Chapter 182

The Tattooed Woman held her Younger Sister in her arms as they plummeted through the pitch-black darkness, finally landing with a solid thud on the hard Floor.

Following close behind, the Color Hungry Ghost crashed down with a heavy sound.

In the impenetrable darkness where even the hand in front of one’s face couldn’t be seen, the Woman pulled out a Glass Bottle and began to shake it.

As the two sticky liquids inside slowly mixed, the bottle emitted a soft glow.

Using this light to illuminate the Younger Sister cradled in her arms, she saw that the girl had her eyes tightly shut and was clinging to her tightly.

Finding the sight somewhat cute, the Woman tapped the tip of her sister’s nose with her finger.

Realizing they were safe, the Younger Sister opened her eyes slightly, glanced around, then seemingly reassured, let out a big sigh of relief.

“I got such a scare! Did those things just try to bite us, sis?”

Nodding her head with a somewhat somber expression, the Woman replied.

“Yeah… I thought the entrance would at least be safe. It was completely my mistake. I should’ve considered the possibility that the Alchemist might’ve died…”

Shaking her head vigorously, the Younger Sister dismissed her concerns.

“It’s fine! We’re not hurt, right?”

Though she said this, the girl was clearly still shaken up, drenched in cold sweat from the earlier fright.

Her heart, small but rapid, continued to beat fast even after some time had passed.

Listening to her sister’s words, the Woman patted her until she calmed down. Once her heartbeat steadied and her complexion improved, she lifted her up properly onto her feet.

“Alright, let’s go look for the Alchemist’s Workshop.”

Holding the glowing Potion Bottle high, the Woman took the lead and started walking forward.

After walking for what felt like forever through the Dark Cave, an unusual City spread out before them.

While the Younger Sister marveled at the strange scenery, the Tattooed Woman frowned and carefully examined the city.

‘It seems modeled after the kingdom’s capital, but there are differences… Could this be from a different era than the one I knew? Or is it an entirely different city?’

Despite resembling her hometown in architectural style, the subtle differences sparked various hypotheses.

They quietly entered the eerily empty city streets, holding hands due to potential dangers. Yet no visible threats appeared.

Now fully immersed in tourist mode, the Younger Sister seemed delighted.

Something felt off about the unsettling silence.

“Hey, sis, check this out.”

Pointing toward a Large Cauldron used in alchemy—taller than a person—the Younger Sister exclaimed excitedly.

Amused by her antics, the Woman noticed something peculiar in the corner of her vision: white traces scattered across the ground.

This explained why the area had initially felt safe.

Approaching cautiously, she inspected the remnants more closely. The Guardian standing guard at the entrance resembled this one, though now torn apart and motionless.

Its face remained mostly intact despite some damage, revealing distinctly human ears and teeth.

“Eww… Why do they look like this? Is it the creator’s taste?”

The Younger Sister, who’d been playing around the cauldron moments ago, now stood beside her sister, wrinkling her nose.

“Maybe the muscles and ears could be stylistic choices, but the teeth aren’t. There’s only one reason a Guardian grows human teeth.”

Pulling out a core used to create the Color Hungry Ghosts, the Woman explained.

“It’s a characteristic of Guardians that have consumed their own creation cores.”

Covering the mouth of the nearby hungry ghost, the Younger Sister interjected nervously.

“Don’t ever feed it!”

Laughing softly at her sister’s protective stance, the Woman replied.

“If you feed it a core, you lose control. Any sane Alchemist wouldn’t dare.”

“So that’s why you mentioned the Alchemist might’ve died?”

Clapping her hands together appreciatively, the Younger Sister expressed admiration.

“Anyway, someone must’ve already come here. They dealt with the Guardians, so they seem pretty skilled.”

A faint but unmistakable smell of human blood lingered in the air.

And the destroyed Guardian suggested otherwise capable intruders.

Perhaps government agents arrived sooner than expected.

To reach this level within 30 years of the magical book’s discovery was astonishing indeed.

“Come on, let’s hurry.”

Taking her sister’s hand again, the Woman led them deeper into the dungeon.

***

Tearing apart the creepy hungry ghosts, we strode confidently down the street.

Thump-thump.

The Golden Reapers and Black Reapers happily held hands and cheerfully led the way.

All the Mini Reapers wore white glutinous rice cake-like hats, soft and adorable accessories fitting their tiny forms.

These hats were actually miniaturized White Hungry Ghosts perched atop their heads.

Having gained status upgrades from emergency rations and mounts to fashionable headwear thanks to eliminating “Bad Objects,” they occasionally got nibbled on, showing little change beyond brighter expressions—all except the one on the Red Reaper’s head, which kept catching fire from his inadvertent breaths.

