In the slums of District F-73, there existed a chapel that not many knew about.
In this chapel, a beautiful nun lived.
Doing God's work, she took in children from all around and cared for them as if they were her own. She asked for nothing in return, and with a dazzling smile, simply wished that each of the children live happy lives.
Although many were unable to live up to her expectations of happiness, none were willing to show it. To them, she was akin to their mother, so lying for her sake was something they all did when it was required.
"Sister Grace, Sister Grace!" A young twin-tailed girl, seven years of age, tugged on a nun's habit.
"What is it, little Su?" Grace spoke in a voice oozing kindness, with her smile something to marvel at.
"Sister Grace, big brother Jin is here!" the little girl named Su responded with glee.
"Jin?"
As soon as Grace heard this name, she turned in a certain direction. There, standing a head taller than her in the chapel corridor, was a moderately handsome young man covered in soot and mechanical shavings. His smile, although not much different than normal, was far more genuine as he stared at Grace.
"You never age, Sister Grace. Still as stunning as the first day I met you."
Grace rolled her eyes but still walked up to him and embraced him. "You're as glib-tongued as ever, I see. Teasing a forty-year-old woman like me; shame on you," she joked, mixing in a giggle.
"And yet you don't look a day over twenty-five," remarked Jin as he reciprocated the hug. "Have you been secretly injecting beauty serums while I wasn't looking?"
"You little rascal," Grace pretended to be angry.
Suddenly, though, her expression contorted to one of sadness.
"You aren't undertaking any more dangerous work again, are you?" She worriedly scanned his clothing with her eyes, no different than a concerned mother would.
"Of course not, Sister Grace. I promised you I wouldn't, didn't I?"
"That better be the case," Grace snorted cutely, her cheeks slightly puffed.
Jin inwardly sighed. He didn't want to so blatantly lie to the woman who raised him like her very own son. However, if he didn't, it'd surely make her worry.
Moreover, there was another reason he needed the extra pay from the more hazardous jobs…
"Here, this is what I have left after calculating my living expenses for the month." Jin spoke with a wide smile, tapping the top of her wrist with his own, successfully transferring '255 Cosmic Alliance Coins.'
He did so even knowing that without that money, he'd likely have to sleep out on the sidewalk for a few days toward the end of the month…
"Cosmic Human Alliance Level 1 Citizen 'Grace Mary'—you have been transferred 255 Cosmic Alliance Coins."
Hearing the cold, robotic voice of the Goddess of Wisdom inside her head, Grace frowned. She glared at Jin, reprimanding him. "I already told you that I can handle my financials alone. Here, take the money back."
She tried to return the money, but Jin blocked all channels. He firmly rejected her offer, saying, "You may be able to manage on your own, but what about the kids? Don't mind such a small amount of money, as I have plenty more of it."
A huge lie.
However, it was probably those words that assuaged most of Sister Grace's unease. If at all possible, she would never ever take his money, but the orphanage really was in dire straits, and unless she did something soon, some of the kids would be put back on the streets.
This was information Jin knew already, which was why he was willing to make a sacrifice.
Even so, Grace was still hesitant.
"Jin…"
"There's honestly no need to make a sad face like that," said Jin, using his fingers to raise the corners of her cherry-red lips. "If you're not careful, you'll have a merit point deducted. Always smile, remember? And don't worry, I'll be A-okay; after all, I am the chosen son of heaven."
Grace hung her head low, then suddenly transformed into a 'happier' person when she turned to look up at Jin.
"It's time for dinner; come and join us, Jin. I prepared your favorite boiled potatoes."
The 'boiled potatoes' she spoke of were actually potato-flavored nutrient pastes, as actual fruits and vegetables were reserved for the upper class only. However, for Jin, it was the warm intent that counted, and so he ate together with Sister Grace and a dozen adorable kids living at the orphanage.
Later that night, after reluctantly bidding farewell to them, Jin returned to his shit-box on the other end of the slums.
He was still smiling, like… always.
As soon as he flopped over onto his broken bed, a certain robotic voice sounded in his head:
"Cosmic Human Alliance Level 1 Citizen 'Jin Stratus'—you have been awarded 1 Merit Point by the local government of 'Redrock City'."
Although he should be happy, Jin could only heave a sigh upon listening to the monotone voice of the Goddess of Wisdom.
"Five whole years of 'happiness' and good behavior, for what? A single Merit Point…?" He did his best not to let his smile crack, his emotions in turmoil.
To upgrade his Citizen Level and alter his predestined fate as a street rat, Jin needed 100 Merit Points.
So far, he only accumulated 3…
Three Merit Points for nearly twenty years pretending to be something he wasn't. Even if by some miracle he could somehow afford a life-extension serum and live another hundred or two hundred years, he'd never be able to gather 100 Merit Points.
"If only I could become an Evolver," Jin muttered, falling into deep sleep. "I wouldn't need to worry about accumulating Merit Points anymore, and would even be able to fully fund the orphanage."
But unfortunately, becoming an Evolver required either innate talent or money—neither of which he had.