Chapter 175

BOOM.

The heavy shockwave of fist against fist swept through the forest, sending dirt and dust flying everywhere.

Quickly pushing through the dissipating clouds of dirt, I continued moving forward without hesitation.

TUP-TUP.

With a light and bouncy stride, I slowly made my way toward the battlefield where the Giant Black Reaper and the Water Giant were locked in combat.

My destination: the massive glowing eyeball resting beneath the giant’s feet!

As I approached the giant, the noise and vibrations of battle intensified. At the same time, those pesky White Flames began clinging to my body like unwelcome parasites.

Ugh, what a foul atmosphere…

Like finding a sewage smell emanating from an otherwise delicious meal, these white flames that resembled firewood did nothing but ruin my mood.

Taking a closer look at the eyeball up close, it was clear this was some kind of portal to another world.

An indescribable realm filled with an opaque substance, devoid of color or distinct features.

Before leaping into the mysterious orb, I glanced upward at the 5-meter-tall Giant Black Reaper who seemed to realize my intentions. He waved enthusiastically, swinging his massive arms in a grand farewell gesture.

Even though he’s 5 meters tall, he still uses the exact same greeting as his mini form – couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

Leaving the Black Reaper’s farewell behind, I dove headfirst into the glowing eyeball.

***

Seoah sprinted tirelessly through the quiet outskirts of Gangdong District.

Trailing behind her were fully equipped members of the Object Recovery Team, armed with large transparent shields and truncheons, wearing sturdy protective gear including helmets adorned with strange black tentacles.

Though she was running through the now-empty danger zone of Gangdong, Seoah didn’t appear overly anxious. Her confidence didn’t come from trust in the research institute staff, but rather in the Black Reapers who had merged with the recovery team’s helmets.

Giggling softly, these reaper blobs occasionally peeked out from their helmet perches like mischievous slimes.

“Next alley, turn left!”

Seoah navigated the complex maze of alleys with ease thanks to Sprout Reaper perched on her shoulder, whispering directions only she could hear.

After weaving through countless alleys, they arrived at a building emanating an unsettling aura.

KUNG! KUNG!

The ominous sounds reverberating from within sounded like construction work gone wrong.

Tension mounted as Seoah and the recovery team cautiously entered the building. The source of the deep vibrations turned out to be coming from the basement.

Descending into the underground area, they discovered people whose bones had shattered completely.

“Vice Director, our current equipment isn’t sufficient to move these injured persons.”

“You’re right. Let’s leave a few people here to call for an ambulance.”

Though seemingly asleep in peace, these severely injured individuals couldn’t be moved easily due to multiple fractures. Despite their grave condition, there was something strangely familiar about their tranquil state – a refreshing, blue-like fragrance hung in the air.

Reaching deeper into the cave under Seoah’s guidance, they encountered a massive water golem performing dynamic drop kicks.

[Nice Mom Golem Drop Kick!]

[Drop Kick!]

Behind the chaotic gray water mass, smaller Blue Reapers and missing security personnel from Sehee Research Institute’s security room could be seen, surrounded by identical-looking clones.

As Seoah and the recovery team arrived, the clone men immediately turned and charged toward them en masse.

“All units! Prepare for combat!”

The team leader stepped forward with a loud shout, while Seoah retreated under the team’s protection.

BANG!

The sound of shields meeting fists was deafening.

“Don’t think of them as human!”

Despite appearances, the recovery team proved surprisingly effective against their opponents. Perhaps all those hours spent training weren’t just for show after all.

Watching their efficient teamwork, Seoah couldn’t help but feel impressed.

[Nice Warm Mom Golem Windmill!]

While impressive, the Blue Reapers’ performance still outshone the recovery team’s efforts.

***

Stepping inside the eyeball, I found myself in a bizarre environment.

An endless floor made entirely of black mirrors stretched out in every direction. In the distance, a faint beam of light served as the only landmark in this dark world.

The thin line of light extended straight ahead like the sole path through this darkness. Along this luminous trail, numerous figures lay prostrate.

