Chapter 318

Mini Reaper Garden. Milk Bingsu Snowfield.

The Ghost Object, which had become a hot topic among the Golden Reapers, was floating around there.

“Where am I?”

“Who am I?”

“I don’t know.”

The Ghost Object felt as if it had just been born, with everything seeming unfamiliar.

Thus, to understand itself and the world better, it began wandering through the Mini Reaper Garden.

The first thing it noticed were the Golden Reapers.

“Ghost!”

“Find it!”

The Golden Reapers left tiny footprints on the cold snowfield as they stomped around.

“I’m faintly connected to that golden object.”

The Ghost Object sensed a faint connection and kinship with the Golden Reapers.

And within the Golden Reaper, it saw an endless flame of affection glowing like a warm sun.

“So, am I also a golden object?”

With this question in mind, the Ghost Object left the Milk Bingsu Snowfield.

Avoiding the Golden Reapers searching thoroughly, it entered the Sea of Hot Chocolate, where it spotted a small candy house floating on the sea.

Peeking out from the tiny candy house was a Blue Reaper.

As there was no cover on the Sea of Hot Chocolate, the Blue Reaper and the Ghost Object’s eyes met instantly.

<Yu… You’re a ghost!>

Looking extremely startled, the Blue Reaper only left behind the message <Please let me escape from here!> before disappearing in an instant.

“I sense a weak connection with that blue object too.”

The Ghost Object saw a faint but definite flame of kindness within the Blue Reaper.

“Am I a golden object? Or maybe a blue one?”

After seeing the Blue Reaper, the Ghost Object felt even more confused about its identity.

“I wish I could be a warm object like the golden or blue ones.”

With this vague thought, the Ghost Object started flying toward the Jelly Jungle.

“!”

In the shadows of the forest, it found an Orange Reaper floating gently under the sky with a kind expression.

However, contrary to its gentle appearance, inside the Orange Reaper swirled a dark desire to torment others.

“I’ll secretly steal Pudding Reaper’s pudding today.”

Being inexperienced, the Ghost Object couldn’t fully interpret the Orange Reaper’s intentions but got the general gist.

[To steal precious items from weaker objects!] What a truly terrible object that torments the weak.

Even worse, it somehow felt a connection and kinship with the Orange Reaper too.

Though feeling a bit scared about discovering its true nature, the Ghost Object shook its head and continued onward.

Arriving at a marshmallow-filled plain, it discovered an object radiating a strong pull—a Gray Reaper lying comfortably asleep on the ground.

“Master? Creator?”

“No. Mom!”

Strangely, upon seeing the Gray Reaper, the Ghost Object suddenly understood its own identity.

Floating closer, it saw colorful Mini Reapers sleeping around “Mom.”

“Mom” seemed to be having a nightmare, frowning slightly and emitting a faint will.

“I hate working.”

“If only the Mini Reapers could kill all the External Beings…”

Hearing this will, the Ghost Object realized what it needed to do.

“Mom is suffering!”

“I need to take her place!”

<I must bear the divine burden instead!>

Burning with yellow eyes, the Ghost Object slowly approached the Gray Reaper.

***

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Suddenly feeling something touch my forehead, I woke up to find a strange-looking object stabbing me with a sword.

Not just any object—it was a Mini Reaper holding firewood.

What’s more, it was someone I’d never seen before.

Does becoming a “moon”-level existence automatically create Mini Reapers?

Or did that white one use abilities similar to mine?

While observing quietly with my eyes closed, the excited Mini Reaper started making weird noises.

“I’m inheriting the throne! Mom!”

Stabbing me with a sword while saying such things…

In that moment, I opened my eyes, grabbed the new Deviant Reaper, and snatched away the sword.

“Aaaah! My filial piety!”

After taking the sword, the new Deviant Reaper flailed around, emitting feelings of deep injustice.

It cried a little, clearly aggrieved.

“Filial piety? Does that mean a sword for showing respect?”

Exactly how is this “filial”?

Upon closely examining the thrashing Mini Reaper, its form looked familiar somehow.

A pure-white ghost.

Blood-red traces.

A sheet-like ghost.

“Ah, so this is it. The Ghost of the Snowfield?”

It appeared to be the new exploration target for the Golden Reaper.

“This sword is confiscated.”

