Chapter 101

A cave located at the edge of the Yangcheon-gu Lake.

A famous tourist spot that all tourists visiting Yangcheon-gu Lake are said to stop by.

A reporter entered the cave, which many tourists come and go through, with a calm expression.

Although the reporter was dressed casually as if on a leisurely outing and had a cheerful look on their face, the hand gripping the camera was drenched in sweat from tension.

It couldn’t be helped since two senior reporters who went to investigate this lake have already gone missing.

In fact, the reporter didn’t want to cover this object.

The Yangcheon-gu Lake wasn’t an object for journalists or media companies to handle; it was a national disaster-scale event requiring investigation at the country level.

It wasn’t about the size of the lake—it referred to this phenomenon driving the entire nation into madness.

No matter how much the public screamed for the lake to be opened, it was abnormal for it to be made public so quickly.

The whole country has gone crazy!

Even the large object-specialized press agency the reporter worked for was no different. Except for the two seniors and the reporter themselves, nobody else seemed to notice anything strange.

The two seniors who noticed the strangeness set out for the investigation with the resolve of war correspondents but never returned.

No, they couldn’t return.

They simply disappeared.

To wrap up the investigations left behind by the seniors, the reporter ended up here.

The reporter’s train of thought was interrupted by a loud exclamation.

“Wow, look at that!”

The exclamations of awe from tourists and the sound of camera shutters echoed from all directions.

The cave walls looked like a mix of crystal and blue gemstones flowing together.

The cave pulsed with light emanating from the shimmering water surface.

If the reporter were a pure tourist, it would’ve been a truly unforgettable sight.

But the reporter steadied their mind and moved toward the less-visited deeper parts of the cave.

There were two objectives:

First, find out what happened to the missing seniors.

Second, uncover evidence regarding the <Yangcheon-gu Lake Human Sacrifice Rumor> that the seniors were investigating.

As the reporter ventured deeper, the scenery changed dramatically.

The walls and ceilings were adorned with crystals in shades of aquamarine, sapphire, and emerald, scattering dazzling lights like a kaleidoscope.

Columns that seemed to hold up the sky, delicate arches decorating the landscape—it felt like art naturally born within the cave.

This cave must’ve been created by some kind of object, meant to captivate people.

And objects that captivate people…

While lost in thought, the reporter suddenly spotted a suspicious group of people further inside the cave.

A round hole in the ceiling revealed a large full moon.

Rock formations resembling steps leading toward the moon.

Below them stretched a pool connected to the Yangcheon-gu Lake.

And people jumping from the top of those “steps” into the pool.

“!”

Found it.

The people who jumped into the lake never resurfaced.

They simply sank into the water.

Found it.

<People lured by the object into human sacrifices.>

The evidence the seniors were trying to find!

While frantically snapping photos for evidence, a familiar voice rang out.

“Our youngest isn’t bad either, huh? Here we are.”

“Senior?”

But no matter where the reporter looked around, there was no sign of the senior.

“Over here. Over here.”

Only the senior’s voice could be heard.

“Haha, where are you looking?”

The voice echoing from various places inside the cave only added to the confusion.

Then, the reporter locked eyes with the senior.

Standing beside the eerily glowing moon, the senior was waving.

Behind them, the other missing senior was smiling and waiting.

“Senior? What’s going on?”

Wiping away tears that inexplicably welled up, the reporter slowly followed the senior up the steps.

[Kick, what’ll be good this time?]

An ominous voice then sounded.

The evil laugh of an old woman.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the reporter snapped back to reality.

There were no seniors anywhere, and the reporter realized they were standing at the end of the steps, staring down into the pool.

[What are you doing? You woke up!]

Something sharp pierced the reporter’s heart.

Through the blurring vision, grotesque and twisted monsters arguing could be seen.

***

The cheerful sound of the enter key echoed from the keyboard.

James turned his stiff shoulders after finishing paperwork and stood up.

I’m tired.

The aftermath of the pudding factory incident was finally wrapping up.

Guess it’s time to head back to America.

Staying too long in Korea wouldn’t work since there was still plenty to do back in the States.

James left the study, sat comfortably on the sofa, and turned on the TV.

[Experience the magical lake and its mesmerizing cave like never before!]

The first thing that appeared on the TV screen was an advertisement for a lakeside hotel near the currently famous tourist spot.

Even James thought it looked quite appealing.

“Hmm, stopping by before heading back to the U.S. might not be a bad idea.”

The refreshing view of the lake alone made James mutter involuntarily.

Beeep— Beeep— Beeep—

The smartwatch on James’s wrist started emitting an unpleasant sound.

An object alert message.

An urgent warning message arrived from the American Object Association.

