Chapter 15: Preparing Clothes (Athena)

When I heard Ashley's request I was shocked, no, I was beyond shocked, I was like what have I been doing that I didn't realize the children need new clothes.

I'm starting to wonder now, what items are still missing.

"New Task Notification: Prepare a set of complete autumn children clothes for your 12 children.

Complete Autumn Children clothes:

Coat, sweater, shirt, pants, underwear, socks, hat, gloves, and shoes(except for the babies)

Rewards: 1 future insight or 1 truth serum

Punishment: Children Badness Level +50 each." The system suddenly prompted.

What is that future insight and truth serum?

"Future insight will let you see a major life changing event in the near future from the time of invocation. The truth serum can be used once. You just need to let your target intake it and she will willingly tell you the truth to all your questions for an hour" The system replied.

Those are great rewards. It's so hard to choose. How about the punishment? What does that mean?

The system then showed me another screen with the names of my children. If I select the name of the children I can see their health status, skills and skill level, and a badness level.

What is this?

"You are able to see the status of each member of your family." The system said.

Members of my family? Can you show me all of them?

The screen changed to what looked like a family tree. On top of the family tree is me then there's Seth and the children.

I selected my picture first and saw my status. Everything was the same as the children but my status doesn't have a badness level.

I tried looking at Seth's but Seth also doesn't have one. I wonder what badness level meant.

"Badness level will show whether your children would grow up as a good person or a bad person. If the badness level reached 1000 points, the maximum points, it means that your children would grow up committing a vicious crime." The system replied.

Why am I only knowing this functionality now?

"You didn't ask." The system replied.

Then does it mean that the children's badness level should be zero?

"It's impossible to keep the badness level to zero but 200 points would be considered as still okay. Beyond that they would start doing petty crime." The system explained.

I was shocked and looked at each child's badness level and realized that the girls' badness level is relatively higher than the boys.

"Athena? Athena." Seth called and I realized that I was spacing out in front of the children.

"I… I'm sorry… I was just shocked… I… I didn't even think of it. I'm really sorry. Mother should have thought of that." I apologized to the children.

"It's alright mother. We know you are really busy with the shop." Brittany said understandingly.

"Next time, if you want or need something don't be shy to tell us. Mother and father can sometimes forget due to our business but don't worry, we will try our best to consider things from now on. Mother and father are really sorry." Seth told them.

"I'll start making your clothes. Don't worry I'll be able to finish it before the end of this month." I told them.

That night when we were preparing to sleep, Seth said he wanted to talk to me.

Seth has been sleeping in the same room as me. He would put a bed on the floor and sleep there.

"Athena, I think we need to hire another worker." He said solemnly.

"I think so too. The children's needs are being neglected." I agreed.

"I'm gonna call grandfather tomorrow if he still knows anyone who could work in the shop." Seth replied and I agreed.

"Seth, about making the children's clothes. Mother has a sewing machine but I was wondering if I could buy a sewing machine that would stay in the shop." I said unsurely.

I know he said we should be wary of his stepmother but I wonder if that includes buying an expensive sewing machine.

"That's fine with me. I don't think it'll be a good idea if you stay here at home. I'll go out tomorrow then to call grandfather then inquire about those houses and buy you a sewing machine too. Do you want me to buy the fabric also?" He asked.

"I'll buy the fabric with Christine. I was thinking of asking the children what colors they would like for their clothes." I replied and Seth nodded.

"I'll leave the shop to you tomorrow then. Good night." He said and we both went to sleep.

The following morning, we all head to the shop before Seth left and do his errands.

I fed the children breakfast before sending them to school and once the morning rush was done, I talked to Cynthia about making clothes for children as I have no idea how to do it.

I was thinking of using the chance to get a skill I got from the task before but I don't think I will be sewing after this task so it's a bit wasteful to use the skill.

I then realized that I can learn it. I guessed that Cynthia knew how to sew and I was right. She told me what I needed for the things I wanted to sew.

She also taught me how to get the sizes right. We practiced with Irene and Justin. The children were very much willing to comply. They were also excited with the thought of getting new clothes.

It was great that the following day, the children would have a break and I could go out and buy the materials I needed for the clothes. I brought Christine and David with me to help me pick the fabric and carry them too.

It took us all morning to buy everything and I'm officially bankrupt again. I spent all the money I earned in these two months to buy all the materials for the clothes.

I wanted to ask Seth for money but he's buying a sewing machine. I heard they cost 600 owo so I didn't ask him.

When we got back they were already eating lunch. I let the two children join them to eat while I arranged the things we bought.

The sewing machine was on one side of the stockroom. The stockroom is actually starting to get crowded.

I joined them to eat when Seth was done so someone can watch the store and Cynthia can eat too.

After lunch, I started to practice sewing. Cynthia told me to start with the socks so I can practice and if it didn't look pretty at least it would be hidden.

The first few tries were horrible but after the 5th try I got a hold of it and was able to create a pair of socks that are the same size.

After that, I went to make the patterns for the clothes. Christine, who was very interested in what I'm doing, was helping me make them.

After three weeks of nonstop sewing I was able to finish everything except for the shoes. I bought the shoes when we earned money this time.

Yes, I could have bought all of the clothes but buying them cost more money than sewing them.

I choose to buy shoes because shoes are harder to make than clothes so buying a premade one is the best choice.

"So are you guys ready?" Seth asked them.

We both decided to give them the clothes all together since the weather is still not cold anyway.

We closed the shop early today since there weren't many customers anyway and sent the 2 workers home for the day.

Grandfather was able to find us another worker, Chloe. She's the granddaughter of one of his former colleagues.

She just turned 18 and her parents decided not to send her to university. She would have been preparing for her marriage now, if she didn't decide to work here.

Marriage during these times we're very early. I mean come on, 18 is still barely an adult.

Seth started calling the children one by one and gave them their autumn clothes. The children looked excited when they received their sets. I told them that they could start fitting them one by one and they did.

I looked at them one by one to see if the fit was good and if there's a need to adjust any of them.

I'm glad that there were no major changes that I needed to do as they all fit though some were a bit bigger on them but they choose not to adjust it anymore.

"Task Completed. Please choose your reward. 1 future insight or 1 truth serum." The system prompted.

Now the hard part. I want both.

"Users can only choose one." The system replied.

Ugh… hmmm… I… I… fine… I'll choose future insight.

"1 future insight received." The system notified me.

Should I use it now?