Chapter 266

The Courtyard of Sehee Research Institute, where a gentle breeze was blowing, was bustling with researchers during lunchtime.

Amidst the crowd, a researcher with a sorrowful expression was wandering around, asking people about the whereabouts of the Golden Hungry Ghost Reaper.

In their hand was a photograph that had now become useless since everyone at the institute already knew its contents.

“Still, haven’t you seen it?”

Desperation tinged the researcher’s voice. Though several days had passed since the disappearance, they refused to give up and continued searching for the Golden Hungry Ghost Reaper.

From afar, watching this scene unfolded the eyes of the so-called ‘Golden Hungry Ghost Reaper,’ who was actually the Pudding Reaper, filled with hesitation.

After resurrecting in the Mini Reaper Garden, the Pudding Reaper looked quite different from before.

Though still golden like the sun, their silhouette had changed into something resembling being submerged in a large pudding.

Moreover, their texture and scent had also transformed, causing them visible worry.

“What if they don’t recognize me?”

Their current form felt unfamiliar even to themselves, and the Attach Human would surely feel an even greater sense of estrangement.

As the Hungry Ghost Reaper observed, they gently nudged the pudgy Pudding Reaper.

“It’ll be okay.”

Encouraged by this small gesture, the Pudding Reaper gained a bit of courage and began carefully bouncing toward the researcher.

“Hang in there.”

The Hungry Ghost Reaper watched with a warm smile, remembering how they first discovered the Pudding Reaper and helped find their Attach Human.

Despite having endured a period of Mental Pollution, seeing the Pudding Reaper reunite with their Attach Human warmed the heart of the Hungry Ghost Reaper.

Is there some kind of connection between Attach Humans and Objects?

Even though there’s a chance they might not recognize each other…

Among countless Golden Reapers, people could always accurately distinguish their Attach Golden Reaper.

The moment the researcher seeking the “Golden Hungry Ghost Reaper” saw the Pudding Reaper, they instantly recognized them and embraced tightly.

“I was really worried about you.”

The researcher hugged the Pudding Reaper tightly, almost as if on the verge of tears.

Confused but touched, the Pudding Reaper offered a piece of themselves, which the researcher happily accepted and ate, breaking into a bright smile.

It was a heartwarming moment between the Attach Human and their Attach Object.

Watching this, memories of their own owner flooded back to the Hungry Ghost Reaper—of all the happy times spent together.

They suddenly missed their owner, whose Lead Doll contained a Gray Reaper, whom they spotted in the corner of the courtyard.

There, the Golden Reaper had gathered numerous golden jellies, forming a massive jelly hill.

Nearby, the Gray Reaper was sneaking around, doing something whenever the Golden Reaper left the jelly hill.

With intense focus akin to creating a Tyrannosaurus, they clenched and unclenched their tiny fists.

Each time, the red jelly on their palm turned golden.

On closer inspection, the Gray Reaper was secretly replacing the golden jelly at the center of the hill with red jelly using Space Replacement—an incredibly stealthy and skillful technique.

Almost at the level of the “1st Sword”!

Though the Golden Reapers were said to have grown gentler recently, when no one was watching, they were still full of mischief.

“Hmm…”

The Hungry Ghost Reaper reluctantly turned away and walked deeper into the Mini Reaper Garden.

“I should visit the Blue Owner lying in bed today.”

The Hungry Ghost Reaper had always loved their owner.

Perhaps…

***

After hiding five red jellies among countless white ones in the rice bowl, I exited the courtyard.

Normally, I would’ve swapped everything except the top layer, but it was “Kind Mother Week,” so I stopped after just a few.

Technically, pranks weren’t allowed during “Kind Mother Week,” but my mischievousness overflowed, and a little leaked out.

Hehe.

This should be forgivable by the Golden Reapers, right?

Tubang tubang.

Walking through the quiet corridors of Sehee Research Institute, I decided to take a rare look at the harmful objects in the Isolation Rooms.

Many of them were still suffering from Mental Pollution despite killing the blue star.

While observing these contaminated objects, I felt the need to handle the Ghost Cat and the Blue Lizard.

I could just carry the lizard, but I’d tell the cat we’re going out for tonkatsu and bring them to Jelly Pig Hospital.

Lost in thought, I noticed something strange.

Even though it was lunchtime, the corridor was eerily empty.

