Denji forced a smile, feeling a mix of emotions. He was happy about the reward, but he also knew that this was just the beginning of his journey as a devil hunter. He had a feeling that there would be many more challenges ahead, and that this reward was just a small taste of what was to come.
During the "Eternity Devil" arc, Himeno promises Denji a French kiss if he defeats the devil. This reward ends in disaster when a drunken Himeno vomits into his mouth—a moment of psychological trauma that subverts his sexual expectations with gross reality. The Manipulation: Makima’s Rewards denji gets a reward
After saving Power’s cat, Meowy, Denji is granted the "reward" of touching her chest three times. While he succeeds, the experience is underwhelming, leading to an existential realization that the chase was more satisfying than the achievement. Denji forced a smile, feeling a mix of emotions
But as he thought about it, Denji couldn't shake off the feeling that this reward came with a price. He had made a contract with the devil, Pochita, and was now a part of the Public Safety Division. He was a devil hunter, and this reward was just a small token of appreciation for his services. During the "Eternity Devil" arc, Himeno promises Denji
Makima uses the concept of a "reward" as a powerful leash to keep Denji motivated.
To understand the weight of this chapter, we have to look at Denji’s mindset in Part 2. Unlike Part 1, where he was desperate for basic needs (food, shelter), Part 2 sees Denji living a relatively comfortable life. He goes to school, he has friends, and he has a crush (Asa Mitaka).
And every time Denji gets a “reward,” it feels less like a victory and more like the opening of a trapdoor.
