Chapter 15: The First Mission: Selena's Life and Death

Alex knew that she had to embark on her first mission, a significant step in her new role. Alongside her determination, curiosity lingered within her, urging her to explore the possibilities of other worlds. Visions of realms filled with vampires and werewolves danced through her imagination, and the notion of cultivation worlds, reminiscent of the novels she had read, intrigued her. However, the prospect of facing an actual wolf made her quickly dismiss those fantastical musings, bringing her back to the present moment.

As her mind wandered, Alex noticed a peculiar phenomenon occurring with 009, the enigmatic entity that had become an integral part of her journey. The mysterious entity began to spin, captivating her attention. She paused her contemplations, fully engrossed in observing her surroundings as they began to transform. The familiar room vanished, replaced by a small office adorned with a desk.

Caught in the grip of mounting anxiety, the voice of 009 resonated in her head, drawing her focus back to the present.

"This will be your office, silly host," 009 proclaimed playfully, its mischievous nature shining through. "I will send you customers who will share their lives and wishes with you. Your mission will be to fulfill their desires, reaching agreements by shaking hands. Through this unique pact, you will exchange their souls with their physical bodies. That's all you need to know for now. Unless you have a serious question, please refrain from disturbing me. I plan to enjoy movies from other worlds while you work. Oh, and don't fret—the initial missions will fall into the 'easy' category. Now, let's get started, and you can let me chill."

While Alex's nerves still prickled with uncertainty, she inhaled deeply, attempting to steady herself. The playful nature of 009 and its persistent use of emojis, particularly the moniker "silly host," caused an indignant sigh to escape her lips. Addressing the entity, she asserted her desire for a different approach.

"009, I find your manner quite awkward. Henceforth, I shall refer to you as 'Ball' or 'Blackie,' depending on your preference. Furthermore, I kindly request that you refrain from using the term 'silly host' when addressing me. My name is Alexandra, or Alex for short," she declared, hoping to establish a more respectful tone.

An indignant huff was the sole response from 009, leaving Alex to contemplate various ways to express her displeasure. However, her attention abruptly shifted as the office door swung open, signifying the arrival of her first client.

Observing with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, Alex watched as a timid, yet endearing girl stepped into the room, offering a shy greeting. Returning the smile, Alex gestured toward an available seat, which the girl hesitantly accepted.

Although she maintained an outward appearance of composure, Alex couldn't deny the underlying nervousness that fluttered within her. Without the guidance of her black-heated system, which had mysteriously vanished, she relied solely on her intuition and empathetic nature. With a gentle smile, she hoped to foster a sense of ease within the girl and initiate the conversation.

Finally, the girl began to speak, her voice betraying a mixture of vulnerability and hope.

"My name is Selena. I've been informed that my wishes can be fulfilled here. I have two simple desires: firstly, I want you to make my parents happy, and secondly, I wish for my brother to lead a life filled with happiness and good health."

Selena's wishes appeared straightforward, yet their significance and underlying complexities left Alex pondering. She realized that the true fulfillment of these desires would require a deeper understanding of Selena's circumstances. Determined to embrace the responsibility bestowed upon her, Alex nodded with a calm demeanor.

"Okay," she replied, her voice steady and reassuring. Rising from their seats, both Alex and Selena extended their hands, initiating the ritualistic act of sealing their agreement.

However, as their hands touched, a sudden surge of dizziness overwhelmed Alex, causing her to instinctively shut her eyes. When she reopened them, she found herself enveloped in a swirling mist of ethereal white. Panic gripped her heart, and she frantically surveyed her surroundings, searching for any sense of familiarity. To her astonishment, a movie began playing right before her eyes, unfolding as if projected onto the mist itself.

Transfixed, Alex found herself immersed in Selena's life story, witnessing the journey that had led her to this pivotal moment. Selena had once been an ordinary girl, raised in a simple, loving family. However, tragedy struck when her beloved brother suffered a grave accident, necessitating a costly surgery. Despite exhausting all resources, including the sale of cherished possessions and desperate pleas to relatives, her family was unable to gather the necessary funds. Driven by an unwavering determination to save her brother, Selena made a fateful decision—accepting a risky job with the influential Tang family. Warned about the perils associated with such a path, she embarked on a journey rife with bullying and exploitation. Unbeknownst to her, the Tang family was deeply entwined with the underworld, their operations steeped in the realm of organized crime. An unexpected encounter at a lavish banquet revealed the shocking truth—her own cousin's jealousy had fueled a series of events leading to her brother's accident, the theft of the money she had sacrificed everything for, and ultimately, his untimely demise.

As the weight of Selena's life story settled within her, the voice of her mysterious system shattered the silence, demanding her attention.

"Silly host, it's time to transfer your soul into Selena's body. Prepare yourself, for the process can be agonizing. I should warn you, the pain will be intense. Call upon me whenever you need assistance. Good luck in enduring the pain. Adios, silly host."

With those final words, Alex braced herself for the impending soul transfer, unsure of the trials and tribulations that awaited her.