https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-64-The-Classic-Three-Choice-Dilemma/12969571/
Chapter 65: Future or Present?
Chapter 65: Future or Present?
...I could buy everything I wanted...
After pondering the red-haired Bureau Chief's description, Leon furrowed his brows and asked, "By 'everything,' do you mean like that toad, capable of buying life, souls, and willpower, or...?"
"Of course, it's limited to the concept of ordinary money. I mentioned earlier that this anomaly cannot be used in combat."
"Alright... What about the other two?"
Seeing Leon's hesitation, though he didn't immediately refuse, the red-haired Bureau Chief shook her head with a hint of disappointment. "The second concept is trading. Its effect is somewhat similar to what you desire.
This time, it's centered around the money that toad spits out. If you melt the toad itself and pour it into those coins, creating new money, the trading range can even include life and souls... Wait, don't get too excited just yet!"
Noticing Leon's eagerness, the red-haired Bureau Chief waved her hand, signaling him to be patient. She continued her explanation, "This option sounds appealing, but since it's forged using the Gold Wheels as a foundation, it can only take effect on targets that recognize the value of the Gold Wheels.
Moreover, this anomaly is consumable. After a single trade is complete, you won't just lose that portion of the money; you won't even obtain the exchanged item. There's no way to use it to gain eternal life."
"Why?"
After listening to the Bureau Chief, Leon asked, puzzled, "It's reasonable to lose the money spent, as trading does require money. But shouldn't the purchased item belong to me?"
"The item you buy does belong to you, but there's a precondition: the money you spend must also belong to you."
"..."
'The money I spend doesn't belong to me? What does that mean?' Leon's furrowed brows indicated his confusion, clearly not understanding. The red-haired Bureau Chief thought for a moment before asking, "Didn't the black goat tell you that the Scale Gold Sect has three Holy Spirits?"
"Yes, he did."
Recalling the black goat's words, Leon spoke, "Those three Holy Spirits are the Wealth-Calling Cat, the Wealth-Consuming Snake, and the Wealth-Spitting Toad, right?"
"Mhm."
The red-haired Bureau Chief nodded in satisfaction and continued her explanation, "Among these three Holy Spirits, the toad's ability is to spit out gold, and the snake's ability is to swallow gold and sell anything."
"These two Holy Spirits' abilities are interconnected. The coins the toad spits out are the ones the snake swallows, and the 'goods' the snake offers are what the toad spits out."
After hearing about the relationship between the two Holy Spirits, Leon's furrowed brows showed his realization, "So... because the money actually belongs to the snake, the items I purchase won't be mine. Instead, they'll go directly into the snake's belly, becoming goods it uses to exchange for money and even to expand its followers?"
"Yes."
Observing Leon's furrowed brows once more, the red-haired Bureau Chief assured him, "Don't worry. You don't need to feel burdened about 'supplying' the Scale Gold Sect. While it's not a proper sect, they're usually quite honest. Aside from the cruel toad you killed, the other two Holy Spirits aren't too evil.
If you still feel uneasy about this, just avoid buying life and souls when you encounter enemies. Buying limbs and other body parts should be fine. Many wealthy individuals who unexpectedly become disabled and turn to the Scale Gold Sect to buy healthy limbs from the snake. Your 'supplying' them can be considered a form of helping the injured."
'Wow... So that's how they do it?' Leon was surprised after hearing the Bureau Chief's words and asked, "The Scale Gold Sect uses this method?"
"Yes, but we don't overlook it."
The red-haired Bureau Chief shook her head, "Our Cleanup Bureau has too many opponents, and each is more troublesome than the last. Compared to those who constantly try to physically intrude into this world, going as far as performing sacrifices, the Scale Gold Sect is just a minor issue. Excluding the Holy Spirit responsible for 'supplying,' they're almost a neutral force."
In the case of those who exchange money for health, even though the cost involves joining the Scale Gold Sect and paying a significant amount of money annually, it's a matter of consent between both parties. Should we ignore the looming threat of the evil god and instead go after these people, dismembering their limbs?
Furthermore, during times of shortage in healing anomalies, some divisions occasionally engage in transactions with the Scale Gold Sect when their personnel are injured. As long as they maintain control and don't cross the line, most divisions are genuinely too busy to bother with the Scale Gold Sect."
"Alright..."
After gaining a clearer understanding of the Cleanup Bureau's principles and approach, Leon contemplated his needs and shook his head, continuing with his inquiry.
"What about the third concept?"
So... you didn't find this one appealing either?
Noticing Leon's waning interest, the Red-Haired Bureau Chief shook her head. "The third concept doesn't involve authority related to money or transactions. It's the most fundamental concept that arises after becoming a Holy Spirit.
In our perception, that toad is inherently evil and insane, but to the followers of the Scale Gold Sect, it can symbolize sacredness and greatness. Belief itself is a form of power, and the core of the 'Holy Spirit' is this belief.
Anomalies created using the 'Holy Spirit' concept will significantly enhance your psychic power, reaching a level that can influence objective reality. You can perform telekinesis or object enhancement, and when you become powerful enough, you can even directly launch psychic shocks to shatter your enemies' willpower.
Oh, and because the believers of that toad firmly believe their Holy Spirit is pure and sacred, your psychic shocks should have additional effects related to this. When used against demons like that sheep, the damage will be exceptionally high."
So... telekinesis, object enhancement, psychic shock, and sacred damage?
After hearing the final option, Leon couldn't help but feel overjoyed. This ability had maximum practicality and applicability, surpassing even his best expectations!
Sigh... It seems like my fears are coming true...
Noticing Leon's gleaming eyes, clearly captivated by these abilities, the Red-Haired Bureau Chief couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She couldn't resist offering advice:
"Leon, I know you desperately crave power right now, but I hope you'll reconsider.
While this choice provides the greatest short-term boost to your strength, it's genuinely wasteful. Additionally, given your high compatibility with the devil, there's likely to be conflicts with the Holy Spirit concept's anomalies. So, the third choice isn't as good as it sounds.
As for the first two choices, although one lacks direct combat power and the other has restrictions and depletes after use, they both touch upon rules. These are powerful anomalies that are hard to come by for ordinary people."
Fearing that Leon might squander this invaluable opportunity, the Red-Haired Bureau Chief blinked her fox-like eyes and began to enthusiastically promote the other options:
"Especially the first choice—it may seem insignificant now, but once you become powerful enough, you can exchange it for prehistoric civilization's mechanical creations, hire an entire fully-staffed Moon People Legion, or even purchase an entire country!
The second choice is slightly inferior, but with that toad's high-ranking status, all enemies below the True God rank will have no resistance against you as long as they value the Gold Wheels. You can easily solve them with a small payment!"
After painting a rosy picture of the other two choices, the Red-Haired Bureau Chief licked her dry lips and continued her earnest persuasion:
"Leon, trust me, the third choice doesn't compare to the first two. Its power falls far behind, and its scope is limited.
We have dozens of anomalies like the third choice in the Cleanup Bureau. If you choose it over the first two, it would be an incredible waste. Do you understand?"
"I understand..."
After attentively listening to the Red-Haired Bureau Chief's earnest advice, Leon nodded gratefully and apologized, "But I still want to choose the third one."
(End of Chapter)
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