"After advising Leon to be extremely careful of any 'love patches' from male colleagues, the Black Goat continued,
'If he only wants to use tape to stick some physical objects, like a piece of train track missing a section or a stream cut off due to drought, with his physical strength, he could probably stick them together for several kilometers.
But if it's conceptual sticking, doing it around fifty to sixty times might deplete his willpower first, and the stronger the willpower of the object being stuck, the more terrifying his consumption would be.
Like last year, he tried to secure a suitable mission by using tape to stick that red-haired woman's trust in him, and it directly caused his mental breakdown. He lost control over his body and lay bedridden for over three months before he could get up.'"
"After explaining the tape's ability intelligence, the Black Goat concluded,
'In short, although the abilities of anomalous objects have limits, they're not completely fixed. Beyond the object's own power, the higher the cost your body and mind can bear, the stronger the effects the anomalous object can exhibit.
For instance, take me for example. Even though I may seem weak now, if you can handle the cost and restore me, I could still provoke the desire for conflict in thousands at once, stirring up a small-scale war! Understand?'"
"'I somewhat understand...' Leon nodded thoughtfully, then questioned further with a slightly furrowed brow,
'But you still haven't answered my question, have you? I wasn't asking about the abilities of anomalous objects, but how I can possess physical qualities like other people?'"
"'Didn't I say from the start? You can't rush this~' The Black Goat squinted its eyes in pleasure as it took a deep drag from its cigarette and said,
'Take on more tasks, collect more anomalous objects, and then use them frequently. You'll naturally be influenced and gradually transform from a human into something 'non-human.' The stronger the anomaly, the faster your 'transformation' rate will be.
Take me as an example. Previously, my transformation speed was on par with that dilapidated apartment. Even if you used me for many years, you'd probably just be a bit healthier than the average person.
But after you gave me so many good things, my transformation rate skyrocketed, estimated to be three or four times that of the Happiness Apartment.
Plus, if you're willing to kill a few bastards and offer their sinful souls to me, the transformation speed could continue to rise!
It might not take a year for you to reach the physical quality level of that tape-using Harry! What do you think? Are you interested in trying?'"
"*...This guy... is always trying to coax me into the dark...*" Leon heard Black Goat's relentless persuasion, and couldn't help but furrow his brows in mute disapproval, but before long, his eyes widened in realization!
*Wait a minute! Didn't it just say that its transformation speed was once on par with Happiness Apartment, and now it's three to four times faster?*
*Isn't that 0.4 and 0.1? So this 'influence' and 'transformation' is actually the 'Contamination Value' of anomalous objects?!*
After discovering the real significance of Contamination Value, Leon hadn't even had time to rejoice before he suddenly recalled something and turned his head to look at the Black Goat, who was smoking massively.
*If I remember correctly, the [Love Without Memory] of the Red-haired Director had a Contamination Value of 7! But yours was only 0.1! Just one-seventieth of someone's?!*
*Wow, you keep boasting about being an impressive Great Demon, and I actually believed you were formidable! Turns out you're so disappointing?!*
"*...This kid... Why is he suddenly looking at me like that?*" Black Goat received Leon's gaze, mixing exasperation with shock and deep disdain. It shivered involuntarily, feeling a sense of insecurity growing within.
*He wouldn't have figured out that we've been holding him back, would he?*
*Hmm... Probably not.*
*The specific transformation speed of each anomalous object is only known by those who have used them. Although that red-haired woman had used me too, she was overly strong, probably too much to sense whether my transformation speed was fast or slow and unlikely to tell him.*
*Yes! He wouldn't know! Absolutely wouldn't know!*
"'Ahem!'" Despite thinking Leon surely wouldn't discover the issue, the Black Goat, feeling uneasy under his stare, hurriedly cleared its throat and tried to change the topic,
'Well... although collecting more anomalous objects can strengthen you quicker, don't get too reckless.
After all, not all anomalous objects are as agreeable as I am, willing to cover you just because we get along well. The cost many anomalous objects demand is shockingly high!
Hmm... Take Emma for instance! Isn't her Undying Body incredibly strong? But do you know what she sacrificed?'"
*Senior Emma, huh...*
When he heard the Black Goat's question, Leon's expression slightly changed.
*I've been curious about Senior Emma's Undying Body for a long time, but since she seemed to have seen the files the Director held, knowing my ability was gathering intelligence through touch, she always avoided physical contact with me.*
*And she took care of me so well, not only saving my sister but even gifting me a sidearm. For someone showing such kindness, even if curiosity weighs on me, it seems inappropriate to deliberately pry into her privacy... But, I can't deny that I do have a slight interest in knowing more...*"