The Punishment

Luna gazed at the multistorey building in front of her. The building was not a hospital, as she had guessed, but a health clinic. Relax. She was not mad at the place. What for? There was nothing wrong with that place. The one who had problems from the start was her.

She remembered her early days as an angel of death. Her emotional side was tough to adapt to. She almost always came at the last seconds of her target's death. She couldn't bear to see the various processes of their death, especially if it was an unnatural death. Her sadness multiplied because she had to see the torturous process.

But that was back then. Even when the feeling of helplessness was so great, Luna could still restrain herself. Although the tears often flowed from her eyes, she could overcome it all. Then, how came she made a fatal mistake after nine years of working as an angel of death? It was really unbelievable.

Luna looked at the two-storey building one last time. She showed reluctance when she had to leave the place. Not only because it gave a good impression. Instead, because of the thought about the continuation of her life in the human world. Where would she sleep tonight?

However, she had no other choice but to leave, right? Forcing herself to stay there longer would only raise suspicion. After all, what reason should she use? The unconscious woman with no identity was enough of a clue to call the authorities. And she clearly wanted nothing to do with them. The problem might get worse.

"You're not working?" she asked Rio, who was still nearby. The two even started walking side by side to leave the health clinic.

"They gave me time off. But, in exchange, I have to accompany you all day."

Luna chuckled. It was also quite strange to hear the orders of the higher-ups in the above world. What did they expect from sending an angel of death to accompany her? Remember, now, he was human. No human could see the angel of death except those given spiritual abilities and her. "Can you really help me? They think I'm crazy for talking to myself," she replied skeptically.

Rio shrugged his shoulders, not knowing. He just got the order.

"You said they had finished the meeting, didn't you? What was the final decision?"

"You became human." Briefly, Rio answered.

A sigh escaped her lips. "I already know. Even without you telling me, I already know. Besides, it's clearly written in the rules."

"Then why did you break it?"

"Okay. I was wrong. I was careless because I only thought to save the little boy without paying attention to the situation," she said resignedly, mixed with annoyance. She felt like she wanted to smack Rio in the head for constantly reminding her of her mistakes. "But they must have said something else too, right?"

Rio nodded.

"What is that?" asked Luna impatiently. A glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in her heart. Hopefully, there was something good behind the misfortune that befell her.

"You must make Zach die, so you can return to being a grim reaper."

It turned out that the news was accurate. Although it was not stated in the regulations, Luna had heard of it. "In other words, I have to kill him, right?"

He again gave the nod. "You can use any means as long as Zach dies. If you fail to do so within one year-" he paused in his words "-you will be destroyed." His voice trailed off at the end of his sentence.

Her steps halted. Her body froze, and her heart seemed to stop beating when she heard the news. Destroyed? She never knew the worst consequence would be annihilation. "They said so?"

"Yes. That's why you must immediately set up a strategy. One year, Luna. Remember!"

Luna swallowed hard. The image of the murder scene in several films and dramas that she had seen flashed through her mind instantly. Shotted, tortured, pushed down from a height, drowned, poisoned, premeditated accidents, and many more ways to kill humans. However, could she do it? Just seeing death made her sensitive feelings ignite. How could she actually be required to create that death?

"You're not kidding, are you?"

"You think I can joke about this situation?" Rio asked back. He wouldn't dare throw little jokes at her because the situation was not good for that angel of death. Or a former grim reaper? Who knew?

Luna shook her head. "No." Yes, she already knew the answer but still wanted to make sure.

She exhaled heavily. It was an arduous task for her. Honestly, she wasn't sure she could do it, even though the deadline was quite long. One year. She must prepare herself, maybe by starting to numb her conscience.

"Are there more?" Luna asked again. She steeled her heart, preparing for another bad news. She thought it was better to hear them all at once than to know them one by one.

"Nothing. They just said that."

Luna could breathe a sigh of relief. At least nothing else bad could happen to her. Ah, what happened to her was already terrible. And she was sure it couldn't get any worse than this.

But, the look on her face suddenly changed as a realization hit her. "What about other humans, apart from Zach, whom I saved?"

"Oh, they are!" Rio exclaimed, remembering another piece of information he had missed. "You take it easy. The above parties have rearranged their destiny."

"Are they in trouble because of this?" asked Luna carefully.

Rio turned his head and looked at Luna with furrowed brows. His brain was guessing who the 'they' she meant. The higher-ups of the world obviously wouldn't receive the direct impact of this matter. Could it be human? But, the above world and the human world were different. And this problem was not caused by them. "You mean us?" he said, voicing his thoughts. The other party involved was none other than the grim reapers on duty.

Luna nodded. She knew Rio was there when it happened because he was doing his job, just like her. That was why she asked about the fate of Rio and her friends.

"Yes, they scolded us. They also asked why we didn't stop you. But who knew you would do that?"

Luna nodded in agreement with his words. In fact, she didn't even think she would do that. Her body seemed to move automatically to save the toddler.

"So they just assigned all of us to watch over you," he continued.

Finally, Luna could smile a little because nothing terrible had happened to her colleagues. They must feel it unfair if they had to accept punishment, even though it was not their fault.

"So, in the future, I'm not the only one who will visit you," added Rio, giving strength through his words and smile. He wanted to show the solidarity that existed not only in humans but also in the angels of death.

"I would be happy to welcome all of you."

"Are you sure? Just so you know, humans are looking at you."

Her head turned to look at the surrounding situation. He was right that many people looked at her strangely. Of course. Who didn't look strange when walking while chatting without a friend to accompany?

Instantly, she quickened her pace. She had to get out of here immediately.