Chapter 115

James stepped into the sleek and neatly organized international airport with an air of sophistication.

Airport staff greeted James, who had just disembarked from his private jet, with courteous salutations.

“Finally made it to Korea, huh.”

This was only James’s second visit, yet it felt somewhat familiar already.

Was it because he’d grown attached after narrowly escaping death, or was it lingering mental pollution from the ‘Lake Object’?

Behind James walked four highly紧张 bodyguards, their nerves taut as violin strings.

They were specialized personnel assigned by the Association for this additional 0th Artifact transport mission.

Well, from James’s perspective, it was quite convenient.

After all, he’d brought extra manpower this time specifically to prevent another Object terrorism incident like last time, so having reliable people assigned by the Association was a bonus.

As they passed through the automatic doors into the arrival hall, James spotted a familiar face.

“Oh! Long time no see! It’s great to meet you again!”

James warmly embraced the interpreter he’d shared hardships with at the Pudding Factory.

“Ah, yes. Nice to see you, James.”

However, the interpreter seemed less than thrilled, wearing a slightly melancholy expression.

“Hmm? Is something wrong?”

“Isn’t an interpreter unnecessary this time around?”

The interpreter said this with a somewhat depressed tone.

“Besides, I’ve been having nightmares – really ominous ones that make me feel uneasy.”

“You’re worried about another accident like at the factory, aren’t you?”

James laughed heartily while patting the interpreter on the back.

“Don’t worry about it. This time we’ve brought plenty of security personnel, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

As James turned to look at the four bodyguards behind him, they nodded politely toward the interpreter with their usual emotionless expressions.

Their professional demeanor, maintaining constant vigilance despite their impassive faces, put the interpreter somewhat at ease.

“Probably won’t get caught up in consecutive incidents, right? Haha.”

With a more relaxed expression, the interpreter began guiding James’s party.

Upon arriving in Korea, one of the first things James confirmed was the current location of the Gray Reaper.

After all, establishing a Pudding Factory in Korea and bringing out the 0th Artifact was primarily aimed at dealing with the Gray Reaper.

After making several confirmations via phone with Sehee Research Institute, the interpreter reported:

“The Gray Reaper has been transferred to Trinity Research Institute. It seems it will take at least a week before they return to Sehee Research. What do we do?”

“I heard that Korean Object research facilities allow access to Objects upon request, unlike in the U.S. Let’s head to Trinity Research then.”

James’s bulletproof vehicle turned its course toward Gwanak-gu, where Trinity Research Institute was located.

***

The woman whose head had exploded transformed into a monstrous figure entirely composed of blades.

Her arms and legs extended blade-like without fingers or toes.

It looked like molten metal twisted into grotesque shapes.

In a space separated by blast walls, a massive Object loomed over me.

Its chaotic teeth clashed together with a terrifying sound.

If only I looked like that, scaring people would be much easier!

As I entertained this silly thought, the blade-arm came flying at me at high speed.

Though sharp and fast, it was still physical attack. Ghosting should make it harmless.

But then, an unidentified noise blocked my path.

BEEEEEEP!

“!!!!”

The sudden loud noise startled me as I tried to use Ghosting.

BEEEEEEP!

Every time I attempted to Ghost, an extremely irritating sound rang out. Was this some kind of technology targeting incorporeal beings?

How surprising.

I hadn’t expected Korea to develop such technology. I thought only America could create these kinds of things.

An Object relying solely on Ghosting would find this quite troublesome.

Even the Golden Reaper would likely become nothing more than a sturdy punching bag if surrounded by this sound.

Fortunately, it seemed possible to force Ghosting despite the noise, but there was no need to endure the racket when I had physical immunity anyway.

When the blade Object’s desperate attacks continued, the situation within the blast wall began to change.

Boil boil.

Transparent bubbles started emerging everywhere.

Despite their light appearance, these bubbles were incredibly heavy and hard.

Where did these bubbles come from all of a sudden?

***

Control room of Trinity Research Institute’s facility.

The security chief stared intently at the monitor with a very serious expression.