I stood frozen at the edge of this light path.

The giant’s destruction condition was [Retrieve the eyeball from within the eyeball]. Surely the eyeball must be beyond that light.

TUP.

Taking a step forward toward the light…

A cracking sound echoed as visions appeared before my eyes.

A man endlessly crossing a scorching desert that burned like roasting iron.

[May my wish reach the gods.]

Even as his flesh burned away, the man’s voice persisted in determination.

Suddenly, crimson flames erupted at my fingertips – curses that refused to let go.

Clutching my teeth against the bone-searing pain…

Though each step felt terrifying, the agony gradually subsided. Warm golden light flowed from the heartwood given to me by ever-cheerful Yerin, dispelling the dark flames’ curse.

Looking down, I saw a man crumble into ash at my feet.

Glancing back, the point where I’d started seemed impossibly far away.

Placing my hand over my warm heart, I took another bold step forward.

TUP.

Each step revealed new visions: an old man traversing a frozen wasteland where all life had perished…

[May my wish reach the dead gods.]

Ice began crystallizing from my fingertips, spreading across my body.

Though the heartwood consumed itself to regenerate my flesh, supplies remained ample.

TUP-TUP.

Step by step, I continued walking toward the light.

Every step revealed more people praying and suffering, hoping their trials would bring them closer to the divine.

They set themselves aflame, drove blades into their bodies…

And so did I.

But it was fine, because the heartwood remained, because Yerin’s warmth endured.

At last, the end of this long journey came into view.

Arriving at the source of the guiding light, I found something unexpected decorating the path instead of desperate souls.

Chunks of hardened black matter and a shattered steel lamp rested silently.

TUP.

Taking my final step toward the last obstacle…

A nobleman dressed in fine attire walked across a land reduced to molten sludge, holding an antique steel lamp.

[May the gods hear my prayers.]

[May eternal doom come to humanity who killed the gods.]

Simultaneously, my legs began turning black and crumbling away.

CLUNK.

Falling onto the black mirror floor as my legs disintegrated…

It hurt.

If I turned back now, all wounds would surely heal and everything would return to normal.

That’s how “Physical Immunity” worked.

Still, I had to press on.

A world where such monstrous giants roam wouldn’t be safe for the heartwood or for Yerin.

Gritting my teeth, I crawled forward using my arms.

Reaching the radiant beacon, I finally saw its source – a massive ring of pure light.

Could this be the “eyeball”?

Standing before it was a muscular man in elaborate clothing, identical to the giant fighting outside.

Surely he wasn’t here to fight?

Surprisingly rising despite my destroyed legs, I noticed the man’s eyes lacked focus, staring off into the distance.

He seemed to be looking somewhere far away…

Moving carefully past him, a calm voice suddenly spoke.

“So I have failed, have I?”

The man continued gazing forward, his voice steady and composed, unlike the berserk giant outside.

“If that is the case, then succeed where I have not. Last Alchemist.”

Turning at the sudden clarity in his voice, I watched as his body began dissolving into powder.

For some reason, it felt like there was a woman with blue hair standing before him in the distance.

Observing the spot where the man had vanished, I crawled forward once more and reached out my hand toward the shining ring.

In that moment, the light soared heavenward and the space around me began to shatter.

Everything faded like a dream, and all the wounds on my body disappeared like ripples on water.

Opening my eyes, I found myself back in the forest, now peaceful after bearing witness to the intense battle between the giant and the black reaper.

The giant, having fulfilled its destruction condition, had vanished.

Surveying the tranquil woods, a brilliant golden light erupted from the shadows.

Realizing I had returned, both Black Reapers and Golden Reapers began gathering from all directions.

“Mom!”

Transforming into a cocoon of black and gold, I collapsed onto the dirt.

Lying among the wriggling Mini Reapers, I looked up to see a massive ring of light decorating the sky.

Though it no longer resembled an eye, I knew for certain – it was the “Eyeball.”