I! Cleaner! Novel

Leon receives his weekly wages from a woman seated at a desk, who dismissively waves him away after marking a notation in her notebook and reminding him to file his taxes. When he empties the small pouch into his palm, Leon discovers only nine coins—eight large and one small—a meager sum that shocks him. His dismay turns to outrage as he contemplates the paltry payment, nearly prompting him to confront the woman physically. His fury stems from the fact that just this past Tuesday, he single-handedly repelled an evil god that was attempting to corrupt and destroy the world. Despite this heroic act of salvation, his employer deducts from his salary anyway, a bureaucratic insult compounded by the dismissive treatment he receives. The contrast between his world-saving accomplishment and his pittance of payment highlights the indifference of those in power toward his sacrifices.