Chapter 268

In the Deep Place of the Free City Alliance, there stood a shabby building rarely visited by people.

Inside this decrepit building, which looked like it could collapse at any moment, sat a silver-haired girl perched on the windowsill, gazing out at the scenery.

The building, haphazardly expanded over time, appeared dangerously unstable, as if ready to crumble. Narrow alleys barely wide enough for one person twisted and turned in a maze-like complexity.

Moreover, the walls of these alleys were covered with colorful but chaotic graffiti.

Had it been night, the disordered neon signs would have only added to the confusion.

Such was the landscape of the Free City Alliance, untouched by governmental control.

A scene some might call freedom, while others might label it indulgence.

The silver-haired girl stared endlessly at this panorama.

Approaching her was a large man who spoke up.

“Cheong, why don’t you try eating this?”

Without even turning her head, the silver-haired girl named Cheong gave an immediate reply.

“Absolutely not.”

The man carrying a plate walked closer but slumped upon hearing her response before swallowing the caterpillar on his plate.

“Mmm… It’s delicious.”

The caterpillar was jet black with red and green stripes, about the size of a fist. Its metallic sheen hinted at its terrifying toxicity.

While those born and raised in the Free City Alliance might be accustomed to such fare, it was utterly unappetizing to Cheong, who had only recently arrived here.

But the grotesque appearance of the food wasn’t even the main issue.

Smoking a cigarette nearby, a towering woman laughed while addressing the giant man.

“That stuff’s poisonous! Cheong can’t eat it.”

Indeed.

The biggest problem was the poison itself.

Most foods sold in this city contained toxins, making them hazardous for ordinary people to consume.

Cheong nearly died from eating the wrong thing when she first arrived here.

If she hadn’t met her current companions, she’d undoubtedly be dead by now.

Sipping liquid made from ground soybeans through a tube, Cheong thought quietly.

‘This city is absolutely insane.’

Not far away, her fellow inhabitants exemplified this madness.

The smoking woman was well over two meters tall.

The hefty man munching caterpillars possessed four arms.

A city of lunatics who cut off their own limbs without hesitation.

A city where unknown objects were carelessly fused into their bodies.

A greedy city that replaced internal organs with harmful objects just to digest its toxic sustenance.

And a city filled with oppressive yellow air, thick with pollution.

Cheong pulled up her mask again while observing the yellow-tinted sky.

Still, she understood that this city had no other choice.

With China’s blockade, proper supply routes were impossible.

Without mainland support, the ‘Free City Alliance’ couldn’t sustain itself.

The land was too small, and the population too large.

Thus, they resorted to using unconventional objects defying physical laws.

‘Someday, I hope I can leave this city.’

The silver-haired girl silently wished for something unlikely as she gazed endlessly toward the horizon.

***

In the Mini Reaper Garden amidst Marshmallow Plains, the Gray Reaper wandered around.

Cradled in the Gray Reaper’s arms was a Ghost Cat, purring contentedly.

“Mrrr…”

The Ghost Cat snuggled deeper into the Gray Reaper’s embrace, clearly enjoying the comfort.

“Stroke… stroke…”

The Gray Reaper gently rubbed the Ghost Cat’s back with a kind hand.

“Mrrr…”

Though the Gray Reaper often seemed forgetful, ignoring the Ghost Cat most of the time, today they suddenly grew affectionate—raising some suspicion.

However, the Ghost Cat’s guard dropped quickly under continuous petting and snack offerings.

Suddenly, the Gray Reaper transmitted an intention.

“Want to go eat tonkatsu?”

“??”

“It’s super delicious. You’ll love it!”

They arrived at a building sitting atop a Jelly Pig.

Despite many Mini Reapers walking around, the place didn’t feel much like a restaurant.

“Mrrr…”

Sensing something odd, the Ghost Cat meowed softly, but the Gray Reaper smiled kindly and reassured them.

“Just a little further.”

Then the Gray Reaper led the Ghost Cat into a room completely painted black.

It felt incredibly sturdy, radiating an ominous pressure. Occasionally, yellow eyes blinked within the darkness.

