently running through his tousled hair. His eyes, once full of careless amusement, now radiated intensity, the full weight of the situation finally pressing down on him. The heat of the moment had passed, and Marcus's mind shifted into high gear, processing every piece of information with precision. This wasn't a random fight anymore; this was something much darker, more calculated.

  "Yeah, you're right," Marcus said, his voice low and steady, the calmness of someone who had already begun formulating a plan. "Usually, when devils offer a contract first, it's because they're at a disadvantage."

  His gaze flicked to Aki, catching the other man's sharp eye as he spoke the words. Aki's brow raised slightly, his interest piqued. "A disadvantage?" he repeated, his tone a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "How so?"

  Marcus didn't hesitate, his mind working faster than his mouth, already piecing the puzzle together. He turned his gaze back to the devil, eyeing its grotesque, undulating form with an almost clinical detachment, as though analyzing a threat. "Simple," he continued, his voice calm but laden with a quiet certainty. "When a devil offers a contract instead of attacking, it's often because they've been pushed into a corner. They're in a position where they can't simply overpower us, or they need something from us—something specific."

  Aki's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as the implications of Marcus's words sank in. He had been considering the same thing, but hearing it out loud from Marcus made it clearer. It didn't make sense for the devil to hold back, not when it had the upper hand. It could have slaughtered them all in an instant—yet it chose to offer a deal instead. There had to be a reason, a weakness it was trying to cover up.

  The air in the room seemed to thicken with a tense uncertainty, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint, unsettling shuffle of the devil's mass, as if even it knew the precariousness of its situation.

  Before Aki could give voice to his own thoughts, Marcus's attention shifted, his gaze settling on Denji. The sudden shift caught everyone off guard. Marcus's usual brashness was replaced by an unusual seriousness, as if he knew that the key to unlocking the mystery lay with the young man.

  "Hey, you're Denji, right?" Marcus asked, his voice gentler now, a strange softness creeping into his tone. The directness of the question was still there, but there was an underlying sense of curiosity, as if he genuinely wanted to understand. "Could you tell me... what makes the devil over there want you? I've got a hunch, but I'm guessing you might have an idea."

  The room fell silent at his words. It was a question that no one had dared ask yet, but it felt like the one that had been hanging in the air all along. Everyone turned toward Denji, their eyes intense with expectation. The air grew even thicker, the weight of the moment pressing down on the group, every person on edge, waiting for him to speak, waiting for any insight he might have into why this grotesque devil was fixated on him.

  For the first time, all the eyes in the room weren't just focused on the devil. They were focused on Denji, awaiting a response that might explain everything—or nothing at all. The tension that had already been building now reached its peak, and Denji felt the full weight of it as the silence stretched on, waiting for him to give an answer that could potentially alter the course of everything.

  Denji shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the gaze from the group. Their eyes burned into him, the tension palpable, each person silently pleading for an answer, a clue, something that could explain this entire nightmare. His eyes involuntarily flickered to the devil, its grotesque form twitching and shifting, a hundred mouths and eyes fixated on him with malevolent glee. He could feel the air pressing in on him, thick and suffocating, and he hated it. It was like being stuck in a nightmare that he couldn't wake up from.

  His thoughts raced, but every time he tried to grasp at an explanation, his mind just slipped away from it. The devil was offering a contract, not attacking, and Denji still couldn't make sense of it. It could kill them all—hell, it could've already killed him. So why go to all the trouble of asking for something from him?

  The longer he stared at the devil, the more uneasy he felt. Something about it felt... personal. It wasn't just some random devil that wanted to devour him or wreak havoc. It wanted something from him. But what? Why?

  Denji rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers cold and numb from the anxiety tightening around his chest. His usual bravado was gone, replaced by a hollow uncertainty. "I don't know," he muttered, his voice quieter than usual. His words didn't carry the usual sharp edge; they felt weak, uncertain, like they weren't even his own. "I mean, I'm just... me. What could a devil want with me?" The question hung in the air, a plea for some kind of clarity that wouldn't come.

  His mind felt like it was frantically scrambling to connect the dots, but they were slipping through his fingers, all tangled and out of reach. Denji's head swam with confusion, and all he wanted was to take a step back, to escape this moment. But he couldn't. Not when the group was looking at him like he held the key.

  Marcus's voice cut through the silence, insistent, demanding. "Come on, just give us an idea. What makes you special to him? And why is he holding back? What makes him cautious?"

