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Chapter 2 - The Anomaly

I had to leave immediately after witnessing such a sight to report to my seniors. Perhaps the Guardian might have knowledge regarding the problem or the seniors. Surely someone knows what is happening.

I couldn't hide the surprise I felt. It's not like Reapers don't feel at all, but taking us off guard is close to impossible. That is exactly what is happening to me. Things are going so wrong tonight. Is it my fault? Is it the fact that I'm not like other Reapers? Did I mess up my job, and that's why an anomaly was created?

This question can only be answered by the seniors. They were the ones who had been around the longest. Surely something like this might have happened before I came along. Is it too much to hope that it's not my fault?

I was left to wait in my chambers after I arrived in the Reapers' Realm. The seniors already knew about the anomaly and had sent another reaper to relay a message to me. They will be talking to me shortly regarding my target. I still don't understand how he is still alive. His name still hasn't disappeared from my copy of the Book of the Dead.

One of the reapers I'm on good terms with came to get me. She is part of the new generation and an efficient worker. She is always punctual and makes sure not to make any mistakes while reaping. Comfort is an important factor to take care of while reaping souls. If anyone on their deathbed is startled or frightened, their soul might be lost, left to wander the world without any purpose. If a soul is lost, it may never be recovered, regardless of a reaper's abilities. This is why bringing them to the afterlife is important.

"Nam Mirae," I greet her, standing up from the slab of stone I was sitting on.

"Hello, Yeo Insu-nim," She bows politely. Nam Mirae is just as mannered as ever. "The seniors are asking for you."

I nod in acknowledgment. "Yes, I will be right there."

Nam Mirae smiles, bowing her head, and heads back out. She seems unfazed by the situation at hand, completely unbothered. But I know her better than to assume she is. The slight furrow of her brow is a dead giveaway. She is nervous and terrified. None of us has ever heard of a case where an anomaly appeared. For one to appear right now, defying universal rules, what changed?

✽ ✽ ✽

I am standing in front of the three seniors in charge of supervising us. Usually, they keep their expressions carefully composed, but now I can see the cracks in their facade. Just that observation is enough to deflate me. If none of the seniors know anything about the anomaly, then nobody does.

"Yeo Insu," one of the seniors speaks up, her voice firm. Any visible nervousness on her face has melted away to reveal a stone-cold layer beneath. Her obsidian-like eyes are narrowed, displaying her suspicion and distaste for me very obviously. Like the other Reapers, she is wearing a black cloak with a hood covering her face. The only difference is the gold lining the sleeves and hem in a display of superiority. It is the same case with the clothing of the other two seniors in front of me.

I bend into a steep bow in front of them. "Seniors. You requested to see me?"

"Yeo Insu," one of the seniors, Two, speaks up. "We heard that one of your targets turned out to be an anomaly?"

I bristle at his tone, as if it were my fault Cha Youngsoo turned out to be an anomaly. I nod hesitantly, unsure of what my answer should be. Anything could happen to me, at this rate. It might be that I made a mistake and Cha Youngsoo evaded death because of me. If that's the case, I might be sent to the Abyss as a punishment. That is what happens when you do not complete your mission, your sole purpose in life.

"Yes, senior-nim," I say, my voice quiet. "He is an anomaly."

"Hmm," he hums. "How strange is it that you are the first person in millennia to receive an anomaly?"

My head shoots up at his words. I am the first person in millennia to discover an anomaly? Why me?

I didn't realize I said that out loud, because One speaks up. "We do not know why this is, or how it is. But we find it strange that it was you who discovered the first anomaly. Don't you think it is strange?"

I have to keep myself from frowning at her words. I did think that the anomaly might have appeared because of me, but I didn't consider it to be strange. Yes, anomalies had not occurred in millennia, but I thought the seniors would know something about it. If they think it's strange, then...

"Why is it strange?" I ask.

"We have heard some...things about you that are strange indeed. Such as the fact that you are unlike any of the other Reapers. Your personality is more inclined to a human's, dare I say." One says, her voice firm.

My heart hammers at her words. How anyone found out, I don't know. I tried my best to keep this side of me hidden for as long as I could. I thought being good at work would excuse my feelings, but I suppose that is not the case.

"Is...is something wrong with my personality?" 

"Yes!" One snaps, making me flinch. This is the first time I have heard any of the seniors raise their voice. "The fact that you have a personality is wrong enough! We should not be any different from each other. Work is the only exception, of course, but nothing else is. We do not feel, we do not care about anything or any other."

"Ah...I see."

She forces out a cold laugh. "Do you really?"

"..."

"Listen to me, Yeo Insu," her voice turns deathly cold, sending chills all over my body. "You are the first person to discover an anomaly. While the reasons are unclear, you must be punished for failing your mission."

My stomach plummets at that declaration. "But I did nothing wrong..."

"You may think you are innocent, but that is far from the truth. You need to own up to your mistakes, Yeo Insu."

I stay quiet, saying nothing more. I had never thought the day would come when I would be sent to the Abyss. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, trying to accept my fate. Yes, I made a mistake. This is my fault. For that, I deserve this.

"Hear my sentencing, Reaper Yeo Insu. For failing to bring a soul to the afterlife, after their name appeared on the Book of the Dead, you will be sent to an eternal life in the abyss..."

This is it. This is the end of my life.

"...However, since the soul had not yet departed from its body, it is not considered to be dead. Therefore, your mission is incomplete, and you will not be sent to the Abyss. Due to unusual circumstances, I banish you to the Human Realm until you manage to complete your mission. Only then will you be allowed to step back into the Reapers' Realm."

My jaw dropped to the ground at her final words. I am going to be sent to the human realm? Why? I do not belong there!

"W-what about work? Will I be allowed to gather souls—?"

"You will." One interrupts. "This is your final sentence. You will remain by the anomaly until it dies. You will reap other souls, but only to bring them to the Gate, from where another reaper will come to escort them. When you bring back the anomaly's soul safely, you will be allowed to come back."

"Wai-"

"Enough." She raises a hand and brings it to her lips in a gesture of silence. "You will leave willingly and go straight to the anomaly. You will still have your powers and your scythe, and you will do your job without question. Waving her hand dismissively, she turns away so that she doesn't have to look at my face again.

Why I was getting punished for something I am not at fault, I do not know. But the seniors know best so surely there must be a reason.

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