The Golden Reapers were riding atop a contraption speeding along the rail at breakneck speed, their hands raised high in joyous laughter.
It was as if they were experiencing the same level of delight as when they had been spinning wildly inside the Washing Machine.
Well, if you looked at just the speed and intensity of rotation, it did seem somewhat similar.
At first, the atmosphere had been akin to racing, but now it felt more like an amusement park ride.
It was reminiscent of one of those crazy high-speed merry-go-rounds that spin in place.
Whoever designed this rail system must’ve been insane.
Even though we hadn’t done anything, the cart had somehow managed to derail itself spectacularly.
Following the rails deeper into the underground labyrinth, we eventually arrived at a tiny circular track.
Like a donut-shaped rail, we were endlessly spinning in circles with no end in sight.
It felt like being caught in a centrifuge, constantly spinning without respite.
After enduring what felt like an eternity of this centripetal motion, I began to understand the structure of these rails.
This wasn’t some gentle cable car; it was clearly meant to leap dramatically from rail to rail.
Looking up, countless rails crisscrossed like spider webs, most ending in circular loops mid-air. My assumptions seemed correct.
To reach our destination, we’d have to jump from one rail to another.
Glancing around, the Mini Reapers appeared to have completely forgotten about racing and were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
As I stared at the dangling end of a descending rail, I steeled myself for the jump.
Perhaps this time, I could win!
Taking advantage of the Mini Reapers’ distraction, I leapt onto an ascending rail.
Soaring upward at great speed, I signaled my triumph to the others.
“I’m number one!”
Turning back, I saw the startled Mini Reapers frantically pressing buttons on their carts in an attempt to catch up.
It took me long enough to figure out how to work the controls; starting now would be too late!
Hehe.
Maybe this time, I could actually win!
Racing along the rail at top speed, I hurtled toward the distant destination.
The Tattooed Woman held up a potion bottle to cast an ominous silhouette against the dim light.
Her pale white face gleamed eerily in the darkness, reflecting the faint light.
Whatever it was, upon catching sight of her, slowly turned its head and began approaching.
Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the cavern as a towering silhouette emerged from the shadows.
Like a massive whale surfacing from the depths, the vague shape gradually became clearer.
Long, black-gloved fingers.
Spindly limbs and torso.
And a disproportionately large, perfectly round hungry ghost head.
Though spindly, these figures wore well-tailored black uniforms resembling butlers.
Their disciplined, expressionless faces maintained a formal demeanor.
With a polite bow, they greeted the Alchemist Sisters.
The woman frowned, observing their precise movements.
Despite their decorum, she swore she glimpsed sharp teeth in the dark.
How strange.
But her suspicions were momentarily set aside by the Butler Hungry Ghost’s exaggerated gestures.
Extending a hand inward with a sweeping motion, the Butler Hungry Ghost ushered them forward.
Simultaneously, blue flames erupted all around, illuminating the previously dark space.
“Wow!”
The younger sister gasped in amazement at the revealed surroundings.
Huge bookshelves stretched outward in every direction, their volumes adorned with gold trim, exuding an air of sophistication.
In the central aisle, numerous Butler Hungry Ghosts bowed deeply in welcome.
Though silent, their intentions were clear through their respectful posture.
Following the slow-moving Butler Hungry Ghost, the sisters proceeded cautiously.
Upon arriving at a giant iron door blocked by a massive hearth, the woman immediately understood its purpose.
“A well-crafted alchemist workshop. Classic design.”
Green flames would likely ignite in the hearth, presenting a puzzle to open the iron door.
Meanwhile, surrounding books would sing, while the Butler Guardians waited patiently against the walls for the riddle to be solved.
As the sisters approached the great hearth, green flames blazed, casting an emerald glow over everything.
The undulating green hue prompted the woman to await the challenge.
Confident in her abilities as a skilled alchemist, she anticipated the test.
But none came.
Instead, the green flames grew larger, almost reaching the ceiling, with no other changes.
“Sister, isn’t the green color interesting? Is it barium?”
The younger sister excitedly referenced something recently learned, but the elder remained silent.
Creak. Creak.
Books within the shelves began vibrating before falling to the floor one by one.
Simultaneously, the blue flames providing illumination started fading away.
The green flames and trembling shelves created an unsettling atmosphere as darkness enveloped the space.
Growing anxious, the younger sister clung tightly to her sister’s arm.
When all the blue flames finally extinguished, only the green flames in the hearth remained.
But strangely, despite their brightness, they failed to illuminate much beyond their immediate vicinity, enhancing the foreboding ambiance.
All the Butler Hungry Ghosts disappeared into the shadows.
Suddenly, a white-faced figure descended from above toward the younger sister.
It was the Butler Hungry Ghost revealing its grotesque human-like teeth.
The woman quickly scooped up her sister and rolled away.
Clack. Clack.
Face-planting onto the floor, the Butler Hungry Ghost raised its head and continued making clicking noises.
