Chapter 187

Under the beautiful night sky adorned with a luminous Milky Way, a sprawling meadow covered in soft grass stretched out below.

The grass on the floor was plush like premium carpet, and though the starlit sky lacked a moon, it radiated enough light to banish any sense of darkness.

It was an odd space, filled only with grass and night sky.

In this peculiar expanse, Golden Reapers began appearing, sprawled across the meadow’s lush greenery as if they had fallen from the heavens.

Lying there lifelessly with closed eyes, the moment they opened them, they sprang up into a “Hooray!” pose.

This place was none other than Mini Reaper Valhalla, where deceased Mini Reapers rested temporarily.

Until today, it had been a private battleground exclusively for Golden Reapers who frequently engaged in suicidal attacks.

At the center of the meadow stood two massive doors, one leading to the warm and inviting Mini Reaper Garden.

Having visited this place countless times, the Golden Reapers exchanged glances and chuckled softly, their “Ah, we’re dead again” sentiment unspoken but clear.

As more Mini Reapers arrived—Black Reapers among them—they seemed oddly at ease despite being newcomers, rising and surveying their surroundings with practiced calm.

Seeing the Black Reapers’ familiarity with the area, the Golden Reapers slumped back onto the grass, dejected.

Initially eager to explain the location’s purpose to the newly arrived Black Reapers, their enthusiasm waned.

Soon, all sorts of Mini Reapers started arriving: Blue Reapers shivering under woolen caps, Red Reapers looking bewildered, Orange Reapers spinning around on the ground like tops.

Despite the chaos, Golden Reapers greeted each newcomer warmly, rushing to comfort them and prevent the confusion they themselves once felt upon arrival.

“It’s okay!”

With cheerful smiles, they explained the situation, offering reassurance and warmth.

Once calmed, the Mini Reapers gathered in a circle, patiently awaiting something.

Though the environment—a mere sky and meadow—seemed dull, the Mini Reapers waited silently.

When the celestial ring above formed a perfect glowing circle, the Mini Reapers leapt to their feet and ran toward it.

“Mom!”

They rushed over to discover a Gray Reaper lying flat on the meadow.

***

Cold.

A freezing chill gripped my body, accompanied by searing pain.

From my core outward, the sensation of frostbite spread mercilessly.

Regaining awareness as the numbing cold subsided, I found myself surrounded by endless darkness.

Even a shred of flesh would have allowed for regeneration rather than this pitch-black void.

For the first time ever, the world was completely dark.

Am I dead?

I couldn’t confirm without seeing my destruction condition.

Reflecting on this, I regretted not checking the children’s conditions earlier.

Golden Reapers were surely fine, but others gave me slight concern despite appearances.

Mistake—I should’ve checked everyone’s conditions instead of avoiding it due to Golden Reapers’ dislike of such things.

Pointless worry now.

The encroaching darkness slowly brightened.

Like gazing upward while submerged deep underwater, light filtered down through the surface.

Through the water, I could see numerous Mini Reapers crowded together: Golden, Black, Blue, Red, and Orange Reapers alike.

All those I had led here were accounted for.

Thank goodness.

Their destruction conditions must also hinge on the garden’s demise or my death.

Though I could ascend and awaken, I chose to remain submerged, contemplating one issue.

What about the Hungry Ghost Reaper?

Neither ghost-phasing nor spatial manipulation worked against it.

Its ‘Eye’ ability remained inscrutable, its vulnerabilities hidden.

If only I could negate abilities like the Leader, then unleash white flames!

Imagining smashing the Hungry Ghost Reaper’s head, I flailed my hands underwater.

Caught in these thoughts, I noticed the familiar light ring beyond the Mini Reapers, giving me an idea.

“Could I use that thing overhead?”

Inspired, I swam upward toward the surface.

Emerging, I was met with overwhelming concern.

“Mom, wake up!”

“Mom, are you hurt?”

Mini Reapers poked my cheeks, their worried gazes fixed on me.

“Mom’s here!”

Rising, I was greeted with enthusiastic embraces.

“Are you all okay?”

After a brief pause, they responded with joyous affirmations, clinging tightly.

Come to think of it, Golden Reapers often perform suicide attacks without anyone worrying about them.

Their carefree attitude masked deeper struggles.

