Chapter 105

A mysterious crystal cave was glowing with an ethereal light, and the Black Agent lay unconscious on the cold, hard floor.

The soft glow emanating from the crystal walls illuminated the distorted face and tattered clothing of the Man.

In front of him stood the Blonde Girl, her expression a mix of determination and anxiety, guarding the Black Agent as if he were her responsibility.

“I’ll make you a deal. If you contract with me, I’ll return you to your original human form.”

The Woman leaned forward in front of the Girl, whispering sweetly.

“How does that sound? Interested?”

The Woman’s eyes gleamed cunningly, and her lips curved into a dangerous smile.

The Black Agent, his consciousness fading in and out, could faintly hear the significant conversation taking place near his ear.

Engaging in a transaction with a talking Object was absolutely forbidden—it was something one must never do.

Startled, the Black Agent’s eyes snapped open, and he regained his senses.

Struggling to rise, he shouted hoarsely.

“Miss, you absolutely cannot!”

Hesitation flickered across the Girl’s face at the Man’s voice.

“You know this too, Miss—never make a deal with a speaking Object. The price is terrible, and you won’t get what you want.”

Lying flat on the ground, the Man urgently tried to persuade the Blonde Girl.

“Hmm.”

The Woman, who had been quietly listening to the Man’s words, placed a finger on her lips and said softly,

“Don’t interfere. Go back to sleep.”

Her words carried a tangible force that sent the Black Agent spiraling back into deep slumber.

“A… Miss…”

Beautiful though she appeared, the Object disguised as a woman was undoubtedly a monstrous entity.

And there stood the Blonde Girl, defiantly facing it.

As the Black Agent took in the scene before losing consciousness again, his mind raced.

***

The moonlight struggled to pierce through the thick, swirling fog surrounding Yangcheon Lake.

The fog-covered lake lay still, as if holding its breath in anticipation.

Suddenly, monsters oozing Black Liquid charged toward the lake from a parked tower-like vehicle.

Like creatures robbed of their sanity, they rushed ahead recklessly.

“The earth will devour your feet!”

“Your bones will crumble under their own weight!”

From within the fog emerged grotesquely twisted Old Women, uttering curses as they parted the mist and approached slowly.

Each time they cursed, the monsters burned, melted, and were sucked into the ground.

Yet the monsters, seemingly devoid of fear, continued their relentless charge toward the lake.

Watching from afar, a Man smiled in satisfaction.

“At this rate, the Heart of the Lake will soon be ours. Those brain-extracted Researchers follow orders so well.”

“…”

An unexpected change occurred among the apparently dominant Old Women.

As Black Liquid seeped into the lake, black spots began spreading across their limbs.

The more afflicted they became, the more the contaminating liquid multiplied.

Satisfied with the unfolding events, the Man returned to his waiting vehicle.

“It’s done. As usual, everything went smoothly. I’ll head back first; Butler, please recover the Heart of the Lake.”

“Yes, Director.”

After seeing off the Director, the Butler silently gazed out over the fog-drenched lake.

“…”

But the battlefield’s atmosphere began shifting subtly.

It started with the possessed Researchers hesitating mid-step, twisting their bodies in agony as if unable to move forward.

Could these fearless Researchers now feel fear?

Beyond the fog, pairs of yellow, glowing eyes swayed closer.

Thump-thump.

The rhythmic footsteps of a child out for a leisurely stroll echoed.

A Gray Reaper with pale skin and glowing yellow eyes approached.

Smirking, the Gray Reaper surveyed the trembling Objects before him.

Spreading his arms wide, Golden Reapers materialized out of nowhere, tearing through space itself to launch a devastating assault.

Their overwhelming power obliterated everything they touched.

Even the fearless Researchers succumbed to panic and fled in all directions.

The Old Women cloaked themselves in the fog and retreated deeper into the lake.

Looking upon those haunting yellow eyes, the Researchers’ terror finally made sense.

That thing…

The Gray Reaper was an Object no one could possibly defeat.

