I! Cleaner!

"What the hell... What exactly do you want to do?"

Following Leon's will all the way back, after breaking into his soul and seeing that crimson storm, which even when firmly pressed down at the deepest level, was still rolling in madness, [Endless Stomach] couldn't help but be completely dumbfounded.

*How... how could such a weak soul bear such a massive desire? Back when I aspired to gather all seven of the highest sins to become a top Demon God like the Supreme Four Pillar Gods, the desires in my heart weren't as big as yours!*

*So what exactly is this human planning? Is he preparing to overthrow the insanely powerful Purification Bureau and directly rule the world?*

"Scared, aren't you?"

Just as [Endless Stomach] clung to Leon's soul, dumbfounded while watching the boundless greed hidden below, a somewhat familiar presence suddenly approached.

Also clinging to Leon's soul, taking a deep breath of the slight pride unconsciously emanating from his soul's depths, [Heart of Ambition] said, with a face full of intoxication, "It's truly wonderful... even though I can look but not touch, every time I'm allowed to link to his soul, I have to come and lie down for a while. Really... hmm... there should be no one more extremely arrogant than him."

"Heh, just look at the two of you being so ignorant."

As the two sheep creatures were clinging to Leon's soul, greedily inhaling the isolated storm at the deepest level, another familiar will approached, first clinging to the edge of Leon's soul as well, eyeing the furious flames below the storm with envy, then turned slightly sideways and said arrogantly, "I was the one who discovered this person and led him to take you two back. You two have what you have today thanks to my exceptional judgment.

"Moreover, I'm not like you two; you two who came later can only cling here and inhale whatever unconsciously spills out, whereas I had truly tasted his fury when he was still weak and powerless."

After boasting about its 'merits' and 'seniority,' the Black Goat, also known as the representative of fury, [War Cornerstone], said pompously to the other two creatures, "So now you should understand, when we wake up in the future, who should be the boss? Listen carefully, from now on, I am the head of us few! If anyone dares not listen to me, then I'll tell this kid to throw you out! This kid follows me loyally, extremely submissive... Hey! Are you listening to me?"

Holding onto Leon's soul and greedily inhaling the scant aura spilling out, the two sheep creatures glanced at the Black Goat upon hearing this, then both showed expressions full of disdain.

"Heh, just by relying on this storm of greed in his heart, I don't believe you can control him; it's more likely you'd be his dog."

"Screw you! Beat it!"

"You... you all..."

Originally seeing a newcomer... a new sheep creature, the Black Goat was thinking about strutting its stuff as the big brother, but never expected to face cold mockery from the Stomach and direct insults from the Heart, instantly burning with rage, gritting its teeth and firmly saying, "You just wait! I'll... hmph! Considering you two are still useful, I'll let you off this time. If there's a next time, I'll make sure you pay!"

"Heh, I'm not afraid; do as you please."

"Pay you! Beat it!"

"You all... Aaargh! So angry I could die!"

...

Unaware of the small theater happening within his soul among the sheep creatures and after sensing the status of [Endless Stomach], Leon was about to switch to the [I Am the Demon] badge to forcibly gain control over this thing, when he heard a flattering voice from within his soul.

"After I was ambushed and severely injured back then, I've wandered around this world seeking a suitable master for many years, but to no avail. Today, I finally met you! Honorable Mr. Leon, if you don't mind, please let me stay by your side from now on! I'll do my utmost to offer all the assistance I can provide, and whatever you ask of me in the future, I'll do it! Please let me remain by your side!"

"..."

Ah, this... Half a liter of purines, not finding a wise master, if you do not mind, I pledge to serve as my adoptive father, to be directed at will?

After hearing [Endless Stomach]'s excessively flattering words, Leon, although he gained a huge advantage, couldn't help but have his lips twitch twice.

*What the hell, a fantasy world Lü Bu... Forget it, cooperation is better than no cooperation after all. If the three sheep creatures can all cooperate, maybe during missions, I could swap [I Am the Demon] out and free up a slot for another badge.*

And as [Endless Stomach] bowed its head, submitting to Leon's 'kingly aura' without any coercion, Leon, after obtaining the eighth anomalous object, heard a familiar notification sound in his ear.

"[Acquired usable Anomalous Object 'Endless Stomach,' activating the Hidden Trait of the Heterochromatic Badge 'Materialist Soul (Crimson)']"

"[Materialist Soul (Heterochromatic·Crimson·Unable to upgrade): …]"

"[Wearing Effect: …]"

"[Advancement Route: …]"

"[Hidden Traits: Badge slots +4, current slot number: 7, total number of Anomalous Objects required to unlock the next slot: 16]"

*The number of anomalous objects required to unlock the next slot seemed to have doubled again...*

Looking at the new slot that appeared on the badge panel, a slight sense of joyous trouble surged in Leon's heart.

With four iron, three copper, six silver, four gold, one heterochromatic—the total of eighteen badges he had—even with the temporary swap capability, seven slots were not very sufficient, it seemed he still needed one or two more slots.

Aside from the three sheep creatures, the anomalous objects he had included the [Lazy Witch's Rental Broom], [Holy Spirit Pendant], Anna's photo [If], the [Plague-Infected Blood Band] obtained from female rebels, and the [Mirror Dog], making a total of eight.

Hence, the anomalous object he created using the Taurus and Aquarius Two Palace Secret Techniques, which enhances left egg sensitivity, [Egg of Sharpness], most likely wasn't counted, so it seemed relying on self-made anomalous objects to increase slots wasn't an option.

As for the reason...

Because [Materialism]'s core is the analysis and understanding of the world, and the anomalous objects he created couldn't aid in analyzing and understanding the world, hence couldn't be used to unlock more slots?

...

"Knock knock."

Just as Leon was pondering the principle of increasing badge slots with [Materialism], trying to see if he could exploit a loophole, he heard a knocking on the Director's office door, followed by Senior Emma's voice coming through from outside.

"Director? Are you available now?"

"Sure, come in."

Upon receiving the red-haired Director's permission, Senior Emma pushed the door open and entered. She nodded at Leon first and then started to report, "The General Bureau just sent someone over to deliver one thousand one hundred and eleven bottles of good wine here, claiming it's from Taurus His Excellency for Leon, should we accept it?"

One thousand one hundred and eleven bottles of good wine?!

Hearing Emma's words, the red-haired Director felt a shiver run through her body, then she looked at Leon with eyes filled with delight, her foxy eyes becoming sticky and sweet, so beautiful that they almost oozed nectar.

*I said earlier at the headquarters, what were you discussing with Taurus His Excellency, turns out you were asking for wine! Ah-haha!*

*You did well! No wonder you're the drinking buddy I value most; my past support wasn't in vain at all! All my efforts to help you gather the sheep creatures, building connections, and thick-skinned requests haven't been for naught. You actually prepared such a big surprise for me!*

*Ah-haha! With our relationship, these one thousand one hundred and eleven bottles of good wine, surely I can get three to five hundred bottles, right?*