[Urgent Evacuation Alert.]

[All Americans currently residing in Korea are strongly advised to evacuate immediately via designated flights.]

[Nationwide mental pollution is suspected across South Korea.]

[Evacuate Seoul immediately.]

[Failure to return within 48 hours may result in denial of entry due to potential mental contamination.]

Upon receiving this message, James felt as if he’d been struck in the head with a hammer.

How could he have even considered visiting such a suspicious lake?

How could he not have found it strange when such a bizarre lake appeared?

He prided himself as an object expert, yet he made such a fatal mistake.

Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

An urgent doorbell rang.

Without waiting for James’s response, there came the sound of someone knocking on the door and shouting.

K-k-knock.

“Mr. James. I assume you received the urgent contact. We’re here to pick you up.”

A familiar accent in English.

People sent by the American Object Management Association had arrived to retrieve James.

With minimal packing and half-reluctantly, James began evacuating Seoul.

***

The lake was filled with bustling sounds, and cheerful songs echoed across its vast expanse.

Under the starry sky, employees of the Sehee Research Institute enjoyed a party while gazing at the magnificent lake scenery.

The deck was warmly lit with sparkling lights, creating a cozy atmosphere, and golden reapers darted around excitedly on the cruise ship, adding vibrancy to the festival.

The enticing aroma of barbecues mixed with the chefs’ dazzling fire shows, captivating the researchers.

With the sizzling sounds as background music, the Sehee Research Institute party grew more lively.

Away from the center of the festivities, in a slightly darker but still pleasant spot, someone observed the Sehee Research Institute party from above.

Sehee Research Institute is still the same, huh.

There was no trace of worry about holding a party at a suspicious lake.

The ability of the object lurking in the Yangcheon-gu Lake seemed to reduce feelings of unease or concern, preventing people from worrying about the object.

Except, Sehee Research Institute was originally a place lacking unease or concern.

Everyone’s heads were so detached from reality that they barely noticed any difference.

On the contrary, the golden reapers who maintained vigilance despite the festive mood seemed more like proper researchers.

The only normal person left in Sehee Research Institute was Kim Jungrwi, whose recent state had deteriorated.

Leaving the countermeasures against the object to the golden reapers, I nestled into Yerin’s arms, munching on various delicious foods she offered.

“Reaper, Reaper, try this.”

Munch.

“Here, the sashimi is also great!”

Munch.

Yerin kept feeding me food, and surprisingly, everything she chose tasted amazing, leaving me happily eating like a baby bird.

Just then, amidst particularly lively music, Yerin called out to me.

“Reaper, Reaper, look over there! It’s hilarious!”

Curious from Yerin poking my cheek, I turned my gaze—and saw something completely unexpected.

Sehee Research Institute’s only normal person, Kim Jungrwi.

Kim Jungrwi, who never jokes around, was dancing with flashy moves!

Kim Jungrwi danced, and a tiny golden reaper atop the table mimicked his dance.

Swish-swish, hop-hop.

While Kim Jungrwi’s moves had grace, the golden reaper’s version was cutely exaggerated.

I was quite surprised at the scene.

It was shocking enough that the golden reaper could mimic dances instantly, but seeing Kim Jungrwi act this way was even more astonishing.

Looking at Kim Jungrwi, it’s clear the object’s influence is real.

Ting. Ting. Ting.

Suddenly, a disquieting bell rang.

Looking around at the unsettling sound, the lake was now shrouded in thick fog, lying still.

The object in the lake has finally appeared.

It doesn’t seem intent on harming humans right now.

As the sticky feeling of the bell spread across the deck, thick fog began enveloping the boat like wriggling vine hands.

Despite the eerie bell and dense fog, the people of Sehee Research Institute continued laughing and chatting normally.

On the other hand, the golden reapers scanned their surroundings anxiously.

Thick, sticky fog rose like tendrils, gradually wrapping around the deck.

Ting.

As the final bell rang, people touched by the fog fell into unnatural slumber one by one.

While the golden reapers scrambled to catch the suddenly sleeping individuals, I calmly stared at the center of the fog.

[Kuk kuk kuk.]

An old woman’s wicked laughter echoed from within the fog.

Graaak.

The sound of claws scraping against something, and something began climbing onto the deck from the fog.

The first thing visible were blood-stained claws.

Followed by corpse-like, withered arms.

A broken broom-like mass of hair.

Empty eye sockets and jagged teeth growing haphazardly.

Spinal bones twisting unnaturally, piercing through the skin.

[You’ve brought me plenty of toys again.]

An evil-sounding old woman’s voice carried as a grotesque monster emerged through the fog.

When the monstrous figure stepped onto the deck and our eyes met…

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