Chapter 9: The Pit and the Fire
Chapter 9: The Pit and the Fire
Three days... will that be enough time?
Never would he have expected the bandaged woman, who had been so friendly, to refuse his request. Concerned about the situation at the hospital, Leon bit his lip and bowed his head, pleading again:
"If you're willing to help, I can..."
"I'm sorry, it's not a matter of the cost."
Interrupting Leon, the woman covered in bandages shook her head, her expression regretful.
"The reason I've managed to stay safe in the Cleanup Bureau for six years is that I never take action when I'm not sure.
I do sympathize with your situation, but I have my reasons for not taking risks lightly. I hope you can understand my decision."
"..."
Understand? Of course, I understand. What else can I do if I don't? Drag you there by force?
Hearing her unwavering refusal, Leon couldn't help but release his grip helplessly.
Although it may sound cold, she was right. She had no obligation to risk herself for his sake, but... what about Anna?
For now, he could choose to return to the hospital and take Anna away before that "Out-of-Control Immerse" caused any more trouble.
But if what the nurse said was true, then stopping her medication and leaving with Anna would mean she'd likely spend the rest of her life confined to a hospital bed, unable to do even simple household chores like laundry and cooking.
These years of suffering from lung disease had already been hard on Anna. With her gentle and docile exterior, yet stubborn and unusual personality, if she realized she had become a complete "burden," then...
'Hey, kid, you can't back out now!'
Just as Leon was weighing the two options, hesitating whether to take Anna with him, the black sheep in his arms squirmed uncomfortably, its neck twisting.
'We had an agreement, remember? We'd find someone to help you, and you'd buy us cigarettes! We've kept our end of the bargain by finding her. Whether she's willing to help or not is her business, but you'd better not short us on those cigarettes!'
"..."
That's right, there's still this guy!
As if seeing a life-saving straw floating by, Leon's eyes lit up, and he grabbed the sheep's head, pleading earnestly.
"How about you? Can you solve this problem? If you can, as long as I'm still in the Cleanup Bureau, I'll buy you a pack of 'Gaut' cigarettes every week!"
Tsk... here we go again... Do you really think we're doing this just for a pack of smokes? We, the Great Devil, would bother with such a cheap pack worth only a Silver Wheel? If it weren't for that red-haired lady's appreciation for you, forget about a lousy pack of cigarettes. Even if you knelt down and begged us to take your soul, we wouldn't deign to take you, understand?"
"Three packs, at least!"
Damn it! I want more!
The black sheep muttered under its breath, cursing itself for being so easily persuaded. It sighed and pushed itself deeper into Leon's embrace.
Sigh... I can't help but love this flavor.
And with this sheep's head, I don't even have the qualifications to rob someone. If I'm not careful, I might not only fail to get any money but also end up in a stew myself! That red-haired lady is not poor, but as soon as her salary is issued, she spends it all on horse urine! Not a single Copper Wheel is spared for me!
Once I've had a few more puffs and saved up enough strength, I'll smash every pub in the Capital City! I'll even destroy the perfume factory that uses alcohol! Let's see you drink then, you stinky lady!
The black sheep seethed inwardly, gathering its remaining strength. It marked Leon's chest with a symbol of the devil, granting him the right to "use" it.
Meanwhile, Leon's ears were once again filled with the familiar noise.
"Zizi..."
【First-time use of Anomaly: Crimson Emblem "Materialist Soul" hidden trait activated】
【Materialist Soul (Crimson, Unupgradable): ...】
【Equip Effect: ...】
【Evolution Path: ...】
【Hidden Trait: Emblem Slot +1, Current Slots: 4, Anomalies required to unlock the next slot: 2】
Accompanied by a mechanized prompt, the virtual panel, which originally had only three slots, scrolled, and a fourth slot quietly appeared, containing a green emblem with a sheep's head, already embedded within.
【Obtained the right to use the anomaly "Devil's Horn", you successfully activated the Bronze Emblem "Devil's Companion"】
【Devil's Companion (Bronze): After completing a dirty and despicable transaction and agreeing to perform an extremely evil sacrifice weekly, you have gained the favor of a high-ranking devil】
【Equip Effect: Affinity with anomalies marked with "Fallen" increases, while slightly reducing the cost, significantly enhances the effect】
【Evolution Path: If you complete ten agreed-upon evil sacrifices privately, without being discovered by the previous owner of "Devil's Horn", Olivia, this emblem will automatically advance to the Silver Emblem "Devil's Friend", current progress 1/10】
【Hidden Trait (No Equip Required): Your soul has been tainted with a trace of demonic aura, making you more susceptible to the attention of certain evil entities】
【Your Corruption Value has increased】
【Current Corruption Value: 0.1】
...
"Tsk... You kid... You're actually quite compatible with me!"
Lying in Leon's slightly uncomfortable embrace, the Black Sheep couldn't help but look up in surprise and exclaim,
"In that kind of situation, you managed to keep your cool and not stab that fat guy from the Road Management Department. I thought you were the type with strong morals, and we wouldn't get along.
But seeing how well we match, you're clearly not a good person! Though not outright evil, you've definitely done some shady stuff, like cheating and swindling, right?"
"..."
The high compatibility is just the effect of the emblem; I've been a law-abiding citizen all my life!
Although his impeccable character was unfairly accused, Leon's mind remained rational, and he naturally wouldn't confess his cheating to a devil.
However, as he held the incessantly babbling sheep's head, Leon was delighted to discover that he seemed to have temporarily gained the ability to peer into souls.
With the sheep's head in his hands as the center, within a radius of about two kilometers, thousands of faint, flickering "flames" suddenly appeared.
Hatred, betrayal, deception, jealousy, rage... Countless cold and dark, yet flame-like, scorching malicious thoughts, like ethereal blue phosphorus fires in a graveyard at night, dotted the darkness in front of Leon's eyes.
As long as he focused his attention, he could see through the concrete barriers and directly perceive the scorching malice within those "flames."
Leon even had a strange premonition that if he were to reach out and give a slight nudge, these cold poison flames would instantly surge, burning away all the host's reason, turning those originally light gray souls into a darkness ten times darker than charcoal!
(End of Chapter)
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