Chapter 9: Office, Attraction, and Buddy

Public Safety Headquarters in Tokyo.

The employees passing through the corridors traded jokes, or smoked while talking behind their superiors’ backs. He had expected a far harsher atmosphere from a place that hunted Devils, but seeing it in person, it felt more like an ordinary workplace than he had imagined.

Makima did not slow as she headed for the elevator. Without even looking back, she spoke to Eigo at her side.

"This is Public Safety Headquarters. It feels more like a place where people actually live than you expected, doesn’t it?"

The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped inside. Once the doors closed, the elevator began to rise with a brief jolt.

"But if you want to survive here for a long time, the fewer emotions you have, the better. Emotions cloud your judgment in the moment. Especially if you’re a Devil Hunter who faces Devils firsthand."

Makima’s voice was calm. She was simply stating facts.

"Public Safety Devil Hunters are broadly divided into two types. Ordinary Public Safety Hunters recruited through the formal examination, and Hunters specially recruited after distinguishing themselves as civilians. Eigo, you fall into the latter category."

She paused, letting out a meaningful little laugh.

"Though... it’s actually a little more complicated than that. Hehe."

The elevator stopped, and its doors opened. Unlike the first floor, this level was much quieter.

At a glance, it was obvious this was where the important people worked. Makima continued speaking as she walked down the corridor.

"The information released about you to the outside is simple. ‘He happened upon Devils on the outskirts of Kasukabe and exterminated them.’ A civilian who single-handedly dealt with two powerful Devils—the Skull Devil and the Landmine Devil...."

She added casually,

"With accomplishments like that, even an ordinary person with no previous record could easily join Public Safety."

They reached Makima’s office at the end of the corridor. A simple plaque bearing only her name and rank was affixed to the door.

"There are around a thousand Devil Hunters in Tokyo, including civilians, but Public Safety offers plenty of leave and the best benefits. And, of course, the most important thing: the pay. We earn nearly twice as much as ordinary civil servants. It comes in reliably every month, too, so it’s even more stable than civilian work."

Makima opened the door. Her office was spacious but neatly organized.

There were no unnecessary decorations. Only documents, bookshelves, maps, and reports filled the walls and desk. Beyond the window stretched Tokyo’s gray scenery.

Makima walked to the desk but did not sit down. Instead, she stood by the window and looked outside.

"In return, you must answer every summons. Like at the rest stop a few hours ago, you cannot ask why."

Her reflection in the window wore a cold expression. There was no emotion to be felt there—only a chilling severity, like a blizzard sweeping over Antarctica.

"Public Safety Devil Hunters are professionals who hunt Devils on the orders of the state, and a summons is an order from the state. That’s all there is to life in Public Safety. As long as you follow that one simple rule, there won’t be much difficulty."

A moment later, Makima took something from a drawer and turned toward Eigo. When their eyes met, she was once again wearing her gentle smile.

"And because wearing a uniform is standard for Public Safety personnel, please put this on. The changing room is that way."

Makima pointed in the direction with her finger.

"Once you’re changed, I’ll introduce you to your buddy, Eigo."

*

The human named Eigo is quite strange.

A civilian. No registered residence. No fixed income. A freeter who survives by hopping between one part-time job and another.

Apparently, he mostly slept in parks. As for food, he ate whatever his finances allowed at the time.

Even when I searched the resident registry for his name, Eigo (エイゴウ), there were only a few people with the same name. There was no record of the Eigo currently changing clothes in the changing room.

He should certainly be beneath me. Yet my [Control] does not work on him.

Both in social standing and as a living creature, he is clearly an inferior being to me—a Devil Hunter directly under the Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the Control Devil....

Why doesn’t my control work on him?

Money, security, recognition, or the desire to depend on someone. Every human I had encountered until now possessed what could be called an ‘inner flaw.’

Whether it was status, the opinions of others, or something intensely personal. But I cannot see anything like that in Eigo.

Whatever it may be, it is as though he has transcended something and completely severed his attachment to it....

To put it another way: it is like someone who keeps buying increasingly expensive equipment for a hobby, only to realize that it is all meaningless and brings nothing but financial pain, then grows sick of it all and abandons their obsession with that hobby.

He even appears to be a human who has reached the state of so-called ‘enlightenment.’

And there is one more thing. Eigo’s fighting....

To be honest... I have absolutely no idea what happened.

Perhaps he had contracted with some kind of super-speed Devil. In the brief instant it took to blink, he slaughtered the Muscle Devil. And yet he claims that he has not made a Contract with a Devil.

And I believe him. The scent coming from him is certainly not the scent of a pure human.

