Chapter 353

In the depths of an unknown cave.

The Mini Sprout Reaper looked up at the Silver-haired Girl, frantically waving both tiny hands as if begging for attention.

With its little hands raised, it wiggled desperately.

“Human! Over here!”

Its movements were so frantic, it resembled a shipwrecked person on a deserted island spotting a passing boat.

Unfortunately, the Mini Sprout Reaper remained invisible to those who hadn’t eaten its fruit.

Even if visible to ordinary people, there was a high chance they’d overlook it due to its size—about the length of a finger joint.

“Ahh!”

As if its cries reached heaven, the Silver-haired Girl turned her head toward Sprout’s direction.

She turned her gaze toward an empty lot near the city, staring intently as if something concerned her.

It felt like she would walk over any moment, and Sprout gleamed with hopeful anticipation.

Just then, from the village side, a tall Brown-haired Girl called out to the Silver-haired Girl.

“Hurry up! We’re almost out of time!”

“I got it.”

The Silver-haired Girl nodded and turned her head toward the Brown-haired Girl.

“Uuuh…”

“Don’t go…”

Though the Mini Sprout Reaper couldn’t understand their conversation, it sensed the urgency in the air.

When the girl turned away, the Mini Sprout Reaper slumped down in despair, feeling as though the world had collapsed.

“Mom… Help me…”

Was it a mistake to convince the Cloud Fish to enter the hidden cave using powerful camouflage and mental pollution?

Or was it wrong to ignore Sprout Sister’s warnings about danger and insist on embarking on an adventure like the Golden Reapers?

Drip. Drip.

Tears began to fall from the Mini Sprout Reaper’s eyes onto the floor.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over Sprout.

The Silver-haired Human had approached quickly and picked up Sprout’s fruit.

A small, round blue orb-like fruit.

The Silver-haired Girl stared intently at the fruit before pocketing it and running lightly toward where the Brown-haired Girl waited.

Perched atop the Silver-haired Girl’s shoulder was the very relieved Mini Sprout Reaper.

“Our hearts have connected!”

Though uneaten yet, Sprout believed it would eventually be consumed and grinned mischievously, “Hehe.”

***

Deep within the Mini Reaper Garden, Marshmallow Plains.

The Discolored Reaper was hanging out with the Golden Reapers.

“Maaaah.”

It nibbled on pudding provided by the Golden Reapers while watching them playfully run around.

“Keep going!”

“You can do it!”

Tiny fists clenched tightly as the Mini Reapers engaged in fierce mini-bouts.

Despite their small size, their combat was impressively serious—they dodged sharp hooks with mere head tilts and blocked punches with deft taps.

“Uuaaah!”

One Golden Reaper was knocked down by a spinning kick.

“We lost!”

But even lying sprawled on the ground, the fallen Golden Reaper laughed joyfully.

Win or lose, the Golden Reapers clearly enjoyed themselves immensely.

“Maaaah.”

The Discolored Reaper envied this scene.

It wanted to join the Golden Reapers and play happily too.

Not only that, but the Golden Reapers occasionally left en masse to help humans in need.

“Help needed!”

“Human in danger!”

Though rare, when such calls came, the Golden Reapers rushed to assist regardless of location.

“Maah!”

When a Black Pinwheel suddenly appeared, the Discolored Reaper tried to offer help but wasn’t understood.

After much head-scratching, the Golden Reaper finally comprehended and shook their heads disapprovingly.

“Weak sibling. It’s dangerous.”

Watching this, the Discolored Reaper thought…

I want to join the Golden Reapers and help humans too.

From that moment onward, alone in the Marshmallow Plains, training began.

Even though each step made it stagger, it didn’t give up.

“Maaah!”

But no matter how hard it trained, nothing improved.

All it gained were bruises from falling.

Concerned, the Golden Reapers watched; the Blue Reapers silently healed its wounds with magic.

The Yellow Reaper offered a custom Golden Reaper Doll Outfit, and the Orange Crowned Reaper quietly observed before leaving.

Everyone worried about the Discolored Reaper getting hurt.

“Maaah.”

Looking sadly at its own hands, the Discolored Reaper noticed cracks forming across its body like old porcelain.

It remembered what Mom said upon first seeing it.

“It’s completely empty.”

Was its body truly hollow?

At that moment, a brilliant golden meteor split the sky and crashed down.

Lifting its gaze, the Discolored Reaper saw the radiant figure of the Golden Armored Reaper standing there, shining like the sun.

Completely different from itself, this was a talented and dazzling Golden Reaper.

An existence unreachable no matter how hard it tried.

“Maaah…”

With a sorrowful expression, the Discolored Reaper shook its head.

Now it decided to give up.

Because it was empty, surely it could accomplish nothing.

