A warm object held in her hand emitted a strong, bitter aroma that wafted toward her nose. There was also a mixture of idle conversations and the clattering of tableware ringing in her ears.
Eve gently opened her eyes and adjusted her vision toward the black concoction near her mouth. She effortlessly moved the mug away before its contents could touch her lips. With a soft click, she placed the cup of coffee on the table.
She swiftly scanned her surroundings and began analyzing the world she was currently in.
[Normal-looking people and an ordinary coffeehouse.]
She glanced outside and continued.
[Buildings of typical design and non-flying cars.]
Her tone carried a hint of disappointment.
[It seems I'm still in a modern world.]
Perceiving no imminent danger, she relaxed and tried to contact her system.
(Halfsie?)
This time, she didn't mind the unresponsive system. Instead, she focused on identifying the differences between the two worlds, which seemed remarkably similar. However, she couldn't tell them apart.
Halfsie had mentioned that the first mission was Class D. This led her to think that such a plane was probably akin to a test run to help her transition into the job. Somehow, her impression of her 'employer' improved.
The furball had also mentioned that it would be physically absent during the mission. Despite that, it would remain connected to her through their soul link.
Just thinking about such a concept almost made her convulse. In the end, she resorted to self-hypnosis just to mentally prepare herself.
Besides, Eve had also made sure to 'persuade' the scheming furball into obeying her commandments. Of course, such drama had taken quite some time to resolve, consequently delaying their departure.
Thinking back, Halfsie had promised to communicate with her the moment they arrived. Yet it had remained silent until now.
Such a stunt was beginning to get on her nerves.
Nonetheless, she decided to be magnanimous and wait while trying to find clues about her host body's identity.
She hadn't brought a bag, and only a phone was tucked into her pocket. Fortunately, it could be unlocked using her fingerprint.
Eve proceeded to politely go through the contacts, call logs, messages, gallery, and even the games and music in the media center. She spared nothing.
After a careful investigation, she surmised that her host was a very aloof person. Only four numbers were saved in the phonebook, namely Father, Grandfather, Driver, and Housekeeper.
Well, she wasn't the least bit dissatisfied with such a situation. On the contrary, she was glad that only a few people might genuinely know her. This meant that only a handful would notice any changes in her behavior.
[I think something is wrong with her.]
She wasn't a doctor, but she could tell that something was amiss with the host body after examining its phone contents.
The inbox was almost empty, and the longest call duration was barely a minute. Even the games and gallery were devoid of content.
Even so, the bank account was fully loaded.
[It seems I'm a filthy-rich second generation.]
She liked her status very much. After all, she didn't want to be broke ever again. Moreover, she had no interest in experiencing a life tempered by the so-called poverty tribulation.
Noticing that a certain fool was still playing dead, her voice finally took on a slightly salty tone.
(Halfsie.)
(If you don't answer soon, you might have to say goodbye to whatever fur you have left.)
Eve felt an intensified itch to pummel a furry ball. Still, recalling its abnormal reaction to punishment, she hesitated. She decided to observe it for a while and find other ways to subdue it.
In spite of that, the chowderhead had once again tested her limits.
[Very good.]
She tapped the table in a calm, rhythmic pattern.
On her first day of work, a certain creature had already decided to play hooky. The next time she saw that goofball, she would pluck its fur one by one.
It didn't matter if it enjoyed such torment. She promised to make it feel so good that the little donkey would be sent to heaven and hell alternately until it had only one breath left.
The extras in the background:
[Hey, why did it suddenly get cold in here?]
Fortunately, before the Goddess of Frost could lose her temper and freeze everyone in the room, the prodigal son finally returned.
(Host! You lied!)
(You said you were a ghost, but clearly you weren't!)
(Don't deny it! I certainly saw you leave your body in the space!)
The nonstop accusations jabbed at her ears.
[I have a body? How is that possible?]
Eve knew she had long been nothing more than a soul since her death. So she wondered why a body had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Now, all her attention was drawn to that unexpected piece of information.
(Are you sure it's a physical body?) She couldn't help but confirm.
(Yes, host. I'm very sure.)
The childish voice in her mind didn't carry even a shred of deception.
Halfsie couldn't have been more certain about the matter.
In fact, the moment Eve was sent into the mission world, it had been distracted by the soft thud of her body hitting the floor. Its ruby eyes instantly lit up as they locked onto their target.
Only one thought kept playing in its mind.
This is it!
Realizing that no one could stop it, the furry ball immediately popped out its limbs and lunged at its host.
Unfortunately, it couldn't pass through the invisible force protecting Eve's body.
The black ball's insanity almost reached another level at that moment. Halfsie's ability to spew poisonous words also improved drastically as it desperately clawed its way toward her face.
It was a shame that destiny seemed to forbid such desecration. Not long afterward, it was sucked up and thrown into the mission world.