  The pressure intensified. Denji swallowed hard, his throat dry, as he stared back at Marcus with wide eyes. The weight of it all felt suffocating. He hated this feeling, hated the way his mind kept stalling when he should be answering, when they needed answers from him.

  But then, like a spark of clarity in the middle of a fog, something hit him. A memory—a brief, fleeting moment. It was like Pochita's voice, soft but so clear, resonating in his mind.

  "Live a good life, Denji."

  His heart skipped a beat. It was as if a lightbulb had flickered on in his brain, though he couldn't fully make sense of it. Was that it? Was that the reason? The devil wasn't after him as just some random human. It was after something deeper, something tied to his past—something tied to Pochita, his partner, his only real friend, the one who had stuck by him in that hellhole of a life.

  His heart felt liked it could stop beating at any moment the fear of losing Pochita it felt heavy like it could chew him. As he thought to himself "Wait he wants Pochita? Was it possible the devil wanted him for some reason tied to his past? Was it after Pochitas heart?, as Denji could put his hand on his mouth all most gagging if something took away pochita from him, Pochita, the one thing that made him... different, special and valuable? can be taken away from him? But how? could the devil know about that?

  Denji's stomach twisted into knots, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow as the realization hit him like a freight train. His hand shook as it instinctively moved to his mouth, his fingers lightly pressing against his lips as if to keep himself from voicing the terrifying thought that had suddenly bloomed in his mind. He had to be wrong. He had to be wrong. The devil couldn't know. Could it? Could it really know what was inside him—what he really was now?

  But then, the sickening feeling gnawed at him, and he couldn't push it away. It was like Pochita's voice—soft, comforting, yet urgent—echoing in his mind. "Live a good life, Denji." Those words felt like they held more weight now than they ever had before. It was as if the devil was tied to that message, to Pochita's heart. Denji's stomach churned, and he felt a pang of dread deep in his chest.

  The devil wasn't here for him, not as just some random human. It wanted him, yes—but more than that, it wanted something from him. Something that could never be taken from him. His heart pounded in his chest, faster now, erratically, as his thoughts spiraled. Why does it want Pochita's heart The thought made Denji's throat tighten, the air around him growing heavier with every passing second. If the devil knew what was inside him—if it had any idea of the bond he shared with Pochita—then it was after something far more precious than just his body.

  His fingers trembled as they curled into fists, but even the pressure couldn't stop the growing panic from clawing at his insides. Was this why the devil hadn't killed them all already? It wasn't simply after his life—it wanted the power inside him, something deeper. Something irreplaceable.

  Denji's breath hitched, his mind racing as flashes of his old life came back to him—those endless days of despair, when he and Pochita had been nothing but discarded tools, mere objects to be exploited. But then, in the midst of that hellish existence, Pochita had become his one true companion, his friend, his family.

  And now... now the devil was trying to take it all away. No, no, I can't let that happen. Denji thought, his hands clenching harder, a mix of anger and fear rising within him.

  He could hear Marcus's voice, insistent and urgent, pulling him back into the moment. "Come on, Denji, think! What does it want from you?"

  Denji opened his mouth, but no words came out. His chest was tight, his breath shallow, as he fought to push the panic aside. His mind reeled, but he couldn't form a coherent thought—only fragments of memories, pieces of his past, crashing into one another like waves against a jagged shore.

  Then, he looked at the devil again, and it hit him—the thing that had been gnawing at the back of his mind. The way the devil had stared at him with those malicious, glowing eyes—it wasn't just hunger. It was fixation. It wanted Pochita's heart.

  His throat was dry as he finally managed to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. "It... It's after Pochita's heart. It wants what's inside me. It wants... Pochita."

  The room fell into stunned silence. Denji felt the weight of the words as they left his lips, the realization settling heavily in his chest. He glanced quickly around at the group, hoping someone—anyone—would have an answer, something that would make this nightmare stop. But all he could see were eyes filled with confusion, concern, and something else—fear.

  Marcus, ever the quick thinker, was the first to respond, his face hardening. "Pochita's heart?" he repeated, his voice tight with understanding. "That's what the devil wants. That's what's inside you."

  Denji nodded, swallowing hard. "I—I don't know how it knows about Pochita, but it has to be. It's the only thing that makes sense. It's after him. After what he gave me." His voice broke on the last words, the weight of the truth threatening to crush him. Could he lose Pochita all over again?

