Chapter 120

Trinity Research Institute was nowhere to be found, and Gwanak-gu had transformed into a place resembling Hell itself.

Giant tentacles were flailing in all directions.

A black liquid swallowing everything in sight.

From James’s perspective, neither the sky nor the ground was safe.

The helicopters that had been filming from what they thought was a safe distance were being grabbed by tentacles rising from the upside-down black sea and dragged beneath its surface.

Those helicopters must have assumed this distance would keep them safe, but by now the entire Gwanak-gu area was a dangerous zone filled with writhing tentacles.

Probably the only safe spot left in Gwanak-gu was right here.

The white marshmallow-like land created by the Gray Reaper was the only safe haven within Gwanak-gu.

James bent down and gently stroked the soft, white marshmallow ground.

Is this… marshmallow?

A marshmallow island protecting us from those hellish tentacles.

Feels like something out of a fairy tale.

Though giant tentacles kept striking endlessly from the sky, none of them reached James and his group, thanks to Artifact Number 0 blazing above the head of the Gray Reaper.

The sun-like light emitted by Artifact Number 0 was incinerating every approaching tentacle without exception.

“Huh, so Artifact Number 0 had this kind of power…”

James muttered to himself as he discovered a new aspect of the artifact he’d studied for so long.

The white light felt sacred and mysterious, quieting even the usually panic-prone interpreter who now stood silently gawking.

On the white marshmallow ground lay a Hungry Ghost, staring blankly at the Gray Reaper.

In front of it stood the Gray Reaper and the Golden Reapers, also staring.

Slowly, the Gray Reaper raised a hand towards the ghost.

A glowing white sphere drifted toward the outstretched hand.

As the sphere touched the Gray Reaper’s hand, an intense light erupted.

So blinding that James had to close his eyes.

When he opened them again, the white sphere was gone, replaced by the Gray Reaper now glowing brightly.

The shining figure approached the fallen ghost and placed a hand on its head.

And just like that, the ghost crumbled into ashes and scattered in the wind.

Despite its fearsome appearance, the ghost’s end looked strangely peaceful.

With the ghost turned to ash, the previously radiant Artifact Number 0 disappeared.

Did the Gray Reaper consume the artifact?

Given the circumstances, that seemed to be the case.

The ghost was gone, the glowing artifact vanished, yet the Gray Reaper’s actions continued.

When the Gray Reaper crouched down and touched the marshmallow ground, something began emerging from it.

A large, round marshmallow hill.

Limbs and a tail sprouted from the hill.

Eyes and a mouth appeared, giving it a distinct Object form.

It became cuter.

No more tentacles.

An enormous White Hungry Ghost.

This new ghost, five times larger than before, opened its massive mouth and emitted a dolphin-like sound.

WHOOP!

White flames erupted from its marshmallow skin, then it charged straight at the jellyfish.

Surrounded by flames, it barreled through the tentacles!

***

The enormous ghost lay sprawled on the marshmallow ground, pierced all over by jellyfish tentacles.

Its pitiful gaze met mine.

For some reason, I interpreted it as a plea to end its suffering.

The destruction condition was [the stone made by the Object of Beginning].

Why the sudden change in attitude?

Suddenly, a blazing white rock flew toward my head.

Connecting these two elements, this floating orb above me must be the ‘stone made by the Object of Beginning’.

Lifting my gaze to the rock, I somehow knew what to do.

Unfamiliar yet instinctive.

I extended my hand toward the rock with practiced ease.

The moment it touched my hand, a memory surfaced – one I didn’t recognize.

In the memory, I faced something enormous and white.

An incredibly large frog?

Or maybe a shiny version of the ghost?

Regardless, I was touching the head of a colossal white frog.

I could see myself saying something in the memory.

The words were indistinct, but warm and sorrowful, like a plea.

When I came to, I saw the same giant frog from the memory standing before me.

The newly formed White Hungry Ghost from Mini Reaper Garden.

Made of marshmallow instead of dirt, making it look surprisingly edible.

Soft and tempting to bite.

Tasted delicious when I tore off a piece.

Satisfied with my sampling, the ghost looked around then emitted a cute whistling sound.

WHOOP!

Surrounded by white flames, it charged at the jellyfish again.

The ghost’s fiery acrobatics were impressive.

Not bad at all.

Still, it wouldn’t be enough to defeat the Giant Jellyfish.

The destruction condition was quite cryptic: [Kill the jellyfish that cannot speak but speaks much, then shatter the Pearl of Night in the eye of the storm.]

What could this “talkative” jellyfish mean?

Watching the miniature jellyfish filling the Black Sea, I felt a sense of helplessness.

Guess I’ll have to try everything I can think of.

***

James lounged comfortably on the marshmallow, watching the White Hungry Ghost’s struggle.

The massive White Hungry Ghost battled the towering Giant Jellyfish.

Though impressively sized, compared to the Giant Jellyfish it was like a baby against an adult.

Yet the white flames surrounding the ghost gave it an advantage against the colossal foe.

Every tentacle that touched the ghost burst into flames.

The ghost repeatedly leaped onto the jellyfish, biting and tearing at its body.

But the jellyfish quickly regenerated and shook the ghost off.

A seemingly endless battle of titans.

Meanwhile, James sat munching snacks.

A bizarre situation.

Dangerous yet strangely relaxing.

While the ghost fought, the Golden Reapers distributed food they’d gathered somewhere – mostly sweets like marshmallows, puddings, and candies.

Another type of Gray Reaper had appeared.

A translucent blue Mini Reaper that avoided attention, turning invisible whenever someone looked at it.

The disappearing snacks phenomenon? Definitely the Blue Reaper’s doing.

The main Gray Reaper, however, engaged in perplexing behavior.

Fishing jellyfish from the black liquid, breaking them apart, putting ears close, punching them – incomprehensible actions.

Occasionally it seemed like torture.

Whatever it sought, the Gray Reaper’s expression showed no success.

Beside where it sat, a mountain of jellyfish corpses grew.

Kicking the pile into the black liquid, it clapped to summon numerous Golden Reapers.

Prolonged eye contact followed.

Finally, the Golden Reapers dispersed, diving into the black sea.

Plop plop.

Their faces clearly reluctant, but they dived anyway.

As countless jellyfish corpses floated to the surface, the Gray Reaper smiled in satisfaction.

***

Slap slap.

Awoken to find angry Golden Reapers slapping my eyelids.

Oh right, I said I’d go into the black water too…

Tut tut.

Realizing my lack of intention from my expression, they started pelting me with tiny fists.

Mid-scuffle, a loud noise and vibration interrupted.

Startled, I looked up to see the black sea churning violently.

Whirlpools erupted everywhere and fierce winds began blowing.

The storm mentioned in the destruction condition: [Kill the jellyfish that cannot speak but speaks much, then shatter the Pearl of Night in the eye of the storm.]