Chapter 149

At the break of dawn, after a deep night when everyone was asleep, a change occurred in the courtyard of Sehee Research Institute.

Upon a marshmallow bed lay a bloodied Western woman, gently placed there, alongside several Golden Reapers who had appeared.

The Golden Reaper stared down at the woman groaning in feverish pain, then began to disperse in all directions, leaving only one behind to keep watch.

“We need to find someone to help with treatment!”

In search of someone to call the square-shaped vehicle that arrives when people are injured, the Golden Reapers scattered in every direction.

And one particular Golden Reaper headed toward the sleeping room to fetch the youngest sibling who had summoned it.

***

When the Reaper disappeared, I was utterly shocked.

After the Reaper pushed me aside and got swallowed by the black sphere, my mind went completely blank.

I couldn’t speak or move.

It felt like I’d been struck hard on the head—paralyzed, unable to act.

My mind was filled with nothing but question marks.

“What on earth just happened?” That’s all I could think.

Where the Reaper had stood, nothing remained under my gaze.

But atop the marshmallow, small footprints appeared, hopping lightly.

Witnessing this bizarre phenomenon, my senses slowly returned.

“Tiny footprints from the mini Reaper—it’s truly invincible.”

Plop plop.

As the footprints advanced, the Reaper started regenerating—first the small ankles, then upward until finally its antennae reappeared!

The Reaper had returned!

I ran toward it across the marshmallow path, throwing myself into its arms.

Hugging the soft Reaper tightly, so many things wanted to be said, yet no words came out.

I simply held the Reaper close, feeling its presence return.

Though annoyed-looking, the Reaper didn’t push me away.

Suddenly, the giant pig watching the scene mistook this moment for an opportunity and unleashed a massive burst of fire with its gaping mouth.

The heat was intense enough to scorch even the air itself—a ferocious, blazing torrent.

“Is this how I die?” I thought as the flames roared.

With an irritated grunt, the Reaper clenched its fist, summoning a colossal black sphere that devoured the flames entirely.

Then, gripping my hand firmly, the Reaper met my eyes, as if saying, “Don’t worry.”

Seeing the calm expression on the Reaper’s face, I felt my racing heart gradually settle.

The battle dragged on longer than expected.

Every time the Reaper extended its hand into the air and clenched it, black orbs emerged to mercilessly tear apart the giant pig.

To prevent what happened last time—when the pig swallowed the orbs and spat them back—the Reaper maintained them for only brief moments.

Each appearance and disappearance of the black spheres sent ominous cracking sounds rippling through the space.

It was like the roar of the underworld.

However, the monstrous pig evaded using unexpected movements, creating whirlpools in midair to teleport elsewhere.

Like portals between dimensions.

Though not all attacks were dodged, the pig’s incredible regeneration made these near misses sufficient for survival.

Yet the pig wasn’t merely fleeing. It also retaliated with fiery breaths and sudden charges.

Each time, the Reaper reassured me by gripping my hand tightly.

How gentle the Reaper is…

Overall, the Reaper seemed to have the upper hand.

No, the disparity was clear.

After all, the Reaper hadn’t moved a single step during the fight.

Every attack from the pig was effortlessly nullified by the Reaper’s gestures.

Swinging its arms powerfully while standing still beside me, the Reaper looked absolutely cool.

On one side, the Reaper stood calmly; on the other, the giant pig darted around seeking an opening.

Who holds the advantage was obvious.

Still, a hint of impatience flickered across the Reaper’s face—an expression oddly out of place given the situation.

Could it be frustrated because the pig keeps dodging?

There’s no need to rush so anxiously…

***

In the dim light of early dawn, at the corner of Songpa District where Sehee Research Institute stood.

As the first rays of dawn faintly illuminated the sky, a security room employee began patrolling.

His footsteps echoed through the dark, empty corridor.

The corridor was cloaked in shadows, with sporadic green emergency lights casting faint illumination onto the dark walls.

The darkness enveloped the institute like a thick curtain swallowing light and sound.

