Chapter 132

The Reaper looked at the giant pudding container, which was bigger than their torso, and then gleefully hugged it close, starting to nom nom on the pudding.

Om.

So cute how the Reaper is slowly enjoying the big pudding while hugging it!

“I will repeat this once more. Would you consider visiting the United States, including the Gray Reaper?”

While swaying its antennae playfully as if focused solely on the pudding, the Reaper reacted upon hearing the word “America.”

The antennae that had been joyfully swaying left and right in a cheerful rhythm now tilted more toward us and began to sway slowly.

“Then, let’s move somewhere else and have a proper conversation.”

As she said this, Unnie Sehee headed toward the Reaper’s isolation room.

Well, except for being an isolation room, there are chairs, plenty of snacks, and good soundproofing… still.

Is it okay to use the isolation room for this purpose?

Lifting up the Gray Reaper who seemed uninterested in moving due to eating pudding, I placed them on the bed inside the isolation room and sat down, hugging the Reaper.

Ah, soft and warm.

The others took their seats.

James sat in front of Unnie Sehee, and next to him was the interpreter who looked rather useless.

James’s bodyguards were waiting outside the isolation room.

The Golden Reapers lounging on the bed seemed delighted as more people arrived.

The Golden Reapers gathered together, bumping heads, and then jumped onto the shoulders of the people, each claiming a spot.

The Golden Reapers who couldn’t find a place looked dejected and lay down on the bed.

“So, do you understand why we invited you here?”

“That’s because of Artifact Number 0.”

James started speaking with a serious expression.

“Until now, the Gray Reaper has reacted to two types of Artifact Number 0, but we want to see if they react to other Artifact Number 0s as well.”

I hadn’t heard much about Artifact Number 0 in Korea, but I did see one at the Pudding Factory before.

“Ah! You mean that book-like Object?”

“Yes, those kinds of Objects are generally called Artifact Number 0.”

Unnie Sehee responded after hearing this.

“If that’s the case, can’t we just bring those ‘Artifact Number 0’ things to the Sehee Research Institute for experimentation? That seems better than moving the Gray Reaper over long distances.”

“First off, there isn’t a clear standard for what qualifies as an ‘Artifact Number 0,’ so there are quite a number of Objects considered as such.”

And James cleared his throat, lowering his voice as if revealing something important.

“And there are Objects that simply cannot be moved. The Object used as the benchmark for Artifact Number 0—The Unchanging Black Sphere—also needs to be tested.”

‘The Unchanging Black Sphere’ is pretty famous, so I know it well.

It was the first discovered Object, or rather, the first supernatural phenomenon classified as an Object.

A large sphere that doesn’t break, can’t be moved, and whose abilities remain unknown.

Back when Objects were still a secret, it was disguised as a decorative structure within the city.

“Is ‘The Unchanging Black Sphere’ also considered an Artifact Number 0?”

“I don’t know.”

James shook his head helplessly.

“We call Objects existing before ‘The Unchanging Black Sphere’ as ‘Number 0,’ but considering ‘The Unchanging Black Sphere’ appeared quite early compared to other Objects…”

“To confirm that alone, the Gray Reaper must visit the U.S. As you know, ‘The Unchanging Black Sphere’ is an immovable Object, so there’s nothing we can do.”

After listening to James, Unnie Sehee thought deeply and then spoke.

“Indeed, ‘The Unchanging Black Sphere’ would be impossible to move. I understand the necessity. We’ll need to consult with the Korean Object Association, so I’ll look into it further and finalize the cost and schedule.”

Then, James and Unnie Sehee stood up, shook hands, and left the isolation room.

They probably reached a rough agreement and are now drafting a contract with experts.

Unnie Seoah will have her work cut out again.

Om.

Though excited about the talk of America, the Reaper seemed uninterested in ‘Artifact Number 0’ and kept happily eating pudding.

Anyway, we’re going to America.

Since I’ve never been outside Korea, I’m looking forward to it a bit.

Especially since it’s an overseas trip that’s hard to take under normal circumstances, and even harder with the Reaper coming along!

Ah, I want to go already.

Then, I should start planning where to hang out with the Reaper before heading to America!

***

Yerin went off to investigate something, and lunchtime came around as the large pudding was all eaten.

In the sun-drenched courtyard of Sehee Research Institute, I lazily basked in relaxation.

The courtyard, decorated with grass and trees blending harmoniously with cookies and snacks in the garden, was filled with warm sunlight.

Golden light warmed my body as pleasant drowsiness crept in.

The sky was painted a flawless blue, and small fluffy clouds floated leisurely above.

The sweet scent from the soft bodies of Hungry Ghosts beneath me mixed perfectly with the earthy aroma drifting from the leaves above my head.

Time seemed to slow down during this peaceful lunch hour.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, rustling the leaves and soothing my skin with its cool touch.

That serenity shattered when Junior No. 2 showed up.

“Woah!”

