Chapter 170

In the middle of the Sea of Hot Chocolate, the Witch’s Candy House floated gently up and down.

Once, this candy house had been shattered by the fearsome Gray Reaper Shark, but it had been rebuilt stronger than before.

Still, it was just a candy house.

Inside the newly enlarged and more splendid candy house, all the Blue Reapers had gathered.

The Blue Reaper who’d called everyone together etched glowing words into the air with a determined look on their face.

<The Attached Human is in danger! Please help!>

Horrified by the terrible news that the Attached Human was in danger, the Blue Reapers all jumped in surprise and tightly gripped their broomsticks.

Rumors had spread since yesterday that the Attached Human had gone missing.

And now they’d also heard that the Attached Human was in grave danger.

As if it were happening to themselves, the Blue Reapers listened to the story with sadness.

When the tale ended, the other Blue Reapers approached the sad-looking Blue Reaper and patted them consolingly.

It was encouragement for the proactive Blue Reaper.

Because if the Attached Human disappeared, they knew this Blue Reaper would lock themselves inside the candy house and cry for three days straight.

After nodding in agreement, they all flew up toward the sky together.

To the east.

They began flying eastward to save the Attached Human.

The moment all the Blue Reapers had flown away, something suddenly burst out from the Sea of Hot Chocolate.

It was the Gray Reaper, looking up at the direction the Blue Reapers had flown.

***

While observing the sky where the Blue Reapers had flown off, the Gray Reaper rose out of the hot chocolate sea.

“Has the Blue Reaper’s Attached Human disappeared?”

I’d noticed the Blue Reapers gathering somewhere while I was cooking Mini Reaper Shiitake Mushroom stew and got curious, so I sneaked over. I didn’t expect to overhear such surprising information.

If they were planning another Marshmallow Hammer Operation Mk.2 like last time, I was considering unveiling my own Gray Reaper Shark Mk.2 plan. But it seems things are different this time.

Still, those Blue Reapers are brave.

Without any physical immunity, they rushed right at me without hesitation.

That must mean the situation with the Attached Human is urgent.

Though I’m worried about the Blue Reapers being too fragile. Should I send some Mini Reapers after them?

Who should I send?

The Golden Reaper or Black Reaper would be too cheerful for covert operations.

The Sprout Reaper sleeps all day, and I’m not even sure if they can act alone.

Then it must be either the Red Reaper or Orange Reaper.

I made my decision within my heart and summoned the Orange Reaper onto my palm.

A soft white fur ball popped out on my hand.

As I pet the fluffy orange hair of the Orange Reaper, a calm orange face emerged from the fur.

While fondly squeezing its squishy cheeks, I conveyed my intentions to the Orange Reaper.

“Fly through the skies, keep an eye on the Blue Reaper, and call me if anything happens.”

Enjoying our skinship, the Orange Reaper nodded without hesitation or negotiation and soared up into the sky.

It then floated off towards the garden-connected courtyard sky, following the Blue Reaper.

Looking up, I saw countless Cloud Fish gathering and starting a great migration behind the Orange Reaper.

I just picked them because they seemed calm and good at flying, but maybe they’re actually ideal for search and surveillance?

I tried to ignore the lingering unease about the Blue Reapers as I headed to the Isolation Room where Yerin was.

***

Inside the Object Association building in Gangnam District, specifically the Object Research Institute Management Department.

From within one of the partitioned offices, Seoah’s voice echoed.

“So, the Association has no plans to address the ‘Eye Cult’ situation?”

“Yes, unfortunately, that’s correct.”

Seoah massaged her temples in frustration, trying to compose herself.

After getting rejected five times due to insufficient documents and finally managing to arrange this meeting, “we can do nothing” is the ending?

I’ve heard rumors that our country’s Object Association is a mess, but I didn’t think it would be this bad.

The Blue Reaper will be sad, and there’s absolutely nothing we can do!

The suspicious-looking association employee wearing what looked like a motorcycle helmet continued speaking in a helpless tone.

“To be honest, I fully understand the severity of the situation. I’ve submitted multiple requests to higher-ups, but all I get back are orders to do nothing, which is incredibly frustrating.”

The employee added, “Ultimately, I can only tell you to wait. I apologize.”

So, it seems there’s no choice but to gather a security team from Sehee Research Institute and storm in…

It’s clear now that we can’t count on any help from the Association.

In her deflated state, Seoah noticed the strange helmet worn by the employee.

None of the other employees wore helmets like that—why did this person have one on?

It looks super uncomfortable.

“Why are you wearing that helmet?”

