Chainsaw Man, starting contract to cut down the Demon Line

Chapter 133 Post-Event Settlement

The afternoon sun wasn't harsh; instead, it carried a unique warmth. Through the gaps in the blinds of the ward, dappled sunlight fell on the floor. The green plants placed by the window emitted a fresh, pleasant scent, masking the smell of disinfectant in the room and creating a sense of reassurance.

On the hospital bed, Denji's severed body had been pieced back together. Several bags of blood hung beside the bed, flowing into his body. Although still unconscious, Denji was now out of danger. His chest rose and fell steadily with his breathing, and occasionally, he could be heard smacking his lips.

There were two hospital beds in the room, with Hayakawa Aki and Himeno lying on them respectively. As for Yan Liang, he pulled up a chair and sat in front of the bed. Standing beside him was Higashiyama Kokoro, whom Yan Liang had picked up from the coffee shop.

"So it is, so it is..."

That's roughly how it is.

Yan Liang leaned back in his chair, looking at Ji Ye and Hayakawa Aki in front of him, and began to speak:

"I was delayed a little because of that American woman."

He had just told Himeno and Hayakawa Aki what had happened in the cafe, but of course, Yanliang had concealed some details that were not favorable to him.

What the two already know is that Yan Liang was also assassinated, but fortunately, the crisis was resolved and he arrived at the scene to save them.

"so it is……"

Hayakawa Aki sat leaning back on the hospital bed, his left arm in a cast and his right hand holding his phone. When he looked away from the screen, his eyes revealed an undisguised heaviness and exhaustion.

He swallowed, and said in a slightly hoarse voice:

"It's not just us in the Fourth Department of Demonology; the entire Public Security Bureau is being retaliated against... This is clearly a premeditated attack!"

"Purge?" Hime, clutching her bandaged shoulder, sat up with some difficulty and looked at Hayakawa Aki.

"Hmm." Hayakawa Aki flipped his phone screen, which displayed an internal Public Security Bureau announcement. He then explained:

"This is a post-attack report that just came in... In addition to our area, other departments have also been targeted with assassinations in their respective jurisdictions."

"This was a devastating blow. Apart from the fourth department... members of the first, second, and third departments were almost completely wiped out."

"A large number of experienced demon hunters were killed. Many of the survivors have resigned out of fear."

Upon hearing this news, Dongshan Xiaohong, who was standing next to Yan Liang, couldn't help but feel a wave of fear.

She initially felt incredibly unlucky to have been attacked in a coffee shop, but in hindsight, she was actually quite fortunate to have escaped unharmed. Her colleagues, however, lost their lives in the attack.

Ji Ye also fell silent, her expression grave. As a veteran of the public security bureau, she understood what this attack meant.

This means that the Public Security Bureau's Special Exorcism Division has already teetered on the brink of collapse in just one short morning.

However, Yan Liang, who was standing to the side, did not show much surprise after hearing this. This was because everything happened according to the plot he was familiar with.

In fact, many of the demon hunters in Chainsaw Man are quite vulnerable. And the demon hunters who work for the Japanese Public Security Bureau are nothing special; they can only handle incidents caused by low-level demons.

Although they had also made a pact with the demon, their physical condition had not improved much, and if they were careless, a single bullet could still kill them.

Furthermore, the Demon of the Blade was fully prepared for this retaliatory plan against the police, which is why the police suffered the greatest losses.

It's worth mentioning that Machima knew about the attack in advance in the original story, but she deliberately allowed it to happen for some purpose.

After casually glancing around the ward, Yan Liang suddenly seemed to remember something, raised his eyebrows, and asked Hayakawa Aki and Hime:

"By the way, where did Pawa go?"

"Didn't she go to the noodle shop with you?"

From the moment he arrived at the ruins until he took these people to the hospital, he didn't seem to see that loud and boisterous guy at all.

"She..."

Hime sighed helplessly:

"That guy sensed something was wrong the moment the Sword Demon picked up the gun. Before the Fox Demon even came out, Pawa had already run away and disappeared."

"In that situation, avoiding harm and seeking benefit is a demon's instinct. I guess he's hiding somewhere now."

Yan Liang nodded noncommittally at the answer. Given Parvana's cowardly and bullying nature, it was perfectly reasonable for him to run away.

