Chapter 1

Denji pounded down the country road, the rustic charm of Yurrosai's outskirts stretching out before him. His bare chest didn't register the brisk air—it was all about the rush. The steel ripcord pressed against his chest, a reassuring weight in the midst of the sprint.

Yesterday's escapade seemed like a distant reverie, fading as quickly as it came. The memories were elusive, like trying to hold onto a fleeting dream. His mind thought back to the night before and he flashed back to the cause of all of this.

Denji's heart raced, his breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. A sensation of heat burned within him, stoked by the touch of the mysterious, black-haired beauty. Her fingers danced lightly on his chest, leaving a trail of shivers in their wake. Pochita, in his backpack, seemed to echo a sense of caution through soft chirps.

Despite his better judgment, Denji couldn't resist the allure of the heady perfume that enveloped them. It felt like the scent was seeping into his pores, fogging his mind and pulling him in. The lady's whispers teased promises, and like a marionette, he found himself moving under her spell. They walked hand in hand, her grip on him firm like a leash guiding a dog.

Eventually, they stopped at a run-down apartment. Though its appearance was shabby and dim, Denji was past caring. The lady's pull was too strong, drawing him eagerly into the unknown. Meanwhile, Pochita's chirps grew louder, a desperate warning in the back of his mind.

A steel bat crashed against the back of Denji's head the moment he stepped into the apartment, sending his vision spiraling into a hazy swirl. The weak light of a lone lamp fought to keep his focus as Pochita's barks pierced through the disorientation. He struggled to lift his head, finding his arms bound by tight, blue sheets.

Through the blur, he witnessed Pochita's desperate struggle against the lady, fierce and unyielding. The gloved hands that held them tightened, but Pochita fought on, biting and barking.

Then, in an instant, a lush forest materialized before him. Only Pochita was there, communicating in ways he'd never experienced before. Denji couldn't hear the words, but he could sense the message. "He never talked before," was the thought that echoed in his mind.

Suddenly, Pochita's voice resonated clearly, a warning etched into his consciousness. "Remember not to trust every pretty, nice lady, Denji." And just like that, the forest vanished.

He jolted back into the apartment, scarlet horrors smeared across the walls like a gruesome canvas. It was a grisly sight, one that should have triggered horror, but it barely registered. His movements felt automated, stumbling toward the door as if propelled by some internal force.

His mind returned to him and when he had zoned back in and took back in his surroundings much time had passed.

Denji arrived at a sprawling cityscape, where immense white structures towered like giants against the horizon, resembling a forest of towering trees. In the distance, a colossal white mountain stood, a beacon in this urban landscape. He stood for a moment, weary eyes trying to decipher the bright neon signs advertising various foods on the buildings. The city's energy buzzed around him.

Denji's ragged breaths gradually slowed as he tried to collect himself. Blond hair stuck to his forehead with sweat, his tattered shoes barely holding together. He was shirtless and fatigued, feeling like he might fall apart at any moment. His hands covered his face, seeking solace from the overwhelming exhaustion that gripped him. Every fiber of his being felt stretched to its limit.

In the midst of this weariness, a peculiar sensation gripped him. His hands on his face, he realized that he was healing. Slowly, almost magically, his wounds were knitting together, bones mending, and fractures sealing shut. It was as if the strings holding him were pulling him back together, rejuvenating his weary body.

His mind raced back to the events at the apartment, the horror and the violence he had witnessed and endured. He felt the metallic ripcord in his chest, a haunting reminder of the past. The memories clawed at him, making his stomach churn in disgust.

Yet, amidst this turmoil, a delightful scent wafted through the air, reaching his senses. The aroma of freshly cooked food, of succulent meat. His stomach growled in response, and the anticipation of a meal temporarily eclipsed his revulsion.

"I don't have any money," he muttered, a mix of hunger and reluctance playing on his features.

A resonant clang echoed through the air, sending shivers down Denji's spine. He strained his senses, hearing peculiar footsteps and indistinct sounds emanating from an adjacent alley. His curiosity piqued, he began hobbling towards the source, fueled by a glimmer of optimism.

"Maybe I can fight a cat for a burger or something," he mumbled to himself, a hint of hope in his words. As he neared the alley, the noises grew louder, a cacophony of crinkling paper and enigmatic echoes. The shadows deepened as the sun dipped behind the towering buildings, casting a chilling gloom.

Then, a sharp cry pierced the air—an unmistakable cry of distress from a girl. Adrenaline surged through Denji's veins, momentarily overpowering his fatigue. He pushed through the pain, the soreness in his limbs an afterthought as he pushed forward, drawn by the urgency of the situation.

A peculiar whirring filled Denji's mind, competing with the cries that echoed in the alley. It was a sound he hadn't expected, like the revving of a powerful engine. His chest seemed to ignite, a flickering flame of resolve beginning to burn brighter within him. His fingers tightened instinctively, and from his forearm, the hum of blades filled the air. Chains seemed to wrap around his leg, aiding in pulling his open wounds back together.

As he turned the corner and saw the scene, he froze momentarily. The girl, donned in a sleek black suit, held a knife, tears streaming down her face. She was grieving over a bag of food that had been snatched away by a disheveled, homeless-looking man.

Denji stumbled and fell.