Chainsaw Man, starting contract to cut down the Demon Line

“Listen carefully, I am not like you, a beast of burden driven by righteousness or revenge.”

"I'm here to cooperate."

"Since it's a collaboration, isn't it only natural to put in the work and receive appropriate compensation?"

"Or is it that your police tradition is to use empty promises to get people to risk their lives?"

"..." Hayakawa Aki's face turned ashen. Under the pressure of Yan Liang's imposing presence, he turned his head away and stopped speaking.

Yan Liang ignored him and looked at Machima again.

“Miss Machima, I have no interest in material rewards or anything like that.” Getting straight to the point, Yan Liang revealed his true purpose:

"As a demon hunter, I am more interested in demons."

“I want you to grant me permission to inspect underground facilities so that I can access some of the devils held within the Public Security Bureau.”

Upon hearing this request, Machima's gaze turned scrutinizing.

She had been secretly observing Yan Liang, this sudden and unusual individual.

Now, having finally been given the chance to make demands of himself, he doesn't want money, he doesn't want women, and he specifically wants to contact the demons held in police custody...

Is it a desire for greater power? Or is there some deeper, more ambitious plan?

Although he couldn't figure out Yan Liang's true purpose, Machima didn't want to hand over this power to him right now.

"Yan Liangjun, I am very happy with your enthusiasm."

Machima smiled gently, and although her tone was tactful, she still refused.

"However, the police have their own rules. Even if you are now a captain with a lot of authority, your current resume is not enough to get in touch with the deepest special demons."

"I will only consider granting you this authority after you have led Special Section 4 to complete more outstanding missions and proven your value."

As expected, I was rejected.

Yan Liang understood the subtext in Maqima's words: If you want to see demons, you have to work for me first.

Yan Liang wasn't surprised by the result. He was just saying it casually; after all, you can't get fat overnight, and controlling demons isn't so easy to fool.

However, just because he's testing the waters and hasn't achieved his goal doesn't mean he'll obediently become free labor; he'll still fight for the treatment he deserves.

"I understand."

Yan Liang showed no impatience at being rejected; he shrugged and then made another request:

"Since my spiritual pursuits have been rejected, in order to make up for my wounded enthusiasm... Miss Machima, let's talk about material rewards instead. I'm suddenly quite interested in that again."

“I need a high-end apartment that matches my status, in a good location and in a quiet environment. Secondly, I need a car for transportation and an unlimited monthly budget.”

“Since I’m going to deal with the most dangerous demons for you, I don’t want to suffer any injustices in terms of my quality of life.”

"Is this request unreasonable?"

The lion's outrageous request left Dianci, Pawa, and Dongshan Xiaohong speechless.

They hadn't even received their paychecks on their first day of work, and Yan Liang was already asking for a luxury house and a luxury car?!

"Ha ha……"

Machima covered her mouth and chuckled at Yan Liang's insistent demands.

She would be wary if someone demanded power or demonic possessions. But if they were merely after material pleasures, they were easy to deal with.

“No problem, Yan Liangjun.” Machima replied with a smile. “Since you are the captain of Special Section 4, it is my duty to provide you with excellent logistical support. There happens to be a vacant high-end duplex apartment in the city center. The key and the company car will be handed over to you later.”

"However..."

Machima changed the subject, her gaze falling on Denji and Pava, and she suggested with a smile:

"Since Yanliang-kun has such a spacious house, why don't Denji-kun and Pava move in together? They happen to be homeless too."

"As the team leader, taking care of your younger subordinates in their daily lives can also help cultivate team chemistry. What do you think?"

"No."

Before Machima could finish speaking, Yan Liang gave his answer.

“I have no interest in opening a zoo, and I certainly don’t want to be a babysitter for these two.”

"Oh, I see... That's such a shame."

Machima sighed, feigning distress, and then turned to look at Hayakawa Aki, who had been silent the whole time.