Guided by the Orange Reapers flying overhead, we crossed the city.

Passing luxurious golden buildings and structures reminiscent of my memories, we reached an oddly designed structure.

An abyssal Deep Cliff whose bottom couldn’t be seen.

Above it stretched countless Rails resembling amusement park tracks.

Nearby stood a cable car station-like platform filled with complex mechanical contraptions.

Curious about these intricate devices, the Mini Reapers swarmed over them, poking and prodding.

Some leapt on levers, others punched buttons repeatedly.

Several vehicles loaded with Mini Reapers blasted off like rockets.

“Whoa.”

I’d never seen the Mini Reapers act this way before.

Even though the research facility had plenty of similar machines, they never touched them. Was it because they assumed humans wouldn’t like it?

Thinking back, I realized children also avoided damaging the lab facilities despite witnessing me breaking walls and doors frequently.

Even the non-ghosting Black Reaper preferred slipping through cracks as liquid rather than breaking doors.

Tap-tap.

Feeling something prod my cheek, I turned to see a Golden Reaper gesturing for me to join.

“You want me to operate it?”

Understanding my intent, he tilted his head curiously but insisted I come along.

Following his lead, we arrived at a lineup of several vehicles.

Each vehicle carried different types of Reapers: Goldens hung all over levers and buttons; Blues had giant Golems driving; Blacks featured massive Black Reapers at the wheel.

The last vehicle sat vacant except for the Red and Orange Reapers waving from the backseat.

Could this be a race?

Doomed to fail horribly, I hesitated stepping forward—but seeing the cheerful Red and Orange Reapers made fleeing impossible.

***

Finally reaching the cliff and its many rails while holding hands, the Tattooed Woman and her sister spotted the rail system.

“Rail Capsules, huh.”

The Woman observed the capsules silently.

“Wow.”

Impressed by the ornate brass capsules resembling works of art, the Younger Sister exclaimed.

“Sis! This is a dead end—is this thing really how we’re going?”

“Looks like it.”

Staring at the frail-looking capsule, the Younger Sister grew visibly anxious.

Its delicate appearance only heightened her fear.

“This thing looks like it’ll fall apart. Are you sure it’s safe?”

“Made to easily fall, but it’s fine.”

Boarding the best-looking capsule, the Woman scanned the surroundings.

No footprints marked the stone cliff, but recent use was evident from the capsule’s condition.

“Hold on tight—we’re leaving.”

Gulping audibly, the Younger Sister gripped the handles firmly.

As the Woman pulled the lever, the capsule shot forward like a rocket.

With a scream waiting to burst forth, the Younger Sister clenched her jaw tightly, evidently resisting the urge to yell after being warned against making noise.

Then the capsule ‘jumped’ between rails.

“Aaaaah!”

Faced with the terrifying prospect of plunging into the abyss, the Younger Sister screamed.

But the capsule landed safely on another rail and resumed its rapid flight.

Jumping between rails!

The Younger Sister’s face went pale as if on the verge of fainting.

*

Ugh, I’m gonna throw up, sis.”

Fortunately, the capsule ride ended just before the Younger Sister lost consciousness.

Unlike her deathly pale sister, the Woman appeared slightly flushed, clearly enjoying herself.

“You’ll get used to it after a few more rides.”

“No way!”

“Just remember, we’ll need to take it again on the way back.”

The Younger Sister’s returning color drained instantly.

While her sister struggled with dizziness, the Tattooed Woman shone her light into the deep shadows ahead.

Through the darkness swallowing light, vague outlines of enormous Bookshelves emerged.

Behind them, a fleeting glimpse of something long and white flashed briefly—an object densely covered in human teeth like bean sprouts.

***

Grumble.

The heavy vibrations of machinery operating stirred up dust in the room, clouding the air.

Dust coated everything: the bed, the Blue Girl lying motionlessly on it, and the silent girl sitting beside her.

Suddenly startled by the noise, something in the otherwise still room began to move.

With a squelching sound, the stiffened liquid began to stir, and the girl sitting beside the bed rose slowly.

Leaping gracefully off her chair, the girl stood barely over a meter tall.

Her silhouette, completely white like blank paper, resembled a Gray Reaper.

Reaching into her pocket, the White Girl pulled out a pristine white Orb and placed it in the lifeless yet soft hand of the Blue-haired Girl.

Motionless, her hand remained cool but tender—as if alive.

Tick. Tock.

Silent tears fell from the White Girl’s face onto the dusty blanket.

Without a sound.

Then, she walked away slowly, leaving the room.

Trailing from her head were the limp feelers of a Hungry Ghost.