Chapter 111: New Serialization

Chapter 111: New Serialization

Even though *Edge Runners* had concluded with its final chapter, the aftermath continued to stir excitement and trends.

Part of this ongoing buzz was due to Lin Qingshan, the creator of *Edge Runners*, whose persona as a "madman" exploded in popularity after the signing events and the "Subway Judge" incident. His reputation was cemented as both a "mad genius" and a "cyber lunatic" because of the unique and neurotic nature of *Edge Runners*.

At this time, Lin Qingshan seamlessly transitioned to serializing his new manga *Chainsaw Man* on *Comic World Gogo*.

Due to the popularity of *Edge Runners*, the first chapter of *Chainsaw Man* was featured on the magazine cover with a headline reading: "Comic newcomer genius Qingshan's new work *Chainsaw Man* is back! Full serialization!"

Gu Qianli was holding this issue of *Comic Magazine Gogo*. Even though Lin Qingshan had been working on *Chainsaw Man* for some time, it was her first time seeing it.

The cover showed a humanoid monster with chainsaws for a head and arms, standing triumphantly over countless defeated enemies.

"So… this is the protagonist of Qingshan's new manga?" Gu Qianli wondered, curiosity in her eyes. She turned to the pages where *Chainsaw Man* was serialized.

The manga's opening was a shocker.

A yellow-haired boy with an eye patch walked along a wide street, saying:

"Chopping wood, I can earn 3,000 yuan a month~"

"I sold a kidney for 60,000 yuan."

"My right eye was 20,000 yuan."

"One testicle sold for… how much was it? Seems like just under 10,000 yuan."

"And I still owe others 1.82 million yuan."

The protagonist of *Chainsaw Man*, starting off so poorly, was selling his body parts to pay off debts. Not just kidneys, but also his right eye and one testicle. What kind of world was this?

Then Gu Qianli saw a small orange dog with a chainsaw on its head appear in the manga.

"Woof~"

"I know, I know~ Pochita, let's get to work!"

The yellow-haired boy spoke to the dog named Pochita.

"Pochita? Pochita?"

Gu Qianli was stunned.

Lin Qingshan had even drawn Pochita into this manga?

Did this mean the protagonist, Denji, was based on Lin Qingshan himself?

If Lin Qingshan included Pochita and himself, would she also be drawn into this manga?

What role would she play?

Gu Qianli blushed slightly, wondering if she might be the female lead in Qingshan's manga.

She continued reading with some anticipation and soon learned about the world of *Chainsaw Man*.

It was a world where demons existed, but there were no angels or gods to save them. Humans had to rely on demon powers to fight other demons.

Pochita was one such "relatively weak" demon.

Denji, the protagonist, was in a truly dire situation. People thought David from *Edge Runners* had a tough life, with a single mother working as a municipal mortician and eventually dying, leaving David alone.

[Translator: sauron]

But Denji's situation was even worse. He had no parents and was burdened with his father's enormous debts, working for ruthless gangs to repay them. He fought demons, sold organs, and lived in miserable conditions. His biggest dream was simply to eat a slice of bread with jam every day and… to be with a woman before he died.

Denji's life was so grim.

Fortunately, Denji had Pochita, a demon dog who was his only companion. Thanks to Pochita, Denji had the ability to fight against weaker demons.

However, his life was still far from humane. The gang exploited him ruthlessly. To amuse themselves, they even made him swallow cigarette butts for a meager ten yuan, enough to buy a few more pieces of bread for him and Pochita for the week.

Even though Denji obeyed the gang without resistance, he was ultimately betrayed by the gang leader. One night, he was lured to a warehouse, where he and Pochita were ambushed by zombie demons. Denji was stabbed and dismembered, while Pochita was also severed.

As Denji clung to Pochita, he desperately wished, "Even if I could just dream of a normal life, I'd be satisfied…"

"But even this small wish seems too much?!"

His desperate cry did not save him or Pochita. In excruciating pain, Denji was killed and dismembered, discarded like trash.

Yet, in the trash, Pochita, also dismembered, suddenly stirred.

At the same time, Denji and Pochita's past memories flashed back.

"Pochita… if I ever die fighting demons…"

"My only concern would be you."

"You might starve or be hunted by other demon hunters."

"I heard… some demons can possess dead bodies."

"If Pochita can do that, I'd be willing to let you use my body."

"As long as I'm dead, the gangs won't chase you anymore, and you can leave here…"

"Just live normally, and die normally."

"My dream will be fulfilled through you."

Denji hugged Pochita, full of hope.

...

Another dream...

Fans of *Edge Runners* were no strangers to the concept of dreams, even suffering from it.

Gu Qianli felt a pang of sadness.

However, instead of taking over Denji's body as he wished, Pochita chose to sacrifice itself to save Denji.

(End of Chapter)