Chapter 238

The Songpa District nearby has turned into an apocalyptic wasteland due to a brain-eating zombie attack.

In the midst of this chaos lies the construction site for James Tower.

Inside a makeshift office, James is deep in thought as he writes a report.

Recent improvements to the mental pollution detector have uncovered startling facts that weigh heavily on his mind.

James merely enhanced the detector’s sensitivity, but the results were unexpected.

The improved detector can now track and detect almost all kinds of objects, not just mental pollution.

This improvement stemmed from discovering electric shocks are effective against mentally polluted zombies, yet it pushed James deeper into contemplation.

“Are most objects infected with mental pollution?”

With his chin unshaven after days without shaving, James strokes it thoughtfully. Through experiments and detector improvements, he realized mental pollution could be divided into two categories.

The first category involves clearly identifiable causes of mental pollution that can be effectively traced using the improved detector. These usually occur in humans exposed to objects causing hypnosis or perception alteration – what academia calls “ordinary mental pollution.”

On the other hand, the second category is pollution detected in most objects that cannot be traced even with the improved detector. It’s directionless, as if pouring in from the universe.

While most people might dismiss this as mere “instrument error,” James believed these seemingly meaningless second-category pollutions held important clues.

Thus, his hypothesis was radical: “Most objects are infected with harmful mental pollution and are being controlled by someone.”

However, proving this hypothesis seemed difficult since no non-infected objects existed… except one. Among currently researchable objects, only the Golden Reaper showed no signs of mental pollution.

Since the mentally unpolluted Golden Reaper was friendly to humans, this supported James’ hypothesis. But the sample size was too small to be convincing.

Moreover, why was mental pollution undetected solely in the Golden Reaper?

With a deep sigh, James wrote the final sentence of his report: “Uncovering the secrets of the Golden Reaper may hold the key to solving all object-related incidents.”

Putting down his pen, he looked out the window at the ruins of Songpa District covered in ash-gray clouds. Determined to visit Sehee Research Institute for more reaper studies despite being banned by the American Object Association due to severe mental pollution risks, James felt now was the time to go.

***

Deep within Sehee Research Institute, the isolation room exuded tranquility. Warmth filled the air, and Yerin was comfortably wrapped in soft blankets.

The peaceful atmosphere was enhanced by the gentle sounds of mini reapers enjoying pudding and the muted TV in the background – a typical scene.

But Yerin sensed something different. The gray reaper, who usually adored TV, was fixated solely on her today, its gaze lingering uncomfortably near her chest.

Even when the gray reaper looked away, Yerin felt its attention remained there. Its antennae, which normally swayed gently, now pointed steadfastly at her, occasionally emitting faint light.

Clearly, the gray reaper was deeply focused on something about Yerin.

A thought crossed her mind: “Could this be the perfect opportunity to dress the reaper in clothes it dislikes?”

But then Russian news on TV caught her ear.

“Ongoing object incidents in Russia show no signs of resolution, with Siberia remaining under lockdown. The Russian government hasn’t shared details with the world.”

As Siberian snowscapes filled the screen, Yerin’s plan to secretly change the gray reaper’s clothes was dashed. The reaper’s eyes lit up with curiosity at the snowy scenery, its antennae snapping to attention like a compass needle.

“Now’s not the time,” Yerin sighed, watching her carefully crafted plan unravel.

***

I lay atop a giant marshmallow, quietly preparing a prank before departing for Siberia to obtain a splendid shaved ice field.

Having abandoned my previous attempts to find Yerin’s light ring, I decided to create the world’s tastiest candy containing firewood essence while no mini reapers were around.

Wearing the halo of the labyrinth on my head, I produced two exclusive candies.

“Hehe,” I giggled, anticipating the prank.

***

The golden reaper standing on my palm eyed the offered candy suspiciously.

Despite my assurances of its deliciousness, the reaper’s expression read “What kind of trap is this?”

“I trust mom should believe me more,” I thought.

“This candy is extremely rare,” I emphasized again.

Golden reapers with attached humans might share food, but this target lacked one. Closing its eyes tightly, it took a bite hesitantly, like swallowing poison under parental pressure.

Seconds later, its eyes widened, antennae shot up. “Delicious!”

Its shocked expression quickly melted into happiness as it cherished its puffed cheeks.

After finishing the candy, the golden reaper clung to me affectionately. “Thank you, mom!”

Offering the last piece, I feigned disinterest. After much deliberation, it accepted upon repeated insistence.

Once the second candy was gone, I adopted a sad expression.

“Wasn’t the candy tasty?” My thoughts conveyed deep regret.

The golden reaper stared at me in shock. “But mom said…”

“Impossible.”

Confused, the reaper began crying profusely. “Mom, I’m sorry!”

It endlessly apologized for eating something mom supposedly liked. Watching it, I smiled mischievously.

“Hehe.”

***

Currently restricted Siberian plains are overrun by unidentified objects. Anyone entering instantly vanishes.

Investigation seems impossible. No humans, vehicles, or landmarks exist – only endless snowfields smooth as polished metal.

In this void, two figures walk, leaving tracks: A girl with blue hair wrapped in a warm cloak, followed by a white hungry ghost.

They continue walking across the vast snowfield, leaving point-like footprints.