Chapter 98

Late night, the Sehee Research Institute Security Room was bustling with people.

Normally, it would have been the time when just a few employees, looking tired, were trying to stay awake at their desks, but unusually, there were quite a number of employees with bright eyes.

Of course, this wasn’t because they were hard at work in the Sehee Research Institute.

The employees had even brought out popcorn and were intently focused on the CCTV screen as if watching an entertaining TV program.

On the CCTV screen, the Golden Reaper was hopping around carrying puddings.

The research institute employees were enjoying it as though watching cat or dog videos online.

“The Golden Reaper is so cute. I want one.”

“Me too.”

Late at night, the dark corridor with its lighting turned off saw the Golden Reaper walking with heavy steps.

Even though the Golden Reaper was cautiously sneaking around, checking all directions, it was impossible for it to hide during such a dark night.

Because the Golden Reaper glowed like the Gray Reaper!

The pitch-black corridor faintly shimmered with the light emitted by the Golden Reaper.

The Golden Reaper’s pleasant journey suddenly hit a major obstacle.

The path was blocked!

A large steel wall stood blocking the flustered Golden Reaper’s way.

The Golden Reaper, who had been striding confidently, stopped its steps and looked around after realizing the path was gone.

“I guess it didn’t know that some sections get sealed off past midnight.”

“Well, the Golden Reaper always falls asleep as soon as evening comes, so at this hour, it’d usually be asleep anyway.”

The Golden Reaper kept wandering around the closed door area.

It seemed to be searching for any gaps to pass through, but there wouldn’t be any in the Object Standard Block Wall.

If it were the Gray Reaper, it would have already torn down the block wall and calmly walked away with the pudding.

But the Golden Reaper showed no intention of doing so.

“Should we open it for them?”

“Hey, if we get caught, it won’t end with just a pay cut.”

“But still, it’s so sad to watch.”

The Golden Reaper, not knowing another way, continued loitering near the barrier.

It knocked on the iron door, tried climbing over the block wall, but after all possible attempts failed, the Golden Reaper hugged the pudding tightly, wore a sad face, and slumped onto the floor.

The high-performance CCTV installed by Deputy Director Seoah clearly captured the Golden Reaper’s expression.

“Ahhh, fine! I’ll open it!”

Unable to bear the sight of the sad Golden Reaper, one of the security room employees recklessly manipulated the controls and lifted the barrier.

Clunk.

With a loud noise, the barrier slowly began to rise.

***

The Golden Reaper worriedly stared at the pudding.

Pudding…

It tastes best when eaten quickly.

But the way to the attached human was blocked by a huge steel wall.

A steel wall that could easily be broken through.

But since breaking human things would make humans sad, the Golden Reaper had no choice but to sit on the floor and wait.

But then, a miracle happened.

Clunk.

With a great sound, the steel wall slowly started to rise.

In an instant, the Golden Reaper wiped away its sad expression and started running towards the rising steel wall.

Now it’s really close to the attached human!

***

Director’s office at the Sehee Research Institute.

Most people had gone home, but I remained in the director’s office clutching books like a student.

Ah, I’m going to die doing this.

This isn’t something you can pass just by studying for three months, right?

They say it’s relatively easy for people in the industry, but why does it feel so hard?

Am I even considered part of the industry?

While silently cursing the ‘Daily Objects’ that led to the creation of such laws, I flipped through the book pages.

Just then, a cute knocking sound came from the director’s office door.

Completely different from Seoah’s scary knock.

When I slightly opened the door, I saw the Golden Reaper holding out a pudding like it was offering pizza.

I placed the Golden Reaper on my palm and took the pudding.

This is the pudding everyone says is delicious.

I was thinking about eating it, but I’ve been too busy to do so.

“Did you bring pudding? Thanks.”

I stroked the Golden Reaper’s face gently, but it seemed worried as it touched under my eyes.

Ah, is it the dark circles?

Does it think I look tired?

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I’ll just eat pudding and rest today.”

I tore open the pudding and scooped a little with a spoon, feeding the Golden Reaper first.

Then I took a bite myself.

After studying hard for so long, seeing the Golden Reaper smile widely gave me renewed energy.

