Chainsaw Man, starting contract to cut down the Demon Line

Seeing her stubborn refusal to admit it and her continued feigning ignorance, Yan Liang's anger flared up again.

In fact, Yan Liang had already expressed his attitude to Machima when he was in the car at the very beginning.

The same thing happened a second time in Machima's office.

The difference is that back then, Yan Liang didn't have the confidence to turn against her. But now, with his new abilities, he is no longer afraid to confront Machima head-on.

Even if we can't win, we can still back down completely.

Thinking of this, Yan Liang's tone turned cold:

"I'm saying it one last time, I'm not joking with you."

As the saying goes, once or twice is acceptable, but not a third time.

“My patience is limited, and I don’t have that much free time to listen to you arguing with me.”

Faced with Yan Liang's hostility, a hint of compromise finally appeared on Maqima's beautiful face.

"All right……"

She murmured softly, like a girl who had done something wrong, and looked at Yan Liang with a tender and alluring gaze:

“Since Yan Liangjun is so angry, then this time, I suppose I was in the wrong. So…”

"What will it take for Yan Liangjun to forgive me?"

Yan Liang remained silent for a moment, then decisively reiterated his demands:

"Don't force me to take the vice-captain position."

"As before, all I need is permission to access the underground facilities of the public security bureau."

Upon hearing this request, Machima's smile slowly widened, turning into a cold laugh.

“That won’t do, Yan Liangjun.”

Although her voice was still beautiful, Machima still refused:

“I really want to make it up to you, but since you’re still shrouded in mystery, I won’t give you this most crucial permission.”

"Really?"

Yan Liang's expression did not change despite being rejected; he simply replied calmly.

Before he finished speaking, Yan Liang had already slowly raised his right hand.

With his thumb and middle finger overlapping in mid-air, Yan Liang's hand stopped in mid-air in Machima's golden eyes, his fingertips pointing at her extremely beautiful face.

He made a snapping gesture.

Chapter 142 Just Trying to Show Off My Skill Before an Expert

Even though Machima hadn't witnessed this posture firsthand, it wasn't unfamiliar to her.

Even knowing what this meant, Machima remained unmoved. He simply curved his long, ring-shaped eyes into crescent moons and chuckled softly.

"Is this Yan Liangjun's famous ability?"

"With just the right hand gesture, you can unleash a fatal strike... It's truly a terrifying move."

"but--"

Machima's tone rose lightly, as if she didn't take it seriously at all:

"After activating the Executioner, there needs to be a cooldown period before it can be used again, right? In other words..."

"If you, Yan Liang-jun, intend to attack me, and your first strike doesn't work, you'll be in a very dangerous situation from now on, okay?"

There was no threat in her tone; rather, it sounded like she was stating a fact.

Yan Liang let out a cold laugh.

He understood, of course. Machima was telling herself that she wasn't afraid of his killing.

Indeed, if you really want to take action against Machima, it won't be very effective unless she triggers multiple rules.

But so what?

At this moment, Machima is still unaware of his true situation.

If you're going to bluff, then you should definitely see it through to the end.

Without withdrawing his hand, Yan Liang confirmed Maqima's conjecture, but his voice carried a hint of mockery:

"The analysis is good."

"But have you considered this question—how can you be so sure you can survive my first attack?"

Yan Liang continued:

“My abilities depend on constraints and restrictions. I also know that you have signed a contract with the Japanese Diet, and any harm done to you will be transferred to the Japanese people, with human lives used to offset your death…”

"But I can also make a deal, in exchange for the price of 'never being able to use this ability again' in my life, in exchange for a single kill that ignores all rules and contracts."

"When that time really comes, what will you use to defend yourself?"

Machima blinked but didn't speak. The confident aura emanating from Yan Liang made it impossible for her to tell whether he was telling the truth or not. As if sensing Machima's thoughts, Yan Liang added:

"Of course, you can also think I'm lying to you."

"...Then, how about we give it a try?"

This time, Machima remained silent, not answering Yan Liang's question. For the first time, a look Yan Liang had never seen before appeared on her exquisite face. It was different from fear, or anger, and not her usual gentleness.

Rather, it is a scrutiny, a scrutiny that seems to see through the soul.

Yan Liang naturally didn't give her any more time to think. He suddenly moved, keeping his hand gesture still, and extended his index finger. His fingertip touched Machima's chin, then flicked it upwards—

Machima was forced to raise her head.

The movement was very gentle, but for Machima, it was still the limit of what she could endure.

Yan Liang noticed it the moment it was lifted upwards.

Machima's body stiffened slightly for a moment.

Dominating demons, they are not used to being touched.

Especially from this humiliating angle, forced to look up and be looked down upon.