Moreover, all the CCTVs were off.

The end is near! The end is near!

Back in my day, such a situation was unimaginable at the research institute.

“!”

Continuing down the hallway, I found the reason for the emptiness.

“Please clean thoroughly!”

“Clean thoroughly!”

The Blue Reapers were busy cleaning the entire Sehee Research Institute with magic.

“So that’s why they turned off the CCTVs to avoid interrupting the Blue Reapers’ cleaning.”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen any cleaners lately.

Even though I understood the reason, it was still absurd.

A research institute leaving security and cleaning to Objects?

It was characteristic of the relaxed Sehee Research Institute, but hardly deserving of the name “research institute.”

***

The Helmet Researcher sat in the Lounge, watching other researchers boast about their Golden Reapers.

“My Golden Reaper remembered up to ‘b’ yesterday.”

“Really?”

Thankfully, those chosen by Golden Reapers had given up ghostwriting reports but started comparing how intelligent their Golden Reapers were.

Meanwhile, the Golden Reapers showed no interest in these comparisons, simply munching on the puddings given by their Attach Humans.

Huhuhu.

Listening to their conversation, the Helmet Researcher proudly fed their Golden Reaper a snack.

“My Golden Reaper remembered up to ‘o’ the first time I tested them yesterday.”

Though meaningless, it had a strangely addictive charm, much like psychological or personality tests.

And when the results from the lounge were better than others’, it naturally made one’s shoulders rise in pride.

The lounge buzzed with Golden Reaper stories, while related news played on the TV.

This was shocking enough to overshadow even the Italian incident.

“[Breaking News: In a rather unusual development, a Golden Reaper has been appointed as the director of a Japanese research institute.]”

“[This event, occurring in Japan—a country second only to the U.S. in object research—has sent shockwaves.]”

The screen showed a Golden Reaper standing grandly on a large podium.

Next to them stood the former director, earnestly answering questions with a microphone.

Most reporters’ questions boiled down to:

“Why on earth did you do such a crazy thing?”

The answer was simple.

“Because they’re cute.”

“[The Japanese Object Association strongly criticized this unprecedented decision.]”

“[However, surprisingly, the American Object Association responded positively.]”

“Ugh…”

Watching this absurd scene gave me a growing headache.

It felt like a giant hammer pounding against my skull.

My head felt like it would split open any second.

Seeing this, the Golden Reaper worriedly patted the Helmet Researcher’s cheek with a truly sad expression, accompanied by the warm scent of sunshine.

In that instant, all trivial worries vanished, and the headache disappeared as if washed away.

“Well, if they’re this cute, being a research institute director isn’t too bad, right?”

The Helmet Researcher happily stroked the Golden Reaper’s head as they both smiled.

***

Mini Reaper Garden, Marshmallow Plains.

I felt like a chef slicing bread with a bread knife, preparing a simple meal.

Like cutting soft bread in half and spreading strawberry jam, I delicately sliced open the back of a White Hungry Ghost, spread jam, and placed it on the ground.

Gee-hee-hee.

Lifting my head to look around the Marshmallow Plains, it was already filled with the ghost-jam-bread creations I’d made.

It resembled the sight of red peppers drying under the sun.

To make it look even tastier, I sprinkled sprinkles generously.

This was my revenge for making the poor White Hungry Ghost cry earlier.

There was just one regret.

Even though I shared it with the Mini Reapers, they complained it was too much and refused to eat.

How strange.

They tear them apart eagerly enough, but won’t eat the White Hungry Ghosts I’ve prepared into delicious meals.

Such peculiar creatures.

The Orange Reapers, however, praised it highly.

They borrowed a few Mini White Hungry Ghosts and created dishes that impressed even me.

After hollowing them out, they stuffed them with meat and baked them in the oven.

“Amazing!”

I petted the fluffy hair of the Orange Reaper as I complimented them.

While cooking with Hungry Ghosts, I realized my supply of Mini White Hungry Ghosts had run out.

“Already finished?”

Looking around, I couldn’t spot any White Hungry Ghosts.

Recently, their numbers seemed to have decreased, but maybe it’s just my imagination.

As I wandered around, I saw Golden Reapers running on all fours.

Has animal play become trendy? There were many Golden Reapers galloping around on four legs.

Hmm, something feels off?

Strangely, these Golden Reapers sounded like they were saying “Gee-hee-hee.”