"Since Yanliang-kun is unwilling, then we can only trouble Hayakawa-kun."

Makima said with a smile, "Hayakawa-kun, Denji-kun, and Power will be staying with you from now on. Please take good care of them."

"……ha?!"

Upon hearing this request, Hayakawa Aki frowned.

What kind of nonsense is this?

Why is it that this guy named Yan Liang, who just parachuted in, gets such good treatment?

And now I have to vacate my own house to take care of a brat whose mind is only on women, plus a wild demon?!

A strong sense of displeasure welled up in Hayakawa Aki's heart, and he instinctively wanted to reject this absurd proposal. But when he looked up and saw the irresistible smile on Machima's face, the words he was about to say stuck in his throat.

Since this was Miss Machima's arrangement, she must have had her reasons. How could he refuse?

"……I see."

Forcibly suppressing the depression in his heart, Hayakawa sighed helplessly.

"Thank you for your hard work, Hayakawa-kun." Machima nodded with satisfaction, then softly instructed, "Then, please go and drive Yanliang-kun and the others home."

Chapter Twenty-Two: You Shall Leave Too

After leaving the Public Security Headquarters, the group got into a black sedan driven by Hayakawa Aki.

The car smoothly merged into the bustling nightscape of Tokyo, speeding along until it finally stopped in a garage in a high-end residential area with tight security in the city center.

Hayakawa Aki led everyone out of the car and towards the private elevator in the garage, explaining to Yan Liang at the same time:

"This is the accommodation that Miss Machima arranged for you."

At this point, Hayakawa Aki added meaningfully, "Ordinary people don't have the right to enjoy places like this. Miss Makima set a precedent for you, so I hope you'll remember her kindness."

"Oh?" Yan Liang raised an eyebrow and replied casually, "Isn't that obvious?"

Faced with this unyielding attitude, Hayakawa Aki suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. Yan Liang didn't give him a chance to continue lecturing and walked straight into the elevator.

Seeing him go in, Denji, Pava, and Higashiyama Kokoro quickly squeezed in as well. Hayakawa Aki could only sigh and follow at the very back.

A moment later, the elevator came to a stop with a slight feeling of weightlessness.

Without the obstruction of a narrow entryway, as the elevator doors slowly open to both sides, a spacious area unfolds before everyone's eyes.

"Clap."

Hayakawa Aki stepped forward and pressed the main control switch on the wall. The concealed wall lamps in the living room ceiling immediately lit up with a soft light, revealing the entire luxurious apartment, which was nearly 300 square meters.

The first thing that catches the eye is a floor-to-ceiling window with no obstructions. From this height, the dazzling night view of most of Tokyo is displayed without reservation.

The flowing scene paved with countless neon lights and traffic was forcibly incorporated into the view of this room. In the corner with the best view near the floor-to-ceiling window, a small private bar was specially partitioned off with a few log pillars.

Shifting your gaze to the left, you'll find a spacious, open-plan kitchen. A large black and gold marble countertop, cut into a central island, exudes a cool, luxurious feel under the cold lighting.

In the center of the spacious living room stood a set of elegant black leather sofas.

Instead of a regular television, there was a home theater system, which was not common in 1997, mounted directly in front of the sofa, along with two black walnut speakers that were taller than a person on each side.

Seeing all this, the people standing at the elevator entrance, except for Yan Liang, were all stunned.

Denji's eyes widened involuntarily.

Even if he wasn't smart and didn't have a concrete concept of money, he could still sense from the luxurious atmosphere that this was definitely not a place that ordinary people could afford to live in!

"This...this is way too big..." Denji carefully stepped out of the elevator, walked into the living room, and touched the black leather sofa. Feeling the delicate touch on his fingertips, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "How wonderful it would be to live in here?"

"Hahaha! It's so big! So bright! I love it here!"

Compared to the reserved Denji, Pawa's reaction was much more direct. Being a child at heart, upon seeing such a luxurious house, she immediately forgot about being beheaded. She threw herself onto the soft sofa and rolled around on it without restraint.