“Oh, this thing?”

The employee paused their neat document organizing upon hearing Seoah’s question and responded.

“These days, mental pollution has been detected throughout the entire Object Association building, so we’re wearing these. I submitted a request to close the building due to the detection of mental pollution, but apparently unless it’s severe, we’re not even supposed to report it.”

Mental pollution?

At the mention of mental pollution, Seoah felt an inexplicable warmth, like the scent of sunshine.

Could it be…?

Hehehe.

When Seoah turned her head to glance at Sprout perched on her shoulder, it was grinning as if something amusing was happening.

Could it be that the Golden Reaper left the research institute and snuck into the association?

Even if our lab isn’t entirely sane, we definitely didn’t smuggle them out intentionally…

***

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The sound of slowly dripping water echoed.

In the dimly lit cave illuminated solely by a dangling light bulb, the Security Room Employee of Sehee Research Institute opened their eyes.

“Huff… Huff…”

Trying to breathe properly proved difficult as their breaths came in short gasps.

Their entire body was battered beyond belief, making it hard to take normal breaths.

“Ugh, I should’ve brought a gun…”

Who would’ve thought the Leader could defeat dozens in a street fight at the open lot?

If I’d brought a gas pistol used for security room duty, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.

The Security Room Employee struggled even to hold their body upright, likely with every bone cracked.

It was a situation where groans of pain would naturally escape, yet the Employee gritted their teeth firmly.

I need to rescue my younger brother and go home.

And when I return, I’ll see the Blue Reaper.

Thinking about how the Blue Reaper would surely greet them upon return filled the Employee with hope amidst the pain.

Someone will come soon, either from the Association or from the Research Institute to rescue me.

Our lab may be chaotic, but the benefits are solid…

Although, the Employee briefly wondered if the Blue Reaper might be saddened by their absence, but remembering the ever-cheerful Mini Reapers quickly erased that worry.

Squelch. Squelch.

While enduring the pain by reminiscing about happy memories with the Blue Reaper, familiar footsteps approached.

“Sis, are you okay?”

The Employee recognized the voice of their missing younger brother.

Lifting their head, they saw their sibling dressed neatly in pristine white, seemingly unharmed.

“Ah, you’re still conscious. Usually people lose their minds from the pain, but sis, you’re truly amazing.”

But something felt off to the Security Room Employee.

It was strange.

“What are you talking about? Snap out of it.”

Had they fallen victim to mental pollution?

However, the Employee sensed no mental pollution in the area.

Only merciless violence had occurred here.

Ignoring the Employee’s words, the sibling recited the Eye Cult doctrine with a sorrowful expression while gripping their arm tightly.

“The flesh is a prison of the soul. Only through suffering can one break free from this prison.”

“Ggggghh!”

The sibling’s expression remained unchanged as they squeezed the Employee’s broken areas.

Unable to endure the excruciating pain, the Employee eventually lost consciousness.

***

Om…

Cuddled in Yerin’s arms, I indulged in pudding.

But for some reason, it didn’t taste as good.

Hmm…

The image of a blue reaper with a severed arm kept flashing in my mind, robbing the once-delicious pudding of its flavor.

Noticing my troubled demeanor, the nearby Black Reaper started looking worried.

“Mom, are you hurt?”

Then they brought over a giant Hungry Ghost and offered it to me.

“Eating this will make you feel better!”

My children are always so kind.

Feeling slightly moved by the Black Reaper’s innocent kindness amid my worries about the Blue Reaper,

I briefly conveyed my gratitude—”Thank you”—and accepted the White Hungry Ghost they handed me, nibbling on it.

Gging-ging!

For some reason today, I wasn’t in the mood to eat the torso, so I tore off the legs and set the Hungry Ghost aside.

Then I stood up and steadied myself.

Too anxious, I decided I needed to go check on the Blue Reaper in person.

If it’s dangerous, I’ll help a little. If not, I can just watch the Blue Reaper’s performance.

After lightly petting the Black Reaper, I teleported to the location of the Orange Reaper using the Black Penguin’s ability.

***

The vast sky above Gangdong District, filled with numerous Cloud Fish.

The Blue Reaper flew cautiously across the sky, searching for traces of the Attached Human.

[Find the traces.]

Following the magical guidance, the Blue Reapers somehow felt as though they knew their destination.

A large abandoned building left behind due to an Object incident.

Terrible emotions were emanating from within the building.

Pain, despair, and twisted joy.

Descending onto the roof, the Blue Reaper shed silent tears.

It was too painful—the humans were suffering far too much.