Chapter 3

Dondon, I wander around the chaotic interior of the research facility.

There are people shouting and others sprinting off with stacks of documents clutched tightly in their arms.

When I get bored in the isolation room, I sometimes come out to observe the commotion, but today’s atmosphere feels even more hectic than usual.

Though the isolation room is a thoroughly sealed space, it’s not like it’s impossible for me to leave.

It’s just a legally regulated object containment facility; it can’t truly hold me prisoner.

If I really wanted, I could turn into a ghost-like spirit and drift around unnoticed—something modern science simply can’t handle.

Just a few minutes ago, I was snuggled up with Yerin watching movies, but then Kim Jungrwi, her boss, came and took her away.

Watching movies alone isn’t fun, so I decided instead to slip through the isolation room walls and explore the facility.

My chosen destination? A meeting room where they’re currently in session.

Lying sprawled across the central table during meetings feels oddly satisfying.

Plus, no one can see me anyway, and the cool sensation gives me a pleasant chill, making it one of my favorite resting spots.

“We shouldn’t rush to confirm Director Lee Sehee as missing. The Seoul Forest doesn’t allow any electronics, so delays in communication are common.”

Oh, wise Kim Jungrwi makes a valid point.

Even if the director is clumsy, labeling her as missing after just a few hours seems premature.

Yerin agrees without much resistance.

During meetings, even Yerin—who often dozes off—keeps busy typing something on her laptop.

I thought she might be slacking off, but surprisingly, she was diligently writing notes and contributing opinions. Shocked! Where did my usual playful Yerin go?

Well, employees who don’t work hard wouldn’t last long here, would they?

Given this, the conclusion should lean towards waiting longer before declaring the director missing. But the deputy director raises an opposing opinion.

“The Seoul Forest frequently experiences object occurrences, and locals who maintain contact haven’t seen Director Lee enter the residential area yet. It’s clear she’s tangled up in some trouble.”

“Should we conduct a large-scale search? With the recent mass death incident, other government agencies and research teams are likely involved, so potential conflicts must be considered.”

Ultimately, they decide to send a recovery team combined with security personnel to both find the director and investigate the deaths.

A pretty standard ending.

Now, wouldn’t it be interesting if I went along to look for the director right now?

The odds of anything exciting happening are low since the director rarely gets into trouble, but with the mass death incident, there’s bound to be something intriguing.

Of course, there’s another reason entirely.

“Do you know where the Gray Reaper is?”

“Nope, no idea. Not in the isolation room, apparently.”

“You need to keep an eye on him until this situation ends. Everyone’s attention is focused on the mass deaths, and if anything happens, the Seoul Research Institute will face serious consequences. Hearings, public scrutiny—it’ll be chaos.”

Everyone thinks I caused the mass deaths, so what kind of reaction would they have if I suddenly appeared?

“Ahhh!”

Yerin, sensing my presence nearby, suddenly calls out.

“Reaper, come out and watch a movie with me! This time, we’ll pop some popcorn and properly enjoy it!”

Heheh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Yerin panic like this—almost a year, maybe? Ignoring her desperate cries, I head toward Seoul Forest outside the research institute.

***

“What’s this sudden talk about movies during work hours?”

The disgruntled voice of Kim Jungrwi echoes.

“Ugh, thanks to my senior, my movie-watching got ruined. They say the Gray Reaper often visits the meeting room if he’s not in the isolation chamber.”

“So what if the Reaper freely roams the premises? Is that really a problem?”

“It’s a problem. The Gray Reaper is like a mischievous frog—if he senses a situation he shouldn’t be in, he’ll vanish. He probably heard the meeting and felt inclined to leave.”

Kim Jungrwi responds with a skeptical expression.

“The Reaper hasn’t left the institute grounds since being contained. Isn’t this worry excessive? Besides, we’ve warned against assuming his intelligence includes understanding language.”

“Well, data aside, my gut tells me he’s definitely gone to Seoul Forest. I’m heading there too, so please approve my fieldwork request.”