Each click caused stone fragments consumed earlier to shatter and fall from its mouth.
Its bizarre, deranged appearance was truly unsettling.
“Sis… your arm!”
In the chaos, the woman’s arm had been bitten off at the elbow.
“Quiet. I’m an ‘Object.’ This won’t kill me.”
Gritting her teeth, she grabbed a vial with her remaining hand.
“White flower like the sun, red stem filled with blood, roots descending into the magical book.”
While scattering the contents, she fervently repeated her incantation in her mind.
“Alchemist’s Shield!”
A circle of white flames erupted in the air, encircling the sisters protectively.
The charging Butler Hungry Ghost bit into the shield but couldn’t penetrate it.
Instead, the flames spreading from its mouth began consuming its entire body, causing it to thrash about in apparent agony.
“Run!”
Rushing toward the hearth with green flames still blazing, the woman scattered more reagents.
Though seemingly ineffective, the sight of a fellow Butler Hungry Ghost reduced to ashes made the others approach cautiously.
Clack. Clack.
The sound of grinding teeth resembled someone savoring their meal.
“Sis, what do we do?”
The younger sister desperately gripped her injured sibling’s bleeding stump, trying to staunch the flow.
Despite her efforts, it was obvious the young girl couldn’t stop the bleeding with bare hands alone.
If anything, it looked like she was squeezing more blood out.
The woman plunged her remaining hand into the green flames, repeating another incantation.
“Green flames that burn demons, sacrifices made in magical books, whispering leaves. Serpent that heralds dawn!”
From the green flames, she retrieved a leaf, while her remaining hand began disintegrating into sparkling particles.
Simultaneously, a colossal serpent-like form emerged from the hearth, writhing overhead.
Both Butler Hungry Ghosts and the sisters gazed upward as the serpent coiled beneath the ceiling before exploding spectacularly.
Waves of green flames obliterated the Butler Hungry Ghosts, leaving not even ash behind.
Pallid and weakened, the woman urged her sister onward.
“Hurry. Without incorporating the white flower, this alchemy will regenerate soon.”
Turning back, the younger sister spotted horrifying white masses floating in the air.
Like scenes from a horror movie, these dough-like substances wriggled and merged in mid-air.
Repulsed by their grotesque forms far worse than the Butler Hungry Ghosts, the younger sister supported her sister and rushed to the iron door.
“Sis, what now?”
The younger sister looked up at the seemingly impenetrable iron door.
Leaning heavily on her sister, the woman whispered.
“Just push it. Given how messed up those Butler Hungry Ghosts looked, I doubt this door functions properly either.”
To their surprise, the supposedly sturdy door opened easily at the slightest touch.
The sisters slowly stepped into the darkness beyond.
Regenerated Butler Hungry Ghosts attempted to crawl after them on all fours.
But just then, the iron door slammed shut.
Grgrk. Grgrk.
The Butler Hungry Ghosts could only scratch at the door in frustration.
After an epic race across the rails, we successfully crossed over to the other side.
And I collapsed onto the ground, looking utterly defeated like some wronged hungry ghost.
“Mom’s weak!”
“Weak!”
Boohoo.
I thought it was a stroke of genius!
Turns out the Mini Reapers’ driving skills far surpassed mine.
The difference was comparable to a novice driver versus an F1 champion.
Every time I mistimed my jumps and plummeted, the Mini Reapers executed perfect leaps, progressing steadily ahead.
“Weak!”
The Black Reaper and Golden Reaper gleefully mocked me with smug grins.
Only the Blue Reaper approached me where I lay sprawled on the ground, patting my cheek gently.
You’re the only one who gets it, Blue Reaper!
Then with a slightly bashful expression, the Blue Reaper leaned closer to deliver a message.
“Mom’s weak…!”
Imitating the Golden Reaper’s expression, the Blue Reaper teased me before flying off awkwardly.
What? Even you, Blue Reaper?
While wallowing in betrayal, I heard something approaching.
Thud. Thud.
Heavy footfalls.
From the shadows emerged objects with white hungry ghost faces, dressed formally with slender limbs, bowing politely in welcome.
The foremost object approached us and performed a deep bow.
Hmm…
Polite, yes, but I bet this one has monstrous teeth too.
And there’s definitely a smell of blood.
Summoning a small white hungry ghost, I issued an order.
“Bite!”
The mini hungry ghost leapt from my arms and sank its teeth into the bowed neck of the Butler Hungry Ghost.
Screaming in pain, the Butler Hungry Ghost opened its mouth wide.
Sure enough, a terrifying set of fangs was hidden behind those tightly sealed lips.
Ugh, so gross.
Why does a hungry ghost need teeth anyway?
Reaching toward the struggling Butler Hungry Ghost being mauled by my mini horde, I delicately grasped the air and began extracting teeth one by one.
“Kiieeeek!”
Suddenly, a horrific scream erupted from the previously silent mouth of the Butler Hungry Ghost.
