[SIDE QUEST ALERT! SIDE QUEST ALERT!

There were 5 souls whose lives were chosen to be aired in the heavenly realm! The system must deliver their new paths of lives in the given time for each soul! 

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Redemption points each successful delivery will be 50 points! If the system accomplished the 5 tasks in due time, it’ll receive additional redemption points! (100 points max!) However, if the system fails the task, redemption points will be deducted by 200 percent!

ACCEPT // REFUSE ]

“Huh?” Churu blinked her eyes many times as she reread the message repeatedly. “What?” She muttered, knitting her eyebrows together. 

Meanwhile, Morris also reread the message carefully. Although it sounded cheerful as if all that was stated could benefit the system — which was Churu — the consequences were dire! They were akin to a double-edge sword, like those business contracts that could only benefit one side in the end.

“Uh… redemption points, huh?” He mumbled, sighing heavily as those redemption points were one of the reason she had been busy recently.

“Those redemption points… they’re too enticing!!!” Just then, Churu’s blank eyes glowed, twinkling as they settled on those numbers on the holographic message. “I’ve been going all around the world just to gain zero point one redemption points! This is a lottery!” She clasped her hands together excitedly, recalling all those side jobs she had been doing just to gain a minimum redemption point.

The highest points she had gained in a single side task were three points! Thus, seeing these numbers before her eyes, Churu would accept it in a heartbeat — no doubt.

“Acce–” Before she could respond, Morris suddenly covered her mouth. “Hmm!!” The rest of her words were muffled because Morris didn’t remove his hand until she stopped struggling.

“Read it carefully first before you decide.” In a matter-of-fact tone, Morris advised as he slowly removed his hand. “If you failed, you’ll be in debt.” He summarized, perking his chin on the holographic message before them.

“Oh,” Churu nodded her head in understanding, returning her eyes on the message. Yet, her eyes still twinkled on the 50 points she would be receiving, plus the additional hundred points. She would get out of this slavery work they tied her to through this one year!

As he studied the twinkle in her eyes, Morris sighed once again, “Al, consider it thoroughly. You have one week until the offer expires. Don’t accept it yet unless you’re sure.” Morris pointed at the validity date of the message which was counting down from 168 hours.

“But, I’m sure I can do it!” Without a second hesitation, Churu faced Morris and affirmed. “I’ll just have to deliver their second chances in life so the people up there were entertained!” 

Morris could not help but sigh once again, shaking his head as her enthusiasm was twice as high than usual. Normally, Churu complained whenever there was side task to do before she did them. But now she’s excited. Not that he was against it, it was just that Morris’s it piques his instinct as a businessman.

“I know, Al. But you have to talk this with Ethan and Lexi.” Since he was helpless against her, Morris had to pull up his trump card, which was those two. After all, Churu listened to Lexi as if she was her mother while she had to consider her setup with Ethan because she was her priority.

Seeing her frown upon the mention of the two, Morris patted her head lovingly. “Please don’t decide in a whim, okay? Let’s wash up and discuss this later.” 

“Okay.” Meek and low, Churu responded as she nodded her head. With that being said, both of them rinsed their body and freshened up without doing extra-curricular activities.

******

An hour later, Morris and Churu had gone to bed. However, Churu just stared at the ceiling in silence.

“What are you thinking?” Morris asked, positioning his arm under her for her to use it as her head cushion while he laid on his side. 

“The task.” She answered shortly, turning her head to him. “I will accept it, I know.” She whispered, staring back at him solemnly. 

“Al,”

Before he could finish whatever he wanted to say, Churu shook her head lightly. “I’m not saying now, but I just know I will accept it.” Churu paused, poking the tip of his nose with her index finger lightly before laying flat on her back.

Back staring at the ceiling, Churu pursed her lips in a thin line. “You know why I’ve been obsessed with the thought of redemption points, right? Even if I didn’t fully explain it, it stands as it is — redemption.” 

“Mhmm,” Morris hummed a tune, already got the grasped what redemption points were for. However, he was still left in the dark of the entirety of these side tasks. Hence, he remained silent so she could explain further.

“Back when I was an appointed angel, I was guiding Tora — a very great person who was failed to be written in history. But, I can assure that she’s an amazing person.”

“I can tell.” Morris nodded, listening to her soothing voice in this silent, obscure room that was usually cold without her.

“Because of her, no, because I wanted to meet her, I defied the heaven’s orders and descended in this world. At first, everything was doing fine until my meddling gradually changed Tora’s destiny. Things happened, and she ended up dying in the hands of her most beloved man.” Churu could still remember those painful memories as if they just happened yesterday. 

The gentle smile that resurfaced on Tora’s lips as she took her last breath, the tears of regret in Aki’s eyes as he watched his beloved fall in his hands, and the tragic ending of their beautiful love story that could’ve had ended beautifully without Churu’s existence.

“Out of guilt… guilt that a being like me shouldn’t feel… I tried to preserve Tora’s soul so she could live once again.” After a deep breath, Churu continued. “Obviously, that’s forbidden for us — well, I’ve already sinned the instant I defied the heaven by coming down in this world the first time.” She shrugged, clearing her throat as she could feel it dry up, reminiscing the past.

“After everything that was said and done, I returned to where I came from… as a sinner — to Lucy’s mansion. I really hate that place as much as Lucy hated it. It’s just a never-ending punishment for everyone. What I hated the most was that that place only brings out the side of me that I never recognized.” Her voice lowered, closing her eyes as she shook her head to shrug the images flashing over her head.

“You don’t have to…”

“It’s fine.” Churu faced him, stretching her lips into a reassuring smile. “What I’m trying to say is, there’s no positivity, peace, or even love in there. We wouldn’t even recognize each other.” Churu gulped a mouthful of saliva, informing him the truth about that place.

“That’s why I wanted to redeem myself. Even if I have to slave myself to those menial side jobs, I will do them in a heartbeat even if I will only gain zero point one redemption points. I have a time, Mo.” Slowly, Churu turned her body as she laid on her side, facing his direction.

Her hand laid on his lean cheek as her thumb caressed it. “Lexi, Ethan, the twins, and you… someday, you will have your time to pass on this world. While me, on the other hand, my time was stuck in an endless loop. That’s why I’m doing this.” She paused once again, the corner of her lips tilted into a gentle and loving smile.

“Each of you have a special place in here,” Churu placed her palm over her chest. “I want to watch over you in paradise. I want to spend my eternity with everyone I held dear to my heart because I don’t want to be alone anymore.” A tinge of pain and fear flickered across her eyes.

“At least, with this redemption points, I have something to look forward to. I have hope that someday, I will be with everyone again…” Churu slowly leaned closer, cupping his cheek, resting her forehead against his as the tip of their nose collided. “…that I would be with you, eventually.” She whispered, closing her eyes as she found her solace with him.

“So, be good, okay?” She murmured, still had her eyes closed.

“Mhmm,” Slowly, Morris also closed her eyes. “But if you didn’t find me, I will definitely find you.” Morris words were followed in silence as both of them fell asleep.