Chapter 180

Beneath the慰灵碑 (Spirit-soothing Monument), a massive hole had formed, and the Association’s investigation team was slowly approaching it.

No matter how much light they shone into it from the outside, once it reached a certain depth, all light seemed to be devoured by something within that massive hole.

Without light piercing through, the hole was filled with an impenetrable darkness that instinctively triggered fear.

The usually noisy team members were uncharacteristically silent, their tense expressions betraying their apprehension.

“Hmph.”

The leader of the Association’s investigation team sighed as they approached this ominous hole.

Normally, the Association wouldn’t act so swiftly, but the discovery at the entrance of the hole was problematic—a giant golden mass.

Part of what appeared to be a colossal golden pillar was found, looking like it could belong to some massive temple or building. If the entire structure was made of gold… its value would be unimaginable.

This is what stirred the greed of the Association.

Of course, drones were sent in first, but all signals were lost as soon as they entered the hole.

Thus, the immediate order came down for the investigation team to proceed.

Though their pay wasn’t great and their workload usually light, here they were thrust into a dangerous situation they hadn’t signed up for.

Thinking it didn’t make financial sense, the team leader considered quitting—until the Association made an offer too tempting to refuse: “We’ll turn a blind eye to any gold you collect during the investigation.”

Neither the leader nor the team members could resist such an offer, and so they found themselves here.

At the mouth of the hole stood statues that looked disgustingly muscular.

The stone composing these statues was an off-putting white, their bodies rippling with muscle, yet their faces were oddly weak-looking, making them even more unpleasant.

These statues did nothing to stop us as we approached the hole.

The team leader carefully examined the statues before issuing orders to his subordinates: “Maintain defensive posture, but do not attack. This doesn’t seem to be an object indiscriminately targeting humans.”

Since the command was already given to push forward regardless, it was fortunate they weren’t hostile.

Objects varied wildly; caution was always necessary, but preemptive attacks on non-hostile objects were unnecessary.

“Let’s move in.”

Anchoring stakes near the hole, the team began descending into the muck-like darkness, one by one.

The darkness swallowed them whole, swirling around like a living entity.

As the last person disappeared into the abyss, the white statues watched silently. Once everyone was gone, their mouths split wide open in eerie laughter.

Inside those mouths lay teeth far too human-like to match their otherwise grotesque faces.

***

In the peaceful isolation room where mini reapers ate pudding like baby birds and the Reaper lounged against me watching TV, an unsettling atmosphere began to brew.

It started with a breaking news report on the TV.

An object had appeared in the park where the ‘cute puppy’ terrorist incident occurred.

The death row inmate and her younger sister quickly left upon seeing the news, despite the latter’s reluctance, due to the former’s insistence.

The mini reapers, who had eagerly opened their mouths for pudding like baby birds, were abandoned.

Deprived of homemade pudding, they slumped to the floor in despair.

Even the Reaper showed sudden interest in the news, though maintaining a stoic face. Their antennae betrayed their excitement by twitching rapidly.

Is the muscular statue with hungry ghost-like features really that fascinating?

With ears attached, it certainly looks creepy…

While contemplating this, the Reaper suddenly vanished before my eyes.

Hmph.

Another runaway.

Saddened, I sat on the bed when Golden Reapers swarmed me, patting my back and cheeks.

Climbing onto my knees, they looked up at me with clenched fists, smiling encouragingly.

“Thank you.”

I embraced the admirable Golden Reapers and gently stroked each one.

Slowly teasing the chin of a happily grinning Golden Reaper, I made a light wish.

I hope they return quickly this time.

***

Flying atop a giant cloud whale slicing through the sky, I basked in warm sunlight.

The cloud whale floated steadily toward the park featured in the breaking news.

Riding a whale instead of walking made everything more comfortable.

Though curious, I felt slightly lazy about going immediately, but since it might involve me, I decided to put aside my laziness.

The resemblance between the statues’ faces and the White Hungry Ghost I encountered hinted at a possible connection.

Considering the significant impression left when acquiring the White Hungry Ghost, there must be some relation to my body.

Moreover, since it’s the place where I died, something noteworthy might still be there.

The cloud whale was soft and fluffy, the sun warm, creating a delightful sensation.

Thinking children would enjoy it too, I summoned several Mini Reapers into the garden.

Golden Reapers, appearing with outstretched arms, cheered under the sun.

Golden Reapers strangely adored sunlight, unlike other Reapers who preferred moonlight.

As sunlight touched the Golden Reaper’s body, it grew brighter until it became blinding.

Suddenly, a golden beam shot forward from the chest of the Golden Reaper.

The beam, originating from firewood-like sources, pierced the air instantly and disappeared somewhere.

Huh?

Surprisingly, upon examining the Golden Reaper closely, there seemed to be no issue.

Didn’t the Golden Reaper inherit my abilities?

Why are they doing something I can’t?

“What did you do?”

“?!”

The Golden Reaper didn’t fully understand my question, seemingly acting on instinct—”If I can do it, I just did.”

Lost in thought, I rested my chin on my hand, and the Golden Reaper mimicked my serious expression.

Could I also do that?

Recalling the resemblance to the white flames shot by a pseudo-religious leader, I jumped excitedly on the cloud whale’s back.

