Chapter 2
The superposition and fusion of the reincarnated soul, combined with the fragments of that transmigrator's soul, had never left Denji's perspective and thoughts so crystal clear.
Even though the crippled system's intelligent AI assistant had shattered, Denji could still parse and understand it through his own instincts and newfound "wisdom."
This special "cheat" had been stripped down to just three core functions:
Devour (50% unsealed): Allows absorption and fusion of devoured devils, parsing them into usable abilities.
[Unseal Conditions:
① Reach 80+ affection with any major plot character (Currently: "Pochita" affection 100+, condition met)
② Use the unique special fusion contract with one of: Chainsaw Devil, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Death, Control/Domination, War, Famine/Hunger), or a Primal/Root Devil — complete "Devour" unlocks fully, granting bonus traits based on the contracted entity.]
Affection Exploration: Special contracts that activate only with key characters at specific affection thresholds, granting unique rewards tied to each character's affection level. Universal Points: The all-purpose source—enough points can achieve anything. (Acquisition: Influence world lines, unknown methods.)
People grow up eventually. So does Denji...
After reviewing his new hand of cards, Denji's gaze hardened with unprecedented resolve.
He gently set Pochita down on the ground and spoke seriously:
"Pochita, I need your power!"
"Woof?"
Pochita's cute eyes filled with human-like worry. It understood Denji's intent, but it also knew the crushing weight this power carried—and it didn't want Denji to bear it alone. More than that… it wanted to stay with Denji forever.
"Don't worry. Trust me."
Seeing the clarity and unshakeable determination in Denji's eyes, Pochita let go of its doubts. It rubbed its cheek against the back of Denji's hand and licked his palm, signaling agreement.
Pochita opened its mouth, baring its small, sharp teeth, ready to bite Denji's hand and exchange a drop of blood for its full power to form the contract.
But Denji stopped it.
He patted Pochita's head, casually tossed aside the stack of debt bills he'd been clutching earlier, and instead reached deep into his soul to draw out a special crimson crystal.
Fusion Contract (Unique): A miraculous pact that enables perfect absorption and fusion while fully preserving the soul's integrity and individuality…
He held his open palm in front of Pochita. The crystal glowed brilliantly in his hand.
Pochita didn't know the exact procedure—it simply followed instinct and placed one front paw on top.
Through the crimson crystal as medium, feeling the perfect harmony of their souls, Denji asked one final time:
"Do you trust me, Pochita?"
"Woof!"
Pochita barked affirmatively.
In an instant, blazing red light erupted between man and dog.
A moment later, only one more perfect being remained.
His golden hair shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, his bright eyes—like pure rubies—flickered with new intensity. His posture had grown taller, more imposing.
But beyond the physical enhancements, the real change was internal.
Devour (Fully Unsealed · Chainsaw): Absorb and fuse devoured devils into abilities, gaining stat boosts proportional to the devil's strength. (Trait: Devoured devils cannot revive. Their fear concept and source transfer permanently to your "Chainsaw.")
Fused Special Abilities:
Hybrid Weapon Form · Chainsaw. Chainsaw Devil · Black Chainsaw Form. ? (Unknown form) Clone · Chainsaw Hellhound: A hell-form invisible in the present world, capable of manifesting attacks, bites, and devouring in reality as a substitute.
Contract-Bound Skills Gained via "Devour":
Slash (Chainsaw Devil): Invisible cutting and splitting force. (Strength scales with overall stats and fear judgment; upper limit: none.)
This surge of fulfilling power didn't consume Denji.
His mind focused solely on sensing the tiny, peacefully sleeping Pochita curled deep within his soul.
Pressing his palm to his heart, Denji murmured calmly yet with absolute certainty:
"It won't be long. See you in our 'new world,' Pochita."
A faint, reassuring response echoed from the depths of his soul.
The corner of Denji's mouth curved into an unconscious smile.
Time to keep moving.
Drawing on his own memories fused with the transmigrator's knowledge of the Chainsaw Man manga, Denji walked onward, organizing his thoughts.
He stepped through a patch of ruins and peered over a half-collapsed wall at the grotesque devil beyond.
Tomato-shaped body, a vertical mouth slit down the center, irregular clusters of human-like eyes bulging everywhere else, and a base sprouting countless writhing, hand-like appendages.
"Ah~ Found you, Tomato Devil."
Denji made no effort to hide. His voice—ordinary and calm—rang out unnaturally clear in the desolate wilderness.
As expected, the Tomato Devil's attention snapped to him. Several protruding eyes locked on Denji with murderous intensity. The hand-like limbs at its base scrambled chaotically yet swiftly toward him.
Those thick, human-hand "legs" stood nearly two meters tall, with the tomato body itself around 3–4 meters across.
The whole thing charging at full speed looked almost comical at first glance—like a giant tomato on the move—but it lacked the speed or mass of something truly formidable like the Gun Devil.
Staring down his target, Denji slipped instantly into combat mode. His eyes sharpened fiercely, a wild, feral grin tugging at his lips.
His hand moved instinctively to his chest.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot—I'm not in 'beast mode' anymore."
"Labels like 'powerful hero' or 'cool, born-protagonist badass' suit me way better for chasing my dreams now!"
He lowered the hand from his chest, slapped his own cheeks lightly to refocus, and forced the feral grin back into a composed expression.
Denji kept drawing from the transmigrator's "Earth media and culture database"—absorbing, learning, integrating it all.
Just as the Tomato Devil closed the distance and opened its gaping, bloody maw—
Denji finally settled into his new mindset. He flashed a flawless, confident, handsome smile.
Raising one hand, he pointed at the Tomato Devil in a finger-gun pose and whispered lightly:
"Slash."
BUZZ—BUZZ!!!
A hellish roar echoed from the void. An invisible chainsaw blade sliced straight toward the target.
The unseen chainsaw teeth roared as they bit into the Tomato Devil's crimson skin.
A single wet splat on contact—
The peel burst open instantly. Foul pulp and gore-like innards exploded outward, seeds and juice erupting in a vivid, almost gruesome red rain.
When the red shower cleared, the Tomato Devil's blood-juice pooled on the ground in a filthy puddle dotted with star-like seeds.
One strike. Instant kill.
The bisected shadow collapsed helplessly. In the sunlight, Denji's bright eyes seemed to glow.