For some reason, an unfounded confidence began to rise that I might actually pass the certification.

There’s nothing I can do.

Today, I’ll eat pudding, sleep, and work hard starting tomorrow!

***

Lying on the factory floor while gazing at the floating puddings in the sky.

“Ah, what am I going to do? This is a disaster.”

Yerin watched helplessly as the pudding foam spread far and wide.

Is this really something to worry about?

If you think about it, now all citizens can enjoy free pudding.

Still, today was exhausting.

Engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a Hungry Ghost subspecies and wasting firewood.

Rushing the Golden Reaper’s garden and wasting firewood.

Using space manipulation to crush the Hungry Ghost subspecies and wasting firewood.

Used too much firewood, so I’m tired.

All my fault for dragging it out.

Cock-a-doodle-doo.

The Golden Reaper was poking my cheek with its finger.

As if telling me to eat, it pushed pudding toward me while poking my cheek.

Eating the pudding the Golden Reaper offered made me feel rather calm and good while looking at the flying puddings.

Now the Sehee Research Institute will receive pudding.

Despite the hardship, imagining the delicious pudding ahead filled me with happiness.

Hehe.

This time, I personally handled two objects.

A killer teddy robot and a Hungry Ghost subspecies.

But gained no abilities.

Both were physical types, so maybe that’s why.

Destroying muscular objects never gave me muscles.

Still, I wish I could gain strength-related abilities once, especially since this Hungry Ghost subspecies had incredible muscle power.

My strength is lacking, so I need Yerin to open bottles for me, which is inconvenient.

If there’s no one around to help, I have no choice but to blow the bottle caps away using叠加技.

Om.

While eating pudding together with the Golden Reapers, Yerin approached us.

“Alright, let’s head back to the research institute!”

Since I just stared without moving, Yerin briskly walked over, inserted her hands under my armpits, and lifted me up.

Placed like a cat into the vehicle.

And we departed instantly.

As the pudding factory grew distant, I thought,

Ah, there was some mucus I accidentally left behind with the Golden Reaper, but I forgot about it because I was so tired.

It was slightly disappointing.

***

James looked out the hotel window at the morning sun, deep in thought.

It was a long day.

After the Gray Reaper left the factory, James had countless tasks to handle.

He called the Object Disposal Unit to search for hidden objects inside the factory after the Gray Reaper’s departure.

Sent the unconscious interpreter to the hospital, dispersed the crowd gathered in front of the factory.

Now, preparing for potential issues arising from the foam pudding leak, he had to meet lawyers, contact familiar journalists to publish articles, and more.

It was a long day, yet it wasn’t over yet.

While catching his breath in the hotel room, the smartwatch beeped with an incoming call.

The caller was a “friend” living in China.

A man leading anachronistic ninjas.

“It’s been a while since we talked. What’s the sudden call about?”

[…]

“There were problems, alright. Right after setting up the factory in Korea, we were attacked disguised as an accident. If it weren’t for your warning, I wouldn’t have set up the factory in Korea in the first place.”

[…]

“The Gray Reaper? Yeah, I met him. Didn’t expect to encounter him so soon. But it’s true that he’s related to Artifact 0.”

[…]

“I don’t know about this incident. The timing is suspicious, but Korea has so many accidents that I can’t make a judgment.”

[…]

“Alright, see you next time, friend.”

James hung up the phone and lay down on the bed.

His expression looked burdened with worries.

***

Arrival!

Leaving the pudding factory, we finally arrived at the quarantine room for the reapers at the Sehee Research Institute.

In my arms was a soft, warm sleeping Reaper.

Holding the Reaper, I slowly leaned over and lay down on the bed together.

The Reaper must have been extremely tired today because it fell asleep in the car without even touching the snacks.

Its chest flame dimmed a bit after fighting the Hungry Ghost, and it did look sleepy.

The Reaper nestled in my arms seemed to be dreaming, closing its mouth tightly with a slight smile.

Anyway, it’s noticeable in the quarantine room.

The Reaper has become paler.

It started turning slightly white after touching that book, but whether it’s good or bad remains unclear.