Silently observing this, the Golden Armored Reaper sent a warm smile and encouraging will.

“It’s okay. You can do it.”

“And since I, the weakest Golden Reaper, managed to do it…”

“You can definitely do it too.”

“Maybe you’ll become even greater than me.”

Each time the Golden Armored Reaper sent encouragement, parts of the armor transformed into flames gathering on their palm.

Finally reaching the Discolored Reaper, all the armor had transformed into glowing flames hovering above their hand.

“Here, take it.”

With a cheeky grin, the Golden Armored Reaper extended their hand toward the Discolored Reaper.

“Just like me, the weakest Golden Reaper once, you can do it. Definitely.”

As the Discolored Reaper hesitated to extend its hand, the Golden Armored Reaper stepped closer and exhaled more encouragement.

“Don’t feel burdened; I don’t need it anymore.”

Hesitantly, ever so slowly, the Discolored Reaper reached out.

The instant its hand touched the flame, warmth enveloped its body.

Its fragile form began to mend and regenerate.

“Maaah!”

Overwhelmed with disbelief, the Discolored Reaper emitted a tearful cry of will.

Seeing this, the Golden Cloaked Reaper smiled softly and ascended into the sky.

***

Sehee Research Institute, Underground Lounge.

Splash. Splash.

Gradually regaining consciousness, I heard water sounds.

What sound is that?

The moment I fully woke up, I heard the thoughts of the Mini Reapers.

“Mom, you’re awake!”

“Mom!”

Opening my eyes, I found myself not in the isolation room where I fell asleep but in a large pool filled with swimming Mini Reapers.

“Ah, Reaper! You’re awake?”

Behind me, Yerin’s voice echoed as she hugged me in her swimsuit.

Hmm, judging by the situation…

Yerin must have carried me to the underground lounge while I slept.

Come to think of it, we had plans to play today, which I totally forgot.

Hehe.

I gave Yerin a slight hug to express my apology.

“Mom! This is delicious!”

Warm water surrounded me as a Golden Reaper floated over on a bowl, offering a piece of cake.

Taking a bite made the other Mini Reapers widen their eyes before scattering toward various bowls.

“Mom, this one’s good too!”

“Mom!”

“Mom!”

Numerous bowls approached me with snacks.

The sight of floating finger-food bowls reminded me of a dessert buffet or party atmosphere.

Thinking of tipping them all over because I was annoyed but deciding against it to avoid upsetting Yerin, I opened my mouth and started eating one by one.

Then, on the numerous TVs set up in the lounge, alarming news began airing.

[Recent disappearances have surged across Europe in shocking reports.]

[More shockingly, this information was concealed for a significant period by the European Object Association.]

[In response, the American Object Association expressed strong regret.]

[Their spokesperson stated, “Objects are a global threat, and no related information should remain hidden.”]

Though the news seemed connected to Mini Reapers, it didn’t feel particularly dangerous.

“Are the Golden Reapers investigating this case? Is it the Purple Reapers since it’s Europe?”

I dismissed it casually.

Instead, the next news caught my attention strongly.

[A peculiar fog phenomenon has been spotted near the Pacific coastline recently.]

[This fog shows characteristics unlike typical weather patterns, drawing the association’s attention.]

[Of particular concern is the strange behavior exhibited by citizens exposed to the fog.]

[According to witness accounts, those exposed experience temporary confusion.]

[More astonishingly, recovered victims commonly report vivid hallucinations of underwater cities and bizarre structures.]

[Given Korea’s proximity to the Pacific, the Korean Object Association has dispatched investigation teams to the eastern coast and remains vigilant.]

[Citizens are urged to immediately seek shelter indoors and report any sightings of unidentified blue mist to the Object Association.]

This news gave off an eerily ominous vibe.

***

A banquet hall atop a city brimming with Harmful Objects.

Contrasting the vast bluish caves outside adorned with bioluminescent growths, the interior of the banquet hall glowed warmly with golden light.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting soft illumination throughout the elegant space.

The long mahogany dining table featured exquisite silver candlesticks harmonizing beautifully with the ambient lighting.

Elaborately carved silver bowls lined the center of the table, their lids gleaming mysteriously.

Delicate lace tablecloths added further sophistication to the setting.

Guests dressed in lavish attire conversed elegantly while seated.

Men wore perfectly tailored tuxedos, and women dazzled in glamorous evening gowns.

They maintained poised postures throughout the meal.

After finishing their dinner, the man seated at the head of the table spoke.

“Tonight’s feast was splendid. Who’s next?”

An adjacent stiff-standing woman with a stitched mouth handed him a menu card respectfully.

Scanning the card coldly, the man pointed to a photograph.

“This child will do.”

On the menu card was a bright picture of a smiling Brown-haired Girl.

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