In the original work, Power only stopped Himeno's bleeding during the battle, and then when Denji and Hayakawa Aki were fighting the Sword Demon, he ran away because he was scared.

The ward was quiet for a moment, then fell into a brief silence, but soon, Hayakawa Aki suddenly broke the silence.

"No matter what..."

Despite the pain from his broken ribs, Hayakawa Aki struggled to sit up straight on the hospital bed, then bowed his head and gave a deep bow to Yan Liang, who was sitting in a chair.

"Captain, no matter what, I want to thank you today."

"If you hadn't arrived in time, we might not have survived."

Hayakawa Aki's voice was incredibly serious, devoid of her usual stubbornness, and her words were full of heartfelt sincerity. Even when she heard his honest opinion, she couldn't help but turn her head away to avoid his gaze.

He wasn't that noble; he only saved Hime, Hayakawa Aki, and the others for his own reasons.

This time, Ji Ye also toned down her usual frivolous and carefree demeanor. She looked at Yan Liang with a complex expression.

Because she knew more, she thought more. For example, Yan Liang's previous prediction had come true, and she had indeed saved him. But besides gratitude, she also felt some fear and doubt.

Could this attack have been orchestrated by Yan Liang and the Demon of the Sword? And why did Yan Liang only tell me about it, keeping it a secret from everyone else, even though he clearly knew this was going to happen? What is his true stance, and why did he specifically choose to tell me these things...?

But after thinking it over, Hime kept these thoughts buried deep in her heart. No matter what, it was a fact that Yan Liang had saved her and Hayakawa Aki. She couldn't ignore this life-saving grace because of suspicion.

Then, Himeko lowered her head and echoed Hayakawa Aki:

"Yes... thank you, Captain. You not only saved my life, but also..."

She paused, her gaze unconsciously drifting to Hayakawa Aki beside her, without finishing her sentence.

If it weren't for Yan Liang, she would have already given herself entirely to the ghost demon.

"No need to be so polite." Yan Liang waved his hand. "Since we're in the same team, this is what I should do."

After saying that, Yan Liang's gaze fell on Ji Ye.

As a veteran of Special Section 4, Hime is usually seen with a cigarette dangling from her lips and a nonchalant smile. But at this moment, she is unusually quiet.

She lowered her eyelids, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of her clothes, as if she had something on her mind.

Yan Liang immediately saw through her state and asked:

"What's wrong, Hime? You look so troubled. Does the gunshot wound hurt a lot?"

Upon hearing Yan Liang's question, Ji Ye raised her head, looked at the battered Hayakawa Aki, then at the terrified Xiao Hong beside her, and finally focused her gaze on the sunlight streaming in from the window.

Having experienced today's attack, and watching the people around her die one by one, even Qiu almost lost her life, a thought took root and spread in her mind.

Chapter 134 Appearance on the Shore

It's impossible to understand someone's thoughts without the ability to read minds.

But Yan Liang is an exception.

For Yanliang, who fully understands Hime's personality and behavior, there is nothing Hime can hide.

Adjusting his posture, Yan Liang interlaced his fingers and rested them on his knees, looking at Ji Ye who was bowing his head and remaining silent. He spoke directly:

"You've actually been considering submitting your resignation, haven't you, Himeno?"

"..."

Ji Ye suddenly raised her head, her only remaining right eye widening, her expression a mixture of surprise and confusion. She stared blankly at Yan Liang, who sat calmly in the chair, her expression gradually becoming somewhat strange.

She couldn't believe it; how could Yan Liang read her mind so easily? They hadn't known each other much, but whenever she was with him, she always felt like he could see right through her.

"Captain, you really...you really can still read minds?" Hime gave a wry smile, which was a tacit admission.

"It's not that I can read minds, it's just that your expressions are too easy to understand," Yan Liang said calmly.

"Yeah...you figured it out." Hime looked out the window, her voice filled with deep weariness. "To be honest, I was really scared today. The Special Division...no, the entire Anti-Demon Public Security Bureau, is a meat grinder."

"Whether facing terrifying demons or gang retaliation, working in the public security bureau now feels like walking a tightrope; one wrong step and I'll be dead." Ji Ye gave a self-deprecating smirk.

