The melodious giggling rang throughout the white space. A youthful goddess chuckling to her heart's content makes a wonderful sight. Halfsie thought that if it weren't for the fact that such amusement was based on its misery, it will definitely ogle and appreciate such view.
After enjoying a teasing session with her little furry ball, she recalled the important question she had to ask.
"Halfsie, let's talk." She poked the silent creature.
The furball lay motionless on her palm. The extremities were limply hanging on its side. The soot-like spider silk that originally lacks luster appeared so frangible it could crumble with a single touch. It looked so spiritless as though it will dissipate at any moment. However, if you observe closely, a calculating look lies within its sanguine eyes.
Now that its life is safe and sound, it started to calculate the ledger. Halfsie counted that the matter of touching the host's face is secured after its move. Hence, advanced to enact its plan.
Discerning that the little guy refuses to budge no matter what, she decided to play along.
" Hey. Are you dying?" The host asked nonchalantly.
" Before you kick the bucket, at least disclose who gave me this face, will you?"
"If you do, I promise I won't pluck your hair off after you die." Caressing the smooth silky fur of its system, she continued to 'persuade' it.
"I won't even cut your chicken feet." Then glancing at its arms,
" Or this thing you call for hands."
Even the soft-spoken words can't hide the contempt she has over its limbs.
The system playing dead: ….
"Host, have you no compassion? Can't you see I'm on death's door?"
It finally lost its cool and lashed out. The childish voice laced with indignation.
Its host is so heartless, not even letting go after its death. Can't she see how pitiful it looks? Even if it's not genuinely dying, shouldn't its fragile state tug her heartstrings? Such a cute little ball like it was lying on her palm being miserable yet she threatens it relentlessly.
She watched the little guy's fur puff out like an angry kitten. She lightly flicked its face and spoke,
" How can I pity a scheming drama queen, huh?" She admonished.
That's right. She noticed at once when the little fool started acting. How can she ignore the flash in its eyes when she approached it? This donkey even forgot to conceal its excitement and a giggle escaped its throat. It made her roll her eyes. If it's gonna play dead, it better act professionally.
" No, I'm not. I'm an innocent system. " The furry ball shrank its non-existent neck. If only it had tear glands, its eyes would have turned watery by now.
No way is it going to acknowledge such an allegation.
It is an honest-to-God system. It may be ugly as hell with the appearance based on wickedness but it has a pure heart.
[Okay, not entirely pure but half-pure.] It whitewashed itself.
"Tsk."
[Innocent my ass.] She cannot help but utter a sound of disapproval.
This furball is literally a crony of a system that aims to corrupt people. Which part of corrupting people's innate kindness and exchange it for wickedness is benevolent huh? It even has the nerve to claim it is squeaky-clean. She must admire such delusion. Such chutzpah can truly broaden her views.
Examining the furball who is dead set on its deluded self-image, she decided to let it go.
"Enough. Just tell me who performed such a miracle to my face." She set the creature down and sat upright.
Realizing the host may yet again lose her patience, it turned serious. It popped back the unsightly "features" it had and discussed the topic earnestly.
" Host, I don't know who did it. It's not stated in the manual that countenance of taskers will change."
"Hmm." She crossed her arms and contemplated.
Then as if remembering something, she smiled.
"Could it be what Huo'er said?" She cupped her chin and recalled the crimson-haired hottie she met not too long ago. She kinda misses that narcissistic fellow.
[ A golden finger, huh.] Then stroking the supple skin on her cheek, she muttered.
" My ultimate cheat is a peerlessly beautiful face? " She smirked.
She didn't know if she should be delighted or annoyed with such realization. The handsome dude said that her cheat is the manifestation of what she yearns for the most. Does it mean she desired to be godly pretty before? She is sure as hell that she didn't have an inferiority complex in the last life though. Saying so, could it mean that deep down she is narcissistic enough and wanted everyone to feast their eyes on her blinding beauty? She finds it ridiculous. Either way, she wouldn't care anymore. What matters is that she is drop-dead gorgeous and her life will only be moist from now on. Also, such a face can be used to easily exploit her way to victory in the succeeding planes.
She envisions that when the heavenly being sees her appearance, they will have to envy her to death. She only needs to rub it on that person's face that they are like a toad in front of her, the majestic swan. She can also attract the heavenly being's lover then send them HD quality proof of their infidelity. Better yet, simply change her name the same as the target's name. Then they will have to live in constant reminders that they share a name yet their appearances so far apart like a flower to dung.
Realizing the number of possibilities in using her cheat, she is elated.
[ He's damn right. My golden finger is truly powerful.] With that conclusion, she laughed maniacally.
She looked forward to corrupting the unlucky bastard's benevolence.
[Just the thought of it felt so exciting.]
The system can't help but tremble when it heard the host chuckle. It sounds horrifying and truly different from her giggles earlier. Even worse is though her laugh seemed like it came from the depths of hell, the glee in her aureate eyes shows how delighted she was.
[ She must be plotting something sinister.]
It inferred that if one day, it receives such a look and laughs, it must hurriedly retreat to a place where the host will never reach. No way is it going to stay and wait for its demise.
The black ball sighed. Then glanced at its host again and pondered.
[Why couldn't I be assigned to a normal host?]
The little guy can't help but despair for its future. How can it relax when it cannot even secure its tiny life.
Despite that, it unconsciously peeked at its host's face and marveled.
[ If I frolic then at least I could die in peace.]
****
Meanwhile in a different space:
Huo has been reviewing documents non-stop and whilst in the middle of signing one, he paused shortly then wrote again.
He felt a disturbing hunch that someone was defiling his name.
[ Must be that annoying bastard again. ]
Then glancing at the ' bastard ' he accidentally wrote, he exploded.
" Damn! You rascal won't even let me work in peace!"
A certain bastard: *coughs* Not me.
A certain female bastard: *winks* It's me, Huo'er. * sends a flying kiss*