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Chapter 9: The Slot and the Fire
Three days… wouldn't it be too late?
Unexpectedly, the bandaged woman, despite her friendly demeanor, refused to help. Concerned about the situation at the hospital, Leon bit his lip, lowered his head, and tried pleading again: “If you’re willing to step in, I can—”
“Sorry, it’s not about the cost.” Interrupting Leon, the woman wrapped in bandages shook her head with a look of regret.
“I’ve managed to stay safe in the Cleansing Bureau for six years by never acting when I’m unsure of success.
“While I sympathize with your plight, I have my own reasons for avoiding unnecessary risks. I hope you can understand my decision.”
“…” Understand? Sure, I understand. But what choice do I have? Drag you into it by force?
After hearing her unwavering refusal, Leon felt his grip loosen helplessly, a faint grayish despair slowly surfacing in his eyes.
Though it might sound a bit cold, she wasn’t wrong—she had no obligation to risk herself for his problem. But… what about Anna?
Leon could return to the hospital now and take Anna away before the so-called “Out-of-Control Contaminated” caused chaos.
But if what the nurse said was true, taking Anna off her medication now would condemn her to a lifetime in bed. She wouldn’t even be able to manage basic household chores like laundry or cooking.
Anna had already suffered deeply over the years, burdened by her lung disease. Given her seemingly gentle and obedient nature—concealing a stubborn core—if she realized she had become a total “burden,” she might…
"Kid, you better not renege on our deal!" As Leon hesitated between his options, a voice interrupted his thoughts. The black goat in his arms squirmed uncomfortably and reminded him with some concern:
"We had a deal! I help you find someone, and you buy me cigarettes. I’ve done my part—whether she helps you or not is her problem. But the cigarettes you owe me—there’d better not be a single one missing!"
“…” Oh, right. There’s still this guy!
Leon’s eyes suddenly lit up, as if spotting a lifeline. He grabbed the goat’s head, desperation written all over his face.
“What about you? Can you handle this? If you can, I’ll buy you a pack of ‘Gott’ cigarettes every week as long as I work at the Cleansing Bureau!”
Tsk… there he goes again with this trick… Do I look that cheap to you? The black goat’s expression darkened at Leon’s offer.
“Kid! Do you seriously think I help you just for cigarettes? I’m a great demon, not some beggar who cares about your three-silver-coins-a-pack trash cigarettes! Listen—if it weren’t for that red-haired woman liking you, forget a pack of cigarettes; even if you begged me to take your soul, I wouldn’t bother with it.”
“…Three packs, minimum!”
“Deal!” Damn it! I undersold myself!
The black goat grumbled and cursed its lack of restraint, but ultimately sighed and nuzzled against Leon’s chest.
Sigh… What can I say? I just can’t resist. Besides, looking like this, with a goat’s head and brain, I can’t even rob people. Not only would I fail to get any money, but I might also end up being stewed. Then I’d really have nothing left for cigarettes.
Damn it! Just thinking about this pisses me off! That red-haired woman may not be poor, but every week as soon as she gets her paycheck, she blows it all on booze, not sparing a single copper coin for me!
Just wait until I take a few more drags and gather enough strength to turn things around—I'll smash every bar in the entire capital! Even the factories that make alcohol-infused perfume! I'll make sure that wretched woman has nothing left to drink—not even a drop!
While silently vowing revenge, the black goat concentrated its remaining power. It marked Leon’s chest with a demonic sigil, granting him the “right” to use its abilities.
At the same time, the familiar mechanical noise echoed in Leon’s ears.
“Buzz.”
[First use of an Anomaly. Hidden attribute of Anomalous Colored Badge “Materialist Soul (Crimson)” activated.
[Materialist Soul (Anomalous Color·Crimson·Unupgradable): …
[Equipping Effect: …
[Upgrade Path: …
[Hidden Attribute: Badge slot +1. Current slots: 4. Total Anomalies needed for next slot: 2.]
Accompanied by a mechanical notification sound, the virtual interface, which originally had only three slots, shifted slightly, quietly revealing a fourth slot. A green badge, shaped like a goat’s head, was already embedded in it ahead of time.
[You have gained usage rights for the Anomaly “Demon Horns.” The Bronze Badge “Demon’s Votary” has been activated.
[Demon’s Votary (Bronze): After a sordid and vile bargain, agreeing to perform a weekly heinous sacrifice, you have gained the favor of a high-ranking demon.
[Equipping Effect: Enhances compatibility with “Corrupted” Anomalies, slightly reducing their costs while greatly amplifying their effects.
[Upgrade Path: Perform ten secret sacrifices without being discovered by the former owner of Demon Horns, Olivia, this badge will automatically upgrade to the Silver Badge Friend of Demons. Current progress: 1/10.
[Hidden Attribute (No Need to Equip): Your soul now carries traces of demonic taint, making you more noticeable to certain malevolent entities.
[Your Contamination Value has increased.
[Current Contamination Value: 0.1.]
---
"Huh… you’re a surprisingly good fit for me!" Nestled in Leon's somewhat awkward embrace, yet feeling an unexpectedly harmonious sense of being "in its element," the black goat couldn't help but tilt its head back, looking surprised as it muttered:
"When you didn’t stab that fat guy from Public Works, I thought you were a goody-two-shoes. But seeing how well we mesh… Kid, you’re no saint! Maybe not pure evil, but definitely not squeaky clean. Bet you’ve done your fair share of lying, cheating, and scamming, huh?"
“...” Our “fit” is because of the badge, not me! I’ve been a law-abiding citizen for two lifetimes!
Although annoyed by the baseless accusation, Leon wisely chose not to reveal his “cheat” to the demon.
Holding the chatty goat head, Leon was surprised to discover that he’d gained a temporary ability to peer into souls.
Centered around the goat head, he could suddenly sense thousands of faint, flickering “flames” within a two-kilometer radius.
Hatred, betrayal, deceit, jealousy, rage—countless dark and icy emotions, like ghostly blue flames flickering in a graveyard, lit up around him.
Focusing on these flames, Leon realized he could pierce through walls and barriers to glimpse the malicious intent hidden within.
He even began to sense a strange intuition, as if all he had to do was stretch out his "hand" and give a light flick, and the cold, toxic flames would surge uncontrollably, incinerating the host's sanity and turning their souls—once merely tinged with pale gray—into a deep black, darker than charcoal.
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