MTLNOVEL Chapter 117: The Wish
The instant Denji regained consciousness, he would no longer be wary of Shoko.
Therefore, as long as Pochita, acting as Denji's heart, was extracted at that moment, he would transform from the world's strongest being into an ordinary teenager, susceptible to the influence of wishes.
The difficulty of the plan lay in how to extract Pochita from Denji after her death. As Denji's most cherished person, Shoko would undoubtedly be killed thoroughly, her heart destroyed, most likely devoured by Chainsaw Man and erased from existence.
How could she linger after death?
Using the Desire Devil's exorbitant wish-granting power was an option, but that would prevent the most crucial step. Thus, Shoko's choice was—
System Shop – Trait Exchange: Battle Continuation!
One of the most famous skills from the Fate universe. With this skill, even on the brink of death, she could continue fighting as usual.
Even with broken limbs, a mangled body, and a destroyed heart, as long as she had the will, she could grit her teeth and persevere!
Corresponding to its powerful effect was its exorbitant price—2 million, essentially wiping out the small fortune Shoko had accumulated over three painstaking years.
She hadn't exchanged for this trait on Earth, merely adding it to her cart, because she didn't think her incarnations needed it.
Dying is no big deal. I can just re-manifest. Resurrecting an incarnation costs way less than 2 million.
But Shoko had ten out of ten certainty she could earn back the spent energy!
Denji, it's all up to you.
Even with her heart destroyed by Chainsaw Man, even reduced to little more than a torso, Shoko remained incredibly calm.
Battle Continuation, combined with Pain Control, achieved a rather incredible effect.
Rubble—this was the first thing Denji saw upon regaining consciousness.
Then, he saw the mangled remains in his hands, barely recognizable as a human body, identifiable only by strands of familiar hair.
And that night-black hair… Denji would never forget who it belonged to, even in death.
"Sho…ko…?"
The instant he spoke, Denji realized his voice was slurred, as if something were stuck in his mouth.
As realization dawned, a wave of nausea mixed with despair overwhelmed him.
He'd… he'd done this to Shoko?!
[Energy +500,000]
Wait, wait, wait—this wasn't right! This wasn't supposed to happen!
His brain felt like it was trembling, his insides twisting into knots. An unbearable pain erupted, reducing him to broken syllables.
What should he do?
What could he do?
Everyone was dead, Shoko too… and he'd done it, with his own hands.
Why? Had he done something wrong?
He knew killing his father was an unforgivable sin, but even so… this torment was too much!
It hurt so much. He might as well be dead!
Consumed by despair, Denji couldn't focus on anything, which gave the "corpse" in his hands an opportunity.
"This might hurt a bit, Denji."
"—"
In a flash, a single remaining arm pierced Chainsaw Man's chest, ripping out the orange Pochita, flesh and all!
With Pochita gone, Chainsaw Man's form began to melt away—the world's strongest being vanished.
Without a moment's hesitation, Shoko activated her ability.
Offering her entire existence, everything she was, as payment—
"Denji, you will live a happy and peaceful life."
The world froze.
Fleeing crowds, flashing traffic lights, bricks falling from high-rises, birds in flight… everything solidified in this instant.
Then, like rewinding film, time reversed.
The dismembered Aki Hayakawa, the shredded Power, Himeno, Reze, Beam, and all the injured… time flowed backward, returning to a point where nothing had happened.
Not to the distant past, merely less than an hour ago.
Everyone was still gathered, happily celebrating Denji's birthday.
"Guh—! Huh?"
Power practically shrieked as she jolted awake, then, realizing something was amiss, patted herself down, exclaiming, "Ha! This Great Power is still alive!"
"What happened…?"
The others weren't as oblivious as Power. Confusion filled their faces, and as they looked at Denji, pale and stunned, suspicion crept into their eyes.
It was understandable. They'd just been chopped into bits. Being wary wasn't unreasonable.
"Don't worry, everyone. It was just a little trick."
Shoko, sitting among them, smiled reassuringly, then, under Aki's furious glare, stood up. "Aki, don't look at me like that. Don't worry, I'll be out of your hair soon."
Aki Hayakawa, Power, Denji, Himeno, Reze, Beam… hmm,果然不在啊 [as expected, not here]. After confirming one person was missing, Shoko narrowed her eyes.
"But before that—"
Unexpectedly, Shoko suddenly struck, piercing Denji's chest again—but this time, not to rip out his heart, but to place the heart-shaped Pochita back inside.
She couldn't influence a being of Pochita's level. A manual reset was necessary.
This action, however, startled everyone, especially Aki, who would have lunged at her with a knife if Power hadn't intervened.
But this act netted Shoko nearly 100,000 energy points.
"Shoko, what was that?! You scared Aki half to death!" Power, gripping Aki's arm, looked panicked. "And you, Aki! That's Shoko! She'd never hurt Denji!"
"Let go of me, Power! That… that Desire Devil! Everything she did was an act!"
Aki's eyes were bloodshot, his teeth gritted. "She can't be trusted! We need to… kill her!"
Perhaps affection levels don't decrease after reaching 10.
Looking at the steady stream of gold coins, and Aki's unwavering level 10 affection, Shoko made this hypothesis. She wasn't sure if she should be crying or punching Aki.
But it didn't matter. It wasn't his turn anymore.
"Don't be angry, Aki. I told you, I'll be gone soon… I wanted to explain, but since you hate me so much, I'll just leave."
"Shoko…" As Shoko walked out of the apartment, Power started to follow, but Aki stopped her.
"Leave her, Power. Help Denji stop the bleeding!"
Indeed, perhaps due to his recent merging with Pochita, Denji's regeneration was slow. Blood still flowed from the wound in his chest.
After a moment's hesitation, Power chose to stay and help Denji.
It's just a fight. We fight all the time. Shoko will be back…