Chapter 188: Flashback

Chapter 188: Flashback

Lin Qingshan's hospitalization caused quite a stir at Manga World Company and with the editor-in-chief, Yang Dahai. As a well-known manga artist, his hospitalization even attracted the attention of fans following the serialization of *Chainsaw Man*.

Fortunately, Manga World Company released an official statement on their website, assuring fans that Lin Qingshan was not in any life-threatening danger, which eased their concerns.

The reason behind Lin Qingshan's acute gastroenteritis was not a major topic of interest; fans were more relieved that the serialization of *Chainsaw Man* would continue as scheduled.

Though Lin Qingshan was stable after his stomach was pumped, he still spent some time in the hospital due to the severity of his condition. By the time he was discharged, it was already the second week.

During this period, the latest issue of *Chainsaw Man* was released.

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Ke Xinjie returned home, removed her shoes, and carried the milk tea from the shop, along with the new *Chainsaw Man* manga volume, to her room.

In the previous week's serialization, Makima had stopped attacking Sawatari and Katana Man. Just as they thought they had escaped, an unexpected character appeared.

Not only was it unexpected for them, but also for the fans. The character was… the previously weak and emotionally fragile…

Hiyama Koyoharu!

She was alive, and not only that, she had come to rescue Denji!

The flashback scenes revealed why she wasn't killed during the ambush. It turned out that when the old woman with the gun attacked, Arai reacted in time, turning around to shield Koyoharu with his body. Unfortunately, Arai was shot and died.

Koyoharu, previously weak, was deeply affected by Arai's death, leading her to feel immense guilt and anger. Fueled by these emotions, she confronted Sawatari and Katana Man, exhibiting powerful combat skills she had never shown before.

Armed with only a knife, she defeated both Sawatari, who was armed but unable to transform, and Sawatari's snake devil. Fearing the arrival of Public Safety reinforcements, they fled in their car, leaving Denji saved by Koyoharu.

[Translator : sauron]

Meanwhile, Makima received new orders from higher-ups. The Public Safety Special Devil 1, 2, 3, and 4 Divisions were merged due to the attack and the shortage of personnel. Makima was given command of the newly formed Special Devil 4 Division but also received a resignation letter from the devil hunter named Yuan.

Ke Xinjie opened the latest *Chainsaw Man* issue.

On the TV news broadcast, Hayakawa Aki, lying in a hospital bed, slowly woke up. He saw Power and Denji beside him. Since Denji was a devil-human hybrid, he healed much faster than Aki, who looked disheveled and downcast.

"Himeko-senpai died saving him…" Ke Xinjie said, her face darkening as she realized that Himeko's death was the most heartbreaking part for Hayakawa Aki.

At that moment, Denji and Power were arguing over an apple.

"Give me the apple! I want to eat it!" Power shouted.

"No way! The apple is mine!" Denji retorted disdainfully. "A deserter has no right to eat the apple!"

"I didn't desert! I was just hungry and went back first!" Power protested.

Amid their bickering, Hayakawa Aki stared blankly.

"Who survived from Division 4…"

Denji, now subdued, answered, "That kid named Koyoharu… and the glasses guy survived, but he's resigned now."

Noting Aki's poor mood, Denji decided it was time to leave. "I'll leave you an apple. Goodbye."

He left an apple and dragged Power out of the room.

Aki, alone in the room, took out a long nail weapon, a contract with the Curse Devil, and pulled it out.

"Kas, how many years do I have left?"

The Curse Devil Kas, in the darkness, responded, "Two years."

"Two years…" Ke Xinjie found it hard to believe. "So… Hayakawa Aki is also near death?"

This was the cost of making a contract with a devil. Ordinary people had to sacrifice everything to gain immense power. Himeko gave her life and body. Even though Aki was not dead yet, he had only two years left to live…

This made Ke Xinjie even more curious about the nature of Makima's contract and the price she paid for such immense power.

Aki, aware of his remaining two years, seemed indifferent or perhaps expected it. He picked up a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and tried to light it.

But as the lighter sparked, it failed to ignite. Flashbacks of Himeko lighting his cigarette came to mind. He was momentarily stunned, and the cigarette fell from his mouth onto the bed.

As he tried to pick up the cigarette, tears streamed down his face. The mentor who had taught him how to smoke, who had always cared for him, and who had sacrificed everything for him, was gone…

Aki buried his face in his hands, sobbing.

Imagine a friend who had been with you every day suddenly passing away. Wouldn't you be heartbroken?

Such emotional flashbacks are the most painful. Ke Xinjie wiped her tears, feeling a pang of sadness.

Outside the room, Denji, returning to get the manga, heard the sounds of crying from the room and felt at a loss.

"Well, crying is natural…"

"So many comrades have died, and even Himeko is gone…"

Denji recalled moments with Himeko, feeling helpless as he sat in a corner.

"But… I can't cry at all…"

**End of Chapter.**