Realizing this, I hugged each Mini Reaper tightly, expressing gratitude.

Forgetting their fear and cold, they giggled happily.

While I dreaded dying again, they seemed unfazed, smiling brightly.

“Let’s go.”

After petting each Mini Reaper, I stood, facing the two large doors before stretching out my hand toward the ‘Eye’ floating above.

To my surprise, the Eye, resembling a halo, floated gently into my grasp.

Shrunk to this size, it looked angelic, almost like a ring.

Placing it atop my head, I stepped cautiously through the door, returning to where I had died—and where the Hungry Ghost Reaper awaited.

***

Crossing the threshold into the battlefield, unexpected agony engulfed me.

My mind felt struck by red lightning.

My body was being torn apart.

Like the Black Reaper I’d seen in dreams, my skin turned black, firewood burned red-hot.

The halo was problematic.

It felt like plugging a 110V device into a 220V outlet.

Circuits fried under excessive voltage.

“Gyah!”

Appearing suddenly, the weary Hungry Ghost Reaper prepared itself.

Gritting my teeth, I extended my hand, seizing the space itself.

Kiiiiiiiiik!

Space groaned loudly, trembling violently as if protesting.

Like pudding, normally easy to grasp, it resisted fiercely.

This was the clash between the Eye that nullified all powers and the Eye granting total invincibility.

Wa-gruak.

The collision severed one of the Hungry Ghost Reaper’s arms, leaving behind a gaping wound.

How does that feel?

Through gritted teeth, I mocked, knowing its erratic abilities were now nullified.

But the Hungry Ghost Reaper remained calm, stance steady despite the loss.

Sensing an opening, it lunged forward, wielding its greatsword.

Attacking the gaps in my thought process, it reached me in an instant.

Yet as its blade embedded itself in my neck, nothing happened.

No decapitation occurred; no white flames consumed me.

Because the sword’s white flame wasn’t powered by the ‘Eye.’

Physical immunity slicing through light vanished upon contact with me.

“This is what nullification means.”

I laughed maniacally, pulling my extended arms inward to embrace the Hungry Ghost Reaper tightly.

Simultaneously, I warped the surrounding space, preventing escape.

Knowing it would phase away otherwise, this was my best option.

Striking futilely with elbows sharpened like spears, the Hungry Ghost Reaper struggled mightily but couldn’t penetrate my physical immunity.

“You can’t harm me anymore.”

Endless blows rained down on my blackened skin, accomplishing nothing.

Without spatial cutting, physical immunity couldn’t be breached!

Slowly, I began warping the space around the Hungry Ghost Reaper.

Kiiiiiiiiik!

The powerful Eyes clashed violently, generating deafening noise.

Shockwaves erupted in every direction, rippling through space like wind-tossed waves.

Still thrashing wildly amidst the distortion, the Hungry Ghost Reaper tried biting me.

A desperate struggle.

But when the grinding sounds ceased, a tremendous explosion rocked the area.

Wa-gruak.

Silence followed the fading blast.

Cracks spider-webbed across reality like shattered glass, leaving the Hungry Ghost Reaper standing quietly, gazing upward.

Oddly serene after such ferocity.

Almost relieved.

Perhaps nostalgic.

Exhausted yet peaceful.

Finally, lowering its gaze, it looked at me and shed a single tear.

“Gyaah…”

Then space began collapsing.

Shattering like glass, the Hungry Ghost Reaper disappeared into the void.

The fractured space repaired itself, leaving only remnants behind.

Alone in the aftermath, the halo floated serenely.

[Separating the halo.]

To fulfill its destruction condition, I slowly reached for it.

Warmth radiated as my hand passed through its glow, touching the ‘Eye,’ triggering an immediate reaction.

Light waves surged outward, releasing bound energy that shot skyward in a brilliant flash.

The halo vanished.

Its destruction condition fulfilled.

Tossing aside the halo perched atop my head, I watched it transform into a flash ascending heavenward, my skin returning to normal.

Finally, it’s over!

Relishing the relief, I summoned the Mini Reapers.

“Mom’s strong!”

“Strong!”

Basking in their praise, I lay down, letting them climb onto my belly and roll around playfully.

Still, what was that final smile from the Hungry Ghost Reaper?

Filled with longing, it lingered in my thoughts.