Ardent Hope: Chainsaw Man x Male Reader Insert.

22. Threshold

"Well, now that your part of the deal is fulfilled, I can help you understand the proper meaning of your dreams!"

"Well, it's not like we can interpret much out of them. I mean, she only shows me what she want, and that isn't much, just past moments of when she was still living as a free devil."

"Maybe she's trying to tell you something about how she felt. Sounds stupid though."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it! Maybe she's trying to show you why she did some things with those dreams! Maybe she wants you to understand her better."

"Okay, I think I follow."

"Whenever you're stuck in her memories, you can feel the way she felt in that moment right?"

"Yeah."

"And is there any emotion that's always present no matter what she's doing at that moment?"

"Well, now that you mention it, these last couple of dreams I had, I really felt like... like I was missing something, like I was searching for something."

"Well, that's a great start! And can you imagine what that thing could be?"

"Maybe she's looking for something she had with her the moment..."

"Yes?"

"...The moment she died in Hell."

"Oh, she must be looking for that special thing once it had reborn here in Earth."

"What do you mean? Aren't only devils supposed to be reborn here?"

"Oh, you didn't know that? Every shard and piece of Hell has its own soul! Everything can be reborn here in Earth!"

"That's... That's genius!"

"Wait, what?"

"Anyway, how do you know all of this stuff? Never thought of you being that smart!"

"Oh, fuck you too!"

The dolls controlled by Santa Claus had been increasing their numbers in the last couple of hours. Although their presence was not exactly noticeable for other humans who weren't paying enough attention, they still tried to go unnoticed as much as possible. So the stringless puppets moved in the shadows, following the group of devil hunters from behind, all their minds connected in a sole objective, and that was to give chase to the Chainsaw Man.

"Let's just grab lunch in this department store." Denji lazily mumbled, as the group slowly approached the local he had pointed at. Much to Power's annoyance, (Y/N) was not there, and Tamaki shuffled nervously as they walked, missing the presence of Kusakabe as well.

The Angel Devil shot conspicuous glances over his shoulder after noticing the group of mysterious people that walked right behind them, seemingly following the group, but nevertheless he kept walking towards the local, and the group promptly entered the place.

The puppets made its prompt approach to the department store, but upon crossing the door's threshold, they were surprised by the sudden appearance of another member of the devil hunters group that was already waiting for them. In the middle of a red circle painted on the floor, Kusakabe blew his breath through his fingers. The moment the puppets made contact with the dense substance that had sprouted from Kusakabe's breathe, they were left completely petrified, transformed in no more than stone statues.

"Well, the ambush worked!" Denji said. "And they turned to stone too, that's cool!"

"Stay back unless you want to end up like them." Kusakabe warily responded as he took a step back. "The Stone Devil is fickle."