Chapter 262

A Cloud Whale that was nearly indistinguishable from an ordinary cloud—Gray Reaper thought using it would keep them under wraps. But contrary to that belief, as soon as the Cloud Whale took off with its cargo of Objects, chaos erupted worldwide!

From the moment this unimaginably massive Cloud Whale came into existence, countless satellites and cameras had already been tracking its every move.

News outlets around the globe were scrambling to provide live updates on the Cloud Whale’s location, speed, and predicted destination. The most panicked region? South Korea—and more specifically, Sehee Research Institute.

“WHERE IS YERIN?”

Kim Jungrwi’s shout echoed through the halls after Yerin disappeared, leaving behind only a note reading: *“Going on a picnic with the Reaper. Don’t look for me.”*

And in the usually bustling lounge of Sehee Research Institute, now eerily empty save for the lonely hum of the TV, news reports blared about the unfolding crisis.

[Breaking news incoming!]

[A colossal Cloud Whale has emerged near Sehee Research Institute in Seoul and is moving at high speed.]

[Its destination appears to be Southern Italy, where the giant figure was sighted.]

[The Italian government has convened emergency meetings, expressing deep concern to the Korean Association.]

[This unprecedented event has captured global attention.]

[Scientists and governments worldwide are closely monitoring the situation while seeking international cooperation.]

[Further details will follow as they develop.]

Every channel broadcast nothing but updates about the gargantuan Cloud Whale. Meanwhile, the institute staff who normally relaxed in the lounge were all seated anxiously in their offices.

Sehee Research Institute buzzed with ringing phones and hurried conversations as researchers scrambled to answer calls and place new ones. Amidst the chaos, Golden Reapers wandered around offering sweet snacks, worry etched onto their faces.

Thus unfolded the disarray within Sehee Research Institute amidst the Cloud Whale incident.

***

Meanwhile, Italy was also thrown into turmoil. Fighter jets soared into the sky, drones and satellites keeping close tabs on the approaching Cloud Whale. As it neared Italian airspace, fast-moving fighter jets began circling nearby.

Of course, neither the Italian Association nor the government intended to take direct action against the whale—it seemed merely symbolic, showing they were “doing something.”

Unaware of these political nuances, the Golden Reapers were ecstatic. “HUMAN!”

From atop the whale, they joyfully leapt up and down, waving enthusiastically at the tiny figures below. One even begged the Black Reaper to fling him toward the humans.

Launched like a cannonball by the Black Reaper Ballista, a Golden Reaper stuck himself to the cockpit glass of a fighter jet, giggling madly. With squishy cheeks pressed flat against the window, he peered curiously inside.

Though undoubtedly startled, the pilot maintained composure and continued flying. However, the fighters hesitated to venture too close to Southern Italy. They dispersed quickly upon nearing the area.

The Golden Reapers waved goodbye to the retreating jets with disappointed expressions. Thus, the supersized Cloud Whale arrived at its destination: Southern Italy.

***

Purple Reaper strained to sense any movement from the Giant. Weakened though she was, she could tell the colossus had turned away, seemingly unbothered by recent events. Yet harmful objects—humans resembling rusted metal—began rising around her and the Attached Human.

Among them stood “Wrecking Ball,” along with countless others encircling the pair.

“Now I get it… All these are the ones I killed.”

With a bitter laugh, the Attached Human surveyed the surrounding figures. Purple Reaper gathered her remaining shadow energy, clinging protectively to the human.

“If only we could teleport…”

Even one extra minute—or second—would help. And perhaps the human might remember her just a little longer…

As her body crumbled like rusted iron with each exertion, Purple Reaper clung to a small hope. At that moment, the man gently patted her head.

“Enough.”

Short but warm, his voice carried genuine concern unlike anything before. Hearing it, Purple Reaper smiled blissfully, feeling as if she owned the world.

Hehe.

Perched on the man’s palm, she basked in his presence as harmful objects launched their attack. It was glorious—a pretty decent end, really. After all, the wounds inflicted by the giant wouldn’t heal. If she died now, she might not resurrect. But this ending felt far better than surviving alone after the human perished.

In her final moments, she gazed upward at the resolute face of the man she admired so much. *You’re amazing,* she thought, then closed her eyes.

***

Only in those last seconds did the man realize how consistently Purple Reaper had cared for him. To push her away simply because she was an object—he regretted being so shortsighted.

