Chapter 244

Late night.

Seoah returned home, looking utterly exhausted.

While standing under the shower, Seoah found herself lost in thought about the Sehee Research Institute these days.

“Really tired…”

With the Gray Reaper appearing in Russia’s Siberia, there was suddenly a mountain of work to do. A pile of documents needed to be submitted to the Object Association. Researcher Yerin Oh, who was handling the Gray Reaper case, always seemed to file her reports just a bit too late, and Director Lee Sehee of the Research Institute was more focused on real estate investments than actual work lately.

Moreover, with the Sehee Research Institute growing significantly in size, Seoah had far too much work to handle alone.

“Hmm, guess we need to hire someone new?”

There was an applicant from the Object Association who had sent in their resume recently—maybe it’s time for an interview. According to what people at the association said, this person was skilled at dealing with mental pollution and got things done efficiently—it was quite promising.

If only I could find an employee like Kim Jungrwi who doesn’t get possessed by mini reapers…

Turning her head, she noticed Sprout standing next to the faucet, mimicking her exact posture while getting splashed by water.

It’s as if Sprout is a mirror, perfectly syncing every movement without fail.

“That, you don’t have to do.”

Ever since Sprout accidentally broke the bathroom mirror during one of its pranks, it has been doing this every time Seoah enters the bathroom.

From Seoah’s perspective, though, it wasn’t all bad seeing Sprout act apologetic after constantly giggling and playing around before.

“Alright then, Sprout needs some soap too.”

Finishing her shower, Seoah gathered soapy foam in her hands and called out to Sprout. In response, Sprout stopped mimicking her movements, tightly shut its eyes, and covered them with both hands.

Ever since that one time when soap bubbles got into its eyes, it’s been reacting like this every single time.

An Object that’s scared of soap bubbles? How ironic.

Seoah couldn’t help but smile slightly at how cute it looked.

Sprout must’ve heard her laughter because it puffed up its chubby cheeks ever so slightly.

Seoah gently squeezed the puffed-up cheeks to release the air, then carefully washed Sprout with soap. Its soft cheek and tiny frame made it seem fragile, as if it would break apart with even the slightest touch.

But no matter how delicate it appeared, it was still an Object. And being part of the Gray Reaper’s entourage meant it was undoubtedly far stronger than any human.

After finishing their joint shower, Sprout was already sitting on Seoah’s pillow, happily beating it up.

Time to sleep now.

As Seoah lay down on the bed, Sprout softly hummed a melody from the TV, turning it into a lullaby.

“♩♩♬”

Listening to the soft tune, Seoah quietly muttered.

“Goodnight.”

***

Inside the house, the Blue Girl and Muscular Man took out various documents and began discussing something increasingly difficult to understand.

“Why does the cult consider this jade tablet a holy relic?”

“I’m not sure either. But their worship seems directed more toward this erased existence rather than an external being.”

Their conversation grew progressively alchemical, making it harder to follow.

Tub-tub.

Deciding it was too boring, they walked over to the window to enjoy the peaceful scenery outside.

There, near the windowsill, sat a familiar-looking crab shell.

A dead Object. It was the same purple crab shell they’d seen in the snowfield.

The snail shell that led me here… Reaching out, she picked it up.

Suddenly, a faint sound emanated from within the shell.

“To the land filled with mirrors and glass.”

And as she pressed her ear against the shell to listen closely, it vanished into thin air, as if it shouldn’t exist here.

“Probably a hint leading to the right conclusion, indicating where we need to go.”

Her mind became cluttered due to the sudden appearance of the shell, so she started observing the outside view to clear it.

Under the mysterious light of the purple moon, the alley behind the house exuded an otherworldly atmosphere unlike anything modern.

Gleaming pebbles reflecting moonlight, glass crafts and windows shimmering with purple hues.

“Even in a fantasy world, there are way too many windows and glass crafts around.”

Just as she thought about the glass crafts, the previously calm street began to shift subtly.

Objects bathed in moonlight floated unnaturally, and reflections in the windows twisted grotesquely, distorting everything into bizarre shapes.

Seeing the distorted images caused by Objects affecting the glass surfaces reminded her of the clue given by the shell.

We need to hurry to the place hinted at by the shell.

Having sorted her thoughts, she turned toward the Blue Girl.

Although staying silent for over a year had made silence comfortable, this situation required speech.

In the most serious tone possible, she delivered the current status awkwardly yet sincerely.

“Hey, something strange is happening outside. The entire city looks different.”

However, the Blue Girl’s reaction to her words was odd.

Instead of showing concern, she lit up with excitement and clung onto her eagerly.

***

Though the expression and content were serious, the pronunciation didn’t quite match.

“Jeyi, baye ohnjanghaetseoyo. Doe si jeonae ga mwohna dalra boyaeyo.”

The black-and-white-clad girl struggled to speak clearly despite trying hard, which was incredibly adorable.

She hadn’t spoken because of shyness, but now it was clear—she was simply inexperienced at talking.

The Blue Girl smiled warmly down at the endearing sight.

But the little girl got upset at being fussed over too much and clammed up again.

Though tempted to poke her puffed-up cheeks, she refrained.

