Chapter 276

The Free City Alliance, deep underground.

In the pitch-black darkness, a place where Object Bodies that have lost their hosts gather existed.

They flowed in through complex tunnels deliberately bored throughout the city, resembling a grotesque spider with tangled fingers.

At the end of these tunnels stood an enormous cylindrical Object tank.

This tank was so vast it covered an area comparable to the entire Free City Alliance.

Though quite deep, its sheer width made it feel like a pancake.

And just as massive in size, its ‘dignity’ was equally high—almost moon-like in stature.

Inside the tank were elongated, segmented fingers unlike anything human, wriggling around like worms.

Within these fingers were transparent sacs, and inside those, something akin to human fetuses squirmed.

This grotesque sight was the fate of the bodies entering the tank.

Around the tank, voices of intent leaked out—an auditory frequency no human could hear.

“Should’ve seized the opportunity….”

“It’ll become the legend of the Free City Alliance.”

“I can’t die yet.”

From laments of regretful deaths to…

“Humans, I need to eat humans!”

“I still hear the voices. Eat more! More!”

There was a wide variety, including the mad mutterings of Scavengers.

Occasionally, radiant chunks of gold would fall onto the tank, glittering beautifully.

Each time, the worm-fingers rushed toward them like carp swarming bait or parasites burrowing into host flesh, devouring the gold hungrily.

Though yearning for warmth, goodwill, and joy encapsulated in the gold—things they lacked—it was something they could never truly possess.

Dominating the tank was a colossal worm-finger, spiraling around like a ruler of its domain.

It resembled a horrifying fusion of golden wires and dull metal.

On top of this giant finger were monitors, each flashing red messages: [Attack Failed.] [Attack Failed.] [Attack Failed.]

The red flashes pulsed like warnings, spreading unsettling truths.

As if conversing, the messages changed:

[A New Strategy is Necessary.]

[Difficulty Level Adjusted to Special-Class Target Acquisition.]

The light grew stickier, darker red.

[Planning an Operation Suitable for the Objective.]

Following this, incomprehensible strings of characters flooded the monitors.

***

Under the warm sunlight at Sehee Research Institute.

With me and Tyrannosaurus aboard, the Cloud Whale soared into the sky.

Tyrannosaurus looked completely different now—covered in sleek metallic armor!

It was nothing like what James had designed originally; instead of just wearing armor, Tyrannosaurus had fully merged with it down to the bone.

The initial design felt tacky, like a donkey dressed up with fancy saddles.

My imagination alone crafted the glowing Tyrannosaurus, but it lacked some detail when inspected closely.

So, using the Halo, I transformed the armored T-Rex into a magnificent Mecha Tyrannosaurus.

“Hmph, impressive.”

Watching the reborn Tyrannosaurus, I smiled contentedly.

James’s craftsmanship filled in my gaps, creating a Mecha Tyrannosaurus twice as cool as planned.

Its power level had also increased significantly, nearing regular Object standards despite falling short of Special-Class.

For minutes, I admired the Mecha Tyrannosaurus atop the Cloud Whale before slowly descending near the outskirts of the Free City Alliance.

Approaching the city, the air reeked of harmful substances, making me understand why the Mini Reapers hesitated to follow.

All but a few clinging to my hair had fled back to the Mini Reaper Garden due to the stench.

How much patience must the Mini Reapers remaining in this city possess?

Lowering the Cloud Whale’s altitude, I landed at the edge of the Free City Alliance.

“Let’s go!”

I marched proudly toward the city riding the Mecha Tyrannosaurus.

The polluted air, bizarre Object-modified cars, and crowds of people with varied appearances made the city’s reaction surprising.

Unlike when I ghosted into Seoul and caused chaos…

Or expected attacks from such a harmful-object-filled city…

No attack came. No special reaction either.

Instead, citizens went about their daily lives even as they saw me on the majestic Mecha Tyrannosaurus.

“Gray Reaper. City destroyer, Special-Class Object! Be cautious.”

“Don’t provoke it!”

“Mercenaries won’t suffice. Call the family!”

Though in Chinese, their words likely expressed admiration.

Fear and reverence filled the atmosphere.

Everyone respected Tyrannosaurus.

Hehe, anywhere in the world, Tyrannosaurus deserves respect.

Cars moved solemnly without honking, pedestrians walked casually.

It was as if riding a T-Rex was perfectly normal here.

Despite the terrible smell and crazy inhabitants, this city might suit me well.

Hehe.

***

Free City Alliance, Cheong’s group hideout.

“Unfortunately, Uncle PIG arrived… already…”

Cheong spoke with exaggerated sorrow.

“This is his relic.”

Smiling playfully, Cheong revealed the exoskeleton ordered by Uncle PIG—a purely non-Object version customized for her use.

An exoskeleton supporting leg loads and shoulder recoil, ideal for someone who doesn’t use Objects like Cheong.

While mercenaries prefer Object-enhanced muscles and bones, this tool was essential for her.

“Sniffle. I’ll take good care of the exoskeleton.”

As Cheong comically sniffled, the Orange Reaper above her wobbled sadly in rhythm.

Even the cigarette-smoking woman joined in with dramatic gestures.

“Sniffle.”

Meanwhile, the four-armed man watched their antics with a “What nonsense is this?” expression but reluctantly mimicked their pose after being nudged by the woman.

“I’m not dead yet!”

From the corner sat an unfamiliar figure—the former Snail Body user known as PIG.

To which Cheong responded teasingly:

“No, Snail Body Uncle PIG died back then.”

Then, turning serious, Cheong asked:

“Why did you keep using that form?”

PIG, looking uncomfortable, admitted:

“Well… Since I rely on it, I guess I should explain.”

She began recounting how she avoided direct contact via remote-controlled robots due to too many noisy pests and her low Object resistance causing red voices upon slight Object integration.

PIG explained she only used Objects for vital essentials like disguise, lungs, and skin.

After hearing PIG’s story, Cheong giggled and curiously questioned:

“Why exactly did you choose that snail robot shape?”

“My taste,” PIG replied matter-of-factly, prompting Cheong to stiffen and retreat slightly.

***

“Peaceful.”

Cheong sat idly hugging the Orange Reaper, quietly observing the group chatting nearby.

Though Uncle PIG became Auntie PIG, she seemed to blend well with the team.

Considering she always acted crazy but reliably completed missions, it made sense.

Moreover, PIG without the snail body felt far more approachable to Cheong—and probably others too.

“Guess the snail was the problem.”

Cheong thought while squeezing the Orange Reaper’s cheeks to nod them.

Suddenly, a sharp beep echoed from the hideout’s computer.

“Request?”

The man muttered curiously.

After checking the request on the computer, his expression hardened as he approached Cheong.

“Cheong, you need to see this.”

“?”

Cheong tilted her head and examined the request, her gaze turning serious.

This request clearly targeted Cheong specifically.

Marked confidential, details would be disclosed in person, with upfront payment upon acceptance.

The reward? None other than the long-lost relics of Cheong’s parents.

Seeing the client’s name widened Cheong’s eyes.

The king of Free City Alliance mercenaries, the Giant Deity.

The pre-meeting location was the towering Central Tower in the city center.

Clearly, this wasn’t an ordinary request.

Being directly named, the mysterious offering of parental relics left Cheong deeply contemplative.