I seized the soft rubber-like sword the Ghost Reaper was carrying.

Though soft and painless, being stabbed by this sword strangely made one feel bad.

I’ll give it to Mini Hippo in the courtyard later as a gift.

Hehe.

“Aaaah!”

Seeing the sad crying face of the Deviant Ghost Reaper made me feel even happier.

***

Near Songpa District, James Tower.

Several days after the Gray Reaper split the sky.

Finally relaxing in his private quarters, James lounged in a chair.

“Finally, it’s over.”

When the Golden Reaper heard James’ voice filled with deep fatigue, it hopped onto his shoulder and patted him approvingly.

James picked up his cup to drink some coffee but found something else instead—hot chocolate with rich aroma, smooth texture, and extreme sweetness.

This hot chocolate, coating his mouth naturally, was quite familiar to James.

It was from the Mini Reaper Garden’s hot chocolate.

Surprised, James put down the cup and turned to look at the Golden Reaper, who was just giggling.

It was as if saying “I removed the poison and brought you something tasty!”

This made James chuckle a little.

“Well, hot chocolate isn’t bad either in times like these.”

Smiling faintly, James sipped the hot chocolate slowly.

With the TV sound playing softly in the background, James drifted into thought.

“As described in Artifact Number 0, the Gray Reaper has collected all seven moons.”

James recalled memories from long ago.

Actually, James and America had two choices.

Either choose the method to break through the Object Crisis using Artifact Number 0 and the Gray Reaper.

Or choose the “only solution” claimed by the people known as “Black Masks,” aka “Ninjas.”

The crossroads of choice was their stance on the Unchanging Black Sphere.

The masked individuals insisted the Gray Reaper must never come into contact with the black sphere.

But Artifact Number 0 showed a future where contact would occur.

Ultimately, they chose the suspicious Black Masks over the Gray Reaper.

“Now that I think about it, I have no idea where they are or what they’re doing.”

The masked individuals disappeared the moment James and America chose a different path.

Regular communications with their leader were cut off as well.

Their disappearance felt like they were waiting for something, making James uneasy.

At that moment, news of another incident started playing on the TV.

“Recently, strange objects and ruined buildings have been appearing nationwide.”

“Apparently, these seemingly medieval or fantasy items have suddenly emerged as if falling from the sky.”

“The Korean Object Association officially classified this phenomenon as ‘Object Phenomenon.'”

“Since the exact cause and nature remain unknown, citizens are advised not to approach discovered objects or buildings.”

“Currently, the government and relevant agencies have begun investigating the Object Phenomenon and are developing countermeasures prioritizing public safety.”

“The Korean Object News will report additional information related to the Object Phenomenon promptly. We ask for your attention and tips.”

“No rest for the weary.”

Looking down at his dedicated communication device ringing wildly, James drained the remaining hot chocolate in one gulp.

Part of the message content was displayed on the device.

“The current spatial fusion situation appears to match the phenomena described in Artifact Number 0. Urgent response required.”

***

Late night, Deep Place in Seoul Forest.

Near the Steel Tower entrusted to the Mini Reapers by the Gray Reaper.

Tump tump.

Black Reapers carrying water-made spears were patrolling around the Steel Tower.

They were the Black Reaper guard posts monitoring the Steel Tower.

Originally, monitoring the Steel Tower was the responsibility of the Golden Reapers, but since Golden Reapers sleep at night, the Black Reapers took over nighttime surveillance.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Like soldiers synchronizing breaths in the military, they went tump tump.

Then, a Giant Metal Mass fell from the sky.

Beep?!

A Black Reaper crushed by the metal mass crawled out and looked up to see the Steel Tower twisting and breaking apart.

Simultaneously, the entire Seoul Forest began shaking.

The towering Steel Tower dominating Seoul Forest started losing its form and collapsing gradually.

Like a giant kneeling, the Steel Tower slowly but completely crumbled.

“!!!”

Startled, the Black Reapers produced numerous exclamation marks above their heads.

At that moment, a black light shot up from the collapsed ruins, ending in a sinister black star appearing in the sky.

This black star seemed like an omen heralding the arrival of a new era.

“I need to call Mom!”

The Black Reaper emitted a will of “Big trouble!” and started running frantically around near the Steel Tower.