Yan Liang knew that doing this was undoubtedly stepping on Machima's red line; if he went just a little further, he would cross it. But even so, he didn't let go.

He remained in that position, the mockery in his voice fading, leaving only a detached coldness:

"Don't look at me like that."

"You're the one who made this situation what it is, Machima. You've crossed my bottom line time and time again."

Yes, in Yan Liang's view, Maqima brought all this trouble upon herself.

This is nothing. If it were anyone else, they would have never given him a second chance after the first time they showed him that attitude.

Yan Liangzhen felt that she had a very good temper; it was she who insisted on blocking her way and getting in her way first.

In the original story, she casually granted Hayakawa Aki the mere right to access the public security devil's files, while keeping it a secret from herself.

If this isn't deliberate harassment, then what is it?

Back in reality, Machima was forced to look up, and just when Yan Liang thought she would continue to remain silent, or even turn hostile, Machima did something he hadn't expected—

"Ah……"

Machima smiled.

This smile is different from the usual formulaic gentle smile; it is a heartfelt, genuinely amusing chuckle.

Yan Liang frowned, puzzled by Ma Qima's unusual behavior:

"What's so funny?"

“No.” Machima’s voice became very soft, and then she replied, “It’s just… I’ve never looked at anyone from this angle before.”

Her smile deepened, like a teacher seeing an outstanding student:

"You should know that all along, I've always been the one looking down on others."

The words were spoken lightly, without any threat, yet they inexplicably stirred a sense of unease in Yan Liang's heart.

At this moment, Machima, whose chin he was pinching, not only did not break free, but instead, like an elegant cat, gently rested her chin on Yan Liang's fingers.

"Yan Liangjun, do you know..."

Machima suddenly changed the subject, her voice becoming like an ethereal murmur:

"Although I am the dominating demon, I do not think domination is something to be afraid of."

Yan Liang was stunned, not understanding why she would say such crazy things at this time. But Machima didn't give him a chance to think about it.

"Because domination is pleasurable for both the dominator and the dominated."

"Those who dominate experience the thrill of being superior to others; this feeling comes from the peace of mind of being in control of everything."

“Those who are controlled can also enjoy it, and this feeling comes from the peace of mind that comes from not having to think.”

Machima's golden, ring-shaped eyes reflected Yan Liang's subtly changing expression:

"This is what a healthy relationship is."

"Yan Liangjun, are you looking down at me like this... trying to control my will?"

"To be honest, I'm not opposed to it..."

"But you did something wrong."

"Controlling this kind of thing is not as simple as you think."

The moment she finished speaking, Machima raised her hand. Her movements were swift; before Yan Liang could react, her icy fingers gripped his wrist.

The force wasn't strong, but it was exceptionally firm. She gently pulled Yan Liang's hand away from her chin, and then—

He pressed it directly onto his fair neck.

"..."

The sensation from his palm momentarily stunned Yan Liang. It was an incredibly slender neck, with skin as smooth as silk. He could feel the rise and fall of Machima's throat, and the warm pulse throbbing beneath the skin with each breath.

The touch is like that of a venomous snake spitting its tongue.

Machima tilted her head back, letting Yan Liang's hands clasp around her neck. She chuckled softly.

"Domination is the unreserved display of one's own will, the overwhelming of the other's will from the deepest part of the soul."

"Yan Liangjun, although you say you want me to listen to you..."

Machima's voice was soft, yet it was like a sharp blade, piercing through Yan Liang's true thoughts:

“But what you say, what you do, even the hand you have on my neck right now…none of them have given me that kind of power.”

“I can tell!”

Machima laughed again. But this time, there was an arrogance in that smile that seemed to see through everything.

"You're actually afraid of me, aren't you?"

Chapter 143 I'm scared, so what?

"You...are you actually afraid of me?"

When Yan Liang heard these words, his breathing stopped for a moment.

At such close range, Yan Liang noticed the strange light emanating from Machima's golden, ringed eyes. There was no hostility in those eyes, only a non-human feeling that regarded humans as ants, as all other creatures.

Staring into Machima's eyes, Yan Liang inexplicably felt as if he were stuck in a quagmire, unable to escape.

Yan Liang's gaze unconsciously shifted slightly to the side.

This was the first time Yan Liang had truly felt the terror of being in control of demons since he came to this world. It wasn't a crushing defeat in terms of strength, nor could it even be called a battle, yet it made Yan Liang feel an extraordinary sense of danger.

Am I right?

Feeling the force from Yan Liang's palm, Maqima also caught his fleeting moment of retreat. A pleased smile curved her lips, and as if pressing her advantage, she suddenly tightened her grip on the back of Yan Liang's hand—