CHAPTER THIRTY- ONE |
SOLD TO THE DEVIL

Your love is all I know and ever knew
therefore I have sold my soul for you

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Cries filled the leaden atmosphere. The gray walls that made Mark's gut churn and nearly throw up the bile that began to climb up his throat. He couldn't accept the fact that the girl he cradled in his arms was already dead – the girl he tried his best to keep alive was now dead because of him.

Time passed slowly and it felt like he had been crying for hours now. His wails that broke his friend's heart as they watched him weep from afar. They were like waterfalls rushing down his cheeks, soaking the dark clothing he wore.

It felt like a part of him had been torn away again. When Dallia died it felt like he came along with her.

Footsteps gradually began to sound louder and that made Mark come back to his senses. Though his heart continued to cry out, he pressed his lips into a thin line, suppressing himself from crying any more. He wiped his tears with his sleeve, a soft sniffle coming afterward. He looked up from the peaceful figure and he met eyes with someone he hated to see at this time.

"Seirus." He spat out like venom, "What the fuck do you want to take away from me now?"

The old man only clapped his hands together, grinning proudly at what Mark had just done. He then pointed at Mark's coat, as if gesturing to what's underneath. "You're not yet done, Mark. You have to stab her heart."

"What the hell!? She's already dead!"

"We both know she's not yet dead, not until you kill her here. It's judgement. Now, hurry on, before the little girl wakes up." Seirus said in a singsong tone, waiting for Mark to take action.

Mark sighed harshly, taking out the knife that he had stored in his coat. He raised it, hovering over her heart. Without wasting another minute, he shut his eyes tight and stabbed her heart. Pulling out the knife the moment he stuck it in before opening his eyes, his body stiffened upon the sight of blood, but what shocked him was when a white light began emitting from her heart.

He backed away, mouth agape, and eyes wide. Mark drew his gaze towards Seirus, "W-what... What the hell is happening!? What are you- did you enchant the knife or something!?"

Seirus sent Mark a soft smile before stepping aside, allowing the person behind him to step forward. Mark scoffed out, "Jeno?"

The said boy rolled his eyes at Mark, "As I said Mark, be thankful for what Jaemin did."

"What do you mean?! What the did Jaemin even do!"

Jeno clenched his jaw in annoyance, sending a glare towards Mark as he jeered, "He sold his soul- his whole being for Dallia." Realization slowly hits Mark and that made him gasp loudly. Jeno smiled bitterly, shaking his head from side to side. "Now you know what happened and will happen."

"Y-You mean..." Mark trailed off, looking down at Dallia as hope filled his heart once again.

Jeno nodded, kneeling beside the girl's glowing figure. "She'll become a reaper. A soul reaper is what Jaemin offered in exchange."

≫≫≫

A FEW DAYS AGO. . .
JAEMIN'S CONSEQUENCE

The blonde-haired reaper stood in front of Seirus' office, his heart heavy and soul ready. He took a deep breath before walking inside, "Papa, I'm ready for my consequence."

"Are you sure about this... Jaemin?" Beatrixe murmured as she watched Jaemin clasp his hands together, rubbing them together from the nervousness the ran through his veins.

With a stoic face, he nodded. "I want them both happy, so please, save her soul and in exchange... take mine instead. Make her a reaper as you did to us that were once lost souls." Jaemin pleaded, his eyes begging for Papa's approval.

Seirus hummed, tapping his chin with his finger as he thought about it. "Are you sure? You know, you were one of my favorite life reapers."

Jaemin nodded again, "Yes. Anything for Dallia."

"You'll become a lost soul again, Jaemin." Seirus pointed out and the blonde sighed, accepting the sad fact he'd slowly lose his memories and become lost in the depths of the underworld.

"Then maybe, someday, my soul will be found again just like how you found it before."

Seirus chortled, shrugging his shoulders shamelessly. "As you wish, my dearest."

And that's how Jaemin's time ended as a life reaper. With him selling out his own soul in exchange to keep Dallia's soul safe, and that's when he finally fulfilled his own wish – to be Dallia's guardian angel until the end.

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