“I’ve had enough of laying flowers at my companions’ graves… I want to quit and become an ordinary demon hunter in the countryside, at least I can live a little longer.”

At this point, Himeno paused. She didn't finish her sentence, but turned to look at Hayakawa Aki in the next bed. Although she didn't speak, everyone present understood her meaning.

She wanted to quit, but she wanted to take this stubborn fool with her. She was terrified that one day, Hayakawa Akiya would become a cold stone in a graveyard.

Feeling Himeno's heavy gaze, Hayakawa Aki fell silent.

As a partner who had been working together for so long, how could he not understand the meaning in Ji Ye's eyes? If Ji Ye left, he would naturally leave as well and go to a private company. With their combined abilities, they should be able to live a peaceful life for the rest of their lives.

but……

Hayakawa Aki lowered her head and glanced at her left arm, which was in a cast. Her mind flashed back to the home that had been covered in snow and destroyed by the devil of guns many years ago.

"...It's alright, Himeno-senpai."

Hayakawa Aki raised her head to meet Hime's gaze, her eyes revealing a resolute determination. "You don't need to worry about me. If you want to quit, you can submit your resignation at any time. It's your own choice, and I will never blame you."

"Ah Qiu, you..." Ji Ye gasped for breath.

She knew that the young man was subtly rejecting her. He intended to remain in the police force until he avenged himself against the demon of guns.

Seeing this scene, Yan Liang, who was sitting to the side, couldn't help but speak up.

It's a good time.

Yan Liang secretly plotted in his heart. Ji Ye wanted to save Hayakawa Aki's life, while Hayakawa Aki needed the power to take revenge.

Having just displayed overwhelming power and saved their lives, he could completely win over the two people before him if he simply spoke up now and made some promises.

Thinking of this, Yan Liang cleared his throat and was just about to speak.

"Knock Knock Knock-"

Unexpectedly, an untimely knocking sounded outside the ward door, silencing Yan Liang who was about to speak.

In the ward, everyone's eyes were fixed on the tightly closed door.

"Tsk..."

Yan Liang frowned, feeling somewhat displeased.

No matter who it is, they really have no sense of atmosphere. They just had to come and interrupt him at this most crucial moment, just like the power suddenly goes out when the movie is in its climax, which is infuriating.

However, despite his displeasure, Yan Liang's mind was racing, trying to figure out who the newcomer was.

Who could be coming to this ward at this time?

Were they hospital nurses? Or Machima? Or some other high-ranking police officer who came to investigate the casualties?

"...Please come in."

Concealing the displeasure in his eyes, Yan Liang quickly adjusted his mindset, regained his indifferent expression, and spoke in a deep voice.

With a click of the lock turning, the ward door was pushed open by a large hand wearing a black leather glove.

Even before the sounds of greetings filled the ward, the smell of tobacco filled the air.

He was a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, with messy short gray-blonde hair and wearing a somewhat old black trench coat.

A half-smoked cigarette dangled from his lips, the wisps of smoke blurring his weathered face. A thick scar running from his left cheek to the corner of his mouth made his already expressionless face appear even more hardened. His half-drooping eyes revealed a dejected indifference to everything.

When Yan Liang finally saw who it was, he couldn't help but feel slightly surprised.

He had considered many possibilities, but he never imagined that he would see him so soon—

The strongest demon hunter in the current Public Security Bureau's Exorcism Special Division.

The shore.

"Let go of me! You insolent human! Get your filthy hands off my noble neck right now!"

Before the man could speak, a familiar shout immediately drew everyone's attention.

On the shore, someone was carrying Pawa, who had disappeared before the battle with the Demon of the Sword, as if he were a little chick.

"..."

He remained silent on the shore, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and casually tossed the Pava onto the floor.

"Ouch!"

Pawa flew through the air in an ungraceful arc before being flung into the hospital room.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch... You bastard, I'm..." Pawa covered her red forehead, grimaced as she got up from the ground, and was about to continue cursing when she suddenly caught sight of Yan Liang sitting in a chair watching her.

Pava's voice caught in her throat. She suddenly remembered her past misdeeds of deserting in the face of danger, and worried that Yan Liang might use this opportunity to cause her trouble. So she coughed twice, adopted a self-righteous expression, and said dismissively: