Chapter 167

It can’t be… I can’t fly in the sky?

Since Mini Reaper wouldn’t lie to me, there’s a high probability that this is true.

To be honest, it wasn’t a big deal whether I could fly or not, but after hearing that I couldn’t, I suddenly really wanted to fly!

It’s not like I’m weird or anything.

Whenever there’s a rule that says you can’t do something, everyone naturally wants to break it, right?

With sadness and anger filling my heart, I tore into a White Hungry Ghost and gobbled it up.

Hehe-hee.

As if sympathizing with my sorrow, the White Hungry Ghost cried alongside me.

By the way, my kids have multiplied incredibly!

Golden, blue, navy, black, red, orange—there’s even a giant adopted child bigger than me!

Especially the relationship between the Giant Adopted Girl and the Black Agent is super intriguing.

Even though they’re out somewhere now, I couldn’t help but wish they’d come back soon and give me some exciting drama.

While lost in such thoughts, I collapsed onto the bed, and the Golden Reapers wriggling beneath me quickly slipped away.

Hehe.

As I watched the little ones nudging me with tiny fists, an interesting story caught my attention on the news.

[After the appearance of Objects, pseudo-religions are spreading globally.]

[But lately, the situation has worsened.]

[A pseudo-religion spreading worldwide within just a few days requires caution.]

[A religion symbolized by eyes with five pupils—if you encounter it, please report to the Object Association.]

A pseudo-religion, huh?

Since Objects appeared, countless cults have popped up and disappeared, but this one felt different somehow.

While I lay there staring at the ceiling as the TV droned on, the Black Reapers looked down at me with worried expressions.

I could feel a faint sense of guilt emanating from the Black Reapers.

They seemed unsure of what to do because they thought their words had made me look powerless.

A sudden amusing idea came to mind.

What would happen if I unleashed all my sadness and anger, blaming them for everything?

They’d probably turn into slimes and cry pitifully!

It would definitely be entertaining…

But since the last time the Black Reaper got hurt so badly, I’ll let it slide this time, albeit regretfully.

Clearly, I’m such a kind mother!

While lying there doing nothing and staring at the ceiling, the Golden Reapers and Black Reapers gathered and whispered among themselves before leaving the isolation room.

And how much time passed?

Having dozed off briefly, I woke up when something softly pressed against my cheeks.

The Black Reapers and Golden Reapers were all over my face.

When I opened my eyes, the Mini Reapers grabbed my pinky fingers and led me somewhere.

We arrived at the courtyard of Sehee Research Institute, where a large shadow loomed overhead.

Looking up, I saw a massive Cloud Whale floating peacefully above the institute.

The Mini Reapers bounced around, beckoning me to climb onto the whale.

Using the teleportation ability of the Black Penguin, we ascended onto the whale’s back, where many Mini Reapers had already gathered.

On top of the cotton-candy-like Cloud Whale, the Mini Reapers welcomed me with bright smiles.

As I reached the whale’s back, it began ascending swiftly into the sky.

“Mom!”

“It’s okay if Mom can’t fly!”

“Just ride the whale!”

The Mini Reapers swarmed around me, showering me with uplifting encouragement.

Did I look that lifeless?

I pulled the adorable Mini Reapers close and petted them affectionately.

Before long, the whale pierced through the clouds and ascended into the sky, revealing a sea of clouds stretching before us.

Countless Cloud Fish followed us, swimming gracefully through the cotton-like waves.

On each small Cloud Fish rode a Mini Reaper, waving happily with radiant smiles.

Such a Mini Reaper-worthy event!

Standing atop the whale, I gazed down at the mesmerizing view.

The white clouds formed a breathtaking ocean, with Cloud Fish gliding elegantly through the soft, fluffy waves.

The scenery gifted by the children was quite spectacular indeed.

***

Outside the window, an exotic landscape unlike Korea’s slowly faded into darkness.

The fresh, dry air characteristic of the Rocky Mountains region, along with the subtle scent of pine and earth, gently wafted through the open window.

In the distance, the sound of sirens drifted through the open window.

Approaching and then fading away, the sirens echoed across the dark streets and alleys.

It was the relentless enthusiasm of the Association’s vehicles patrolling the village.

Through the window, the silhouette of a woman stood, gazing pensively at the town below.

Her expression occasionally flickered with irritation due to the recurring siren sounds.

“Hmph, the Association vehicles are still circling around here.”

The red-haired woman grumbled as she watched an Association vehicle pass through the alley.

