The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"How old are you, Denji?"

"Fourteen... almost fifteen."

"I see. Still just a child." Shoko stroked Pochita, gazing at the night sky through the window.

Unlike the medieval Honkai-verse, the sky here was like Earth's, devoid of stars—though this was Earth.

Denji's mind was full of lewd thoughts, but Shoko wasn't about to fulfill them. While aware of the connotations of "cuddling" in Japan, she meant a literal embrace.

Hugs were a recurring theme in Chainsaw Man. Denji and Makima both craved genuine connection, acceptance without judgment.

The proof: Denji, initially clamoring for something more, settled down contentedly after Shoko's hug.

Shoko wouldn't hesitate to hug anyone to boost favorability, be it Makima, Aki, Himeno, Denji, or even Power!

I'm a truly kind-hearted woman, an angel inside and out. Surely the audience would agree.

She'd brought a glimmer of hope into Denji's bleak life, earning her a few panels in the manga. When she, the kind-hearted, one of the few decent people in Chainsaw Man, inevitably died, the energy generated by the readers would surpass even the Saintess Saga.

Lihua in the Saintess Saga was ultimately a side character in Otto's backstory. Readers hadn't truly connected with her.

But Shoko wanted more.

Be a good person, die, and collect a one-time reward?

Boring and wasteful!

Negative emotions fueled energy, and regret wasn't the only source.

Hatred was highly effective.

Shoko would play the good girl, gain Denji's trust, and then—

Betray him.

Betrayal by the most trusted person at the most unexpected moment. How would Denji react?

Pain? Sorrow? Disbelief?

And the audience, witnessing this sudden betrayal, how would they feel?

Either way, it would be fueled by their trust in her, resulting in an explosion of energy!

But a simple betrayal wasn't enough. That was a one-time harvest. Shoko wanted to milk it…

Stroking Pochita, she plotted her story.

Make Denji believe she loved and cared for him, when her true target was Pochita.

Pochita, whose true form was the Chainsaw Man, a legend feared throughout Hell.

A weak Devil manipulating the Chainsaw Devil, making a contract for protection, was perfectly plausible.

Denji was merely a tool to gain Pochita's favor.

After their fusion, her goal would shift to obtaining the Chainsaw Devil's heart, gaining power to become a formidable Devil.

Perfect.

Denji was sixteen when the story began. Less than two years remained.

Should she shower Denji with familial affection in the meantime?

Risky. What if excessive care prevented him from becoming the Chainsaw Man?

Too many deviations could alienate the manga's audience. She had to insert herself without disrupting major events, then exit before the main story began, returning Denji to his miserable life.

Shoko looked down at Denji, asleep on her lap. He was just a child, but Shoko lacked Lihua's compassion.

Lihua couldn't bring herself to harm young Otto, befriending him instead. But Shoko was a heartless energy-harvesting machine.

Casting him from heaven back to hell would generate… Hee hee hee~

"Morning, Pochita... Ow, my face hurts." Sunlight streamed through the window, waking Denji.

He touched his face gingerly. It felt like he'd been kicked repeatedly all night—Whack!

A foot in his face confirmed his suspicions.

"Why are you kicking me in your sleep?!" he yelled at Shoko, who lay sprawled on the mat, using him as a footrest.

…

"Sorry, sorry. I kick in my sleep. Maybe you were too close." Shoko examined the clear footprint on Denji's face. "Sleep by the door next time. Then I won't hit you."

"This is my house! You sleep by the door!" Denji was dumbfounded. How could such a cute girl be so shameless?!

[Energy +70]

"Whatever. I'm going out. Do what you want."

"Where are you going so early?" Shoko asked, watching Denji and Pochita prepare to leave.

"To kill Devils and earn money, obviously. I can barely feed myself, and now I have another mouth to feed!"

"Oh, working hard to provide. How admirable~" Shoko clasped her hands together, smiling sweetly. "Have a safe trip. Come back in one piece."

"—!" Denji's heart clenched.

Those were words spoken to family members leaving home. He hadn't heard them since his parents died—no, not even before they died…

"Uh… Let's go, Pochita." Denji left without another word.

[Target Denji's favorability increased. Current favorability: 8]

[Current target energy charge efficiency: 800%]

At this rate, I'll hit level 10 soon. These pitiful types are so easy to manipulate.

Shoko smiled, watching Denji leave. Not as fast as Otto, but still level 8 in under twenty-four hours. Level 10 was within reach.

But level 10 wasn't the maximum; it was just the system's display limit.

Otto's favorability reached 8 or 9 quickly, but the energy gains were initially small. Theoretically, reaching level 10 shouldn't change much. But in the later stages of the Honkai-verse, Kallen and Otto generated tens, even hundreds of thousands of energy points.

There must be a difference in charging efficiency beyond emotional fluctuations. Their favorability probably exceeded the level 10 cap.

Manipulating Denji to that extent would take time.

What to do next…? Shoko lay back, pondering.

Freeloading wasn't enough to maximize Denji's favorability and gain the audience's affection. She needed to flesh out her persona…

I'll get a job.

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