Two Worlds: Conquer His Heart In One Fell Swoop

The boy I raised looked at me with those familiar eyes and asked, "Will you always be with me?"

I nodded, reassuring him with a soft smile.

Ding.

The number above his head—his Darkness Level—dropped to zero.

The system’s voice chimed in my head, "Congratulations, you’ve completed your mission."

Finally, I was going home.

*****

In our cozy little courtyard, after setting the dishes on the table, I slid open the wooden door and glanced at the boy buried in his homework—Ashley.

He was wearing a plain white t-shirt, totally engrossed in his work.

But just then, a black mark appeared above his head—Darkness Level: 1.

My name is Jessica. I used to be just an ordinary office worker until a terminal illness changed everything. Right before the end, I was given a chance to step into the world of a novel.

My mission? To save Ashley, the main villain in this modern-day story, and turn him into a kind, responsible young man with strong morals.

All I had to do was get his Darkness Level down to zero, and I’d be done.

When I first entered the novel, I found him huddled outside, looking so lost and broken, and I brought him home.

My grandmother and I cared for his wounds—he was just ten years old then.

Back then, he was all scars and bruises, dressed in clothes that barely held together.

My grandmother and I took him in, gave him a home, and made sure he went to school.

I poured my heart into teaching him, loving him like he was my own.

When his crazed mother came after him, when his classmates bullied him, when his half-brother tormented him—I was always there, protecting him, solving his problems, and making sure he knew he had a safe place to come back to.

Now, he’s a top SAT scorer, a freshman that every college wants.

In the end, he chose a school close to home so he could come back every day.

It took me three years to bring his Darkness Level down from 99 to 1.

But that last little bit... I’ve spent five years trying to erase it, and it still lingers.

Eight years. After all this time, I was starting to lose hope.

*****

“Ashley, come eat,” I called out to him with a smile.

“Okay.” He stopped what he was doing and flashed me a grin.

His skin was flawless, his features sharp and well-defined, and his eyes—clear and bright like crystal. He looked every bit the perfect young man.

But no matter how close he seemed to perfection, that last little “1” on his Darkness Level just wouldn’t budge.

At the dinner table, I couldn’t help but frown as I stared at that stubborn number.

Ashley noticed my expression and placed a piece of meat on my plate. “What’s wrong? Something bothering you?”

I shook my head, brushing it off. “Oh, nothing. I learned this new recipe online. Give it a try—see if it’s any good.”

As I spoke, I picked up a rib and placed it on his plate.

Ashley took a bite, his face lighting up with satisfaction. “It’s delicious! Will you keep cooking for me?”

I smiled warmly. “Of course. As long as you want to eat, I’ll keep cooking.”

Ashley’s gaze locked onto mine. “And… will you always stay with me?”

I froze for a moment. If I keep failing the system’s task, I’ll stay with him forever.

“Of course,” I replied softly.

Hearing that, Ashley’s face lit up with a childlike, innocent smile, completely content.

“You promised, so you can’t take it back!”

Ding—

The system’s voice echoed in my mind.

“Congratulations. His Darkness Level has dropped to 0. You’ve successfully completed the mission. Do you wish to exit this world? Ten seconds to decide.”

The sudden change caught me off guard, but the system didn’t give me time to waver.

Looking at the young man in front of me, I realized he wouldn’t need me anymore. And wasn’t my goal all along to go back home?

With firm resolve, I told the system, “Yes.”

I looked up at Ashley, guilt washing over me. “I’m sorry, Ashley. I have to break my promise so soon. The bank card is in my drawer, and the password is your birthday. You have to live a good life, okay?”

As soon as the words left my lips, my body began to rapidly deteriorate.

My features faded, and my heartbeat slowed to a stop.

Ashley panicked, rushing over to hold me, calling my name, desperately trying to wake me up.

“No! Jessica—”