"This sofa is so soft! I'm going to sleep on it from now on!"

"Stop dreaming! This is the captain's house!" Denji, not to be outdone, pounced on the sofa, hugging a pillow and exclaiming excitedly, "But I really want to live here too... My God! This must be paradise!"

Watching these two idiots jumping around on the sofa, Hayakawa Aki rubbed his forehead, feeling utterly helpless.

The thought of bringing these two menaces into his home made his head ache.

However, just as Denji and Pava were fantasizing about getting free food and drinks here, a cold voice rang out.

"Who gave you permission to make such a ruckus in my house?"

Yan Liang stood at the elevator entrance, expressionless, and loosened his tie with his fingers. His pure white demonic eye swept over the two people on the sofa, causing them to freeze in place.

“I’m giving you three seconds to get off my sofa and disappear from here.”

"three."

Yan Liang didn't say a word of nonsense and started the countdown immediately.

"Alas!"

Reminded by Yan Liang, Pava immediately recalled the horrific scene of her head being ripped off. With a shriek, she nimbly rolled off the sofa and hid behind Hayakawa Aki.

"Hey, hey, hey, Captain, don't be so heartless!" Denji still forced a smile, "This house is so big, it must be so lonely for you to live alone. I'll sleep in the corner, I promise I won't bother you..."

"If you let me stay here, I'll forgive and forget about you kicking me in the balls before, how about it?"

"Two." Yan Liang raised his finger, his thumb and middle finger lightly touching.

"Sorry, I'm getting out of here now—!!!"

He was terrified of Yan Liang. Even though they had only known each other for a short time, Yan Liang's decisive and ruthless style of doing things left a deep impression on Dian Ci.

Seeing the cold expression on Yan Liang's face, a strong will to survive made Dian Ci jump up from the sofa and rush back to the elevator entrance.

As for Higashiyama Kokoro, she stood at the elevator entrance the whole time. Ignoring the disheveled escape of Denji and Pawa, an excited look inevitably appeared in her eyes.

That's right! Although Miss Machima clearly stated in the office that this house was a separate reward for Yan Liang. Although the captain just swept those two idiots out the door like garbage...

But Dongshan Xiaohong is different!

Unlike those two who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, she had been with Yan Liang from the very beginning! She was usually well-behaved and didn't cause any trouble, so he had absolutely no reason to kick her out too!

"Great... clinging to his leg was definitely the right choice!"

Xiao Hong thought excitedly to herself, "This house is so big! It has luxurious furniture and a clean kitchen. It's tens of thousands of times better than my shabby rented room. If I can live here with Yan Liang every day from now on, even if he makes some unreasonable demands, it doesn't seem so unacceptable!"

"..."

Just as Dongshan Xiaohong stood there expectantly, waiting for Yan Liang to say, "You stay and choose a room yourself,"...

Yan Liang simply turned his head, his gaze fixed on her as if she were a fool:

"Dongshan Xiaohong, what are you doing standing there?"

"Such a grand display? Do you expect me to personally see you off?"

"...Huh?" Dongshan Xiaohong's expression froze. She pointed at herself in disbelief and stammered:

"Me, am I leaving too?!"

Chapter Twenty-Three: You can kneel if you want, it's not shameful.

"Otherwise what?" Yan Liang looked at Xiao Hong with a calm expression. "I don't want outsiders disturbing my house. I prefer to live alone."

Of course, Yan Liang didn't kick Dongshan Xiaohong out because he was afraid that she would disturb him if she lived with him.

Living alone and living together are two different concepts. Because once outsiders are present, the house loses its private nature.

Yan Liang only wants absolute freedom.

Upon hearing this, Denji, who was about to leave, straightened up again and leaned halfway out of the doorway, mocking:

"Hahaha! I thought you were some kind of special woman! Turns out you're just like us!"