Chapter 669: Surprise (Part 2)

What the hell… what are you even trying to do?

Following Li Ang's will, tracing back into his soul, 【Insatiable Stomach】 froze solid upon seeing the crimson storm raging wildly even while crushed deep within.

How… how could such a weak soul possibly contain such immense desire? When I sought to gather all seven supreme sins at once to become a top-tier Demon Lord like the Four Pillars, my own desire wasn't half as great!

So what the hell does this human actually want? Does he plan to overthrow the insane-strong Clearance Bureau and rule the entire world?

"Scared, huh?"

As 【Insatiable Stomach】 clung to Li Ang's soul, dumbfounded by the boundless lust hidden below, a familiar presence suddenly drew near.

Clinging beside Li Ang's soul, 【Wild Heart】 inhaled deeply the faint trace of pride leaking unconsciously from within, then sighed in rapture:

"It's so exquisite… even if I can't touch it, every time I'm allowed to link with his soul, I come just to linger here—truly… hmm… there can't possibly be a greater pride than his."

"Heh, look at the two of you, so unrefined."

As the two "sheep offal" clung to Li Ang's soul, greedily inhaling the storm's emanations, another familiar will approached—first clinging beside Li Ang's soul, eyeing hungrily the furious flames below that burned all to ash, then turning aside with haughty disdain:

"This man was found by me, and I was the one who brought him back to reclaim you two. You two wouldn't be here today without my sharp vision.

And unlike you two, who came later and can only cling here, sniffing the occasional unconscious leak, I actually tasted his fury when he was still weak and powerless."

After listing his "merits" and "seniority," the black goat—the embodiment of wrath, 【War Counterpart】—looked down with supreme arrogance at the other two "sheep offal":

"So now do you understand who should be the leader once we awaken?

Listen up: from now on, I'm the boss of us all! If anyone disobeys me, I'll tell this kid to throw you out! He's utterly obedient to me, utterly devoted… hey! Are you even listening?"

The two "sheep offal," still clinging to Li Ang's soul and inhaling the leaking traces, glanced at the black goat and both sneered in utter contempt.

"Heh, with the storm of desire inside this man's heart, I don't believe you can control him—you'd be lucky to be his dog."

"Shut the fuck up, get lost!"

"You… you…"

The black goat had come expecting to flex his big-brother authority upon the arrival of new "sheep offal," but instead faced cold mockery from 【Stomach】 and outright insults from 【Heart】, instantly burning with rage, teeth gritted as he snarled:

"You two wait! I… hm! Since you're still useful, I'll let you off this time—but if you dare do it again, I'll make you regret it!"

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

"Fuck you, get lost!"

"You… aaaaah! I'm so angry!"

…

Unaware of the "sheep offal" drama unfolding in his soul, after sensing 【Insatiable Stomach】's state, Li Ang was about to equip the 【I Am the Demon】 badge to forcibly seize control—when a groveling voice echoed in his soul.

"After I was ambushed and grievously wounded, I wandered this world for years, unable to find a worthy master—until today, I've finally found you!

Honorable Mr. Li Ang, if you'll have me, let me serve at your side! I'll give you every possible aid, do whatever you command—please, let me stay with you!"

"…"

Ah… half a liter of purine, never met a true lord? If you won't reject me, I beg to become your adopted father, at your beck and call?

Hearing 【Insatiable Stomach】's speech—not merely polite, but outright licking his boots—Li Ang, though reaping a huge advantage, couldn't help but twitch his lips twice.

What the hell kind of otherworldly Lü Bu… whatever. Cooperation's better than none—if all three "sheep offal" cooperate, I might even swap out 【I Am the Demon】 during missions and free up a slot for another badge.

Just as 【Insatiable Stomach】 prostrated himself and submitted to Li Ang's "royal aura" without even needing coercion, Li Ang received the familiar notification upon acquiring his eighth anomaly: 【Acquired usable anomaly: Insatiable Stomach. Hidden trait of Anomaly Badge: Materialist Soul (Crimson) activated】

【Materialist Soul (Anomalous · Crimson · Non-Upgradable): …】

【Wearing Effect: …】

【Advancement Path: …】

【Hidden Trait: Badge Slots +4. Current slot count: 7. Anomalies required to unlock next slot: 16】

The number needed to unlock the next slot… seems to have doubled again…

Gazing at the new slot added to his badge panel, Li Ang felt a bittersweet surge of happiness.

With eighteen badges already—four iron, three copper, six silver, four gold, one anomalous—even temporary swapping leaves seven slots barely enough; I'd need at least one or two more.

Besides the three "sheep offal," I have five other anomalies: 【Lazy Witch's Broom】, 【Holy Spirit Pendant】, Anna's photo 【If】, 【Infected Blood Band】 from the female rebels, and 【Dog in the Mirror】—exactly eight.

So the anomaly I crafted using the Golden Bull and Aquarius secret arts—【Sensitive Egg】, which enhances left testicle sensitivity—probably isn't counted, meaning my plan to farm slots via self-made anomalies won't work.

As for why…

Because the core of 【Materialist】 is the analysis and cognition of the world, and my self-made anomalies don't aid in analyzing or understanding the world—so they can't unlock more slots?

…

"Knock knock."

As Li Ang pondered the mechanism behind 【Materialist】 increasing badge slots, wondering if he could exploit loopholes, a knock came at the director's office door, followed by Aunt Emma's voice from outside:

"Director? Are you available now?"

"Come in."

Upon receiving permission from the red-haired director, Aunt Emma entered, nodded to Li Ang, then reported:

"The headquarters just sent over eleven hundred and eleven bottles of fine wine, saying they're from Lord Golden Bull for Li Ang. Can we accept them?"

Eleven hundred and eleven bottles of fine wine?!

Hearing Emma's words, the red-haired director trembled violently, then turned to Li Ang with eyes sparkling in delight—her fox-like gaze turned sticky-sweet, almost dripping with honey.

So that's what you were discussing with Lord Golden Bull back at headquarters—you were asking for wine! Ahahaha!

You're amazing! No wonder I've always favored you as my top drinking buddy—I knew I never wasted my kindness on you! All those favors I called in, all those awkward visits I made to secure you the "sheep offal"—and you repay me with this huge surprise!

Ahahaha! Given our relationship, I'm definitely entitled to three or five hundred bottles of this wine!

(End of Chapter)