Chapter 165

Slowly making my way to Gwanak-gu, the morning sun rose above the horizon as if welcoming me, draping the scenery in golden light.

The warm glow gently dyed the ruins with a soft radiance, illuminating the intricate sight of shattered buildings scattered here and there.

Shadows playfully danced between the debris, creating a mosaic of light and darkness that decorated the desolate ruins.

Amidst this tranquil morning landscape, the sticky black liquid revealed its presence.

“Evolution Liquid” glistened with its unique sheen, undulating smoothly like well-maintained synthetic rubber.

It looked as though smooth rubber had been spread all over the ruins, creating an oddly picturesque scene.

Though it might have seemed beautiful at first glance, the foul stench permeating the air tainted the beauty of this panorama.

The smell, reeking of petroleum mixed with overwhelming malice, gnawed away at one’s mind—truly a horrifying odor that no one could ever get used to.

Neither living creatures nor objects were spared from the harmful effects of this liquid; not a single living thing could be found amidst these ruins—not even crawling insects or birds flying in the sky.

I had expected many people to be around Gwanak-gu based on the notes from the Director of Research Institute No. 3 and the use of ‘Evolution Liquid’ at Odaesan, but surprisingly, the ruins were rather quiet.

While Trinity Research Institute camps and association-affiliated research camps were set up here and there, there was no sign of researchers working inside them.

Security agents guarding the area were also almost nowhere to be seen.

Removing the ‘Evolution Liquid’ that had seeped into the ruins seemed easier than I thought.

I should’ve cleared away those nasty liquids sooner, but who would’ve guessed so many people would try to recycle the substance responsible for wiping out an entire district?

Especially after reading the report stating that the association was studying it for object domination techniques—it just couldn’t be left alone.

When I finally decided to remove it, I felt a little regretful.

No more mini Reaper tossing games…

Hmm, which mini Reaper should I throw in last?

Since I’ve used the Golden Reaper too often, let’s pick one of the younger siblings this time.

The weaker ones might suffer quite a bit when they touch the black liquid, but they wouldn’t die.

Therefore, the most entertaining choice would be the Black Reaper, who’s tough enough to rival the Golden Reaper yet detests the black liquid immensely.

Summoning the Black Reaper onto my palm, it immediately bared its teeth and scowled upon seeing the sea of black liquid.

As I kindly picked it up to slowly submerge it into the black liquid…

Whoosh!

The Black Reaper turned into slime and slipped right through my fingers!

Plop!

Before I knew it, it had climbed onto my shoulder and started punching my cheek with clenched fists.

Its expression clearly asking, “How could you do such a cruel thing?”

Seeing this made me stubbornly determined.

Maybe it’d work with the Golden Reaper’s time acceleration, but what about the Black Reaper?

But despite trying repeatedly with time acceleration, I failed every single time.

The Black Reaper was far more agile and powerful than me, freely changing its shape at will.

Hmph.

Looks like grabbing it won’t work.

The Black Reaper, being older, is even more nimble than the Golden Reaper…

Why are my kids better at sports than me?!

Just as I was about to give up, the Black Reaper communicated its intent to me.

“Why does Mommy play such dangerous games?”

“Well… because it’s fun.”

The Black Reaper nodded and slowly walked toward the black liquid.

“Mommy, watch carefully!”

Walking steadily toward the black liquid, it turned back to me and signaled to keep watching.

“?

The Black Reaper looked strangely serious and scared.

“Hold on!”

By the time I urgently sent my thoughts, it had already knelt before the liquid, trembling hands dipping into it.

Glug.

The Black Reaper began melting from the fingertips.

Slowly but surely, the black liquid crept upward, dissolving its body.

And then, like a puppet whose strings had been cut, it collapsed onto the ground.

Startled, I quickly scooped it up into my arms.

“!”

With blurry eyes, the Black Reaper let out a faint sound.

Peeeee.

Now I understand how harmful it truly is—I shouldn’t joke around anymore, Mommy.

A faint whisper reached my ears.

“Sorry! I won’t do it again!”

Thinking it was a dire situation, I frantically stuffed firewood into it while apologizing repeatedly.

The Golden Reaper was fine, but who knew the black liquid would be fatal to the Black Reaper?!

I thought all my children were immune, but maybe only me and the Golden Reaper are special?

Sorry! Don’t die!

After stuffing what felt like hundreds of pieces of firewood into the Black Reaper’s body, its arm began regenerating slowly.

Phew, thank goodness.

Gently stroking the sleeping Black Reaper’s hair, I reflected.

It must have hurt so much…

This black liquid really needs to disappear from this world.

Partially my fault, but having such a harmful substance exist on Earth is problematic.

Fueled by anger, I summoned the black sphere and started grinding the black liquid away.

The sleek black liquid was sucked into the black sphere like water down a drain, disappearing completely.

Each particle of the evil liquid was broken down by the sphere’s power, evaporating without a trace.

Cradling the Black Reaper in my arms, I surveyed the now-clean Gwanak-gu.

We can’t leave anything harmful behind for our children!