*Not very me-like,* he mused. Still, realizing this truth even in the end brought him peace. And finally, he understood the circumstances of his sister’s death.

Now, everything seemed clearer.

Just as he reached this conclusion, a purple flash descended from the heavens, slicing through the steel projectile aimed at him.

Startled, Purple Reaper opened her wide eyes and grinned brightly. Clad in billowing shadow cloaks, multiple Purple Reapers identical to the one on his palm surrounded him protectively.

Despite their likeness, the man somehow felt he could distinguish between his own Purple Reaper and the others. His personal companion looked up at him with reassurance, as if saying, *We’ve got this.*

Then a golden beam of light tore through the mist, dispersing it entirely. Revealed beneath was the towering silhouette of the Cloud Whale, casting its immense shadow over everything.

Countless beams of golden light radiated from atop the whale. Soon, various objects began descending—one mini reaper after another, followed by a titanic dinosaur, wild boar, and even a mysterious white blob.

These entities proceeded to obliterate the so-called “Selectors” without mercy. In Southern Italy, whispers often circulated about how powerful Selectors were, comparing them to top-tier objects.

But watching objects effortlessly annihilate Selectors, the man realized such claims were mere delusions.

***

I bored a massive hole into the whale’s side to watch the battle unfold below.

Om.

It felt like watching a movie, making the popcorn Yerin fed me twice as delicious. With a swing of his sword, the First Sword of the Golden Reaper cleaved apart space itself, severing one of the giant’s arms.

Though the severed limb regenerated almost instantly, it wasn’t meaningless. Each injury dealt chipped away slightly at the chaotic destruction condition inherited from the Color Universe.

Strangely enough, the First Sword now wielded spatial cuts better than I did. My authority as mom seemed to wane.

Hmph.

At that moment, white flame bubbles drifted toward the giant.

BOOM!

They detonated violently—the signature ability of the Hungry Ghost Reaper wearing a halo, capable of incinerating all objects. Even physical immunities were shredded effortlessly; the giant’s body became riddled with sponge-like holes.

*This guy isn’t as strong as he seems.*

His overwhelming presence aside, the giant struggled to exert full force, akin to a human flailing underwater. The cause was clear: sunlight.

Merely exposed to solar rays, the giant slowly disintegrated. Gold Reaper beams amplified this effect, melting chunks of his form until they scattered.

With the First Sword cutting, the Hungry Ghost exploding, and the Gold Reaper beams carving away, the giant stood no chance.

Turning my gaze elsewhere, I spotted an even more dazzling fight. A building-sized boar teleported erratically, crushing harmful objects with pinpoint accuracy.

Dodging powerful attacks via teleportation and absorbing weaker blows with elastic jelly defenses, the boar moved swiftly despite appearances.

*Ah, this boar was annoyingly fast back when we fought.*

Memories resurfaced watching it rampage so skillfully.

HIHI!

Nearby, a White Hungry Ghost enveloped in white flames dashed happily, burning harmful objects into cotton candy-like goo. Its ability to split into miniatures then recombine made it nearly impossible to harm.

Though fighting admirably…

HIHIHI!

Its happiness grated on me somewhat. I’d have to torment it later.

[Please don’t get hurt, everyone!]

Unlike the Blue Reaper, other mini reapers stayed out of combat, spreading across the city to rescue people. Even weak pastry objects like Sugar Flamingo assisted them.

For a mission involving extraterrestrial beings, things progressed surprisingly smoothly, easing my mind somewhat.

*If this went well, maybe Yerin wasn’t necessary after all.*

Hehe.

***

But just as victory seemed assured, everything flipped with the setting sun.

Once deprived of sunlight, unable to bathe the giant in its glow…

All hell broke loose.

The sky cracked open, revealing the Color Universe beyond. Cut off from solar energy at high altitudes, the Golden Reapers ceased firing beams. The rusted giant transcended material form, transforming into pure radiant blue light—like a fallen star touching earth.

Everything it touched corroded into rusted metal, including objects.

Starting with the faintly glowing Tyrannosaurus, they began to rust and shatter.

I gasped silently, horrified.

“No!! My glowing T-Rex!”

Responding to my fury, black corpses emerged, splitting the Unchanging Sphere. A monstrous black body rivaling the size of the blue-light giant appeared.

Fiery logs burned white-hot atop its head, crowned by two halos.

How dare you!

Eye-to-eye with my T-Rex’s nemesis, the blue-light giant, I glared fiercely.