Seeing this, the Golden Reapers followed suit with joyful cheers.

Other Mini Reapers joined in, creating a lively scene atop the whale gliding through the sky.

Unfortunately, my attempt to shoot a beam failed.

Hmph.

I wanted to try shooting beams too…

***

Penetrating the mud-like darkness, we arrived at what seemed like an ordinary dirt tunnel.

On the ground where the investigation team stepped lay broken drones sent earlier by the Association.

“Radios aren’t working.”

The leader of the Object Association’s investigation team tried to issue instructions via radio but failed, resorting to verbal commands.

“It might be a Steel Tower-like annoying environment. Check your equipment.”

After everyone finished inspections, the only issue was the malfunctioning radios.

“I’ll lead. Follow the assigned formation and descend slowly.”

The steps carved into solid ground led to a surprisingly pleasant atmosphere.

And the passage was longer than expected.

The team leader sensed the investigation would take longer than anticipated.

Passing through the seemingly endless corridor, we reached a cliff where the land abruptly ended.

Below stretched an unusual cityscape.

Perhaps lulled by the lack of incidents thus far, the team members began chatting and loosening up.

Returning to their usual chaotic selves brought a familiar feeling to the leader.

This is how an Association investigation team should behave.

“Leader, isn’t that gold?”

Following the team member’s finger, they saw houses built with brick-like gold.

A closer inspection was needed, but from here, it looked genuine.

‘Thank goodness. We can wrap up the investigation by collecting samples from there.’

“Everyone, stay quiet. Quickly retrieve samples and head back.”

Excited by the sight of gold, the team grew louder, prompting the leader to silence them before beginning the descent.

Unexpectedly encountering familiar shops from a year ago along the way,

“Wow, this store disappeared a year ago, but it’s here.”

Could it be?

Based on the information in the team member’s words, the leader asked,

“Have you seen this street before?”

“Yes, it resembles Yongsan District from a year ago, likely near ‘Seoul Research Institute.'”

Further ahead, Korean road signs appeared.

[Welcome to Yongsan District]

Modern buildings with vibrant life mixed chaotically with structures that didn’t fit the era.

White stone houses exuding an ancient ambiance.

It was a city where fantasy and modern architecture were randomly intertwined.

Both types of buildings carried deep traces of daily life, evoking a chilling sensation.

It felt as if people living here had vanished in an instant.

“This feels like a bad object. Let’s recover what we need and leave quickly.”

The team cautiously advanced towards their goal, keeping watch in all directions.

“Leader! There’s something over there!”

“Stop!”

Startled by the team member’s voice, the leader halted their advance and gathered everyone to carefully observe the surroundings.

Once their footsteps ceased, the city fell back into eerie silence.

Not a single human, animal, or insect was present.

Behind a small skyscraper common in Seoul, a white something faintly peeked out.

A white statue with an insignificant face poked its head out, staring intently at the investigation team.

“Phew.”

Recognizing it, the entire team let out a sigh of relief.

“My heart almost dropped.”

“Just a scare.”

Amid the chatter, the leader felt uneasy about the statue.

Its unnervingly bulging muscles were unsettling, but its bizarre face even more so.

Clomp clomp.

Finally, after a long journey, the team arrived at the golden building.

“Leader, shouldn’t we deal with that?”

Pointed at was a white statue hiding behind the building, peering out with a faint smile.

“It’s best not to disturb objects unless necessary.”

Though internally thinking entering such a place was itself interference, accepting the Association’s offer left no choice.

“Then, let’s gather samples and go back.”

Following the leader’s command, a team member carrying sample collection backpacks took photos, used specialized tools to cut off a piece of gold, and placed it inside the bag.

“Leader, can we grab some gold too?”

“Don’t forget we have to climb back using ropes.”

All accepted this mission hoping for quick riches, so it was a natural reward.

The leader also collected plenty of gold bricks before surveying the surroundings.

‘Gone.’

The statue that had been watching the investigation team had vanished.

The persistently clingy gaze disappearing brought slight relief.

“Now, let’s start heading back.”

Just as the leader said that, something white descended from the golden house and tore off a team member’s head.

“Aaaah!”

It was the white statue with an elongated neck.

The statue, which had kept its mouth shut, now revealed its teeth in a bloodied grin as it stared down at the investigation team.

Firing rifles at it proved futile as bullets bounced off without leaving a mark.

Click. Click. Click.

The white statue grinned widely, clacking its large teeth menacingly.

“Everyone, run!”

Following the leader’s order, everyone scattered and fled.

Mid-run, the leader hid behind a wall, catching their breath.

“We can’t just escape. Wait it out and break out.”

Movement-free, climbing rooftops faster than running, the object couldn’t possibly be shaken off.

Given its usual docility, it might lose aggression over time.

The tempting gold was abandoned long ago.

The previously quiet city now echoed with hurried footsteps and screams.

After nine screams, the leader slowly rose.

All team members were dead.

Now, slow movement will suffice.

Taking deep, steady breaths, the leader reopened their eyes only to find the monster they least wished to see standing right before them.

The beast grinned happily, saliva-like blood dripping.

“I should’ve quit the investigation team earlier…”

The team leader squeezed their eyes shut again.