Chapter 166

On a late morning, with the warm sunlight shining down, there were loads of Golden Reapers gathered in the courtyard of Sehee Research Institute.

At the center of where the Golden Reapers had gathered lay an elegantly dressed woman in a sleek business suit, her face beaming with happiness as she reclined.

Around her, the Golden Reapers mimicked her pose, pretending to sleep while occasionally peeking open their eyes. They would glance at the suited woman and subtly adjust their positions.

For once, the usually tired and weary Inspector felt all tension melt away from their body, enjoying this rare moment of rest.

“What exactly is success anyway? Struggling so hard for an organization that operates way beyond common sense…”

Lying here resting like this makes me feel more happy than anything else…

Amidst the warm sunlight and the scent-like aura radiating from the Golden Reapers, the Inspector couldn’t help but smile contentedly.

Watching the Inspector relax in the courtyard, Sehee and Yerin sighed in relief.

“Wow, that was really dangerous this time, Unnie Sehee.”

“Honestly, I kind of expected the Inspector to show up, but not this soon. Usually it takes about a month after an incident…”

Sehee gently patted the Golden Reaper beside her.

“Thanks to you, we avoided any talk of disciplinary actions or transferring the Gray Reaper.”

The Golden Reaper tilted its head, seemingly confused by what she said.

Sehee thought it was just too adorable and started vigorously petting its hair, making it all messy.

“But why did you bring so many Golden Reapers?”

Sehee asked Yerin with a puzzled look.

“?!”

Yerin responded with a baffled expression.

“The mental pollution level of Reapers is extremely minimal, right? Self-diagnosis tests always show it as incredibly low.”

“Oh… that.”

Sehee remembered there was a book called ‘Object Mental Pollution Self-Diagnosis’ back when such books were still relevant before measurement devices existed.

It divided mental pollution into three levels – high, medium, and low, with around 70% accuracy if memory served.

Of course, the method became obsolete the moment proper measurement equipment was developed.

Still, it was quite famous as an accurate method before then.

Checking the Golden Reaper using the book’s criteria showed very minimal mental pollution.

Sehee recalled the contents of the book and went through the self-diagnosis:

“Unexplainable memory gaps: None.

Emotional detachment: None.

Inconsistent behavior: None.

Severe headaches when separated from contamination source: None.

Separation anxiety symptoms: Present, but isn’t wanting to see cute things normal?”

All items checked out fine.

Indeed, the Golden Reaper was cute and safe!

After all, the Golden Reaper’s mental pollution didn’t induce harmful behavior.

As they chatted, the Inspector stood up and left the courtyard.

Approaching Sehee, the Inspector adjusted their tie and spoke with a noticeably relaxed tone.

“Hmm, no significant issues detected. The Gray Reaper is also in place. This inspection concludes here.”

With that, the Inspector turned and walked out of Sehee Research Institute.

Strangely, something small seemed to be wriggling in the pocket of their suit.

***

Inside Sehee Research Institute, within my comfortable isolation room.

Black Reapers covered in blotchy gray paint clung to me happily.

When I first found these kids, I was so surprised…

After carefully removing the black liquid and returning to Sehee Research Institute, I was shocked to find a fake version of myself occupying my spot.

It reminded me of that movie scene where a clone takes your place when you step out.

Thinking they were evil objects mimicking someone to take their place, I almost… well, you know.

Fortunately, upon seeing me arrive, the Black Reapers quickly returned to their original size and enthusiastically welcomed me, turning the situation into a harmless misunderstanding.

I laid down on the bed, skillfully turned on the TV, and nestled into the soft blankets.

A warm, cozy feeling spread throughout my body, and a faint satisfied smile appeared on my lips.

While comfortably watching TV in bed, mysterious white cotton-like blobs began floating in the isolation room air.

And from those cotton balls, cheerful golden faces popped out.

They were flying around happily, giggling “Hehe,” the Golden Reapers.

These must be the new Mini Reapers from the Odaesan incident.

Their ability to float makes me think they’re related to Cloud Fish.

Looking at the numerous white cotton balls floating around made me inexplicably irritated.

Why can’t I fly?