***

The lakeside, now a mess of Black Liquid.

If lungs existed, the stench would surely suffocate anyone nearby.

Fortunately, lungs are absent.

Having wiped out all harmful adversaries, the Golden Reapers fled due to the unbearable odor.

This Black Liquid has been appearing frequently lately—where is it coming from?

If the source is discovered, dismemberment awaits.

No traces of the Old Women’s Corpses remained at the lakeside.

Intentionally spared, naturally.

Everything points to some connection with the ‘Blue Witch.’ Hence, the peculiar old women were deliberately left unharmed.

Somehow, it feels like releasing them will lead them straight to the ‘Blue Witch.’

Our new recruit, the Blue Reaper, can fly through the skies for tracking purposes.

With all enemies dealt with at the lakeside, we gradually headed toward where the Blue Reaper awaited.

***

Inside a bus heading toward Yangcheon Lake, a Tattooed Woman sat uncomfortably in her seat.

The bus buzzed with lively chatter and laughter from excited passengers.

Despite it being Late Night, their Anticipation showed no signs of waning.

“Hey sis, what should we do first when we arrive?”

Her Younger Sister’s eyes sparkled with eager expectation.

“First, we need to check out the Cave,” the Woman replied while chewing on a bitter leaf.

“Oh! So you’ve heard about the Cave at Yangcheon Lake too! It’s really amazing!”

The Woman glanced at her enthusiastic sibling with a wry smile.

Chances were slim that the tour her sister hoped for would actually happen.

Lifting the Crystal clutched in her hand, the Woman thought deeply.

That traitor wouldn’t just let the lake pass unnoticed.

The lake would turn black, and the snake would fall into the traitor’s grasp.

The nine-headed serpent couldn’t win without this Crystal.

Absolutely not.

Gazing into the Crystal where white Whirlpools danced, the Woman reaffirmed her resolve.

***

Riding atop a water broom, the Blue Reaper chased after fleeing Old Women.

Terrified, they splashed across the water’s surface, constantly glancing over their shoulders as if pursued by a monster rising from the abyss.

Silent except for their ragged breathing and splashing footsteps, they kept running aimlessly.

Their escape came to an abrupt halt upon reaching the entrance of a Cave.

Relaxing slightly, the Old Women gathered near the Cave entrance, attempting to mask their fear with conversation.

“Barely survived.”

“Why did such a creature appear?”

“Could the youngest’s disappearance be related?”

Old Women with skin marred by Black Liquid chattered noisily at the Cave entrance when suddenly, fog erupted from deep within.

Emerging from the fog was a massive silhouette.

Thud. Thud.

Heavy footfalls split the air as the silhouette cut through the fog.

It was a Giant Monster twice the size of an Old Woman.

“Such noise.”

At the sight of the towering figure, the chatting ceased, and the Old Women bowed their heads.

Witnessing this immense presence, the Blue Reaper signaled the Gray Reaper via airborne Strings.

[Suspicious Object detected!]

Unfortunately, the signal didn’t go unnoticed by the Old Women.

Realizing this, the Blue Reaper attempted to flee but was swiftly caught by the Giant Woman, whose speed belied her enormous frame.

[Ahh! Let me go!]

Trapped in her grip, the Blue Reaper struggled futilely.

“Interesting creature. Not one of us sisters, yet wielding similar powers.”

Crack. Crack.

Attempting to break free, the Blue Reaper struck out with her arm, only for the Old Woman to rip it clean off.

The Blue Reaper screamed silently in agony.

“Heheheh. This is amusing. How about a little bet, child? Win, and I’ll release you.”

Clutching the severed limb of the Blue Reaper, the Old Woman cackled wickedly.

Suddenly, reality shifted.

“What? What is this?”

The soggy lakeside vanished, along with the adorable child in her grasp.

Instead, she found herself surrounded by…

A sea of chocolate.

Clouds of marshmallows.

Furious tiny golden Objects.

And finally, a Gray Monster cradling the Blue Child, glaring fiercely at her.