Needless to say, its little adventure would remain a secret from its host.
Halfsie might have grown to appreciate its host's eccentric way of showing affection, but that didn't mean it no longer feared death. After all, being dead meant absolutely zero chances of getting close to those sacred golden orbs.
Meanwhile, Eve's mind was occupied by another possibility.
[If I did have a body, that means...]
She hurriedly took out her phone and turned on the front camera. She squinted as she gazed at her 'new' face.
[There goes my golden finger.]
Eve had speculated that since she had been bestowed with the ultimate cheat of a face, she would only be using the host's identity rather than their bodies.
Even though the system guide had mentioned that it would 'lend her their bodies', she had her doubts. It couldn't be helped, considering how little she trusted the main system's credibility.
Just look at her ultimate cheat, which had turned out to be a fraud.
Halfsie sensed its host's disappointment. It thought that perhaps she was sorrowful because her face had become 'normal'.
(Host, don't be sad. Even if you look plain now, in my eyes, you're still the peerless heavenly beauty.)
It sincerely tried to console its host.
Using its God's Eye ability, it observed Eve's new appearance and sighed. Thinking back to the 'unguarded' host in their space, it brooded over the lost opportunity to frisk to its heart's content.
It couldn't even feast its eyes on Eve's aureate eyes anymore.
Eve: ...
It appeared that she had discovered another side of her system guide. It was indeed a face-control creature, but its standards were way off the charts.
If it maintained such criteria, she was certain that only she would ever be considered pretty in its eyes.
[Well, I am indeed the prettiest.]
She narcissistically added.
(I'm not sad.)
She replied as she slipped her phone back into her pocket.
Her new face might have been a far cry from her own, but she still considered it a perfect ten on a scale of one to ten.
Provided, of course, that her godly face was worth a hundred points.
She reflected for a while and decided to stop using her original appearance as a yardstick. Rationally speaking, that countenance belonged to an entirely different league of its own.
(Just a little annoyed that I still have no idea what my ultimate cheat is.)
She pushed all the questions lingering in her mind to the back of her head. Having a body wouldn't harm her anyway. Besides, even if she had a hundred questions, no one would be able to answer them.
[Indeed, my host is the toughest nut.]
Halfsie admired its host's unperturbed reaction.
(Host, don't worry. You might discover your golden finger in this world.)
Eve simply hummed in response to the furball's reassurance.
Surely, she would find out eventually. She had time, anyway.
She could wait.
Seeing that its host had nothing more to say, Halfsie decided to fulfill its duty.
(Host, would you like to receive the memories now?)
(One second.)
She swiftly scanned the menu in front of her. Then, she raised her hand in a gesture and called out,
"Waiter."
A pleasant voice instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the room. They followed its source and found themselves unable to look away.
An exquisite young woman sat by the window, looking like a picturesque view. They wondered how long she had been there. To think they had been seated for quite some time without noticing such a charmer!
Somehow, the boys couldn't help feeling envious of the lucky guy who had the privilege of attending to the young lady's needs.
"A latte, please. Thank you."
Eve sat up straight, resting her arms on the table. After speaking, an intoxicating smile formed on her lips.
Observing the attendant's reaction, she chuckled inwardly.
[How innocent. So cute.]
The young man, whose face had turned as red as a tomato, nearly dashed away the moment she finished speaking.
Halfsie: ...
For a moment, its host resembled a womanizer depicted in its archives.
(Host, are you familiar with this kind of world?)
As a matter of fact, Halfsie knew nothing about its host's background. It had only been programmed to accompany Eve through different worlds and help her achieve a goal.
(Naturally.)
(Since I, too, lived in a similar world in the past.)
She watched the scenery outside the café. If she weren't aware of her actual situation, Eve might have thought that everything was merely a dream.
The familiarity was overwhelming, making her think of her previous life.
If she hadn't died, would she be living like this now? Alone in a new city, enjoying herself while waiting for a cup of coffee.
She had been about to set herself free that day. She had even planned a new life after moving.
Alas, she had indeed been too unlucky.
(Host?)
Halfsie called for Eve's attention again. Its host had been silent for a while.
(Hmm?)
(Host, I asked how many years you stayed on the previous plane.)
It hadn't sensed any fluctuations in its host's mood, so it asked again.
Eve withdrew her gaze, leaned back against the cozy chair, and crossed one leg over the other. She cupped her chin with one hand while resting the other on her lap.
The lackadaisical goddess was back.
(Eighteen.)
She answered nonchalantly.
However, a biting atmosphere once again chilled the neighboring seats.
Before Halfsie could inquire further, she urged it instead.
"Stop babbling and send me the memories."
The furball immediately behaved itself. It had no other choice. The coercion within its host's consciousness was simply too fierce, leaving it no room to resist.
Halfsie wanted to shed tears.
It blamed the main system for not warning them about such important information.