“Ah… this is great. Really, really great! He’s finally gone!”

“Yeah. I’m really happy he died.”

Yi Bing and Huo Ling heard them said. Yi Bing wanted to hear what Huo Ling’s classmates are talking about. However, he saw Huo Ling’s face started to turn dark. To avoid Huo Ling going into Mania, he immediately took him away from the dormitory, leaving his classmates overjoyed of their classmate’s – Huo Ling’s, death.

“Y-Yi Bing…” Huo Ling called, his soul became even paler as he was shaking. He stared at his reflection in the water.. He’s become a ghost.

“We can take this slowly.” Yi Bing told Huo Ling as he looked at the ugly expression on his face upon learning everyone rejoiced on his death. “You can’t take too much emotions now. You’ll become a vile ghost. I would have to execute you.” He told him. Of course he’s just scaring him. He doesn’t necessarily have to kill Huo Ling. If Huo Ling would darken, he can just take out the Foul from him soul purifying him. Just like what he did before in the Stable World where they met. Right now, he just wanted to divert Huo Ling’s attention from his death, and from his classmates’ absurd reaction to his death.

“E-execute me?” Huo Ling was shocked. He really was frightened.

Yi Bing nodded. “Yeah. That’s what we, grim reapers, do.” He said. “We have to prevent the vile ghosts from interfering much with the humans.” He explained.

Huo Ling’s eyes widened, as if he had thought something. “Why would they interfere if those humans did nothing wrong to them?” he asked. “They just wanted revenge!” he added.

Yi Bing stared at him. He can understand where his words are coming from. He died. He has become a ghost. His friends, instead of mourning for him, actually were happy he died. It’s no wonder Huo Ling would be mad. And there’s the possibility that one of his friends is his murderer. Especially with their reaction, and their words. “There are other ways to solve that.” he told him. “That’s what the Afterlife Department is for.” he said. He stared at him. Huo Ling… he thought. He remembered what happened in the Special World.

Huo Ling’s family died, and he found out that they actually were killed. He looked for the murderer, then realized it could have been their butler who had survived the fire. Only to find out that their butler is his paternal grandfather, and the grandfather he recognized is his parents and sister’s murderer.

Huo Ling frowned. “If everything can be resolved by an apology, then there will be no police in the world.” he said and then turned his back on him. He just played with the water with his hand. Surprisingly, he can touch it.

Yi Bing stifled a sigh. We met again, yet we’re fighting again. He thought and placed a palm on his face. But, it was really unexpected what happened back there. He thought as he remembered what happened in the dormitory. Who could’ve thought others would rejoice in someone’s misfortune? Aren’t they his friends? He thought. Their actions and words are opposite to their relationship with Huo Ling.

He looked at Huo Ling before he took out his Death Note and opened it. Then, he looked at Huo Ling’s profile. He tapped on the third tab, which is about Huo Ling’s third life.

Huo Ling (Normal Soul)

Age: 23

Birthday: July 23, XXXX

Deathday: October 20, XXXX

This cursed number… Yi Bing thought as he stared at the number ’23’. He felt his eyes hurt. In his first life, Huo Ling died when he was 23 years old. In his previous life, he was also killed and died 23 years old. Now, he was killed again, and he’s 23 years old! Isn’t this ironic? Huo Ling’s birthday is also the 23rd of the month!

Yi Bing sighed. Huo Ling is studying his master’s degree in Tsuting University. However, he isn’t originally from there. Could it be one of the reasons why they killed Huo Ling? But, it’s a petty reason to kill a transferee. He thought as he continued to read Huo Ling’s biography.

Huo Ling’s family is simple. Both his parents are working while his grandparents lived in their hometown. Huo Ling has been an obedient child and performed well in his studies. He also has a good relationship with his classmates and teachers. He also has a lot of friends.

Yi Bing remembered that Huo Ling told him he’s friends with his classmates. He really didn’t lie. Then, why would they…? He shook his head and continued to read.