It resembles, but is not, the scent of a Fiend—a Devil that has seized a human body. If he were a Fiend, he would have a body part visibly different from a human’s.

Yet Eigo looks perfectly human. Even so, he smells of both Devil and human.

Then that really must be the only possibility....

‘A human who obtained a Devil’s heart and successfully retained their human ego.’

The Devil that bore the name used to refer to them was eaten by Chainsaw Man and vanished. Therefore, they too should have vanished from existence, yet for some reason, they did not.

That is why I call them ‘those whose existence has been permitted.’

Eigo does not even know what he is. And he does not seem particularly interested in finding out, either.

In any case, that is what matters. Eigo is one whose existence has been permitted, someone beyond my control—and because of that, I have developed an interest in Eigo himself.

The Skull Devil and Landmine Devil he exterminated are servants of [War]. Among the sisters, [War] hates Chainsaw Man the most.

The force by which two or more objects draw one another together is called attraction. It would not be strange to see another strong person drawn to a strong person, a man and woman drawn to each other, or one human drawn to another, as the effect of attraction.

The same is true of Devils, beings born from human fear. What else but attraction could explain why those called the Devils of the Four Horsemen are bound together by the bond of sisters?

And this further suggests that attraction can operate between humans and Devils as well. It cannot be mere coincidence that Eigo, whose name was erased by Chainsaw Man but whose existence has been permitted, exterminated servants of [War].

Eigo’s existence may be an important clue that leads me to Chainsaw Man.

"Eigo.... Hehe."

I gave a laugh that felt needlessly sinister. There was no particular reason for it.

*

The changing room door opened.

Wearing the Public Safety uniform, Eigo stood before Makima’s desk. It was neat attire designed for practicality, yet styled like a civilian business suit.

Eigo looked neat and natural, as though he were very accustomed to clothes like these. Makima’s gaze traveled over him from head to toe.

"It suits you well. Public Safety uniforms depend heavily on one’s build, but I doubt there’s anyone they suit as well as they suit you, Eigo."

"Thank you. But...."

Eigo trailed off and looked around the room.

"You said you would introduce me to my buddy once I changed, didn’t you?"

"I did."

Makima nodded and rose from her seat.

"Since Devil Hunting is inherently dangerous work, Devil Hunters operate in pairs as a rule, to secure even a little extra safety. And the partner you form a team with and work alongside is called your buddy."

"So where is my buddy...?"

Makima slowly approached Eigo.

"Hehe.... She’s right here, isn’t she?"

She stopped only about a step away from him, then lowered her head as she spoke.

"I’m Makima, a Devil Hunter directly under the Chief Cabinet Secretary. Starting today, I’ll be working as your buddy, Eigo. I look forward to working with you."

Eigo fell silent for a moment as he looked at Makima.

"...What?"

It was a very brief reaction. He was surprised for a moment, but he did not stammer in confusion.

"You seem a little surprised. Normally, it is standard to assign a mid-level Devil Hunter to a newcomer. But you’re different, Eigo."

Makima took another step closer. Her voice was low, retaining its businesslike coolness.

"There is already a record of you dealing with two powerful Devils alone: the Skull Devil and the Landmine Devil. On top of that, you turned the Muscle Devil into a bloody mass in an instant. In the brief time it took me to blink ‘once’...."

Eigo did not respond. He simply listened to Makima.

"After seeing that battle, I made my decision. I realized that I could not place you in the category of an ordinary newcomer."

Makima smiled faintly. Eigo’s eyes narrowed.

"So... that is enough reason for me to become the buddy of someone as high-ranking as a Devil Hunter directly under the Chief Cabinet Secretary?"

"Yes."

A short, unequivocal answer.

"Why do you think it wouldn’t be? I told you on the way here that there have scarcely been cases as exceptional as yours in all of history, didn’t I?"

She clasped her hands behind her back.

"You are an anomalous being—human, yet also Devil. Is that enough of an answer?"

Eigo nodded.

"It is. Since you work directly under the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Makima, your abilities must be beyond question.... And if it comes down to it, there could be no one more suitable than you to dispose of me. Yes, that answers it well enough."

Eigo’s expression hardened by the slightest degree.

"That... isn’t exactly wrong, but I wouldn’t say it’s exactly right either."

Makima pretended to choose her words for a moment. Yet there was no hesitation in her.

"It’s because I have a personal interest in you, Eigo."

At that moment, the air froze ever so slightly.

"You may take it as a professional interest, or as personal curiosity."

Makima wore her usual relaxed smile. Is that the only expression this woman knows how to make...?

"Neither would be a lie. That is another reason I chose you as my buddy, Eigo."

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