Condensation formed on the windows, reflecting the pale morning glow and offering a blurry view outside.

Inside the unoccupied research facility, a chilling atmosphere pervaded as the creeping cold seeped in.

As the security employee passed by an isolation room holding a flashlight, a melancholic piano melody drifted softly through the air.

A mournful tune fitting the somber, dark corridor resonated heavily in the oppressive atmosphere.

Through the dim blue light, the figure of a blue lizard playing the piano with deliberate strength came into view.

Even knowing this lizard played such tunes every dawn, its performance sent shivers down my spine.

Ahead in the hallway, golden specks of light danced playfully—distinctive shimmering patterns of a Golden Reaper.

“Why would a Golden Reaper be active at this hour?”

Curious, the security employee shone his flashlight toward the light. The normally slow-moving specks now darted quickly toward him, grabbing onto the hem of his pants urgently.

Its anxious expression unmistakable, the Golden Reaper climbed onto the employee’s shoulder.

Following the Reaper’s gestures, they hurried down the corridor.

In the courtyard, they found two or three Golden Reapers gathered around a blood-soaked Western woman lying prone.

Despite the bloodstains, she appeared surprisingly stable but clearly needed immediate medical attention due to high fever.

After reporting the injured woman to the security room, the employee called for an ambulance.

Returning to the Reaper, he asked, “Are you asking us to treat this woman?”

The Reaper tilted its head in confusion.

“I don’t understand…but the ambulance is already on its way.”

Deciding further communication was futile, the employee scanned the area for any other anomalies.

He noticed a Sprout Reaper clinging to the back of one Golden Reaper, covered in dirt.

Startled, he quickly sent another report about the rare sight of a Sprout Reaper being transported externally.

The Golden Reapers tenderly caressed the Sprout Reaper’s head and back with soft smiles, brushing off dirt and grooming its hair.

All attention focused on the tiny newcomer.

Meanwhile, a gray Reaper’s mini TV displayed breaking news: “The spirit barrier in Colorado is burning!”

Images showed flames raining down from the skies over America.

As the distant wail of sirens approached, the Golden Reapers briefly glanced at the screen before waving goodbye to the employee and vanishing into thin air.

Left behind in the courtyard were the approaching ambulance, the unconscious woman, and the lone security employee.

***

Clutching my fist, I compressed the space around it, pulverizing everything within.

But the giant pig slipped away like an eel, circling around to menace Yerin and me.

Unlike the Hungry Ghost we encountered in Songpa, this object was frustratingly elusive despite clear conditions.

Frustration grew as the battle dragged on.

Turning my head, I saw Yerin looking extremely exhausted.

She must be tired after severe injuries and lack of sleep.

Though her recovery abilities are impressive, she can’t go on forever.

We need a plan.

At least we need to take down this pig before Yerin loses consciousness.

Should I open a sinkhole and toss it in like with the Hungry Ghost?

This thing teleports through space—no guarantee it’ll stay put.

Or should I create an enormous black sphere too big for it to dodge?

Not feasible without enough logs—and Yerin and I would need to play all day to gather that much energy.

Just as I considered summoning countless Golden Reapers to restrain it and obliterate it with a large black sphere as a last resort, Yerin thrust something toward me.

“Reaper, look! A mini Reaper!”

On Yerin’s palm sat a tiny version of a Golden Reaper presenting another mini Reaper—a South Blue Reaper with two leafy protrusions on its head, dangling under its armpit.

“!”

It felt like being handed an unexpected child out of nowhere.

When did this happen?!

Staring intently, the Sprout Reaper blinked sleepily then smiled upon seeing me.

Taking the offered Reaper in my palm, it flopped over, unable to stand properly, and yawned.

Then it conveyed its will—what it could and couldn’t do.

This newly born Sprout Reaper seemed quite intelligent.

Listening to its explanation of abilities, I marveled.

Amazing!

Its skills deserved applause.

Better than mine—capable of defeating the nimble pig!