  Aki's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as the pieces started to fall into place. "I see now the devil doesn't want you. It wants its power. And you've been carrying it with you this whole time." His voice was sharp, almost as if he was trying to grasp at the same understanding Denji had just come to. "That's why it didn't attack. It's trying to get you to give it up willingly. A contract. But why? What does it need that power for?"

  The devil's furious roar echoed through the room, shaking the walls with its intense force. The air itself felt thick with the weight of its anger, the pressure building in the room as the floor buckled and twisted. Gravity seemed to lose its grip as the entire room shifted, tilting sideways like a scene out of a nightmare, the world around them suddenly in disarray.

  "YOU STUPID HUMANS, WHY WON'T YOU ACCEPT MY CONTRACT?!" The devil's voice boomed, resonating with a primal rage as it began to transform into a monstrous, gaping mouth, wide enough to swallow them all whole.

  "FOOLS!!! HAND ME DENJI!!!" The devil's voice reverberated with power, its many eyes gleaming with malicious intent, each of them locked on Denji. The room groaned as the walls shifted unnaturally, defying the laws of physics, sending furniture crashing to the ground.

  "Shit, everyone find somewhere to step on!" Marcus yelled, his voice laced with urgency as he scrambled to adjust to the room's distorted new layout. His feet slid slightly on the slanted floor, but his gaze stayed locked on the rapidly advancing devil, its enormous mouth threatening to consume them all.

  As the furniture began to fall and crash, creating a chaotic landscape of overturned beds, drawers, and shattered glass, Kobeni slipped, her feet failing to find any stable ground. She yelped, her arms flailing as she plummeted toward the floor, but before she could hit the ground, Aki was there, his arm shooting out to catch her just in time.

  "Got you!" Aki grunted, his grip firm as he pulled her upright, his body shifting to maintain balance in the chaos. He quickly steadied her, his face a mask of determination. "Stay with me, Kobeni!" he barked, his eyes scanning the room for a safe spot for them to move to next.

  The sound of furniture crashing to the floor reverberated around them, a cacophony of noise that only amplified the devil's increasing fury. The twisted gravity had caused everything to shift, and now the room itself was an obstacle course of falling objects, each one threatening to knock them off balance. The air was thick with the smell of broken wood, crushed metal, and the intense heat of the devil's fury.

  Denji felt his heart race as he kept his eyes on the devil, his hand instinctively moving toward his chainsaw. The devil was getting desperate—its massive mouth now stretched impossibly wide, its hunger growing by the second.

  "We need to move!" Marcus shouted again, urging everyone to find higher ground. He barely managed to keep his footing, his light machine gun still gripped tightly in his hands as he scanned the shifting environment. He needed to keep everyone alive and find a way out.

  The entire room was a precarious battlefield now—one wrong move, and they could be swallowed by the devil or crushed by falling debris. The sense of urgency was palpable as everyone scrambled to hold on, finding any foothold they could, their lives hanging in the balance.

  The tension in the room was suffocating, the air thick with the devil's rage. The walls contorted and twisted, as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling. Gravity had lost its hold, the floor turning sideways, plunging them into a nightmare where nothing was stable. Denji's heart raced, his mind spinning in a haze of confusion, fear, and a growing fire of anger. They were cornered, with nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and the devil was closing in fast. Its monstrous form grew larger with each second, the gaping mouth stretching wider, hungrier, as it reached for him.

  "We have to kill it," Aki grunted, his hand clutching his sword as he tried to steady himself on the shifting floor. His determination was clear, but something was holding him back. His movements were sluggish, stilted, as if invisible chains were restraining him, refusing to let him act with the urgency the situation demanded.

  "Aki, stop!" Himeno's voice cut through the chaos, her ethereal hands gripping him firmly, pulling his sword back into its sheath. "We can't just fight it. Not like this."

  "Dammit, Himeno, let me go!" Aki snapped, frustration clouding his words. "If we don't do something now, we're all gonna die!"

  "We won't let that happen," Himeno shot back, her tone sharp but resolute. "Not unless we feed the devil what it wants."

  Aki froze, his eyes widening in disbelief at the suggestion. "What?" he spat, disbelief mixing with shock. "No... Himeno, just—"

  "I'm not asking for your approval, Aki," Himeno interrupted, her voice urgent but calm, as if she already knew the weight of the decision she was making. Her ghostly hands reached out toward Denji, materializing from thin air to seize him by the arms, yanking him toward the edge of the now-tilted room.