The black-and-white-clad girl insisted they needed to go somewhere filled with mirrors and glass, but fortunately, their Master knew of such a place.

“There’s a ‘Glass Craft Street’ in this city where they create and store glass crafts.”

Given the warped reflections observed earlier, it seemed logical to investigate this street first.

Equipped with magical books, they headed out. However, the city had become chaotic.

People witnessing inexplicable phenomena attributed them to magic or magical books.

Anything unexplainable in this world was automatically blamed on “magical books,” similar to sorcery in wuxia novels.

This current state of the city was strange, fascinating, and dangerous—a true “Magical Book” incident threatening humanity.

Protecting humans from such threats was the mission of alchemists, so they hurried along.

Meanwhile, the little girl kept turning her head left and right, not out of fear but confidence.

Her curiosity seemed directed elsewhere, making her behavior even stranger.

***

Tub-tub.

Holding hands with the Blue Girl and following the guidance of the muscular man, they traversed the complex city streets until finally reaching their destination.

The Glass Craft Street, truly a land brimming with mirrors and glass.

“Would be easier if I could bring the White Hungry Ghost, but entry into the city is prohibited. Such a hassle.”

The Blue Girl frowned slightly while muttering complaints.

Despite the dazzling beauty of the street adorned with countless glass decorations and mirrors, it felt unsettling and eerie.

Reflections in flat mirrors distorted like fisheye lenses, objects failing to appear where they should, and unwanted ones popping up instead.

So uncomfortable.

Why can’t humans perceive these things through their skin?

Her neck hurt from constantly turning her head around.

‘Creepy.’

Cautiously stepping forward, the monstrous figures reflected in the glass surfaces were horrifying.

Its hair consisted of fingers, eyes replaced by mouths, and noses where mouths ought to be—an utterly grotesque face.

Clearly, the enemy lurked somewhere hidden among the street.

Using her “eyes” to scan the surroundings thoroughly, no sign of the Object emerged.

Suddenly, all the distorted mirrors reverted to normal.

‘…’

Complete silence without a sound.

Clutching her fists tightly in anticipation, she turned around only to see those hideous faces grinning back at her from every mirror.

Overwhelmed by the disturbing scene, she unconsciously activated her Spatial Cut ability.

Ignoring the blood streaming from her hands, she shattered every mirror into pieces.

Simultaneously, the world started collapsing.

‘Time reversal?’

It was the same phenomenon she’d witnessed nine times in her dreams—time flowing backward.

Why?

Panicking, she quickly glanced at the Blue Girl, only to witness the horrifying moment when the monster in the mirror decapitated her.

Failure of the 10th attempt.

Beginning of the 11th cycle.

The purple moon was nearing its breaking point.

Opening her eyes, she found herself back at the entrance of the Glass Craft Street.

‘?’

Confused.

She expected to restart from the Cult.

But there was something she needed to do before entering the craft street. Regaining composure instantly, she looked up at the Blue Girl.

Summoning courage amidst embarrassment, she shouted for her to set fire to the wooden horse.

“Wooden horse, please carry me! Hurry!”

Because of her awkward accent, she had decided never to speak again in this world!

But lacking eyes on the back of her head left her no choice.

***

Is riding a wooden horse before battling a magical book really wise?

The Blue Girl hesitated briefly but ultimately accepted the suggestion.

Despite the cute tone, the girl’s expression remained solemn, impressing the Blue Girl.

Besides, she was confident that her white flame could easily destroy most magical books.

Of course, the small desire to let the child ride the wooden horse played a role too.

“Soft feet!”

Carrying the child on the wooden horse, she noticed an unusual sensation.

“Soft?”

Lifting the black-and-white clad child’s foot for inspection, she realized it was bare.

Unaware due to the long clothing covering her legs, the Blue Girl was surprised to find the child’s sole completely smooth and untouched despite walking barefoot.

Thus, the two proceeded toward the Glass Craft Street.

The magical book hiding in the street used mirrors as conduits, appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

Then, eerily, all the mirrors returned to normal, creating an unsettling calm.

The traces of the magical book disappeared, and the noisy street fell silent.

Amidst this calm, the Blue Girl gripped the Alchemist’s Sword tightly, remaining vigilant.

Just as tension began easing, a ghastly face popped out from the mirror.

And as if mocking them, the presence of the magical book materialized not from the mirror but mid-air.

“No way!”

The magical book targeted the child riding the wooden horse.

“Alchemist’s Shield!”

Swinging her hand, the Blue Girl unleashed a sphere of white flame as protection.

Yet, the blade dyed purple effortlessly pierced through the sphere.

“Moon’s power? Why?”

Blood sprayed into the sky.

“No!”

Shocked, the Blue Girl screamed as the child’s head was cleanly severed from her body while riding the wooden horse. Blood gushed everywhere.

But the decapitated child wore a joyful smile.

***

Late night, near Sehee Research Institute in Songpa District apartment.

A large Gray Reaper doll hugged tightly by Yerin in her sleep began glowing faintly.

The dim light emanated from around Yerin’s neck before fading away almost immediately.

The bedroom seemed unchanged at first glance, but there was a subtle difference.

Around Yerin’s neck appeared a faint circular scar, as if cut cleanly.