Chapter 214

Standing atop the Cloud Whale, gazing upward, I was blessed by the warm sunlight and a clear, blue sky.

It was as if the weather itself were celebrating my upcoming fantasy adventure—a truly magnificent day.

I raised my hand to reflect the sunlight on my armor, watching its glossy black shine brilliantly under the sun’s rays. It looked just like a dark knight’s gauntlet—so cool!

Though the armor hugged my skin like clothing, making me feel quite suffocated, I could endure it for the sake of fulfilling my fantasy dreams.

Moreover, this armor had a unique feature that set it apart from ordinary clothes.

“Give me a massage.”

As I transmitted my will to the armor, it responded with an enthusiastic “Massage!” before beginning to knead me softly.

While enjoying the Black Reaper’s soothing massage, I basked in the gentle warmth of the sun.

As time passed lying on the fluffy Cloud Whale, the whale began circling what seemed to be our destination.

Looking down, I spotted the ‘Island of Red Lightning,’ my intended goal. Though obscured by clouds, imagining the fantastical world hidden within filled me with excitement.

The ominous red lightning occasionally flickering through the clouds didn’t seem threatening at all.

With a joyful expression, I leapt toward the island.

**KUNG!**

Breaking through the red lightning meant to incinerate any intruders, I landed atop a hill covered in green grass.

From the hilltop, I surveyed the surroundings: scattered trees across a vast plain, a dense forest far away, and a grand Fantasy City sprawling over the horizon.

Without towering buildings obstructing the view, the Fantasy City lay fully visible from the hill.

“This is fantasy!”

Facing the city, I mimicked the Mini Reapers by raising both arms triumphantly.

Even from afar, the Fantasy City exuded a palpable sense of wonder.

I compared my disguise as the Black Reaper with the locals’ attire, checking for anything out of place.

Perfect.

The armor disguised as the Black Reaper blended seamlessly with the outfits worn by people wandering the city streets.

Thank goodness.

At this rate, I could roam freely as an adventurer without drawing unwanted attention.

Just as I was getting excited about entering the fantasy world, I realized there was a major issue.

“Skin color!”

Unfortunately, no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find anyone in the city whose hair and skin were monochromatic.

The ‘skin-color conversion’ obtained from destroying the Yellow Moon proved useless in this situation.

Changing my skin to peach only turned my hair peach too…

And my eyes? They glowed with an intense yellow light!

“No! My fantasy life!”

After coming so far, the thought of not being able to enjoy my fantasy life was unbearable.

I wanted to be an adventurer, not a monster.

I’d already played enough monster games while roaming as an Object.

It was a desperate situation.

In utter despair, I knelt on the hilltop, clutching my head.

Then, unexpectedly, a surprisingly simple solution came to mind.

If skin color was the problem, hiding the skin would solve it!

By wearing a large helmet and transforming into the Perfect Full-Armor Gray Reaper, I could blend in effortlessly.

Of course, I was ten times more suffocated now, but I resolved to endure it for the sake of my fantasy life.

After equipping the helmet, I began adding finishing touches.

I strapped sleek twin swords to my waist.

A stylish black cape draped elegantly across my back.

Finally, summoning the crowning glory of a knight—the steed.

Feeling somewhat guilty about riding the Black Reaper, I called forth a Butler Hungry Ghost capable of shaping its form like muscles and clothes.

Although I worried it might not work due to blocked teleportation, overcoming slight resistance allowed me to summon it successfully.

The summoned Butler Hungry Ghost followed my instructions perfectly: a long neck, sturdy legs, proper saddle and gear.

But the result wasn’t satisfactory.

No matter how much I tried, it didn’t look like a horse.

More accurately, it resembled an alpaca.

Deciding to transform the Alpaca Hungry Ghost into a horse using Black Reaper-made string, I began tightly binding it.

The idea stemmed from a simple thought: “If I shape the muscles with string, even the Alpaca Hungry Ghost might look like a horse.”

After tightly wrapping it until movement became difficult, I poked it gently, transmitting my will.

“Hey, neigh like a horse.”

The Alpaca Hungry Ghost let out a sad cry.

“Hiihheeeh…”

Still, it didn’t resemble a horse.

Instead, it now looked like a sausage wrapped in string.

Well, since typical fantasy protagonists rarely ride horses anyway, it probably didn’t matter!

I banished the now-useless Alpaca Hungry Ghost to the Mini Reaper Garden.

Dressed in splendid armor and flowing cape that harmonized perfectly with the Fantasy World, I started walking slowly toward the Fantasy City.

***

Clomping along with heavy steps, I wandered through the Fantasy City.

The interior was surprisingly crowded, especially with patrolling guards everywhere you looked.

Given how many people carried weapons, having numerous guards made sense.