An exclamation piercing through the silence.

Junior No. 2 exclaimed upon seeing the Golden Reapers rolling around and playing.

Today sure has a lot of visitors.

Following boring conversations with James, Junior No. 2 appeared.

Looking down from my seat, I saw the Golden Reaper with soft horns.

Did they bring the Golden Horn Reaper, who looks lonely, to a place with lots of friends?

As the Golden Horn Reaper cautiously stepped into the courtyard, the other Golden Reapers rushed over.

Maybe because it’s been a while since they’ve seen one with horns, this Reaper was incredibly popular.

All the currently resting Golden Reapers gathered.

They crowded around, feeling the soft horns and gazing enviously.

The horned Reaper seemed at a loss whenever they received such looks.

Perhaps they don’t even know why they have horns?

Some Golden Reapers clenched their tiny fists adorably, eyes tightly shut, concentrating.

It seemed like they were thinking, “Horns, grow on me!”

Oh?

Changes began happening to the concentrating Golden Reapers.

Though no horns grew, some strands of hair wriggled like my feelers and coiled into horn-like shapes rising toward the sky.

No matter how I look at it, it seems like my feeler-moving ability, but it looks like they’ve developed this ability too.

With a triumphant spread of arms, the Golden Reapers proudly displayed their fake horns.

Ultimately, the courtyard transformed into something akin to a Golden Reaper prayer hall.

Free from the intense interest of the Golden Reapers, the Horn Reaper finally stepped carefully onto the Mini Reaper Garden.

The cautious Horn Reaper gradually increased their stride, eventually breaking into a joyful run across the Marshmallow Ground.

Junior No. 2 watched this scene with excitement and snapped pictures.

***

The log cabin of the Tattooed Woman, located deep within Seoul Forest.

Inside, her younger sister grumbled.

“Sis, can’t we just live in Seoul?”

The woman tilted her head and asked.

“Is it really that inconvenient?”

“Yeah!”

Seeing her sister’s unusually cooperative attitude, the younger sister vigorously nodded in response.

“Then, let’s try moving sometime when we get the chance.”

“Really? Is it really happening?”

“Ahh, we’re not exactly rich, so we won’t be able to move to a fancy place.”

“But it’s still fine! Anywhere’s better than Seoul Forest where we can’t use electronics!”

Though the woman insisted on staying in Seoul Forest to grow herbs, she reconsidered upon learning about ‘Sehee Research Institute,’ which seemed to have alchemists and was located in Seoul.

Having heard about moving to Seoul, the younger sister grinding herbs seemed happier.

“By the way, didn’t you say that Objects were called ‘Magical Books’ where you lived? So, are Objects made by someone?”

“I don’t know much about the origin of Objects. But I do know the origin of the term ‘Magical Book.'”

“Like, a book written by someone turned into an Object?”

“No, the first discovered Object was book-shaped. It was so shocking that it continued to be called a Magical Book. However, most Magical Books discovered afterward didn’t have a book shape.”

Satisfied with the woman’s answer, the younger sister quickly lost interest and began chattering about where they might live in Seoul.

***

Tubangtubang.

Testing my newly acquired ability, I wandered around the Mini Reaper Garden.

I actually thought I wouldn’t gain any abilities this time, but I managed to acquire a strange one.

The ability to convey text.

It felt similar to the Lamp’s ability, allowing me to understand languages I didn’t know.

Thinking the word “hello,” a gray translucent orb popped up on my palm.

If you looked closely inside the orb, the text was written.

Of course, it wasn’t in Hangul or any earthly language, yet it was understandable.

A completely useless ability for me, who maintains the concept of being unable to speak.

But then, an interesting idea popped into my mind.

Pranks using text!

After putting effort into composing a lengthy sentence, I slipped the created orb into the sleeping Golden Reaper’s embrace.

Mistaking the orb for my finger, the Golden Reaper giggled softly in their sleep and hugged it tightly.

I laid near the Golden Reaper, pretending to sleep, and waited for them to wake up.

Now, all I have to do is wait for the Golden Reaper to wake up.

Hehe.

***

Upon waking up, the Golden Reaper tilted their head in confusion at the mysterious orb in their embrace.

What could this possibly be?

Curious about the floating letters inside the slightly transparent orb, the Golden Reaper peered inside.

Inside was a horrifying message.

[This is a cursed letter.]

[The Attached Human of the Golden Reaper who reads this will die in three days.]

[To avoid this, you must split this orb into two and pass it on to two other Golden Reapers.]

Startled, the Golden Reaper looked around frantically.

After reading the letter and pondering repeatedly, the Golden Reaper burst into tears.

Crying profusely, they hugged the orb tightly and started heading somewhere.

Deeper into the Mini Reaper Garden where no one was around.

Continuously apologizing in their heart to the Attached Human doomed to die soon, they pressed forward.

And clutching the orb tightly, they threw themselves into the depths of the Hot Cocoa Sea.