I caught plenty of Cloud Fish, and judging by how the children are flying, it doesn’t seem like physical transformation is necessary.

Though I destroyed the Orange Moon and gained some abilities, none of them involved flight.

“Why can’t I fly!”

Mourning and grumbling to myself, Golden Reapers rained down from the sky.

“Don’t be sad, Mommy,” they said as they descended.

Black Reapers tilted their heads, conveying determination.

“Mommy can’t fly.”

“Can’t fly!”

It sounded like the Black Reapers had concluded I’d never gain the ability to fly.

No way, is this insubordination?

The Black Reapers seem to be teasing me!

” Why can’t I fly? I’ll just absorb other Object abilities. I’ll definitely get it!”

“?

Hearing this, the Black Reapers looked even more perplexed and began clustering together, growing larger.

They started resembling the Mini Reaper Garden, or the corpse inside the Black Sphere.

Though still somewhat ambiguous, they weren’t as blurry as before, appearing more distinct.

Having long limbs and nine eyes, this strange being lacked legs, instead having root-like appendages connecting to the ground.

“Mommy wasn’t originally meant to fly, right?”

The Black Reapers stated this with absolute certainty.

Wah, the Black Reapers are bullying me.

Heartbroken, I closed my eyes and sprawled out on the bed.

Not knowing why I was acting this way, the Golden Reapers began petting my hair to comfort me.

Then one of them crawled onto my face and nudged it.

“Mommy! The Large Younger Brother is here!”

Large Younger Brother?

Ah, they mean the Blonde Girl who was with the Black Agent?

Considering the Mini Reapers are less than a year old, it’s funny they treat the Blonde Girl as a younger sibling.

Prompted by the Golden Reaper, I used ghosting to step outside the isolation room and saw the Blonde Girl and Black Agent arriving at Sehee Research Institute’s courtyard.

True to form, the research facility’s welcoming atmosphere allowed the Blonde Girl to enter without issue.

***

The Black Agent looked uncomfortable, glancing around uneasily.

“I heard it was chaotic, but this exceeds my expectations.”

Objects freely running around the courtyard.

This place challenges the very definition of a “research institute.”

“This is why we could enter so easily.”

The Blonde Girl pointed to a corner of the yard filled with the sweet aroma of hot chocolate.

There, a Red Reaper joyfully played tag with a White Hungry Ghost, who probably felt like a baby chasing fire-breathing from its mouth.

“That child seems to be having fun too, so maybe it’s alright.”

The Blonde Girl chuckled and took a sip of her hot chocolate.

Around her, Mini Reapers swarmed.

“Giant Younger Brother!”

“Giant!”

“They keep calling me younger sister.”

The Blonde Girl laughed at the cute Mini Reapers calling her that.

“Aga-ssi, what do you plan to do next?”

To the Black Agent’s calm inquiry, the Blonde Girl placed a finger on her lips and thought deeply.

“I’m not sure. After meeting the Gray Reaper, I’ve felt surprisingly at ease. Grandfather’s matters, Trinity Research Institute’s affairs, and even my parents’ sudden disappearance don’t bother me as much anymore.”

She picked up a Golden Reaper and gently stroked its hair.

“It’s as if carefree happiness has filled my heart, just like these children.”

“Perhaps I’ve become something completely different from a human,” she quietly added while taking another sip of hot chocolate.

“First, I should return to the Detective Agency to express my gratitude. Then I think I’ll stay here awhile to consider my next steps.”

Shielding her eyes from the shining sun with her palm, she turned to look at the Black Agent.

“And what will you do, Ahjussi?”

The Blonde Girl looked up at the man with slight apprehension.

“My life ended in the desert, so if Aga-ssi wishes it, I will follow you forever.”

Upon hearing this, the Blonde Girl displayed a somewhat dissatisfied expression.

“You’re still saying things like that?” she muttered softly, though the Black Agent didn’t hear and continued speaking.

“And staying at Sehee Research Institute is agreeable. We should observe if the Gray Reaper’s influence causes any changes in either of us over time.”

Though the Black Agent spoke calmly with a reassuring expression, the girl looked somewhat pouty.