I! Cleaner!
Chapter 78 - 78: 0065 Future or Present?_1

To buy everything I want...

After pondering the Red-haired Director's description, Leon asked with a frown,

"Does 'everything' refer to buying life, souls, and wills like that toad, or...?"

"Of course, only within the concept of ordinary money. As I mentioned before, this Anomalous Object can't be used for combat."

"Alright... What about the other two?"

Seeing that Leon, who didn't outright refuse but had clearly lost interest, the Red-haired Director shook her head in some regret and said,

"The second concept is transaction, and its effect is somewhat similar to what you desire.

This time, it uses the money it spits out as the core. You just have to melt that toad itself and cast it into those coins. The new money will have the power of forced transaction, covering even life and souls... Hold on, don't get too excited just yet!"

Seeing Leon's eagerness, the Red-haired Director motioned for patience and continued to explain,

"This choice sounds good, but because it's forged on the foundation of the Gold Wheel, it only works on targets that recognize the value of the Gold Wheel. If your target doesn't recognize it, then it means nothing.

Moreover, this will be a consumable Anomalous Object. Once a transaction is fully completed, you won't just lose that part of the money, but you won't even get the things you exchanged for. It doesn't offer eternal life."

"Why?"

After hearing the Red-haired Director's words, Leon asked in confusion,

"Losing the spent money makes sense, as transactions do cost money, but shouldn't I own the things I bought?"

"What you bought indeed belongs to you, but there's a premise: the money you spent must also belong to you."

"..."

*The money I spent doesn't belong to me? What does that mean?*

Seeing Leon's confused and furrowed brow, giving away his lack of understanding, the Red-haired Director thought for a moment and asked,

"The Black Goat should have told you that there are three Holy Spirits in the Scales Gold Sect, right?"

"Yes, it did."

Recalling the Black Goat's words, Leon said,

"Those three Holy Spirits seem to be the wealth-attracting cat, the money-devouring snake, and the money-spitting toad."

Since you know, it's easier to explain.

Satisfied, the Red-haired Director nodded and continued,

"Among these three Holy Spirits, the toad's Ability is to spit out money to buy everything, while the corresponding snake's Ability is to swallow money and sell everything.

The Abilities of these two Holy Spirits are interconnected. The coins the toad spits out are those swallowed by the snake, and the 'goods' provided by the snake are purchased by the toad from elsewhere."

After listening to the relationship between the two Holy Spirits, Leon, who seemed to understand, furrowed his brow and said,

"So... since the money actually belongs to the snake, the things I buy won't belong to me but will go directly into the snake's belly, becoming what it uses to exchange money and develop followers?"

"Yes."

Seeing Leon frown once again, the Red-haired Director thought before comforting,

"Rest assured, you don't need to feel a psychological burden about supplying 'goods' to the Scales Gold Sect. Although the Scales Gold Sect isn't a legitimate sect, it's relatively honest most of the time. Except for the toad you killed, which was somewhat cruel, the remaining two Holy Spirits aren't too evil.

If you can't get over this mental hurdle, when you encounter enemies, just refrain from buying life and souls. Instead, purchase some arms and legs.

Many wealthy people can't accept unexpected disabilities and, after learning about the Scales Gold Sect, join it to buy healthy limbs from that snake. Supplying them 'goods' can barely count as saving lives."

*Wow... You can do it like this?*

Hearing the Red-haired Director's words, Leon asked in surprise,

"The Scales Gold Sect develops followers using this method, and the Bureau doesn't interfere?"

"They do, but not much."

The Red-haired Director shook her head and said,

"The Purification Bureau has too many opponents, each more troublesome than the last. Compared to those who want to physically enter this world and don't hesitate to carry out sacrifices, the Scales Gold Sect's problems are minor. Excluding that toad responsible for 'procurement,' they can even be considered a neutral force.

For example, those who exchange money for health, though the Cost is joining the Scales Gold Sect and annually paying a considerable sum, it's a matter of mutual consent. Should we ignore the lurking Evil God and break these people's arms and legs?

Also, when there's a shortage of treatment-type Anomalous Objects, some branch members occasionally trade with the Scales Gold Sect when injured. So, as long as they don't go too far, a majority of branches are too busy to pay attention to the Scales Gold Sect."

"Alright..."

After gaining a clearer understanding of the Purification Bureau's bottom line and style, Leon contemplated his needs, then shook his head and continued,

"What about the third concept?"

*So... You didn't even consider this?*

Seeing Leon's interest wane again, the Red-haired Director shook her head and said,

"The third concept doesn't involve authorities like [money] or [transaction]; it's the most fundamental concept it generated after becoming a Holy Spirit.

To us, that toad is naturally evil and mad, but to the Scales Gold Sect's followers, the toad can be a symbol of holiness and greatness because belief itself is a form of power, and the core of [Holy Spirit] is this 'belief.'

An Anomalous Object created with the concept of [Holy Spirit] will greatly strengthen your mental force, enough to affect objective reality. You can move or strengthen objects with mental power, and when you become strong enough, directly launch mental assaults to destroy enemies' wills.

Oh, also, because the toad's followers firmly believe their revered Holy Spirit is pure and sacred, your mental assaults should have additional elements in this regard, dealing significant damage when used against Demons like that goat."

*So... Telekinesis + object strengthening + mental assault + holy damage?*

After hearing the last option, Leon couldn't help being overjoyed. This Ability, full of practical and adaptable uses, was even better than the best outcome he'd envisioned!

*Sigh... What you fear often comes to pass...*

Seeing Leon's 'eyes light up,' clearly interested in these Abilities, the Red-haired Director sighed inwardly and couldn't help but advise,

"Leon, I know you crave power right now, but I hope you'll reconsider.

Although this choice boosts your strength the most in the short term, it's somewhat excessive wastefulness. Moreover, given your high Affinity with Demons, there might be conflicts with an Anomalous Object of the Holy Spirit concept, so the third choice isn't as good as it seems.

As for the first two choices, although one lacks direct combat power and the other is limited and consumed after use, they both touch upon rules, making them powerful Anomalous Objects that are rare treasures for most people."

Fearing that Leon might waste this incredibly precious opportunity, the Red-haired Director blinked her fox-like eyes and continued to promote enthusiastically,

"Especially the first choice, which may not seem noteworthy now, but once you're powerful enough, you can use it to exchange for pre-civilization mechanical creations, hire an entire Lunar Military Corps, or directly buy a country!

The second choice, although slightly inferior, with the toad's high Hierarchy, all Human enemies below the True God level, as long as they acknowledge the value of the Gold Wheel, will have no means of resistance before you. Spending money can easily settle them!"

After detailing the bright prospects of the other two options, the Red-haired Director licked her somewhat dry lips and continued earnestly,

"Leon, trust me; the third option may sound great, but its potential falls far short of the first and its power doesn't even reach the level of the second.

There are at least dozens of Anomalous Objects like the third type in the Purification Bureau. If you forsake the first two options for it, it would be truly unfortunate. Do you understand?"

"I understand..."

After listening attentively to the Red-haired Director's earnest advice, Leon nodded towards her with gratitude and then, with an apologetic expression, said,

"But I still want to choose the third one."