  Denji was too shock and unable to understand what is happening as the Invisible hand reaches towards Denji as his body jerked violently as the phantom grip tightened around him. His eyes widened in shock, his chest constricting with panic as he fought against the unseen force dragging him closer to the devil's gaping maw. There was no escape. He was being pulled toward the edge, the abyss below seemingly endless. As his hands trys to find something grip on as he gets slowly dragged to the ledge as he falls as his both of his hands grab on the ledge the last second as the Ghostly arm continues to pull him down as Denji struggles, his insticts to survive is overwhelming as he could hear the Eternity devil many mouths laughing at the scene of denji flailing on the ledge, and his grip on the ledge starts to fall as he felt himself fall, a figure surged into the scene, his hand grabbing Denji and yanking him back from the brink.

  Joe's presence was sudden, unexpected, and strong, as he managed to stabilize Denji, keeping him from plummeting into the hellish void.

  Joe grunted, struggling to keep his own balance in the chaotic room as he rivals with the ghost arm pulling denji.

  The Eternity Devil's voice filled the space, its twisted laughter echoing around them like a maddened cackle. "YES! YES! FEED ME DENJI!!! FEED ME WHAT I SEEK!!!" Its many eyes glimmered with predatory delight, hungering for the power inside him.

  Denji's breath caught in his throat, his heart hammering in his chest. His mind raced, panic seizing him—but as he looked at the devil's eyes, a surge of anger replaced the fear. No. He wasn't going to be someone's meal. Not again.

  "Himeno!!" Denji shouted, his voice tight with a mix of desperation and newfound resolve. The room seemed to spin around him, the weight of the devil's hunger pressing down like a vice on his chest. he puts his hand on his jacket where he felt the beat of his heart calming down and a revelation has hit him. He was done being dragged around by forces beyond his control. It was time to fight back.

  "Fine," Denji hissed, his voice cutting through the chaos. "I'll do it Himeno. Just let me go!!!."

  Himeno hesitated, her ghostly hands faltering as if caught between conflicting instincts. She could see the fire in Denji's eyes, his refusal to be a victim. The ghostly hand grip loosened, and it soon released him, her eyes filled with regret and guilt, she felt like she could cry. "I'm sorry, Denji... but this is the only way."

  Joe helps Denji's get back up on his feet as he found the unstable ground again, and for a brief moment, the world around him seemed to slow. The devil was watching, its massive mouth still opening wider, a sickening promise of what was to come. But Denji wasn't going down without a fight. He wasn't just some helpless pawn to be consumed. He had already lived through hell once. He'd fought for his life. And he'd be damned if he let it be taken from him again.

  Marcus reached out in desperation, his brow furrowing in worry. "Wait! We can try something else—"

  Denji silenced him with a cold, hard shake of his head. "No need." His words were final, an icy edge to them that made the room feel colder. He wasn't asking for any more help. He was done running. "The devil wants to eat me because it wants Pochita. I don't like when people threaten to take things from me." His eyes flared with anger, a dangerous smile curling at the corners of his lips. "And that's why I prefer it this way."

  The wicked grin on Denji's face grew as he reached for the chainsaw cord. The sharp teeth of his grin glinted, his resolve hardening into something monstrous. "It said it hurts like hell, right?" His voice was low, filled with a dark amusement. "Well, I'll make sure it dies screaming."

  Denji ran towards the ledge, As he could feel Pochita beating heart pump faster as it roars into life as the cord pulled taut. The world spun around him as he leapt toward the edge, the devil's many eyes narrowing in confusion and growing fury. It hadn't expected this. It hadn't expected Denji to fight back, to throw himself into the chaos with such reckless defiance. The creature hesitated, its massive mouth faltering for just a split second.

  That hesitation was all Denji needed.

  Chainsaw Man Lig "Endless Aspect" Over

  Yo guys, it's me, GG again!!! ????

  "Whoa, this is way too long!" ???? But you know what? I actually enjoyed making this episode despite it taking foreverrrr! ???

  Also, yeah... I noticed that part where the Eternity Devil gets MAD ???? and starts flipping the whole floor like a pancake ?? (and everything after that) kinda felt rushed. Not gonna lie. If you felt the same way, I hope you don't mind too much! ????

  BUT GUESS WHAT? My motivation is making a comeback, baby!! ???? Right now, I'm cooking up ???? Episode 10, and it's gonna be EPIC (hopefully ????). So I hope you enjoy this one in the meantime!

  Catch you later, and thanks for sticking around DATTEBAYO! ????