Seeing the Gray Reaper thrown back by Deputy Director’s strike, he smirked slightly.

“So, you can’t Ghost after all. This greatly increases our chances of hunting down the Gray Reaper.”

The monitoring staff also smiled brightly and commented.

“Judging from the current situation, the Gray Reaper appears completely neutralized. Perhaps Deputy Director might even win this battle?”

“No, I don’t think it will end that way.”

Though the video showed the Gray Reaper being tossed around like a leaf in a strong wind, the security chief spoke with certainty.

“Initiate bubble deployment immediately.”

This decision was based on the Gray Reaper’s expression, which appeared not just calm but downright bored.

Boil boil.

The interior of the blast wall gradually filled with bubbles.

These Object-made bubbles wouldn’t burst easily.

They were defensive measures designed specifically to stop dangerous Aguis that repeatedly engaged in physical destruction.

And indeed, these bubbles affected Deputy Director more than the Gray Reaper.

Eventually, the bubbles completely filled the blast wall.

Trapped Deputy Director could only snap his blade-like teeth in frustration.

He seemed to want to say something, to vent his anger, but couldn’t.

“It looks like Deputy Director has lost the ability to speak.”

Deputy Director flailed his blade-like limbs desperately, but to no avail.

On the other hand, the Gray Reaper appeared quite relaxed.

Unlike Deputy Director, the Gray Reaper looked comfortable, leisurely moving his limbs as if lying in a ball pit, enjoying the bubbles.

Though the Gray Reaper seemed pleased, restricted movement was undeniable.

Having judged that the bubbles sufficiently limited movement, the security chief issued orders.

“Conduct destruction tests in D-15 quarantine zone where the Gray Reaper is isolated.”

“Wouldn’t that involve Deputy Director as well?”

“Unavoidable sacrifice.”

The security chief gave the order with an expression that showed no regret whatsoever.

“Send in the Strike Team to attack the hostages. Since Objects related to the Gray Reaper seem to be guarding them, proceed as defensively as possible.”

The interior of the blast wall shown on the monitor was now engulfed in searing flames that could melt even evolved Aguis.

The security chief watched the Gray Reaper remain unperturbed amidst the flames and thought:

“If they’re protecting the hostages, attacking should elicit some reaction. How long can you stay so relaxed?”

***

I watched Blue Reaper playing with her daughter.

Seeing the daughter smiling happily made my worries disappear, and I couldn’t look away.

Truthfully, I had noticed faintly.

There was a broken old man in the corner, and we were still inside the dangerous ‘Trinity Research Institute’.

Our electronic devices had all been confiscated, leaving us unable to call for help.

We were in a situation where we couldn’t leave and could only tremble with anxiety, yet I didn’t feel anxious.

It must be due to the Blue Reapers.

Though I don’t know why they make humans feel safe and happy, I could only accept it for now.

Bang!

A sudden gunshot echoed.

The daughter fell.

Rushing to her side in panic, I found the daughter unharmed fortunately.

But the Blue Reaper who took the bullet in her place was not so lucky.

“A… Daddy. The Reaper is hurt!”

The Blue Reaper lay limply in the daughter’s small hand, one side of her body torn apart.

Fiery blood flowed like streams, and incomprehensible strings of characters floated faintly.

[Ahhh… Mommy…]

The Blue Reapers who had been playing with the children hurriedly flew around setting up water droplet barriers.

[Please protect everyone!]

[The Water Droplet Shield will protect everyone!]

No sooner had the water barrier been erected than countless bullets pelted against it.

[Please protect! Mom Golem!]

Even the large water deity used as a trampoline rose from its position, gathering people in its embrace for protection.

BOOM!

With each bullet impact against the water droplets, an impossible-to-ignore deafening roar resounded.

“Daddy, what do we do?”

The daughter looked back at me anxiously.

The Blue Reaper weakly closed her eyes and began disintegrating into powder.

[Mommy…]

At the moment the Blue Reaper’s remaining arm stretched out toward somewhere, collapsing onto the floor…

That instant.

The sky split open.

Rather, space itself tore apart violently.