Chapter 177

A chaotic TV blaring various news updates and the soft, fluffy blanket wrapped around my body.

It was a typical scene in the isolation room, filled with its usual warm coziness.

The air in the isolation room felt warmer than usual, much like the gentle warmth of a campfire.

“Mmm…”

I lay comfortably on the isolation bed, enjoying a roasted marshmallow handed to me.

On the table next to the bed hung a bound Hungry Ghost, looking like a deer caught in headlights, while beneath it stood the cheerful Red Reaper, breathing fire.

“Mom!”

The Red Reaper, bent over the Hungry Ghost, giggled and tore off a piece of its back to offer me.

At first, the Red Reaper used to play often with the Blonde Girl but lately has been spending more time around me.

Probably because the Blonde Girl and the Black Agent haven’t been around much lately, leaving her bored.

Meanwhile, the Blonde Girl and the Black Agent have taken up residence in the garden where they built a candy house and now live like permanent residents.

“Mmm…”

The Red Reaper seemed delighted watching me eat, repeatedly roasting pieces of the Hungry Ghost and feeding them to me.

While smiling at me eating, the Red Reaper also nibbled on her own roasted marshmallow.

Once I finished the marshmallow, she gleefully began roasting the Hungry Ghost’s back again.

As I munched on the marshmallow and watched TV, news about a recent incident came on.

It was about the “Eye Sect,” which had mysteriously vanished worldwide without any signs of mental pollution despite being an object-related cult.

“Victims exposed to severe violence often find their daily lives severely disrupted.”

I was shocked to see the face of the sect’s leader—it was the Giant I fought with in America!

And surprisingly, the unrelated incidents involving the Blue Reaper rescuing her Attached Human and the Golden Reaper getting injured in America were all connected to the same event.

What a curious connection!

“Fortunately, victims in our country have shown relatively fewer psychological issues compared to others globally.”

Thanks to the Blue Reaper’s intervention, Korean victims didn’t suffer from significant mental problems.

Though the Blue Reaper’s healing methods are clumsy, they possess some remarkable strengths:

Firstly, pain management is excellent. Coming from the Blue Moon, she can alleviate even burning sensations instantly.

Secondly, she excels at removing psychological issues—likely tied to her expertise in mental pollution.

She could transform troubled individuals into cheerful, happy-go-lucky people akin to the Golden Reaper.

This made her particularly effective for treating the victims of this strange cult.

As the news segment ended and transitioned into commercials, I started flipping through channels with the remote.

“Clunk clunk.”

During the channel surfing, I noticed subtle vibrations coming from under the bed.

These were caused by Sehee’s ongoing construction of a “Water Park,” though the soundproofing of the standard Object Isolation Room mostly blocked out the noise.

Still, I wondered if the theme park managed by Mini Reaper would attract many visitors once opened.

With such cute kids involved, it might be a hit!

However, whether the Association would approve selling tickets to regular people remained uncertain.

Given the financial struggles of Sehee Research Institute, I couldn’t help but imagine Sehee fleeing for a month after the project fails, leaving Seoah furious.

This amusing scenario brought a smile to my face.

“Hehe.”

***

In the bright sunlight of Gangnam stood the sleek new building of the Object Association.

The modern interior basked in the glow of natural light, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Through these corridors walked an unusual figure.

“Whisper whisper.”

An individual wearing a massive helmet wandered slowly through the halls, drawing curious glances and whispers from passing employees.

On top of the American-made Mental Pollution Blocking Helmet, boldly inscribed was the word “James.”

Though several times more expensive than the helmets used by the Association, it boasted superior performance.

“What’s all the fuss about?”

Ignoring the murmurs, the researcher continued walking toward their office.

“Phew.”

Upon arrival, the researcher pulled out a Mental Pollution Measurement Device from their bag and placed it on the desk before turning it on.

This latest model not only detected mental pollution but also displayed precise numerical values.

“Beep.”

After waiting a moment, the device emitted a small warning tone.

Checking the device, the analog needle pointed deep into the red danger zone.

‘Mental Pollution Index: Dangerous. Still okay for now.’

The helmet was designed to withstand exposure up to the red zone.

After recording today’s pollution levels in the “Office Mental Pollution Record Book,” the researcher prepared for work.

Suddenly, something emerged behind the seated researcher.

From a bookshelf filled with books, golden tentacles swayed gently.

It was the Golden Reaper.

Tilting her head curiously, she stared at the researcher’s desk filled with interesting gadgets.

Creeping quietly, the Golden Reaper approached the desk, causing the measurement device’s needle to gradually rise.

From red to black…

Beyond dangerous to extremely dangerous zones.

Did the researcher sense something amiss?

Turning around, the Golden Reaper quickly hid behind the bookshelf.

“Hehe.”

Giggling happily, she peeked out again when the researcher turned back, creeping closer.

As soon as the Golden Reaper climbed onto the desk, the measurement device indicated “Extremely Dangerous.”

Simultaneously, the helmet’s glass turned red—a signal to evacuate immediately.

“!”

The startled researcher jumped up and checked the device.

The needle had reached the extreme black zone, with the Golden Reaper curiously touching the detector.

Rising from the chair, the researcher saw the Golden Reaper extending both hands with a cheerful grin, seemingly asking for a hug.

Though the field of vision turned red and the needle marked “Extremely Dangerous,” the researcher’s mind raced.

‘Isn’t this the Golden Reaper isolated at Sehee Research Institute?’

‘Why is it here?’

‘There weren’t any reports of mental pollution related to the Golden Reaper…’

‘Still, as mentioned in the inspector’s report, it’s kind of cute. Maybe useful…’

No! It’s mental pollution!

As a splitting headache approached, the researcher smashed the window and fled outside.

The Golden Reaper, surprised by this sudden escape, rushed to the window and looked down worriedly.

Seeing the researcher limping away after jumping from the third floor, the Golden Reaper frowned, concerned for the human who had fled so desperately.

***

An endless silence.

Like stepping into a soundproof chamber, the world felt eerily quiet.

Awakening suddenly to this unfamiliar place, I noticed everything was painted in shades of gray.

A sky of gray stretched endlessly above, neither blue nor black, dotted with rings of light.

The ground too merged seamlessly with the horizon, indistinguishable from my own gray form.

Amidst this monochrome landscape stood a towering black entity.

Its hollow eyes held a single black ring pupil, lifeless yet haunting.

“…”

Staring upward, an unsettling sensation crept over me—as if being sucked into its abyss.

Just as I tried to investigate this strange feeling, someone pinched my cheeks.

“Reaper, wake up!”

Yerin’s voice broke through, waking me from the dream.

***

Opening my eyes, I found myself in Yerin’s embrace.

Ah yes, I must’ve fallen asleep while watching TV with Yerin giving me a massage.

Pressing on limbs induces a relaxing drowsiness…

“Someone wants to see you. A death row inmate who recently visited the lab!”

Following Yerin’s pointed finger, I spotted a familiar object and a little girl peeking from behind.

An odd combination indeed—an object and a human.

The round stitched-head doll reminded me of the theme park accessories.

Apparently, some still remain.

Our eyes met, and the doll spoke in an incomprehensible yet strangely understandable language.

“Are you an alchemist?”