Chapter 335

“….”

Silence fell over the courtyard of Sehee Research Institute.

It happened when the lead doll suddenly emitted light and spoke.

“It sounds similar to the language used by alchemists to my ears.”

“Did the ‘Objects’ learn language? Or is this ‘language of alchemists’ something special?”

James wore an expression that was quite intrigued.

“The lead doll spoke!”

Yerin looked deeply moved, then began gazing at me with an expectant look.

I slowly turned my head away from Yerin’s gaze.

No matter how much Yerin insists, I won’t be talking.

And besides, lacking lungs, I don’t even know how to speak anyway.

Come to think of it, how did that lead doll manage to talk?

“Senior researcher Kim Jungrwi. First, let’s secure the CCTV footage. There’s a chance the security room might not have properly preserved the video.”

Seoah ordered Kim Jungrwi to immediately secure the courtyard’s CCTV footage.

Well, given how the Sehee Research Institute Security Room could erase all footage while eating instant noodles, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Jotting down something in her notebook.

Leaving the seat to secure the CCTV.

Hugging me tightly and trying to move my lips…

That’s how the people gathered in the courtyard reacted in their own ways to the strange phenomenon of the lead doll.

At that moment, the lead doll opened its mouth again.

[Was your wish fulfilled?]

The lead doll, looking ten times more expressionless and sleepy, tilted its head and expressed doubt.

Did nothing happen after all?

True, I didn’t sense any great flow of power that would indicate something extraordinary had occurred.

While the mini reapers looked thrilled, glancing down, the Black Reapers wore expressions as if they’d known this would happen.

Cupping one black reaper in my hand and tapping its head, I asked,

“Do you know what’s going on?”

The black reaper vigorously nodded up and down.

“Not mom!”

“?”

Still wearing a confused expression, I watched as the black reaper exuded determination through a slightly frustrated look.

“Not mom, that’s why!”

“….”

Hmm.

Now I get it.

Looks like it’s some kind of complex issue I’d never hear about from mini reapers.

After setting the cheerful black reaper down and turning back to the lead doll, I saw Yerin conducting various experiments.

Though it looked less like experimenting and more like playing with a pet.

“Alright, right hand!”

When Yerin extended her hand and said “right hand!”, the lead doll placed its tiny right hand into Yerin’s palm.

The lead doll also complied when asked to place its left hand, left cheek, or right cheek.

“Good job!”

With a delighted smile, Yerin patted the lead doll’s head.

“….”

I didn’t quite like the sight.

Turning my gaze irritably to the side, I saw Seoah and James having a serious conversation.

“That ‘lead doll’ Object seems to follow orders given by humans as its primary behavior principle.”

Seoah nodded while pointing toward Yerin and the lead doll.

“At the moment, we could say it’s only following instructions from researcher ‘Oh Yerin’.”

James suggested a simple experiment, then approached the lead doll and asked,

“Could you give me your right hand?”

The lead doll, with a blank expression, placed its right hand onto James’s palm.

“Eek!”

Seeing this, Yerin appeared somewhat shocked.

Hehe.

***

Sehee Research Institute Office.

Oh Yerin sat at her desk with a slightly gloomy expression, preparing to write a report.

“Time to play with the reapers!”

This time, the newly uncovered lead doll-related report and many tasks she’d postponed came flooding back.

Yerin turned on her computer and prepared a warm cup of tea.

Instead of milk or sugar, she dropped a small white hungry ghost into the tea.