“Creak…”

As the heavy door closed, the atmosphere hardened, resembling a prison.

“Meow!”

Attempting to escape via ghosting, the Ghost Cat found themselves already restrained by Golden Reapers.

“!”

Turning sharply, the Ghost Cat saw no trace of the kind Gray Reaper.

“Hehe…”

Instead, a mischievous and sinister Gray Cat grinned wickedly.

“Meow!”

“You’ve been tricked!”

Furious cries echoed as the Ghost Cat struggled against the firm grip of the Golden Reapers.

Like a poor cat strapped to a surgical table, all four limbs were pinned down.

Approached by the Gray Reaper wielding firewood, their face twisted with malice.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”

As the Gray Reaper set the Ghost Cat ablaze with firewood.

“MEOWWWWW!”

The anguished cry of the Ghost Cat reverberated throughout the Jelly Pig Hospital.

***

Before a small tomb in the Mini Reaper Garden.

I stood there, looking down at it.

Unfortunately, the attempt to revive the Ghost Cat failed.

It died.

Its Object grade was too low, resulting in death.

I mourned silently in front of the Ghost Cat’s grave.

“This Ghost Cat wasn’t supposed to die so quickly…”

“Meow!”

Above my head, an infuriated Ghost Cat pummeled my skull, signaling for me to stop babbling.

This new Ghost Cat had a body made of halos and a soul summoned by the Blue Giant.

But having died once and returned with a different body, was this truly the same Ghost Cat?

Ignoring my philosophical musings, the Ghost Cat intensified its assault on my crown.

***

After the furious cat left for Sehee Research Institute, I began wandering the Mini Reaper Garden to pass the time.

Wandering across the vast Snowfield, I stumbled upon numerous sprawled-out Golden Reapers.

“What’s going on?”

Lifting one limp Golden Reaper by the hand, it hung lifelessly.

Swinging it side to side revealed no strength whatsoever, flopping limply.

For some reason, the flaccid Golden Reaper had a magnetic charm that made me want to keep touching it.

After fiddling with it for a while, I asked what was wrong.

With dimmed eyes, the Golden Reaper transmitted a faint intention.

“Adventure…”

Listening closely revealed the cause: their joyous adventure had ended.

The revelation of Orange Reaper’s lie regarding the “Legendary Pudding” devastated them.

The Golden Reapers embarked on their journey with pure hearts, like archaeologists searching for treasure in movies.

Now their destination was gone.

“Don’t worry. Don’t worry.”

Gathering more listless Golden Reapers, I slowly stroked them.

Upon seeing me, they emitted thoughts of “Kind Mother!” and clung tightly.

Apparently, quite a few Golden Reapers enjoyed adventures, as I instantly transformed into a Golden Reaper Cocoon.

Within this soft cocoon, a sudden thought arose.

The Golden Reapers seem to like me again.

Perhaps it’s time to end Kind Mother Week?

“Hehe…”

Surrounded by golden figures, my vision caught sight of a structure built on the snow.

An ice palace constructed from condensed clouds by the Golden Reapers.

Truly intricate and beautiful.

It felt like the end of Kind Mother Week was approaching.

***

Flying between Cloud Fish, the Orange Reaper discovered an intriguing location.

A Harmful City, teeming with people yet dominated by Harmful Objects.

Here, humans replaced parts of their bodies with Objects.

Faces dotted with spider-like eyes.

People with three pairs of arms and three heads.

Individuals with massive swords protruding from their backs.

These humans, seemingly oblivious, ignored the overwhelming malevolence towards humanity embedded in their chosen Objects.

A city brimming with hatred for humans and reeking of harmful Objects.

A city devoid of normal humans, replaced by beings closer to Objects themselves.

Under normal circumstances, a Mini Reaper would avoid entering such a place.

Yet, amidst this chaos, a pure-hearted girl shone like a star.

Untouched by her surroundings, she remained purely human.

Seeing her, the Orange Reaper became curious.

“How does this girl survive in such a city?”