***

The Gangnam District incident was considered a serious matter by the Association.

An unexplained sinkhole? Sounds suspiciously like the Gray Reaper.

Sehee Research Institute submitted a report stating that the Gray Reaper had never escaped, but an inspector from the Association was dispatched to confirm this fact.

However, the inspector wasn’t satisfied with the current situation.

Sending an inspection team would have been better, but only one person was sent.

“Hmph, since I’ve taken the job, I need to do it properly.”

Dressed neatly in a female suit, the inspector sighed as she stepped out of her car at Sehee Research Institute’s parking lot.

At the entrance of Sehee Research Institute, she pulled out a large device.

This device was one of the few Mental Pollution Measurement Equipments available within the Association.

Although outdated, it couldn’t measure the severity of mental pollution but could accurately detect its presence.

Bzzt.

The old speaker emitted a muffled sound, and a red light began flashing.

“There’s mental pollution here.”

Upon detecting the mental pollution, the inspector immediately donned a Mental Pollution Blocking Helmet.

“There’s mental pollution even before entering the institute. I need to be careful.”

Judging by the situation, the mental pollution appeared more severe than anticipated.

“Could the institute itself be occupied by the ‘Gray Reaper’?”

Wearing the helmet, the inspector moved toward the front gate of Sehee Research Institute where Director Lee Sehee greeted her.

Despite their conversation, the inspector couldn’t focus on what was being said.

A warm, pleasant aroma filled the air.

A fragrance that evoked happiness and relaxation.

Director Sehee noticed the inspector’s inability to concentrate and smiled meaningfully.

Behind Sehee stood Oh Yerin, cradling an enormous amount of Golden Reapers in her arms.

As the inspector slowly read through the records handed over by Sehee and headed toward the Gray Reaper’s isolation room,

“These documents are full of errors.”

They were so poorly put together that they could’ve been hastily created that very morning.

“Here we go, the Gray Reaper is peacefully contained!”

Tump tump.

At Sehee’s voice, the inspector looked up to see the Gray Reaper happily walking around inside the isolation chamber.

“Hmm…”

It resembled the Gray Reaper.

Instead of an indifferent expression showing disinterest in the world, it wore a cheerful smile.

Except for its sharp shark-like teeth, it didn’t match the reported Gray Reaper.

In short, it wasn’t the Gray Reaper.

“I need to report this quickly.”

Even with the Mental Pollution Prevention Helmet on, dizziness was setting in.

Dizziness and headaches often occurred when resisting mental pollution, so she needed to file her report soon.

Attempting to pull out her phone, the unbearable dizziness caused her to drop it.

“Oh dear.”

In the midst of the spinning world, something small and cute approached her, holding her fallen phone.

A noble and radiant object resembling the Gray Reaper.

“So this must be the Golden Reaper.”

Her trembling hand reached for the phone as the Golden Reaper tapped her fingers worriedly.

Its expression seemed to ask, “Are you okay?” with deep concern, like a close friend or family member seeing someone in pain.

“Thank you. I’ll be fine after resting for a moment.”

Smiling weakly at the Golden Reaper, the inspector affectionately patted it.

Delighted by the touch, the Golden Reaper giggled and rubbed its cheek against her fingers.

“Sure is cute. No wonder it’s popular.”

Placing the Golden Reaper on her palm, she said,

“Wait a moment. I’ll finish my call, then we’ll play.”

Hearing this, the Golden Reaper sat down on her palm with a disappointed look.

The moment she saw that expression, the relentless headache vanished.

Feeling refreshed and happy, the inspector thought,

“Well, I can make the call later. Let’s play with the ‘Golden Reaper’ first.”

Removing the helmet, the Golden Reaper joyfully dashed forward and stuck to her cheek.

Experiencing the greatest joy she’d ever felt, the inspector indulged in the Golden Reaper’s antics.

Happy Golden Reaper, happy inspector, happy Sehee—all ended happily.

***

In the Mini Reaper Garden covered in fluffy marshmallows, the Golden Reaper happily bounced around.

Perhaps due to the Golden Reaper’s rambunctious behavior, a round clump of white fur began unraveling.

What appeared to be a clump of white fur turned out to be curly, fluffy hair.

Unlike other mini reapers, this one had lush hair sprawling in all directions, revealing the Orange Reaper underneath.

“Biggest Youngest!”

The Golden Reaper looked up at the Orange Reaper with joyful emotions radiating everywhere.

The Orange Reaper looked quite different from the Golden Reaper.

Taller by a head and with a more mature physique.

Approaching the Golden Reaper slowly, it gave a tight hug.

A warm embrace.

Then the hair closed around them softly, enveloping both the Golden Reaper and the Orange Reaper.

And they began floating upwards.

Just like the initial fluff ball the Golden Reaper discovered.

Rising high enough to nearly reach the unchanging celestial sphere, the Golden Reaper’s face popped out suddenly, smiling brightly.

Jumping or being launched aside, flying through the sky was a first for the Golden Reaper, who grinned happily with pure delight.