Chapter 4: The First Assessment

The most fundamental task of a Grim Reaper is to reap deceased souls from the mortal world and guide them to the Netherworld.

Therefore, it was only natural that the apprentice Grim Reaper assessment—which valued actual results above all else and even used real missions directly as exam questions—would include this basic duty.

[The task is very simple. Someone just passed away from illness in a hospital, so our first exam question is to go and harvest the soul… Wait, kid, what is up with you?]

Arriving at a hospital in the mortal world, the little sparrow could understand these inexperienced young Grim Reapers.

Having rarely left the Netherworld, it was completely normal for them to feel curious and excited about the mortal world.

However, when she reached out her wing to pat the back of Di’s neck to tell him to get serious, the weapon he pulled out made Fini genuinely lose her composure.

The most iconic signature item of a Grim Reaper was naturally the giant scythe, which served as both a self-defense weapon and a work tool… But what was the deal with you kid pulling out a pair of scissors?

Looking at the huge, human-sized pair of scissors in her partner’s hands, which he even separated into two blades and brandished twice, the corner of Fini’s eyes twitched…

Although she had never transitioned to official status, having been in this raven business for so many years, what kind of scene had she not seen?

Okay, fine, she really hadn’t seen a scene like this before.

[The rules of the ancestors cannot be changed! What on earth is wrong with you, kid?! Did you not even attend your very first class at school properly?! Do you not know why Grim Reapers only use giant scythes and no other weapons?!]

“Fini, what’s wrong? Chirping away like that? You seem very unhappy?”

Clearly, a certain young kid had not grasped the reason behind the little sparrow’s temper on his shoulder, assuming she was urging him to hurry inside to complete the task.

“Fini’s work attitude is truly proactive, but life isn’t just about work. While working, you should also look for more fun in life!”

[Fine, fine, fine, so you kid are lecturing me now, huh? Later when the soul refuses to cooperate and dives back into its body, I want to see how that pair of scissors of yours hooks the soul out!]

The thick concrete walls were passed through as if they were non-existent.

Netherworld creatures—whether human or animal—could to some extent be classified as ghosts, capable of freely choosing to pass through various objects in the mortal world.

Arriving at a basement morgue radiating chilly air, the temperature and atmosphere that would make ordinary people uncomfortable didn’t make the person and bird from the Netherworld feel anything abnormal.

On a slab table, a young girl whose features could not be clearly seen sat upon it, quietly staring at this pair of uninvited visitors without saying a word.

[Fine, fine, fine, I’ll back off, I’ll back off… Used to it.]

Although the movement was very subtle, Fini still noticed the girl’s slight flinch and backward retreat of fear when looking toward her.

Long years of work experience made her know all too well what was going on.

A skeleton bird frame that looked like it had run right out of a zombie movie with bits of melted meat sticking to it—it was only normal to feel terrified seeing it.

Based on past experience, if she didn’t leave right now, this little girl wouldn’t dare to speak a word next.

Nimbly jumping down from Di’s shoulder, the little sparrow hopped and bounded around not far away.

Of course, she was still paying attention to the situation over there; when this novice kid makes a mess later, won’t she still have to clean up his mess?

“So, am I already dead?”

Sure enough, as soon as Fini ran off, the human and soul over there started communicating.

Judging by this attitude, things were about to enter the main event very soon.

Just as the little sparrow was thinking this, she suddenly discovered that her temporary partner seemed to… actually be chatting with the little girl in front of him?

[Bro, you’re a Grim Reaper, right? What are you chatting with a soul for?]

The scene before her shocked the little sparrow deeply.

She knew her partner was a problem student who basically didn’t listen in class, but she didn’t expect this guy could be absurd to such a degree—did you bastard actually attend school at all?

Grim Reapers have an obligation to inform souls of the fact of their death, making them recognize their own state… But that was all.

Most souls, after being informed and recognizing the reality of their death, were often unable to accept this fact and would rise up in resistance.

If too much was said, under the provocation of words, some souls would even fall into madness or even undergo mutations, making the task of guidance even more difficult.

So, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Grim Reapers were taught by teachers in school—once you finish informing them, you can directly take action, as more words will only bring more trouble.

[And then you kid just straight up started chatting with her?]

Thank goodness a Bone Sparrow was just a creepy skeleton frame without any eyebrows or similar features; otherwise, the little sparrow’s eyebrows would definitely be twitching.

However, since this kid was playing like this, she had to be ready to wrap things up as well.

If the soul suddenly mutated, erupted, and launched an attack, at close range, her temporary partner would easily suffer a loss.

She boasted every day about having rich experience and guaranteeing a pass; she couldn’t let the guy get injured on their very first collaboration, could she?

That would be a huge embarrassment…

“Giggle giggle, big brother, you’re really funny.”

While Fini was still on guard, the human and soul over there were not only chatting quite attentively and happily, but the little girl’s giggling voice could even be heard.

“So big brother’s job is to send us to the world after death, right? Then I won’t hold big brother up…”

The girl suddenly stood up, without fear of death in her eyes, nor did there seem to be any lingering attachment to this world; she simply decided calmly to cooperate with the work of the person in front of her.

“Mm, but it’s a bit different from what you think… Before the guidance, your emotions, thoughts, consciousness, personality… everything will be wiped away.”

Saying that, Di pulled out that human-sized pair of scissors and stated the cruel reality.

“Leaving behind only the most primitive, blank soul. All traces of your existence will be wiped away.”

[Damn it, you kid, adding difficulty, are you?]

Fini was almost going numb.

Words like these were strictly taboo for a Grim Reaper to speak to a soul.

No matter how good one’s mindset was, knowing that everything of theirs would be wiped away leaving only a blank slate, how many could stay calm upon hearing that?

Yet the girl’s reaction remained calm.

She merely spread her arms open, allowing that giant pair of scissors to pierce into her body…

“As expected, you have no lingering attachments, do you? Little Fini…”

Di shook his head.

With a light call, the little Bone Sparrow not far away fluttered her wings, leaped up, and landed on the back of the scissors’ blade.

Using the Nether Iron pierced into the soul as a medium, the things judged as redundant in the girl’s soul were gradually stripped away and absorbed into the cold gleam under special guidance without any resistance…

This was a unique capability belonging specifically to ravens, and also the reason why Grim Reapers needed a raven as a partner.

Only a pure, primitive soul free of impurities could enter reincarnation.

The mutual cooperation between raven and Grim Reaper was what could purify a deceased soul into its original state.

The girl’s figure, voice… everything gradually faded away.

Ultimately, what appeared before the person and bird was only a small, pure, flawless flame gently swaying in the air.

This milky-white flame also symbolized that another pitiful soul in this world had obtained purification and deliverance…

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