Never having left for fieldwork before, Kim Jungrwi is surprised but still signs off.

“It’s dangerous in Seoul Forest anyway, so be careful.”

Despite the sudden fieldwork request, Kim Jungrwi remains a good senior by granting approval while still worrying.

Of course, if he knew why Oh Yerin was requesting fieldwork, he’d never have allowed it. But rigid Kim Jungrwi couldn’t predict her schemes.

***

Clouds loom overhead, and I sit atop the concrete ceiling, gazing at the vast forest stretching endlessly.

I swing my legs leisurely in the gentle breeze.

Facing the CCTV installed on the rooftop, I bask in the wind.

This square guard post made of cold concrete marks the boundary between civilization and wilderness.

Is there anywhere else that so clearly delineates this divide?

The road leading into Seoul Forest crumbles just beyond its border, emphasizing the wild frontier.

Seoul Forest originated from the indestructible Object known as the Steel Tower, which emerged in Pyongyang.

Famous for surviving nuclear attacks, the Steel Tower shattered a widespread human bias: ‘Nukes solve most Object problems.’

Turns out, many Objects resist nukes. Ghost-like entities immune to physical influence aren’t as rare as one might think.

The Steel Tower also destroys civilization within its domain, corrupting electronics and dismantling tall buildings and roads alike.

Thus, the area beyond is often referred to as “outside civilization.”

Inside the guard post, two bald soldiers seem bored stiff.

The senior guard appears zoned out, staring blankly at the TV inside, while the junior guard keeps his eyes fixed on Seoul Forest.

On the TV, endless discussions revolve around the recent mass death incident.

Is it a new Object? Or the Gray Reaper’s doing? Panelists debate heatedly.

“This mass death incident stems from Sehee Research Institute’s incompetence. As shown by last year’s Seoul Research Institute incident, under-equipped facilities managing Objects inevitably lead to issues. Especially when comparing the ‘Cute Puppy’ to the ‘Gray Reaper,’ a top-tier dangerous Object—a catastrophe is inevitable!”

The panelist criticizes the incident, referencing my own terrorist event from when I was human.

“This mass death is likely the Gray Reaper’s doing. If multiple such anomalous phenomena appear near Seoul, it’s highly unusual.”

The junior guard, still fixated on the forest, comments.

Ah, so the mass death discussion naturally involves me!

“Well, unless there’s proof the Gray Reaper did it, it’ll likely conclude as an unidentified new species. Plenty of researchers are inside the forest, so answers should surface soon.”

Public opinion leans heavily toward blaming the Gray Reaper, but investigations don’t work that way.

True, no matter how much public sentiment accuses the Gray Reaper, evidence is required before assigning blame.

On TV, some pundit rants about the dangers of our world and the precarious foundations of society.

The emotional fury displayed by these panelists surpasses even the guards stationed at the forefront of Object encounters—strange indeed.

“It’s strange. They should’ve returned by now.”

The junior soldier continues to stare anxiously into the forest, seemingly worried about someone.

With all the rumors circulating around Seoul Forest lately, it’s understandable he’s concerned.

“Maybe the weather delayed them. You know how storms completely disrupt things around here.”

“But it’s still strange. Usually, they return within a month, but they haven’t shown up yet. I want to report abnormal activity and call a search party.”

“Hey, false reports lead straight to jail. You know Object-related matters are zero-tolerance. If you’re that worried, hire a private detective—it’s faster and more accurate than a search party. Costs money though.”

So, private detectives exist in our country too. Back when I was human, I never had a reason to hire one.

The junior soldier happily dials the number given by his senior and commissions a detective, insisting cost is no object.

“Huh?”

As the clamor dies down, the senior notices something.

Finally spotted me? I wave enthusiastically at the CCTV.

“S-S-Shadow Reaper!”

Startled, the two guards leap off the three-story post and flee in a truck.

Couldn’t they at least acknowledge my greeting?

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