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"Can't you do it faster? If you're so much of a royalty, you should be more skilled than the average person."

I bit my lips, resisting the urge to swing my hand. "Sorry for my incompetence."

It had been a while since Hyunwoo kept burying me with work. He was clearly trying to trigger a reaction in me but I clenched my teeth and did as told every time.

"Bada, do this."

"On it!"

"Bada, that-"

"Yes!"

I had been welcoming anything he threw my way with open arms that he found himself faltering lately. He would fidget and his gaze would flit across my face while I remained unbothered. I had gotten used to his intimidating looks.

"Are you," he stammered, hesitating, "not angry?"

I smiled, both amused and content. "Quite the contrary. I'm actually grateful you're making me do these. You're trying to make me wake up and realize, right?"

He looked away, brushing his dark hair. "Well..."

"I may have doubted you but I'm sure you will lead us well. I believe in you," I said confidently and gave him a genuine smile when our eyes met.

He was softer than I thought of him. My first impression might had strayed far from reality.

He lowered his head apologetically, taking me by surprise. "I'm sorry for treating you bad... I still had some resentment in me left from my life after coming here."

Funny how I thought he would be a prideful one despite his Virtue. After all, he was thinking he was in the wrong.

"Apology accepted." But he did make me realize. "I'll continue doing these tasks you gave me though."

He widened his eyes at me and he never looked this adorable before. It made me want to take care of him as my little brother.

"Let me help," he offered and I happily accepted.

Days after days were spent with Hyunwoo and Jieun, but it had been a long time since I had seen the first Humility I met. At first, she kept saying she was busy with her duties, but now that our Humility was here, there was a clear line drawn between us and I could not meet her nor know what she was doing now.

Soon, one by one, the souls who would become the other Heavenly Virtues arrived.

A quiet girl who had a calm yet strong demeanor arrived and she was to be Patience. Anhye was a person of few words but she was capable and had a fierce air around her like Hyunwoo.

What sometimes worried me was, she was often by herself. Unlike Jieun or Hyunwoo, she did not approach any of us on her own. If we did not talk, she could go on alone forever. It made me seek her out more. A rather difficult challenge when she was good at evading me although I knew she meant no ill will.

After Anhye, a man arrived who was rather peculiar. Jaesung was outgoing and carefree but also very demanding. He was definitely suited for Diligence. Both Hyunwoo and I were taken aback when Jaesung said the tasks I were given to when we were antagonizing each other were too light. Since he always had something to say, I pushed him to Anhye to make her talk more, but they were like fire and ice.

Another challenge.

Kindness was a rather pitiful one. As soon as she came to Heaven, she searched for her child, not knowing she had died. We could only give empty words of comfort since none of us had children before. Seoyun, however, appreciated us and spent her days trying to move on. She was a sweet person, but we knew of her rather foul mouth that spilled curse words like waterfall after she grew closer with us. I found it refreshing.

Charity was the last one. She was relieved that she had passed unlike everyone else because of her terminal illness that plagued her while she was alive. Saejin was gentle in nature and soft spoken. She was also amazed at whatever the others said based on their life experiences and it was all so adorable.

Somehow, seeing them come to Heaven at an early age made me somewhat hurt. The pain was not pronounced but rather dull and barely there. But it was still there. All of them were unfortunate in their lives and I wondered... or hoped, I believed, that they would be happy now.

Everyone accepted their Virtues and we officially became the Seven Heavenly Virtues after Saejin arrived. Others in Heaven looked up to us. It made me feel nervous and embarrassed which were feelings I had not felt in a long time.

I got my own place in Heaven. It appeared out of thin air just from my imagination. A seaside resort that was not too big for one person. Since it was only me in the place, if it was too big, I would not have been comfortable alone.

The waves were gentle with their ebb and flow. The sea was endless, stretching into the horizon.

"Wow, I was expecting a castle since you're a royalty," Seoyun said and the others agreed.

"That's so last century," I chuckled.

"Goodness! She just told a joke!" Jaesung gasped out loud, exaggerating it.

I slapped his back and laughed. "Oh, you!"

"Let's get Jaesung into the water! The only guy here!"

The girls cheered and attacked him while he bolted. Laughing and having fun with the simple things, this must had been a good life. It was a nice thought. My life was better with them.

Sitting on the shore, I stared at the waves while the others splashed water at each other.

At times like this, there was one person who occupied my mind.

"Bada? Then do you like the sea?"

I breathed out. "I do like the sea..."

"What do you like about the sea?" Anhye asked as she sat down beside me, probably heard me mumble to myself. She was not the type to run around splashing water on her own will.

I chuckled. "I'm really not sure..."

She hummed and stayed silent, looking into the horizon. Her place was filled with clouds. I could tell why. Maybe we were more similar than I believed.

We all went to each other's places except Hyunwoo's. Only he was allowed to go to earth and hell anytime he needed, so he had more things to do.

While he was scoping out the situations for all the Virtues, one day, he informed me a shocking news.

Something I would never have expected.

Jin became a Deadly Sin.

He became Gluttony... My own enemy...

And we would spend our new lives trying to drown each other in the sea of abyss.

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