However, two inconvenient issues arose while exploring the fantasy world.

First, everyone here spoke Japanese.

Second, I lacked gold coins used as currency.

Rows of food stalls offering delicious treats lined the streets, but without money, I could only gaze longingly.

Though tempted to use Ghosting to sneakily nibble, such actions weren’t very fantastical, so I refrained.

As I resignedly headed toward the massive ruins located at the city center, a vendor handed me a chicken skewer while speaking incomprehensible words.

“This…this is for you.”

Though I didn’t understand Japanese, the meaning was clear: free chicken skewer!

Grinning widely, I accepted it.

Attempting to eat it happily, I encountered a big problem.

The helmet prevented me from eating!

Removing the helmet or cutting a hole would expose my skin color. What should I do?

Holding the skewer, I pondered deeply before issuing a command to the Black Reaper.

“Let me eat the chicken skewer without showing the inside of the helmet. Let’s share.”

The helmet surface wriggled, and small hands of the Black Reaper emerged, pulling the skewer into the helmet.

Thus, I quickly devoured the delicious skewer and arrived at the entrance of the colossal ruins at the city center.

These ruins appeared to be the core of the ‘Island of Red Lightning.’

A large stone tablet stood before the ruins, conveniently inscribed with Korean text.

“Break through the labyrinth to the end, and one wish will be granted.”

Ah, these ruins are a Labyrinth.

So this city must be the Labyrinth City?

Overjoyed at encountering such quintessential fantasy elements, I chuckled.

***

Since the labyrinth was centrally located, the entrance to the Labyrinth City’s outskirts remained quiet.

Among the guards idling near this entrance, one noticed an armored figure approaching.

Clomp clomp.

The rhythmic metallic sound echoed as a highly suspicious suit of armor approached the Labyrinth City.

An immaculate cloak untouched by dust despite coming from outside the city.

An impossibly complex armor structure seemingly impossible to wear alone.

What was most suspicious? Its size.

Smaller than an average elementary school student, barely reaching an adult male’s waist.

This diminutive figure somehow managed to wear such heavy-looking armor.

Exuding suspicion with every step, the entity drew closer.

The guard gripped his spear tightly yet hesitated to approach.

“Height isn’t the issue.”

Upon nearing, the guard felt the unmistakable presence of an Object.

Occasional glimpses of eerie yellow light from within the helmet intensified the unease.

Seeing the light, the guard realized:

“A powerful Object beyond human control!”

One wrong move, and this Object might instantly slay him.

Ultimately, the guard decided to gather fellow guards and seek help from adventurers exploring the labyrinth.

Evacuating citizens might provoke the Object, so caution was necessary.

The guards prepared to secretly follow the Object, ready to sacrifice their lives if needed.

Though currently non-hostile, they were prepared to delay the Object until adventurers arrived.

***

“Why does this happen?”

The popular chicken skewer vendor struggled to maintain a smile while facing the approaching armored Object.

Every glimpse of yellow light from within the helmet sent shivers down his spine.

The Object merely stared silently at the skewers.

“Here…have this.”

Surrendering to what seemed like a demand, the vendor handed over a skewer.

Receiving it, the Object stared silently before lifting it toward the helmet without removing it.

Suddenly, countless hands resembling centipede legs sprouted from the helmet opening, tearing the skewer apart and dragging it inside.

“Aaaaah!”

The grotesque insect-like feeding spectacle nearly caused the vendor to scream, but he clamped his hands over his mouth just in time.

“Don’t scream.”

“Don’t scream.”

Barely avoiding fainting, the vendor gritted his teeth.

Once the Object slowly departed toward the labyrinth, he collapsed onto the ground, sighing heavily.

He survived.

***

Labyrinth 2nd Floor.

Contrasting sharply with the first floor, this space featured cold air and snowfall.

The surreal scenery included upside-down trees with exposed roots floating mid-air while snow rose upward from the ground.

“Really cold.”

The girl curled up, muttering faintly.

Her speech was incoherent, as if unaware of her own words.

Arriving at the second floor after traversing the first, the girl’s condition worsened.

Possible causes were numerous.

Poor diet.

Sudden drop in temperature.

Inadequate clothing for the cold.

Stress from the dangerous and unfamiliar labyrinth environment.

The girl experienced feverish chills, dizziness, and difficulty walking, eventually collapsing on the snowy ground.

Her eyelids drooped weakly as she trembled slightly.

Beep.

Returning to its original form, the Black Reaper hovered worriedly beside the girl, gently patting her cheek.

“Mom.”

Desperately trying to reach its mother with urgent intent, the Black Reaper failed to connect.

“Mom!”

Despite repeated attempts, the Black Reaper continued sending anxious signals toward its unresponsive mother.