Drrrrr.

Annoyed by the sirens, she slammed the window shut.

With a ‘click,’ the window closed completely, effectively blocking out the noisy commotion outside.

She finally drew the curtains, fully separating herself from the outside world, and turned her gaze toward the table.

There, lying on the table with her hand resting on her swollen belly, was a Golden Reaper.

Plop.

Tapping the protruding belly gently, the red-haired woman smiled contentedly.

“Full?”

Though the Golden Reaper didn’t understand her question, it responded with a happy grin.

Scattered across the table were remnants of fast food—pizza, hamburgers—all seemingly consumed by the Golden Reaper.

Taking a piece of fries in hand, the woman held it near the Golden Reaper’s mouth.

Om.

The Golden Reaper chewed the fries bit by bit, munching happily.

Watching the Golden Reaper eat, the woman felt inexplicably joyful.

Though she was dieting and couldn’t indulge herself, feeding the Golden Reaper the foods she craved brought her immense happiness.

“Take your time, eat plenty.”

Chuckling softly, she offered a milkshake to the Golden Reaper when a ominous noise interrupted the domestic bliss.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

“The Object Association. Please open the door, Miss Rachel.”

‘Could they be here for the Golden Reaper?’

Startled, the woman glanced toward the front door, only to find the Golden Reaper had already vanished.

Relieved it had escaped safely, she approached the door and opened it.

Click.

The cheerful sound of the door opening revealed an exhausted-looking Association employee.

“Sorry for the late hour. Rachel.”

“No problem. What’s the matter?”

The employee handed her a piece of paper.

A drawing of a large eye with five pupils was sketched on it.

***

Gangnam District Trinity Sinkhole.

Around the recently formed sinkhole, a towering wall encircled the area.

This wasn’t a newly constructed wall—it was the remnant of the original Trinity Research Institute No. 1.

The sinkhole had swallowed everything inside with surgical precision, leaving only the wall intact.

“This scene feels unmistakably artificial.”

The Director of Research Institute No. 2 placed a hand on the whitewashed wall, speaking with a troubled tone.

It must have been the work of the “Gray Reaper,” surely.

No other Object could’ve done this.

According to the Association’s report, the Gray Reaper was still quarantined at Sehee Research Institute, but the Director didn’t believe it.

Even if the report were true, the Director judged that deceiving Sehee Research Institute would be easy for the Gray Reaper.

That cursed liquid was something no one should use, yet the country’s authorities and research institutes kept desiring it.

Requests for information about the “Evolution Liquid” kept pouring into the Director relentlessly.

Using unverified materials? That’s insane!

It’s like a movie where people, armed with only partial evidence that alien parasites might be beneficial, shove them directly into their stomachs.

No, it’s worse—they insert the parasite despite knowing cases where it tore through their bellies.

Still, there was some understanding to be had.

Those who knew hidden truths feared the impending doom of humanity.

The end times were approaching, especially for Korea.

Control over most cities, except Seoul and Busan, had long been lost, and Object territory far outweighed human land.

Thus, they grasped desperately for any means to eliminate Objects.

But not the Evolution Liquid.

The Director retrieved a notebook from his coat pocket.

A transcription of the Third Research Institute Director’s notebook.

Laden with data on the manufacturing method and various details of the Evolution Liquid, he raised it and set it ablaze with a lighter.

“Let’s pretend this notebook never existed.”

The burning notebook was tossed onto the ground as the Director trudged to his car and drove away.

The notebook continued to burn fiercely, turning to ash and dispersing into the sky.

***

Knock knock knock.

A Black Agent politely tapped on the ornate wooden door.

The blonde girl stood by the staircase window, basking in the sunlight with a satisfied smile.

“That’s odd. There’s no one at the detective agency.”

The Black Agent, holding a phone, looked perplexed as he spoke to the blonde girl.

At least “Junior No. 3,” the staff member, should have been present, but the office remained eerily silent.

“Since the phone is also off, something seems amiss. What should we do, miss?”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do. Let’s come back another time, sir.”

The blonde girl had come to thank the detective for letting her walk under the sun, but it appeared he wasn’t there.

As she descended the stairs, she added,

“I hope nothing happened to that detective uncle, did it?”

“Probably fine. He’s got a great gut instinct.”

The Black Agent and Blonde Girl exchanged casual chatter as they headed back to Sehee Research Institute.

Once they left, the detective agency fell back into an unsettling silence.