After Huo Ling graduated from college, he chose Tsuting University for his master’s degree. As Huo Ling said, he became friends with everyone.

Then, why? Why do they want to kill Huo Ling? He thought and looked at Huo Ling. Huo Ling can’t feel too many emotions right now. But, for us to not blindly chase the truth, I had to do something. He thought. I had to find out why they reacted like that. What do they mean of their words?

He remembered they said they’re going to celebrate today… that must mean there’ll be drinking? He thought. If they’re going to be drunk, then they might spill some information! However… “What to do with him? I can’t bring him with me…” he muttered as he looked at Huo Ling by the riverbank.

Beep! Beep! His wristwatch suddenly rang and the holographic screen automatically opened. It was an email from Di San.

3257: 0001. I’ve got a present for you!

Yi Bing frowned. He has a bad feeling.

0001: coming from you, it must be nothing good.

3257: you hurt my feelings! QAQ Are we friends?!

Yi Bing ignored his fake crying.

0001: what is it?

3257: It’s an intern.

0001: what about it?

3257: he’s a new recruit. He has it on him to be a junior grim reaper!

Junior grim reaper – an official grim reaper. Higher than an intern, but lower than senior grim reapers. Yi Bing, Qi Shan, Di San, Gu Shi and the others are senior grim reapers. Junior grim reapers had just received their codes. Interns don’t have their own code yet.

0001: you’re sending him to me?

3257: yes. He should originally be an apprentice to Jin Wu.

0001: … he’s taking an apprentice?

3257: hahaha. That’s the reason why we’re sending 4626 to you. Jin Wu sexually harassed him. He’s taken a fancy on him. Feng Er said Mo Shi is amusing. That must be why Jin Wu was interested in him.

0001: send him to me.

3257: okay!

Suddenly, lightning appeared in front of Yi Bing and he saw a young man dressed in a suit. “Senior… 0001?” Mo Shi called, his voice hesitant.

“Just call me senior. It’s just two… three of us here.” Yi Bing said and looked at Huo Ling.

Mo Shi followed his gaze and saw Huo Ling. “A soul…”

“Yeah. I want you to watch him for me.” Yi Bing said.

“Eh?”

“Don’t lose him from your sight. Got that?” Yi Bing added. Qi Shan is not here to locate Huo Ling in case Huo Ling would be lost.

“Got it, senior!” Mo Shi saluted.

“Good. Send me a message if something happens.” Yi Bing said and disappeared. A snowflake appeared in his place.

“Whoa… senior is amazing… ah, right, right! The soul – ” Mo Shi said and turned, only to find Huo Ling is gone. “EH?! Where did he go?!” he said as he looked around. “Ah!” he spotted Huo Ling on the other side of the river. “So fast!” he said as he turned his body to lightning and appeared beside Huo Ling. “Hey!” he called.

Huo Ling turned and saw a young man. He was about to ask him if he can see him when he saw the suit he’s wearing. “You’re a grim reaper.” He said.

Mo Shi grinned. “Correct! Code 4626, Mo Shi!” he saluted. “Senior told me to accompany you.” He told him.

“Where did he go?”

“That… I’m not sure.” Mo Shi scratched his head. Huo Ling sighed, feeling depressed. “Hey. Don’t feel down. Everything has a reason.” He told him.

“Then, there must be a reason why they wanted me to die?”

“Eh?”

Huo Ling lowered his head. “I’m friends with all of them. However, somebody killed me. I thought they would be sad. But actually, they were relieved and were happy.” He bitterly smiled.

“Senior…”

Huo Ling wiped his tears. “I feel betrayed.”

Mo Shi doesn’t know what to say. “I can’t empathize with you, since our death is different.” He said. “I just recently died. I was locked up in our house since they treat me as a lunatic. I’m obviously not. However, they envied me and acted as if I’m dead. Then, that day, someone sent a small bomb to me wrapped as a present. I died.” He smiled. “Being a grim reaper is better than living as a prisoner. This way, I am free! I can do anything I want!” he laughed. “Don’t you think so, senior?”